IMG Credit: WWE

Monday Night Raw
Date: April 13, 2020
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, Jerry Lawler

We’re still in Orlando and that seems to be because Vince McMahon is (possibly rightly) scared of the television networks and that means everything is going to be live going forward. I’m not sure what to expect this week but we’re on the road to Money in the Bank because that show will work in the Performance Center. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

We look at a recap of Drew McIntyre winning the Raw World Title at Wrestlemania.

Here’s Drew for his first appearance on Raw as champion. Drew gets right in front of the camera and says thank you before talking about how the internet can be negative, but even there people have seemed to be positive. He won the title at Wrestlemania and then Big Show came out and wanted a title match then and there. We see a clip of the Big Show title match and Drew says anyone in the back can come get a shot.

Cue Zelina Vega and Andrade, with Zelina saying this is the real champion. She is sorry for cutting off his Braveheart rah rah speech but brings up their NXT Title match where McIntyre lost to Andrade. McIntyre says they can do title vs. title tonight so Andrade promises to win again.

Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Ruby Riott vs. Asuka

Asuka starts dancing a lot and then pulls on the arm. An armbar into a keylock sends Ruby bailing to the ropes so Asuka sends her shoulder first into the buckle. Choking on the ropes and the hip attack put Riott on the floor and that means the sliding knee to the face. Ruby manages to send her over the barricade but Asuka gets in a kick to the head. Some dancing takes us to a break and we come back with Riott kicking Asuka to the floor for two back inside.

Back up and Asuka kicks her down again, setting up the cross armbreaker. That’s broken up so Ruby tries the Riott Kick, only to get suplexed down. A Shining Wizard gives Asuka two more so Riott hits a running clothesline to the back of the head for the same. Ruby goes up but dives into the Asuka Lock, which is countered into a rollup for two and the break. A Flatliner into the Rings of Saturn with kicks to the face has Asuka in trouble but she reverses into the Asuka Lock at 13:03.

Rating: C+. They were hitting each other rather hard but I couldn’t get all the way into it. Riott hasn’t done anything since coming back and that’s understandable but she seems to be spinning her wheels more often than not. Asuka going on to Money in the Bank is fine, even if it seems to be Shayna Baszler’s to win ala the Elimination Chamber.

MVP is in the VIP Lounge in the back and explains that next week we will have three Money in the Bank qualifying matches. Next week it’s Rey Mysterio vs. Murphy, Aleister Black vs. Austin Theory and Apollo Crews vs. MVP.

Aleister Black vs. Oney Lorcan

Lorcan grabs a waistlock to start so Black is quickly out with a waistlock. Black moonsaults over Lorcan and we take a break. Back with Black avoiding the half and half suplex but getting hit in the face for two. A full nelson keeps Black in trouble but he pulls Lorcan into a triangle choke. That’s broken up as well so Black kicks him in the face, setting up Black Mass for the pin at 9:36.

Rating: C-. I can go with them giving Black some higher competition here and there and it’s nice to see him likely get into the Money in the Bank match next week. He needs to have something to do and while going after Andrade could work, I’m not sure if that’s big enough for him at the moment.

We look back at Becky Lynch retaining at Wrestlemania.

Here’s Becky for a chat. Becky talks about getting in Shayna Baszler’s head and how she isn’t going to be messed with like she messes with everyone else. She’s here to challenge the woman in Money in the Bank who wants it most. Whoever thinks they can beat her, she’ll shock the world.

Andrade and Zelina Vega are ready to show what a real dominant title reign is.

Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Sarah Logan vs. Shayna Baszler

Baszler takes her down and hammers away MMA style until the referee drags her off. Baszler stomps on the arm and the referee stops it at 52 seconds.

Post match Baszler is ticked off and storms to the back through the seats instead of through the ring.

A stoic Seth Rollins talks about his career being crucified.

Austin Theory vs. Akira Tozawa

Zelina Vega is on commentary. Tozawa kicks him into the corner to start but gets dropped onto the top turnbuckle, complete with about five camera cuts. The chinlock goes on for a bit and Theory sends him into the corner for two. An armbar sets up a snap suplex for two on Tozawa and we’re right back into the chinlock.

Tozawa fights up and kicks Theory to the floor, setting up the big flip dive off the apron and Theory is in trouble. Lawler: “Like a Ramen Noodle moonsault.” Back in and a missile dropkick gets two on Theory and the Octopus goes on. That’s countered into the ATL (TKO) to finish Tozawa at 7:12.

Rating: D+. It’s pretty clear that they want Theory to be something special so why in the world are they having him trade moves with Akira Tozawa? It’s ok to have Theory get in a squash here and having him wrestle for seven minutes while having to survive so much offense from a jobber to the stars doesn’t make a lot of sense. Theory’s time on offense wasn’t even that great as a good chunk of it was spent in chinlocks or armbars. Just a bad idea all around.

Post match it’s the rest of Vega’s team to triple team Tozawa.

We look at a clip from Drew McIntyre’s Chronicle special on his way to the main event of Wrestlemania.

Rey Mysterio wants to be Mr. Money in the Bank. He has been cashed in on before but now he’s going to be the one cashing in.

Angel Garza vs. Tehuti Miles

Miles tries a dropkick to start but Garza dropkicks him out of the air in a cool spot. Garza TAKES OFF HIS PANTS and hits a basement dropkick, followed by some Spanish into the camera. A seated abdominal stretch goes on, followed by a kick to the chest and the Wing Clipper to finish Miles at 2:29.

Post match Vega sends out Theory and Andrade for another beatdown, including another hammerlock DDT out of the corner.

The Kabuki Warriors dance in and laugh at the idea of anyone else winning Money in the Bank.

Drew McIntyre looks down at a scar on his arm left by a surgery after his title loss to Andrade. Tonight, it’s a Claymore.

Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Kairi Sane vs. Nia Jax

Sane gets thrown around to start as Asuka is VERY excited in the back. Back to full screen and it’s a clothesline into a toss around by the hair. A gorilla press into a Samoan drop (the Annihilator) finishes Sane at 2:36. Total squash.

Here’s Charlotte to talk about how she got here as NXT Women’s Champion. She (referring to herself as the Queen) won the Women’s Royal Rumble and got to choose an opponent. We’ve seen her vs. Becky Lynch and her vs. Bayley over and over but it was Rhea Ripley coming to the ring and challenging her. That took guts and it reminded her of someone she knows.

Rhea was the next big thing but Charlotte is the biggest thing. Vince McMahon knew that last year when he had her save the main event of Wrestlemania. There is always going to be someone stronger, faster and better and she is going to teach that to NXT, starting with Io Shirai. Everyone bows down to the Queen.

We look at Lana costing Bobby Lashley his match against Aleister Black at Wrestlemania. After the show, Lashley said he thought he needed new management or a new wife.

We look at Shayna Baszler injuring Sarah Logan earlier.

Bobby Lashley vs. No Way Jose

Lashley elbows him in the face as Lana screams a lot from ringside. With Jose down, Lashley goes outside and asks Lana to shut up. Jose gets in a right hand but walks into an overhead belly to belly. A spinebuster sets up the spear to finish Jose at 2:46.

Rollins says the non-believers have left him no choice. Tonight, he stomps out all doubt.

Viking Raiders vs. Cedric Alexander/Ricochet

Ricochet starts fast and hits a dive to the floor, followed by a tornado DDT from Cedric back inside. We settle down to Erik getting caught in a front facelock but he rolls to the floor for a breather. Alexander misses a dive so Erik runs back in for the tag to Ivar. That means Ricochet is thrown at Cedric in a SCARY landing but Ivar dives onto both of them anyway as we take a break.

Back with Alexander taking a bunch of knees to the face, plus Erik slamming Ivar onto him for two. Alexander scores with a cartwheel into a dropkick and a jumping Flatliner really gives him a breather. It’s off to Ricochet to clean house, including a running shooting star press for two on Erik. The Neuralizer misses though and Erik knees Ricochet in the face. Ivar comes back in with the seated senton and Erik drives him into Cedric in the corner for two.

The belly to back suplex/middle rope springboard clothesline gets two with Ricochet having to make a save. That earns him a spinning kick to the face and a completely botched Viking Experience (almost a pop up World’s Strongest Slam instead of a powerslam) finishes Cedric at 13:46.

Rating: D+. This was a rough sit with the Raiders throwing the two of them all over the place and looking a bit sloppy at times. I’m fine with the Raiders winning but they can’t let that finish happen again. It wasn’t a strong performance from anyone and I wasn’t exactly interested in what they were doing in the first place.

The Street Profits officially introduce Bianca Belair and then give a history lesson on vikings. That gets two thumbs up but Bianca says nu uh because they have never beaten the Raiders. Now stop with the games and get that smoke.

Drew McIntyre vs. Andrade

Non-title and Andrade has everyone with him. McIntyre starts stomping away in the corner early on and even catches Andrade with a kick to the chest for trying to jump over him. They head outside with Andrade bouncing on top of the barricade. A Garza distraction lets Andrade pull him into the post though and the chops are on. McIntyre’s arm is sent into the steps and it’s an armbar back inside.

The armbar over the rope keeps McIntyre in trouble and a shot to the arm breaks up a suplex attempt. McIntyre boots him in the face though and hits a top rope shot to the head into a nip up. A spinning back elbow rocks McIntyre but he’s fine enough to backdrop Andrade onto Theory and Garza. Back in and Vega’s distraction lets Andrade crotch him on top but McIntyre escapes the hanging DDT. There’s the reverse Alabama Slam into the Claymore for the pin on Andrade at 5:31.

Rating: C. Not too bad here though I kept waiting on Rollins to interfere and cost McIntyre the match. I wouldn’t have had the US Champion get pinned when he had a big numbers advantage but that title being protected is a long forgotten hope. McIntyre picking up another win is a good thing though as he can mow people down to become the new dominant force around here.

Post match Garza chop blocks McIntyre and here’s Seth Rollins to superkick the champ. A pair of Stomps to McIntyre ends the show.

Overall Rating: D. For the first time in a good while, this show felt like a chore to watch. They’ve had some rough weeks as of late but this was a much harder watch. Maybe it’s the Money in the Bank stuff that always dulls my senses or something else but I didn’t care about most of what they were doing here and the show felt every bit of its three hours. There have been worse shows but this one was exhausting on every level.

