IMG Credit: WWE

Smackdown
Date: February 14, 2020
Location: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re almost to Super ShowDown and things are starting to take shape. That will be the case again this week as we get to build towards Goldberg vs. the Fiend, plus a Women’s Title match between Carmella and Bayley. I mean, neither of them are likely to be on the big show, but at least it’s a possibility now. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Here are Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross for A Moment Of Bliss. In honor of Valentine’s Day, Nikki wants to talk about celebrity crushes. Nikki guesses Bliss’ as Brad Pitt and….that’s it apparently as they bring out their guest: Carmella. Cole to Graves: “Did you do anything special for Valentine’s Day?” Graves: “Leave my personal life out of this, but yes I did. I am the World Champion of love.” Carmella promises to win the Women’s Title tonight and show us why Mella is money.

We see photos of Carmella and Bayley being friends, with Carmella blaming Sasha Banks for their issues. Cue Bayley, who says she tried to take Carmella under her wing and teach her some things, though the fans don’t like the idea. Bayley talks about how much she beat up everyone since she became the champ so Carmella wants to fight right now.

Women’s Title: Bayley vs. Carmella

Carmella is challenging and avoids a charge in the corner. A hiptoss and shoulder drop Bayley and we’re off to the armbar. For once, it takes a rope break to get out of an armbar and Bayley shouts that Carmella needs to step up. That’s what she does with a pair of dropkicks for two but Bayley hits her with a Saito suplex. The high crossbody misses though and Carmella gets another near fall off a big boot. Bayley gets kicked outside and that means a suicide dive from Carmella. Back in and a high crossbody gives Carmella two but Bayley sends her into the announcers’ table as we take a break.

We come back with Carmella fighting out of a chinlock and sending Bayley into a boot in the corner. Some forearms put Bayley down but a quick Bayley to Belly gets two. Carmella catches her on top and a super hurricanrana gets two. The superkick connects but Bayley is smart enough to head outside. Carmella follows and gets posted, only to get faceplanted into the Cone of Silence back inside. That’s broken up in a hurry and Bayley grabs a rollup with feet on the ropes for the pin at 14:02.

Rating: C-. They had me wondering if the title was going to change hands here so well done on that front. I know Carmella isn’t in the upper echelon of wrestlers but she has the energy and gets the fans’ attention so putting her in what is likely going to be a short form feud is an acceptable idea. I’m still expecting Naomi to be the real challenger but for something that lasted two weeks, Carmella was fine for a quick spot.

Post match Bayley stays on Carmella but Naomi makes the save.

Post break Bayley says she won and that she’ll be defending at Super ShowDown because she’s a role model.

We see a clip from Day Of Royal Rumble focusing on a fan who was inspired to stay away from addition because of Lacey Evans. Lacey had her letter in her boot at the show.

Otis texts Mandy Rose before their date. Tucker comes in and tries to keep Otis calm but Otis wonders if Mandy might actually like him.

Sheamus vs. Shorty G./Apollo Crews

Just in case you didn’t get the idea yet. Sheamus gets jumped to start and Shorty hits some rolling Liger kicks in the corner. A running ax handle drops Shorty and Sheamus hits the series of forearms to the chest. Apollo gets a blind tag and Shorty clotheslines Sheamus to the floor so Apollo can moonsault him off the apron. Back in and a standing shooting star press gets two on Sheamus. The Brogue Kick knocks Shorty off the apron and another one finishes Apollo at 3:23.

Rating: D. This is WWE hammering it home even more than usual as Sheamus has beaten Shorty twice, beaten him up again, and then beaten him in a handicap match. I’m sure Sheamus will get to go somewhere now, or probably get to beat up someone else that doesn’t matter. It’s more of the same and Gable takes another beating because we didn’t get the point yet.

Carmella wants a rematch and doesn’t care where it happens.

Video on Goldberg.

Here’s Hulk Hogan for an interview via satellite to talk about being in the Hall of Fame twice. He’s been in the ring with Goldberg too and the Fiend better be ready for him. Hold on though because the following announcement has been paid for by the Firefly Fun House. Bray comes in, playing the guitar in black and white of course, and says that not he has the Universal Title, brother.

Huskus Pig comes in to say he’s been working on eating right, but succumbs to the temptations of chocolate. Bray: “I hope it’s not…..too sweet.” Hogan says being in the ring with Goldberg isn’t a joke. Bray doesn’t need jokes because he has a Fiend. Be careful, because there can always been room for another picture on the wall. Hogan walks out, saying he’ll see Wyatt at the Hall of Fame. This was one of the weirdest fever dream moments I can ever imagine and I loved it.

Here are Cesaro and Sami Zayn, the latter with a ukulele, for a protest concert against Braun Strowman and Elias. Before Sami can channel Bob Dylan, here’s Elias to cut them off. Elias knows that everyone in Vancouver knows what WWE stands for. Sami tells security to let Elias in because a lot of the song has to do with him. Cesaro gets a little carried away with the cowbell (Fans: “WE WANT COWBELL!”). They finally start the song and then go after Elias. Braun Strowman comes out for the save.

Naomi knows Bayley can’t beat her and wants the title shot.

Video on Otis and Mandy Rose.

We go to the restaurant where Mandy is waiting for Otis, who is rather nervous. He brings flowers but Dolph Ziggler comes up to Mandy instead. Ziggler sits down as Otis comes in, sees them, drops the flowers, and leaves crushed.

Wrestlemania XXXVII is coming to Los Angeles.

Miz/John Morrison vs. Roman Reigns/???

Before the match, Miz asks why the Usos are already missing after being back a month. Morrison has been back for a month and he’s right here. Reigns has a mystery partner and that would be….Daniel Bryan. Hang on though as here’s King Corbin, who was banned from wrestling tonight, with a ticket to have a seat. Joined in progress with Bryan kicking at Morrison, knocking Miz off the apron, and then hitting him with a suicide dive.

The missile dropkick plants Morrison and Bryan gets in the early nipup. The YES Kicks have Morrison in more trouble and there’s a hurricanrana to put him down again. Morrison knocks him outside though and Miz sends Bryan into the barricade. Reigns hits a huge dive over the top onto everyone though and we take a break with Corbin being annoyed. Back with Bryan in trouble as Morrison gets two off a slingshot elbow.

The chinlock doesn’t last long so Morrison kicks him in the head and brings Miz back in. Miz crotches Bryan on top but Bryan ties him in the Tree of Woe. Being smart though, Morrison tags himself in and knees Bryan in the face for two. Morrison misses a 450 and the hot tag brings in Roman for the house cleaning. Roman’s jumping clothesline misses, though the camera is fast enough to switch to cover it well enough.

The Superman Punch misses Miz and Morrison gets two off the Flying Chuck. Starship Pain is countered into a rollup and Reigns Superman Punches Morrison out of the air. The spear is cut off as well and Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale for two with Bryan having to make a save. Miz takes way too long to load up the running knee and gets Superman Punched (with the camera possibly showing it not coming close, though it might have grazed him) down. The spear gives Reigns the pin at 13:47.

Rating: B-. And you thought we might get through a week without Corbin getting involved. That’s the kind of thing that you can only dream of because it’s just not going to happen. This was an entertaining match with everyone working hard and trying, though I’m really not sure I see the need for Reigns to get the pin here when you can have Miz and Morrison, as in the #1 contenders, win here, perhaps off some Corbin interference.

Post match Corbin gets in a shot with the scepter to end the show.

Overall Rating: D+. I’m not sure what happened on this show but I feel like I missed something. There were three matches, a Hogan interview which didn’t say much and a big segment which lasted about two minutes. This show felt like it barely existed and while a few things were announced or felt like they mattered, the show felt like it was over before it started. Not a good week here, though the main event was pretty solid.

