Randy Savage is Dead
http://www.tmz.com/2011/05/20/randy-savage-car-accident-macho-man-dead-dies-died-killed-wwe-wrestler-florida/
This looks legit. I have no idea what to think about this yet as I’m still in shock I think.
http://www.tmz.com/2011/05/20/randy-savage-car-accident-macho-man-dead-dies-died-killed-wwe-wrestler-florida/
This looks legit. I have no idea what to think about this yet as I’m still in shock I think.
Impact Wrestling
Date: May 19, 2011
Location: Impact Wrestling Zone, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Mike Tenay, Tazz
Episode Title: Back From The Dead
It’s the first show of a new era this week as WRESTLING MATTERS apparently. It should be very interesting to see how the show has changed in this new world of the company emphasizing wrestling. Also it’s time for the fallout from Sacrifice which should be interesting as we have Slammiversary set with Sting vs. Anderson for the title. Lot to get to tonight so let’s get to it.
We open with a recap of Angle/Chyna vs. the Jarretts on Sunday as well as the main event with some quick soundbytes from the winners.
There’s a new intro and color scheme as it’s now blue and a silver/gray. The arena looks different too and it’s a nice change.
Here’s Immortal to open the show minus Jarrett or Hogan. Bischoff says he and Hogan should be credited for all of the changes. He runs down Foley, saying if it had been his decision it would have been Thumbtacks Matter instead of Wrestling. Hogan and Foley are in New York apparently having meetings. Immortal is in charge tonight and they’ll take care of anyone that gets in their way tonight.
Here’s Kendrick and the X guys, including Gen Me and Amazing Red. Kendrick says that it’s odd to see a non-wrestler complaining about wrestlers get in his way. Kendrick runs Bischoff down, talking about how he’s leeched off this business forever through backstabbing and phony friends. Oh and Bully is fat.
Bischoff meets them in the aisle and says tonight the X Division is ending. Kazarian is going to defend the X-Division Title against Abyss. Red is going to get Joe and Generation Me, who are no longer fighting it seems, get Matt Hardy….and Bischoff. He even calls them vanilla midgets. Kendrick wants a match too, so Bischoff slaps him in the head and the brawl is on.
Fourtune minus AJ comes out and it’s the big brawl of the week. The good guys seem to stand tall but the fight continues in the aisle. They’re not done yet as Flair throws the jacket and they start it up again. The X Guys hit dives on Immortal and the fight continues. This has been going for a few minutes now so it’s a rather extended brawl. They get split up and Flair says he wants to talk to Roode later tonight.
Sarita/Rosita/Madison Rayne vs. Mickie James/Miss Tessmacher/Tara
Mexican America comes out for commentary on this. Rosita vs. Mickie to start us off as we go split screen to see the commentators. I mention this because the new logo/scheme has what looks like blue flames or smoke and they were rapidly moving on the split screen so it was a bit disctracting. Anyway the evildoers take over with some triple teaming but Mickie manages to tag in Tara to fight Madison. Instead Madison runs and brings in Sarita.
Tessmacher comes in and continues to only be worth her looks. For some reason she runs into the corer of Mexican America to hit the ropes so she gets tripled teamed also. Madison runs from Tara some more so Tara beats up Rosita a bit. Everything breaks down and Tara almost gets to Madison, only to send Rosita into Tara who ends Rosita with a chokebomb at 4:05.
Rating: D+. This was rather sloppy the whole time as it’s obvious that at least one of the girls is there because of how she looks in tiny shorts. Other than that, nothing of note here at all as I guess we’re setting up Madison vs. Tara which is the logical way to go. Hard to complain when I guess Sarita is the worst looking chick out there though.
Sting is here in his old tights and gear apparently but we only see his legs.
X-Division Title: Abyss vs. Kazarian
Bischoff gives Abyss a pep talk before the match, basically saying kill him and also quoting Sun Tzu. Power vs. speed since the beginning as the announcers talk about how this could be the last X Division Title match ever if Abyss wins the belt. Abyss takes him down with power and cranks on the neck but Kaz fights back, only to walk into a chokeslam attempt. That doesn’t work and Kaz gets a springboard dropkick to take Abyss down.
Kaz cranks things up with a rana, an elbow and a legdrop, all off the ropes and resulting in a two count. Chokeslam is countered again into a victory roll for two but Kaz gets caught in Shock Treatment to shift the momentum right back to Abyss. Vader Bomb totally misses and may have hurt his knee. Kaz charges into a big boot as Abyss was apparently faking and the Black Hole Slam gives Abyss the only title he’s never won at 5:05. Tazz says the internet is burning up because of that. Abyss quotes Sun Tzu post match.
Rating: C+. Just a David vs. Goliath match but with a nice little twist of Abyss outsmarting Kaz when he couldn’t beat him with just straight power. I’m thinking this might actually be the beginning of the end for the division as there really isn’t much of a point to the thing at the moment. The TV Title is fine for a midcard title and despite the whole no limits thing, it’s almost always been seen as a Cruiserweight Title. Anyway, not a bad match but nothing of note at all.
Gunner wants his belt back.
Samoa Joe vs. Amazing Red
Red looks scared but charges anyway, only to get slammed straight down and hammered in the corner. Red gets in a shot or two and it means nothing at all. Musclebuster and we’re done in 47 seconds.
Joe beats on Red post match until Crimson comes down for the save. Are he and Red still brothers?
Here’s AJ who is in a neck brace and wants to talk to Tommy Dreamer. Here’s Dreamer in sunglasses. Apparently Storm has a concussion from the brawl earlier. AJ is in the brace for a few weeks because of the Piledriver on Sunday. AJ says that this is about Dreamer wanting to have a contract and how he’s there against his will. Dreamer interprets this as AJ saying Dreamer can’t beat him.
Dreamer talks about how he’s a veteran that doesn’t have anything handed to him and drills Dreamer, saying he sold out and that AJ is as worthless as all these fans that always want more. The fight is on and AJ’s neck goes out again until Daniels comes out for the save. Dreamer and Daniels brawl but Bully Ray comes out and drills AJ with the chain clothesline and Daniels is taken down by a low blow from Dreamer and a big boot from Ray. AJ takes another Piledriver from Dreamer as we go to a break.
A fan says he’s excited.
Sting says his focus is Hogan and Bischoff still. He’s in his traditional gear here.
The “original” Sting is seen from the back, making Tenay call shenanigans.
Here’s Kurt who says he’s in a much better mood because Karen is gone thanks to Chyna. Karen has a broken ankle apparently but Chyna isn’t here tonight. Angle vs. Jarrett again at Slammiversary in a #1 contenders match according to Foley it seems. Here comes Jeff who says that this is one last time but he wants to know why Kurt gets the shot at all. Karen shouldn’t be blamed apparently and it should all be on Kurt. Jeff never got distracted because he’s better than Kurt. Naturally there’s going to be a stipulation for the match at the PPV: if Jeff wins, he gets the gold medal.
They shake on it but Jeff’s music hits again. Karen pops up through the stage like Angle does in a wheelchair. She runs her mouth and Velvet Sky pops up behind her. Velvet shoves Karen down the ramp and she crashes into Jeff, falling out of the chair. Velvet’s music plays as the Jarretts regroup.
Gen Me says blood is thicker than water and they’re united tonight.
Bischoff gets a call from Hogan and tells him about the match tonight. Apparently Hogan was successful in New York.
Back and the Jarretts complain some more. Apparently Velvet faces Winter and Angelina tonight.
Generation Me vs. Matt Hardy/Eric Bischoff
No entrance for Gen Me. Matt vs. Jeremy to start us off and Matt uses his size advantage to take over. Gen Me speeds things up as is their custom and work on Matt’s arm. Matt takes over for a bit but since it’s more or less a handicap match, Gen Me takes over again with double teaming. Poetry in Motion to Matt and Jeremy takes him down with a spear.
Matt fights back but both guys do down. Matt wants a tag and Bischoff freaks, allowing Jeremy to hit a frog splash to Matt’s back for two. 450 attempt eats knees as we’re told that Foley and Hogan will be here next week. Ice Pick, that double underhook chokeout by Matt has Max out cold so Bischoff comes in for a kick and the academic pin at 6:07.
Rating: D. The match sucked and the burial/elimination of the X Division continues. I’m not complaining, but at the same time is there a reason that on a show about the rebirth of wrestling to have Eric Bischoff get a pin? The match itself was bad on top of that but I’ve seen worse. The Bucks using high spots is always a plus.
Angelina is still in a trance and Winter has candles everywhere. She says that it’ll be like it was before and kisses Angelina incredibly gently as they’re up next.
Angelina Love/Winter vs. Velvet Sky
Winter starts but Angelina is tagged in almost immediately. Angelina still can’t be hurt apparently as she shoves Velvet into the corner and brings Winter back in. Kick to the back gets two for Velvet. Next week Angle and Jeff will be in the ring and pick each other’s opponents. Jeff picked RVD apparently. Velvet fights them both off and puts a chinlock on Angelina which gets her nowhere for the most part.
Angelina takes her down with a clothesline and next week it’s AJ/Daniels vs. Ray/Dreamer. The implied lesbians tag in and out a lot and Velvet is in trouble. Winter gets a spinning backbreaker and Angelina is brought back in again. She moves all slowly and gets rolled up by Sky in a small package for the pin at 4:30.
Rating: D+. The match was pretty weak as Velvet is there to look hot and yell a lot and that’s about it. Angelina plays that zombie roll to perfection, but I wish this angle would get somewhere already as it’s been going for months and we barely know anything at all. Weak match as again they keep things short for the Knockouts, which is probably a good idea actually.
Post match ODB returns and beats up Velvet for no apparent reason.
Tessmacher is doing a photo shoot but Eric is the photographer and doesn’t have a camera. He shows her how to do this by stripping down to his boxers and posing. Gunner pops up and Eric wants to talk about respect. Gunner hammers on him and leaves as Young says good job of working together bro.
Here’s Flair to call out Robert Roode. Flair is ticked off about giving up to end Lethal Lockdown. Roode says that was a war, not a wrestling match. Flair says if the shoe was on the other foot, Roode would have been put out of wrestling. Flair rants about mentoring Beer Money and how to be a man outside the ring also when it comes to getting drunk and getting laid. Roode is going to be a man long after Flair leaves and that it’s now his time, not Flair’s. Flair has changed colors in a matter of seconds.
Flair wants Roode to break his shoulder again right now and Roode says it’s over. Flair says it isn’t and slaps Roode. Roode grabs him and throws on the armbar again but here comes Immortal. Remember that all of Fourtune has been taken out tonight already. They get him down with relative ease and Ray whips him with the chain. Ray tells Abyss to get two chairs and they do something similar to hammering a nail into Roode’s arm, probably breaking it.
Sting and Old Sting are up next.
Here comes Sting, as in the real Sting. He says that he wants to praise RVD and that he got by on the skin of his teeth last Sunday. His focus is still on Hogan and Bischoff and taking power from them. Less than sixty seconds after he won on Sunday here was Anderson to jump him. There go the lights and of course it’s Anderson in the old school attire. He gets a bat shot and a Death Drop to Sting to end the show.
Overall Rating: D+. I really was disappointed in tonight’s show. This was supposed to be TNA’s big emergence as the wrestling company and we get five matches, the longest clocking in at just over six minutes, one being a total squash and two promos to end the show. Also, Eric Bischoff gets to pin someone. I don’t see how this is supposed to help anything as Immortal continues to have virtually no authority and yet is pushed to the moon time after time. Tommy Dreamer is a full fledged heel. Let that sink in for a minute. Anyway, weak show tonight to say the least and not a good sign for the future if this is an indication.
Results
Tara/Miss Tessmacher/Mickie James b. Rosita/Sarita/Madison Rayne – Tara pinned Rosita after a Chokebomb
Abyss b. Kazarian – Black Hole Slam
Samoa Joe b. Amazing Red – Musclebuster
Eric Bischoff/Matt Hardy b. Generation Me – Bischoff pinned Max Buck after a kick to the head
Velvet Sky b. Angelina Love/Winter – Small Package to Love
Monday Night Raw
Date: May 16, 2011
Location: AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas
Commentators: Jerry Lawler, Michael Cole, Josh Matthews
It’s the final Raw before the Over the Limit PPV and we have our main event in the form of Cena vs. Miz for the title. Other than that there isn’t a ton here so we’ll likely fill out the rest of the card tonight for the red show. Over the Limit feels like a filler PPV which is rarely a good thing. Hopefully Raw gives me a reason to not think that after tonight. Let’s get to it.