Results

Asuka b. Ruby Riott – Asuka Lock

Aleister Black b. Oney Lorcan – Black Mass

Shayna Baszler b. Sarah Logan via referee stoppage

Austin Theory b. Akira Tozawa – ATL

Angel Garza b. Tehuti Miles – Wing Clipper

Nia Jax b. Kairi Sane – Annihilator

Bobby Lashley b. No Way Jose – Spear

Viking Raiders b. Ricochet/Cedric Alexander – Viking Experience to Alexander

Drew McIntyre b. Andrade – Claymore

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

SuperBrawl I
Date: May 19, 1991
Location: Bayfront Arena, St. Petersburg, Florida
Attendance: 6,000
Commentators: Jim Ross, Dusty Rhodes

I haven’t looked at some early WCW in a long time so hopefully it lives up to the rather low expectations. This is the first show of the series and is taking place in May instead of the regular February. The main event is Ric Flair vs. Tatsumi Fujinami for both the WCW and NWA World Titles, because that was still a thing back then. Let’s get to it.

The opening video has a bunch of American and Japanese flags, to show you what the entire point is.

As usual, I must ask, WHY IS THE BIG WCW LOGO TILTED JUST A BIT???

Singer Randy Brown performs America the Beautiful, because WCW thinks we need some mostly unknown singer at every pay per view.

Dusty Rhodes is VERY excited about the World Title match so I might as well get this out of the way here.

The WCW and NWA World Titles were separate belts but represented by the same champion for a few months. In other words, yes Flair was the NWA World Champion, but not one mentioned that in America, where he was only billed as the WCW World Champion. They mentioned it in Japan though, and back in March, Tatsumi Fujinami beat Flair in a match for only the NWA World Title.

However, since that wasn’t a thing in America, WCW said that Flair was still World Champion because he was thrown over the top rope. In Japan, Fujinami was billed as champion because he pinned Flair, making it title for title at SuperBrawl. WCW billed it as only Flair defending in a rematch, because WCW and the NWA liked making things WAY more complicated than they should have been time after time after time (and on top of THAT, commentary in March said that Fujinami’s IWGP World Title was on the line but it was never mentioned to the live crowd).

And yes, I did have to write that about three different times so I could make any sense of the whole thing.

US Tag Team Titles: Fabulous Freebirds vs. Young Pistols

The titles are vacant coming in due to the Steiner Brothers winning the World Tag Team Titles. The Freebirds have manager Diamond Dallas Page (with one of the Diamond Dolls) and Road Boss Big Daddy Dink because they needed a three person entourage. Page has a headset microphone and talks a lot of annoying trash, showing why he would have a job for a long time to come.

Steve (Armstrong, of the Armstrongs) starts with Michael Hayes and an early rollup gives Armstrong two. Everything breaks down in a hurry with the Birds being sent outside and taken down by a double clothesline from the apron. Back in and Dink trips Steve down so the Birds can take over for a change. Cue Brad Armstrong (Steve’s brother) to even things up a bit as there are WAY too many people involved here.

Thankfully the referee gets rid of everyone but the people actually in the match and it’s Steve slipping under a double clothesline for the hot tag to Tracy (Smothers) who clears the ring in a hurry. Back in and a double shoulder gets two on Jimmy Garvin (that hair is amazing) so it’s already back to Hayes. That means a lot of walking around and clapping, because Hayes REALLY likes doing that quite a bit. A low bridge puts Tracy on the floor and Garvin drops him onto the barricade for a nasty looking crash.

Tracy gets knocked off the apron a few more times before Garvin knees him in the head back inside. Hayes gets in a left hand to the head to drop Tracy again but a superkick (nowhere near a big deal in 1991) puts Garvin down. It’s off to Armstrong to clean house as everything breaks down again. The Birds avoid missile dropkicks but get clotheslined outside in a heap.

Back in and a Hart Attack (elbow instead of clothesline but close enough) off the top drops Hayes and a dropkick version does the same to Garvin. The referee gets bumped in the process though and here’s a masked man in a feathered suit (complete with FANTASIA on the chest) to DDT both Pistols to give the Birds the pin and the titles at 10:21.

Rating: C-. This was a bit disjointed due to a lot of stalling from the Birds, plus all of the interference was kind of a distraction. That being said, at least they had a hot ending with the Birds cheating (as they were known to do) to win the titles. The Pistols looked good though and it’s easy to see why they were around as long as they were.

Ricky Morton vs. Dan Spivey

This was during the period where Robert Gibson was injured and Morton was wrestling on his own. Spivey wastes no time in throwing him around and sending Morton outside. It works so well that he does it again, followed by a DDT to drop Morton back inside. A clothesline gives Spivey two and there’s a Razor’s Edge to keep Morton down. Morton’s crossbody is countered with a fall away slam and a legdrop gets two. Spivey gets rolled up for two so he powerbombs the heck out of Morton for the pin at 3:12.

Rating: D+. Total squash here with Morton’s offense coming in the form of a rollup. Spivey was a monster who always seemed like he could be something but he never broke through to the next level. When he can do something dominant like this though, you can see why he kept getting chance after chance.

Z-Man and Missy Hyatt are here. Z-Man is injured but will be back soon. As for Missy, she is going to be in the dressing room for interviews tonight. She tried this at WrestleWar and got chased off by Stan Hansen. Missy promises an improvement tonight.

Nikita Koloff vs. Tommy Rich

Rich hits an early crossbody for one so Koloff glares at him a bit. The early feeling out process continues with Rich’s headlock so Koloff sends him into the buckle. Some forearms to the back and an elbow to the ribs get two on Rich but he’s back with right hands in the corner. The spinning high crossbody misses though and the Russian Sickle finishes Rich at 4:07.

Rating: D. Another squash here as Koloff is moving forward towards the US Title that commentary mentioned half a dozen times here. It’s just such a weird sight to see so many squash matches like this on a pay per view. I know it’s a different time and this was normal, but I feel like I’m paying to watch a weekly TV show.

Here are Teddy Long and newcomer Johnny B. Badd, who promise to knock out PN News. Johnny gets in his classic line of “I’m so pretty I should have been born a little girl.” to mess with Schiavone’s head.

Dustin Rhodes vs. Terrance Taylor

Taylor is part of the York Foundation, a corporate group with Alexandra York (Terri Runnels/Marlena) and security guard Mr. Hughes. The idea is that York has a computer which tells her how her wrestlers can win her matches, which is something that sounds interesting in theory. Unfortunately that’s the extent of its usefulness: in theory. Taylor shoves him into the corner to start but we pause for a word from the computer.

A shoulder puts Taylor on the floor for more consultations as Dustin is getting annoyed. Back in and Dustin takes him down with an armdrag as Dusty is proud of his son. Taylor slips out and let’s check that computer again, allowing Dusty to say Dustin is getting flustered. Dustin wins the slugout and headlocks Taylor down for a breather. As you might have expected, Taylor stalls again on the floor as JR wonders if they’re going to overload the computer.

Back in again and Dustin gets one off a suplex but misses a crossbody (after looking like he nearly fell running the ropes) and falls out onto the ramp. A suplex brings him back in for one but Taylor dives into the raised boot in the eternally dumb looking spot. Dustin grabs the bulldog, drawing York up to the apron. Hughes grabs Dustin and loads up a glove but hits Taylor by mistake, giving Dustin the pin at 8:05.

Rating: C. The computer stuff was fine for a midcard gimmick but it got annoying here as they kept doing it over and over. Dustin was going to get a strong push around here due to all of his potential and his dad being in charge of the place, but at least he could do a lot of good things in the ring.

The announcers talk about the live bears that are about to come to the ring. Yes, this is indeed a WCW show.

Black Bart vs. Big Josh

Bart is an evil cowboy who was around forever. Josh is a woodsman better known as Matt Borne, the original Doink. And yes, he does come out with some rather large bears (Ring announcers: “Along with a couple of buddies!”). To be fair, I liked Josh back in the day so they might have been on to something.

Josh takes him down to start and hits the Log Roll (a bunch of stomps to the ribs) and the strikes put Bart down again. The armbar has Bart in more trouble but he rakes the face for his comeback. Josh pulls him down by the arm a few times and hits the Northern Exposure (running seated senton) for the pin at 3:47;.

Rating: D-. This was unbearable for the most part as it was a sloppy brawl with neither looking good. I can see why Josh is someone they wanted to push for the sake of making kids smile, but my goodness this was a terrible match and it’s probably about as good as the two were going to be able to do.

Here’s Paul E. Dangerously, in a pink shirt, shorts and a cowboy hat, for his Danger Zone interview segment. After mocking the microphone for not working, here’s Stan Hansen as his rather angry guest. Heyman says the hat makes him a real cowboy and Hansen looks ready to kill him. With the tobacco dripping out of his mouth, he wants to talk to all of the young guys who won’t fight him tonight, including Dustin Rhodes. And that’s it, with Hansen leaving so Heyman can talk about the rest of the card until his microphone dies.

With that out of the way, we get the huge entrance for OZ, complete with the Great Wizard (who the ring announcer points out is NOT the Wizard of Oz), Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion. They get up to the big castle set where they find Oz, in his big green robe with a horned hat, who promises to show them who Oz really is. Great Wizard (Kevin Sullivan), over and over again on the way to the ring: “WELCOME TO OZ! WELCOME TO OZ!”

Oz vs. Tim Parker

Emerald City Slam (James Storm’s Eye of the Storm) ends Parker at 25 seconds. This is one of the all time great disasters, as WCW was told to do something with the fact that Turner had acquired the rights to the Wizard of Oz. Next up was supposed to be Rhett Butler from Gone With The Wind, and no I’m not kidding.

Missy tries to get another interview and finds Terry Taylor, who says this isn’t it for the York Foundation and Dustin Rhodes. That doesn’t interest Missy but she thinks Z-Man might be in the shower. Instead it’s Stan Hansen, who apparently wears his underwear in the shower. From walking to the ring and talking a lot??? Stan chases her off again.

Brian Pillman vs. Barry Windham

Taped fist match. Windham shoves him down to start and that doesn’t please Brian at all. Pillman takes him into the corner and hammers away with Windham asking the referee if Pillman knows the rules. Some right hands to the ribs slow Brian down but he’s fine enough to dropkick Windham off the top for a big crash. The top rope right hand to the floor drops Windham again but he posts Pillman to shut that down. They’re already both busted as Pillman is sent onto the ramp, allowing Windham to drop him face first onto the barricade. Pillman gets back to his feet and Dusty is VERY into this. Back in and Pillman scores with a spinwheel kick and some chops with the sweat flying off of Windham’s chest. More chops rock Windham but he’s grabs a belly to back suplex. They hit heads for a double knockdown and it’s Pillman heading up top. That earns him a quick low blow though and Windham superplexes him for the pin at 6:09.

Rating: C+. They were beating the heck out of each other in there but the match never really got into another gear. That being said, their feud wasn’t all that great in the first place as Pillman didn’t really win any of the bigger matches and jobs again here. What exactly were they expecting him to get out of the feud after Windham beat him time after time?