Results

Bayley b. Carmella – Rollup with feet on the ropes

Sheamus b. Shorty G./Apollo Crews – Brogue Kick to Crews

Roman Reigns/Daniel Bryan b. Miz/John Morrison – Spear to Miz

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT UK
Date: February 13, 2020
Location: York Barbican, York, England
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Aiden English

This taping cycle has to be finishing up soon but things are never exactly the same around here as they are everywhere else. What matters is that we are pretty clearly setting up Dave Mastiff as the next challenger to Walter in what could be a heck of a fun match. Other than that, Gallus is dealing with Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan tonight. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Aoife Valkyrie vs. Amele

They’re both making their debut. Valkyrie grabs a front facelock into a headlock to start but spends too much time talking to the referee about a count. That lets Amele knee her in the ribs, only to get elbowed in the face for two. Valkyrie sweeps the leg into a standing moonsault for two and it’s time to strike away at Amele. A Pele drops her and a spinning kick to the head does it again, setting up a top rope ax kick to give Valkyrie the pin at 3:33.

Rating: C. The strikes looked very good here and believe it or not, they might have gone a bit too long. Valkyrie has a lot of potential and certainly came in strong, which is how things should go in a debut. Hopefully we get some more of her in a hurry, as those kicks were rather hard hitting.

Travis Banks is talking about Worlds Collide when Alexander Wolfe comes in to say how much people are talking about Imperium winning, plus Banks failing.

Dave Mastiff vs. Saxon Huxley

Huxley kicks him in the face to start so Mastiff gets in a slam and chop. The delayed vertical suplex sets up the elbows to Huxley’s head but he’s back up with some forearms. Mastiff runs him over and hits a backsplash though, followed by a running seated senton to continue Walter’s offense. Into The Void finishes Huxley at 3:09.

Rating: D+. Not much of a match here but Mastiff being set up for Walter gets my interest. I know he has no chance of winning the title but they’ve done a good job of setting Mastiff up as a monster for Walter to slay. If nothing else, it’s always nice to see Huxley getting destroyed in a hurry like this.

Post match Mastiff does the Imperium pose to really rub it in.

Toni Storm tells Sid Scala and Johnny Saint to make the I Quit match against Kay Lee Ray. The contract is signed, and if Storm loses, she can never challenge for the title again.

Here are the Grizzled Young Veterans for a chat. Zack Gibson talks about how awesome they are and how they’ve beaten every team that they’ve faced so far. So what’s next? Facing seven teams at once with Johnny Saint as guest referee? NXT General Manager William Regal sees talent though and knows that the two of them are soon to be recognized as the best in the world.

Regal is from Blackpool just like James Drake and Gibson is from Liverpool, just like the Beatles. They’re in York though and this place is a joke, just like the Hunt. The fans need to get their phones out and take their pictures because an appearance from the Veterans is worth the price of admission. Another good heel promo from Gibson, but we’ve heard it quite a few times before.

Joseph Conners interrupts a merchandise plug and wants to know why he isn’t in the program. He’ll beat Tyler Bate next week and then he’ll get some merchandise of his own.

Amir Jordan vs. Joe Coffey

Coffey, with Gallus outside, slams Jordan down to start but runs into a dropkick. An overhead belly to belly sends Coffey flying and a wheelbarrow faceplant gets two. Coffey stomps away in the corner and we hit the armbar. Coffey: “GALLUS BOYS ON TOP!” Jordan fights up and hits a headscissors driver, setting up a middle rope crossbody. That’s enough to send Coffey outside so Jordan hits a dive, only to have his swanton hit knees. The Glasgow Sendoff sets up All The Best For The Bells to finish Jordan at 5:00.

Rating: D+. Somewhat extended squash here and that’s all it needed to be. Gallus is going to be dealing with Ilja Dragunov (and likely some friends) in the near future so having Joe crush some people on the way there is fine. Not a good match or anything, but Jordan was less annoying than usual.

Post match Coffey promises that they’ll deal with Dragunov, Burch and Lorcan soon enough.

Gallus vs. Danny Burch/Oney Lorcan

Non-title and it’s Mark Coffey/Wolfgang here with Joe on the floor. Danny and Mark start things off and don’t get very far early on. Wolfgang comes in and grabs a headlock takeover and it’s already back to Mark for an armbar. Burch drives him into the corner though and it’s Lorcan coming in for a double atomic drop. So much for Lorcan staying in as Burch is right back in for uppercuts.

Mark shows him how to really do one though and Burch is taken down for Mark’s chinlock. That’s broken up and a dive through the rope allows the tag to Lorcan. The running hip attack is cut off in a hurry though and it’s Lorcan in trouble in a hurry. Wolfgang hits a running backsplash into another chinlock to keep Lorcan down. Mark comes back in to stomp away but Lorcan gets annoyed at taking such a beating.

The chops don’t do much good as Wolfgang hits a Wasteland, only to miss the moonsault. Burch gets the hot tag and starts suplexing/headbutting. Everything breaks down and Lorcan hits a running Blockbuster on Mark. The Crossface has Mark in trouble and Lorcan adds a half crab on Wolfgang, only to get kicked into Burch and Mark for the save. The powerslam/enziguri combination finishes Burch at 10:41.

Rating: C+. It was the only match of the night to get any significant amount of time and even then they didn’t exactly light the world on fire here. Burch and Lorcan have been dispatched in a hurry and unfortunately I have a feeling that we’ll be seeing them as Dragunov’s backup anyway. It takes away a lot of their impact, but it’s quite the WWE trope so odds are it’s what we get.

Post match Dragunov comes out for the fight with Joe but Gallus takes him out to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. Pretty skippable show here as it was all about setting things up for later rather than what we were getting this week. They’ve got enough stuff at the moment for some big TV shows and that’s a lot better than having to wait for the next Takeover. It’s not a bad show, but nothing worth going out of your way to see.

Results

Aoife Valkyrie b. Amele – Top rope ax kick

Dave Mastiff b. Saxon Huxley – Into The Void

Joe Coffey b. Amir Jordan – All The Best For The Bells

Gallus b. Oney Lorcan/Danny Burch – Powerslam/enziguri combination to Burch

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: February 7, 2020
Location: SAP Center, San Jose, California
Commentators: Joe Quasto, Aiden English

This show continues to vex me every single week. I’m not sure what to expect here but that never changes on any given week. The big deal this week is Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin is here for the first time. If nothing else, maybe he can bring some energy into the show. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Danny Burch/Oney Lorcan vs. Ariya Daivari/Brian Kendrick

This has been built up over a few weeks. Lorcan punches Kendrick to the floor at the bell but it’s Daivari being thrown inside instead of Kendrick. Burch gets the tag as the fast paced start continues. Some kicks to the head have the villains in trouble but Daivari trips Burch down. Leave it to him to stop something entertaining.

Kendrick gets in some choking on the ropes and it’s Daivari coming back in to work on the knee. We’re already back to Kendrick with a leglock but Burch breaks it up in a hurry. The hot tag brings in Lorcan as everything breaks down. Daivari brings in a chair but it gets dropkicked into his face because Daivari is rather inept. Lorcan grabs the chair as well and hits Daivari with it for the DQ at 6:34.

Rating: D+. Just a tag match here until the ending, which likely sets up a rematch that the world is waiting for. The problem is Burch and Lorcan are a fine midcard (if not a bit higher) tag team but Kendrick and Daivari….well they’re Kendrick and Daivari. They’re such low level villains that there’s no reason to worry about what they’re doing to Burch and Lorcan. But now we’ll get to see it happen again because we’re that lucky.

Post match Burch tells Lorcan to get the tables but Kendrick and Daivari bail in time.

Singh Brothers vs. Joe Furrer/Devon Dixie

Sunil starts with Dixie but hold on because the Brothers need to dance. A middle rope clothesline means, of course, more dancing. Samir comes in for a double basement dropkick and the Paisan elbow gets two. We hit the neck crank and Sunil comes in to clap his movie slate. Dixie tries his comeback and gets powerbombed down. A double superkick gets rid of Furrer and the Bollywood Blast finishes Dixie at 3:24.

