IMG Credit: WWE

Bash at the Beach 1995
Date: July 16, 1995
Location: Huntington Beach, California
Attendance: 9,500
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Bobby Heenan

This is a pretty unique show as it is literally on a beach (and bashing is implied). The wrestling might be hit or miss, but it’s one of the coolest visuals you’ll see and that’s the kind of thing that WWE never does these days. Mixing things up a lot can help and when you have a double main event of Ric Flair vs. Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan defending the World Title against Vader in a cage, we should be fine in the first place. Let’s get to it.

The opening video looks at the main events, while also serving as a Slim Jim commercial.

Video on Meng, who has quite the match on this show as well. Meng is ready to destroy anyone in front of him to defend his honor.

Sting is all fired up to be in his hometown and his parents are in the front row. That’s a death sentence in the WWF but maybe he can survive here.

US Title: Sting vs. Meng

Sting is defending in a rematch from Great American Bash when he beat Meng in a tournament final to become champion. Meng has Colonel Robert Parker with him. Sting has to avoid the strikes to start and drives him into the corner with a test of strength. With that not working so well, they slug it out until Meng yells at him. Meng powers him into the corner and fires off some shoulders to the ribs. Choking ensues to put Sting down and a legdrop gets two.

Back up and they fight over a suplex as they’re in a cross between first and second gear. A shot to the face just annoys Meng and you can see the reality setting in for Sting. Meng knocks him down again but misses the middle rope splash, meaning it’s time for the early Scorpion Deathlock attempt. Sting actually gets it over but Parker’s distraction breaks it up because, as usual, Sting is really stupid.

The distraction lets Meng hit some backbreakers, followed by a knee in the back while pulling on the legs. That’s switched into the abdominal stretch but Sting fights up and gets two off a sunset flip. A double knockdown gives us a bit of a breather until Meng grabs something like a Boston crab. Heenan: “But we’re not near Boston so it’s just a crab.”

Sting makes the rope and comes back with a belly to back suplex to start the comeback. A chop block into a Thesz press gets two, followed by a middle rope spinning crossbody for the same. The Stinger Splash is kicked out of the air though and Meng hits the middle rope splash for two. Back up and Meng misses a running kick to the face, allowing Sting to grab a quick rollup for the pin at 15:31.

Rating: C. Sting knows how to fight a monster and that’s what he had going on here. It wasn’t exactly a great match and I’m not sure how much drama there was over the idea of Meng winning the title, but Sting slaying a monster is going to work every time. It’s almost weird to see Sting as a midcard guy, but he’s going to bring credibility to the title and that’s a good idea.

Post match Meng jumps him again but here’s Road Warrior Hawk for the save as Tony and Bobby argue about the speed of the count.

Jimmy Hart says every wrestling magazine is talking about the Renegade (No Jimmy, they’re not. For those of you lucky enough to not remember, Renegade was as blatant of a ripoff character as you could get, looking and moving like the Ultimate Warrior, with Hulk Hogan even calling him the ULTIMATE surprise when he debuted. The problem was he made Warrior look like Lou Thesz, turning it into one of the more infamously terrible WCW ideas, if that is possible.), who says Hart has programmed him to terminate on sight. Gene Okerlund thinks the California heat has gotten to them.

TV Title: Paul Orndorff vs. Renegade

Renegade is defending and they start fast with Orndorff knocking him down early. A knee to the ribs sets up a knee to the face but Orndorff stops to yell at Hart. That means Renegade can get a boot up to stop Orndoff coming off the top (with the sole purpose of diving into a raised boot) and hit a clothesline to the floor. Tony says that could get some sand on Orndorff’s skin, with Heenan saying it could also break his ankle. These two have very different perspectives on injury risks.

Renegade pulls him back in by the head and then drops Orndorff face first on the mat. We hit the headlock and even that looks awkward, as Renegade just does not look comfortable out there. A running dropkick sends Orndorff outside again and this time it’s a handful of sand to blind Renegade. Some shots to the face keep Renegade in trouble and Orndorff hits hits own dropkick (Tony: “And that was a good one fans.”).

The piledriver is broken up with a backdrop though and the comeback is on, including another awful dropkick. There’s a powerslam but Renegade isn’t sure what to do next so Orndorff throws him outside instead. Back in and Renegade reverses a belly to back suplex into one of his own for the pin to retain at 6:08. Orndorff’s shoulder may have been up but anything to get out of here is a good idea at this point.

Rating: D-. I’ve liked Orndorff more after I watch him over the years but DANG he was fighting a losing battle here. At the end of the day, there was no reason for Renegade to be here other than he looked like Ultimate Warrior. The match was horrible because Renegade is so bad and there is no way around it. This shouldn’t have been on pay per view, but that has never stopped WCW before.

Post match Orndorff gives him the piledriver but Renegade pops up and hits a high crossbody.

We see how Kamala was introduced to the Dungeon of Doom as Taskmaster’s latest soldier against Hulk Hogan. Apparently he has walked the Sahara and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. Yet he still can’t find shoes.

Jim Duggan is ready for Kamala because it’s no more Mr. Nice Guy. Have we flashed back to Mid-South?

Jim Duggan vs. Kamala

Choking sets up a bearhug but Duggan uses the power of stomping on bare toes for the break. Kamala goes with the chest claw (as stupid as it sounds) but Duggan is right back with a slam. Duggan goes after Sullivan though, allowing Zodiac to come in with Kamala’s mask to knock Duggan silly and give Kamala the pin at 6:06.

Rating: D. This was a way to introduce Kamala but that makes you realize that you are having to meet Kamala in 1995. I’m not sure how good of an idea that is, but at the same time I’m one of the few who liked the Dungeon of Doom. This stuff felt so out of place and Duggan as one of Hogan’s proxy fighters wasn’t quite enough to make a lot of people care. It would make for a good indy match, but not exactly on a major pay per view.

Randy Savage (I want that Slim Jim shirt) is ready to end things with Ric Flair and wants those lifeguards to keep Ric Flair in person. He’s from Florida and we’re in California but the beach is what matters.

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Dave Sullivan

Page has Max Muscle (I think you can figure him out) and Kimberly (his pretty manager) with him. Dave Sullivan (with Ralph the Rabbit) is Kevin’s nitwit brother and one of the all time worst wrestlers to be on a big stage. A kid gives Kimberly some flowers so Page destroys them, because he’s quite the jealous guy (as he should be because he doesn’t have much going for himself, outside of winning $13 million in a Bingo game, because WCW was weird).

That’s enough to have Sullivan run to the ring and jump Page as the beating is on early. An atomic drop into a running clothesline keeps Page in trouble but Sullivan stops to wave at Kimberly). Page gets in a few cheap shots but charges into the bearhug. That’s broken up as well so Dave hammers away with his right hand/clothesline offense. The inverted bearhug (Dave lifts him up for a piledriver and squeezes, making it an inverted waistlock instead of a bearhug) goes on but Max gets on the apron for a distraction, allowing Page to hit the Diamond Cutter for the pin at 4:22.

Rating: D. Yeah what were you expecting here? Dave Sullivan is one of the worst mainstream performers you’ll see in recorded history and you could see that on display here. It doesn’t help that this was before Page got good, but he was certainly trying and improving, eventually setting up one of the most improbable main event runs of all time. Anyway, horrible match, but when you’re flat out copying George Steele/Randy Savage/Elizabeth, what are you expecting?

Sister Sherri says she and Harlem Heat are ready for the Blue Bloods and the Nasty Boys in the triangle match. Harlem Heat is ready too and rant accordingly. This is back when a triple threat was a pretty rare concept so there is some actual intrigue here.

Tag Team Titles: Blue Bloods vs. Nasty Boys vs. Harlem Heat

Harlem Heat is defending, the Blue Bloods are Robert (Bobby Eaton)/Steven (William) Regal and this has some weird rules. There is a coin toss to determine which teams start and it’s one fall to a finish, but you can be eliminated via DQ and turn it into a regular tag match. In one of the most “because WCW” moments in recent memory, they all flip the coins, but they have to do it again because they’re all heads. So yes, WCW couldn’t manage to rig/lie about A COIN TOSS WHERE YOU DON’T SEE THE COINS without having to try it again.