Diamond Dallas Page gets an interview, though only after he asks everyone in the back to shut up (politely) and then asks if we are live, because WCW can never get their production right. He promised to bring gold back to the Diamond Exchange and that is what happened earlier tonight with the United States Title.

Page throws us to a pretaped interview with Sting and Lex Luger, who are ready for an unreal match with their friends the Steiner Brothers. Back in the arena, Page brings out the latest addition of the Diamond Mine: the Diamond Stud, better known as Scott Hall (so yes, Hall and Nash both made their debuts on the same show in your forgotten trivia of the night).

Sid Vicious vs. El Gigante

Stretcher match. It’s so weird to see Sid, who is freaking huge, coming up to Gigante’s chin. Gigante offers a test of strength in a funny bit and then clotheslines Sid outside. Back in and Sid kicks at the leg but charges into a boot to the chest. The Claw finishes Sid at 2:12, because WCW has a weird definition of Stretcher match.

Post match it’s the One Man Gang and Kevin Sullivan coming in to jump Gigante as Sid walks away without touching the stretcher because WCW (and because he’s going to the WWF). Gigante puts Gang on the stretcher but Sullivan throws powder in his eyes. Some chain shots don’t do much to Gigante, who glares both of them off.

Ron Simmons vs. Butch Reed

In a cage with former Doom manager Teddy Long in a small cage above the ring. If nothing else, I get to hear the old Ron Simmons theme three times and that’s a rather appealing situation. Simmons punches him down in a hurry but misses a charge into the cage. He’s fine enough to grab a belly to back suplex but gets sent into the cage again. Reed gets in a few rams into the cage and there’s a rake of the boot over the face.

Simmons is busted open so Reed hammers away and then brags to Long. A middle rope ax handle to the head drops Simmons, who pops back up to send Reed into the cage. Reed does the same though and they’re both down again. It’s Reed up first with a piledriver and another ram into the cage, setting up the chinlock.

The fans get behind Ron but a swinging neckbreaker brings him right back down. Reed’s splash hits knees but he knees Simmons down without much trouble. A double clothesline puts both of them down so Long throws something down to Reed. Reed picks it up but walks into the spinebuster for the fast pin at 9:40.

Rating: C-. They were trying here but it felt more like a house show match than anything else. Simmons got beaten up for the better part of ten minutes and then hit a quick spinebuster for the pin. That’s not exactly thrilling but Simmons would be getting a rocket strapped to his back sooner rather than later and Reed was gone after this so it’s not like there was any other option.

Video on Sting/Luger vs. the Steiner Brothers. They’re both great teams (or at least one great team and one team of two very successful singles wrestlers) and this is THE match on the show, bar none. The video does a very good job of making this feel epic too so well done on getting the big one right.

World Tag Team Titles: Steiner Brothers vs. Lex Luger/Sting

Luger (US Champion)/Sting are challenging and everyone is friendly here. Everyone shakes hands to start and it’s Luger vs. Rick to get things going. They fight over a lockup to start with Rick driving him into the corner and then wrestling Luger to the mat with ease. Back up and Rick sweeps the legs again as Luger can’t do a thing with him in the amateur stuff. Rick tries a flying shoulder and just bounces off of Lex, who snaps off a powerslam for two. This is one of those matches where you can feel the energy on everything they do and it’s an awesome atmosphere.

Rick is back with a belly to back suplex and a heck of a Steiner Line for two. There’s a backdrop to send Luger flying but he EXPLODES out of the corner with a clothesline of his own. The big gorilla press has Sting fired up and he comes in with a clothesline over the top, setting up the big dive to the floor, which wasn’t something you saw every day back in 1991. Back in and Sting hits that running bulldog of his before putting him upside down in the corner, ala Rick Steiner.

The Stinger Splash misses though and it’s off to Scott for a tiger driver. There’s the tilt-a-whirl to plant Sting, who pops back up with a hot shot. It’s back to Luger for a suplex before going back to Sting, who is quickly atomic dropped. A belly to belly superplex gives Scott two but he misses a clothesline and nearly falls onto the announcers’ table. Another suplex brings him back in for two and they seem to botch something, only to have Scott snap off something like a spinning northern lights suplex.

Luger knocks him down again and loads up the Rack, only to switch to a Russian legsweep with Scott almost landing on top of him. Rick comes in off the blind tag though and there’s the top rope bulldog into an elbow for two. Sting gets a tag that the referee misses and missile dropkicks Rick as everything breaks down. Luger and Rick hit heads and it’s a double tag so Sting can belly to back Scott.

A Tombstone plants Scott with Rick making a save. The ref gets bumped to the floor and Rick follows him out with Luger. There’s the Stinger Splash into the Scorpion Deathlock but here’s Nikita Koloff (with a shot from behind in one of those images that is burned into my memory from childhood) to hit Sting with a chain (though he was aiming for Luger) to give Scott the pin to retain at 11:10. The Steiners did not see Koloff interfere.

Rating: A. There are certain matches where you can just feel everything and that was the case here. This was presented as a special match and they lived up to the whole thing. The ending might seem cheap but you don’t want to change the titles, beat Sting or beat the US Champion so what else can you do but a dirty finish? Check this one out if you want to see four guys beating the heck out of each other and the fans being into every second of it. Outstanding stuff and there is a reason this match is considered one of WCW’s best.

In the back, Koloff says Sting was in the wrong place at the wrong time so here’s Sting for the brawl. They go out into the parking lot and the camera loses them.

TV Title: Bobby Eaton vs. Arn Anderson

Eaton is challenging and JR makes a big point of him having no partner or manager anymore, mainly because WCW boss Jim Herd HATED Jim Cornette (it was mutual) and the Midnight Express. They go to the mat a few times for a standoff so Eaton just pops him with a right hand to the jaw. Anderson is a good bit wobbly as he gets up to kick Eaton in the ribs.

Eaton comes out of the corner with a clothesline for two but gets launched off the top and down onto the ramp for a big crash. The piledriver on the ramp is countered into the backdrop though and a second backdrop puts Anderson inside again. The armbar stays on Anderson, who pops right up and wraps the leg around the post. Anderson works on the leg but Eaton fights up this time and sends Anderson face first into the turnbuckles about fifteen times in a row. A big right hand rocks Anderson again but the knee gives out to slow Eaton down.

Anderson is back on the knee with a crank and stomp, followed by the longer form crank. The Vader Bomb hits knees but Anderson snaps off that perfect spinebuster for two. Eaton punches him out of the air and hits a running neckbreaker to drop Anderson. It’s time for the Alabama Jam (top rope legdrop)…..as Windham and Pillman have the most random run in this side of a Russo show to brawl on the ramp. Anyway Eaton drops the leg and gets the pin at 11:49, which goes down as we look at Pillman and Windham (who never touched Anderson or Eaton) running away. It really is as random as it sounds.

Rating: C. The ending interruption really did come out of nowhere and feels insane. I liked the story they were telling here with Eaton fighting through the pain to finally win a singles title and you can’t argue with Anderson putting him over clean. Eaton was a great star on his own but he would drop the title later in the month to some newcomer named Steve Austin. They were trying here, but nothing was following that tag match and I think they knew it.

Tatsumi Fujinami’s manager Hiro Matsuda (who trained Hulk Hogan and Lex Luger among others) says they’re bringing the title back to Japan.

WCW World Title/NWA World Title: Ric Flair vs. Tatsumi Fujinami

I’ve lost track of which titles are on the line just from listening to the introductions so we’ll say it’s both for the sake of my sanity. Flair is in the classic black and white robe but WHAT IS THAT MUSIC??? He has one of the most iconic themes ever and they switched it??? There are two referees here (one from America on the floor and one from Japan on the floor) to make it even more confusing. Fujinami shoulders him down to start and it’s clearly in first gear so far.

Some chops rock Flair and a backdrop makes it worse as Fujinami can stomp away. The surfboard keeps Flair in trouble and Fujinami switches to a Boston crab to keep him screaming. We go old school with an Indian deathlock as Flair can’t get anything going here. A suplex finally gets Flair out of trouble but Fujinami is right back with a running forearm for two.

They go outside with Flair scoring with some chops, meaning it’s time to start in on the leg. A shinbreaker sets up an early Figure Four and Flair slaps him in the face with the hold on, which is rarely a good idea. Fujinami gets out and grabs a Scorpion Deathlock (Flair just can’t get away from that thing), sending Flair straight to the rope. A belly to back suplex drops Fujinami and Flair stomps away, setting up a WOO.

They head outside with Flair going into the barricade to draw some blood (yes, in a Flair match), meaning Fujinami has a fresh target. The staggered Flair falls back outside where he gets in a thumb to the eye but gets slammed off the top. The Octopus goes on and you can see the fans looking confused. Flair flips his way out but loses a slugout to knock him down again. A small package gives Fujinami two and we get a ref bump. The American referee comes in and Flair grabs a rollup with trunks for the pin to retain/win/whatever it is at 18:39.

Rating: C. The wrestling was fine but egads they misfired on the story here. Flair was a heel coming in, the title situation was a complete wreck and Fujinami isn’t known by the masses. Flair and Fujinami are both amazing performers, but there is only so much that you can do when you’re in this lame of a situation. Then again, given some of the horrible drek on this show, this was on the higher end of the show.

The announcers talk about the card and we look at the ending of the main event again.

Credits roll to end the show.

Overall Rating: D-. That tag match is the ONLY thing that keeps this show from being a failure but there is only so much that can be done in an eleven minute match on a two hour and forty minute show. There is a great reason why WCW in 1991 is such a complete and utter nightmare and that’s what we had here. Horrible show here and run FAR away from this outside of the all time classic tag match.

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: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #105
Date: April 11, 2020
Location: Auditorio de Tijuana, Tijuana, Mexico
Commentators: Rich Bocchini, AJ Kirsch

It’s time to head back to Mexico for the Super Series with AAA. The company taped an event in Tijuana consisting of nine matches and for the moment, that’s all they have in the can. That should get them three to four weeks and after that, Fusion could go away for a good while. I’m not sure what that is going to mean but we have a few weeks to get there. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a look at Mexico and how important wrestling is around here. In other words, this is a big deal because they’re working with AAA this time around.

Opening sequence.

We have an opening ceremony, with what I assume is the Mexican National Anthem. It’s certainly coming off as important so well done.

We run down the card.

Mance Warner is proud of getting rid of MJF and now he wants the rest of the Dynasty gone. Apparently the rest of the team went to something called a donkey show and that’s not cool. Savio Vega is ready for the street fight tonight. Mance: “Ole Mancer doesn’t know what Savio said in the middle but it sounds good!”