Rating: D-. What is there to say at this point? These guys have done the same match with the same shtick for the better part of a year now and they still aren’t going anywhere. It’s another match that doesn’t advance anyone and more TV time wasted on people who might be able to develop into something. Another nothing match and that’s all you ever get with these guys.

Tony Nese vs. Lio Rush vs. Jordan Devlin

Non-title. Rush dropkicks Nese down to start and gets headlocked for his efforts. Devlin gets kicked in the face but it’s Nese coming back in to snap Rush’s throat across the top rope. Nese strikes away at Devlin, who snaps off a DDT for two. Devlin slips out of a pumphandle slam from Nese and Rock Bottoms Rush onto Nese, setting up the standing moonsault.

It’s Rush being sent outside so Devlin elbows Nese in the head, only to be legswept out to the floor. Back in and Devlin’s standing Spanish Fly gets two on Rush as Nese is down on the floor. Devlin works on Rush’s ribs before switching to a neck crank. Nese is back in to break it up so he and Devlin crotch Rush on top. Rush knocks them both down though and hits a double high crossbody. The springboard Stunner hits Devlin and there’s one for Nese as well with the latter kicking out.

The Final Hour is loaded up but Nese rolls to the floor, with Devlin moonsaulting onto Rush. Nese hits his Fosbury Flop onto Devlin before sending Rush over the announcers’ table. Devlin’s slingshot cutter gets two on Nese with Rush making the save. A headbutt sends Rush into the corner but Nese grabs the Sunset Driver for two on Devlin. Nese’s 450 misses Devlin but he gets his knees up to stop a quick Final Hour from Rush. Nese hits a second 450 on Rush but gets pulled into the Devlin Side for the pin at 12:40.

Rating: B. This was your standard yet exciting triple threat match, even with the cousin of the annoying ending (at least Devlin didn’t pin Rush after throwing Nese outside). Devlin had to win here and while it would have made more sense for Nese to face him one on one after Nese beat Rush two weeks ago, at least we had some good action to make this one work. Good main event.

Post match Devlin says he’s keeping the title for a long time because you never bet against an ace.

Overall Rating: D+. That main event came close to saving the show but my goodness. How in the world do they think that this is the best that they can do for the first half? Throw ANYONE out there from NXT or even the NXT house show circuit and it would be an improvement. I know none of the WWE higher ups care about this show so maybe swap some people in for Daivari and the Singhs to see who else is out there? This has become Friday night Main Event (or at least parts of it have) and that’s a very bad thing to see.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT
Date: February 12, 2020
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Beth Phoenix, Nigel McGuinness

It’s the go home show for Takeover: Portland and the card is bigger than usual. This time around there are six matches, but if NXT knows how to do one thing really well, it’s put on a solid go home show. Everything is going to get some attention tonight and that should make for a solid evening. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Mauro runs down the card.

Here’s a ticked off Roderick Strong to rant about Velveteen Dream having his wife and son’s faces on his tights. Strong is going to hurt him and won’t regret it so get out here and apologize RIGHT NOW. That’s not what Strong gets though.

Bronson Reed vs. Roderick Strong

Fallout from last week when Strong jumped Reed in the back so Reed charges the ring. Reed hammers away in the corner but Strong hits a knee to the ribs and chops away. That only gets him driven back into the corner for some bigger chops from Reed. A side slam plants Strong again and it’s time to take off Strong’s shirt, or at least tie it over his head. Reed headbutts the blinded Strong, which has to be against some kind of rule.

With his sight restored, Strong gets in some right hands in the corner, only to get whipped hard into the corner again. There’s another whip, with Reed throwing him so hard that he falls down. The waistlock goes on and a heck of a forearm drops Strong again. Reed hits a rather delayed vertical suplex and Strong bails to the floor so Reed can shoulder him off the apron. Back from a break with Reed suplexing his way out of a chinlock to put both of them down.

Reed splashes him in the corner and a running hip attack to the face gets two. Strong strikes away but gets blasted with a clothesline for two more. They head up top with Strong getting in a shot to the head and managing a superplex (with Reed landing with a thud) for two. A hard slingshot dropkick through the ropes knocks Reed silly but Velveteen Dream….’s lights come on. That lets Reed hit a heck of a suicide dive of his own and there’s still no Dream. Back in and Reed goes up but Strong knees him out of the air for the pin at 14:00.

Rating: B-. Good match, though it went from the angry start to just having a match. Reed got to showcase himself here though and that’s a good sign for his future. Strong beating him wasn’t exactly in doubt (barring a Dream interference) but it was great to see Reed getting to beat him up and show off a lot. The finish looked good, but I was hoping for some more intensity from both of them.

Post match Dream pops up on screen, with “call me up Marina” on the back of his tights. Dream talks about Strong trying to end his career and the Experience, so what if someone took something from Strong? It’s all well and fine that Strong has lost the North American Title but Strong still has a wife and a kid. What if something happened to Strong? Don’t worry about it because someone somewhere would fulfill all of Marina’s dreams. The camera pans down to show Marina, Strong’s son Troy and Dream on the leg. How in the world is this supposed to make me want to cheer for Dream??? That’s WAY over the top and not exactly the smartest idea in the world.

And now for your idea that needs to be turned into a movie: Matt Riddle and Pete Dunne take a road trip to Portland, with the Dusty Cup in the back. Dunne starts driving and Riddle yells at him for driving on the wrong side of the road. Cue the cops and the car is towed in a hurry because neither of them have a license. It’s cool though because they need to find a way to Portland. To be continued. Oh I’d certainly hope so.

Angel Garza is ready to beat Lio Rush so he can get his title back. Rush comes in to say he’s not the same guy Garza beat before. Garza just smiles.

Candice LeRae vs. Dakota Kai

They go up top and tease a superplex to the floor until Kai is knocked to the apron. She kicks LeRae off the top as well though and there is some blood from the nose. They still can’t get back inside so LeRae pulls her shoulder first into the turnbuckle. Back from a break with Candice hitting Ms. LeRae’s Wild Ride but Kai is right back with a kick to the leg. The big one to the head misses though and LeRae slaps on the Gargano Escape. Kai can’t get to the rope but she can roll backwards into a cradle for the pin at 9:31.

Rating: C. I can go for Kai being all evil and she was extra vicious here to she off the bad side. I’m not wild on her winning clean but it’s not like LeRae is on Kai’s level at this point. The match was fine enough and Kai has momentum heading into Portland, which is what matters more than anything.

Post match Kai isn’t done and hits her with the bell. That doesn’t seem to be it either but here’s Tegan Nox to run out for the save, sending Kai bailing.

Earlier today, Cameron Grimes and Johnny Gargano got in an argument last weekend so a match was set for tonight. Well done on making this about ten seconds long instead of showing us the whole thing.

Johnny Gargano vs. Cameron Grimes

This could be good. They go to the mat to start with Gargano getting perhaps the most quickly broken chinlock of all time. This time it’s Gargano working on a leglock and Grimes pulling at the ear doesn’t break it up. Instead he goes for the rope which works a bit better. A front facelock keeps Grimes down as he can’t get much going so far. An armdrag into a sunset flip gives Gargano two as the dominance continues.

Gargano slaps on a Crossface but switches into something like an inverted chickenwing (weird but cool looking hold). That’s broken up and Grimes finally gets something going with a knee to the ribs. Grimes’ armbar doesn’t last very long so Gargano kicks him to the floor and hits a superkick off the apron. The running Cannonball off the apron drops Grimes again but he’s able to block the slingshot DDT. A hard clothesline sends us to a break with Gargano in trouble.

Back with Grimes hitting a bridging German suplex for two. Gargano scores with a springboard spinning Downward Spiral out of the corner before a hard clothesline puts Grimes on the floor again. The slingshot spear gets two but Grimes reverses the tornado DDT with something like a Side Effect for his own two.