Booker and Knobbs start but it’s a brawl in just a few seconds because of course it is. Regal takes the Pit Stop and sells it as only he can, falling all the way outside. There’s another to send Eaton outside again and we settle down to Booker kicking Knobbs in the face. Regal tags himself in and stomps on Booker, who takes him down without much effort. The spinning kick to the face keeps Regal in trouble and it’s Eaton coming in, only to get backdropped down.

It’s off to Sags for a legdrop between the legs but Booker is up to forearm Regal as the fast tags continue. Tony points out the lack of logic in tagging another team in as the Nastys hit a double shoulder for two on Booker. Regal comes in to strike away on Stevie but then tags Sags in, causing Heenan to say the Blue Bloods don’t understand the match.

The Blue Bloods start taking turns on Stevie but again Regal tags Knobbs in, completely missing the point. Knobbs hits a splash for two with Regal making the save, earning some rarely deserved praise from Tony. Booker comes back in for a knee to Knobbs and then hands it right back to Stevie for a knee of his own. The Blue Bloods take over on Knobbs again as Heenan gets confused on the rules again.

Stevie gets to choke on Knobbs in the corner but Regal tags himself in to break up the ax kick from Booker. Knobbs sits down on Regal’s chest to break up the sunset flip attempt and everything breaks down again. Booker gets backdropped onto Regal and Knobbs adds a splash to give Sags the pin….on Booker, who is on Regal, meaning Harlem Heat retains at 13:09.

Rating: D+. They were trying something different here but at the end of the day, the teams seemed to get confused by the rules here and it was a big mess as a result. That being said, the ending was creative and I’ll take that over something that is done over and over again. They really needed to tighten up on the execution to make it work, but there was only so much you were going to be able to do with these three teams all at once.

Post match Sherri yells about how great Harlem Heat is and the team agrees. They aren’t worried about Bunkhouse Buck and Dick Slater either.

Commentary talks about the upcoming match while everything is set up.

Ric Flair talks about how Elizabeth left Savage for him (Gene: “Did she go to Space Mountain?”) and now it’s time for Savage to understand what is going on (as we copy another WWF story). Flair is ready to make the girls in California cry again.

Some Baywatch women come to the ring so Heenan gets on his chair for a better look.

Ric Flair vs. Randy Savage

This is a Lifeguard match, meaning Lumberjack. You can tell Savage is serious here because he’s throwing out Slim Jims. Savage punches him down to start and hammers away as commentary keeps talking about Savage’s dad being in attendance. Flair gets sent outside and the lumberjacks are already getting in a fight over throwing him back in. An atomic drop out of the corner lets Flair chop away before sending Savage outside. The same kind of shoving match ensues but Savage sends him into the buckle a few times back inside.

The Flair Flip into the corner is enough for a trip to the floor but Flair is back inside in a hurry. Savage is sent to the apron, where he suplexes Flair over the top and back outside (near the sand for a change, which Tony thinks could be a problem). Back in again and Flair gets in a thumb to the eye, setting up an elbow to the face. The sleeper goes on until Savage sends him into the corner for the break.

Flair sends him outside for a few cheap shots and it’s time to go for the leg. To really mix it up, Flair grabs the leg, goes to the middle rope, and flips forward to snap the leg (never seen him do it before or since). It’s enough to set up the Figure Four with Savage finally managing to turn it over. Flair gets two off a suplex but Savage is right back with right hands in the corner. Savage sends him outside with the lifeguards having to catch Flair from trying to escape.

There’s the top rope ax handle to the head but Savage has to knock Arn Anderson off the apron. Flair gets sent over the top and the referee is distracted, allowing Arn to come in with the DDT. That’s good for two, as is Savage’s backslide. Flair is slammed off the top and there’s another ax handle to the head. Savage heads up top again and does the fingers in the air (with the huge crowd and ocean behind him for a REALLY cool visual) for the elbow and the clean pin at 13:57.

Rating: B-. Savage vs. Flair is always worth a look but this was a pretty paint by numbers version of the match. The lumberjacks didn’t do much of anything aside from the Arn DDT, making it more of a gimmick than anyway else. It felt big because of who was in it, but there are roughly 14 better versions of this match available.

Post match Savage hugs one of the Baywatch women, who manages to not be physically ill on camera.

Video on Vader’s Road Kill Tour, which has involved him destroying everyone on the way to a cage match against Hulk Hogan here. More paint by numbers stuff, but it’s Hogan vs. a monster in a cage. Why mess with what works?

Vader breaks various things and promises to show Hogan who the man is, because Vader fears nothing. While Hogan was out there tanning on the beach, Vader was growing up in the toughest parts of Los Angeles and there is nowhere for Hogan to hide. Vader was extra fired up here.

Commentary hypes up the main event, with Tony calling Heenan a blathering idiot.

Video on Collision In Korea, which is almost hard to fathom these days.

Hulk Hogan, with Jimmy Hart and Dennis Rodman, talks about how they were looking for people to beat up last night. Now it’s time to make Woodstock look like a backyard barbecue while he throws Vader over the top of the cage. Uh, you can win by escape here Hulk. Rodman is going to be guarding the cage door.

WCW World Title: Vader vs. Hulk Hogan

Hogan is defending in a cage and I’ll never not be a bit disturbed by Vader’s helmet. It’s pin/submission/escape to win here. Hogan goes right for him to start and the right hands in the corner have Vader in early trouble. The fans are into the counting here as Hogan can’t elbow him down. They both block rams into the cage and slug it out with Vader getting the better of things and sending him into the steel first.

Hogan sends him face first into the big helmet and then puts it on (Blasphemous!) for a disturbing visual. With that nonsense out of the way, Hogan rips at his face, only to be sent into the cage. The Vader Bomb gets no cover so Vader does it again for the near fall. There’s another ram into the cage and a release suplex drops Hogan again. Vader goes for the door but gets sent into the cage, only to knee Hogan in the head. The top rope backsplash (that’s a new one) misses but Hogan falls down on a slam attempt to give Vader two.

The chinlock goes on and Jimmy Hart instantly goes into cheerleader mode, as he is known to do. Hogan fights up and hits the slam, only to hurt his back. Vader’s middle rope splash gets two and it’s time to Hulk Up. Hogan isn’t having any of these forearms to the back or a ram to the cage, as Heenan is all “oh here we go again”. Vader is sent into the cage over and over and it’s a big boot….as Kevin Sullivan and Zodiac come out. Rodman dispatches them in a hurry as Hogan drops a pair of legs. That’s not enough for Hogan to escape (oh come on) so Hogan knocks him off the top and escapes at 13:13.

Rating: C-. This was as by the book of a Hogan cage match as you were going to get and there was absolutely no drama to the whole thing. Hogan beating a giant is one thing but could they at least make you believe the title was in the slightest bit of jeopardy? That being said, there is a reason that this formula worked so well for so long and the match wasn’t horrible, with the unique setting helping a lot.

Heenan is disgusted as the show ends….in theory at least, as Flair comes into the ring to yell at Vader. Tony isn’t sure if we’re still on the air as Arn Anderson has to come int o save Flair. Vader chases them both off without much trouble and shouts that Flair needs to stay out of his business.

Commentary recaps the cage match and post match shenanigans to wrap things up.

Roll credits.

Overall Rating: D. The two main events were upgrades, but there is a reason that this is such a dark period for WCW. The wrestling wasn’t very good, the stories were about as basic as you could get, and nothing is worth seeing. At least the visual was really cool though as going somewhere else for a special show like this does help. It was clear that they needed to change something up here though as this was a really rough one to sit through.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Smackdown
Date: December 4, 2020
Location: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

TLC is now later this month and that means it is time to start putting the card together. The big story coming out of last week would seem to be Kevin Owens as the next challenger for Roman Reigns and the Universal Title, but the question is what kind of a match will they be having. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with the roster on the stage and Michael Cole talking about how important Pat Patterson was to WWE and wrestling as a whole. We get the ten bell salute and everyone is rather silent in a nice moment.

Opening sequence.

Kayla Braxton is in the ring and gives Roman Reigns a huge introduction, including listing off all of his accomplishments. This brings Reigns, Jey Uso and Paul Heyman to the ring, with Heyman showing Braxton how to properly do the introduction. Braxton brings up Jey Uso going nuts last week and we see a clip of Reigns talking about how Jey lost at Survivor Series because his team didn’t respect him and therefore didn’t respect his family.