Mortiz/Pagano vs. Savio Vega/Mance Warner

Street fight and Alexander Hammerstone is on commentary. For some reasons they have to tag to start so it’s Savio and Pagano to get things going. They stare each other down until Savio slaps him in the face and hammers away. Savio knocks Mance off the apron by mistake so Mance throws some blind punches over the barricade. Pagano gets sent outside as well and the fight really gets going with everyone brawling on the floor.

Mance pelts a chair at Mortiz’s head and it’s time for the slow motion brawling that you knew was coming. Some chair shots have Mortiz down as Hammerstone wants to know about Vega’s history of tetanus shots. Mortiz is left on the floor as the other three get inside, meaning it’s time for skewers to Pagano’s head (Hammerstone: “THAT’S NOT HOW YOU DO IT SAVIO!”).

Mortiz gets back up so Savio and Mance go outside, meaning it’s a big flip dive from Pagano, who still has some skewers in his head. Mortiz hits his own dive to send everyone through a board against the barricade for the big knockdown. Back in and Pagano puts the chair in the corner but Warner takes it out and throws the thing at Pagano’s head for two more. Warner and Mortiz trade chair shots to the head (with Mance at least putting an arm up) as the hood of a car is thrown in.

Savio powerbombs Mortiz onto the hood and strikes it out with Pagano. Warner is back up to break a chair over Pagano’s head but Ortiz hits Warner in the head with something made of metal. With that out of the way, it’s time to light a table on fire but Warner chokeslams Mortiz through it instead. Hammerstone has to leave to go get his order from the pharmacy as Pagano throws in some doors. A spear puts Warner through one of the doors in the corner for two so Warner sends him through the other one.

That’s only good for two as this just keeps going. Mance hits a running knee to the head and let’s bring in a table for fun. Before that can be used though, here’s Hammerstone to kick Warner in the face, allowing Mortiz to splash Warner through the table. Savio tries to bring in a chair but opts to punch Pagano down instead, only to dive into a crotching on the chair. Pagano hits a running Blockbuster to pin Vega at 16:00.

Rating: D+. It was entertaining at times but the problem is this going WAY too long. There were long parts that could have been cut out with the same match taking place and that’s not a good sign. Hammerstone costing Warner the win keeps them going but sweet goodness this took a lot longer than it should have.

AAA – 1

MLW – 0

King Mo has been suspended for a month and fined $10,000 for attacking Killer Kross.

Tom Lawlor isn’t happy with Mo being suspended because everyone is against Team Filthy. That’s why he and Dominic Garrini are entering the tag team division to take the Tag Team Titles from those cowards the Von Erichs.

Alexander Hammerstone and Richard Holliday wake up very hungover in the wrong hotel room. Gino Medina is nowhere to be seen because he’s gone off with some girls. And yes, they did go to a donkey show. Hammerstone: “After this, only two, three more donkey shows at the most.” They’re not sure if they can wrestle tonight.

Here’s the Top Ten.

10. Dominic Garrini

9. Low Ki

8. Richard Holliday

7. Mance Warner

6. King Mo

5. Tom Lawlor

4. Brian Pillman Jr.

3. Myron Reed

2. Davey Boy Smith Jr.

1. Alexander Hammerstone

We look back at Injustice attacking Brian Pillman Jr., earning themselves a month’s suspension. Must be going around at the moment.

Injustice isn’t paying any fine and they have no remorse over what they did. They would do it two more times. See, they know where you are but you don’t know where they are. Why does no one ever think of asking the cameraman?

Davey Boy Smith Jr. says Brian Pillman Jr. is injured and eating through a straw but he’ll be back. As for a rumored World Title fight, he’s talking business with the boss.

Contra Unit is preparing for the upcoming war. The infiltration of the infidels is underway.

Konnan is excited about the Laredo Kid vs. Hammerstone match but here’s Injustice (so much for hiding) to interrupt. They want the AAA Six Man Tag Team Titles but Konnan isn’t impressed. The title match is on, because Konnan can reverse MLW suspensions.

Psycho Clown accepts LA Park’s challenge and is on the hunt.

Here’s who else is involved in the Super Series.

Hammerstone doesn’t want to hear about the Dynasty’s losing streak because all he does is win.

National Openweight Title: Alexander Hammerstone vs. Laredo Kid

The Kid is challenging and gets shoved down by some raw power to start. It works so well for Kid that he tries it again but some strikes work a bit better. A headscissors puts Hammerstone on the floor and that means a big dive. Back in and Hammerstone is fine enough for a gorilla press into a swinging Side Effect. A delayed butterfly suplex (the Spinal Countdown for a clever name) gives Hammerstone two and it’s time to head outside.

That means a hard whip over the barricade to send Kid flying but he’s right back in with a missile dropkick. Hammerstone is knocked to the floor this time and there’s a suicide dive to rock him again. Back in and a pair of moonsaults gives Kid two but Hammerstone grabs a reverse AA for his own near fall.

A clothesline turns Kid inside and Hammerstone sits him on top. Kid knocks him right back down and hits an excellent looking 450 for his own two. Hammerstone, with his chin busted, hits a bicycle kick but clotheslines the referee by mistake. Therefore, Kid’s super Spanish Fly gets no count so he has to throw the referee back in. That lets Hammerstone hit a German suplex into a powerbomb into the Nightmare Pendulum to retain at 10:41.

Rating: B-. I got into the power vs. speed match here with Kid trying as hard as he could but coming up short. Hammerstone continues to be a monster and as soon as his deal with MLW is up, he’ll be the subject of quite the bidding war. That being said, what was the point of the hangover deal earlier? It was never mentioned once here and Hammerstone was his usual self.

AAA – 1

MLW – 1

We hear about Mance Warner freaking out in the back to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. This show was much better about making the show feel like it was in the regular continuity instead of taking a big side trip into Mexico where nothing matters. The Super Series is a simple concept but it’s enough to keep the show moving and give them something to do. The opener running sixteen minutes didn’t help things, but overall, it was a good enough night and I liked what I saw so well done.

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: April 10, 2020
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Jon Quasto, Byron Saxton

The timing could be interesting around here as William Regal has announced a tournament to crown an interim Cruiserweight Champion due to Jordan Devlin being unable to leave the UK. The tournament won’t start until next week, but at least it gives them something to focus on around here. Or maybe it won’t be mentioned yet because of the taping schedule. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence

Tony Nese vs. Danny Burch

Commentary does know about the tournament so that’s a nice change of pace. Burch armbars him down to start so Nese reverses into a headlock on the mat. That’s broken up into a standoff so Burch goes for the leg, sending Nese to the ropes again. They do the same things with the roles reversed as they’re staying mostly even here. Burch slips out of a headscissors and grabs a headlock but Nese sends him to the apron.

An elbow to the face puts Burch on the floor and it’s a splash for two back inside. The bodyscissors stays on Burch’s ribs and Nese switches over to a waistlock, which is countered with a Stunner of all things. Burch fights back with some clotheslines and a middle rope missile dropkick gets two. Nese flips out of a German suplex and stomps on the ribs for two. The Lionsault gets the same but Burch pulls him down into the Crossface. That’s broken up as well and it’s the German suplex into the corner. The Running Nese finishes Burch at 10:16.

Rating: C+. I liked this one a good bit as the two of them worked well with each other and there was a story throughout the match with Nese working on the ribs throughout. Nese winning makes sense as Burch is usually the one who loses around here most of the time so this was the smart way to go.

Post match Nese brags to commentary and promises to be the next champion.

Jordan Devlin isn’t happy about the tournament but he’ll be here to take the title from whoever wins it.

Oney Lorcan vs. Jack Gallagher

Nese is still at ringside and talking more trash but Gallagher comes out and gets in his face to get rid of him. They go with the grappling to start with Burch taking it to the mat for a headscissors. That’s reversed and Gallagher pounds away, only to bail from the threat of an ankle lock.

Gallagher heads to the ropes, followed by more grappling to send Gallagher to the ropes again. Burch takes him down by the leg so Gallagher gets in some elbows to the head for the break. A few more shots send Burch outside but he’s back in with chops. Those just make Gallagher smile and he strikes away in the corner. They slug it out from their knees with Burch getting the better of things, only to get headbutted down.

Burch BLASTS him with a clothesline for two and loads up a belly to back superplex but gets elbowed back down. Gallagher hits a spinning high crossbody to put both of them down but Nese is here for a distraction. A rollup gives Burch two so Gallagher headbutts the heck out of him. That’s enough for Nese as he comes in and jumps Gallagher for the DQ at 8:01.

Rating: C+. Another good match here and a different style than the first one as this was more of a brawl. The ending even felt like an angle, which hasn’t been the case around here for a few weeks. Lorcan (and Burch) are still great for matches like this as they can work with anyone and have a good match as a result, even Gallagher doing his Conor McGregor deal.

Post match Nese stays on Gallagher but Burch makes a save. Nese gets up and grabs the chair but Lorcan runs out for the save to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This is the first time that they had any kind of an angle on the show for about a month and it made things a little bit better. What matters though is they have good enough matches and the show doesn’t include the horribly annoying people who were dragging things down for so long. That and the shorter run time makes the show that much better. Good stuff here, even if the show is still on the lowest level on the totem pole around this company.

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: April 9, 2020
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Byron Saxton, Tom Phillips

It’s a special week around here as we have the post Wrestlemania edition of the show. That likely means a lot of explaining about how big Wrestlemania was, which doesn’t exactly live up to the hype since it’s being held in the same arena as this show. There were some big moments over the week though so maybe we’ve got something here. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Natalya vs. Aliyah

Natalya headlocks her down to start so Aliyah bails over to the ropes. Hold on though as Aliyah needs to fan herself off and shake hands with Natalya, who takes her down by the hand and stomps on the fingers. The basement dropkick puts Aliyah on the floor but she comes back in with a right hand to the face. That means a lot of shouting as Natalya gets stomped down in the corner. The abdominal stretch keeps Natalya in trouble until Aliyah lets go and misses a big boot in the corner. Now the Sharpshooter can go on for the tap at 5:18.

Rating: D. I’ve always liked Aliyah but this was every boring Natalya match I’ve ever seen. She’s always fine from a technical standpoint but egads there is nothing beyond that and never has been. It’s the same match that you’ve seen so many times and watching something just a step away from a squash isn’t exactly good stuff.

Video on the Boneyard match.

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

Video on Becky Lynch vs. Shayna Baszler.

Video on Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte.

Austin Theory vs. Shane Thorne

Thorne headlocks him to the mat to start so Theory forearms him away without much trouble. Theory goes after the leg and then the arm, followed by a dropkick to the floor. Back from a break with Thorne having to fight out of an armbar and hitting a Cannonball in the corner.

