IMG Credit: WWE

Monday Night Raw
Date: April 29, 2019
Location: Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky
Commentators: Michael Cole, Renee Young, Corey Graves

It’s a homecoming show for me as Rupp Arena hasn’t hosted a Raw since 2010, which was the first Raw there since 2000. Since I live ten minutes from the arena, it was rather nice to not have such a long drive home. Now the problem with that is it was a long show, but that’s Raw for you. Let’s get to it.

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

As you can tell, I was in the arena for the show, sitting in the upper deck opposite the hard camera. The crowd was the biggest I’ve seen for a Raw in Rupp perhaps ever, which says a lot as Rupp is one of the biggest arenas in the country. The upper deck wasn’t even entirely tarped off, which I never remember seeing.

Cole welcomes us to Rupp Arena from the University of Kentucky. It’s not on the campus, nor is it owned by the University but that hasn’t stopped WWE from saying the same wrong line over and over for years.

Here’s Alexa Bliss to announce the men’s Money in the Bank participants. After explaining the concept for the uninitiated, here are the participants: Braun Strowman, Ricochet (Kentucky boy), Drew McIntyre and Baron Corbin (Bliss: “He is the former acting General Manager of Monday Night Raw. Former Golden Gloves….you know I’m not going to list the rest of his accolades. It’s Baron Corbin.”).

Baron wastes no time in insulting the fans by promising to become a two time contract winner. Ricochet: “Or is that two time loser?” The insults abound, with McIntyre accusing Corbin of choking last week against AJ Styles as well. Corbin says it was because he didn’t have the chance to adequately rest between matches but McIntyre doesn’t want to hear it. He also doesn’t want to hear from Ricochet, who isn’t grown up enough for this.

McIntyre promises to drop Corbin and Ricochet where they stand but Strowman tells all of them to shut up. None of them can stop him, so let’s do the preview match right now. By preview, he means a match that has nothing to do with climbing a ladder, which is all Money in the Bank is about.

Baron Corbin/Drew McIntyre vs. Braun Strowman/Ricochet

Strowman still isn’t playing and blocks an early chokebreaker attempt. A clothesline puts Corbin on the floor for the middle rope moonsault from Ricochet as the fans give Ricochet quite the welcome home. Back in and Ricochet swings at McIntyre but a crossbody is countered into a suplex which is escaped as well, only to have McIntyre chop him down.

That’s enough for the villains to take over on Ricochet as we’re told about Bliss announcing the women’s participants later. Now that Graves is very happy, Corbin chokes away on the rope. The chinlock goes on because Corbin knows one style match and that includes a chinlock. Ricochet fights up for a clothesline and nipup into the dropkick but Corbin drops him again as we take a break.

Back with Ricochet still in trouble off a huge backdrop from McIntyre during the break. They head outside with Strowman chasing Corbin but running into the Claymore, with McIntyre seeming to bang himself up on the landing. Drew is fine enough to hit a heck of a clothesline on Ricochet and crank on the arm back inside. It’s back to Corbin, who gets kicked in the face and dropkicked for a bonus, allowing the hot tag to Strowman.

House is cleaned in a hurry but McIntyre avoids a charge to send Strowman shoulder first into the post (the ring shook). The Claymore is loaded up on Ricochet but Corbin tags himself in. That earns him a right hand from McIntyre, sending Corbin into Strowman’s powerslam. The shooting star press gives Ricochet the pin at 14:05.

Rating: C-. This was every Money in the Bank build match that you could have, with the faces and heels teaming together despite having no intentions to do so in the actual ladder match. Corbin and McIntyre already getting in a fight isn’t surprising, but Corbin holding up the briefcase again is looking more and more likely by the week.

Here are the Usos, who sing their own theme music in one of the best jobs of hyping up a crowd in a hurry.

Usos vs. Anderson and Gallows

During their entrances, Anderson and Gallows promise to lock the Usos up in their own penitentiary because they’re bullet proof. Jimmy runs Anderson over to start and a shot to the face gets two. It’s off to Jey, who slides over to taunt Gallows and then gets in a running elbow for two more.

Gallows comes in and gets knocked outside but is fine enough to block a suicide dive. Back in and Jimmy gets sent neck first into the middle rope for some quality writhing in pain. The beatdown is on and we take a break. Back with Anderson grabbing the chinlock and getting two off an elbow to the face. A belly to back suplex gives Gallows two but Jimmy uppercuts his way out of trouble.

The hot tag brings in Jey for a superkick and a Samoan drop, followed by the running Umaga attack in the corner. Jey misses a charge into the corner though and walks into the always good looking Anderson spinebuster for two. The Magic Killer is broken up and it’s double superkicks into the Superfly Splash to finish Gallows at 11:19.

Rating: C. I’ve been a big Usos fan for a long time so it’s cool to see them back on track over on the new show, but my goodness I could go for more from Anderson and Gallows. They’re good, they’re entertaining and they can work, yet they’re lucky to get a ten minute match once every few months. Would a few weeks long program be too much to ask?

Post match the Usos say put the kids to bed and cover grandma’s eyes, because we’ve got something special. We see a clip of Jey near the showers, where he films Dash Wilder shaving Scott Dawson’s back, which the fans don’t know how to accept. Back in the arena, the Revival comes out and say that since Dawson is a real man with big muscles, he needed some help. The Revival says there’s nothing wrong with that and they’ll come for the Usos after their match tonight. That’s cool with the Usos, who promise penitentiary time.

I was there the night the Revival debuted on the main roster and now I’m here when they’re in a feud over shaving back hair. That’s what tag team wrestling is to WWE these days: Hawkins and Ryder holding the titles, the War Raiders having three names in three weeks, and the Revival dealing with personal grooming. And you wonder why this division is considered death.

We look at Rey Mysterio losing to Samoa Joe in a minute at Wrestlemania. Their rematch is tonight. It’s non-title, so get Rey’s victory music ready now.

Here’s Miz for MizTV. Miz hypes up the crowd, saying he thought we had some Wildcats in here. He’s glad to be back on Raw with new challenges and new guests, starting with one tonight: Bobby Lashley. Miz starts his intro but Lashley cuts him off in the third person. We move on to Lashley’s untapped potential, with Lashley not wanting to hear about it because he’s a two time Intercontinental Champion since returning a year ago. But what has Miz done? Miz: “Bobby Lashley wants to go stat for stat with me?”

Miz says the old Miz would list off his accomplishments (which he does) but cuts himself off because we could be here for a long time. The fans seem to like that so Miz calls himself an overachiever. Miz: “Have you seen my wife?” Lashley brings up Shane McMahon attacking Miz’s father and the fight is on. Miz fights back and throws Lashley plus the chairs out of the ring. I think you know what’s next.

The Miz vs. Bobby Lashley

Joined in progress with Lashley hitting the delayed vertical suplex but Miz is right back with the kicks in the corner. Some running dropkicks connect as the referee gets the blood gloves. Cue Shane McMahon for a distraction but Miz clotheslines Lashley to the floor. A dropkick through the ropes drops Lashley and Miz stares Shane down. Shane charges the ring as Miz rolls Lashley up for two, followed by the short DDT for the same. The YES Kicks connect but Shane puts up a picture of Miz’s dad. That’s enough of a distraction for Lashley to hit the spear for the pin at 2:53.

Post match the double beatdown is on and Shane chokes Miz out as he looks at the picture of his father. Shane reiterates that he is the best in the world. This coming Thursday, it will be six months of this story. Six months of Miz vs. Shane McMahon. That’s all they can come up with for what is going to be over half a year over Shane winning a tournament in Saudi Arabia and then Miz’s horrible father. They deserve the backlash they get for this nonsense.

Post break, let’s take another look at what we just saw.

Viking Raiders vs. Lucha House Party

The House Party jumps them before the bell and it’s a springboard missile dropkick to rock Ivar. He’s fine enough to cartwheel away from a handspring elbow and it’s off to Erik as the Raiders take over. Erik drives Ivar into the corner to crush Metalik, setting up the Viking Experience for the pin on Kalisto at 1:54.

Post match Lince Dorado tries to avenge his buddies but gets caught in the German suplex/springboard clothesline combination.

Video on the IIconics.

Here’s Alexa Bliss to introduce the women’s Money in the Bank participants. First up is Natalya, who is proud to finally have a chance to be Raw Women’s Champion. Next up is Dana Brooke, who is tired of Natalya being handed everything. They get catty with each other until Alexa shuts them down. Naomi is third (giving us a FEEL THE BLISS graphic as the two graphics are up at once. That means another speech from Naomi about getting a chance but Bliss cuts them off again, saying they’re worse than the men earlier.

Bliss talks about the fourth woman getting the chance but no one can stop talking long enough for her to be given an opportunity. And it’s Bliss herself rounding out the field. Naomi wants to fight Bliss, who says she would, but she doesn’t want to. Bliss doesn’t even have the right shoes! Naomi: “I can beat you with my shoes on or off.” After the worst smack talking ever, Bliss agrees to the match.

It’s time for Firefly Fun House. Bray Wyatt is painting, because he loves to express himself and when you express yourself, no one can hurt you. Rambling Rabbit, a rabbit puppet that looks like he’s been beaten half to death, pops up and asks to see the picture. It’s of the Wyatt Compound burning, which doesn’t sit well with Rambling. Abby the Witch pops up (Bray: “YEOWWY WOWWY!”) and scared Rabbit off before saying Bray didn’t learn his lesson last time.

Bray assures her that is all in the past and that he’s sorry for what he did. The kids forgive him for what he did, which is enough for Abby, as long as Bray keeps it quiet while she sleeps. Bray calls her a sociopath and here’s Rabbit to ask if that’s the Word of the Day. Why yes it is, and Bray spells it for us, though he doesn’t define it. That’s all the time we have for today but remember: he’ll light the way and all you have to do is let him in. Just like last week this is really creepy, but I’m not sure how it’s going to work in the arena.

Naomi vs. Alexa Bliss

Joined in progress again with Bliss having to tie her shoes, allowing Naomi to kick her in the leg and hit a bulldog onto the middle buckle. The standing Stinkface (erg) sets up a splits splash for two on Bliss. Back up and Bliss takes her into the corner for some stomping and it’s off to a chinlock. Naomi fights up again and hits her dancing kicks but Bliss drops her again.

Hang on though as she needs to tie her shoes (Percy Femur’s favorite wrestler everyone). Naomi’s small package gets two so Bliss slaps on another chinlock to slow things down. The shoes flare up again so Naomi goes after Bliss, who loses both shoes in the process. Bliss sends her into the corner and yells about the shoes, only to walk into the Rear View. The split legged moonsault finishes Bliss at 6:01.

Rating: D. The shoes thing got a bit annoying but the bigger problem was how they couldn’t do much of anything out there because they kept getting in the way. Bliss being back in the ring is a good thing though as she’s certainly an upgrade over some of the women’s division. With so many moving over to Smackdown, she’s certainly one of the better choices on Raw.

Rey Mysterio wants to do better against Samoa Joe tonight to prove himself to his son Dominic.