Theme song opens us up.
Here’s Cena but before he can say anything Riley pops up on the stage. Riley says he knows what Cena is going to say and introduces a video of Miz beating on Cena. Here’s Miz -who looks weird without the title. Riley talks about how everyone has underestimated Miz. They’re in the ring now and Cena isn’t pleased. We get some classic cheap heat on the San Antonio Spurs for choking.
Cena cracks some jokes and implies Miz is a kid/stupid and then turns serious. He talks about how Miz has proven everyone wrong, but on Sunday he won’t be saying he’s awesome. He’ll be saying he quits. An E-Mail says that Miz can pick Cena’s opponent and the stipulation for tonight but it can’t involve Miz or Riley. Miz isn’t sure yet on either option.
Kofi Kingston vs. CM Punk
I’m not sure if this is a step up for Kofi or a step down for Punk. Punk takes over to start and tells Nexus to stay at the top of the ramp. Kofi sends him to the floor and they come down, only to have Punk send them back again. Punk fires off some elbows to the chest for two. Knee drop gets the same. He tries to go up top but Kofi gets a kick to the side of the head and the champ takes over.
That HUGE cross body gets two and New Nexus is looking worried. Boom Drop hits despite Kofi running around for about 8 seconds beforehand. He keeps looking at Nexus and misses Trouble in Paradise. GTS can’t hit but Kofi misses his jump in the corner. There’s the GTS and Punk gets the totally clean pin at 3:56.
Rating: C+. This was fine and I can live with Kofi losing here as he was distracted by Nexus and he lost to a guy with a far better resume than he had. I’d love to see these guys get more time out there as the stuff they had worked quite well while it lasted. This was fine for a TV match.
Punk says that was just the beginning and Nexus will become the most dominant force in WWE history.
Miz is talking to Ziggler and Vickie about possibly facing Cena I assume.
Brie Bella vs. Kelly Kelly
Non-title again. We talk about the Divas on Twitter because that’s about all there is to talk about. Kelly does her gymnast stuff as we keep talking about Twitter. The Twins cheat a bit and Brie works on a chinlock. Kelly spanks her a bit and a quick rollup/pinning combination ends this at 1:56.
Post match the Bellas beat down the blonde and it’s Kharma time. HUGE pop for the music coming on too. Kelly is out in the corner and Kharma goes after her, only to have a Bella hit Kharma in the back. Implant Buster to the other one. We do get the terrified Kelly eyes and Kharma picks her up by the jaw. She flicks Kelly in the head, laughs, and leaves.
Miz talks to Big Show and gets cut off.
That’s What I Am ad.
Here’s Rey to address the situation with R-Truth from last week. He says that he wants to prove to Truth that he had no business being in last week’s main event or any for that matter. He’s still waiting as we go to a break. Back and instead it’s Alberto coming out to see Rey. He talks about how he’s a pure blooded Mexican unlike Rey. Rey says he’s proud to be a Chicano and an American. If Truth isn’t here, then he has no problem shutting Alberto’s mouth instead.
Alberto Del Rio vs. Rey Mysterio
They start off very fast with Rey getting a kick to the chest and moving out of the way of a charging Alberto. Codebreaker to the arm out of the corner as we take another break. Back with more arm work by Alberto and Rey can’t quite fight back. Alberto puts on an armbar. Make that a LONG armbar.
Rey starts his comeback and here’s R-Truth up in the rafters. He wants the cops to be called as there’s a thief here as Rey stole his title shot. Alberto doesn’t take the chance to jump Rey or anything so once Truth shuts up Rey keeps the advantage. He speeds things up a bit more and it’s 619 time, but Ricardo grabs Rey for the CHEAP DQ at 9:34 total.
Rating: D+. Very boring match here as it was about 80% armbar and commercial. The point was to set up the Truth stuff post match but can’t you have a good match at the same time that you’re setting up an angle? Pretty weak stuff overall and not what you would expect from these two.
The heels beat Rey down a bit more post match, working on the arm. Truth runs in after they leave and beats him down even more, saying that on Sunday Rey is going to get got. The mask is almost off Rey at this point when Truth leaves.
Miz recruits Punk and Mason Ryan.
Time for the contract signing for Cole and Lawler. Lawler agrees that if Cole wins Cole gets the HOF ring and if it ever happens, Lawler will induct Cole into the Hall of Fame. Cole signs immediately as does Lawler. Michael is all happy about it and it turns out that Sunday is a Kiss My Foot match. We get a clip of Ross being forced to kiss Cole’s feet last month and also a clip from the Kiss My Foot match against Bret Hart where Lawler was made to kiss Bret’s feet and then his own also.
Cole puts his disgusting foot on the table and Lawler says shut up. That was Bret Hart and Cole is no Bret Hart. He’s not even a Jack Swagger. Cole runs his mouth off, talking about how no one remembers Swagger being a former world champion and the only reason Swagger was on Wrestlemania was because of Cole. Swagger isn’t happy with this and says he’s all yours King before leaving. Cole tries to make nice with Jerry and gets slammed down by the tie again. On Sunday, Jerry is going to put his foot in Cole’s mouth and close it. Cole is crying as the segment ends.
Miz is talking to Kane when Big Show comes up. Kane leaves while Miz is still talking and the tag champs face Nexus next.
Cole is all annoyed now.
Big Show/Kane vs. Michael McGillicutty/David Otunga
Kane vs. McGillicutty to start us off and that goes badly for Genesis dude (NXT 2 reference if you didn’t watch the show). Does that make Kane Nintendo Boy? Big Show comes in and the Nexus actually manages to take him down. Cole keeps apologizing for the tiniest things that tick Jerry off now which is a nice touch. The non-champs work on Show’s leg as Punk runs his mouth a lot.
Show actually uses some nice leg work to get out of the hold but Otunga stops the tag. Show gets a belly to back suplex to put both guys down and there’s the tag to Kane. Otunga’s boots look like the ones Swagger usually wears. Kane beats up both guys but here’s Ryan in for the…..not DQ as he doesn’t get any contact in. Show takes him down on the floor and it’s chokeslam time. Punk gets a kick to the back of the head and the McGillicutter ends Kane at 4:50.
Rating: C. Not bad here and nice to see a little surprise as Nexus might actually be getting a push for a change. Nexus is never going to be as strong as they were at first but this is nice to see as instead of just standing around they actually get a few wins. Hopefully the tag titles change hands soon though as Kane and Show can only do their unstoppable giants deal so long before it gets incredibly dull.
Truth is Miz’s latest recruit. As long as they don’t have another match I have zero issues there.
We run down the Over the Limit card to fill in some time.
Kane and Show say the loss means nothing. There’s a title match on Sunday against Nexus apparently.
Cena is up next and he runs into Ryder again.
Miz comes out and picks a no holds barred match. Cena comes out to fight and is jumped by Jack Swagger, who is the opponent.
John Cena vs. Jack Swagger
Swagger starts off in control as Cole says this is why Swagger abandoned him. Cena tries to fight back but Swagger takes him down and adds a leg drop. The dueling Cena chants begin and Swagger adds a suplex. Vader Bomb hits as we take a break. Back and we see that Cena tried to fight back during the break on the floor but was rammed into the post. Also Swagger got a shot in with the computer.
Back in the ring and Swagger gets a chair shot to the back and Cena is in big trouble. Vader Bomb onto the chair gets two only as the fans are getting back into this. Jack wedges the chair between the top and middle rope but here comes Cena. Never mind as he gets caught in something resembling a half belly to belly/half spinebuster for two.
Ankle lock goes on but Cena rolls through and avoids a charging Swagger, sending him head first into the chair. Cena starts the finishing sequence and with a look at Miz, the Attitude Adjustment sets up the STF for the tap out at 11:30 total. Better match than I was expecting.
Rating: C+. Pretty decent main event here as Cena and Swagger continue to have rather solid chemistry together. Cena gets to win a match by submission to prove that he can even though we already knew he could. Swagger looked good out there and got to be in control the majority of the time, which is what they should have done. Good stuff.
Miz lists off various ways he could make Cena quit on Sunday, suck as dropping Cena off the stage, slamming a camera into Cena as he’s against the stage (which he actually does, getting a big crack as it hits the stage) or he could find something under the ring to use on Cena. Alex finds a pipe which he hands to Miz who climbs the stairs.
Miz says he won’t use any of those things because there are a million ways to beat Cena which Cena hasn’t thought of yet. He says he’s going to find a way to make Cena quit that Cena has never seen before. Cena looks a tiny bit worried/scared here. Miz won’t use the pipe Sunday, but he will tonight. Riley provides the distraction and Miz gets a shot in but Cena fights back and takes down Miz, standing tall to end the show. Cena says Miz is going to need the million he has and a million more, because at Over the Limit Miz is going to say I Quit. Staredown ends the show.
Overall Rating: C+. Not a bad show here as they added some stuff to the PPV as well as built up a bit of drama for it. It still feels like a filler PPV but it’s more interesting now or at least more fleshed out. For a go home show this was certainly adequate but it only gets my interest up for the PPV a little bit. Good enough though.
Results
CM Punk b. Kofi Kingston – GTS
Kelly Kelly b. Brie Bella – Cradle
Rey Mysterio b. Alberto Del Rio via disqualification when Ricardo Rodriguez interfered
David Otunga/Michael McGillicutty b. Kane/Big Show – McGillicutter to Kane
John Cena b. Jack Swagger – STF
Sacrifice 2011
Date: May 15, 2011
Location: Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Mike Tenay, Tazz
It’s another TNA PPV tonight with the main event being Sting vs. RVD for the title. Earlier today Karen Angle, who is in one of the big matches, posted a message on her Facebook saying that she wouldn’t be able to be in the ring tonight due to a bad ankle. What a shock indeed. Anyway the card looks ok I guess so let’s get to it.
The opening video is all about Sting vs. RVD and is set to a song called, appropriately enough, Sacrifice which is rap/hip hop. Both guys are shown training, almost like a Rocky montage.
There’s a big Sacrifice banner which is a bit different. There was a rumor that the whole place would look different but I don’t see any major differences.
Mexican America vs. Ink Inc
Neal comes out with the big American flag to fight off the evil (not) foreigners. The fans chant USA as I guess Shannon’s teased heel turn means nothing. This is now the Impact Wrestling Zone. Yeah I’m not changing the name. Anarquia and Shannon start us off. Arm work by Shannon to start which goes on for awhile. Anarquia wasn’t bad as Lowrider in OVW but he’s rather generic here which isn’t his fault.
Anarquia tries some power which gets him a leg lariat from Moore. Rosita gets up to distract and this incredibly by the book match brings in Hernandez. Neal comes in also and gets a belly to belly to take him down. Sarita does the same thing Rosita did as even the announcers point out that it’s the same thing. Back off to Anarquia and Moore who gets a cross body off the top for two.
Moore goes to the floor and Anarquia slides into the ring skirt, getting caught behind it in a somewhat creative spot. Asai moonsault takes Hernandez down but Sarita comes in again to turn the tide. Shouldn’t a big powerful heel tag team not need girls to take over on some punks? Backbreaker submission goes on Moore by Hernandez and a slam move gets two.
Moore plays Ricky Morton as every female wrestling fan that was a teenager in the 80s screams in terror. Moonsault press mostly misses Anarquia and it’s hot tag Neal minus the pop. Cross body out of the corner gets two. Moore gets a Cactus Clothesline to take Anarquia to the floor but it’s Border Toss time. That doesn’t connect but neither does the Mooregasm due to Rosita. Hernandez uses a sitout Dominator for the pin on Neal. He almost landed on his head but the hair shielded him.
Rating: C. Not a terrible match at all and even decent at times, but this was the walking definition of generic. It’s as paint by numbers as you can possibly get but at the same time that’s just fine. Decent enough opener and nothing to really complain about. Nothing to get excited about either but this was completely fine.