They miss a few running shots and Grimes hits his flipping belly to belly suplex for another near fall. They’re both down for a bit until it’s an exchange of superkicks with neither getting the better of it. Now the tornado DDT can connect but Grimes kicks him in the head to cut that off. The Cave-In misses though and it’s the Gargano Escape to make Grimes tap at 13:38.

Rating: B. They were going back and forth and that’s what you need for the two of them. Just like earlier, I’m not sure how much drama there was because Gargano has the big showdown coming on Sunday but Grimes is the kind of guy you could see pulling off a win. This was a heck of a match though and I like both guys so it’s nice to see two talented people working hard and going fast out there.

Post match, Gargano promises to come for Balor on Sunday.

Adam Cole is ready to teach Kushida a lesson tonight and to teach Tommaso Ciampa his own lesson on Sunday. The NXT Title is Cole’s life and he wants to be the greatest NXT Champion of all time.

Riddle and Dunne have a pedal boat (it’s a swan) as Riddle needs to think about how they’re getting to Portland. Riddle: “LIGHTBULB!” To be continued.

Chelsea Green and Robert Stone promise to relaunch their brand next week.

Next week: Strong vs. Dream.

Lio Rush vs. Angel Garza

The winner gets a Cruiserweight Title shot. It’s a serious match so Garza TAKES OFF HIS PANTS at the bell instead of waiting for later. Rush starts with his running dodges but Garza runs as well, setting up a dropkick to put Rush down early on. Garza kicks him down again and then ties Rush into the Tree of Woe for another running kick. They fight on the apron with Garza not being able to hit a powerbomb. Instead Rush flips to the floor and gets driven back first into various steel objects.

That lets Garza pose a bit and we take a break. Back with Rush hitting a suicide dive, followed by a big running flip dive. Rush kicks him in the head for two and it’s time to exchange kicks to the head. Rush’s springboard Stunner is dropkicked out of the air and Garza flips him into a faceplant for two more. A super cutter sends Garza to the floor, leaving a frustrated Rush inside when he can’t cover. The Final Hour to the floor connects but the second version hits raised knees back inside. Garza hits a HARD superkick but the Wing Clipper is reversed into a small package for the pin at 10:23.

Rating: B-. You can add this to the Dream thing earlier where the finish wasn’t the most logical idea. Garza is becoming a big deal on Raw and he loses here? Rush beating him is hardly some big upset but Garza is doing more important stuff on the main show. Why have him lose here? Anyway, at least the match was good and it was a quick ending instead of a more decisive one.

Post match Jordan Devlin comes out to say that Rush shouldn’t be so excited. You never bet against an ace.

Video on Dominick Dijakovic vs. Keith Lee, with Mark Henry narrating about how important big men are to the history of wrestling. These two are taking big man wrestling to a different level though and they’ll fight again at Takeover. We get a bunch of clips of how awesome they both are and it does make me want to see them both again on Sunday. Henry was a really good addition here because he’s become a legend in retirement and it feels appropriate to have him here.

Bianca Belair vs. Santana Garrett

Belair runs her over, hits a Glam Slam into the corner and finishes with the KOD at 42 seconds. Yeah that works.

Post match Belair wants to know why she is being ignored while Rhea Ripley goes to Raw to challenge Charlotte. Ripley can forget about her all she wants because she’s losing the title on Sunday. Cue Rhea to say that she isn’t losing the title as the fight is on in a hurry. Belair actually lays her out with the KOD.

Tommaso Ciampa watches a clip of himself forfeiting the NXT Title in this very room and promising to be back bigger and stronger. He wasn’t sure if he would ever be back and wants to know what happened if he gave away his only shot at his life. Now everything has come full circle and in four days, he can take his title back.

But what if he loses and Adam Cole becomes the longest reigning champion in NXT history? But what if Ciampa wants it that much more and has been through that much more? What if he goes to Wrestlemania weekend as champion like he was supposed to last year? Ciampa has nothing left to lose and Cole will find that out on Sunday. As usual, promos are made that much better when they are taken out of the standard places and that was the case here. Awesome stuff and Ciampa sold every bit of it.

Adam Cole vs. Kushida

Non-title and oh yeah Kushida is a thing around here. He was my favorite guy in New Japan and now he just….exists. Kushida takes him down into a front facelock to start and Cole can’t roll out of it. The kick to the head misses and Cole bails to the floor, allowing Kushida to hit a dropkick through the ropes. Strong does a bit better with a whip into the steps but the Panama Sunrise off the apron is countered into a cross armbreaker. Cole is back with a kick to the face and we take a break.

Back with Kushida hitting a basement dropkick to put Cole on the apron. The cross armbreaker sends Cole straight to the ropes so Kushida kicks him in the arm a few more times. Cole is right back with a Shining Wizard and they strike it out with Kushida eventually getting the better of things. That just earns him the brainbuster onto the knee and Cole does it again for two. The Last Shot misses so Cole settles for a superkick for two more.

The Panama Sunrise is countered into the Hoverboard Lock and Cole takes his sweet time kicking out of it. A pinfall reversal sequence gives them two each and Kushida is right back with the Kawada kicks. Cole superkicks the handspring elbow away and the Last Shot finishes Kushida at 12:52.

Rating: B-. They followed the same pattern from earlier in the show here and that’s not a bad thing. Kushida is someone who can get a solid match from anyone and Cole doesn’t need much to take him to another level. That being said, the lack of drama didn’t help things as it wasn’t would Cole win, but when would he win. Still though, good way to make Cole look sharp going into Sunday.

Post match here’s Ciampa to slowly get into the ring as the fans aren’t sure who they like more. Ciampa says he’s taking his life back in Portland but Cole says it’s over his dead body.

Overall Rating: B. I never thought I’d reach this point but I was wanting this show to end more than once. The show is still very good and one of the best weekly shows but it doesn’t feel special anymore. Instead of the tight show that made me want to watch every week, this is a bunch of stuff that feels like it’s there because they need to fill in two hours a week. The talent and storytelling is there and the wrestling is good, but it’s like the show has lost its magic. Maybe it’s watching this after Dynamite and not finishing it until late at night, but this isn’t the same NXT that became the best show in the world.

Now all that being said, this was a rather good show and gave the final push to everything that is coming up on Sunday. Even Riddle and Dunne not taking things very seriously fits them perfectly and gave me a good bit of entertainment. Takeover is looking awesome and until they find a way to make those not as amazing, NXT is going to be very strong for years to come.

Results

Roderick Strong b. Bronson Reed – Jumping knee

Dakota Kai b. Candice LeRae – Cradle

Johnny Gargano b. Cameron Grimes – Gargano Escape

Lio Rush b. Angel Garza – Small package

Bianca Belair b. Santana Garrett – KOD

Adam Cole b. Kushida – Last Shot

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

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

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

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

The math adds up.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/kbs-review-believe-goldberg/

IMG Credit: AEW

Dynamite
Date: February 12, 2020
Location: HEB Center, Austin, Texas
Commentators: Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone, Excalibur

We’re less than three weeks away from Revolution and the card is either set or pretty clear from this point. There is still some work to do, but at the same time there are major matches to get through on television. That would include tonight, as Riho defends the Women’s Title against Nyla Rose and SCU challenges Kenny Omega/Hangman Page for the Tag Team Titles. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Tag Team Titles: Kenny Omega/Hangman Page vs. SCU

Omega and Page are defending but hang on because the Dark Order pops up on the screen before the match. They make it clear that there are many of them and they may be closer than it seems. That sends Christopher Daniels to the back to check on things, which doesn’t bode well. Omega armdrags Kazarian to start but stops to yell at Sky, allowing Kazarian to break up a dive.

Everything breaks down in a hurry and Page loads up the Buckshot Lariat, only to have Kazarian break it up. Sky hits a big running flip dive, followed by the same thing from Omega. Back in and Omega hits a missile dropkick to Sky’s back, followed by a fisherman’s buster for two. There’s the running Fameasser from Omega but You Can’t Escape hits knees. Page gets shoved off the top and into the barricade with Omega being sent in as well.