Here’s Becky Lynch for a chat with Charly Caruso. After soaking in the BECKY TWO BELTS chants, Becky says that’s why she would do this. She had a hard journey to get here and that means she can either talk or fight. Becky only knows how to fight so of course that’s what she’s going to do. Never tell her the odds, because people told her she would never main event Wrestlemania, until she did. Then people said no one could beat Ronda Rousey, until Becky did it.

Her whole career has been a long shot but nothing has been an accident. You can talk about odds all you want, but she got where she is today by beating everyone. Charlotte has the pedigree but Becky has her numbers. As for Lacey Evans, she has a great right hand but it’s a mistake to punch someone who likes it.

We see a clip of Evans knocking Becky out last week so Becky wants to fight right now. Cue Evans, who says it’s just like a man to want what he wants when he wants it. Lacey is tired of these manners so the fight is on. Referees can’t break it up and agents can’t either as the fight is getting intense in a hurry. After several moments it’s finally broken up after a heck of a brawl in a very good segment.

Video on Make A Wish Day. Nothing wrong with that.

Revival vs. Curt Hawkins/Zack Ryder

Non-title. Hawkins takes Dash down to start as the announcers are already talking about the back shaving stuff from earlier. Dawson gets in a cheap shot from the apron to put Ryder in trouble and it’s time for some hard elbow drops. The SHAVE YOUR BACK chants get on Dawson’s nerves so he grabs a front facelock. Dawson even mocks the fans with his own SHAVE YOUR BACK chant before kicking Ryder in the stomach. Ryder is fine enough to reverse Wilder’s suplex into a neckbreaker but Dawson is right there to knock Hawkins off the apron. That means a collision with Ryder though and a crucifix pins Dawson at 4:17.

Rating: D. So it was a squash until a fluke win for the champs, who were barely mentioned as the entire thing was about the Revival vs. the Usos. If WWE wants to go with that as the top feud on the show, that’s fine. Just get the titles onto one of them instead of having the champions look like the fourth most important team (at best) on the show.

Miz’s response to Shane: a challenge for a cage match at Money in the Bank. So once Miz wins there, where do they go for the tiebreaker?

Here’s Sami Zayn for a chat. Last week he talked about being on vacation and not being happy now that he’s back here. The other great thing about his time away was allowing himself to get back to things that interest him, such as history and psychology. That made him think about a concept called psychological entitlement, which is very appropriate for WWE fans.

For years, these people have been fed the lie that the customer is always right. Sami won’t even get into the economic and social reasons why that has been pounded into their heads because no one here will get it. The point is that everyone feels they are right and they should get everything they want. If they don’t get it, they’ll throw a fit right then and there. Last week at the airport at 4am, a father told his five year old to sign an action figure. Sami said no, but it didn’t make him feel good. He was already bothered by the fact that the kid had been taught that he got what he wanted.

After seventeen years and five star classics, Sami thought he had done enough already. That is the new dynamic: he’ll do what he wants and the fans will gladly take it. Recently people have been telling him to quit WWE if he hates it so much. That’s not going to happen, because nothing sounds more enjoyable than taking the fans in the palm of his hands. From now on, Sami is taking the power back. The promos are great, but I’m not sure where this is going.

Shane accepts Miz’s challenge.

Samoa Joe vs. Rey Mysterio

Non-title. Before the match, Joe says he embarrassed Rey at Wrestlemania. If Rey was any kind of a father, he would have gotten his son a mask to hide his shame. Tonight, Rey is paying for costing Joe his title shot last week. Joe goes right at him to start and knocks Rey to the floor. The suicide elbow launches too early as Rey slides back in and hits the seated senton off the apron.

Rey’s sliding splash hits knees though and we take a break. Back with Joe grabbing a neck crank as we hear about Rey’s loss at Wrestlemania. Just have him pin Joe already because they’re making it as obvious as anything else. Rey fights up and hits the tornado DDT, followed by a 619 to the ribs. The regular 619 is blocked and Joe hits the release Rock Bottom out of the corner. Joe picks him back up but gets pulled into a rollup for the pin at 7:18. Joe didn’t even try to move during the pin and it looked horrible.

Rating: D+. What we got was good but the ending looked terrible and the Curse of the US Title continues to be a very real threat. I’m sure we’ll get a rubber match at Money in the Bank, because Joe choking him out in a minute on the biggest show of the year was just a starting point. Just let Joe (or whoever else gets saddled with the title) win something already, because this is nonsense.

Post match Dominic comes out to put Rey on his shoulders in a scene you don’t get very often.

It’s time for the contract signing between AJ Styles and Seth Rollins. Michael Cole starts the questioning by asking what a win would mean to AJ. That’s an easy one because the win is the reason AJ came here. He spent two years on Smackdown and he’s very grateful, but now it’s time to come where the really crazy fans are.

AJ has heard about Seth for two years and knows he’s a good guy, but AJ wants the Universal Title. When you want something bad enough, you’ll do some unexpected things to get it. The fans aren’t sure what to make of that so AJ goes back to the compliments by saying Seth is a winner and a champion. But how many times has it been said that Seth will be the new AJ? Not very many that I can think of, but AJ thinks it makes sense because Seth is stronger, faster and younger. Fans: “SHAVE YOUR BACK!”

The reality though is Seth will never be the next AJ Styles. Seth didn’t want to be though, because he would rather be the first Seth Freaking Rollins. The compliments are appreciated but things are different on Raw. That’s Michael Cole instead of Tom Phillips and the ropes are red. If AJ wants to take the title, he needs to be better than phenomenal.

AJ asks about Seth’s health after being a workhorse for all those months. Fans: “BURN IT DOWN!” AJ knows they’ll burn it down and then he’ll build it back up. Seth doesn’t know how much trouble he’s in because the Shield isn’t around to help him anymore. Yeah he went through a lot at Wrestlemania, but Seth doesn’t have much left.

AJ is ready to go now though and at Money in the Bank, he’s biting like a pit bull and not letting go until he’s Universal Champion. Styles signs and Seth starts talking about their differences. It’s true that AJ likes to build things up but Seth likes to burn things down. There is one thing that separates them though: Seth beat Brock Lesnar. That seems to get to AJ as Seth signs.

AJ picks up the title and slowly hands it over so Seth can hold it up. Fans: “SHAVE HIS BACK!” AJ jumps him instead and the fight is on with Seth kicking him out to the floor. There’s the suicide dive and Seth poses again, but it’s a shot to the head into the Phenomenal Forearm through the table to end the show.

This took some time to get going because they don’t have any reason to hate each other, but some of those lines from Seth ran deep. AJ seems to be playing heel here, and while that might not go full blast or last permanently, it’s an interesting way to go here. It’s also something AJ knows how to do, so we should be in for some quality stuff if that’s where they’re going.

Overall Rating: D. This was a rough one and it didn’t get much better watching it back. The wrestling ranged from annoying to bad and some of the stories feel like they’re trying to be way too jokey instead of serious with some not so funny acts. Couple that with a bunch of “I’M GOING TO WIN AND CASH IN THE BRIEFCASE BECAUSE IT’S MY TIME!” promos and this was a hard watch. It did have some good parts (contract signing, Becky vs. Lacey, Sami’s promo and the Viking Raiders) but the bad is far stronger here and given the direction of some stories, that’s going to be the case for a long time.

Results

Ricochet/Braun Strowman b. Baron Corbin/Drew McIntyre – Shooting star press to Corbin

Usos b. Anderson and Gallows – Superfly Splash to Gallows

Bobby Lashley b. The Miz – Spear

Viking Raiders b. Lucha House Party – Viking Experience to Kalisto

Naomi b. Alexa Bliss – Split legged moonsault

Zack Ryder/Curt Hawkins b. Revival – Crucifix to Dawson

Rey Mysterio b. Samoa Joe – Rollup

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

Rebellion
Date: April 28, 2019
Location: Rebel Sports Complex, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Commentators: Don Callis, Josh Matthews

It’s back to pay per view for these people after some rather uninspiring television (though the go home show was good). The wrestling has been more than adequate but there’s very little that makes me want to watch this show. Now, that doesn’t mean this show will be bad, but rather than I haven’t been thrilled getting here. Let’s get to it.

The opening video asks what a rebellion is and how important it is to fight, all over clips of the feuds on the card. Not bad at all, as the recap videos have gotten better as of late.

Petey Williams vs. Jake Crist vs. Aiden Prince vs. Ace Austin vs. Cousin Jake vs. Eddie Edwards

Bonus match because a six match card wasn’t going to work. One fall to a finish and Jake is one of the Deaners. The brawling is on to start with Eddie hitting a suicide dive on Jake but getting taken down by a slingshot hurricanrana from Petey. Prince gets a running charge for a dive but Crist cutters him out of the air and onto the pile for the massive crash that would have taken Prince out even without the cutter. Petey Russian legsweeps Crist into the Sharpshooter with Deaner making the save.

That allows Austin to start his handspring into a kick on the apron but Crist is right there with another cutter from the top. A suicide DDT drops Deaner but it’s Petey up with a slingshot Codebreaker to Crist as he lands on Eddie for a cool crash. Prince’s 450 gets two on Crist with Prince making the save, earning himself a kick in the head from Austin. Eddie is back in with a tiger driver for two on Austin with Deaner making the save. That earns him a Canadian Destroyer from Williams but Austin dives in for the rollup pin at 4:59.

Rating: C+. It felt like an Impact match but I like keeping something like this short. There’s no need to have them go through spot after spot when you can just do the crazy spot fest until someone gets the pin. Austin has needed a win and this is a good star for him. I could see him going somewhere and anytime I could see more magic, I’m rather pleased.

The announcers preview the rest of the card that you already bought.

Impact Plus is coming as a replacement for the Global Wrestling Network. Good, as the thing was a mess from the start so a relaunch is a good idea.

Sami Callihan is sick of Rich Swann smiling at him and not meaning any of it. Tonight the Death Machine is coming for Swann in an OVE Rules match. He’s going to break Swann’s legs because he loves him like a brother.

Rohit Raju vs. Scarlett Bordeaux

This was set up earlier today as a replacement for the live Smoke Show. Raju has both Gama and Raj Singh with him like Scarlett has Fallah Bahh. Scarlett starts fast and takes over in the corner until a trip puts her down. That earns Raju a walk over his back so he takes Scarlett outside for a Russian legsweep into the barricade.

Back in and Scarlett is fine enough to chop away, setting up a headscissors into a Crossface to put Raju in even more trouble. That’s broken up so Scarlett snaps off a German suplex to send Raju to the floor, meaning a big dive follows him out. Back up and Raj crotches her on top, allowing Raju to load up a Stinkface. Since you don’t do that to Scarlett, it’s a low blow into the belly to back kneeling piledriver to give Scarlett the pin at 5:03.

Rating: D. I love Scarlett’s character for a variety of reasons, but having her do the same match over and over again is going to take away the appeal in a hurry. This was Raju being a cocky jerk who got in trouble for being stupid. The problem is that’s how most of her matches are likely to go and you can only do that for so long. It didn’t help that the match wasn’t very good and was another bonus match, which kind of goes to show you how thin the card is so far.