A Falcon Arrow gets two but Theory buckle bombs him into the leg trap brainbuster onto the knee. They slug it out and trade kicks to the head/ribs in a big strike off. Theory gets the better of it though and grabs a quick TKO to put Thorne away at 10:18.

Rating: C. This was better with both guys looking like they were putting in the extra effort due to being on a….well this isn’t a bigger stage than NXT but it’s certainly something different, and that could be something that gets someone new looking at them. Theory seems to be the next prospect around here, but since the idea of using developmental to develop people seems to have a very limited shelf life, here he is, probably too early.

Video on Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens.

Video on Drew McIntyre vs. Brock Lesnar.

From Raw.

We get some post Wrestlemania footage of McIntyre coming back into the arena wearing the title for an interview. Drew talks about how he can’t believe that he got here and it hasn’t sunk in yet. He thanks everyone who has gotten him here, including Paul Heyman. During the match with Brock Lesnar, Heyman said keep giving Drew the F5 because he can’t keep getting back up.

That made Drew think about all the times he has had to get back up so the F5’s just angered him over and over again. Now he’s WWE Champion….and here’s the Big Show with a referee. Show congratulates him and wants a match right now, not even for the title. Drew says he just beat Brock Lesnar so that’s not happening right now. Show thinks that’s fear but Drew knows what’s going on. That earns him a slap so Drew is ready to go.

Raw World Title: Drew McIntyre vs. Big Show

McIntyre is defending. Show starts fast and slams him down to bang up the ribs a bit. A headbutt cuts the champ off and a Vader Bomb gets two. There’s another slam to work on the ribs even more and Show chokes on the ropes while asking what Drew is made of. The big chop misses and Drew swings away, setting up a slam for two in a good looking spot. Drew goes up top and dives into a chokeslam for two. The KO Punch misses though and it’s the Claymore to retain at 6:57.

Rating: D+. A competitive match here is fine but my goodness they had me worried that they would actually do something this bad. The match was the usual slow and plodding Big Show deal but at least they didn’t pull the trigger for the sake of promoting Big Show’s Netflix series. Points for the drama, but negative points for making me think about the possibility.

Overall Rating: D. Nothing to see here, though Theory vs. Thorne was better than I would have bet on. This was mainly a bunch of Wrestlemania recap videos and the show wasn’t all that great in the first place. Main Event has someone become even less important in this era of WWE and while I get why it needs to exist, I’m not sure how much less interesting it can actually get.

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 Wrestling

Ring of Honor
Date: April 8, 2020

It’s another profile edition this week with Jay Lethal, who really does deserve something like this. Lethal might not be everyone’s favorite but he has been one of the real constants around here for a long time. Those title reigns of his make him one of the few elite stars in the company, with his only competition also oddly enough being named Jay. Let’s get to it.

Opening sequence.

Lethal can’t figure out a choice for his favorite match around here. We hear a bit about his first big matches around here, way before he became a top star. He didn’t think he belonged here and two years into his career he was facing AJ Styles and Bryan Danielson.

Then Dusty Rhodes came in and because Jay was part of Special K, he got to get in a cage with him and he couldn’t believe it. As for his favorite match, it was against Jay Briscoe at Best in the World with his family being there in the crowd. His dad was at his first Ring of Honor match and begged Jay not to make him go back because the building was so hot.

And, from Best in the World 2015.

ROH World Title/TV Title: Jay Briscoe vs. Jay Lethal

They shake hands to start and we’re ready to go. The House of Truth tries some early interference and get thrown out to make this one on one. Well two on one as Truth Martini is still at ringside. Lethal drops to the floor twice in a row to start but the fans declare it awesome anyway. Well to be fair that was indeed some AWESOME walking around on the floor. A lockup doesn’t go anywhere so they trade wristlocks with both guys challenging, only to have Briscoe take over with a front facelock.

Both guys get back up and it’s time for the slugout with Briscoe being sent out to the floor. Lethal follows him out and drives Briscoe into the barricade to keep his control as we take a break. Back with Briscoe kicking Lethal in the head, only to be sent to the floor for a suicide dive. Lethal loads up another but Briscoe decks him with a hard clothesline and a big suicide dive of his own. Martini finally does something by grabbing Briscoe’s leg, allowing Lethal to stomp away some more.

We hit the chinlock for a bit before Briscoe fights back up and grabs a neckbreaker. Back from another break with the Lethal Combination getting a quick two. The Macho elbow is broken up for a bit, only to have Lethal shove Briscoe off to stop a superplex. Now the elbow gets two but a Koji Clutch is quickly broken up.

They head to the apron with Lethal hitting him low to save himself from a Jay Driller through the table. Well I’d hope he broke it up as it would have meant a bad case of death otherwise. Martini’s distraction earns himself an ejection and NOW the Jay Driller puts Lethal through the table as we take a third break.

Back with both guys inside and Briscoe running into a superkick, only to counter the Lethal Injection with a discus lariat. The fans are losing their minds over this stuff, though I’m still getting over the rolling out of the ring earlier. Lethal grabs the Injection out of nowhere for a very close two and Corino can barely keep going. With nothing else working, Lethal grabs a Jay Driller, followed by another Lethal Injection to finally become undisputed champion at 27:13.

Rating: B. The clipped version was good and I’m assuming the full version is even better. Lethal winning clean here, especially after going through the table like that, was a great way to make him look like the top guy in the promotion. Briscoe is pretty easily the most decorated name in the company’s history so having him lose a major match like this, especially going down fighting, isn’t going to cost him that much. This was good stuff all around and felt like a major showdown so well done all around.

Lethal talks about not being able to hear anything after he won the title, even his own scream.

Another match he remembers is his match with AJ Styles, who has been one of his idols for his entire career. He fought AJ earlier in his career but now he has the confidence to make it work.

From Final Battle 2015.

Ring of Honor World Title: AJ Styles vs. Jay Lethal

Lethal is defending and has Truth Martini/Taeler Hendrix with him. Styles, who has a bad back coming in, is part of the Bullet Club but comes out alone. We get some big match intros and we’re ready to go. Feeling out process to start as they seem to have a lot of time to work with. AJ gets the better of a technical sequence and Lethal bails out to the floor. Back in and AJ grabs a headlock as the announcers debate whether Elgin vs. Lethal will be for the title or not.

We get the drop down into the dropkick from Styles but Lethal hiptosses him down for a basement dropkick of his own. It’s time for some big chops until Lethal gets caught in the Calf Cutter, sending him straight to the ropes. AJ has to avoid a book shot from Martini and gets dropped onto the apron, drawing a TRUTH MARTINI chant.

Lethal gets smart by sending him back first into the barricade and the pace slows down. We hit a camel clutch as the fans swear at someone over something. A suplex into the corner (also becoming too popular lately) rocks Styles’ back for two more and Lethal grabs the world’s least convincing bearhug. Shockingly enough, Jay Lethal holding a bearhug doesn’t last long as AJ comes back with forearms and clotheslines, followed by a suplex into the corner of his own.

The springboard forearm is caught in the Lethal Combination for two and the champ takes over again. They fight over a suplex until AJ takes him over for a neckbreaker. I’ve always liked that move. Styles can’t get the Clash so Lethal throws him into the air and pulls him down into a neckbreaker for two of his own.

Lethal gets tired of this wrestling stuff and throws AJ over the barricade and into the crowd. Ever the genius, Lethal tries a suicide dive with AJ still behind the barricade. AJ, also not that bright, tries the forearm off the barricade but really just collides with Lethal instead. Naturally the fans think it’s awesome because you could put an ROH label on Lord Littlebrook vs. Little Beaver and they would declare it wrestling.

Back in and Jay grabs a Koji Clutch, only to get countered into the Calf Cutter, sending Jay into the ropes again. A big Lethal Injection out of the corner gets two but AJ snaps off a Pele, followed by the Bloody Sunday. Styles loads up something else but gets thrown over the top and through a table, absolutely destroying it in the crash. AJ dives in at nineteen and the Lethal Injection gets two (of course). Instead, Lethal uses Jerry Lynn’s cradle piledriver (due to Jerry saying AJ would win) to set up the second Lethal Injection to retain.

Rating: B+. This wasn’t a masterpiece or even a classic but it was a pay per view quality main event. Lethal pinning Styles clean was a good way to make Lethal look great as AJ has been considered one of the best in the world for a long time now. I’m not sure how long Jay holds the title but if they want to pull the trigger on something, giving it back to Elgin in Tokyo would be rather smart.

Lethal says he’s only 34 and has a lot of wrestling left, hoping that someone can look up to him like he did to Styles or Samoa Joe. That would make his career 100% complete.

Overall Rating: A-. This was an interesting one as Lethal is one of the most successful people in all of Ring of Honor history. He also came off as very down to earth here and that’s a cool thing to see. As he said he’s only 34 and really could be someone who is around for a long time to come. I could see him getting a WWE run at some point, but he might be the kind of guy who is happy with staying in ROH for the rest of his career. It’s not like he wouldn’t be revered there until he leaves, so good for him for having that option.

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: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling
Date: April 7, 2020
Location: Coca Cola Roxy, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Madison Rayne, Josh Matthews

Things are getting interesting around here as they are running out of original content but apparently are going to do a big empty arena taping soon enough. As a result, we could be seeing a lot of Rebellion, though not quite in the same situation. I’ll take what I can get though as they’ve made me want to see the pay per view. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Here’s an annoyed Willie Mack for a chat. He calls out Ace Austin and Reno Scum for attacking the injured Rich Swann last week so come out here and try that on him. Cue Reno Scum so Mack says let’s do this.

Willie Mack vs. Reno Scum

The brawl is on in a hurry with Mack sending Thornstowe outside but the numbers game takes him down early on. Legend drops Thornstowe down in a legdrop for two and we get the Pit Stop for a bonus. Thornstowe gets two off a standing moonsault and we hit the neck crank. Make that a chinlock, which is totally different you see. Mack raises his knees to block a splash so it’s off to Legend, who gets knocked down as well. The double teaming takes Mack down again but he sends the two of them into each other in the corner. A Stunner drops Legend and the Six Star Frog Splash finishes Legend at 5:51.

Rating: D+. There was only going to be so much here and Mack beating the team is the logical way to go. Scum is little more than lackeys and Mack is someone who could become a major player around here with his charisma alone. The fact that he can go in the ring helps, but you’re only going to get so much out of a handicap match.

Post match Ace Austin comes in and takes Mack down.

Show rundown.

Kylie Rae runs into Gail Kim and, believe it or not, is very excited. Then she runs into Susie and they like each others bows. Kiera Hogan comes in to say there are no friends around here. Kiera laughs off the idea that Rae is facing her at some point and gets a match with Susie this week. Rae could be rather entertaining around here.