Therefore, Jey attacked Otis and Kevin Owens, with the latter fighting back and saying that he is ready to face Reigns. Back in the arena, Braxton asks if Reigns is scared of Owens because Reigns wouldn’t fight last week. Reigns says she has failed at her first question on the biggest night of her career. Michael Cole could have done this job. The next question is about Reigns possibly using Jey Uso, so Reigns has Heyman talk about how successful Uso has been over the last few weeks, even drawing higher ratings than usual.

Cue Kevin Owens (with either new music or bad acoustics) to say he wants to face Reigns but Jey gets in his face. Owens says he wants to face the head of the table instead of a bus boy. Since Reigns is the head of the table, let’s get a table, a ladder and some chairs in the ring and put that title on the line. Jey is ready to go right now but Reigns calms him down.

Reigns says he accepts, but we’re not doing it right now because there is a lady in the ring and he isn’t a savage. Reigns tells Owens to grow up and leaves with everyone else. Owens says he’ll grow up with Reigns grows some testicles. Reigns pauses for a few seconds and then keeps walking without looking back.

Post break Jey apologizes for overstepping his bounds but Reigns says he’s got this. Owens will face the consequences.

Bayley vs. Natalya

Bianca Belair is on commentary. Bayley takes Natalya into the ropes to start and goes outside to yell at Belair. The running dropkick underneath the ropes takes Natalya down but Bayley goes to yell at Belair again, earning herself a whip into the steps as we take a break. Back with Bayley ducking the discus lariat but getting rolled up for two. Bayley sends her into the corner but misses a charge into the corner, with her knee getting banged up in the process. The Sharpshooter goes on and Bayley….taps at 6:04? Really? Not enough shown to rate but that was a rather surprising ending.

We see some tweets to Pat Patterson, including a rather touching one from Vince McMahon.

Cole and Graves introduce the Pat Patterson tribute video, with the original Intercontinental Title at ringside (good looking belt).

We get the Pat Patterson tribute video, set to Patterson singing My Way, his signature song.

Rey Mysterio/Big E./Daniel Bryan vs. Sami Zayn/Shinsuke Nakamura/Dolph Ziggler

The current and five former Intercontinental Champions as this is the Pat Patterson Tribute Match. Nakamura can’t do much with Big E. to start so it’s off to Ziggler, who is powered into the corner without much effort. Bryan comes in to work on the arm and takes Zayn out with a suicide dive for a bonus. Back in and Bryan goes up top, only to get dropkicked down by Ziggler as we take a break.

We come back with Bryan finally getting away from Ziggler in the corner and diving over for the hot tag to Big E. House is cleaned in a hurry, including suplexes to Nakamura and Ziggler. Big E. sends Zayn into the corner but misses a charge into the post. Mysterio tags himself in and hits a top rope sunset flip for two but the wheelbarrow bulldog is countered into the Blue Thunder Bomb (sweet) for two more. Ziggler comes back in so it’s back to Bryan for the running dropkick in the corner.

The YES Kicks rock Ziggler but he’s right back with a superkick for two of his own. Rey dives in to take out Nakamura, only to get pulled down to the floor. Zayn tags himself in behind Ziggler’s back so Bryan’s running knee to Ziggler gets no count. The surprise rollup gets two on Bryan, who is right back with the YES Lock on Zayn, who gets his foot on the rope for the break. They trade rollups for two each until Bryan grabs the small package for the pin at 11:25.

Rating: B-. Action packed match here with a bunch of wrestling moves, which is the kind of tribute match that should be taking place for a Pat Patterson tribute. This worked very well and I had a good time with it, but what matters here is paying tribute to Patterson, who certainly deserves it. Another Bryan vs. Zayn match sounds nice too.

Post match the villains offer another fight but Ziggler gets left alone. Ziggler offers a bunch of alliances but gets a Patterson atomic drop from Bryan. After a long time falling, Ziggler slips into the 619 position and the Big Ending leaves him laying.

Kevin Owens talks about how he used to look up to Roman Reigns, who never looked down on people. He was one of the boys but now everything has changed. Maybe Paul Heyman got in his head or maybe Reigns talked himself into being this way. Owens has done some horrible things but he has tried to change. Kalisto of all people interrupts and, after giving him a compliment on his fedora, Owens calls Reigns an arrogant….he can’t say the word because he’ll upset FOX. It’s two syllables that starts with an A and Owens hums it instead. Otis comes in and says they’re ready to run over Uso and Reigns tonight. Sounds good to Owens.

We get a sitdown split screen interview between Carmella and Sasha Banks. Carmella mocks Banks’ catchphrases and nicknames but Banks says she’s ready to fight right now. Cole brings up Carmella saying she used to be like Banks, which makes Banks like. Carmella wishes she could be like Banks, sending Carmella into a laugh about not needing to be a Nicki Minaj wannabe.

Banks talks about Carmella needing help to get everywhere she can, including latching on to the guy with no chin and then R-Truth. Carmella says she’s the one who walked into the Performance Center and then became a star. Now the hot chick is going to take Banks’ title. Banks makes the challenge for TLC and we seem to be set.

King Corbin vs. Murphy

The Mysterio Family is here with Murphy so Corbin brings out too unnamed lackeys in hoods. Corbin tosses Murphy out of the corner to start and then pulls him over the top for a toss into the middle. Murphy comes back with some shots to the face and sends Corbin outside for a dropkick through the ropes. A kick to the face from the apron drops Corbin again but the lackeys’ distraction lets Corbin throw him hard over the barricade.

We take a break and come back with Corbin hitting Deep Six as Graves identifies the men as Wesley Blake and Steve Cutler, formerly of the Forgotten Sons (not mentioned of course). Corbin punches Murphy down in a hurry but Murphy is back with a quick chinlock of all things. Back up and Murphy hits a quick dropkick, followed by the jumping knee to the floor. Cutler and Blake get in a fight with the Mysterios and Corbin uses the melee to catch Murphy in the End of Days for the pin at 10:04.

Rating: C-. The wrestling wasn’t much and I’m not thrilled on Murphy losing, but it does make me feel better to see Cutler and Blake back. They never had much of a chance to get over on their own on Smackdown and then their careers were derailed because of what their partner said at the wrong time. At least they are getting their chance here and the two of them as lackeys is as good as anything else they could get at the moment.

The Street Profits hype up the main event but Robert Roode comes up to talk about last week’s loss. Cesaro is here as well though and says he and Shinsuke Nakamura are the real team around here. A lot of yelling ensues.

Otis/Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns/Jey Uso

There is no Reigns to start so Jey has to go it alone. Otis wastes no time in blasting Uso with a clothesline, only to miss a charge into the post. Owens comes in and gets caught in a Samoan drop so here are Reigns and Heyman to even things up. An enziguri puts them both down again and it’s Reigns coming in with a Superman Punch to drop Otis. Reigns isn’t done and he sends Otis into the announcers’ table, the post and the steps.

Just to make it worse, Reigns picks up the steps and CRUSHES Otis over and over. Owens tries to make the save but Jey takes him down as well as we take a break. Back with Owens in a handicap match this time and getting kicked down by Uso. Owens manages to send him into the corner for the Cannonball though and the backsplash crushes Jey again.

Back up and Owens hits his own Samoan drop, allowing him to glare at Reigns. Owens demands that Reigns get in the ring but the referee stops him, allowing Jey to hit a superkick. Jey goes up top but Reigns tells him to tag out because he is finishing this. Owens knocks Reigns off the apron though and drops Jey, only to have Reigns break it up for a lame DQ at 11:26.

Rating: C. This was more about story development than the wrestling and there is nothing wrong with that for a main event like this one. Owens has been talking a lot but now he has woken the beast and things are going to get a lot harder in a hurry. The other important part here is with Uso, who is feeling more and more in place in spots like this, which is almost hard to believe.

Post match Reigns and Uso grab chairs to destroy Owens. The Superfly Splash onto a chair onto Owens makes it worse….and Reigns hits Jey with the chair. Reigns shouts about having to do it himself and unloads on Jey. Reigns yells that Owens has his attention and hits him in the face. Owens should have just taken the title but he had to attack Reigns’ family so now Reigns is taking his manhood and livelihood. Reigns poses with the title to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Good show this week as they had some fine action, but more importantly they got things rolling towards the pay per view. We now have five matches total (with two more being announced earlier today) and two of those were announced here tonight. Good show here and that six man tag to go along with all of the Patterson praise made for a rather smile inducing night.