We recap Moose/The North vs. the Rascalz. The Rascalz made fun of Moose for his bad luck with women, meaning it was time for Moose to destroy all of them. The numbers got the better of him though and Dezmond Xavier stole a win. Therefore, it’s time to bring in some help.

Moose/The North vs. Rascalz

The Rascalz gets smart by rapid firing in and out against Moose with kicks to the legs and slingshot hilos. Moose pops to his feet though and hands it off to Josh Alexander to suplex Dezmond for two. A backbreaker gets two and Ethan Page adds a swinging version for his own. Dezmond sends the North into each other but Page is fine enough to run him over and prevent the hot tag.

Everything breaks down and it’s the big shoving moonsault to the floor so Wentz can take out Page. Miguel’s running flip dive is pulled out of the air by raw Moose power, meaning a swing into the barricade. Dezmond isn’t done though and uses Josh’s back as a launchpad to take Moose out. Back in and Alexander puts Miguel and Dezmond on the same shoulder at the same time in an impressive power display.

That’s broken up and it’s a 619 into a top rope Meteora into a Swanton into the Final Flash from Dezmond onto Alexander. Thinking quickly though, Page Border Tosses Miguel onto both of them for an impressive looking save. Wentz gets thrown over the top onto Miguel, leaving Dezmond to take a series of kicks to the face. The Burning Hammer into the whip spinebuster sets up No Jackhammer Needed to finish Dezmond at 9:22.

Rating: B. This was a lot of fun, though they were kind of in trouble with the booking. You don’t want the new team in the North losing and Moose can’t take another fall, but the Rascalz really need to stop losing. It’s the lesser of two evils, and thankfully it came at the end of an entertaining, fast paced match. More of the usual from the Rascalz in other words.

Johnny Impact and Taya Valkyrie aren’t worried about their title defenses.

We recap Taya Valkyrie vs. Jordynne Grace. Taya is the confident champion but Grace pinned her in a non-title match and then cost her a match against Madison Rayne. Grace is a monster but Taya doesn’t seem scared.

Knockouts Title: Jordynne Grace vs. Taya Valkyrie

Jordynne is challenging and charges straight at the champ to start. They head outside with Taya being powerbombed onto the apron. Back inside and a middle rope backsplash gives Grace two. Taya snaps the arm across the top rope though and starts wrapping it around the steel. That’s only good for a one so Taya hits a Bubba Bomb to set up a cross armbreaker. Grace is in the ropes in a hurry so Taya pulls her back down into a hanging DDT for two.

Taya grabs something like a cousin of the Rings of Saturn but gets driven hard into the corner for the break. One heck of a clothesline gives Jordynne two and a Michinoku Driver gets the same with the arm not holding up enough for the pin. Taya goes up and is quickly caught in a Muscle Buster for a pair of very close twos. A pinfall reversal sequence gives us more near falls but the arm is too bad for the Grace Driver. Taya pulls on the arm again and it’s the Road To Valhalla to retain the title at 8:59.

Rating: C. The story was there but the ending felt rather flat with Taya just winning clean after the arm work. It makes sense, but I was expecting more from the monster Grace. The match was fine enough, though I’m not sure who is supposed to challenge Taya now. Madison Rayne? Is that where we’re going now? Or maybe a face Tessa? I’m not sure how that would go but it would be different.

Gail Kim is ready for Tessa Blanchard tonight.

We recap Sami Callihan vs. Rich Swann. Callihan’s family took Swann in as a kid and Swann considered Sami family. Then Sami went nuts and they split, with Swann declining an invitation to join OVE. You don’t do that to Sami, so he’s coming for the X-Division Title.

X-Division Title: Sami Callihan vs. Rich Swann

Sami is challenging and anything goes. No dancing from Swann here so you know he’s taking this one seriously. An exchange of shots to the face goes to the champ and it’s already time to head to the floor. Swann staple guns him in the head and the weapons are thrown inside. Back in and Swann’s sunset flip is broken up by a staple gun to the mouth.

A Broski Boot makes it even worse for Swann and his suicide dive is knocked out of the air with a metal shot to the head. The Cactus Special on the apron should be the pin but here’s it’s not even enough for a cover. Instead Sami puts a piece of barricade between the ramp and the steps, which we’ll get back to later. Back in and Swann gets out of a Razor’s Edge, only to be suplexed through an open chair for two.

Swann again isn’t dead and swings away with a cookie sheet. That earns him a spit to the face, which Swann licks off and drops Sami for two more. Wet floor signs to the head have Sami down on the ramp and a Lethal Injection makes it even worse. The fans chant HOLY S*** at that, but not at the suplex through the chair earlier? Those are some weird standards. Now it’s time for the bridged barricade, with Sami going with a groin claw into a Cactus Special onto said barricade….for two.

With that out of the way, it’s time for a big bucket of Legos. A super hurricanrana brings Sami down onto those but since they don’t mean much more than pain, he’s right back up with powder into Swann’s face. That means a super Cactus Special onto the Legos for two and now it’s a barbed wire baseball bat. Swann spits at him, hits Sami low, and, after an I Love You from Sami, hits him in the head with the wire. A Crossface with the barbed wire bat makes Sami tap at 16:03.

Rating: C+. They lost me hard here with one big spot after another that not only didn’t finish the match but didn’t really seem to cause that much damage. A super piledriver should finish someone off and here it just gets two? After a piledriver on a barricade? The other problem was the Legos, which seem like something you would see in a comedy match, but then a few seconds later it’s a barbed wire baseball bat. You can’t jump from one tone to another like that so fast and it didn’t work.

Tessa Blanchard talks about how much respect she has for Gail Kim, who was here before the Revolution. Then Gail made it personal and tonight Tessa is finishing it. TULLY BLANCHARD comes in and says make him proud.

We recap Tessa vs. Gail. Kim cost her the Knockouts Title in January because Tessa wouldn’t respect her as guest referee, sending Tessa into a legal battle to get rid of Gail. It worked to a degree, but Gail came out of retirement for this match. It’s a good build, though I’m more than a little worried about Tessa losing.

Gail Kim vs. Tessa Blanchard

They stare each other down until Tessa starts slugging, earning herself a stomping in the corner. Tessa is right back with a running hurricanrana to send Gail outside, setting up the big dive. Gail pulls her into the post but gets caught with a Codebreaker out of the corner for two. A powerslam gives Gail two of her own but the Black Widow is countered into a backbreaker.

The trash talk starts rolling, with Tessa even yelling down at Gail’s husband in the crowd. Gail misses a charge and falls out to the floor, setting up a double posting for a double knockdown. Tessa takes her time getting up and gets caught in the Hartbreaker around the post, which still doesn’t make a ton of sense. Back in and Gail fires off forearms to set up a spinning high crossbody.

With the required YOU STILL GOT IT chant going, Tessa shoves Gail to the ramp, where a spinning full nelson faceplant sends her crashing down to the floor. That’s not quite enough for the countout and Tessa is stunned. The slingshot suplex is countered into Eat Defeat for two so Gail goes up. With Tessa following up, she gets caught in a dragon sleeper so it’s a bite to the elbow for the break.

You don’t see that one everyday, which is also the case with the super gorilla press drop to send Gail right back down. Magnum gets two so it’s off to a cobra clutch Crossface for something new. Gail gets her foot on the ropes but that doesn’t count this time as Tessa rolls into the middle of the ring for the clean tap at 16:03.

Rating: B+. Match of the night here with Tessa getting the signature win and continuing to look like the best female wrestler in the world (and one of the best anywhere). They beat each other up here and thankfully they went with the right ending. Tessa is looking like the next megastar though and hopefully Impact knows it.

Post match they hug, as Tessa might be on her way to a face turn. Gail gets the big sign of respect.

An angry Brian Cage promises to rip Johnny Impact’s head off tonight.

We recap Johnny Impact vs. Brian Cage. Johnny barely survived at Homecoming and kept dodging giving Cage a rematch, eventually turning heel because he’s tired of the fans thinking they know everything. He then got senior referee Johnny Bravo in his pocket, so tonight it’s Lance Storm as guest referee. That’s going to be fine because Storm is Canadian, meaning he has values. And he hosts a podcast with the company’s boss.

Impact Wrestling World Title: Brian Cage vs. Johnny Impact

Impact, with Taya and Bravo, is defending and Lance Storm is guest referee. Cage comes out with the Terminator gear, which didn’t do so well for him last time. They continue a trend tonight by starting fast with Impact being driven into the corner and walking into a German suplex. The F5 gets two less than a minute in and it’s the apron superplex for two more as Cage is on fire to start.

Another apron superplex is countered into a German suplex from the champ and some knees to the face have Cage in trouble. The standing shooting star is countered with raw power and Cage shows off the standing moonsault for another two. Johnny rolls to the ramp and comes back with a Spanish Fly to the floor (which caused Cage to go to the emergency room after the show).

A running knee to the face busts Cage open and we hit the chinlock as he tries to get some feeling in his back again. Cage Hulks Up and shrugs off an enziguri but a springboard spear gives Johnny two. Taya and Bravo set up a table at ringside as Johnny gets two off the Moonlight Drive. They head outside with Johnny putting him on the table and calling a very loud spot.

Cage pops up and powerbombs him through the table but has to go after Bravo. The distraction lets Impact hit Cage with the belt (right in front of Storm, who “didn’t see it”). Instead Taya pulls Storm to the floor so Johnny can baseball slide him from behind for the expected ref bump.

Back in and Johnny throws the title to Taya and plays dead, leaving Taya to take a powerbomb from Cage. After that rather unnecessary portion, Impact hits Cage with the title and misses Starship Pain (as always) so Bravo can run in for two. Storm superkicks Bravo and Cage does the same to Johnny, setting up a Falcon Arrow called the Drill Claw for the pin and the title at 13:17.

Rating: B-. Oh yeah that injury sucked the life out of Cage, who spent most of the rest of the match stumbling around and taking right hands to the face. What we got was still good, but the weakened Cage was hard to ignore. They did get the ending right though, as Cage had to win the title after being screwed out of it so many times.

Post match Cage celebrates….and Michael Elgin debuts (good thing they have his Twitter handle ready for his name graphic). Elgin powerbombs Cage and counts his own pin before walking away. I’m surprised Elgin was brought back into a major promotion but maybe things have blown over.

Slammiversary is in Dallas on July 7.

Konnan fires LAX up for their title match in the main event. He didn’t want it to come to this but now that it has, they’re coming out guns blazing. Konnan can still cut a fired up promo.

We recap the Lucha Bros vs. LAX, which started as a dream feud with the Bros winning the titles in Mexico. LAX turned on them and tonight it’s Full Metal Mayhem (TLC) to blow everything off once and for all (or as close to Impact can get to doing that).

Tag Team Titles: LAX vs. Lucha Bros

The Bros are defending and it’s TLC but you win by pinfall or submission. The champs try some dives to start but get knocked out of the air as LAX starts fast. Some tables are set up against the barricade and the Bros are right back with running flip dives through said tables to take over. They get inside for the first time with kicks to Ortiz’s face setting up the wheelbarrow splash for two.