Daga vs. Chris Bey

Daga headlocks him down to start for all of half a second before Bey is back up. They trade some fast paced rollups for two each and that means an early standoff. A headscissors into a dropkick puts Bey on the floor but he’s able to break up a rope walk armdrag. Bey kicks at the chest and hits a backdrop to send us to a break. Back with Daga still in trouble and having to fight out of an abdominal stretch.

A bodyscissors holds him down a little longer and Bey switches into a sleeper. That’s countered with a flip over the back and Daga scores with a gutwrench powerbomb for two. They head outside with Daga hitting an enziguri, followed by a big running dive off the ramp (though he seems to switch whatever he was doing in the air). Back in and Daga tries a sunset flip but Bey sits down and grabs the rope for the cheating pin at 14:23.

Rating: B-. This was your weekly future stars showcase match and that’s a good idea. Impact has a lot of young talented people and putting them out there for fifteen minutes a week is going to do a lot of positive things for the show. If they had figured this out years ago, who knows where we might be around here.

Flashback Moment of the Week: Xscape match from Lockdown 2011.

John E. Bravo is covered in pads so Taya Valkyrie can beat the heck out of him with a chair in preparation for Full Metal Mayhem against Jordynne Grace. He tries to hide behind the stuffed dog but that just makes her angrier. Bravo says it’s not worth it but Taya insists the Knockouts Title IS worth it.

The Deaners, TJP/Fallah Bahh and XXXL join the Rascalz in the Treehouse but they bring food and beer by mistake. Trey and Wentz leave.

Madison Rayne vs. Havok

Josh is on commentary alone. Rayne tries to avoid her a few times to start so Havok knocks her into the corner. A clothesline drops Rayne again and there’s a running boot in the corner. Rayne’s strikes work a bit better the second time but stops to pose, giving us the Kurt Angle/Big Show “What’s behind me?” spot. More forearms and a Tombstone finish Rayne at 3:37.

Rating: D+. Squash match here with Havok continuing to be a monster. Havok is someone who they could push for a long time to come as you can always use someone like her. At the same time you have Rayne, who is one of the more consistent people around. This was nothing to see though, which is kind of the point here.

Tessa Blanchard and Eddie Edwards aren’t exactly on the same page before tonight’s Tag Team Title match but Eddie’s offer to be a team is on the table.

We get a sitdown interview with Ken Shamrock, who has had to get treatment on his eyes thanks to Sami Callihan’s fireball. He can see though and he’s not cool with Sami trying to injure someone and take food off of his table. They’ll have a contract signing next week for Rebellion. Shamrock knows he has to keep his composure so he can get to Sami on April 19. The lights start to flicker and Shamrock storms off to find Sami.

OVE vs. Rhino/Tommy Dreamer

Rayne is back on commentary and Mad Man Fulton is here with OVE. Dreamer and Dave fight over wrist control to start but it’s off to Jake and Rhino in a hurry. A shoulder runs Jake over and it’s back to Dreamer for a double elbow to the jaw. Fulton offers a little interference though and that means an ejection. Jake kicks Dreamer in the face and the stomping in the corner begins. The chinlock goes on, followed by a double suplex for two. Dreamer catches Dave on top with a superplex though and it’s back to Rhino to clean house. Jake kicks Dreamer in the face over and over but walks into a Gore for the pin at 6:45.

Rating: D+. Yeah sure. I’m not even able to get annoyed at this stuff anymore because the ECW guys are going to be around forever no matter what and who cares if they’re beating former Tag Team Champions clean? Yeah the story is that OVE is lost without Sami, but it’s Rhino and Tommy Dreamer. Was there NO ONE else available here? The Deaners or two popcorn vendors?

Post match Fulton comes back in to beat down the ECW guys.

Rosemary is still at the bar and runs into Johnny Swinger, who hits on her as only he can. The Young Bucks are mentioned and Johnny promises to bring M. Jackson next week. We’re in Atlanta so it’s going to be Mike Jackson isn’t it?

Kiera Hogan vs. Susie

Susie doesn’t like being shoved in the face to start and grabs a bulldog for two. Hogan knocks her into the corner and poses a bit, followed by a running elbow for two more. The cravate doesn’t last long and a fisherman’s neckbreaker is broken up as well. It turns into more of a catfight in the corner until Hogan superkicks her for another near fall. Susie catches her on top and snaps off a hurricanrana. That just earns her a kick to the head and a fisherman’s neckbreaker finishes Susie at 5:03.

Rating: D+. I wasn’t feeling this one and they didn’t have the best chemistry in the world. That being said, it kind of makes sense to have Susie lose because she’s not in her full on evil form. Hogan is someone who has always had potential and that is something they could use in the division. Just push her instead of all the starts and stops.

Michael Elgin comes in to see the North and fires them up for the title defense.

Tenille Dashwood is ready to beat Taya Valkyrie next week.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Rebellion rundown, with Kiera Hogan vs. Kylie Rae added to the card.

Tag Team Titles: Eddie Edwards/Tessa Blanchard vs. The North

The North is defending. Eddie and Page start things off and with nothing going on there, it’s off to Tessa vs. Alexander. Tessa can’t tornado DDT him and gets thrown down, earning Alexander a clothesline to the floor. A Page distraction lets Alexander get in a cheap shot on Tessa but it’s off to Eddie as the pace picks up. Alexander gets sent outside for a dive from Eddie, followed by the big dive from the top to drop everyone as we take a break.

Back with Eddie fighting out of the corner but Page pushes him off the top to take over again. Alexander whips him into a shoulder as Tessa is getting annoyed on the apron. Eddie flips out of a double belly to back suplex and hurricanranas them both at once, allowing the hot tag to Tessa. House is cleaned with back to back suicide dives onto the champs and a cutter gets two on Page.

That earns her a cutter into a wheelbarrow suplex but Eddie saves her from a double suplex. Everything breaks down and Tessa hits another cutter on Alexander to put everyone down. Eddie suplexes Alexander and Tessa low bridges Page to the floor. Magnum is blocked though and a double spinebuster gets two on Tessa with Eddie making the save. The double Neutralizer is broken up and Tessa hits a tornado DDT on Page. Tessa goes over to the corner but won’t make the hot tag to Eddie. Instead the North sends her into Eddie and Northern Assault finishes Tessa at 17:35.

Rating: B. This was a heck of a match and the ending made sense. Tessa isn’t going to trust anyone in the company at the moment and that fits her personality to the letter. It helps move forward with Eddie vs. Tessa at the pay per view, though the North needs some challengers in the near future if they’re going to do something at Rebellion.

Post match the argument is on and Eddie walks away. Cue Michael Elgin to lay out Tessa as Eddie watches from the ramp. Elgin holds up the title to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Two good matches and a nice build towards the pay per view is enough to give this one a solid grade. I’m not sure what they’re going to do with the pay per view changed around but an empty arena version could be something to see. I want to see the show though and that’s a good sign of what they’re doing at the moment. The card still has some holes but maybe we get those figured out next week, along with where the show is actually taking place.

Results

Willie Mack b. Reno Scum – Six Star Frog Splash to Luster the Legend

Chris Bey b. Daga – Rollup with a grab of the rope

Havok b. Madison Rayne – Tombstone

Tommy Dreamer/Rhino b. OVE – Gore to Jake

Kiera Hogan b. Susie – Fisherman’s neckbreaker

The North b. Eddie Edwards/Tessa Blanchard – Northern Aggression to Blanchard

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: November 11, 2005
Location: Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
Commentators: Michael Cole, Tazz

We’re coming up on Survivor Series at the end of the month and Raw has mostly assembled its team. That means Smackdown needs to do the same while also setting up anything else it has to do for the show. Things are getting a little more interesting due to the big story but each side needs to do their own part as well. Let’s get to it.

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

Teddy Long addresses the Smackdown locker room, giving them a pep talk about how Eric Bischoff has said Raw is the better show. Tonight, they’re proving Raw wrong as we get ready for Survivor Series. That’s why Batista is going to be on the team but tonight, he’s beating up Edge to send him back to Raw. The rest of the team is going to be decided tonight, with Randy Orton’s qualifying match up first. Orton accurately points out that he’s awesome at Survivor Series and shouldn’t have to qualify but Long is a bit by the book.

Opening sequence.

Survivor Series Qualifying Match: Randy Orton vs. Rey Mysterio

Bob Orton is here with Randy. Mysterio gets caught in an early headlock as Bob brags about his boy. A headscissors sends Orton flying into the corner but he knocks Rey into the corner to take over. Rey goes chest first into the middle buckle and there’s a hard whip to send him back first in as well. The rare standing chinlock goes on but Rey manages to send him outside for a big flip dive as we take a break.

Back with Orton having to fight out of a headscissors so Rey bulldogs him for two instead. Bob breaks up the 619 though and Randy sends Rey HARD into the post. A big knee drop gives Orton two but Rey scores with a dropkick for the same. Rey’s rollup gets two more and a crucifix gets the third near fall in a row. The 619 misses though and Orton hits a hard clothesline. Another 619 attempt connects but Bob breaks up the West Coast Pop for the DQ.

Rating: C+. I’m a little surprised that Orton isn’t on the team but it’s not like Rey is a horrible choice and it wouldn’t shock me to see Orton get on there eventually. That being said, Bob needs to go away already. It’s fine to have someone like him around, but Randy doesn’t need him and it is starting to get annoying. Nice match though as these two have some chemistry.

Post match the double beatdown is on but Matt Hardy runs in for the save.

Post break, Randy is ready to end Hardy because the RKO is powerful.

Here’s MNM for a chat though Melina’s back is still banged up after last week. We see a clip of Eddie Guerrero giving her a frog splash but Melina is here anyway. She brings out Michelle Deighton from America’s Next Top Model and gives her some backhanded insults about being so beautiful that it was a surprise she didn’t win. Melina declares her a C list celebrity so Michelle shoves her down. That earns her a choke in the corner but here are the Mexicools for the save. The fight is on and the Mexicools stand tall to set up the next title program. Michelle dances with the Mexicools for a bonus.

Video on Bobby Lashley.

Survivor Series Qualifying Match: Bobby Lashley vs. Orlando Jordan

Jordan doesn’t even get an entrance to show you how far he’s fallen. Some early strikes don’t do much good on Lashley, who snaps off a suplex to send Jordan flying. A clothesline puts Jordan on the floor for a bit and the Dominator is good for the easy pin.

Edge and Lita try to get out of tonight’s street fight. That’s fine with Teddy, but Edge has to tell Batista himself.