The announcers talk about what happened on Impact and get interrupted by the Jarretts’ music. Karen is on crutches and is in a cast/walking boot. Jeff says that Karen was giving orders to the hired help and stepped on an action figure. The fans LOUDLY chant BS as apparently she has a bad sprain and it’s broken in two places. The tag match is off and cue Foley. He says he looked at the x-ray and that apparently it was of a 6’6 African American male. The match is on because wrestling matters. Karen throws the walking boot at Foley as he leaves.
Brian Kendrick is apparently facing Robbie E tonight in an added match. He talks about language and talks about how the X-Division is awesome and how it’s not just about small people.
Robbie E vs. Brian Kendrick
Kendrick does his meditation thing pre-match with the hood over his head. Hmm, Robbie has his opponent on the mat with his head covered and with him not looking. What in the world should he do? He pulls the hood back and gets beaten up for his efforts. Kendrick, robe/whatever still on meditates more and keeps fighting him off. I can’t decide if he’s more like Mr. Miyagi or Obi-Wan-Kenobi.
Cookie goes after Kendrick and is told God has a plan for her. Robbie knocks him to the floor in his first offense. Kendrick’s mouth is busted. Middle rope elbow gets two on Kendrick who is still in that robe. Suplex on the floor but the second is reversed by Kendrick. Back in the ring a missile dropkick gives Kendrick control and there goes the robe. Robbie can’t get the neckbreaker and a leg lariat ends this. Time for meditation.
Rating: C-. Not bad again but this was just an extended Impact match. Not bad but at the same time there’s no real point to this for the most part. Granted it’s an added match so you can’t really complain about much. I’m curious as to where this leads to a very small extent as the whole X-Division thing has been done over and over again and it never goes anywhere long term.
Kendrick tries to “bond” with both of them post match and it doesn’t go that well.
Tara is asked about the match tonight and is asked who she wants to win. Before she can answer Madison pops up and says it’s all about her. Tara is told to stay in the back tonight.
We recap Mickie vs. Madison. Tara was forced to leave so Madison brought her back on the condition that she had to work for Madison. Mickie won the title from Madison in about 8 seconds at Lockdown so tonight it’s title vs. Tara’s contract.
Knockouts Title: Mickie James vs. Madison Rayne
Madison looks hot but her tiara looks like the hat the Pope wears. The religious leader, not Dinero. Tara pops up just after the bell. Well at least we’re longer than the previous month’s match. We hit the floor quickly and Mickie is sent into the steps. Madison drops her by the hair for two. All Rayne so far. Tara won’t hit Mickie when Madison tells her to. Mickie grabs a neckbreaker to get us back to even.
Tara still won’t hit her and we get some pinfall attempts. Down goes the referee and Mickie gets kicked in the thigh I think. Madison revives the old loaded glove trick but Tara steals it away. Mickie can’t get the DDT and Madison gets a rollup with a handful of Dukes for two. Mickie gets a flapjack and a nip(ple) up but the Thesz Press takes down the referee again. Rayne Drop can’t hit and it’s DDT time. Tara comes in with the loaded glove and hits Madison to zero shock and we’re done.
Rating: D+. Really awkward match here as the ending was exactly what they hinted at the entire time. Tara vs. Madison is up next I guess so I guess Mickie now faces…Winter maybe? I really have no idea but it should be ok I guess. Should be interesting either way I suppose. Yeah I have nothing else to say here.
Fourtune says they’ll win tonight. Tonight Max Buck can’t be a star if he was thrown by a ninja. Cool line. AJ vs. Dreamer is no DQ. Beer Money makes fun of Harris and says AMW is done.
X-Division Title: Max Buck vs. Kazarian
If there are five members of Fourtune, why does the song say Fourtune Four? Technical stuff to start us off with neither guy getting an extended advantage. Kaz is in long tights tonight in a new look for him if my memory is right. Max sends him into the corner but Kaz jumps over him and gets a reverse X-Factor for two. That was a rather smooth looking counter indeed.
The fans aren’t that pleased here it seems. Out to the floor with Max in control as he shouts Come On Frankie. Jawbreaker gives Max more control and a dropkick gets two. We hit the mat and Kaz gets beaten on even more. Kaz gets a gutwrench suplex off the middle rope to put both guys down. Spinwheel kick gets no cover for the champ.
Springboard legdrop gets two. Fade to Black is countered so Kaz settles for a jumping neckbreaker for two. Fade to Black is countered again into a Buckle Bomb as Max takes over again. Elevated DDT sets up a 450 for two. Surprised by that kickout. Kaz punts him kind of and a sunset bomb sends Max head first onto the concrete. That sounded sick. THAT gets two as this is a better match than I was expecting. Fade to Black STILL can’t hit but a Shining Wizard ends Buck finally.
Rating: B. Match of the night so far and a rather unexpectedly long and decent match. There was zero drama which hurt things a lot here but the match was really quite good. The ending was a bit abrupt but it was still a good outing by both guys which came out of nowhere, which is always a nice perk.
Abyss says it’s going to take more than Janice to get rid of him. He keeps going despite everything that’s happened to him. The teeth he got knocked out of his mouth were delicious apparently. He has Crimson tonight.
Quick recap of Crimson vs. Abyss says that Crimson injured Abyss and is undefeated. This is revenge time. Simple and sweet I guess.
Crimson vs. Abyss
They charge at each other after a brief staredown and it’s a battle of the big men. Shoulder block takes Abyss down and a clothesline sends him to the floor. Out to the floor as this is mostly just a brawl. All Abyss here. This is one of those slow matches where a lot of the match is one guy (Crimson in this case) laying around while Abyss moves very slowly.
Crimson tries a comeback and a double clothesline puts both guys down. More power man stuff leads to a chokeslam by Abyss for a very close two. And hey it’s time for Janice. The referee wisely runs off to the floor instead of DQing Abyss. Since it would be near murder for that to hit Crimson he gets a spear for two.
Shock Treatment doesn’t work as Crimson gets a double arm DDT for two. Abyss comes back again and a Vader Bomb gets two. Corner splash misses and Crimson gets a Sky High Powerbomb (Red Sky) to end this. That’s a good finisher for him as that Red Alert is almost impossible to hit on big guys.
Rating: C. This is a good example of a match that got better with the finish. Abyss not having enough to put Crimson down is a nice addition to his whole undefeated streak. Better than I expected and not bad at all for a battle of the big men. Crimson could be something interesting if pushed right but they need to get him onto something significant quickly.
We recap Beer Money vs. Matt/Harris which is a weird team to say the least. Basic idea is Harris knows Storm so that’s their advantage.
Tag Titles: Beer Money vs. Matt Hardy/Chris Harris
The former partners start us off as Harris’ tights say America’s Most Wanted. The fans chant Braden Walker and it’s off to Matt before any contact. The champs take over on Matt as Walker is indeed bigger than he was the last time we saw him. Now it’s Harris in against Storm’s new “partner”. Off to Storm now and Harris runs off as Storm glares at him.
The challengers keep using AMW moves on Storm in an attempt at psychology but the gut of Harris keeps covering it up. Codebreaker out of nowhere puts Matt down but Storm needs a tag. Double tag to ZERO reaction and Roode plays face in peril again. Roode gets his back worked on via a middle rope elbow by Hardy and it’s off to a gutwrench.
Finally off to Storm who gets to beat on Harris. Skin the cat sets up an elevated DDT to Harris. Reverse tornado DDT gets two for Storm. He likes those DDTs I guess. Matt breaks up DWI but it’s a Backstabber for him. Catatonic doesn’t work and Roode hits a spinebuster to Harris. The Beer Money shout sets up a superkick to Harris but Storm doesn’t want to do DWI. Instead it’s the Death Sentence (Trash Compactor for you REALLY old school fans) and Harris is done. Matt apparently just walked off and left Harris somewhere near the end.
Rating: C-. Just a match here as Harris dragged this WAY down. He’s terribly out of shape and his selling and timing were way off. It seems like the Harris thing is probably going to lead to an AMW reunion because that’s the best way to use a guy like Storm right? Either way, weak match and not much to write home about at all.
Ray yells at Borash a bit “because he can.” JB asks about Dreamer and Ray says it’s none of his business. Ray and Dreamer know why Dreamer is doing what he’s doing and JB doesn’t need to know. Apparently AJ needs to drink, listen to rock and roll and chase women. Ray threatens AJ’s family, including implying sex with AJ’s wife.
Tommy Dreamer vs. AJ Styles
Very basic technical match to start and remember that this is no DQ. Why Immortal isn’t out there destroying AJ immediately eludes me but whatever. Dreamer takes over for a bit and drops a bunch of elbows. Out to the floor and AJ hits a plancha to take over. AJ pours a soda over Dreamer’s head and crotches him on the railing. He slides under the railing and it’s forearm time. Love that move.
Out into the crowd because that’s just what we do. The fans chant ECW which is I guess what TNA wants to do. Dreamer breaks a cardboard Impact (no wrestling) sign over his head and AJ is bleeding from around the temple. Back to ringside and it’s time for some weapons. AJ gets a shot in and there’s a table. Table gets set up as the fans want fire. AJ uses the table like a launch ramp for a clothesline in the corner for two.
DDT by Dreamer gets two as AJ is under the ring ropes. I love little rules like that which are cool while there are all kinds of weapons in the ring. Dreamer finds a fork for a throwback to their I Quit match but AJ blocks it. Dreamer’s shirt is off and I’m very glad he has a muscle shirt under it. The table legs are broken but AJ says Dreamer is going through it.
Dreamer gets a shot in and sets for the Dreamer Driver only to get caught with a Pele. Styles Clash is set but Ray comes in with a chain shot to AJ. Daniels comes out for the save but AJ is more or less dead. Piledriver through the table marks the second time that Tommy Dreamer has pinned AJ Styles on PPV. I give up.
Rating: C-. Tommy Dreamer has pinned AJ Styles twice on PPV in less than a year. Dude, WHY IS TOMMY DREAMER PINNING AJ STYLES ON PPV??? The match was just ok but at the same time it was nothing past a basic hardcore match and Ray coming in was about as not shocking as anything you could have asked it to be.
We recap the Jarretts vs. Angle/Chyna. Basically Chyna is there to take care of Karen and that’s about it. Velvet Sky was the prime suspect and that went nowhere.
Jeff Jarrett/Karen Jarrett vs. Kurt Angle/Chyna
This should be….interesting. Christy points out that it’s guy on guy and girl on girl. Those exact words. TNA seems rather sexually frustrated tonight for some reason. Chyna looks like Captain America. We get a vague reference to Chyna and Jarrett feuding over the IC Title back in WWF without saying any of that of course. The guys start because we haven’t seen that in awhile right?
Loud Angle chant to start us off as Karen is about to cry. Chyna’s Gonna Kill You according to the crowd. Chyna gets tagged in and Karen hides on the floor. Jeff sneaks around and comes in as apparently he’s still legal so Kurt doesn’t have to be tagged in. Ankle lock goes on but Karen’s distraction leads to her being almost fed to Chyna. Gorgeous dropkick by Jeff puts Kurt down.
The fans want Chyna which means she might do a total of one move. Jeff and Kurt do the majority of the work here as you would expect them to. Kurt snaps back into it (OH YEAH!) and a belly to belly gets two. Angle Slam can’t hit and it’s Rolling Germans time. Jeff takes over again and says it’s over. Stroke is countered into the ankle lock but Jeff escapes. Angle Slam hits for two.
Chyna finally gets tagged in and (mostly) slams Jeff. Supelx looks a bit weird and Karen says I love you but no. Chyna goes after Karen in full on stalker mode but Karen walks into Kurt in the ring. Chyna gets her and hits a splash/clothesline in the corner. Pedigree hits and Tenay calls it a DDT. That has to be better than the powerbomb. Ankle lock goes on but Jeff won’t let her tap. Angle grabs one on Jarrett and Karen taps.
Rating: C. I’m not sure what to grade this so we’ll go with it right in the middle. While it wasn’t much, this was more or less exactly what they had to do. Chyna isn’t tested in the ring recently and Karen can’t wrestle so they let the guys have a quick match and let Chyna hit like two moves to end it. The feud is likely going to continue unless they had the weakest blowoff in recent memory. Not great, but exactly what it was destined to be.
We get the same recap video from Impact (I think). Nothing of note here: RVD never lost the title, Sting handpicked him for the rematch.