Santana comes in and gets caught in a trashcan with a double superkick. A table is set up in the corner but Ortiz rolls Santana up, sending him into a cutter on Pentagon. The top rope Codebreaker from Ortiz sets up the double belly to back faceplant but Fenix dives in for the save. Santana is back up and stomps Fenix down in the corner. Two chairs are set up in the corner and Fenix gets caught in a hanging cutter/top rope double stomp combination for the latest near fall (no save this time).

Santana kicks Pentagon over the barricade and it’s time for the ladder. Everyone gets back in for the slugout before sitting down in four chairs. They slug it out again, though this time in a little more comfort. LAX gets the better of it and bust out the forks. The Bros get back up so some chairs are pelted at their heads, only to have LAX collapse as well. LAX gets up again and put Fenix on top before setting up six chairs in front of the corner.

Pentagon makes the save and it’s the spike Fear Factor onto the chairs….for two. My goodness it’s bleeding over from the X-Division Title match. The Bros load up a regular spike Fear Factor (If the one onto a chair doesn’t work, the regular one certainly will!) but Fenix makes the save, allowing Santana to drive Pentagon through the chair. The fans want and receive a ladder, plus a table on the ramp.

Fenix pops up though and grabs a Spanish Fly off the ladder through the table to make Ortiz vibrate. Back in and it’s a Pentagon Driver to put Santana through a chair for two more so Pentagon loads up two more tables. That’s not enough so we’ll add thumbtacks but since that takes WAY TOO LONG, Santana is awake enough to slug it out with him on top of the ladder. Ortiz gets back up and grabs Pentagon, allowing Santana to stab him in the head with fork. That’s enough for the powerbomb through the tables and the tacks to give LAX the titles back at 20:51.

Rating: A-. While a lot of the stuff has been done before, they went with the right idea here: let two talented teams and four talented guys go nuts with whatever they can find. Sometimes you don’t need to go for the storytelling and need to just shoot for the carnage, which is what they did here. I can overlook some of the near falls as this was a heck of a fight, though they need to go do something else as they’re not topping this anytime soon.

Post match everyone pulls themselves up and Konnan orders them to hug. The big show of respect, including some minor members of the locker room (and Taylor Wilde) coming out to celebrate) ends the show.

Overall Rating: B. As is almost always the case, this promotion is much, much better when there’s less focus on the stories. The action was good (well mostly good) and they made the right call with the Tag Team Titles main eventing. It’s a solid show up and down with two very good matches, though they need to have the TV to back it up, which is always the issue. For now though, a very good show that is worth seeing, if you fast forward a little here and there.

Results

Ace Austin b. Cousin Jake, Eddie Edward, Aiden Prince, Jake Crist and Petey Williams – Rollup to Jake

Scarlett Bordeaux b. Rohit Raju – Belly to back kneeling piledriver

Moose/The North b. Rascalz – No Jackhammer Needed to Xavier

Taya Valkyrie b. Jordynne Grace – Road To Valhalla

Rich Swann b. Sami Callihan – Crossface with a barbed wire baseball bat

Tessa Blanchard b. Gail Kim – Cobra clutch Crossface

Brian Cage b. Johnny Impact – Drill Claw

LAX b. Lucha Bros – Powerbomb through two tables to Pentagon

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Main Event
Date: April 25, 2019
Location: Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, Iowa
Commentators: Percy Watson, Renee Young, Byron Saxton

These shows are so hit or miss and with a week where a lot went down, it’s hard to say what we’re going to get. If nothing else we might have something fresh in the way of the original matches, though there is no reason to expect it to be anything worth seeing. That’s never stopped Main Event before though. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Dana Brooke vs. Ruby Riott

Dang it not Ruby. Likely annoyed at having her stable broken up and getting sent to Main Event, Ruby drives her into the ropes but gets powered right back out. Some elbows work a bit better for Riott until a kick to the face gives Brooke two. Shoulders in the corner put Brooke back in trouble so she grabs a rollup for two more to get away.

The chinlock goes on to keep Brooke down again as the back and forth continues. This time Brooke fights up and gets kicked in the face for her efforts, meaning it’s right back to the chinlock. Brooke comes back again with a clothesline and the handspring elbow sets up a cartwheel splash. Ruby gets two off a rollup but walks into the Samoan driver for the pin at 5:12.

Rating: D. Remember the match where Brie Bella knocked Liv Morgan silly and the rest of the match was a mess? Ruby Riott was the one who took charge and threw something together on the floor. She can do that because she’s talented, experienced and unique enough to be put in that spot. Now she’s jobbing to Dana Brooke on Main Event.

We look back at Roman Reigns punching out Vince McMahon.

From Smackdown.

Here’s Shane McMahon to get things going. After making Greg Hamilton do the big intro, Shane wants to talk about Roman Reigns. We see the clip of Reigns hitting Vince last week, which is like disgracing the American flag or defacing Mount Rushmore (which Shane stumbles over). That man is a national treasure and it’s time for payback.

Shane lists off some options before saying that he’ll deal with Reigns right now in this ring. Reigns comes out and they both drop their mics. Cue Elias from behind and the beatdown is on. Drift Away leaves Reigns laying. Great. More McMahon Family Fun as Shane and Vince like each other again.

We look at Becky Lynch having to face two challengers at Money in the Bank.

From Raw.

Baron Corbin vs. AJ Styles

The winner gets Rollins at Money in the Bank. AJ seems to have an ankle or leg injury so it’s right hands instead of the dropkick. AJ’s springboard is blocked with a right hand to the face and Corbin sends him hard into the corner. They head outside with AJ being whipped in the barricade and getting dropped ribs first onto said barricade as we take a break. Back with AJ fighting out of a chinlock but getting slammed down onto his face for two.

Styles gets in some kicks to the leg but it’s too early for the Calf Crusher. Instead AJ goes with the running seated forearm and a spinning backfist to rock Corbin. A rollup into a Styles Clash attempt is broken up and it’s Deep Six for two. The Calf Crusher goes on this time though until Corbin slams him head first into the mat for the break. AJ gets sent into the corner but comes back with a kick to the head. The Phenomenal Forearm sends AJ to Money in the Bank at 13:05.

Rating: C-. I can’t remember the last time I felt such a relief, but there is no way that Corbin isn’t getting his title at some point. It’s clear that WWE sees the world in him for some reason and there doesn’t seem to be a way around it. At least we can have Rollins vs. Styles while it lasts though and that match should be awesome.

Post match Rollins comes out for the staredown. A handshake ends the show.

From Raw.

We go to the Firefly Fun House, which looks like a children’s program. Bray Wyatt (looking slim) in a longsleeved shirt comes in and introduces himself, saying he knew we would be together again. Offscreen children cheer and Bray can’t wait to show what he’s learned. He ducks his head and looks to come up evil but he’s just kidding. Bray introduces us to his special friends: Mercy the Buzzard and Peppy the Witch (the stars of the creepy vignettes). See, Bray used to be a bad man, which makes the children boo.

That part of him is dead now, but he always keeps a memory with him to prevent that from ever happening again. That would be a cardboard cutout of his old look…..and Bray whips out a chainsaw and cuts it in half. The fun is just getting started and remember that he’ll always light the way, so all you have to do is let him in. I have no idea what to think of this but it was disturbing in a lot of ways.

EC3 vs. No Way Jose

EC3 is rather disturbed by the Conga Line. Same with me man. The dancing begins again after the bell with EC3’s waistlock not being much of a counter. A slam works a bit better though and it’s a Stinger Splash into a neckbreaker. The seated full nelson sets up the EC3 Elbow (that’s growing on me) for two more. It’s too early for the TKO though and Jose grabs a belly to back suplex. Some clotheslines set up a high crossbody but EC3 gets in a reverse DDT to cut things off. The 1%er finishes Jose at 5:13.

Rating: D+. It was slightly better than the first match but that might be due to the lack of Ruby Riott losing. EC3 is someone else who seems to check all of the boxes for greatness in WWE but for some reason (possibly backstage discipline), he’s stuck here as the high point of his week. Hopefully things turn around for him because he’s too good to pass up.

And from Smackdown to close things out.

Kofi Kingston vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Non-title, Rusev and Lana are at ringside and Owens and Woods have their own announcers’ table. Nakamura misses an early kick to the head and gets sent to the floor. Kofi teases a dive so Nakamura can get back in, where he takes Kofi down into a cross armbreaker. That’s switched into a cross armbreaker but Kofi stacks him up for two and the escape. Kofi’s top rope splash to the back gets two and a dropkick puts Nakamura on the floor again. A dive is cut off with a kick to the face though and Nakamura adds the knee drop off the apron.

Back from a break with Nakamura hitting more knees, followed by a kick to the head. They head outside with Nakamura kicking him out of the air for two as we go to New Day for more commentary. Kofi flips to his feet and goes to the middle rope but Nakamura hits the sliding German suplex to take him down again. Kinshasa is countered with the standing double stomp. Trouble in Paradise misses so Kofi settles for the SOS, drawing in Rusev for the DQ at 13:23.

Rating: B-. The ending wasn’t exactly in doubt as WWE isn’t about to push Nakamura into the World Title scene all of a sudden. Kofi not winning isn’t the biggest problem in the world as it’s basically a matter of time until he loses the title. Good match from two good workers, but what comes after is probably what really matters.

Post match Owens and Woods make the save with Woods being taken down. Owens cuts the nonsense and superkicks Kofi, setting up the big beatdown. He shouts that Kofi’s kids better have had a good time because Owens is coming for the title. Kofi tries to fire up but gets stomped down in the corner. Woods breaks up the apron powerbomb so Owens gives it to him instead to end the show. I know it seemed obvious from the beginning, but that’s because it was obvious from the beginning. Why stretch it out for another few weeks instead of just getting to the point already?

Overall Rating: C. The original wrestling was even worse than usual if you can believe that, but the rest of the show was good stuff with a nice focus on the recaps, which were all big stories instead of focusing on midcard material from one show over another. There is interesting stuff going on in WWE at the moment and this was a nice showcase.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling
Date: April 26, 2019
Location: St. Clair’s College, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Commentators: Josh Matthews, Don Callis

It’s the go home show for Rebellion and that means we’re in for what could be a good six man tag with the two major feuds coming together. In this case that would be the Lucha Bros/Johnny Impact vs. Brian Cage/LAX, which could be rather entertaining. Other than that we’ll likely be getting a lot of highlight packages, where Impact has had some success before. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap montage.

Opening sequence.

Here’s Eli Drake for a chat, with a selfie stick to hold his microphone and Kenny the kendo stick. Eli talks about the old Eddie Edwards being dead. He asks Kenny and Mikey what they think of that but here’s Eddie for the brawl. Eddie throws the stick at Drake and hits a suicide dive as the fight heads to the back. I really hope that’s not the last we see of Drake over an intergender match at that horrible United We Stand show.

Video on Tessa Blanchard vs. Gail Kim.