Results

Natalya b. Bayley – Sharpshooter

Rey Mysterio/Big E./Daniel Bryan b. Sami Zayn/Dolph Ziggler/Shinsuke Nakamura – Small package to Zayn

King Corbin b. Murphy – End of Days

Kevin Owens/Otis b. Roman Reigns/Jey Uso via DQ when Reigns attacked Owens

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Main Event
Date: December 3, 2020
Location: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Samoa Joe, Tom Phillips

I’m almost not sure what to think about this as the show was actually kind of important last week. That came so far out of nowhere that I can barely comprehend the fact that it took place. I could certainly go for something more like that, but I have no reason to believe that it is going to be the norm. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Humberto Carrillo vs. Angel Garza

Garza comes to the ring in a suit and wrestles in the pants. Commentary does recap some of the history between these two as Carrillo hits the springboard elbow early on. Garza kicks him down though, TAKES OFF HIS PANTS, and stomps Carrillo out to the floor. Another kick to the face sets up a seated abdominal stretch, followed by a modified Gory Stretch. That’s broken up in a hurry and Carrillo snaps off a monkey flip out of the corner. A standing moonsault gets two and Carrillo muscles him up into a suplex for two. Garza is right back with a low superkick though and it’s the Wing Clipper for the pin at 5:09.

Rating: C. These two worked well together and that is hardly the biggest surprise. They’re both talented wrestlers and people who can go out there and do their thing on almost any show. Carrillo continues to be a good hand and if Garza could ever be given anything of note, it’s hard to imagine that he couldn’t get it over with that kind of charisma and smile.

From Raw.

Here’s Alexa Bliss for A Moment Of Bliss with Randy Orton. After a clip of last week when the Fiend interfered and cost Orton his match against AJ Styles, Orton talks about how well he knows Bray Wyatt. He hasn’t met the Fiend yet though, but he understands that Fiend wears his pain and suffering on his exterior. Orton on the other hand keeps all of his pain and suffering inside. They both hear voices too, but the Fiend’s voices are Orton’s. Bliss: “Well that’s not what he told me.”

Orton thinks he has gotten inside of Fiend’s head, which Bliss thinks is what the voices have told him. Or are they telling Orton lies? Who is manipulating who? The lights go half off and Orton asks if Bliss sees what he means. More of them go off and Bliss asks Orton the same thing. The lights come back up and Bliss has jumped into Orton’s arms as Fiend pops up. Orton hands Bliss to him (as Fiend seemed to be begging for her) and bails, before asking who is laughing now.

From Raw.

Riddle vs. AJ Styles vs. Keith Lee

The winner gets McIntyre at TLC for the title shot. AJ and Riddle are sent outside so Lee teases the big dive, sending the other two scattering in advance. Since Lee isn’t Nia Jax, he stops when he sees his target gone and the leapfrogs both of them back inside. A running crossbody gets two on Riddle and AJ is sent into Riddle in the corner. With AJ down on the floor, Lee stands on Riddle’s hand but AJ is back up to knock Lee outside. Riddle dropkicks AJ down to join him and then hits a springboard dive onto the two of them.

Back from a break with Riddle hitting a series of Brotons on Lee for one but the Floating bro misses AJ. It’s Lee’s turn to clean house again, this time throwing Riddle around with ease. Riddle slips out of the Spirit Bomb though and grabs a triangle, only to be swung into AJ while pulling on Lee’s arm.

Lee breaks it up and Riddle kicks him in the head, setting up the running forearms in the corner. A Pounce sends Riddle flying so it’s AJ finally getting to hammer on Lee. AJ gets caught on top so Riddle pulls Lee off, only have AJ hit a high crossbody for two on Riddle. Some jumping knees put Lee on the floor but it’s AJ hitting the Phenomenal Forearm to pin Riddle for the title shot at 13:59.

Rating: B-. It felt like a lot of triple threats we’ve seen before but the action was good and they went with the safe and acceptable ending. Riddle isn’t ready for the spot and Lee REALLY doesn’t need another big loss. That leaves you with AJ, who can take loss after loss and still be just fine so they went with the right call here after a good match.

Here’s Nikki Cross for a chat. Nikki talks about how Alexa Bliss has become someone she doesn’t even recognize and has chosen the Fiend. The night Alexa slapped her was when Nikki finally knew it was over, and then she suckered her in during their match. Cross is actually glad about it though because now she knows that Bliss is gone.

Cue Lacey Evans and Peyton Royce to interrupt to mock her over buying Bliss’ crocodile tears. Cross tells Peyton to shut up and asks if Lacey has ever had a real friend. Lacey: “Pey Pey and I are friends.” Peyton: “No we’re not.” Lacey: “Uh, fake friends.” Peyton: “Yeah fake friends.” Lacey thinks Nikki and Bliss were never friends in the first place (as she keeps trying to put her arm around Peyton but gets shoved away over and over). The challenge is on and we actually take a break before the match.

Peyton Royce vs. Nikki Cross

Cross takes her down by the arm to start and shouts about Bliss a lot. A belly to back suplex gets two but Lacey gets on the apron and throws in her napkin. That’s enough of a distraction for Peyton to get in a cheap shot and stomp away in the corner. The full nelson with the legs over the ropes keeps Cross in trouble but a spinwheel kick only hits corner. Cross is back with the clotheslines and a running crossbody in the corner gets two with Lacey making the save. The distraction lets Royce hit Deja Vu for the pin at 4:22.

Rating: D+. Quick match here which could have been on any given show. That being said, I’ll still take a little something like this over the completely ice cold matches we have been getting. A quick build before the match is better than nothing and the match itself could have been worse, so call it a big step forward for Main Event.

From Smackdown.

Kevin Owens vs. Jey Uso

Owens hammers away to start and the brawl is on early. They head outside with Uso sending him hard into the steps and hammering away with right hands. Back in and Uso works on the arm by bending it around the rope. Owens fights back with a backsplash but gets sent into the post. The suicide dive is cut off though and Owens catapults him into the post. A superkick over the announcers’ table has Jey in more trouble and we take a break.

Back with Owens hitting a Swanton off the apron, only to have Jey take the arm apart again. The armbar goes on for a bit until Owens fights up with the good arm. The Pop Up Powerbomb doesn’t work due to said arm so Uso hits a superkick for two. Owens gets the knees up to block the Superfly Splash but Jey sends the shoulder into the post again. That’s enough for Uso, who grabs a chair and unloads for the DQ at 11:56.

Rating: C+. Again, the fact that Uso has gotten this much out of Reigns’ heel run shows you how good things have been for Reigns as of late. It’s another good enough match but this one was about setting things up for later rather than having anything be overly competitive. They did their thing and the ending was the right choice so there isn’t much to complain about.

Post match Jey is held back so Owens gets the chair and massacres Uso. Owens says if Reigns has a problem, come say it to his face. He gets on the announcers’ table and says he’s the head of it, There’s a Stunner to Uso and Owens has a seat, asking where Reigns is. Owens says he’ll be waiting as we see Reigns seething to end the show. Sounds like TLC to me.

From Raw.

Miz/John Morrison vs. Sheamus/Drew McIntyre

AJ Styles is on commentary. Sheamus throws Morrison around to start and then gives him a rather large boot to the chest. McIntyre come in to run Morrison over and it’s ten forearms each to Miz and Morrison’s chests. Sheamus shouts at AJ to come get in here and goes outside to get in his face. Miz’s cheap shot doesn’t work but an Omos distraction lets Morrison hit a dropkick through the ropes.

We take a break and come back with Miz driving knees into Sheamus’ back and ripping at his face. Morrison comes in to knee Sheamus down in the corner and we hit the chinlock. That’s broken up in a hurry with the hot tag bringing in McIntyre to clean house. AJ does not exactly approve as McIntyre snaps off belly to belly suplexes and then nips up. The Claymore is loaded up but AJ comes in with the Phenomenal Forearm to McIntyre for the DQ at 9:50.