Survivor Series Qualifying Match: Mr. Kennedy vs. Eddie Guerrero

Eddie hammerlocks him to start so Kennedy goes straight to the ropes early on. Kennedy gets in a cheap shot to the jaw and Eddie can’t help but smile. A whip into the corner drops Kennedy but he elbows Eddie in the face for two. We’re back to the hammerlock, albeit on Eddie for a change this time. That’s broken up as well so Eddie hits Three Amigos, only to have the ref get bumped. Eddie smiles as only he can and grabs the chair….which he slams on the mat and throws to Kennedy. Somehow, that’s enough for the referee to DQ Kennedy and send Eddie to Survivor Series.

Rating: C. I’m going to ignore the big picture here until next week. This was vintage Eddie and I could watch that grin for days. It’s similar to Ric Flair turning on Sting back in 1995: you know exactly what he is going to do but it still makes people happy because it’s such a perfectly done story for Eddie and the fans went right along with it the whole way. Kennedy is protected too and it’s all such a nice piece of business.

Post match Kennedy chairs Eddie in the head and Eddie can’t get to his feet.

Post break Eddie is checked for a concussion when Batista comes in to check on him.

Pierrothito vs. Todd Stone

Juniors match with Palmer Cannon on commentary. Todd knocks him down and walks over Pierrothito as the announcers talk about ratings. A kickout sends Stone onto the referee a few times but Pierrothito takes him down and drops a top rope elbow for the pin. They kept it short here.

Edge leaves Lita to go find Batista. The Boogeyman pops up and Lita runs off.

Undertaker is back at Survivor Series.

Edge tries to talk Batista out of it because they’re both big stars. Batista says they’re alike, but unlike Edge, he shows up when he promises to be there. The match is still on.

The Dicks are ready to face Animal/Heidenreich next week. Several penis jokes are included.

Survivor Series Qualifying Match: John Bradshaw Layfield vs. Chris Benoit

Jillian Hall is here with JBL. Benoit gets powered into the corner to start but comes right back with some chops and a snap suplex. A pair of neckbreakers put Benoit down again and the elbow drop gets two. The forearms to the back and neck set up a waistlock as Cole is already tired of Jillian. Benoit comes back with the rolling German suplexes and loads up the Swan Dive, only to be distracted by Booker and Sharmell (now wearing a tiara).

Back from a break with Booker and Sharmell on commentary and JBL sending Benoit into the announcers’ table. We hit the bearhug as Booker insists that he is only here for some friendly commentary. JBL loads up a superplex but Benoit headbutts his way to freedom and hits a top rope shoulder. The rolling German suplexes drop JBL again and there’s the Swan Dive for a delayed two.

The Sharpshooter is broken up with a poke to the eye but the Clothesline From JBL is countered into a failed Crossface attempt. JBL can’t get a powerbomb though and now the Sharpshooter goes on. Booker tries to break it up but Benoit cuts him off, only to walk into the Clothesline to give JBL the pin.

Rating: C+. They worked well enough together though the match was more of a waiting game until Booker interfered one way or another. What we got was pretty good though and you could have seen either of them winning. This should set up Benoit vs. Booker at the pay per view and that’s fine for everyone involved.

Raw Rebound.

Edge vs. Batista

Non-title street fight and Edge, with Lita, is in street clothes. Hold on though as Eric Bischoff is in the back but Teddy Long won’t let him in. Cue Chris Masters with the Masterlock on Long before riding off in the limo. Cue the Smackdown locker room to chase after him in JBL’s limo. Back in the arena, Kane and Big Show come in and destroy Batista. The lowest level of Smackdown wrestlers come out for the save and it goes as badly as you would expect. A double chokeslam to Batista ends the show. No match obviously, but a good angle.

Overall Rating: C+. The wrestling was better than usual here and there was nothing too terrible. I’ve liked the Raw vs. Smackdown story the whole time and this was no exception as it’s now Smackdown’s turn to retaliate against Raw. There was a big theme to this whole show and I dug what we got out of it, but we’ll get back to that in a few weeks as it’s time for the sad part.

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: July 30, 2007
Location: Tuscon Convention Center, Tuscon, Arizona
Attendance: 6,000
Commentators: Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler

Someone requested this a few months ago and I could use a little break so it’s time to do something off the big list. I’m not sure what to expect from this show but we’re coming up on Summerslam with John Cena as the reigning World Champion. This is a period that I don’t remember very well so hopefully it’s good stuff. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Randy Orton being named the new #1 contender to end last week’s show.

Here’s John Cena to get things going. He’s looking forward to Summerslam because he gets to face Randy Orton one on one. Orton is fired up and ready to be #1 contender because he’s following the playbook. The first step is making a statement, just like Great Khali and Bobby Lashley did. That’s a good start, but Orton needs to skip ahead to the end, which is the same as it has been since September: THE CHAMP IS…..interrupted by Carlito because these two are joined at the hip throughout eternity.

Carlito is proud to have Cena as the first guest on the new Carlito’s Cabana. The stagehands bring out the set so Cena has a seat, allowing Carlito to ask the big question: what is it like to be a liar? See, Carlito remembers beating Cena for the United States Title back in the day. Cena remembers the whole story taking place three years ago. Cena: “Back then, Brittney Spears was still hot.” Back then, Lindsay Lohan was doing her first line. OF DIALOGUE! It was Herbie Fully Loaded, we all saw it.”

Cena grabs a coconut and offers a toast to the new Cabana but Carlito says he has Cena’s number. Now it’s Mr. Kennedy to interrupt because Carlito’s talk show is taking place in Kennedy’s ring. They yell at each other until Cena says Orton should be #1 contender because he deserves it. Cena mocks the two of them and says Kennedy should challenge Lashley tonight. As for Carlito, Cena will rip off his apples later.

Melina/Jillian Hall/Beth Phoenix vs. Maria/Candice Michelle/Mickie James

Candice is Women’s Champion and this is back in the day when the Divas division actually got decent for a little while. Santino Marella is here with Maria and company. Beth sends Maria into the corner to start but gets taken into the other corner for a tag off to Mickie. You don’t do that to Beth though as she powers Mickie across the ring so Melina can come in for the slugout.

A hurricanrana out of the corner gives Mickie a breather and it’s Candice coming in to try an old Rock N Roll Express double roll over. I say try because it’s little more than a disaster as the talent level drops a bit. Jillian comes in with a cartwheel elbow but walks into a Russian legsweep, allowing the hot tag to Maria. Everything breaks down and it’s a wheelbarrow faceplant/bulldog combination to finish Maria.

Rating: C-. This wasn’t good for the most part, but what matters is it felt like a match. This wasn’t just a bunch of good looking women doing a move or two to each other. They looked competent out there (for the most part) and this is several steps ahead of some of the other times this division has had. It’s rather refreshing compared to the low points and I’ll gladly take that.

Post break Santino can’t believe what he’s seeing. Why is there so much cheating around here??? He blames the referee for allowing this to happen and yells a bit, but here’s Intercontinental Champion Umaga. The referee’s response: ring the bell.

Umaga vs. Santino Marella

Non-title destruction, capped off by the Samoa Spike in about a minute. Umaga came off like a face here, which is a weird thing to see.

King Booker does not like Jerome Lawler being referred to as king. He hopes HHH is watching at home on the telly so he knows what is coming for him if he comes back at Summerslam. Queen Sharmell gets in a few KING BOOKER’s too.

Cody Rhodes, with a black eye, comes in to see Jonathan Coachman (the current boss) and we see a clip of Randy Orton taking out Dusty Rhodes last week. Cody isn’t happy, but Coach says if Cody loses tonight, he doesn’t have a job on Raw anymore.

Orton is ready to win the title but here’s Sgt. Slaughter to say he’ll fight Orton tonight. Uh, great?

Daivari vs. Cody Rhodes

Daivari yells at us a lot until Cody is here to start things off. Cody, all in yellow, slugs away to start but gets elbowed into a neck crank. The USA chants (remember that Daivari is from Minnesota) bring Cody back to his feet for the Flip Flop and Fly. A bulldog into the scoop powerslam sets up a DDT to give Cody the fast win.

Bobby Lashley vs. Mr. Kennedy

Lashley interrupts Kennedy’s pre-match promo to get on his nerves. Kennedy gets thrown down to start and Lashley can’t quite get the proper form on a vertical suplex (kind of shoving Kennedy’s leg up instead of holding him in place). The threat of the spear sends Kennedy outside but he gets in a running boot to send Lashley’s shoulder into the steps. Back in and the armbar goes on, followed by a snap across the top rope. Another armbar is broken up and Lashley hits a running forearm to the back. The spear is blocked with a knee to the shoulder though and that’s actually enough to give Kennedy the pin.

Rating: D+. The match might not have been very good but that might have something to do with Lashley tearing his rotator cuff during the match. He would undergo surgery soon thereafter, meaning this would be his last match in the WWE for over ten years. It’s not fair to grade the match that harshly as a result, but dang Lashley could have been something big had it not been for the injury.

A very bald Snitsky talks about enjoying pleasure. Sweet goodness this really is 2005 all over again.

During the break, Lashley has to be helped to the back with Lawler going to the ring to show you how serious it really is.

Video on King Booker vs. Jerry Lawler in a battle of the crowns. This feels like the setup for a match Lawler probably did in Memphis a hundred times.

HHH return video.

King Booker vs. Jerry Lawler

They stare each other down to start until Lawler gets in a left hand to annoy Booker a bit. Booker gets him into the corner and hammers away, earning himself another right hand to the jaw. An elbow to the jaw and a spinning kick to the face give Booker two and it’s time to hammer away. Lawler fights back again and kicks him down, setting up an elbow drop for the pin….but Booker’s foot was on the rope. Booker is back up and knocks him into the corner, with the beating continuing enough for the DQ. Well ok then.

Rating: D. This one felt really off for the most part and while Lawler is rarely going to do much more than throw punches and basic stuff, it wasn’t much of a match. Lawler got a pin (didn’t count but it was a three) and then wins a few seconds later by DQ. I’m not sure how good this makes Booker look and we’re not even in Memphis. I don’t get this one.

Post match Lawler fights up and beats Booker down on the ramp. So Booker gets his big win in the rematch?

Cryme Tyme vs. John Mason/Brandon Gatston

JTG and Mason start things off as JR is going solo on commentary for the time being. A dropkick sends Mason into the corner so it’s quickly off to Gatston. Shad comes in and hits some hard clotheslines into a powerslam. A Samoan drop/running flip neckbreaker combination gives JTG the pin to complete the squash.