Ace Austin vs. Aiden Prince

Prince starts fast and hurricanranas Ace to the floor for a suicide dive, followed by a heck of an Asai moonsault. Ace is fine enough for a handstand on the apron and a kick to the chest. The Space Flying Tiger Drop puts Prince down again as they’re starting fast. Back in and Ace misses a moonsault, allowing Prince to nail a Downward Spiral for two. The 450 is awkwardly countered into a triangle choke from Austin and it’s a playing card between the fingers for the paper cut. The Fold finishes Prince at 5:56.

Rating: C. Prince was your token Canadian for the tapings and did well for himself in the time he had. Austin continues to be someone with a bright future as he has everything you could need to be a star save for maybe the size. I still love the cards and magic stuff as you don’t see many people (if anyone) doing that kind of thing. Nice match too.

Post match Austin beats on Prince again until Petey Williams makes the save.

Jordynne Grace was working out earlier when Taya Valkyrie attacked her. Taya hit her with a dumbbell and DDTed her onto a weight for the knockout.

Rob Van Dam, looking nearly ancient, is looking forward to coming back to face some of the new talent.

The Rascalz literally bump into each other after being told to meat (yes meat) here. It turns out that Moose wrote the notes because he has an idea. The North comes in and the Rascalz get beaten down.

Video on Brian Cage vs. Johnny Impact for the World Title. That’s way too long of a feud for such little interest. The story has been acceptable and logical but it hasn’t been interesting and that’s a big flaw.

Rebellion rundown.

GWN Flashback Moment of the Week: Rob Van Dam wins the World Title.

Scarlett Bordeaux promises us a live Smoke Show at Rebellion.

Rosemary vs. Undead Maid of Honor

Su Yung and the Bridesmaids distract Rosemary to start but she shrugs off the beatdown without much trouble. The bloody glove is slipped in but Rosemary hits the mist. A spear gives Rosemary the pin at 2:25.

Post match Rosemary chains up the Maid of Honor and leaves with her.

Rich Swann goes to the OVE Compound but Sami Callihan isn’t there. Swann sits at the door and says it’s true that Sami took him in but now they’re going to war. He was there when Sami’s mom died and they went to Germany together. We’ll find out how things go on Sunday. Swann leaves and Sami opens the door, having heard all of that.

A braggadocios Johnny Impact comes up to the Lucha Bros for tonight’s six man. The Bros don’t want to hear it because they’re the best team in the world. Johnny likes their confidence.

Killer Kross vs. The Mack

Mack armdrags him into an armbar but a run of the ropes lets Kross grab a front facelock. Back up and it’s time to throw fists with Mack getting the better of it until a running knee to the face cuts him off. A leg lariat gets Mack out of trouble so Kross clotheslines him right back down.

Something close to a Sling Blade gives Mack two but Kross pounds away even more. This time Mack Hulks Up and nails an exploder suplex. The reverse Cannonball connects but Mack’s standing moonsault is countered into the Krossjacket Choke to give put Mack away at 8:12.

Rating: D+. This wasn’t quite a squash for Kross and I really don’t get the point of doing that to Mack. It would seem that we’re coming up on a heel turn for either Swann or Mack, hopefully the former, and that would make this loss make even less sense. It’s not like Kross is anything more than the devil on the shoulder/Impact’s muscle at this point so he doesn’t really need to beat Mack here.

Long recap on LAX vs. the Lucha Bros, setting up Full Metal Mayhem on Sunday.

Deaners vs. Halal Beefcake

That would be Cody/Jake vs. Joe Coleman/Idris Abraham. Jake isn’t bothered by Abraham slapping him in the face to start so it’s off to Cody, who slams Jake onto Coleman for two. Beefcake puts Cody throat first onto the middle rope for a choke with their boots and pushups on the side. Jake comes in to clean house and it’s a Deaner DDT (set up like a Magic Killer but Cody throws Abraham into the air into a Hellevator) for the pin at 3:12.

Rating: D. So the Deaners are officially a thing with no mention of Cody’s past in the company. To be fair though, that’s probably the best thing they can do. Halal Beefcake was more entertaining than the Deaners but after all the weeks of promos we’ve seen from them, odds are we’re going to be stuck with them for at least a few months.

Rebellion rundown.

Here are Johnny Impact and Taya Valkyrie for a chat before the main event. Johnny thinks the marks in the crowd are way too happy about having Lance Storm referee on Sunday. The two of them were trained by Storm and he was even a guest at their wedding. This brings out Storm, who hugs Taya and seems rather happy.

Storm says he taught the two of them to work and put something into this business. Johnny is worried about taking the Drill Claw and asks if integrity is more important than twelve years of friendship. That’s not cool with Storm, whose lone job is to give these people a champion they can be proud of. A fight breaks out and Storm superkicks Impact down.

Johnny Impact/Lucha Bros vs. Brian Cage/LAX

Mixing up the faces and heels is often interesting. It’s a brawl to start with Fenix hitting a rolling dropkick to put Ortiz down. The double splash hits Fenix though and it’s a double flapjack to take him down again. Fenix comes back with a kick to Santana’s face and Pentagon comes in to start cleaning house. Unfortunately that house includes Cage, who powers out of the Backstabber.

Pentagon knees him in the head instead and now Johnny is willing to come in with a slingshot spear. Ortiz tags himself in and it’s time for the parade of dives, including Cage moonsaulting onto everyone not named Fenix. That’s because Fenix is on top for the big dive and everyone is down enough for a replay montage. Back in and a triple superkick into a series of splashes take Cage down. The top rope double stomp What’s Up hits Santana and now it’s the strikes to Ortiz.

A 450 gets two on Ortiz with Cage making a save. Now it’s Pentagon getting triple teamed, capped off by Cage’s F5. Fenix gets planed with a super Flatliner so Impact comes in for more superkicks. Cage plants Johnny for two but Johnny Bravo pulls the referee out. Just because this hasn’t been insane enough, Fenix chairs Cage in the head but LAX takes the Bros out with chairs of their own. A baseball slide sends the ladder into LAX, only to have Cage hit Weapon X for the pin on Impact at 11:59.

Rating: B-. This was everything that you needed in a go home main event. It’s cool to mix up the faces and heels like this, even if the reasoning was based around champions vs. challengers. These matches should be good on Sunday, but they both need to do something fresh after the pay per view.

Overall Rating: B. Rather good go home show here with the six match card getting some good attention. Everything either got a video or a match to build things up and that’s a smart formula that has worked for years now. Just keep doing more of this and they should be fine. Now since every week can’t be a go home show, I don’t see that formula lasting very long. Otherwise though, good stuff.

Results

Ace Austin b. Aiden Prince – The Fold

Rosemary b. Undead Maid of Honor – Spear

Killer Kross b. The Mack – Krossjacket Choke

Deaners b. Halal Beefcake – Deaner DDT to Abraham

Brian Cage/LAX b. Johnny Impact/Lucha Bros – Weapon X to Impact

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: Ring of Honor

Ring of Honor
Date: April 24, 2019
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman, Nick Aldis

I don’t know how either but somehow we’re still waiting to get to the post Supercard shows. I know it wasn’t the best night in the world for the company but egads man get on to something new already. It’s another night of one off matches that aren’t likely to mean much but that’s how things go around here these days. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Kenny King vs. Tracy Williams

King is the hometown boy and Williams is coming in with a bad shoulder. They start slowly as the announcers ignore the match to talk about the Crockett Cup. To be fair, that sounds a lot more interesting. King picks up the pace and rolls over to grab a headlock, which is reversed into one from Williams. A takedown puts King on the mat and we take an early break. Back with a standoff as the even match continues.

Williams takes him down and starts in on the arm as the announcers argue about handshakes in wrestling. King grabs the referee for a distraction and crotches Williams on top. That’s about it for the offense at the moment though as Williams knocks him off the apron. King jumps onto the apron and corkscrews off in a completely unnecessary flip.

Back in and a butterfly suplex gives King two as Aldis continues to break down a match like no one else in a very long time. King takes him up top but gets caught in a DDT onto the top rope (that’s a new one). A Death Valley Driver gives Williams two and we take another break. We come back with Williams not being able to get the Crossface, allowing King to grab a Last Chancery.

With that broken up, King kicks him in the head and then the ribs for two, which Aldis says is making Williams bend the knee. King grabs a rollup and a rope for two and it’s time for the chops to fire Williams up. The Royal Flush is countered into a small package for two and a fisherman’s buster gets the same. Williams tries a high crossbody but gets pulled out of the air, setting up the Royal Flush for the pin at 19:18.

Rating: B. Nice long (very long) match here with King getting a win to continue a roll that hasn’t actually started yet, which is very clear as the announcers didn’t mention his win in New York at all. King is fine for a midcarder and hopefully that’s where he stays, because I can’t imagine an extended main event run from the guy.

We recap Bandido vs. PJ Black II. The original match caused Black to see the error of his ways and is a reason why he joined Lifeblood. Tonight he’s ready to show everyone what the good Black can do.

Video on Nick Aldis vs. Marty Scurll for the NWA World Title at the Crockett Cup.

Bouncers vs. Reno Scum

Scum must work really cheap because I don’t get the appeal. Milonas and Adam Thornstowe start things off with Adam bouncing off the huge shoulder. The bigger Luster the Legend comes in to try his luck and gets slammed down without much effort. Bruiser hits a running crossbody to set up the snap jabs as the beating continues.

Scum goes with some double forearms to the back to take over for the first time. A double slam sets up a falling headbutt to give Luster two and we hit the bearhug. The missed charge sends Luster shoulder first into the post and the tag brings in Milonas to a rather tepid reaction. Thornstowe gets caught in Closing Time for the pin at 4:57.

Rating: D. The Bouncers are a perfectly nice team in this spot and for once ROH seems smart enough to understand that. They would get wrecked by the Briscoes, the Guerrillas or Villain Enterprises so let them hang around the midcard and win squashes or matches like this. The fans like them well enough and they’re a fine little boost in the middle of the show.

Bandido vs. PJ Black

They grapple to the mat to start with Bandido going after the leg. Back up and it’s a standoff with Black shooting an invisible arrow at Bandido. A shoulder just makes Bandido nip up, followed by a handstand nip up to get in Black’s head. Black misses an elbow and Bandido freezes him with the finger gun. A dropkick puts Black on the floor but he’s right back in for a crucifix driver as we take a break.

We come back with Bandido kicking him in the head to block a dive, setting up a heck of a moonsault to the floor. The Cannonball hits the barricade though and it’s time to head back inside for a slugout. Back in and Black gets crotched on top but manages to roll through a super hurricanrana into a Styles Clash for his own near fall.

A pumphandle into a cutter (the Wellness Policy, because we have to take a shot at WWE every few shows) gives Black two but Bandido rolls over and deadlifting Black into a piledriver (Black’s head landed on Bandido’s leg as the whole thing looked messy). Back from another break with Black hitting a moonsault press for two but running into a Spanish Fly for two more.

Bandido charges into raised boots though and a top rope double stomp to a standing Bandido gets two. Black gets caught on top for a super Spanish Fly but the moonsault hits raised boots. A shot to the face rocks Black again though and the handspring bridging German suplex finishes Black at 15:21.