TNA World Title: Rob Van Dam vs. Sting
Anderson, in a Packers Favre jersey and with a laptop at the table apparently, is going to sit in on commentary. I think he’s doing a live chat during the PPV. No big match intros here. Very basic and technical stuff to start us off which is a theme tonight. Both guys miss moves and Van Dam hits the floor for a breather. That’s a borderline heel move.
RVD takes over as Anderson mentions the heelish aspects to him tonight. A spinwheel kick in the corner misses as does a Stinger Splash as we head to the floor. Van Dam tries a leg drop off the railing and hits railing, possibly hurting his knee. Into the crowd again as Van Dam reverses a whip into a wall or something. Anderson makes PG jokes because those haven’t been done in SO long right?
Van Dam gets kicked into a guard rail up in the crowd and both guys are down. Sting gets kicked down the stairs and dove on in a cool spot. Back in the ring and it’s the kick off the top by Van Dam as this has been the main event brawl so far. Knees to the back counter Rolling Thunder and Sting is fired up. Another Stinger Splash misses in the corner as does the Five Star.
Rollup gets two for Sting and the Death Drop actually hits for….the completely clean pin out of absolutely nowhere. That’s one of the most anticlimactic endings I have ever seen in my entire life. Anderson kept running his mouth the entire time and again, absolutely nothing happened here. He has something special for Sting on Impact apparently.
Rating: C-. Sweet goodness man TNA can’t get a main event to work well for the life of them it seems. Sting winning isn’t a shock but there was NOTHING as far as an ending sequence there. Literally Sting grabbed the move, hit it and we were done. No kickouts, not big segment, just a totally clean win. Not a bad match, but dude, that’s it?
Anderson goes to the ring and stares him down and we’re out.
Overall Rating: C+. This was such a played close to the vest show that it was unreal. It was a decent show and there isn’t a bad match on the card, but nothing is great at all and the best match is only good at best, being the X Title match. It’s a decent enough show but it’s a show that didn’t need to exist for the most part. Nothing really happened here and other than Chyna’s first match in like ten years, nothing is going to be memorable about this as far as I can tell. Decent enough show though and it held my interest for about 90% of it, but definitely not worth $40 or whatever it costs.
Results
Mexican America b. Ink Inc – Sitout Dominator to Neal
Brian Kendrick b. Robbie E – Leg lariat
Mickie James b. Madison Rayne – Pin after Tara hit Rayne with a loaded glove
Kazarian b. Max Buck – Shining Wizard
Crimson b. Abyss – Red Sky
Beer Money b. Matt Hardy/Chris Harris – Death Sentence to Harris
Tommy Dreamer b. AJ Styles – Piledriver through a table
Kurt Angle/Chyna b. Jeff Jarrett/Karen Jarrett – Ankle lock to Karen Angle
Sting b. Rob Van Dam – Scorpion Death Drop
Smackdown
Date: May 13, 2011
Location: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Michael Cole, Booker T, Josh Matthews
It should be interesting to see what happens on Smackdown now that we need to get ready for Over the Limit. I’d assume we’ll have Randy vs. Christian announced but other than that it’s kind of hard to guess. We’ll get the fallout from Big Zeke being thrown out of Corre so at least we have that to look forward to. Let’s get to it.
We open with a recap of Christian winning the title and the loss last week. Both matches were rather good and no one can ever take the time Christian had as champion away. He got his title, but naturally his fanboys are crying foul over it. Yes it was a short reign, but he got his title, so be happy for him.
Here’s Christian in the arena to open the show. He doesn’t have a problem with what Teddy did last week because it was for the fans and he’s cool with that. If Teddy didn’t do what he did last week then he’s not doing his job. Christian wants to congratulate the new champion, whose name gets a nice reaction. The rematch at Over the Limit is confirmed. Last week he learned that he can beat Orton….and here’s Sheamus.
Sheamus wants to congratulate Teddy for causing Christian to lose what he worked so hard for so quickly. It’s about what the fans want and according to the Irishman, the fans want to see a match between Sheamus and Christian RIGHT NOW. And here’s Mark Henry because a match between two guys that could have a rather entertaining match is something we can’t have without a fat tub of goo like Henry right?
Henry says Sheamus isn’t who the people want to see face Christian. He’s a red headed stepchild that talks funny. The people are here to see Henry. A match between the evildoers is teased until Sheamus suggests a handicap match. Christian jumps Henry but gets beaten down until Orton makes the save.
After a break, Teddy makes the obvious tag team main event. Christian thanks Randy for the save and Orton says it was to make sure Christian was at 100% for the title match.
Chavo does the ring announcing for the next match.
Sin Cara vs. Daniel Bryan
What a shock that Bryan had a nice run to start and is now in the middle of the midcard with nothing of note going on at all. Who would have seen that coming? The lights are all dark again and Chavo talks about how Cara stole his moves again. Technical stuff to start and it’s a standoff. Nice armdrag by Cara but Bryan gets him on the mat and works over the arm.
The fans seem into this but you never can tell on Smackdown. More armdrags take Bryan down and a Tajiri elbow sends him to the floor. HUGE Swanton Dive to the floor as we take a break. Bryan gets a missile dropkick for two as we’re back. Daniel channels his inner Rockette with some kicks as Cara is in more trouble than he’s ever been. Surfboard by Bryan which never ceases to amaze me. Chavo is taking credit for all of these moves being his.
Off to the arm by Bryan as he’s controlled the majority of this. The good thing about WWE bringing in the more indy/internationally seasoned guys is that it gives them a long list of guys like Primo and Kidd and Bryan that can work a different style if they have to and it’s no problem for them. Nice addition as WWE keeps going international. Cara gets a victory roll for two and makes his comeback. Big cross body off the top gets two for the masked dude.
Cara speeds things up again but an attempt at a second handspring elbow gets caught in a LeBell Lock attempt. Cara avoids it and we hit the floor as Bryan hits another kick. Back to the ring and Bryan goes up, only to have Chavo grab his leg. The distraction lets Cara hit an enziguri to set up the C4 from the top which ends things at 7:37 shown of 11:07. Not sure if Cara saw Chavo or not but I don’t think he did.
Rating: B. Rather entertaining TV match here with Bryan more than being able to keep up with Cara and using his regular stuff to take down the high flier. The Chavo stuff is a nice touch and I’m kind of curious as to where it leads. Maybe something with Cara not knowing what Chavo is saying in English and Chavo saying something different to him in Spanish? Either way, very good match here and fun stuff indeed.
Post match Cara sees what Chavo did on the replay and isn’t pleased. Cara shoves him down to a face pop.
We recap the Corre stuff from last week which saw Jackson beat Show with Corre’s help despite him not wanting it. They beat him up later in the night.
Trace Adkins is here. He sang at Tribute to the Troops so we’re supposed to care I guess.
Here’s Layla not in wrestling gear. She hurt her knee in the match at Extreme Rules but it was worth it to get rid of McCool. And Cole cuts her off. No one wants to hear about any of the Divas apparently so let’s talk about Jerry Lawler. Cole rants about the whole HOF thing and says that his mom will love the HOF ring he’s getting from Lawler. Layla is still in the ring and tells him to shut up.
Cole keeps running his mouth about the Divas, saying they shouldn’t be in the WWE. And here’s Kharma as this should be interesting. Cole laughs at Layla while Booker says she’s coming for Cole. Layla tries to run but gets tripped by Cole. Implant Buster to Layla as Cole runs his mouth. Kharma isn’t pleased and Cole backpedals, running into the Colemine. Kharma laughs at him and leaves. Cole’s face is great.
Wade Barrett vs. Kane
Non-title I think. Show is in Mexico this week apparently. I wonder if he’ll get to buy one of Tito Santana’s enchiladas in Tijuana. Kane actually grabs a headlock to take Barrett to the mat. Surprisingly technical stuff here as Kane hits his seated dropkick for two. Cole makes fun of Booker for mentioning a manager’s license which is rather true actually. Kane fires off on Barrett who runs. Cole was a cheerleader in college apparently as we take a break.
Back with Barrett choking in the corner but Kane counters a suplex to take over. And scratch that as Barrett grabs the arm to take over again. Back and forth match here to say the least. Boss Man Slam gets two and it’s back to the arm. Kane has apparently shrunk down to 6’8 now. The shrinking monster gets a Samoan Drop to break it up. So the Spaniard hit a Samoan on the Englishman?
Clothesline in the corner sets up a sideslam for no cover as Slater jumps up for a distraction. Wasteland doesn’t work as Kane takes Barrett down. There goes the tag team also thanks to Kane. Top rope clothesline gets a big reaction surprisingly enough. Chokeslam is loaded up but Slater and Gabriel run in for the DQ at 6:03 shown of 9:33.
Rating: C+. Not bad here again as Barrett’s in ring work is still something that I like. Kane is a guy you’re going to get a passable match out of and he works well with other big men so this was a good choice for a match here. Good little TV match as the first half of this show has been rather entertaining indeed.
Corre beats Kane down post match, including Wasteland and the setup for the 450 but here’s Zeke to his old music for the save. He destroys Corre for a bit until Barrett gets a big boot in. And never mind as Jackson spears him into the corner and destroys him. Jackson gets caught by the tag team again and the beatdown is on again. 450 to Jackson and he’s done.
Here are Singh and Khali, in cowboy hats. It’s time for a country music edition of the Khali Kiss Cam. He’s a fan of country music apparently. This is less of a Kiss Cam and more of looking for a chick for Khali to kiss. It stops on some chick in the front row (shocking) who bears a striking resemblance to Rhonda Sing. Just a quick kiss here from the chick named Joy and here’s Jinder Mahal. He’s taller than he looks, probably about 6’4. Mahla slaps the hat off Khali and yells in Hindi. There’s another slap to Khali and Mahal leaves all ticked off.
DON’T BULLY PEOPLE! And pay no attention to all the bullies we employ!
Ted DiBiase vs. Cody Rhodes
Who would have thought a year ago that Cody would be so far and away ahead of DiBiase? No entrance for Ted either. The bag people come out with Cody. Cody says this is the part where he’s supposed to entertain the people right? Let’s entertain the fact that he’s not the freak, but rather the people are the freaks. Cody hands Ted a bag and calls him a Priceless Friend. Ted throws it down and there’s the bell.
We actually hear about Legacy as Ted takes over as the default face. There’s that dropkick by Cody but he gets caught in a small package for two. They exchange some nice rollups and pinning combinations but Ted charges and hits the post to stop the speed dead. Cody fires off some headbutts with the mask but Ted is fine from them apparently. Following clothesline by Ted but he can’t hit Dream Street. Beautiful Disaster sets up Cross Rhodes to end this at 3:15.
Rating: C+. Far better than I was expecting here as Ted is a far better face than a heel. Cody is one of the coolest heels in a long time because he is into his character. I’d bet a lot that his papa taught him how to do that, which goes to show what old school can do. Cody comes off as a guy that actually is tormented and insane rather than playing someone who is tormented and insane which makes a world of difference.
Striker is with Corre who says they want Jackson to come back later. Barrett challenges Zeke for an IC Title match at Over the Limit. Didn’t see that one coming.
Randy Orton/Christian vs. Mark Henry/Sheamus
I think Christian’s pop might have been slightly bigger than Orton. And never mind as Orton’s more or less doubled when he came through the curtain. Oddly enough the good guys come out first. Christian vs. Sheamus to start us off. Booker talks about how Sheamus and Henry have no chemistry yet somehow Christian and Orton would have more. Why? Well no one ever accused Booker of making sense.
After some basic stuff with the starters, Henry comes in and runs…..he runs…..ok he waddles over Christian and takes him down but it’s off to Orton who has better luck. Booker bashes Teddy for making Christian defend last week which is bogus but who cares about that. We almost get a beatdown on the floor on Orton but Christian makes the save as we take a break.
Back with Henry working over Orton again but Orton gets a shot in to break that up. Off to Christian who takes Henry down with a dropkick but gets caught ala Flair off the top. Off to the pale one who hooks on the crossface chickenwing. Back to Henry who stands on Christian’s chest for a bit. Christian starts his comeback against Sheamus, hitting the reverse DDT and it’s hot tag time.
Elevated DDT is countered into the Irish Curse for two though and our hero is in trouble. Brogue Kick misses and there’s the DDT. Christian gets a blind tag and hits the Killswitch on Sheamus as Orton gets an RKO to Henry. Christian pins Sheamus at 7:40 shown of 11:10. They shake hands to end the show.