Rating: C-. Not much to this one as it was all about waiting around for the ending and then whatever they have planned for after the match. Miz and Morrison are a good tag team but both they and Miz’s briefcase are props in other feuds. Sheamus and McIntyre work well together, though I could go for a one off title match between them down the road.

Post match AJ has Miz and Morrison hit a bunch of finishers on McIntyre (I must have misses Sheamus being taken out) but Miz argues with Styles over bossing him around. McIntyre fights up and takes care of Miz and Morrison, leaving AJ to need Omos to get him out of trouble. Omos carries AJ away to end the show.

Overall Rating: D+. It was a downgrade from last week but at least they had something with the promo before the second match. I’ve been saying for years that this show really shouldn’t be hard to upgrade a bit and that’s the kind of thing that helps. You already have these stories set up so take a quick side trip with wrestlers like Cross who don’t get a lot of TV time but have something going on. Do more of this, as I can’t imagine there isn’t some writer who could spend the five minutes a week it should take to set up Main Event.

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: December 3, 2020
Location: BT Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

The Heritage Cup has finally been awarded in a pretty good match last week, meaning that it is time to move on to something new. The question is what that is going to be though, as NXT UK has had some issues with figuring out a next step from time to time. I’m not sure what to expect from this one, but maybe they have a few surprises ready. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

We recap Flash Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews being attacked by mystery assailants earlier this year. Eddie Dennis took responsibility and teamed up with Pretty Deadly, so Andrews and Webster got their friends, the Hunt, to join them. The Hunt then revealed that they were with Dennis and wiped them out again. More on this later.

Rampage Brown vs. Saxon Huxley

Huxley goes with an aggressive headlock to start but Brown reverses into one of his own. That’s broken up so Brown hits a dropkick into a running clothesline for an early two. A suplex gives Brown two more and he clotheslines Huxley outside. Back in and Huxley hits a running clothesline of his own for two but the frustration is setting in off the near falls. Brock catches him on top but gets shoved down, only to have Huxley dive into a powerslam. The Doctor Bomb finishes Huxley at 5:03.

Rating: C. They’re turning Brown into a thing and that’s a pretty good idea. Someone is going to have to be the next challenger for Walter and while Brown is still new, it isn’t like there is anyone better at the moment. Build someone up and put them in a spot because you need someone. It has worked forever in wrestling and it can work here too.

Jinny and Piper Niven got into a pull apart brawl at the Performance Center earlier this week.

Eddie Dennis talks about being a shepherd to his sheep and brings in the Hunt. Dennis claims that Webster and Andrews used the two of them. Now Dennis is taking care of them instead.

Saxon Huxley does not like being told “better luck next time” and storms off.

Aoife Valkyrie vs. Aleah James

Valkyrie avoids a dropkick to start but misses a spinwheel kick to the face for the early standoff. A headlock works a bit better for Valkyrie but she has to stick the landing when James snaps off a hurricanrana. They trade rollups for two each and this time it’s James grabbing her own headlock. James takes her to the mat until Valkyrie fights up, only to have her clothesline countered with a Matrix.

Valkyrie sweeps the base out though and gets two off a dropkick to the back of the head. We hit the full nelson with the legs (good looking one too) before a crucifix gets two on James. A northern lights fisherman’s suplex gets two on Valkyrie as she can’t put James away. Another kick to the face sets up a running Blockbuster on James though and it’s the top rope ax kick to give Valkyrie the pin at 4:10.

Rating: C. Valkyrie seems like she could be the next best this and that’s not a bad idea. She has a unique enough look and is stating to get into a groove around here. This was about James though, who got in a lot of offense here and was treated like a threat to pull off the upset, even if it was just a small one. If nothing else, it was nice to see someone fresh getting a chance and that was at least half of the point here.

Pretty Deadly show us how in sync they are by saying the same speech at the same time. They want the Tag Team Titles. I could go for that.

We look at Flash Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews fighting back against Eddie Dennis and the Hunt.

Joe Coffey vs. Alexander Wolfe

There are no seconds here. The grappling starts fast with Coffey taking over on the mat, only to go with the left hands to the face instead. A backbreaker staggers Wolfe again and Coffey unloads in the corner. Wolfe uses the referee breaking them up to get in a shot to the face to take over. Now it’s time to go after Coffey’s arm, which is a smart move given Coffey’s power and striking so far. The armbar goes on but Coffey reverses a suplex into one of his own.

Coffey pulls him off the middle rope and hits some flying shoulders, only to bang up the bad arm some more. A spinning high crossbody gets two on Wolfe and a backbreaker is good for the same. Wolfe blocks the Boston crab attempt so Coffey just drops down and hammers away at the face. Some kicks to the jaw get Wolfe out of trouble and he cuts off a comeback attempt with a boot to the face.

The lifting spinning suplex gives Wolfe two and the Death Valley Driver gets the same. They both need a breather (well yeah) and it’s time to trade kicks and strikes. Wolfe pulls him into a German suplex for two but Coffey gets in All The Best For The Bells to the back of the head. That’s only good for two as Coffey knocked him outside for a delay, meaning more frustration sets in. They slug it out on the apron with Wolfe getting the better of things. Coffey manages a slingshot shoulder though and now All The Best For The Bells can finish Wolfe at 12:33.

Rating: B. Let two physical guys beat the heck out of each other over some time and see what they can do. That’s what we got here as the battle between Imperium and Gallus has potential, even if Imperium is a bit fractured at the moment. Wolfe continues to look like a breakout star in the making and Coffey already is a star so hopefully they both get something out of this rather hard hitting fight.

Jordan Devlin issues an open challenge for a title match next week. Anyone under 205 Live, come test yourself against the Irish Ace. That could be interesting.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

The Hunt vs. Flash Morgan Webster/Mark Andrews

Well what else could main event the show? Eddie Dennis is here with the Hunt. It’s a brawl to start before the bell with the Hunt being sent outside and taken down with stereo suicide dives. Back in and Webster takes Boar into the corner for a tag from Andrews. A running dropkick puts Boar on the floor but he comes back in to plow through Andrews. That means Primate can come in to unload, setting up the rotating double teaming.

Boar hits some Junkyard Dog style headbutts until Webster comes back with an enziguri. That’s enough for the hot tag to Webster and house is cleaned early on. Everything breaks down and Webster snaps off a running hurricanrana off the apron to take Boar down again. Back in and a standing Sliced Bread #2 sets up a running shooting star press for two on Boar. Webster’s leg is grabbed though and Primate uses the distraction to plant him with a German suplex for two.

A headbutt sends Boar into the corner and a double tag allows Andrews and Primate to come in. Andres gets to clean house, including a double tornado DDT. A monkey flip into a jumping knee to the face gets two on Primate with Boar (thrown in by Dennis) making the save. Webster is sent outside and Primate blasts Andrews with a clothesline. Boar is taken out by Webster though and there’s the Stundog Millionaire to Primate. Andrews goes up but Dennis crotches him back down, allowing Boar to hit a spear. An AA into a sitout powerbomb finishes Andrews at 10:01.

Rating: C+. Power vs. speed has always worked in wrestling and it always will because any fan can get the idea in a hurry. There was a higher energy to this one and that’s how it should be given their history with each other. Both teams are going to be fine going forward, though the Hunt vs. Gallus has more interest at the moment.

Overall Rating: B-. This was more like it with a bunch of matches that all either moved something forward or made someone look good. The limited roster would seem to be an asset here as more people get a chance to showcase themselves. It worked here as I had a good time with the show, which flew by pretty easily. Nice show this week.

Results

Rampage Brown b. Saxon Huxley – Doctor Bomb

Aoife Valkyrie b. Aleah James – Top rope ax kick

Joe Coffey b. Alexander Wolfe – All The Best For The Bells

The Hunt b. Flash Morgan Webster/Mark Andrews – AA into a sitout powerbomb to Andrews

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: December 2, 2020
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Beth Phoenix, Wade Barrett, Vic Joseph

It’s the go home show for Takeover: WarGames and that means it’s time for another ladder match (yes I said another ladder match). There is also one last spot to be filled on Team Blackheart and there is a chance that could be revealed tonight. Other than that, it’s time for the final push towards Sunday and that is where NXT shines. Let’s get to it.

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

The roster, including the bosses, are on the stage for an In Memory Of Pat Patterson graphic.