Rating: B-. So you remember when Black was evil and lost to Bandido? Well now he’s good and lost to Bandido again. The match was very back and forth and entertaining, but I’m not sure what the point of this was. Black’s change hasn’t made him any better but I guess he feels better about it? Uh, good for him then I guess.

Post match they shake hands because Lifeblood is good that way.

Tenille Dashwood has been put through a table. Bully Ray pops up to say bad things happen to good people. People have been trying to figure out who attacked Dashwood six months ago and now we know. He’ll tell Lifeblood she says goodbye. I mean, they could have done this for some fresh new heel but why do that when you can have it be Bully instead?

Overall Rating: C+. As I’m writing this, Matt Taven is three weeks into his ROH World Title reign. We haven’t seen or heard from him in that time, not even in an inset promo. How in the world can we go that long in what is supposed to be a new era after that long of a chase? This keeps happening over and over and I have no idea why ROH can’t find SOMETHING that is better than this. At least have him say something. It’s only going to happen again at the next pay per view too, so what’s the point in even getting annoyed at it again? Nice show, but come on already with this scheduling stuff.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: April 23, 2019
Location: Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, Nebraska
Commentators: Aiden English, Vic Joseph, David Otunga

Things aren’t in the best place around here at the moment with some of the biggest stars in the show (both currently an in its history) moving up to the main roster in last week’s Superstar Shakeup. That means it’s time to build things up again but the materials might not be there this time around. Maybe tonight will prove me wrong. Let’s get to it.

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

Drew Gulak, behind his podium, welcomes us to the show and tells us about how confusing things are in 205 Live at the moment, with Ariya Daivari and Oney Lorcan facing off for the #1 contendership. Not that it matters as he’ll be the champion one day anyway. As for tonight though, Gulak has to deal with his former student Humberto Carrillo.

Opening sequence.

Drew Gulak vs. Humberto Carrillo

No Jack Gallagher with Gulak after their incident last week. We even get an Instagram video from Gallagher, who is missing tonight due to getting stitches in his mustache. He headbutted Gulak last week because Gulak has never done anything for him while using Gallagher to further his own goals. After we hear about how handsome Carrillo is, Gulak takes him to the mat with a headlock takeover.

A rollup gives Gulak two and it’s already time for the mockery. Carrillo gets two of his own off a crucifix and it’s Gulak looking all flustered. They head outside with Carrillo climbing up the post and standing on top, telling Gulak to come up. Gulak tells him to come down but eventually climbs in. Carrillo runs him over and grabs a chinlock, which you don’t often see from a face. That’s released and Gulak breaks up a springboard to take over.

The leglock goes on to take away the flying ability so Carrillo slaps him in the face. Gulak goes to his own chinlock before switching into a modified surfboard. That’s a little too much though so it’s back to the chinlock. Carrillo gets up again and hits a handspring elbow, followed by a great looking spinning high crossbody for two.

A missile dropkick is good for the same and they slug it out until Gulak knocks him down again. The ankle lock has Carrillo in trouble but the good foot gets Carrillo out of trouble. With nothing else working, Gulak tries a superplex (Vic: “That’s not on the ground!”) but gets powerbombed down. Carrillo’s Aztec Press (handstand into a springboard moonsault) gets the pin at 15:08.

Rating: B. That’s the best thing that could have happened as Carrillo has been needing a big win for a long time now. He’s one of the better prospects around but there is only so much he can get out of dealing with Gulak and Gallagher, who are pretty much the rite of passage on this show. Good battle of styles here, which isn’t a big surprise.

Oney Lorcan likes the idea of Ariya Daivari being a hard hitter.

Daivari says he’s a different man since he got his head on straight. He’s coming for the title and beating Lorcan to get there.

Drake Maverick doesn’t like Maria Kanellis interfering last week. Brian Kendrick comes in to say the same because Maria cost Akira Tozawa a win. Mike Kanellis tells him to leave, which Kendrick willingly does. Kendrick: “I was just a distraction anyway.” Tozawa jumps Mike from behind until referees break it up.

Ariya Daivari vs. Oney Lorcan

#1 contenders match so here’s Cruiserweight Champion Tony Nese to watch. Daivari starts fast and tries the hammerlock lariat but gets sent outside off the counter. Back in and Daivari drives him into the ropes and we actually get a clean break for a change. Oney goes with a headlock to grind Daivari down and some rollups get two.

They fall out to the floor in a heap with Lorcan getting the worse of it, meaning Daivari can send him into the corner a few times. Some chops just fire Lorcan up so Daivari grabs a reverse DDT to take him down. Back up and Lorcan misses a charge to fall out to the floor so Daivari rips at the face. Just to complete the boring formula, Daivari slaps on a Million Dollar Dream to take Lorcan down.

Lorcan goes Bret Hart by climbing the ropes and flipping back for two, followed by a suplex for the same. A dropkick puts Daivari on the floor and an uppercut knocks him out of the air (great visual). The running Blockbuster gets two but Daivari is right back with a superkick into another Million Dollar Dream.

Lorcan powers up again and nails a running uppercut. The super half and half suplex is broken up but Daivari misses his frog splash. Another superkick connects for Daivari though and the second frog splash works just fine. The hammerlock lariat gives Daivari the title shot at 15:10.

Rating: B-. It was a good, hard hitting match with Lorcan doing everything he could, but there’s only so much you can do against someone as uninspiring as Daivari. His new demeanor is an upgrade but he’s still one of the least interesting people on the roster. I know they’ve lost a lot of talent lately, but there has to be a better option than this.

Post match Daivari turns down a handshake with Nese and says he wants the Cruiserweight Title. Nese says try to take it and poses to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. The wresting was good, but we’re building towards Ariya Daivari vs. Tony Nese for the Cruiserweight Title. I can’t get my head around that one and I can’t help but shake my head over what we’re going to have to watch coming up. The wrestling will be good because both guys have gotten better. The problem is I have no reason to care about either of these two and they come off like the bottom of the barrel of a show that is already at the bottom of the WWE ladder. It’s going to be fine, but the build is going to be the least inspiring that I can remember in a long time.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Worlds Collide: Women Collide
Date: April 24, 2019
Location: Pier 12, New York City, New York
Commentators: Aiden English, Vic Joseph, Mia Yim

This is the last (I think) entry in the series of Axxess events, because that’s something that needed to see the light of day because reasons. The idea here is pretty simple with a bunch of matches between women of different brands. I’m not sure what to expect here as the matches have been mostly good, but this was taped the day after Wrestlemania. Let’s get to it.

Announcers’ preview.

Candice LeRae vs. Kay Lee Ray

Kay starts in on the arm but Candice gets in a nifty spinning reversal. A headlock takeover works a bit better until Kay headscissors her way out of trouble. Some rollups give Candice two each but she’s snapmared down into a rolling kick to the head to give Kay two of her own. Candice is right back with a Black Widow, sending Kay stumbling into the ropes.

Back to back to back dives take Kay down for two but the Lionsault misses. Kay gets caught on the middle rope and a super German suplex gives Candice two. A springboard is broken up with a superkick to the back but Candice is right back with a reverse hurricanrana. Now the Lionsault can connect for the pin at 8:25.

Rating: B. Heck of a match here with Candice looking awesome and Kay more than holding up her end. Candice was working hard to keep up with the more polished Kay and that worked perfectly well. I liked this more than I was expecting to so we’ll call this a rather pleasant surprise to start.

Piper Niven vs. Zelina Vega

This better be a squash. Niven towers over Vega and easily shoves her down but gets drop toeholded into the middle buckle. Choking over the ropes works a bit better for Vega and a missed charge keeps Piper in trouble. Vega manages a tornado DDT to cut off a comeback as this is WAY too much from Vega so far.

A Dragon Sleeper goes on until Piper realizes that she’s twice Vega’s size. The hold is broken up with a toss and the seated crossbody crushes Vega again. The Vader Bomb misses and Vega gets in a Codebreaker. The delayed cover (since Vega can’t pull her) gets two but Vega’s moonsault misses. A scoop sitout brainbuster finishes Vega at 4:58.

Rating: D-. Nope. I did not buy the idea of Vega getting in this kind of offense whatsoever and the match really suffered as a result. I’m assuming Vega got in this much offense because she’s on the main roster, but she’s wrestled what, three matches there? This went beyond the point of being believable and it really didn’t work.

Io Shirai vs. Sonya Deville

Mia doesn’t think much of someone coming from the Octagon to the ring because Sonya’s attitude isn’t enough of a reason to boo her. Shirai starts flipping around and hits a few ax handles but Sonya pulls her hard off the ropes to take over. Sonya gets serious by putting her hair up and kicking away in the corner for two.

The bodyscissors goes on with Sonya slapping the head and ribs a bit for a bonus. The fingers get bent backwards as Yim goes on another anti-MMA rant. Sonya hits a chop and Mia asks if that was necessary. Some elbows to the face as Mia now loves the idea of Worlds Collide because different parts of WWE come together. So to clarify: as long as it’s all WWE with wrestling backgrounds, we’re cool. Got it, I think.

The fans are split as Sonya grabs the chinlock, which doesn’t last long as usual. Sonya misses an enziguri and Io’s missile dropkick gets two (with Aiden calling Sonya a former MMA artist, or a mixed martial artist artist, as said by the Artist). Now the enziguri connects to give Sonya two and a running double leg takedown (just call it a spear) finishes Shirai at 8:22.

Rating: C. Another good but not great match with the biggest point being Mia’s rather strange rant against MMA. Sonya winning is rather odd as well, as Shirai is probably going to go after the Women’s Title soon while Sonya is little more than Mandy Rose’s muscle. It’s not completely unrealistic, but it’s not what I would have done.

NXT UK Women’s Title: Toni Storm vs. Nikki Cross vs. Bianca Belair

Toni is defending and we get Big Match Intros. Nikki goes right at Bianca to start but gets caught in a fall away slam. That gives us Bianca vs. Toni in a showdown that I don’t think many people actually wanted. Toni easily spins out of a wristlock and takes Bianca down but here’s Nikki to chop in the corner. Nikki ties Belair up in the ring skirt and hammers away yet still manages to stop a charge from Toni. Now both of them are tied up in the skirt so Nikki can forearm and scream a lot.

Back in and a high crossbody gets two on Toni so Belair throws Nikki outside. That doesn’t last long as Nikki is back in for a three way knockdown. Toni is up first with the running hip attacks in the corner but Belair spears both of them down. The KOD hits Nikki with Toni diving in for the save. The hair whip puts Toni in the corner but Bianca goes shoulder first into the post. Cross is back in with the reverse DDT to Toni and Belair is sent outside. That leaves Cross to take Storm Zero to retain Toni’s title at 7:29.

Overall Rating: C+. Another pretty good but completely skippable show in a series of them. I like the Worlds Collide concept but there are some things that you just don’t need to film. It’s fine if I don’t get to see the matches from Axxess and while the shows weren’t bad, they’re nothing that is going to stick with me. Well maybe other than Mia being ultra serious about everything and her weird hatred of mixed martial artist (artists) getting into wrestling. Seriously what was that?