Rating: C. This was your run of the mill main event tag match. Not a bad match or anything but at the same time there wasn’t much they were going to be able to do. I’m not really sure what this accomplished as Henry and Sheamus I guess just want title shots but that’s only implied at the moment. Either way, not bad but nothing of note at all.
Overall Rating: A-. This was an awesome show and the whole thing worked. When the worst match is a passable tag match, it’s hard to complain about anything. You had a bunch of stuff get advanced, a pair of title matches added to the PPV, advancement of some storylines and a new development with Kong going after Cole. This was a very good show that did a lot in a hurry, which is always a good thing.
Results
Sin Cara b. Daniel Bryan – Top Rope C4
Kane b. Wade Barrett via DQ when Corre interfered
Cody Rhodes b. Ted DiBiase – Cross Rhodes
Christian/Randy Orton b. Mark Henry/Sheamus – Killswitch to Sheamus
Impact
Date: May 12, 2011
Location: Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Mike Tenay, Tazz
Episode Title: The Network’s Revenge
Tonight is a big night for TNA as we find out the identities of both Kurt Angle’s mistress and the network executive. It should be remembered that last week Sting said a network representative would be here and not necessarily the network representative, so there’s no guarantee this ends tonight. Oh and Sacrifice is Sunday. I’m sure we’ll fit that in somewhere if we have time. Let’s get to it.
We open with a shot of Hogan with his pipe, waiting for the Network representative. Bischoff comes up and says that he needs to think this through, not beat it out of them. They should play the game but play to win.
We get a video on the Jarretts and Angle’s mistress. That transitions into Hogan and Bischoff going through a few possible identities of the representative.
Here are the Jarretts to open the show. They want a truce with Kurt and say that Karen could never hurt a fly. It’s a crime to have anyone hurt Karen apparently. Karen says she’s a good person and has been a good ex-wife. Everything has been for Kurt, including the restraining order against him.
Here’s Kurt who says it’s done. After ten years of marriage you would think she’d learn to not push him. Karen is going to wind up taking Jeff for everything he’s worth before Jeff figures that out. There’s going to be a mixed tag at Sacrifice between the Jarretts and Angle/the mistress. Jeff knows who the chick is apparently, despite Angle saying two weeks ago that no one knew who she is.
Miss Tessmacher/Mickie James vs. Tara/Madison Rayne
All four girls looking especially hot tonight. Tara and Mickie start us off with Tara acting respectful towards Mickie, namely due to the possibility of getting out of her contract with Madison. Speaking of Madison she comes in being all evil to Mickie with a kick to the head. Tessmacher comes in and quickly gets a victory roll to Madison for the clean pin at 2:11. Can we just look at the girls for about two more hours?
Flair goes into Hogan’s office and Hogan rants at Flair, saying he’s the Network rep. Flair says he was out with a shoulder injury and Hogan apologizes.
A black limo is here.
Tara wants to be free from Madison. Madison comes up and hears the end of the rant and doesn’t like it.
Tommy Dreamer doesn’t want to talk but says it’s a personal thing. The interviewer won’t shut up and AJ pops up, also demanding answers. Tommy says AJ is too young to understand. AJ says he’s a grown man with three kids and thinks it’s about EV 2.0. Dreamer still won’t answer so AJ challenges him for Sacrifice. Dreamer backs off and AJ calls him out on it. Tommy says maybe no one ever knew him. He asks what would Tommy Dreamer do, and Dreamer leaves.
Sting is doing a photo shoot with the title and says his hands are full with RVD. The network person is here apparently.
Here’s Beer Money to find out who Matt’s mystery partner is, implying that it’s Jeff Hardy. Matt comes out quickly and talks to Roode about calling out Hogan last week. He gets on Roode for being a worthless drunk as I begin to chuckle. Matt runs down Canadians like Roode and says he and his partner will win at Sacrifice.
Beer Money comes out to face Matt and James takes a long drink. He says he’s the man that would walk into a bar, punch you in the face and leave with his girl. The partner isn’t Jeff, but rather Storm’s old partner: Chris Harris. WWE fans might remember him as Braden Walker, the guy that was on WWECW for about three weeks. Harris stares Beer Money down as we go to a break.
Sangriento vs. Suicide
Rematch from last week. Suicide jumps him to start but gets taken down with relative ease. Corkscrew plancha to the floor by Sangriento and a dropkick back in the ring take Suicide down. Suicide fights back as the announcers talk about the identity of the mistress. Sangriento gets the same double spin kick that Amazing Red uses in the clip from the New York house show to Jay Lethal.
I guess he’s been watching his film (and yes I know who Sangriento is for those that don’t get tongue in cheek humor). Tornado DDT by Sangriento gets two. Suicide takes over again for a bit but the springboard cutter from last week returns, giving Sangriento the pin at 3:50.
Rating: C. Not bad here but too short to really get going. Not sure what the point is to having more or less the exact same match from last week but it certainly wasn’t that bad. It’s good to see Red getting something to do at least and a quick match like this helps fill in some time so no real complaints here.
Immortal’s leaders in the form of Hogan, Bischoff and Flair come out just after the match ends. Flair kicks Suicide in the balls and sends him to the floor. Hogan rants about the Network representative, saying he or she needs to get out here. The reveal is after the break.
Back and the Jarretts are in the ring also with Jeff in wrestling gear. And the representative is Mick Foley. He talks very quickly, saying that Hogan’s plans started to unravel March 3rd. Foley piefaces Bischoff and says to Hogan to go ahead and drill him if you want to. This show is no longer about Hogan but about wrestling. This is no longer TNA Wrestling, but is rather Impact Wrestling. The main event is now a 25 man battle royal for the #1 contender spot.
Foley is talking faster than I’ve ever heard him talk here. Foley brings out Angle’s mistress/partner and it’s Chyna. Yes, that Chyna.
We recap the segment we just saw and apparently the show is now called Impact Wrestling. Not sure if the whole name for the company is changing or not.
Foley says wrestling matters here and is very energetic. Chyna is next to him and he tells her about the main event and wants Chyna to be where Karen is. Not a word from her yet. Foley mentions the vague sexual tension between them for a nice throwback line.
Anderson is ticked off about Foley denying him his title shot but he’ll get it tonight. I assume the winner gets the shot at the PPV after Sacrifice.
Crimson vs. Abyss vs. Samoa Joe
Crimson and Abyss hammer on each other as Joe chills for a bit. And never mind as Joe hammers on both of them to take over. Big boot and backsplash to Abyss but Crimson takes Joe down and gets a neckbreaker to Abyss. Crimson and Joe hammer away on each other and Crimson grabs a cravate and fires in some knees. Joe gets a powerslam but walks into the Black Hole Slam. Crimson spears Abyss and steals the pin on Joe at 2:34. No rating due to the length but this was fine.
Joe gets ready to jump Crimson but Abyss jumps Crimson before Joe does anything. Joe says cool and leaves Abyss to beat on Crimson. As Joe leaves he says you live by the sword and die by the sword. Black Hole Slam to Crimson and Abyss’ bottom teeth are still missing from the kick by RVD.
RVD says he’ll be watching the battle royal for future information.
Battle Royal
25 people in this and more or less everyone you can think of of note in TNA is here. Most of them are in the ring already so I’ll try to list them. Everyone in Fourtune, Matt Hardy, Gunner, Jeff Jarrett, Bully Ray, Matt Morgan, British Invasion, Ink Inc, D-Von, Dreamer, Mexican America, Orlando Jordan, Anderson, Steiner, Angle, Eric Young, Robbie E, and I can’t figure out the 25th.
Both British guys (Williams and Magnus) are out almost immediately due to Morgan. Add Jordan to that list as well as Anarquia. All four by Morgan’s hands. Tenay says the show is now Impact Wrestling on Spike TV. No word on if the company is still called TNA or not but I’d assume it is. Young is on the floor but I don’t think he’s been eliminated. Ah the 25th is Pope. That makes me feel better.
No eliminates for awhile now but a lot of the bigger names have come close. Kaz slides back in as Morgan chokes on Shannon Moore. There isn’t a ton to say in matches like these in the early going as it’s really just a lot of standing around. There goes Neal and Shannon back to back thanks to Hernandez. Morgan throws out his fifth guy in the form of Robbie E.
Eric keeps throwing him self over the top and bringing himself back in. Then he throws out the TV Champion and eliminates himself. Eric steals the TV Title and Gunner chases him out so I guess that’s Gunner’s first feud. We take a break with that. Back and no one seems to be gone that I can tell. There appears to be about 15-17 people left. Storm and Angle both save themselves.
Jarrett eliminates Kaz who might have hurt his knee. Storm and Matt put each other out so Storm hammers on Matt a bit. When the referees try to break the argument up Matt pulls Roode out. Foley jumps in on commentary. There goes Daniels and Pope is on the floor but not out, as is D-Von. Morgan sends Hernandez out but Steiner puts out Morgan. Ray surprises Steiner and we’re down to 8 it appears.
The final 8 are Ray, Anderson, Dreamer, Styles, Jarrett, Angle, D-Von and Pope. Morgan and Steiner fight up the ramp while Ray pounds on Kurt’s knee. Ray kicks D-Von in the head for old time’s sake and appears to dance a bit before kicking AJ in the head. Dreamer is told by Ray to put AJ out. Ray throw Angle but Kurt hangs on. Pope fires elbows to D-Von’s head as apparently AJ vs. Dreamer is on for Sunday.
Pope goes to the apron and D-Von charges him, naturally getting caught and eliminated. Kurt takes Pope out with a clothesline and we’re down to six as we take a break. Back and only Ray is standing, just as everything was before the break. Literally everyone is in the same place. The final six are Jarrett, AJ, Ray, Angle, Anderson and Dreamer. AJ goes off on Jarrett and Ray but Dreamer takes him down. Ankle lock to Angle and Dreamer breaks that up also. Dreamer manages to put AJ out of all things. Ray puts Dreamer out for his troubles. AJ drills Dreamer on the floor.
Anderson gets Ray to the apron but can’t get rid of him. Angle can’t get Jarrett out and Ray makes the save. Neckbreaker by Anderson takes Ray down and the two of them go to the floor through the ropes. Angle vs. Jarrett alone with Angle taking over. Karen saves Jeff from elimination but Kurt takes his head off with a clothesline. Kurt goes after her and Jeff tosses him.
She gets in the ring as Jeff thinks he’s won but Anderson and Ray are still in it due to going through the ropes. Chyna comes in and tosses Jeff. Ray and Anderson both come back in and slug it out with Ray winning said battle. Big clothesline takes Anderson down but Anderson fights back. He can’t hit a Swanton as it eats knees. They go to the apron but Anderson hangs on. Ray goes for him, only to get slowly pulled out for the Anderson win at 28:10 total.
Rating: C-. Not bad here but battle royals are rather hard to grade. Anderson winning was pretty obvious given the overcoming the odds deal but that’s fine. This wasn’t too bad with a long build but the last six guys being in there were a big weak, especially guys like Dreamer and D-Von. At least we have the next PPV main event set though.
Anderson talks post match, comparing himself to the Navy SEALS that took out bin Laden. Bit of a stretch there but ok.
Sting says bring on Anderson. RVD pops up and says not so fast as he’ll be facing Anderson. Anderson pops up and says it can be either of them at Slammiversary.
Overall Rating: C+. This show was heavy on storyline tonight which is ok, especially when this was the culmination of some big stories. Sacrifice actually feels like the end of a lot of things rather than just another stop, which is what TNA has been lacking lately. Not a great show but pretty high on excitement. The problem is that with so much time going to the main event we didn’t get to a lot of midcard stuff, but I guess that’s ok. Pretty fun show overall and Sunday is looking good, which is a good sign.
Results
Mickie James/Miss Tessmacher b. Tara/Madison Rayne – Tessmacher pinned Rayne with a victory roll
Sangriento b. Suicide – Jumping Reverse Cutter
Crimson b. Samoa Joe and Abyss – Crimson pinned Joe after a Black Hole Slam
Mr. Anderson won a battle royal, last eliminating Bully Ray
Monday Night Raw
Date: May 9, 2011
Location: Thompson-Boling Arena, Knoxville, Tennessee
Commentators: Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, Jim Ross
We’re two weeks away from Over the Limit and unless I’m overlooking it there aren’t any matches officially made. After the previous week’s birthday party for Rock we can finally get back to the regular stuff on Monday nights. I’d bet on more with Miz and Cena as Miz can say he got a pinfall on Cena in a title match as a validation for another match. Let’s get to it.