Back in and Kazarian’s spinning springboard legdrop gets two as Omega is favoring his ribs. Kazarian charges into a boot though and it’s back to Page to start kicking people in the face. A standing moonsault gets two on Sky and an assisted DDT gets the same on Page. Kazarian hits a Backstabber into a slingshot cutter from Sky, setting up stereo dragon sleepers.

JR accurately points out that the match can’t end here because there are two illegal men in the ring but Omega rams Kazarian into the other two for the save anyway. The Snapdragon ropes Kazarian but the Buckshot misses. Omega V Triggers Kazarian anyway and, with Sky taken out by a dive, it’s the V Trigger/Buckshot combination for the pin at 13:15, with Kazarian grabbing a rope a split second after the bell.

Rating: B. This is a good example of the kind of match that makes AEW work: they’re all action and very exciting, though I can understand why some fans might not be thrilled with them. They have very little in terms of traditional tag team offense and a majority of the match is spent with everyone in the ring at once. What matters though is AEW has made that the norm and the matches are certainly entertaining. This was a lot of fun and while the ending wasn’t a surprise, it made sense on the way there.

Post match the champs leave in their separate ways (as tends to be the case) and here are the Dark Order, the Best Friends, the Hybrid 2, Butcher and Blade and the Young Bucks for the big brawl to preview next week’s tag team battle royal. The Bucks clear the ring and then dive onto everyone else, which would be very stupid in a battle royal. Daniels did not come back out here.

We get a sit down interview with JR and Santana. There was a time when Santana was in a dark place, living in a terrible apartment in the Bronx and he couldn’t take anymore. He called his dad and said every day of his life was terrible. His dad started going blind at 14 and knew that he would be blind at 25. Imagine how that feels. Then last week Jon Moxley attacked his eye. JR think Santana should be mad at Jericho but Santana goes on a rant against Moxley for throwing everything away. Tonight, Moxley learns what it’s like to be in the dark. This was a rather emotional interview and not something you hear from Santana.

Here’s another video from Darby Allin, this time with messages written on pieces of cardboard. It was a mistake to smash his throat with a skateboard and he’ll find them sooner or later. In the meantime though, he’ll face Sammy Guevara at Revolution. The final sign is a picture of Sammy’s face, saying “kissing Jericho’s a** gave me herpes.” These things are different and that’s what makes them work, plus Darby coughing in the background to sell the throat injury.

Sammy Guevara vs. Dustin Rhodes

Guevara has Jake Hager in his corner. Sammy bails to the floor to start so Dustin has to wait to throw him down back inside. A running knee to the face gives Dustin two and it’s time for another breather on the floor. That’s fine with Dustin, who hits a running clothesline off the steps and stares Hager down.

Back from a break with Dustin hitting a Downward Spiral and going up, only to get distracted by Hager. Sammy grabs a torture rack and flips Dustin over into a GTS for two. Dustin shoves him off the top so Sammy runs the ropes, only to get taken down with a release gordbuster. A Panama Sunrise plants Sammy and the Final Reckoning gives Dustin the pin at 6:47.

Rating: C. To clarify, a middle rope Canadian Destroyer isn’t the finish. I know it’s not Dustin’s finisher but egads man, stop overthinking this stuff. The match was fine enough and gets us closer to the match that makes the most sense. Guevara continues to be great as the member of the Inner Circle who takes a beating and keeps annoying everyone and that’s a great place for him.

Post match Dustin calls out Hager (“Jericho’s b****.”) for Revolution. Hager leaves without saying anything but the fans seem to like the idea.

We look back at Britt Baker attacking Yuka Sakazaki after last week’s loss.

Britt Baker talks about following her ethical obligations by taking out Yuka’s decaying tooth for free. We don’t even know if she had health insurance! Tony does though, right Mr. Starbucks? Baker mocks the fans with their Whataburger faces and lists off her resume, including her degrees and being the first woman signed to this company. She is the women’s division and throws in an upside down Hook Em Horns sign. JR: “This is terrible.”

Women’s Title: Nyla Rose vs. Riho

Riho is defending. Rose powers her into the corner to start but Riho rolls her up for two. That just means Rose can run her over for two, with Riho bridging out of the cover. Rose crushes her with a backbreaker and let’s set up a table. JR: “She’s not even from Dudleyville!” Riho uses the distraction to hit a dropkick off the table and we take a break.

Back with Riho getting two off a crucifix bomb and avoiding a sitdown splash. A basement dropkick gives Riho two more but Rose is right back with a Samoan drop for the same. Rose drapes her across the top and hits a top rope knee to the back of the head for a big crash and a near fall.

They go up top with Riho biting her on the nose, only to get taken down with a super Death Valley Driver. That’s only good for to and Riho is back with a pair of Snapdragons. A northern lights suplex gets two but the top rope double stomp gets one. Riho hits two more double stomps but Rose is in the rope. Back up and the spear into the Beast Bomb gives Rose the title at 12:24.

Rating: C+. They had to do it. Riho was fine for a first champion but there comes a point of “she has so much heart” just isn’t enough to carry things anymore. The match was your usual David vs. Goliath fight and Rose winning was the right call. You can only have her lose so many times before she stops mattering so giving her the title was the only call.

Chris Jericho is sick of Jon Moxley so if Moxley can make it past Santana tonight, he can face an assassin next week: Jeff Cobb.

We get a quick highlight video on Cobb. I’m rather glad to see him on the big stage, as Cobb can be rather awesome.

Video on last week’s awesome closing segment with Maxwell Jacob Friedman and Wardlow whipping Cody.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Jungle Boy

They’re both on their own here and Brandi Rhodes is on commentary. MJF trips him down to start and poses a lot, only to have Boy jump up and grab a rollup to annoy MJF quite a bit. They stare each other down and Boy shoves him outside for a breather. Back in and Boy is smart enough to not fall for a handshake as he knocks MJF into the corner.

MJF slugs away and takes it to the floor for a whip into the barricade. We see Arn Anderson watching in the back as MJF slams Boy on the floor. Back from a break with Boy hitting a backdrop and sending MJF outside. That means two straight suicide dives, plus a big flip dive to put MJF down again.

A reverse hurricanrana gets two back inside but Boy’s back gives out on a powerbomb attempt. MJF grabs an inverted Gory Stretch until Boy flips out. Boy gets crotched on top though, allowing MJF to grab his crotch and shout that Brandi can have a real man. A sunset bomb gets Boy out of trouble so here’s Wardlow to give MJF the big ring. MJF knocks him silly and the Double Cross finishes Boy at 11:49.

Rating: C. Boy continues to impress and MJF continues to be the best heel in wrestling today. The match wasn’t anything great but it accomplished everything it was supposed to be. Boy got to show off a little bit and MJF cheated to win to keep his momentum high going into Revolution. It might not have been a classic, but it was efficient and that’s a great sign.

Post match, Wardlow lays out Boy again.

Next week: Cody vs. Wardlow in a cage.

Pac can’t wait for his Iron Man match with Kenny Omega.

Next week: a tag team battle royal.

We look at the Inner Circle attacking Jon Moxley’s eye.

The Inner Circle is in the crowd.

Santana vs. Jon Moxley

Moxley comes in from the concourse and Chris Jericho isn’t happy. Santana jumps Moxley on the floor and the fight is on in a hurry with Moxley sending him into the barricade. They head inside for the opening bell but Moxley sends him right back outside for a top rope ax handle to the floor. Santana tries to send him eye first into the corner of the steps but settles for a baseball slide instead.

We take a break and come back with Moxley hitting a series of clotheslines into a release German suplex to drop Santana. A rolling cutter gives Santana his own two and he plants Moxley with a piledriver for the same. The top rope splash hits raised knees though and Moxley blasts him with another clothesline. Moxley goes up for a change but Ortiz spits booze into the good eye. Santana hits a frog splash for two but Moxley pokes him in the bad eye. The Paradigm Shift finishes Santana at 10:00.