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Smackdown
Date: November 25, 2004
Location: Blue Cross Arena, Rochester, New York
Commentators: Michael Cole, Tazz

It’s Thanksgiving and that means we’re likely in for a heavily themed show. That’s rarely a good idea around here as WWE doesn’t have the best track record with these things. That being said, there are worse things they could do, like focus on Orlando Jordan vs. Josh Matthews again. Let’s get to it.

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

Vince McMahon narrates a video thanking the troops.

Opening sequence.

Joy Giovanni is setting the Thanksgiving table and happens to be leaning over quite a bit.

Here’s Torrie Wilson, tonight’s ring announcer, to wish us a happy Thanksgiving and hopes we saved room for dessert: Smackdown. With that bad line out of the way, she introduces the first match.

Rey Mysterio vs. Rene Dupree

Kenzo Suzuki and Rob Van Dam are barred from ringside. Dupree has a black eye coming in and the announcers try to figure where it came from. Maybe a match perhaps? Rey starts fast with the top rope wristdrag but the springboard crossbody is dropkicked out of the air. A guillotine legdrop misses, which is far better than jumping straight down with nothing in mind. Rey’s sitout bulldog gets two more but the 619 attempt is sidestepped for a crash to the floor. Rene’s bad luck continues with a posting and the springboard seated senton gets two. Now the 619 can connect, setting up the springboard legdrop for the pin.

Rating: D+. This was as generic of a match as you can get with both guys doing their regular stuff and getting out of there in a few minutes. You’re only going to get so much out of a match like this but since there are almost no other teams on the show, this is about all you can expect for a build towards the title match. They might as well bring out Van Dam and Suzuki for their match now.

In the back, Hiroko explains Thanksgiving to Kenzo Suzuki, who is too busy fawning over Torrie. Hiroko gets the point and leaves in a huff.

We recap last week’s Tough Enough competition.

Here are Al Snow and the Tough Enough competitors for this week’s shenanigans. Ryan Reeves has two broken ribs but he isn’t quitting. This week’s elimination: Daniel Rodimer, who would bounce around developmental for a long time as a Stephanie McMahon project that never worked out. Tonight it’s arm wrestling with Mizanin having to compete right handed to make it even less fair. Puder beats Mizanin in about a second and Reeves beats Smith, albeit with some more effort. After Smith and Mizanin give their predictions, Puder actually beats Reeves without much trouble.

Eddie and Booker T. are ready for their tag match tonight against JBL and Orlando Jordan. Amy Weber comes in and offers her services as an image consultant, which manages to drive a wedge between them over who will be winning the upcoming title match. Booker talks about Eddie already getting his rematch but Eddie explains why those weren’t fair. Eddie talks about Booker being a five time WCW World Champion and it turns into an argument over family. Amy breaks it up by saying they’re forgetting about Undertaker. Eddie says he doesn’t forget anything and leaves angry.

As we transition to the announcers, we get a CGI version of JBL’s entrance….with JBL as a turkey in the limo. These have been going on throughout the night and they’re as bizarre as they sound.

We recap John Cena winning the US Title from Carlito last week and getting attacked by Jesus after. His kidney is messed up pretty badly.

Carlito and Jesus brag about the injury with Carlito saying Jesus took care of Cena. They still have the chain that injured the kidney last week, which was like a drive by. Jesus says he showed Cena what it was like to be from the streets and if Cena ever comes back, he’ll do it again anywhere Cena wants. Carlito spits apple at the camera.

Rey and RVD alternate between Spanish and English about Rob vs. Suzuki.

Rob Van Dam vs. Kenzo Suzuki

Rey and Rene are barred this time. Rob starts fast with the kicks to the face but gets crotched on top to cut off the momentum. A running clothesline gives Kenzo two as the announcers talk about Japanese Thanksgiving. Kenzo drops a running knee, which Cole describes as “well that was a knee to the nose”, because he’s good at explaining the obvious. Rob fights up with a kick to the face, followed by a springboard kick to the face for good measure. Rolling Thunder connects to set up the Five Star but Hiroko gets in the way. She also hands over her sash, which Kenzo uses to choke Van Dam for the DQ.

Rating: D. So the solution to the boring Tag Team Champions is to have them wrestle two bad matches. They can’t drop the titles soon enough as this has been a terrible reign between two guys who couldn’t get a strong reaction if their lives depended on it. Kenzo going after Torrie isn’t going to work either, though at least it seems that they’re moving towards the team dropping the title.

Post match Hiroko goes after Torrie to set up a catfight with Kenzo breaking it up and gyrating in front of Torrie. Rob kicks him in the face.

Joy has put all the food in the ring with Josh Matthews hosting Big Show’s Thanksgiving. Show is happy to celebrate his favorite holiday and says he’s glad to celebrate with the greatest announce team of all time. Well he would if this was Monday and Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler were here. Show plugs the Rise and Fall of ECW DVD before asking Tazz not to have a flashback and suplex him through the pumpkin pie. Fans: “ECW! ECW!” Show: “You should buy the DVD!”

Show talks about eating a bunch of food when he was a kid, to the point where his dad put a lock on the refrigerator. Then one Thanksgiving his sister brought her boyfriend over. That wasn’t working for Show, so he waited until no one was looking, knocked him out with a turkey, tied him up and threw him into the neighbor’s yard. He told the sister that the boyfriend went home so she went after him, meaning more food for Show.

Now it’s on to all the food he liked to eat, including the cranberry sauce that better be shaped like a can. He calls Cole, Tazz, Tony Chimmel and the production staff to the ring to eat because it’s time to share the wealth. Everyone goes to eat but here’s Luther Reigns to interrupt. Reigns talks about never having a Thanksgiving because he was always in prison.

These people talk about not having enough to eat but he spent his time trying to stay alive. Reigns gets in the ring and makes Joy put him some food together, earning herself a pie to the face. Show sends him into the food and Reigns bails, leaving everyone else to get in a food fight. Joy pies Show to make things even.

I remember watching this live and the same thing stood out to me nearly fifteen years ago: Show sounded natural. This wasn’t scripted and was pretty obviously him being told “go talk about Thanksgiving for a few minutes.” Show is a good talker so it’s not like there was any danger there. Why that isn’t done today is one of the great mysteries of modern WWE.

The announcers are covered in food.

Here’s Kurt Angle, with armed security, for a chat. Angle is thankful for this holiday but not as thankful as the fans are for him starting the Kurt Angle Invitational. The security holds up the Gold Medal and tonight it’s time for someone else to get a shot at it.

Kurt Angle vs. Cody Steele

The fans chant what sounds like LIAR when Cody says he’s from Rochester. Angle even volunteers to drop down to all fours so Cody can have an early advantage. The reversal takes all of five seconds and Angle hits him in the face. That means a breather for Steele, who agrees to go down as well because he doesn’t seem that bright. Of course Angle kicks him in the face and it’s the Angle Slam into the ankle lock for the fast tap.

Angle gets in a little more ankle cranking for a bonus.

The remaining Tough Enough participants get twenty seconds each to tell us what they’re thankful for.

Mizanin is glad to be here, for the Mizfits who vote for him and for not being Daniel Puder.

Reeves is thankful for food and family. He does a survey asking who the people are here to see and Snow has to take the mic away from him for taking too long.

Smith thanks God, friends, family and the fans.

Puder says just about the same thing as Smith while promising to win. His three favorite words are Snap Crackle and Pop and he’ll show us what that means soon.

We look back at Heidenreich breaking down last week.

Paul Heyman talks about Heidenreich being under round the clock supervision and on medication. He knows a different side of Heidenreich, who is a very sensitive man. Heyman actually bows his head in prayer for him. I’ll give WWE this: they’re trying everything they can with Heidenreich, even if he’s that terrible.

Jackie Gayda and Michelle McCool are stretching for obvious reasons when Charlie Haas comes in. Michelle leaves and Charlie likes Jackie’s pilgrim outfit. Jackie is ready to rip Dawn Marie’s costume off and then her head is coming with it. That makes Charlie happy and he doesn’t like the rumors of him cheating on her with Dawn Marie. Kissing ensues. That’s better than Charlie talking again.

Dawn Marie vs. Jackie Gayda

Indian vs. Pilgrim. Catfight, referee shoved, done in thirty seconds.

Post match Charlie tries to break it up and pulls Dawn off. It says a lot when a story about two gorgeous women fighting in small outfits is this uninteresting.

Booker T./Eddie Guerrero vs. John Bradshaw Layfield/Orlando Jordan

JBL and Eddie start by throwing the towel at each other until Eddie snaps off some armdrags. Booker comes in and side slams Jordan for two because Jordan is really not very good. A JBL cheap shot from the apron lets Jordan take Booker down and we hit the chinlock. It’s back to JBL for an elbow to the face and some elbow drops get two.

Jordan grabs another chinlock as Cole thinks the fans are split on who they want as champion. As long as it’s not JBL that is. Booker gets up pretty easily and makes the hot tag off to Eddie so house can be cleaned. Three Amigos keep JBL in trouble and everything breaks down. JBL powerbombs Eddie out of the corner and boots Booker in the face.

Booker pops up for the ax kick but a fan in a Rey Mysterio mask decks Booker in the jaw. There’s something hilarious about the smartened up security guard sitting there with his arms crossed as a fake fan attacks a wrestler. So much for suspension of disbelief. It’s Danny Basham, followed by another “fan” (Cole: “Now who could this be?” I’m guessing the other fan helping Danny Basham is…..Funaki probably.) shoving Eddie off the top. That would be Doug Basham, who smiles as the Clothesline From JBL finishes Eddie.

Rating: D. Believe it or not, Jordan was in fact able to bring down a pair of Hall of Famers and JBL, who should be in there too. There’s no way to believe that he’s a threat to these two and yet he’s in there week after week for reasons I still don’t understand. It’s another bad match to close out the show, which really doesn’t surprise me.

Post match Undertaker comes out to crush JBL, leaving the Bashams as an afterthought to end the show.

Overall Rating: F. I’ve had to say this a lot lately but I feel so sorry for the fans who bought tickets to this. Quick matches from the Tag Team Title feud, an Angle squash, a thirty second match between Dawn and Jackie, a food fight and a thirty second long arm wrestling tournament from people fighting for a chance to train in developmental. Then their big main event: an Orlando Jordan match. If I paid money for this show, I wouldn’t be coming back and that’s been the case for a few weeks now.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: Impact Wrestling

I feel like I always need to confirm that Impact Wrestling still does pay per views. This is their spring offering, though it isn’t clear who is rebelling against what. Lately the company has been rebelling against the idea of going with anything fresh and it has become a bit of a chore to watch. That being said, their pay per views tend to be much better than television because it’s all about the in-ring product, which is usually an improvement. Let’s get to it.

Knockouts Title: Taya Valkyrie(c) vs. Jordynne Grace

We’ll start off with a match that could go either way as Valkyrie seems like someone they want as a long term champion but Grace is a monster who no one has been able to slow down yet. Now the problem with that is that once she loses, a lot of that momentum goes sailing out the window. I’m also thinking that the show taking place in Canada isn’t going to do Grace’s chances any favors as Valkyrie is of course Canadian.