Post match Shad kisses Lilian Garcia on the cheek and the team talks about how they’re money, money. That means they steal Gatston’s boots and sell them to the crowd. They start the bidding at $10,000 but Shad feels crazy and drops the price to two grand instead. Eventually they get a Sharpie and sign the shoes, which are eventually sold for $40. I know they’re a pretty bad stereotype but I’ve always had a soft spot for these guys due to their insane charisma.

Lawler is back on commentary.

Randy Orton vs. Sgt. Slaughter

Did Slaughter have an annual guaranteed match in his contract? Orton kicks him in the leg to start and pounds Slaughter down in the corner to start. We’re in the chinlock early but Slaughter fights up and hits some clotheslines. The Cobra Clutch doesn’t work though and it’s the RKO for the easy pin.

Rating: D. For the life of me I don’t get why they kept trotting Slaughter out there in this role. Yes he’s one of the most identifiable characters but how many people are going to get excited about a Slaughter cameo in 2007? The match was mostly spent in the chinlock until the obvious ending and that’s not exactly thrilling.

Post match Orton hits the Punt to send Slaughter out on a stretcher.

John Cena vs. Carlito

Non-title and Orton is still at ringside. Cena backs him into the corner to start and even messes with his hair on a headlock. Carlito gets thrown down by the hair and an elbow puts him on the floor. Back in and Cena’s release fisherman’s suplex but a glare at Orton lets Carlito get in some left hands. Cena doesn’t seem to mind and hits a swinging side slam, only to stare at Orton again. Carlito elbows him down and hammers away as the loud CENA chants pipe up. We hit the chinlock for a bit until the comeback is on but Orton gets on the apron to break up the Shuffle. The distraction lets Carlito hit a Backstabber for the fast pin.

Rating: D+. I’m so sick of seeing these two together. Carlito cheated to beat him once back in 2004 and for some reason that is enough to see these two fight on and off for YEARS after, despite Cena beating him every time outside of unimportant matches like this where Carlito cheats again. Carlito isn’t a threat to Cena but rather a nuisance and that doesn’t make for compelling television time after time.

Post match Carlito spits apple in Cena’s face and it’s the big glare from Cena to end the show.

Overall Rating: D-. Good night what a bad show. I’m not sure what the point was in me seeing this one as it was a horrific night with nothing resembling a good match and what looked to be the setup for several rematches. Cena vs. Orton is getting a nice build as Orton is looking like a killer but dang there isn’t much else around here. Awful show and something I need to get away from as fast as possible.

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: April 10, 2020
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re done with Wrestlemania and onto what seems to be the latest marathon taping session as they have finally come to realize that the current situation calls for such a thing. I’m not sure what to expect but I would say that a lot of self congratulation for Wrestlemania is in store. Let’s get to it.

Here’s Wrestlemania if you need a recap (Night Two)

Here’s Braun Strowman, the new Universal Champion, to open things up. After a highlight package on the title match which was almost longer than the match itself, Strowman talks about how awesome of a night it was but here’s Shinsuke Nakamura to interrupt. Nakamura says knock knock and wants Strowman to say who’s there. He’s knocking on Strowman’s door and wants his Wrestlemania moment. Strowman tells him to shut up or he’ll knock Nakamura out. Cue Cesaro for a distraction though and Nakamura gets in a cheap shot. Nakamura will work as a first challenger.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Kabuki Warriors vs. Alexa Bliss/Nikki Cross

Bliss and Cross are defending and it’s not a good sign that I couldn’t remember their first title reign to save my life. Cole talks about Cross being ecstatic to finally win a title, so I guess she has forgotten her win as well. Cross is knocked to the floor to start so Bliss has to fight out of a double suplex. A double elbow drops her again and the champs are in early trouble.

Asuka chokes away in the corner and brings Sane back in as the kicking continues. They go outside with Asuka grabbing a headset and then grabbing Cross’ head, earning herself a crossbody to the floor as we take a break. Back with Sane kicking at Cross for two until Cross grabs a rollup out of the corner. A bulldog allows the tag to Bliss but Insult To Injury misses.

Sane’s Interceptor gets two and it’s a powerbomb into the Asuka Lock on Cross. Bliss makes a save and gets caught with a running Blockbuster to put her outside. The Insane Elbow misses and it’s the hot tag to Bliss. The DDT plants Sane with Asuka pulling her to the floor for the save. That just earns the Warriors a Twisted Bliss to the floor but Sane is ready for the regular version back inside. Sane tags herself in and hits the Purge to finish Sane and retain at 12:29.

Rating: C-. I’m really not sure why I needed to see the rematch less than a week after the title change but this was a little more enjoyable due to the length. It’s still not a great pairing, but it’s not like there is anyone else to challenge the champions. The titles are as unimportant as you can get but at least they have something for these four to do.

Elias is on the same perch he was thrown off of to sing about beating King Corbin two weeks ago. The song does feature some Lion King references, making me wonder why Corbin didn’t say LONG LIVE THE KING before he threw Elias off. Oh and Elias wants to be Mr. Money in the Bank.

We look at Otis defeating Dolph Ziggler at Wrestlemania and getting to kiss Mandy Rose as a prize.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Tucker

Sonya Deville is here with Ziggler. Hold on though as Tucker needs to show Dolph some photos of Mandy and Otis working out, while eating bananas of course. Tucker starts fast by sending Ziggler shoulder first into the post. A suplex gets two and Tucker catapults him into the corner. They head outside with Tucker sending him into the steps and dropping Ziggler onto the announcers’ table. A powerslam gives Tucker two and a crossbody is goof for the same. Tucker misses a charge into the post though and it’s a superkick to give Ziggler the pin at 4:21.

Rating: C. Tucker was working hard here and it showed off with a pretty good match. I’m not exactly needing to see more of Ziggler but that has been the case for years now and WWE doesn’t seem to care. You can probably pencil in a six person tag with Robert Roode joining Ziggler and Deville at Money in the Bank and that’s just fine.

We look at the Smackdown Tag Team Title match in a ladder match at Wrestlemania.

It’s time for the Dirt Sheet. Miz and John Morrison recap Wrestlemania in rapid fashion and we see part of the Boneyard Match. Some of these things are good and some of these things are bad, but what matters here is they are going to perform Hey Hey Ho Ho right now live. Cue the Usos to say they didn’t lose because it was a triple threat ladder match. Miz and Morrison bail to the floor so here’s New Day to interrupt to say something similar. As a result, next week it’s another triple threat for the titles with Jey Usos vs. Big E. vs. Miz.

Lucha House Party vs. Forgotten Sons

Here are your three callups, including Jaxson Ryker on the floor with Steve Cutler and Wesley Black in the ring. Cutler drives Dorado into the corner to start but gets caught with a springboard moonsault. Metalik comes in with a missile dropkick and it’s already back to Dorado to work on the arm.

Cutler fights up and hits Dorado in the back a few times, meaning Ryker can get in some trash talk from the floor. It’s off to Blake for some forearms to the back but the Golden Rewind allows the hot tag to Metalik. Everything breaks down and it’s Metalik with an enziguri to Blake. That doesn’t matter though as it’s the reverse DDT/middle rope stomp combination to finish Metalik at 4:09.

Rating: D+. Of all the people that could be called up, they picked the Forgotten Sons? Is this a case of “we have nothing else for you down there so here’s a promotion”? The team has never done anything for me, even though they have a decent enough gimmick. Maybe it works on Smackdown, because it really didn’t in NXT.

Bliss and Cross are happy with their win but here are Dana Brooke and Carmella to ask for a title shot. The champs huddle and said challenge is accepted.

Here are Sasha Banks and Bayley to brag about the Wrestlemania win after the huge odds. They are the best and the ultimate role models because no one can beat them. This brings out Tamina of all people, because THIS is continuing. The two of them congratulate her on a dominant performance but Tamina cuts them off to say that it took all of them to defeat her at Wrestlemania. Therefore, Tamina wants a title shot. Bayley initially says no, but then has an idea: if Tamina can beat Sasha, she can have the title shot. Banks doesn’t look happy.

Sheamus vs. Cal Bloom

Bloom slugs away to start but Sheamus elbows him in the face. The ten forearms make it worse and it’s the Brogue Kick for the pin at 1:06.

The announcers talk about a series of videos on Jeff Hardy but Sheamus glares at them before it starts up.

The video is part of a WWE Network special on Hardy, with the first part focusing on his career beginnings. We get some clips of the Hardys’ backyard federation with Jeff channeling Sting. The Hardys were awesome and everyone wanted to be like them. Jeff was the one who got the attention because of his flips and they helped make him a star.

Braun Strowman vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Non-title and Cesaro is here with Nakamura. Strowman dodges some kicks to start and kicks him down into the corner without much effort. There’s a big toss across the ring and the beating is on. Strowman takes him outside and even manages to yell at Cesaro before hitting Nakamura again. A charging Nakamura is dropped onto the barricade and we take a break.

Back with Strowman throwing him around even more and hitting the running splash in the corner. The powerslam is broken up so Nakamura hits the running kick to the face. Strowman isn’t having that and he blasts Nakamura with a clothesline. The running shoulders on the floor hit Nakamura and Cesaro but Nakamura hits the running kick to the chest for two. Kinshasa is loaded up but Strowman reverses into the running powerslam for the pin at 7:48.

Rating: C. This was a good and mostly dominant first match for Braun as champion and that’s how it should have been. Nakamura is long past the point of being a threat to the title but he still means a bit. He certainly means more than Cesaro at this point so they made the right choice.

Post match it’s time for the Firefly Fun House, with Bray standing next to a sign saying The History of John Cena and bray Wyatt. We see clips of the firefly Fun House match and Bray says Cena was right: we really can’t see him. That brings Bray to Braun and we see some of their history as well.

Bray talks about giving Braun a home but Braun turned his back on him. He can forgive Braun, but only Ramblin Rabbit agrees. Braun isn’t playing though and wants to fight. That’s cool with Bray, because he wants the title back. Bray brought him into the world and will take Strowman out. Bye! Braun says hang on because he’s ready to let Bray in anytime. Braun: “Bye! See you later!”

Overall Rating: C-. The wrestling might not have been the best, but that tends to be the case with this show. What matters is they have figured out how to do regular shows without the crowd, because those previous few shows were terrible. This at least feels like a regular Smackdown, but that’s not exactly the best thing. Not bad for a regular show, but rather disappointing for a post Wrestlemania show.

Results

Alexa Bliss/Nikki Cross b. Kabuki Warriors – Purge to Sane

Dolph Ziggler b. Tucker – Superkick

Forgotten Sons b. Lucha House Party – Reverse DDT/middle rope stomp combination to Metalik

Sheamus b. Cal Bloom – Brogue Kick

Braun Strowman b. Shinsuke Nakamura – Running powerslam

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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