Rating: B-. This was similar to the Rhodes vs. Guevara match in storytelling but a bit higher quality. Moxley has an issue with Santana after last week but it’s a glorified warmup before he gets to the match that he really wants. What we got was good though and Moxley keeps rolling towards Revolution.

Post match the Inner Circle runs in to destroy Moxley, including a 630 from Guevara and a Judas Effect from Jericho. Jeff Cobb comes out and hits the Tour of the Islands to end the show. So….why are they bringing in a power monster with amateur skills when the Inner Circle already has a power monster with amateur skills?

Overall Rating: A-. This was a heck of a show with some very good action and several Revolution matches being advanced. It’s the kind of show that they needed to have and the company is officially on a roll as we head towards Chicago. This was one of their better shows yet and that makes me more interested in where they’re going after the pay per view. Really good stuff this week.

Results

Kenny Omega/Hangman Page b. SCU – Buckshot lariat/V Trigger combination to Kazarian

Dustin Rhodes b. Sammy Guevara – Final Reckoning

Nyla Rose b. Riho – Beast Bomb

Maxwell Jacob Friedman b. Jungle Boy – Double Cross

Jon Moxley b. Santana – Paradigm Shift

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Monday Night Raw
Date: September 12, 2005
Location: Alltel Arena, Little Rock, Arkansas
Attendance: 4,500
Commentators: Jim Ross, Jonathan Coachman, Jerry Lawler

It’s the go home show for Unforgiven and the show isn’t looking all that great. They’ve set some things up but it feels very much like a B level show. John Cena vs. Kurt Angle for the World Title should be great but other than that, there doesn’t seem to be much to see. Let’s get to it.

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

Big Show vs. Edge

Lita is here with Edge. Show uses the wide hips to start and then lifts Edge up without much effort. For some reason Edge tries a wristlock and gets pulled up into the air for a crotching on top. Coach on Lita: “She knows what’s not coming in awhile.” Edge gets shoved away again and a tornado DDT attempt completely fails. The chokeslam is loaded up but Snitsky comes in for the fast DQ.

Matt Hardy, save, tag match.

Big Show/Matt Hardy vs. Edge/Snitsky

Show pulls Edge in to start and Matt hammers away as the fans are VERY pleased with what’s going on. A piledriver is countered with a backdrop but Matt is right back with a catapult into the corner. Show comes in for some choking but hands it straight back to Matt to hammer and kick away. A heck of a kick to the ribs knocks Edge off the corner and out to the floor as we take a break.

Back with Edge having damaged Matt’s already bad arm and pulling it down to keep him in trouble. Snitsky comes in for his assortment of stompings and Edge cranks on an armbar. A Russian legsweep gets Matt out of trouble as Lawler explains Lita’s, ahem, activities. The tag brings in Show, who takes Edge to the floor but misses a big boot over the barricade. That means Edge can briefcase him in the head, leaving Matt to take over on Snitsky. The middle rope legdrop connects but Lita grabs Matt’s leg. A low blow cuts Matt off and Edge hits the spear for the pin.

Rating: C-. The fans were into Matt and then he loses yet again to make sure that’s stomped out in a hurry. It’s fine for a story if Matt can get his big revenge but he lost the first match and then went to a draw in the second match. What is he supposed to get after being treated like that much of a loser?

Post match Lita hits Matt with a Twist of Fate.

Here’s Shawn Michaels for a chat. We look at him failing to break the Masterlock last week and getting busted open thanks to a chair shot in the process. People have been asking what Shawn was thinking because no one has been able to break the Masterlock. Then Shawn sat down and let Masters put his best hold on when the money wasn’t even on the line!

So why did he do it? He’s the Heartbreak Kid and he does things other people don’t. That’s why Chris Masters decided to bust his head open and at Unforgiven, he’ll find out that it was his big mistake. Shawn has become famous for taking things too far and Masters will have his hands full tonight with….and there’s a WOO. Ric Flair comes out and Shawn gets all shook up. Flair is ready to take down the 24 year old tonight and Shawn says there won’t be a Masterlock because Masters will be chewing on ten inches of shoe leather.

We recap Kurt Angle and Tyson Tomko attacking John Cena last week.

Shelton Benjamin vs. Kerwin White

Kerwin is in a collared shirt and khaki shorts but makes sure to put his other shirt on the turnbuckle for safe keeping. Shelton takes him down without any trouble to start and shrugs off a shoulder. A clothesline puts White on the floor but he’s right back in with a missile dropkick for two. White takes the hanger from the other shirt for a distraction and chokes with his regular shirt (JR: “What’s the referee doing? Remodeling the closet?”). Shelton is back with a Samoan drop and a heck of a backdrop. The Dragon Whip puts White on the floor but he uses the golf club for a DQ.

Rating: D+. Another week, another bad one for Shelton, whose career is falling apart before our eyes. The wrestling wasn’t too bad but White is stuck in a terrible gimmick while Shelton is in an even worse downward spiral. I’m not sure what the idea here is for either of them but that has never stopped WWE before.

A serious Kurt Angle is ready to destroy John Cena at Unforgiven and make things serious around here again. Cena has everything to lose because he’s never faced someone like Angle. The intensity was strong here.

Here are Torrie Wilson, Candice Michelle and Victoria for a chat so King busts out his Bod body spray. They’re been having fun with Ashley lately and would like her to come out here right now. Cue Ashley, but Torrie says that she has passed the initiation and can join her now. Ashley isn’t stupid enough to come to the ring and get jumped again, or at least not alone. This brings out the returning Trish Stratus so Lawler needs even more body spray. The beatdown is on in a hurry with only Torrie escaping. Trish hasn’t wrestled since April and I’m not sure how many people noticed she was gone. What does that tell you?

Ric Flair vs. Chris Masters

Masters goes with the power to start (makes sense) and throws in his own WOO. Oh dude you don’t do that. Flair does his own double bicep pose and it’s time for some chops. You don’t do that to a power guy (you would think Flair would learn) and it’s a gorilla press, followed by a second one to make it even worse. A suplex gives Masters two and we hit the choking.

Ever the cheater, Flair goes for the eye and drops Masters with a single chop. Since Flair never learns though, he gets slammed off the top with even Lawler pointing out that it’s a bad idea. It’s too early for the Masterlock so Masters settles for a clothesline to the floor instead. Flair pulls him to the floor though and there’s another poke to the eye so the chops can work again.

A side slam on the floor cuts that off though and we take a break. Back with Flair in a bearhug and hitting a backdrop (popular move tonight). The bearhug goes on again, with Masters kneeling down so Flair can bite the nose for the break. Masters throws it right back on, apparently immune to biting. Flair claps his hands around Masters’ ears for the break and it’s time to go after the leg. A bunch of kicks to the leg have Flair fired up and there’s the shinbreaker. The Figure Four goes on and here’s Carlito for the DQ.

Rating: C+. That’s Masters’ best match ever and while that might not be covering a lot of ground, I’ll take it over everything else I’ve seen him do. Imagine that: Flair is capable of bringing out the best in someone with little experience. They worked a simple formula here with Masters using the power and Flair trying to survive and slowly break him down. It’s not a classic, but Masters didn’t look lost, likely thanks to Flair.

Post match Shawn makes the save but Masters sends him shoulder first into the post and grabs the Masterlock.

Smackdown Rebound.

Lance Cade/Trevor Murdoch vs. Eugene/Tajiri

Tajiri and Murdoch start things off with Tajiri getting shoulder blocked. That earns Murdoch some kicks and a monkey flip so Cade has to calm things down. Eugene and Cade come in and it’s time to get wacky with a Junkyard Dog knee shake into an airplane spin. A drop toehold lets Eugene ride Cade around like a horse as we’re in full on comedy mode.