We get the big video tribute, set to Patterson singing My Way, as only it could be. That’s a big one as Patterson really was one of the forces in WWE and an absolute genius at all things wrestling.

The roster gives us a THANK YOU PAT chant in a pretty emotional moment.

Opening sequence.

Damian Priest/Leon Ruff vs. Legado del Fantasma

Johnny Gargano is on commentary and Priest seems to be replacing Curt Stallion, who was jumped by Legado del Fantasma. Earlier today, Priest attacked Joaquin Wilde for sticking a finger in his face, meaning there is no Wilde here with Santos Escobar/Raul Mendoza. Ruff insists that he gets to start with Escobar as Gargano explains what a dad joke is supposed to be. Escobar gets taken down early but Ruff is pulled into the corner for a tag off to Mendoza.

That doesn’t go well for Ruff and it’s already back to Escobar for a jumping knee to the face. Priest comes in for a change and has some trouble with the faster Mendoza. They head outside with Mendoza getting sent into the barricade but Priest is distracted by the Ghost Face in the crowd. That’s enough for Escobar to hit a suicide dive and we take a break. Back with Priest grabbing Mendoza by the throat but getting dropkicked by Escobar.

A suplex gives Escobar two and it’s time to start working on Priest’s knee. Priest is fine enough to power up with a Downward Spiral to Escobar but he’s a little hesitant to bring in Ruff. He finally does though and it’s time to clean some house but a Mendoza cheap shot puts Ruff down. That’s only enough to knock Ruff over to the corner for the hot tag to Priest and now it’s time for the real house cleaning. Priest loads up the Reckoning but Ruff tags himself in. That’s fine with Priest, who Reckonings Mendoza, setting up Ruff’s frog splash for the pin at 12:23.

Rating: C. I don’t need Priest and Ruff as a big man/little man tag team (not without whistling music) but for a one off to build Ruff up a bit, it did well enough. They were also smart enough to not have Escobar take the pin, which shouldn’t be happening anytime soon. I’m curious about Stallion being gone and hopefully it isn’t a health issue, but maybe it’s better to not have him in a spot like this just yet.

Post match Priest shakes Ruff’s hand but turns around to see two Ghost Faces behind Gargano.

We look back at the end of last week’s show with a masked man costing the Undisputed Era the WarGames advantage.

Rhea Ripley and Ember Moon show Shotzi Blackheart an engine for their war machine. Blackheart thinks she’s in love and is ready to go to war.

We look at Undisputed Era’s history in WarGames. The team is together (in suits for a change) and getting ready for one more match, even after Pat McAfee and company have been taking them apart a few times. They’re ready to go to war but their backs are against the wall. This time though, they’re going to make McAfee and company their b******. This did a nice job of making the Era look good, though don’t we already kind of know that?

Team LeRae laughs off the idea of anything from Team Blackheart. The team is ready to fight and Raquel Gonzalez is going to gain the advantage. Tonight, Blackheart is going to feel like she has been run over by a tank.

August Grey vs. Cameron Grimes

Grimes has a bag with him and pulls out the strap. Some kicks to the chest have Grey in trouble to start and there’s a hard whip into the corner. Grey manages a dropkick and a jawbreaker, followed by a running neckbreaker to rock Grimes. Back up and Grimes sends him to the apron, with Grey going up top for a rope walk spinning high crossbody. Grey’s rollup gets two but he gets caught in a swinging Side Effect. The Cave In finishes Grey at 2:17.

Post match Grimes says Dexter Lumis is making a mistake with the strap match and ties Grey by the wrist. A clothesline drops Grey again and the whipping ensues. Grimes gets a little too cocky though and here’s Lumis to take Grey’s place. The beating is on with Grimes being sent running off. Lumis stares a lot because that’s what Lumis does.

Jake Atlas vs. Tony Nese

Atlas armdrags him into an armbar to start and Nese hides in the ropes for a bit. A dropkick sends Nese outside but he’s fine enough to crotch Atlas on the top back inside. We cut to the back where Pat McAfee and Company arrive and come back to full screen with Nese kneeing Atlas in the face. The torture rack keeps Atlas in trouble but he’s right back with a few right hands. Some forearms give Atlas two but Nese is back with a throat snap across the top rope into a low superkick. Nese misses a running knee in the corner though and the cartwheel DDT gives Atlas the pin at 5:24.

Rating: C. This was at least partially there as filler so we could see McAfee and Company arrive. Nese didn’t even get an entrance here so you can only expect so much out of him here. Atlas is still someone who seems like they want to push but he often fails as he gets close to the next level, though he is starting to seem a little more comfortable around here.

Post match Atlas says that bad things have happened around here but he’s not going to stop. One day, he is going to be Cruiserweight Champion.

Here are McAfee And Company for their weekly chat. McAfee says rest in peace to Pat Patterson, who he respects and appreciates. Then you go to the opposite end of the respect spectrum with every wrestling fan at home and here tonight, plus the Undisputed Era. Earlier tonight, we had to see a night out with the Undisputed Era, which was the lamest night out McAfee had ever seen in his entire life.

That was all about nostalgia BROTHER, so let’s do that themselves. McAfee talks about investing into greatness here because he has more money than anyone here has ever seen. He talks about how great they are and talks about Pete Dunne being the longest reigning United Kingdom Champion. Last week, Dunne won a ladder match, with the help of a masked man (who must be handsome and athletic under the mask, but it certainly wasn’t him) and on Sunday, they will have the advantage as a result.

Then you have thirty years of experience between the Tag Team Champions, who have finally gotten the chance that they deserve. McAfee wants everyone to watch on Sunday because he wants them to feel every single bit of pain. You can tune in to see him get hut, but the truth is that these guys broke the Undisputed Era’s spirit. Dunne says the Era is done this Sunday. McAfee wraps it up and continues to make me want to hear him talk more and more.

Quick video on the Grizzled Young Veterans.

The older man makes Boa and Xia Li dunk their heads under water. They then bow to him, only to be attacked from behind. I’m still not sure what to make of these things.

Ever Rise vs. Grizzled Young Veterans

Hang on though as here is Imperium to jump Ever Rise and say this is their tag division. They want the Veterans right now so let’s do this instead.

Imperium vs. Grizzled Young Veterans

Aichner works on Gibson’s arm to start and hands it off to Barthel for more of the same. Drake comes in to slug away at Barthel but gets taken into the corner as well, meaning Imperium can start taking turns on him. A suplex doesn’t work though and it’s back to Gibson to clean a bit of house. An armdrag into a headscissors doesn’t do much to Aichner so they hiptoss each other to the floor.

Back from a break with Aichner in trouble, including a spinwheel kick from Drake to give Gibson two. Drake gets dropped ribs first onto the top rope though and Gibson gets catapulted into the corner to put him in trouble. The stereo dropkicks in the corner set up White Noise to give Barthel two. Gibson gets in a shot to the throat to slow Barthel down but Aichner breaks up the tag attempt (even though Drake is still down on the floor).

A spinebuster into a kick to the face into a tilt-a-whirl faceplant gets two as frustration begins to set in. Aichner’s moonsault hits knees though and now the tag brings in Drake. Aichner catches Drake on top for a superplex though and Gibson has to make a save this time. With everyone else on the floor, Aichner hits a huge dive, only to have Ever Rise come in to send Barthel into the steps for the DQ at 14:04.

Rating: C+. This was getting going near the end and that’s kind of hard to do in a heel vs. heel match. Thank goodness there was no indication that either side was turning, as it would be quite the bad idea all around. The Veterans needed a win here though and I’m not sure why they didn’t get one, when you could have had Ever Rise cost Imperium the match instead. Also, as usual, Imperium without Walter isn’t worth much of your time.

During the break, Ever Rise ran off while still talking trash.

It’s time for Thatch As Thatch Can. Thatcher talks about how tired he is of all the interruptions….and Tommaso Ciampa is behind him. Ciampa says he’s here to teach and class is in session. Thatcher says he doesn’t want any trouble and then tackles Ciampa down, with Ciampa getting the better of things (Ciampa: “LESSON #1: DON’T BE AN A**!”). Thatcher’s student gets in a cheap shot from behind though and the beating is on, with Thatcher choking Ciampa out.

WarGames rundown.