I’ll take Grace winning though, as it might be a bad night for Valkyrie and her husband. The division has been needing some fresh blood for a long time now and Grace could be it. Let her run some people over for a few weeks or months before losing it back to someone else. Like the best female in the world not working for WWE (or perhaps including that batch) in Tessa Blanchard. But yeah, Grace wins here, as she should.

X-Division Title: Rich Swann(c) vs. Sami Callihan

This story has been more interesting than I would have guessed as Callihan oddly grows on me more and more. Swann is a good choice for the title as he can wrestle that X-Division style, but there comes a point where Callihan has to win something and that hasn’t been the case yet. He’s been chasing the title for a few months now and this might be the night he gets there.

So yeah I think Callihan gets the title here as there’s little reason to not give it to him. You can even go somewhere with the issues between Swann and Willie Mack. It’s a good idea to give Callihan something as he’s going to have suitors and putting a title on him could make him happier. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him move towards the World Title scene sooner rather than later either. For now though, the X-Division Title will do.

Tag Team Titles: Lucha Bros(c) vs. LAX

This is Full Metal Mayhem, which loosely translates to TLC With Pins. These teams have been feuding for months now with LAX dropping the titles and then turning heel, meaning it’s time for a major gimmick match to blow it off. LAX has looked like stars over the last year and getting them against a team like this, one of the best in the world (maybe even the best), has done nothing but good things for them.

I’m basically flipping a coin here but I’ll take the Lucha Bros to retain. We can worry about no one but LAX being on their level later, because this match is going to rock. These four work so well together and the Lucha Bros can turn anything they do into a classic. I’ve been nearly drooling over this match since I first heard about it and that’s not going to change now. It should be great and could go either way but I’ll take the Bros to retain.

Gail Kim vs. Tessa Blanchard

I’ll spare you another rant about Impact’s obsession with Kim and go with how well this match has been built up. The story started months ago but thankfully they’ve waited until the pay per view to actually set it up. As worried as I am about where this match is going to go, the story has been well done and I’m hoping that the match itself is as good as the buildup has been.

As for the winner, I’m going to do something probably not that bright and give Impact Wrestling the benefit of the doubt. I’ll take Blanchard for the win, because there is no reason whatsoever to go with Kim. She’s retired and not likely to wrestle again and Blanchard could be one of the biggest stars in the company very soon. Go with what makes sense instead of giving Kim another tribute that she doesn’t need.

Impact Wrestling World Title: Johnny Impact(c) vs. Brian Cage

Somehow this feud feels like the third (or arguably fourth) biggest match on the show and that’s not a good sign. I haven’t been a fan of this one since it started nearly four months ago and it hasn’t gotten much better. For some reason it just isn’t interesting and I don’t know how much better this match is going to make things. Their match at Homecoming was good, but I need something more to make me care than Impact suddenly turning heel.

I’ll go with Cage winning, because he’s been built up so much that he has to win the title at some point or there’s nowhere for him to go. Now hopefully that means that the story is done between these two, because there is no need for it to stretch on into the summer. The feud hasn’t been very interesting in months and Lance Storm as guest referee isn’t the cure. Cage wins, and I’ll try to make myself care.

Overall Thoughts

And that’s it. Seriously the show has five matches announced and we’re less than forty eight hours away. They’ve also announced a live Smoke Show from Scarlett Bordeaux which will likely set up a sixth match but egads man. How do you only have five matches set up when you had more than two months to get the show ready? I’m sure it will be fine (Impact pay per views always are) but we’re in for a mystery box show and that’s not the most thrilling.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Worlds Collide: Cruiserweights Collide
Date: April 17, 2019
Location: Pier 12, New York City, New York
Commentators: Aiden English, Tom Phillips

In case the last one’s name wasn’t obvious enough for you. This time is more of an international flavor though with wrestlers from NXT UK and 205 Live facing off in a series of matches. There is always some potential there and if the matches are given some time, we could be in for a fun show. Let’s get to it.

The announcers give us a quick preview.

Tyler Bate vs. Brian Kendrick

During the entrances, we get a cool photo of Bate when he was about fifteen, meeting Kendrick at an indy show in England. Naturally there’s a handshake before the bell and Kendrick thinks the BIG STRONG BOY chants are for him. A BRIAN KENDRICK chant is a little more clear as they lock up to start. Bate easily gets the better of a test of strength and Kendrick seems like he wants to try something else.

The hammerlock (Kendrick: “HA HA!”) works a bit better until Bate bounces up and down, picks up his own foot, and puts it on Kendrick’s arm for the escape. How British of him. Kendrick uses the more traditional rope break to get out of a hammerlock and tries a headlock. That means a flipping escape and right hands for the first real show of aggression. The power sends Kendrick outside, where he asks a fan why he wasn’t informed of Bate being a big strong boy.

Back in and Kendrick pokes him in the eye, which makes the referee think the match shouldn’t continue. They keep going though and Kendrick tries it again, only to have Bate block this attempt and get in an eye poke of his own. Back up and another pair of eye pokes are blocked so Bate punches him in the face instead. The referee actually yells about the punch though, allowing Kendrick to knock Bate to the floor. The USA vs. UK chants begin as Bate is holding the back of his head after a hard shot. Kendrick sends him head first into the buckle and it’s off to a double arm crank.

Since Kendrick is a veteran, he gets a USA chant going again to make sure the fans don’t get too bored. A neckbreaker gets two but Bate Hulks Up and snaps off a rather un-Hulk like hurricanrana. The running shooting star gets two and a backslide is good for the same. Kendrick is staggered but manages to snap on the Captain’s Hook in the middle of the ring. You don’t use a hold on a guy as strong as Bate, who powers him up into the airplane spin. The rolling Liger kick drops Kendrick again and the Tyler Driver 97 finishes Kendrick at 13:57.

Rating: B-. This took some time to get going but they built it up into something good by the end. Kendrick can still go in the ring every single time and he helped Bate have a good match. Bate is awesome, and the more than he gets to spend time in the ring with veterans who work a different style like this, the better he’s going to be.

Flash Morgan Webster/Mark Andrews vs. Ariya Daivari/Mike Kanellis

No Maria with Mike, lowering his interest level by at least 73%. Mike does however get a rather strong chant before the match and the fans are very pleased when he starts against Andrews. And like someone who knows what he’s doing, he hands it off to Daivari to really start instead. Another tag continues the stalling as there’s no contact in the first minute. They finally lock up at about a minute and a half with Andrews snapping off some armdrags.

A hair pull takes him down though as the fans are completely behind Kanellis again. Andrews is right back up with an armbar but it’s quickly off to Kanellis vs. Webster for a change. Webster grabs a drop toehold and it’s a standing moonsault from Andrews with Webster adding a standing Swanton for two on Kanellis.

It’s back to Daivari who has some luck by stomping Webster down in the corner, followed by a sliding boot from Kanellis for two. Daivari’s hip swivel neckbreaker gets two as he and Kanellis are getting into a nice groove with the alternating beatings. The big boot gives Kanellis two and Daivari slaps on a chinlock. Webster finally gets in a clothesline and it’s back to Andrews for a double crossbody.

The double stomp to the ribs sets up the standing moonsault to Daivari and Kanellis gets knocked down. An assisted 450 gets two more on Daivari and there are the stereo flip dives to the floor. Back in and Webster gets crotched on the top so Kanellis nails a Michinoku Driver. Kanellis superkicks Daivari by mistake though and Andrews hits the Stundog Millionaire. Webster’s Swanton to the back finishes Kanellis at 13:06.

Rating: C+. This took some time to get into but it turned into a straight formula tag match with the time to set it up. That’s something that is going to work every time, which is why it became the formula over the years. Webster has grown on me so much in recent weeks and his tagging with Andrews has been a big part of that. Nice match here.

Albert Hardie Jr. vs. Gran Metalik vs. Ligero

Hardie is better known as ACH. Just to make sure he fits in, he even puts on an invisible ask as the feeling out process begins. Ligero runs Hardie over but walks into an armdrag from Metalik. That means an early standoff as the fans seem to be behind Metalik so far. Ligero gets kicked to the floor so Hardie can flip around a lot and send Metalik to the floor. Back in and Ligero returns the kick to Hardie’s face, meaning it’s already time for Ligero vs. Metalik. The latter’s rope walk dropkick gets two but Hardie is back in to kick Metalik’s leg out.

Hardie slows things down with an abdominal stretch until he has to get rolled up to give Ligero two. A big flip dive to the floor takes Metalik down and it’s time to rip at Ligero’s mask to make Hardie a bit of a heel. It’s back to the abdominal stretch as Hardie continues to be a little different.

Metalik is more of a traditionalist and superkicks Hardie in the face to break it up. The handspring back elbow drops Ligero and Hardie and a suicide dive drops Hardie again. The Metalik Driver gets two on Hardie with Ligero making the save. Ligero’s springboard Stunner drops Metalik and there’s the big flip dive to take him down again. A bridging German suplex gives Hardie two on Metalik and a kick to the face sends Metalik outside. That leaves Ligero to hit C4L to put Hardie away at 11:12.

Rating: C. This was a moves match as they went from one spot to another with nothing in the middle. I’ve never been a big ACH fan and a lot of the problem stems from this being his go to match: a bunch of very athletic stuff, minus anything to bridge it together. It’s a perfectly watchable match, but it feels like something I’ve seen a dozen times.

Akira Tozawa vs. Jordan Devlin

Devlin starts slowly with some kicks to the leg so Tozawa takes him down for a stalemate. A hammerlock into a front facelock has Devlin in trouble so he reverses into a leglock as the grappling continues. With that not working, Tozawa kicks him in the face and drops the backsplash, setting up the hard corner stomps.

A backbreaker gets Devlin out of trouble and he kicks Tozawa in the back to make it worse. The release Rock Bottom into the standing moonsault (onto Tozawa’s side) gets two and it’s off to a waistlock. That’s broken up with elbows to the face and a knee to the face drops Devlin again. Devlin is smart enough to roll away from the top rope backsplash so Tozawa hits a suicide dive instead.

The Black Widow makes Devlin scream but Tozawa is no AJ Lee so it’s not quite enough. Tozawa wins a slugout until an exchange of kicks to the head puts both guys down. Devlin is up first but the slingshot cutter is countered into a bridging German suplex for two. The top rope backsplash hits knees though and Devlin’s pull up Saito suplex finishes Tozawa at 13:08.

Rating: B-. Another good match here as Devlin has found his groove and become one of the best things about whatever show he’s on anymore. Tozawa was his usual entertaining self as his charisma and work are more than enough to carry him in any match. Devlin seems destined to be a star though and that’s a good sign for NXT UK’s future.

Overall Rating: B. Pretty solid show here, even if it’s nothing that you need to see and nothing I’m going to remember in about a day. That’s the problem with these shows: they feel like they’re just content for the sake of content and that’s not the most thrilling thing in the world. Check this one out though as it’s four rather good (at worst completely watchable) matches in front of an energized crowd.

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

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

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

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