Murdoch comes back in for an atomic drop into a swinging neckbreaker as the fans are trying to stay in this. The slow beating continues as Coach and Lawler make fun of Oklahoma football. Eugene gets up some boots to stop a charge and a Stunner allows the tag to Tajiri. The rapid fire kicks set up the Tarantula with Murdoch having to make the save. A powerbomb into a top rope elbow finishes Tajiri.

Rating: C-. Cade and Murdoch are in a common group around here: technically sound but not that interesting. It’s the same case as Masters and Rob Conway, meaning Raw is fine from a wrestling standpoint but not something that gets your interest up. They’re fresh blood though and that’s something Raw has been needing for years now.

Lita and Edge are on the stage to talk about how resilient Matt Hardy is. The man won’t hold him down but the woman certainly will. Everything can change with a cruel Twist of Fate. Edge says Matt sounds like a preacher so welcome to the devil’s pulpit. Edge has taken everything from Matt so on Sunday, he’ll take Matt’s career too.

Unforgiven rundown.

John Cena comes in to see Eric Bischoff and says he’s done. He tried to come here and be controversial but he has nothing left and just wants to be part of the team. Cena hands over the title but pulls it back and calls Bischoff stupid for trying to take it. Quitting is bush league so bring on whatever he can.

John Cena vs. Kurt Angle/Tyson Tomko

Non-title. Angle heads to the floor for a distraction and Tomko gets in a cheap shot from behind as Bischoff comes out to watch. A cheap shot from behind cuts Cena off again and JR is in full on Vince/Steve Austin mode about how unfair all of this is. Cena gets in a side slam for two on Angle so it’s a rake to the eyes to slow Cena right back down. Angle distracts again and Tomko boots Cena in the face for a VERY delayed one.

Back from a break with Angle stomping away in the corner and grabbing the chinlock. Tomko gets two off a powerslam but Cena pops up with a middle rope shoulder for a breather. The referee checks on Tomko though, allowing Angle to snap off a German suplex. That’s fine with the referee, making me wonder what the point was in the distraction.

Tomko knees Cena in the ribs and Angle gets two off a belly to belly. Cena fights out of the chinlock and drops Angle before loading up the FU on Tomko. That’s broken up with a German suplex (with Cena still holding Tomko because Angle can just do that) and Angle rolls a few more for a bonus. Tomko boots Angle down by mistake though and it’s the FU to put Tomko away.

Rating: C. It’s a house show main event style match and that’s fine for a way to wrap up the night. Angle not being involved in the finish is the only way to go and Cena looks strong when he’s defending the title as an underdog. The booking makes sense and it was as good as Tomko could have been in this spot.

Post match Angle beats Cena up again, including cranking on his arm, hitting some Angle Slams and wrapping the leg around the post. Bischoff gets in Cena’s face to shout about being better and promising to take everything from Cena.

Overall Rating: C+. The wrestling wasn’t great here but they did a solid job of setting up Unforgiven. If nothing else, they managed to make Shawn vs. Masters seem like a match that I might want to see. It’s still a B show pay per view, but at least they worked with what they had. Hopefully we get a good pay per view out of the whole thing, but you never can tell with a show like this.

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

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

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

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

I’m heading back to the show this year and now I have all of my tickets taken care of.  It’s not as packed this year as I’ll be doing eight shows plus WrestleCon and Axxess.  The major perk is I’m flying in this time so there won’t be a three day period where I’m recovering and trying to catch up on everything.  Here’s what I’ll be taking in:

April 2 Thursday

8pm – WrestleCon SuperShow

April 3 Friday

12pm – Evolve 149

3pm – Body Guy Spectacular

8pm – Smackdown

April 4 Saturday

9am – WrestleCon

3pm – WrestleCon Worldwide

7pm – Takeover: Tampa

April 5 Sunday

1pm – 4pm WrestleMania Pre-Party

5pm – Wrestlemania XXXVI

April 6 Monday

1pm – 5pm – Axxess

8pm – Monday Night Raw

I wish I could make the New Japan show but I don’t get into town until about forty minutes before it starts and the airport is about 20 minutes from my hotel.

IMG Credit: AEW

Dark
Date: February 11, 2020
Location: Von Braun Center, Huntsville, Alabama
Commentators: Tazz, Excalibur
Host: Tony Schiavone

This show continues to be all over the place and that is rather interesting at times. You never can tell what to expect on something like this and that’s one of the best things about it. Hopefully it’s a bit shorter than last week, which was longer than a show like this needs to be. Let’s get to it.

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

Tony runs down the card.

Riho vs. Shoko Nakajima

Non-title. They go with the technical stuff to start with Nakajima grabbing a headlock to little avail. A dropkick puts Nakajima down but she’s able to send Riho out side for a suicide dive. Back in and a cravate with knees to the head rock Riho some more, setting up a running basement Blockbuster. Nakajima pulls on both arms at once but Riho rolls through into a double stomp.

Riho misses a 619 so Nakajima tries and misses her own, only to keep swinging to hit a second attempt for a cool spot. They slug it out until Nakajima grabs a guillotine, only to get reversed into a northern lights suplex for two. A top rope double stomp gets two on Nakajima and it’s off to a pinfall reversal sequence for two each. Nakajima misses a top rope backsplash, allowing Riho to hit a running knee to the face for the pin at 7:32.

Rating: B-. The action was pretty good but Nakajima is the latest name added to a long list of women who aren’t all that interesting in the first place. The biggest problem continues to be we know nothing about them and there is little that sets them apart other than their name and their gear. Yes the action can carry them, but they are going to need something else.

Jimmy Havoc vs. Sonny Kiss

Havoc takes him to the mat to start and Sonny can’t spin out of a wristlock. A quick reversal into a sunset flip gives Kiss two and he takes Havoc down with a hurricanrana. The handspring splash just annoys Havoc so he knocks Kiss down in the corner. They fight to the floor with Kiss chopping the post by mistake, allowing Havoc to bend the arm around the turnbuckle.

Back in and we hit the armbar on Kiss, followed by a suplex to send him into the corner for two. A Death Valley Driver gets two and we hit the Fujiwara armbar to keep Kiss in trouble. That’s broken up and Kiss hits a one armed belly to belly, plus a front flip kick to the ribs for two. Kiss tries a Matrix but hurts his arm, setting up Havoc’s cross armbreaker, with the finger being bent back to make Kiss tap at 10:01.

Rating: C. I was shocked by the fact that the arm actually played into the finish and that’s a good thing. It’s the kind of a finish that you don’t get very often and I’m glad to see them doing something like that for a change. Nice enough match and I’m not sure what Havoc is doing next, but I’m not sure I even remembered him being around.

Dr. Luther seems to threaten Jimmy Havoc.

Here’s where Dynamite is coming.

Hikaru Shida vs. Cassandra Golden

Golden is taller and grabs a headlock to start. Shida’s shoulder has no effect and Golden throws her down by the hair. A whip into the corner gets two but Shida manages a backbreaker. Golden is right back with a much bigger side slam and a Vader Bomb gets a deep cover for two. This time it’s Shida coming back with a running forearm and a missile dropkick puts Golden down. She isn’t down long though as she is right back up with a running enziguri and a Falcon Arrow. Shida is fine enough to hit a running knee (popular move around here) for the pin at 6:29.

Rating: C-. Golden was impressive enough here and Shida has already proven herself. I got more out of Golden than I did Nakajima earlier, if nothing else because she stood out a bit more. We got a good enough match here but it’s nothing overly memorable, which is fine enough on a show like this one.

Dark Order vs. Jurassic Express

Jungle Boy/Marko Stunt here while Alex Reynolds and John Silver are out with the Order. Stunt avoids a charge from Grayson to start and hits a springboard bulldog. That just earns Stunt a running elbow to the face so it’s off to Jungle Boy for a hiptoss. A basement superkick has Grayson in trouble and it’s Uno coming in for an elbow to the face. Uno hits a Swanton for two more and Grayson adds a spinebuster for the same.