Thatcher is proud of his student and says on Sunday, Ciampa is going to learn respect.

Raquel Gonzalez vs. Shotzi Blackheart

Ladder match for the WarGames advantage. Shotzi kicks away to start but misses a charge in the corner. Gonzalez gets her in an over the shoulder backbreaker before flipping her down and grabbing the hair (kind of an easy target). Blackheart gets knocked off the apron so it’s time to set up the first ladder. A dropkick through said ladder has Gonzalez down but she manages to drop Blackheart face first onto a ladder.

Gonzalez starts heading back in so Blackheart jumps on her back. That doesn’t work either as Gonzalez sends her into the barricade, only to have Blackbeard send her leg first into the steps. A dropkick sends Gonzalez into the steps as well and a Coffin Drop off the barricade puts them both down.

Back from a break with Shotzi hitting a DDT onto the apron for another double knockdown. Gonzalez is right back with a steps shot to the face and it’s time to set up the ladder in the ring. Shotzi makes another save and they take turns sending each other into the ladder. Said ladder is laid over the middle rope and Shotzi’s running inverted Cannonball sends Gonzalez into the ladder. With Gonzalez on the floor, Shotzi hits a big dive to take her down again.

The rest of the teams are looking on from their podiums but come to ringside to start the brawl at ringside. Indi Hartwell can’t get the briefcase down as Blackheart makes the save, only to have Gonzalez take Shotzi down. Gonzalez goes up but here’s Io Shirai to take her down. After sending Gonzalez outside, Shirai hits the huge moonsault onto everyone else. That’s enough for Blackheart to climb the ladder to win the briefcase at 14:39.

Rating: C+. Take two people, have them do a few big spots, then have the interference to set up the ending. This feels like your run of the mill ladder match these days and while it is still good enough, it isn’t exactly inspiring. Shotzi winning is a bit of a surprise, but they probably have a twist to put her team in trouble on Sunday. Fair enough, but this (and last week’s main event) didn’t need to be a ladder match.

Team Blackheart poses on the ladder to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This show was all about setting up Sunday but at the same time, the WarGames cage alone is going to be enough to sell the show. The rest of the stories are getting somewhere and while I don’t really need to see Lumis vs. Grimes, the card looks good enough to be a solid night. That’s what this show needed to establish and it did so well enough.

Results

Leon Ruff/Damian Priest b. Legado del Fantasma – Frog splash to Mendoza

Cameron Grimes b. August Grey – Cave In

Jake Atlas b. Tony Nese – Cartwheel DDT

Imperium b. Grizzled Young Veterans via DQ when Ever Rise interfered

Shotzi Blackheart b. Raquel Gonzalez – Blackheart pulled down the briefcase

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: All Elite Wrestling

Dynamite
Date: December 2, 2020
Location: Daily’s Place, Jacksonville, Florida
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Jim Ross, Excalibur

Winter is coming and….or wait is Winter here now? Anyway it’s a huge show with a mega main event of Kenny Omega challenging Jon Moxley for the World Title. That would have seemed to be a pay per view main event level match but I can see why they couldn’t wait until late February. Let’s get to it.

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

Battle Royal

Shawn Spears, Scorpio Sky, Luther, Matt Hard, Joey Janela, Kip Sabian, Miro, Orange Cassidy, Serpentico, Isaiah Kassidy, Marq Quen, Hangman Page, John Silver, Alex Reynolds, Sammy Guevara, Maxwell Jacob Friedman, Wardlow, Matt Sydal, Jungle Boy, Lee Johnson

The final two standing will face off for the diamond ring next week, so we see a quick promo from MJF, who says the ring belongs to the Inner Circle. Hardy throws Kassidy out from behind as there are several people on the floor but not eliminated. The Dark Order helps Page get rid of Serpentico before knocking Luther out. Spears tosses Sydal but gets eliminated as well, drawing Tully Blanchard out of his seat in the crowd.

The fans give Spears the Goodbye Song as Blanchard gives him the slug to load up the glove. Spears decks Sky with said glove and Sky is tossed in a hurry. Reynolds and Quen are sent to the apron with Silver being tossed into Reynolds for the elimination. Silver is eliminated a few seconds later, with Hardy being very pleased with his work. Hardy sends Page to the apron and Quen knocks Page….right into the Dark Order to catch him. Back in and Hardy gets rid of Page, followed by Cassidy getting rid of Sabian.

That makes Sabian pull Cassidy to the floor and Miro takes him out (not eliminated) for a bonus. With the Inner Circle standing in the corner, Miro gets rid of Johnson and spikes Janela with the swinging Rock Bottom. Hardy goes after Miro and gets sent to the apron, with Miro getting rid of Hardy, Kassidy and Janela in a row. That leaves with with Miro, Jungle Boy, Wardlow, MJF and Guevara, plus anyone still active on the floor.

The Inner Circle goes after Miro, who shrugs them all off. That gives us the Wardlow vs. Miro slugout until Sammy and MJF save Wardlow from the big clothesline. Wardlow hits a clothesline and the trio gets rid of Miro. Boy and Guevara wind up on the apron for a rather spiffy gymnastics routine with a bunch of flips and shots to the head but no eliminations.

MJF shoves them both off the top and out but Orange Cassidy is still in. Wardlow drags him back in and loads up Cassidy but MJF goes to try and eliminate Wardlow instead. That lets Cassidy make the comeback with Orange Punches and Wardlow is tossed, leaving Cassidy and MJF to win at 12:13.

Rating: C+. They kept this moving and there was enough stuff building towards the future to make it that much better. It also helped that they gave the annoying ending a bit of a twist by having Wardlow bring Cassidy back in rather than having him pop back in. Not a classic or anything, but it was effective and I’ll take that.

Post match the Best Friends come in to celebrate as referees have to hold Miro back.

Here’s what’s coming tonight.

Chris Jericho vs. Frankie Kazarian

The Inner Circle is here with Jericho. Kazarian grabs a headlock to start and then scores with a right hand to stagger Jericho. An Oklahoma roll gets two and we’re right back to the headlock to keep Jericho frustrated early on. Jericho manages to send him to the apron but the triangle dropkick is broken up, allowing Kazarian to hit a springboard clothesline. They fight outside with Jake Hager’s interference earning himself a trip to the barricade. Back in and Jericho scores with a Codebreaker before knocking Kazarian right back to the floor.

We come back from a break with Kazarian hitting some running clotheslines and forearms. Kazarian’s dropkick misses but the Lionsault only hits knees. They head up top with the Flux Capacitor (Spanish Fly) connecting for two on Jericho. Kazarian puts on his own Walls of Jericho with Hager telling Ortiz not to interfere to avoid the DQ. Cue MJF to tease throwing in the towel but Guevara runs in to cut him off. Kazarian grabs a rollup for two but charges into the Judas Effect for the pin at 11:04.

Rating: C. Kazarian is someone who can get a good match out of anyone and it’s not like it takes much to do so with Jericho. At the same time, throwing in more of MJF vs. Guevara in the battle to be Jericho’s best friend is a great idea as the story is already gaining legs. Nice job here and I could go for more of Kazarian.

Post break Guevara and MJF are ready to go but Jericho cuts him off. He’s tired of this and says either they get this together next week or the Inner Circle breaks up next week.

The Young Bucks are asked about facing the Hybrid 2 next week but ask Alex Marvez if he remembers when they superkicked him in the face. Another superkick doesn’t ensue but they do say if the Hybrid 2 can win next week, they can have a title shot. The Acclaimed comes in to insult the Bucks’ book with Max Castor rhyming about how it should be in the adult section because of where the Bucks are looking. Cue the Hybrid 2 to jump the Bucks until SCU makes the save.

Britt Baker vs. Leyla Hirsch

Rebel is here with Baker, who insults Thunder Rosa before the match.. Hirsch takes Baker down to start and Baker is certainly not pleased. A headlock takeover makes it worse and Baker’s reversal attempt just earns her a cross armbreaker. That’s broken up and Baker hits a low superkick into a DDT. We take a break and come back with Hirsch hitting a kick to the face and a bicycle kick to send Baker outside.