Here’s Alberto to open the show. He says that he should be champion but Edge stole it from him. Why did we waste so much time on Rock last week? It should have been a celebration of the arrival of Alberto. He says he should get the title shot so here’s Rey to offer a rebuttal. He says Alberto will one day be Ricardo’s announcer. Is that even an insult? Rey wants a match tonight for the #1 contendership.
Alberto starts to talk but Miz and Riley come out to interrupt. Miz blames Riley for losing the title last week but Alberto says that was his chance. Miz says he got the job done but the referee was prejudiced. He makes a Taco Bell joke which will probably get him criticized for making racial remarks because people are stupid. Truth comes out to no music and talks about…..hospital food?
Ah apparently it’s due to Morrison having a neck injury and being out for months for neck surgery. Truth gets in all their faces and calls Miz Kermit, Mysterio bottle-nosed and Alberto a pompous Mexican fence jumper. “When an angry black man is talking y’all need to shut it up.” Something about kicking dogs and cats is mentioned but long story short, Truth wants the title shot. E-Mail says we’re going to have a triple threat match between Miz, Alberto and……we get another E-Mail to announce that the third man is Rey Mysterio.
Truth doesn’t like it and Mysterio wants Truth in the match which he says means he agrees with the GM. Did I miss something there? Anyway Miz says the next WWE Champion is…..but he can’t finish as Ricardo cuts him off and says Ricardo. RICARDO DROPKICKS RILEY!!! Miz hits the floor and Rey dives on Ricardo to end this segment as we take a break.
Bella Twins vs. Kelly Kelly/Eve Torres
I think that’s Brie vs. Kelly to start us off. The Bellas double team her for two. Apparently Cena gets to pick the stipulation for the title match at the PPV. Kelly gets a headscissors to take down Nikki and spanks her a bit. Small package by Brie (I think) is reversed into one by Kelly for the pin at 1:25. We get to the point quickly as Kharma comes out. The Bellas try to sneak off and manage to get by. Eve tries to jump Kharma and gets left laying via a slam. Kelly runs off and it’s an Implant buster for Eve.
Kane vs. Mason Ryan next.
Kane vs. Mason Ryan
Punk and Show are here with their respective people. Ryan shoves him around with ease to start us off. Kane fires away and knocks him into the corner but gets his head taken off with a clothesline. We go WAY old school with an Oklahoma Stampede for two. Punk distracts Kane so Show kills him dead with the punch. McGillicutty and Otunga run in for the DQ at 2:14. Double chokeslam to Ryan and the tall guys stand…..well tall.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Santino Marella
Dolph is all evil and orange here as he beats down Santino quickly. After a quick beatdown Santino gets some offense in but a dropkick takes him down as he loads up the Cobra. Zig Zag ends this in 1:40.
We actually get a Smackdown Rebound for the first time in forever. It’s of Christian having his moment as champion and losing the title that night to Orton.
Truth is about to leave and calls conspiracy. Apparently he’s been getting letters asking him to sing and dance again. His eyes are bugging out of his head as he says this. There’s a country accent thrown in and there’s no more, because that’s the Truth. He leaves but comes back to get the interviewer to say What’s Up and then leaves.
Cena fist pumps with Ryder and heads to the ring.
We get a recap of the title match last week and Riley costing Miz the title. Miz yells at Riley all over again. He calls Riley a troglodyte and says he’s stupid. Riley says he’ll make it up to Miz so watch this.
Riley walks down the hall and out into the arena. Did Cena get lost on his way to the ring? Riley says the only person that he cares about is the Miz. He challenges Cena to a match and here’s the champ.
John Cena vs. Alex Riley
Very pro-Cena crowd tonight. Cena takes Riley down with ease and then does it again. A charge misses in the corner though and Riley gets a clothesline for two. Chinlock goes on by Riley but Cena starts up his ending sequence. A pair of AA’s as Miz comes out sets up the STF to end this at 3:12.
Rating: D. Just a squash here but Riley actually got in some offense. Total dominance by Cena but did you really expect anything else? I’m not sure how this proves anything to Miz but I guess Riley’s heart was in the right place. Nothing else to say here so I’ll keep typing a bit to fill in space.
Cole announces his retirement from in ring competition. Lawler comes in and wants a clip of the beatdown from Rock last week. Cole talks about going into the Hall of Fame and Lawler says if Cole can beat Lawler again, he’ll give Cole his HOF ring and induct Cole into the Hall of Fame. Cole turns it down in a bit of a surprise.
Cole gets in the Cole Mine and makes fun of Tennessee. His mind was made up yesterday about his retirement because it was Mother’s Day. Cole flew his mother into Texas and they watched Cole beat him at Mania. Lawler wouldn’t be able to spend Mother’s Day with his mom because his mom died in February. Lawler storms the Cole Mine but Swagger makes the save as we take a break.
US Title: Jack Swagger vs. Kofi Kingston
Technical stuff to start here as Cole imitates breaking news to say that Lawler is in pain. Swagger gets sent to the floor but gets a shot to Kofi, sending him to the floor as we take a break. Back with Swagger sending Kofi into the corner, only to get knocked backwards. Running knee to the gut takes Kofi down again though.
Vader Bomb eats knees but Trouble in Paradise misses. Top rope cross body gets two. Kofi tries to skin the cat (why is it called that anyway?) but Swagger grabs the ankle. Kofi tries a tornado DDT but gets shoved off and the ankle gives out. Lawler comes out and the distraction is enough for Trouble in Paradise to end this at 8:23 total.
Rating: C. Just your standard match between these two which was fine. They’ve wrestled each other a few hundred times now so they can probably have a passable match in their sleep. Lawler coming down is fine as it plays into the bigger angle. Fine for a TV match and that’s all it needed to be.
Post match Lawler sends Swagger into the post and then the crowd and goes to the Cole Mine but can’t get in. Lawler throws a chair into the Mine but settles for reaching into the glory hole to grab the tie. He pulls the tie, ramming Cole’s head into the wall time after time. Cole’s face all stuck up against the wall had me dying from laughter. Swagger says Lawler is fired but Lawler says he just touched his tie. Swagger accepts the match for Cole which he isn’t happy with.
Video about the premiere of That’s What I Am, which apparently is being well received.
The Miz vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. Rey Mysterio
Winner gets Cena at Over the Limit. No Riley with Miz. Standard formula here as we have two guys go at it while the third is down. The bad guys fight in the ring and Miz escapes the cross armbreaker. Rey comes back in and gets a sunset flip for two on Del Rio. Miz vs. Mysterio now but Del Rio breaks up the 619. Rey gets sent to the floor by Alberto so Miz tries the Skull Crushing Finale. That misses and a double clothesline puts everyone down as we take a break.
Back with Alberto kicking Miz back to the floor so he can work on Mysterio some more. After more of a beating on Rey, Miz pulls the rope down to send Del Rio to the floor. Sunset flip doesn’t hit and Rey hits a kick to the head for two. They all go to the floor with Rey diving on Alberto to take him down. Alberto and Rey go back into the ring and Rey speeds things up again and takes him down with a headscissors.
Miz pops back up and heads up top, only to get crotched. Rollup gets two on Alberto. Sweet top rope rana by Rey to Miz but he gets caught in the Codebreaker to the arm and the Cross Armbreaker. Miz breaks it up and gets rolled up for two. DDT gets two on Alberto. Finale is blocked by Rey and Miz hits the floor again. Riley comes back out to help Miz as Del Rio can’t powerbomb Rey. 619 to Alberto sets up the top rope splash but Riley makes the save. Miz runs in with a rollup to get the pin on Rey at 13:45 total.
Rating: C+. This was your usual run of the mill triple threat match to start but at the end they cranked it up and with another 3 minutes or so this would have been very good. Miz winning probably makes the most sense so you can’t really complain about him winning. Good stuff here and good to see Miz keep his main event spot for the time being.
Cena picks an I Quit match for the PPV.
Back in the ring Truth pops up to lay out Mysterio to end the show.
Overall Rating: B. I liked this show a lot. While the matches were short, a lot of stuff happened tonight and with a short amount of time before the PPV, that’s exactly what they needed here. There are still questions about what’s coming for the PPV which makes me want to see what’s next on the show. Good stuff all around tonight as there was an energy tonight that we haven’t had in awhile. Much better show than the last few weeks.
Results
Kelly Kelly/Eve Torres b. Bella Twins – Small Package to Brie
Kane b. Mason Ryan via disqualification when Nexus ran in
Dolph Ziggler b. Santino Marella – Zig Zag
John Cena b. Alex Riley – STF
Kofi Kingston b. Jack Swagger – Trouble in Paradise
The Miz b. Alberto Del Rio and Rey Mysterio – Rollup to Mysterio
Smackdown
Date: May 6, 2011
Location: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida=
Commentators: Michael Cole, Booker T, Josh Matthews
We’re out of Extreme Rules now and it’s time to get ready for Over the Limit. Christian has finally won a world title and is here tonight for his first night on the show as champion. Other than that we’re also officially in the new era of Smackdown with the Draft picks officially being on the show tonight. I’d assume we’ll start building to the next PPV tonight. Let’s get to it.
We open with a video of Christian and his career leading up to the world title win on Sunday. Think that’ll be a theme tonight?
Here’s Christian with the title and of course Cole runs his mouth to make sure the moment isn’t focused on him at all. I get that you can talk, but there are moments you’re not supposed to talk during. Cole needs to get this through his head QUICK. Christian says that he needs to do something and he holds up the title over his head in a pretty cool visual.
It feels great to be champion and he’s worked seventeen years to get here. Edge sent him a text message saying to enjoy the moment because he earned it. Christian starts crying a bit and thanks Edge and talks about the Peeps, thanking them for being there all the way for them. As he’s talking, Mark Henry of all people comes out to interrupt him.
Henry was cheering for him the entire time because he knew he could take the title from him easily. Henry is getting a main event push? Must have been two years since he got his last one. Christian says the belt isn’t made of chocolate. Edge isn’t here to protect him anymore. Before he gets anything else out though, here’s Khali to interrupt also. Singh says Khali says the champion should be someone that has been through stuff like you have in the jungle, like the Great Khali.
Christian talks about Khali being in a tutu on Raw and here’s Orton to a MONSTER pop. He wants his name thrown into the hat for a title shot. Here’s Teddy to settle things. The decision is up to the WWE Universe to pick who gets the title match. Considering Teddy has to stop for a Randy chant I think the outcome is obvious. Teddy says Orton wins the poll and the match is TONIGHT.
Back with Singh telling Khali that he’ll get another title match. They run into Jinder Mahal again who speaks some English this time, saying that things will get better now that he’s here. Khali leaves and Singh talks to Mahal (towers over Singh) in English. Mahal isn’t happy with the tutu Khali was in on Sunday. He comes off as a cocky heel.
Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan
Sheamus grabs a headlock takeover to start and the beating starts early. Bryan sends him to the floor and a suicide dive takes down the human jar of mayonnaise. This is another basic power vs. speed match and there’s nothing wrong with that in the slightest. Backbreaker hits as we take a break. Back with Sheamus holding an armbar the smaller dude.
With Bryan in the ropes Sheamus pounds away as other than that big dive this has been totally one sided. Shoulder block gets two. Superplex doesn’t work and a dropkick puts Sheamus down and gives Bryan a chance to breathe. Well Sheamus’ song does talk about fighting for air so Bryan is just following the instructions Sheamus’ theme music gave him. Big kick to the head gets two for Bryan.
Double axe puts Bryan back down but the Razor’s Edge (screw the actual name of it as Cole changes it every five matches) is countered into a LeBell Lock which is too close to the rope. Sheamus hits the floor and Bryan tries the suicide dive again. In a nice bit of psychology, Sheamus catches him with a Brogue Kick. Another in the ring and we’re done at 5:35 shown of 9:05.