Boy tries to fight up but gets his back raked to take him down again. A slingshot hilo to the apron keeps Boy down and there’s a t-bone suplex to make it worse. The Fatality is broken up though and it’s Stunt coming back in for the dodging disguised as offense. A tornado DDT plants Uno as everything breaks down.

Boy hits a suicide dive on Silver and Reynolds, followed by a Samoan drop for two on Uno. Grayson gets caught in a bridging German suplex so Uno slams Stunt onto him for the save. Uno tells Boy to stop and then punches him in the face before Grayson catches Stunt’s super hurricanrana. That means Stunt can be thrown at Uno for a sitout powerbomb and now the Fatality is good for the pin at 9:45.

Rating: C. I’m not sure on having a THIS IS AWESOME during this one but at least they had some fast paced action at times and Stunt took the fall. It’s amazing how much more interesting the Dark Order is when they’re not talking and how much less intimidating they are when Uno is one of the focal points. Grayson looks fine but Uno looks like an indy guy who stumbled in here. Fix that and you might have something.

Post match the Dark Order goes after Boy but here are Luchasaurus and SCU for the save. Posing ends the show.

Overall Rating: C+. The wrestling is what mattered here and we had a nice enough night. Couple that with the show being shorter than last week and the lack of a match being shot with a handheld camera and this was an upgrade. They had a decent enough variety this week and I liked what we got well enough. This show is going to be built entirely around the wrestling and this week’s was better than most so call it a good one.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit; National Wrestling Alliance

Powerrr
Date: February 11, 2020
Location: GPB Studios, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Joe Galli, Stu Bennett

We’re heading towards the Crockett Cup and we might have a bit of a change in the main event. This past Sunday saw the NWA come to Ring of Honor’s Free Enterprise event, where the terms for the NWA World Title match were confirmed. There was a new idea thrown out and I’m sure we’ll cover that this week. Let’s get to it.

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

Sean Mooney tells us to subscribe.

Opening sequence.

Dawsons vs. Bouncers

Eddie Kingston is here with the Bouncers, Pope is here with the Dawsons, Eli Drake is on commentary and a rowdy James Storm is behind trio to offer some shenanigans. Beer City Bruiser rams into Zane to start, followed by a clothesline to put Zane down. Brian (not Brawler here) comes in and doesn’t care for Dave chopping him that much. Some rapid fire Stink Faces from Milonas set up Bruiser’s non-bite bite (he doesn’t have teeth so it’s not really biting).

Bruiser gets taken into the corner though and the beatdown is on with the Dawsons getting to take turns on him. A double clothesline gets Bruiser out of trouble though and it’s back to Milonas to clean some house. The managers nearly get in a fight on the floor, allowing the Dawsons to powerbomb Milonas off the ropes for two. Not that it matters though as Milonas is right back with a superplex into a frog splash from Bruiser (the Blackout) for the pin on Zane at 5:16.

Rating: D+. I like the Bouncers but this wasn’t the right kind of match for them. They work well because they’re so much bigger than just about anyone they face but this was the opposite, which hurt them a good bit. It’s nice to have a fresh team around here though as the partnership with ROH pays some benefits.

Post match, Drake and Storm drink out of the Crockett Cup.

We’ll find out the date and the location of the Crockett Cup next week. If it’s not Center Stage in Atlanta, I don’t know what to tell you.

We see Nick Aldis challenging Marty Scurll to come up with his own counteroffer for the World Title match.

Thom Latimer is asked about his upcoming match with Tim Storm, which could put him in line for a World Title match. He isn’t interested in going after the title because that’s Strictly Business. Oh and the Wild Cards will get the Tag Team Titles back. Kamille teases slapping Dave Marquez but pats his jaw instead.

Thom Latimer vs. Tim Storm

Rating: C. I know I’ve said this before but if this incarnation of the NWA gets credit for nothing else, they should get credit for making Tim Storm into a star. Storm is nearly fifty five years old and has no business being a big deal. The NWA has turned him into a hero the fans can believe in though and that’s downright impressive.

Post match here’s the fake Mama Storm, who Storm manages to not deck.

We look back at Trevor Murdoch vs. Aron Stevens going to a time limit draw but Trevor pinned him after the match was over.

Murdoch wants a rematch because he is the roughest and toughest man to wrestle in the NWA. He didn’t get the TV or National Title, but here’s Question Mark to sing the Mongrovian National Anthem. A challenge seems to be made and accepted.

It’s time for an Update with Sean Mooney (sweet goodness it’s nice to say that again, though sweeter gooderness it’s weird hearing him talk about Ring of Honor). We see a clip of the end of Free Enterprise with Marty Scurll offering to put up $500,000 for a title shot.

There is no Powerrr next week, as we will see the debut of Squared Circle, the new reality series.

Nikita Koloff wants to tell you about Jesus. Fair enough.

TV Title: Matt Cross vs. Ricky Starks

Starks is defending. They fight over a wristlock to start with Starks taking him to the mat in a chinlock. The fans get behind Starks as they get back up, with Starks running him over off a shoulder. Cross is back with a backbreaker for two and now the fans are split. A handspring elbow in the corner gets two on Starks and it’s time to fight over a suplex. Starks gets the better of it but we have less than a minute to go. Starks gets two more off a DDT but Cross is right back with the Cross Cutter as time expires at 6:05.

Rating: C+. The time limit is an interesting idea as you can rarely do anything special in that little amount of time (made even worse with the first gear starting) but it makes sense for this show. Starks is someone who suits the match well enough, but there are possibilities with a heel running away to retain the title over and over. Nice enough match here though, with both guys working in their limited time.

Video on Thunder Rosa retaining the Women’s Title last week over Allysin Kay.

Melina vs. Tasha Steelz

Melina isn’t into shaking hands to start so Steelz hammers her in the face. That earns her a boot and clothesline to the jaw and Melina starts kicking in the corner. A running faceplant gives Melina two but Steelz is back up with some elbows to the jaw. There’s a jawbreaker to rock Melina again but she clotheslines Steelz’s head off. The Primal Scream finishes Steelz at 4:48.

Rating: D+. Nothing to see here as the women’s division continues to not be all that great. Melina is the biggest name in the division by several miles though and putting her against Thunder Rosa for the title is what makes the most sense. She isn’t exactly her old self in the ring but the star power is more than enough to keep her around at this level for the time being.

Post match Melina demands a title shot and she has sanctioned it herself.

Royce Isaacs/Nick Aldis vs. Rock N Roll Express

Sal Rinauro and Mae Valentine are in the crowd. The fans are behind the Express as Isaacs and Gibson get things going. Isaacs is all shaken up by Valentine being out there with Rinauro though and Aldis has to calm him down. That doesn’t go so well though as Gibson grabs the leg and brings in Morton. Gibson works on the leg again and even draws Aldis in so Morton can make the switch without a tag.

Aldis does come in legally but gets taken down by a Morton hurricanrana to get under his skin. Isaacs gets knocked outside again but he’s fine enough to choke Morton on the ropes to take over. Aldis comes in for a cheap shot to give Isaacs two and then comes in to hammer on Morton as well. A missed charge lets Morton make the hot tag to Gibson though (the amount of times that has been done over the years) and house is cleaned in a hurry. During the melee, Isaacs pokes Gibson in the eye and rolls him up for the pin with his feet on the ropes at 7:21.

Rating: C. The Express’ matches have to be on a bit of a sliding scale as there is only so much they can do in the ring but at least they had a good enough one here. It gives the heels a win and keeps the story going if they want to go there, while also keeping things moving with Rinauro vs. Isaacs.

Post match Isaacs leaves with Valentine.

A video on Scurll vs. Aldis ends the show.

Roll credits.

Overall Rating: C-. I can always appreciate a short show that manages to get a lot of stuff into their limited time. That was the case here and even thought hey didn’t get that much high quality stuff, it was at least entertaining and gave us some nice moments. Maybe having next week off can help things out a bit, though I’m not exactly feeling the idea of a reality series. Are they really that far along yet?

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

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

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

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