Rating: B. Good match here as the power vs. speed stuff was working very well indeed. The psychology at the end there was a very nice touch and something you don’t see enough of in WWE. With Sheamus learning as the match goes on and drawing on experience from earlier he counters the second attempt. Nice touch there with the brawler beating the thinking wrestler by out thinking him.
Here’s Cody Rhodes in a suit. I love the headlines on the screen of him being disfigured and losing his mind because of it. The people with the bags are here with him. The lights are off other than a spotlight on Cody. Rey has injured him again with the mist from Sunday. Cody talks about how he forced Rey to expose himself….somehow. His eyes are still burning but even through burning eyes he can see that everyone here is still ugly. The bags go out, including to a good looking blonde. The bags may offend you, but the people’s faces disgust him. He’s awesomely into this character and it’s great.
We get a quick recap of the bonus tag title match on Sunday with Jackson dominating the entire time until Barrett tried to get the glory.
Big Show vs. Ezekiel Jackson
Show is on Raw but he’s a tag champion so he can be on both shows. All of the Corre is here with Jackson. Kane comes out to even the odds a bit because those two vs. Corre has gone SO well in the past right? We ring the bell after a break which helps my timing a lot. Well I’d assume it rang just as we came back as they don’t seem to have done much but were locked up when we came back. Hindrances all around.
Show uses technical stuff of all things and gets a front facelock. Jackson is like screw that and backdrops Show with ease. Jackson rams into Show and a slam gets two. Off to a chinlock as I think Jackson has a minor hernia. Suplex gets Show out of the hold as this is better than it sounds. Show fires off some clotheslines to set up the chokeslam. Corre tries to get involved but Kane fights them off….kind of. Everything breaks down into a brawl until we get back into the ring. Jackson gets a boot and a big clothesline for the pin at 3:32 shown.
Rating: C+. Not bad here as the battle of the big men worked pretty well here I thought. Jackson’s power is scary stuff as he was throwing Show around even better than Cena does and almost at the level Lesnar was. I probably overrated this but this was one of the better battles of the big men I’ve seen in awhile.
Jackson leaves on his own, much like Ryan did on Raw.
Time for the Raw portion of the show as we get the same video from NXT on Rock’s birthday. That I’m Coming Home song would be far better if Diddy wasn’t in it at all. Eats up four minutes.
Layla vs. Alicia Fox
I’m not complaining about Fox’s hips that have a mind of their own, but what exactly is she supposed to be? Layla is still trying this face turn so I guess this is her debut on the light side of the Force. And never mind as the Layout ends this in 52 seconds. As eventful as it sounds. There was some standing around, some lockups, some more standing around, a shoulder to the ribs in the corner and the neckbreaker. You put the order together yourselves.
Kharma comes out post match and ends Alicia with a clothesline, apparently legit injuring her. Nothing to Layla as her smorgasbord of heels continues. No one bet on that one so points for a surprise I guess. Layla had the sense to RUN AWAY unlike Kelly who just sat there. Alicia actually tried hitting her. Oh yeah Alicia landed right on her shoulder there. Implant Buster finishes this.
In the back Corre comes up to Jackson and they aren’t happy. Barrett says look at him and Jackson drills him. The numbers eventually catch up to him and the beatdown is on. Chair to the…..uh…..somewhere from Barrett is finally enough to slow him down. They shove what looks like a big laundry basket on him and leave him laying, out cold.
Chavo is on commentary for the next match.
Sin Cara vs. Tyson Kidd
He nails the entrance this time. They do the lights thing again for this match. Chavo sounds like he’s gearing up for a feud with Cara. Cara is moving too fast to call every thing. A double revolution rana sends Kidd to the floor where Kidd takes over for a bit. Cara is like screw this and fires off some kicks and a Tajiri elbow. Springboard cross body gets two. Chavo says Cara is stealing most of these moves from him. Kidd gets in a kick and tries what looks to be a tornado DDT, but gets caught in the C4 from the top to end this at 2:48.
Rating: C+. FAR better than his Raw stuff as either the lack of being live or the editing makes Cara look about 20x better. Probably too short to grade but they’re my ratings so who cares? They got a ton of stuff in here and it felt a lot longer than it was, but in a good way. Chavo is a good guy to put him with as he knows lucha libre and can probably keep up with Cara for the most part. Good match and Cara’s best yet by far.
Chavo stares Cara down post match and shakes his hand.
Video on the anti-bullying campaign from Raw. Yes, we get it. Bullying is bad. I’m so fed up with it that I want to go beat up a 9 year old and take his lunch money.
Teddy says it’s fair for Christian to defend the title tonight because it’s what the fans want. Also Orton had a last man standing match on Raw and Cena defended the title just one day after Raw. Both good points. Long says that it’s his job to make Smackdown unpredictable. Foreshadowing of a new style on Fridays perhaps?
Smackdown World Title: Randy Orton vs. Christian
This show has flown by it seems. Regarding Christian’s pop, in the words of Riddler from Batman Forever, “Your entrance was good, his was better.” Headlock by Orton to start but Christian gets a shoulder for two. Orton hammers away and the crowd eats it up with a spoon like soup or Jello or pork or other things eaten with a spoon. The champ sends him to the floor and gets a delayed baseball slide to take Orton down, only to be taken down as well as we take a break.
Back in the ring with Orton in total control. Orton works on the ribs and gets a reverse waistlock (looks like he’s about to hit a German) which looks like the cover of a very freaky Christmas card. They hit the floor via a Cactus Clothesline by Orton as we take break #2. Back with Christian holding a chinlock for only a few seconds. Orton gets a belly to back and both guys are down.
They slug it out a bit and Orton hits that gorgeous dropkick to put Christian down. He goes all psycho but Christian gets the pendulum kick in the corner and a middle rope missile dropkick for two. Guillotine over the top sets up a cross body off the top for two for Christian. Fans are way into this. Middle rope elbow (love that move still) hits and let the clapping begin!
For some reason Christian charges at him and gets caught by a powerslam for two. Christian slides to the floor to try a right hand to Randy as he’s in a 619 position but Orton avoids it to hit the elevated DDT for two. Angle Slam is countered into a reverse DDT for two. Slam hits this time and it’s RKO time. Since it’s the first attempt it’s countered as is the Killswitch. Christian goes to the middle rope and tries a spinning something off of it, proving why he’s an idiot as YOU DON’T JUMP AT ORTON! RKO ends the 5 day reign at 10:08 shown of 17:08.
Rating: B. Good match here and Christian definitely looked strong throughout. People are going to complain about the reign looking bad due to it being too short, but at the same time he had two matches and this was by far the weaker one and this was a very good TV match. Orton is a far bigger star and Christian got the reign that everyone wanted him to get. The fanboys will be up in arms over it, but you have to just ignore them as they’ll never be pleased. He got his title, he got his moment, he had two great matches and lost it. No harm no foul in my eyes.
Christian leaves the ring to an ovation and looks like he’s forced to retire. Pretty sad moment but it’s not like he’s leaving forever. He lost clean. The shot of him going into the back ends the show.
Overall Rating: B. Two good matches, some storyline developments and a new world champion make this hard to go against. A lot of the matches were short but a nice long main event more than makes up for it. They didn’t really have things in neutral but with such a short turn around before the next PPV I’m not sure they can do anything but Christian vs. Orton II at Over the Limit. Still though, very solid show as Smackdown looks good going forward.
Results
Sheamus b. Daniel Bryan – Brogue Kick
Ezekiel Jackson b. Big Show – Clothesline
Layla b. Alicia Fox – Layout
Sin Cara b. Tyson Kidd – Top rope C4
Randy Orton b. Christian – RKO
Impact
Date: May 5, 2011
Location: Impact Zone, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Mike Tenay, Taz
Episode Title: The Network is Coming
We’ve got two weeks before Sacrifice and things are starting to take shape before the PPV. The main thing from last week to carry over here is the possibility of Angle’s mistress being revealed. Aside from that though there really isn’t much to talk about for tonight’s show. I’d assume some more matches will be officially announced for the PPV but that’s about it. Let’s get to it.
We open with a recap of the Network issues as Hogan is ticked off about the whole thing. The episode is called The Network is Coming. Gee that doesn’t sound familiar at all.
We open with Sting and RVD coming to the ring and see that Immortal is in the ring waiting on them. Snow, Diamond and Brown come out to prevent the fight which the fans want to see. Hogan says that if Sting knows something about the representative, tell him right now. There’s going to be a representative here next week and he, no SHE will be here to talk to Hogan face to face.
Hogan tries to charge Sting and Van Dam but D’lo Brown holds Hulkster back. That doesn’t last though as Immortal jumps the agents and the fight is on. Fourtune comes out to even the sides and clear the ring. Roode takes the mic and says the usual stuff about Fourtune building the company and Hogan/Bischoff cashing in on their work. He thought he knew Hogan but this Hogan has no pride. Roode earns his pay and puts food in his kids’ mouth. He’s a blue collar worker and has earned what he has. What has Hogan earned?
Roode references Jay Lethal’s recent release (called a firing here) and says that Lethal was a guy that did what he asked every single week. I guess that means when he actually got on TV. Roode says his name is Bobby Roode and things are going to start to change next week. Nice to see someone get some mic time in Fourtune other than Daniels or Styles.
The Jarretts get Velvet out of the shower and say Hogan has let them issue an ultimatum and she needs to get to the ring now.
Matt Hardy says he was/is one half of the best tag teams of all time. He’s going to give someone a call and that person is going to come and the two of them will challenge Beer Money for the tag titles.
Suicide vs. Sangriento
Suicide controls to start until Sangriento (means bloody or bloodthirsty) gets a DDT onto the apron. And of course a random masked luchador is nothing at all like Sin Cara in the slightest. Sin Cara is an actual superstar in Mexico as opposed to a made up character here.
Suicide hits his usual unique offense which can’t keep Sangriento down though. Middle rope dropkick to the back of the head and a rana from the middle rope both get two for Sangriento. Suicide fights back and tries his half breed cousin of the Angle Slam. Sangriento counters and gets a cool looking move as he springboards off the middle rope (think a Lionsault) but goes backwards into a cutter to end this at 3:50. Cool ending.
Rating: C. Not much of a debut here but the ending was a fairly unique move which is hard to pull off in today’s product. Sangriento is probably going to wind up meaning nothing like the majority of the X-Division guys. Either way though, cool move by taking a guy already on the roster (Amazing Red) and giving him something new to do.
Hogan and Bischoff try to figure out who the representative is and think it could be Flair. Sting said the one coming next week was female but also said that it was a representative and not necessarily the representative so that’s not a plot hole.
Back with Mexican America in the ring and it’s time for their Cinco de Mayo celebration. They talk about the history of the holiday which is in memory of the Mexican army winning a major battle. Sarita calls in the Spanish announce team and say bring their own tequila, which they happen to have. The team is Hector Guerrero (Eddie’s big brother) and Willie Urbina (not sure on the spelling of that).
Anarquia doesn’t like Urbina because he’s Puerto Rican and not Mexican. They take him down and Hector isn’t happy. Anarquia looks a lot like Chavo. The heels threaten Hector and Ink Inc of all people come out for the save. They say get out and hold up the flag. I guess we’re just supposed to forget the issues they were having when Shannon was being a jerk?
Christopher Daniels/AJ Styles vs. Bully Ray/Gunner
Gunner is being pushed as the stopper for Immortal. Ray and Daniels start but Daniels tags out almost immediately to let AJ fight Ray but the Bully runs off to bring in Gunner. The good guys work over Gunner until Ray interferes and we enter the tag team formula. Mickie is defending the title against Tessmacher later tonight. She gets a title match why exactly?
After Daniels gets beaten down for a bit it’s hot tag to AJ who cleans house, hitting the springboard forearm to Gunner. Pele looks to set up the springboard 450 but Ray breaks it up and everything breaks down. The fans want D-Von as Ray gets his chain. Tommy Dreamer runs in for the save…..and piledrivers AJ for the DQ. Tommy Dreamer has turned heel and this is a no contest instead of a DQ for no apparent reason. Ray says good choice and Dreamer doesn’t look happy. Match ran about 4:10.
Rating: C. Not a terrible match here but dude…..Tommy Dreamer? So AJ is now feuding with the ECW guys? At least they let Gunner do most of the work as he isn’t that bad in the ring. AJ vs. Ray could be a pretty good blowoff match if they let them fight. Other than that though, nothing of note to see here.
Back and Dreamer is MAD. He’s wrecking everything in sight and won’t talk to anyone. I’m guessing he wasn’t doing that because he wants to.
AJ can’t feel his fingers and they’re looking for a doctor and ice. Fourtune thinks this is about EV 2 or something but they’re not sure. AJ says either they get answers or Dreamer is taking a beating.
Matt is on the phone and Ray comes up. Ray wants to know how “he” is doing and Matt says good. Ray says Dreamer did what he has to do to keep himself in this company. That makes things seem a bit better. It’s gotten so bad for Immortal they have to get TOMMY DREAMER to help them?
The Jarretts and Velvet are up next.
Winter gives pills to Angelina and says soon she won’t need them anymore. Winter talks about their souls connecting when they first met which Angelina doesn’t remember. She’s crossed eons of time to find her again and Angelina will remember soon. She kisses Angelina on the cheek and says come with her. This might not end well.
Here are the Jarretts for their weekly continuance of this feud that will not die. They call out Velvet and say that every Knockout has been a champion other than her. I guess the tag titles don’t mean anything. More accusations are made by the Karen who says that Velvet is sleeping with Kurt to get herself noticed. Velvet denies it and makes fun of Karen like last week. She’s never been champion but that’s her goal now. Velvet says she has business to take care of so Karen makes more fun of her for it and somehow makes Winter/Angelina vs. Velvet.
Winter and Angelina come out but before we get going here’s Kurt for more talking. Apparently the Network has made the main event a mixed handicap match with Angle/Velvet vs. Jarrett/Angelina/Winter. Is there anyone in TNA that can’t make matches?
Bischoff is ticked off in the back when Terry and Murphy come up and say they can help. Eric is all ticked off and makes them fight with the loser leaving TNA.
Back and Crimson is looking for Joe with a metal object in hand.
Rob Terry vs. Murphy
They slug it out to start and a clothesline doesn’t really hurt either guy. Loser leaves TNA/Immortal remember. Murphy takes over until Terry fires back with raw power to a moderate face pop. Other than that the crowd doesn’t seem to care. Half belly to back suplex/half chokeslam by Murphy and he goes up top and a top rope clothesline gets two. The announcers say loser leaves Immortal so I’m not sure which it is here. Terry more or less Hulks Up and hits a modified Jackhammer to end this at 3:20.
Rating: D. So? Really, so what? I guess at the same time this gets rid of Murphy so that helps a bit. Nothing of note here as it was just a quick battle of power. There’s nothing to say here but I guess it lets Terry, who has more potential than Murphy, stick around and have something to do.
Hogan says both of them are out of Immortal. Ok then. He and Bischoff keep brainstorming on who the network person could be as they’re running out of time.
Joe is just getting here an hour and 22 minutes into the show. Crimson pops up with a sledgehammer and says the next time someone is beating Joe down he’ll turn his head just like Joe did last week. Joe says he never asked for help. Crimson says stay out of his way or else. Joe wants to know if that’s a threat and Crimson says take it however you want to.
Knockouts Title: Miss Tessmacher vs. Mickie James
Tessmacher takes the glasses off and bends over to pick them up. Well it’s not like she’s here for her in ring abilities. Basic stuff here as Tessmacher does gymnast stuff while Mickie walks her through the match. Victory Roll gets two for Tessmacher and she fires the worst enziguri I’ve ever seen for two. Off to the arm by Tessmacher for a bit before Mickie makes her comeback with a bunch of clotheslines. Neckbreaker sets up a terrible looking jumping DDT to end it at 3:52.
Rating: D. Match sucked, girls were hot. That sums up the entire match as that’s the entire reason Tessmacher was out there. Mickie can’t really do much with this kind of opponent, especially with her shoulder not being 100% still. I can’t imagine what Tessmacher is going to do but she looks good so I can’t complain that much.
Madison and Tara come out and Madison wants a rematch for the title. Mickie says cool but Tara’s freedom is on the line too.
Brian Kendrick, Generation Me and Amazing Red are ticked off about Lethal being fired and are going to see Bischoff about it.
The aforementioned X guys come up to Eric who is getting coffee. They want to know what they have to do to get a shot. Eric says he cares about them and says their solution is to grow about a foot and a half and throws coffee on Kendrick. So we’re using the Eddie Guerrero situation in WCW as a storyline now?
We hear from Sting and RVD about the match at Sacrifice. RVD says he deserves a title shot and Sting says he respects Van Dam. Anything can happen there. Somehow that took three minutes to say.
Winter/Angelina Love/Jeff Jarrett vs. Velvet Sky/Kurt Angle
This actually gets big match introductions including a slow bell ring. Winter vs. Velvet to start us off and it’s off to Angelina quickly. Nothing Velvet does hurts her until a spear puts Angelina down. Velvet gets in Karen’s face which lets Angelina get up and get a boot in as we take a break. Back with Angelina working on Velvet some more and a double team suplex takes Sky down again.
Off to the guys and Jarrett blocks the Angle Slam with an armdrag to take over. Sunset flip is rolled through into the ankle lock and Jarrett kind of taps but it doesn’t count. Karen tries to cheat and Kurt pulls her in as he pulls Jeff out from the ropes. Velvet tags herself in to get at Karen but the other chicks beat her down before Karen gets hurt. Double DDT takes the two chicks down and actually gets the pin on Winter at 8:15 including commercial.
Rating: D. Another weak match here as nothing of note happens as we’re still waiting to get to the point with the reveal of the chick that Angle has so that we can set up a mixed tag or whatever to continue this already far too long feud. Nothing special here at all and a really weak main event.
Kurt says the chosen one is here next week and isn’t Velvet.
Hogan and Bischoff are still talking about the network guy and their car has “You’re Next” spraypainted on it. The X guys are behind it and apparently did it with even Eric saying it’s not Goldberg.
Overall Rating: D. Not the worst show TNA has ever done but at the same time there was a lot of stuff here that bored me to death. The Jarretts/Velvet stuff is going nowhere really and seems like it’s just padding before we get to something. Again they’re setting up for an Impact rather than the PPV which usually makes for a really lackluster PPV, which is never a good thing. Everything is kind of in neutral at this point as we wait for the reveal of a network executive, who I’m assuming is the big one next week, even though they left a door open to continue it. Weak show here after a string of good ones.
Results
Sangriento b. Suicide – Springboard Cutter
AJ Styles/Daniels vs. Bully Ray/Gunner went to a no contest when Tommy Dreamer interfered
Rob Terry b. Murphy – Spinebuster
Mickie James b. Miss Tessmacher – Jumping DDT
Kurt Angle/Velvet Sky b. Angelina Love/Winter/Jeff Jarrett – Sky pinned Winter after a DDT
NXT
Date: May 3, 2011
Location: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Todd Grisham, William Regal
We’re here for week 9 I think of this season and tonight we get the blowoff (I guess) to one of the season’s biggest angles (kind of) as Regal faces Novak. I’d bet on seeing a lot about last night’s Raw and in particular the birthday party for Rock. Something tells me this is going to be more of the same stuff we’ve seen all season long, which means this show will just kind of be there. Let’s get to it.
Theme song talks about the theme of the show in a musical format.
Darren Young vs. Chavo Guerrero
Horny is guest referee for no apparent reason. Titus is on commentary for no apparent reason. I’m having some connection issues here so there’s a chance this is going to be spotty at times. I’ll do my best though. Horny checks every bit of Young’s attire including his hair. Apparently he has an illegal boot so Darren has to fight in one boot. Horny stomps on his foot and we’re ready to go.
Titus and Regal debate the merits of wrestling barefoot which is just weird to hear from Titus. He has a VERY deep voice that almost makes him hard to understand but once you get used to that he’s well spoken and makes some decent points. Chavo dominates to start with basic stuff and throws on an armbar. And there goes my feed. Back with Chavo “hitting” a dive to the floor and by that I mean he mostly crashed and his leg hit Young. We take an actual break after that.
Back after maybe 10 seconds with another armbar by Chavo. We hit the floor again as my feed continues to be choppy. I’m sorry about this guys but we’re having some weather issues here tonight. Young takes over and fires Chavo into the ring, only to get caught by right hands. Young gets a cover and Horny won’t count at a regular speed for him. Regal is in wrestling gear at ringside.
Darren gets in the face of Titus for a bit as Horny still won’t count. Young keeps pounding away and we hit the chinlock. Chavo gets a sweet dropkick and a headscissors to take over a bit. Horny counts for him but gets knocked down on a reversed suplex so he can’t count a Northern Lights Suplex for Young. And Horny bites Young on what’s about eye level for him, setting up Three Amigos and the Frog Splash to end this at 9:15. I missed roughly a minute and a half of that if you’re curious.
Rating: C-. What I saw of this was pretty dull as it was Young using his very basic offense on Chavo while Horny wouldn’t count at all. Not much of a match but it was a god idea of course to have a guy like Chavo out there to help him as he’s going to be fine out there with his basic stuff as always. That’s what he did here and the majority of what this had is attributed to Chavo as Young is just dull overall.
We see O’Brian and Kozlov talking earlier today about Kozlov saying O’Brian needs special skills. Kozlov demonstrates his special skills by breaking a board over his head. O’Brian does the same but might need a doctor.
Conor O’Brian vs. Lucky Cannon
O’Brian grabs a headlock to start as it’s a feeling out process. Let the boringness begin here as there’s nothing of note going on. Cannon puts on a headscissor choke as we’re just waiting to get to the end of the match. O’Brian is a guy that would do FAR better in an old school system as he could develop a character in indy companies and then come back to WWE a few years later. The problem is he has nothing at all that distinguishes him from any generic wrestler. Anyway, O’Brian makes a small comeback but Kidd interferes and the reverse FU/Death Valley Driver ends it at 4:11.
Rating: F+. Conor manages to bring down another decent guy on this show. I don’t know what they see in him other than he’s managing to be the dullest character of all time. Actually that would imply he has a character. The thing with him is his in ring stuff isn’t terrible. It’s not good but it’s passable I guess. He has zero character or charisma though and I don’t want to watch him in the slightest which is the worst thing you can say about a wrestler.
We recap the Kharma thing last night to explain why Maryse isn’t here. Anything that lets me see Kelly in those shorts is a good thing.
Saxton comes up to Yoshi and apologizes for attacking him last week. He wants to fix their relationship but Yoshi cuts him off, saying he needs to check on Maryse. Saxton says that’s enough and he’s on his own now.
William Regal vs. Jacob Novak
It’s 10:30 and this is your main event, meaning we’re getting a LONG Rock video to end it. Striker is on commentary for this. Novak tries to talk like JTG and my head hurts. He says that Regal is just an announcer so he means nothing. Novak is going to make him famous. Just….no. Regal calls JTG a Muppet so the match is switched.
William Regal vs. JTG
Oh joy. Basic match to start as Regal does what he can with the jobber heel (I guess?). Regal sends him to the floor and JTG stalls. Back in Novak cheats and it does nothing. About three minutes have passed already and there’s just nothing to say about this match because there’s almost no point to these two fighting. Regal gets the knee trembler and Novak runs in for the DQ at 6:00.
Rating: D-. I know I shortchanged this match but at the same time I just did not care. There’s no reason for these two to fight and yet they did it anyway. The match was boring beyond belief the entire time and the ending just keeps this going even longer. Novak NEEDS a match with a guy like Regal because it’s kind of interesting actually. Instead a jobber lost to Regal by DQ. Terrible main event to a terrible show.
We get a long recap video of last night’s Raw set to a combination of I’m Coming Home by Diddy Dirty Money and Pitbull’s song. We also see Cole getting beat up.
Overall Rating: F. This was the worst show this season and possibly this entire series has had ever. The matches were weak, the main event which has had a decent build didn’t happen and nothing interesting happened in the slightest. This season just needs to end as nothing of note is going on here anymore at all. There’s no sense of competition and there’s no sense of this ending anytime soon. It’s like we’re on a treadmill with this show and that’s really getting annoying. I had zero desire to watch this after about five minutes in and that really does not happen to me when I’m watching wrestling. Terrible, terrible show.
Results
Chavo Guerrero b. Darren Young – Frog Splash
Lucky Cannon b. Conor O’Brian – Fireman’s carry into a mat slam
William Regal b. JTG via disqualification when Jacob Novak interfered