Hirsch hits a suicide dive onto Rebel, with Baker pulling her in the way. Baker gets in a cheap shot and sends her face first into the apron. Back in and a jumping knee to the face looks to set up a cross armbreaker but Baker reverses into Lockjaw, which is reversed into the armbreaker as Rebel wasn’t ready with the glove. Baker slips out again but gets caught with a knee to the head. Rebel offers a distraction though and it’s a fisherman’s neckbreaker to set up the Lockjaw for the tap at 8:45.

Rating: C+. Hirsch continues to impress every time she’s out there but at the same time you have Baker, who is as good of a female heel as there is today. There’s just something about her that makes you want to see someone knock her head off and that’s not something you can easily see. Throw in her chemistry with Tony Schiavone and it’s one more layer of awesome.

Post match here’s Thunder Rosa for the brawl, with agents and referees having to break it up.

We look at Team Taz vs. Cody Rhodes/Darby Allin, setting up the tag match.

Cody Rhodes/Darby Allin vs. Team Taz

It’s Powerhouse Hobbs/Ricky Starks here with Taz at ringside. The brawl is on to start and we take a very quick break. Back with Allin being sent outside for a big running charge from Hobbs. Allin gets sent hard into the barricade and it’s time to go back inside for some shots to the ribs. Starks hits a few shots of his own and it’s back to Hobbs for a waistlock.

Allin gets in a shot to Starks’ face but Hobbs still isn’t ready to allow the hot tag. Hobbs sends Allin flying with a suplex but Allin flips out of back to back belly to back suplex attempts, allowing the hot tag to Cody. House is cleaned but Cross Rhodes is blocked. Instead it’s the Cody Cutter to Starks with Allin tagging himself in. Cody dives onto Hobbs, leaving Allin to hit the Coffin Drop for the pin at 11:14 (even though Starks’ shoulder was so high up that it almost has to be a plot point).

Rating: C+. Pretty much a formula tag match here but it worked out perfectly well for what they were doing. Team Taz continues to be worth seeing almost every week and they did give them an out with the ending. Good enough match here and I could go for more of it so another well done moment.

Post match Team Taz goes after Arn Anderson but it’s Dustin Rhodes coming in for the save. Brian Cage comes out to give both Rhodes Brothers the F5. The lights go out though and it’s STING making his debut for the save. After a quick staredown with Arn Anderson, Sting looks at Cody in the corner and then glares at Allin. That’s certainly a cool moment and the video/music were excellent. I don’t need to see Sting wrestle, but if you put him in an eight man tag or something like that, it should be fine. Awesome surprise though so nice job.

Hikaru Shida isn’t scared of Abadon because she is just a zombie cosplayer. Something falls off camera and Shida gets shaken up and leaves in a hurry.

Next week: Sting speaks.

Jon Moxley says things felt a little different when he landed in Jacksonville last night. It was finally time for two warriors to go to battle because the contracts have been signed and the promos have been cut. Now all that is left to to is make the crowd go banana (that made me smile).

AEW World Title: Kenny Omega vs. Jon Moxley

Moxley is defending and Don Callis joins commentary. Omega gets backed into the corner to start but comes out with a wristlock. Moxley’s headlock takeover gets him out of trouble and it’s Omega hitting some chops in the corner. Moxley doesn’t seem to mind and drives him into the other corner. A hurricanrana puts Moxley down but the Rise of the Terminator takes way too long, allowing Moxley to hit a Boss Man Slam.

They head outside with Moxley being whipped into the barricade but Moxley sends him in as well as we take a break. Back with Moxley favoring his knee and Omega hitting the Kitaro Crusher for two. The leg is bent around the middle rope for a running dropkick but another attempt is cut off by Moxley’s running clothesline. Omega is right back up with a series of chops but YOU CAN’T ESCAPE is escaped, with Moxley snapping off a German suplex.

Another shot to the knee cuts Moxley down again though and we take another break. Back with Omega hitting the big flip dive to take Moxley down on the floor. Omega tries to springboard back in though and dives right into the Paradigm Shift. Instead of covering though, some chairs are brought in so they can sit down and slap it out. Then they switch to right hands until Omega gets knocked out of the chair, only to come back with the V Trigger.

There’s the Snapdragon into a second one to rock Moxley. The V Trigger misses though and Moxley snaps off a German suplex. Omega pops back up with another V Trigger but Moxley blasts him with a clothesline for the double knockdown. There’s another Paradigm Shift for a delayed near fall so Moxley sends him outside. The suicide dive is cut off by another V Trigger, followed by a missile dropkick to the back.

The fourth V Trigger connects to the back in the corner and a Tiger Driver 98 gets two more. Some hard knees to the face look to set up the fifth V Trigger but Moxley blocks, only to have Omega hit another V Trigger. The One Winged Angel is countered but neither can hit the Paradigm Shift. Omega scores with a dropkick and a ripcord V Trigger connects. Moxley slips out of another One Winged Angel but Omega hits a wheelbarrow suplex for two. Omega goes up top but jumps down to the floor before Moxley can shove him down (smart).

Moxley grabs another Paradigm Shift on the floor and that’s enough for the doctor to come over to check on Omega. Referees and Callis go down to check on Omega but Moxley isn’t having any of this. He throws Omega back inside and hammers away so Callis grabs the mic. Moxley knocks him down so Omega grabs the mic to hit Moxley in the head. The champ is busted open so Omega hits four V Triggers in a row and it’s the One Winged Angel to make Omega champion at 28:28.

Rating: B+. They beat the heck out of each other here and that is the kind of match they needed to have. Omega almost had to win the title sooner or later because he is treated as one of if not the top stars in the company so this was something they had to do. That being said, I’m not sure where they are going with the Callis stuff and that was something that probably didn’t need to be there. Still though, what we got was rather great and that’s more than you can ask for here.

Post match Callis and Omega run off with everyone in the back yelling at them for cheating. They run to the car with Callis saying they’ll tell you about it on IMPACT Wrestling next week. Working with Impact sounds like one of the worst ideas I can think of for AEW and really not something they should be doing, but maybe we can get more Tommy Dreamer on Dynamite.

In a very, very quick closing line, Eddie Kingston runs out to say he wants Lance Archer next week to end the show.

Overall Rating: A-. This show was all about the main event and while I’m almost terrified of the idea of Dynamite and Impact working together, the match itself and the title change felt like a big deal because AEW has done a great job of protecting their titles. You don’t see title changes take place around here very often and it was special as a result. The rest of the show worked out really well too, making this the big time feeling that they have been needing for a bit. Just please don’t let the Impact thing be a long term thing. AEW is better than that.

Results

Maxwell Jacob Friedman and Orange Cassidy won a battle royal last eliminating Wardlow

Chris Jericho b. Frankie Kazarian – Judas Effect

Britt Baker b. Leyla Hirsch – Lockjaw

Cody Rhodes/Darby Allin b. Team Taz – Coffin Drop to Starks

Kenny Omega b. Jon Moxley – One Winged Angel

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Main Event
Date: November 26, 2020
Location: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Samoa Joe

It’s the holiday edition of the show and that is not likely to mean a single thing around here. Main Event continues to be a show that just kind of floats around, though in this case the show is going to be Raw only as Survivor Series has come and gone. Therefore Smackdown ceases to exist for this week, which could be a good thing. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

We open with….MizTV??? ON THIS…..I’m sorry I need a minute here. Anyway, Miz and Morrison do their usual intro by plugging everything and it’s time to bring out their guests: Retribution. Miz and Morrison enjoy Retribution’s theme song as I try to figure out what in the world I’m watching. Morrison asks what’s up with their weird names, which Mustafa Ali doesn’t care to hear.

Ali talks about being mocked for his name his entire life and now that is all changing. Reckoning says she gave everything out here and wasn’t respected even when she bled, meaning everyone’s reckoning is coming. Mace says imagine someone looking like him and being put in the Performance Center for years. Then there’s Shatter, who is a weapon for Retribution. T-Bar talks about all of the betrayals and promises to make everyone pay for their sins.

Cue R-Truth with the Gobbledy Gooker giving chase, so Morrison wants to know where Gooker’s big farewell was on Sunday. Retribution leaves the Gooker laying. I’m actually kind of stunned at something like this happening on this show and if this is the kind of thing they are going to be doing going forward, this show might actually have a meaning for a change.

We look at Drew McIntyre regaining the WWE Title.

We look at the setup of the three qualifying matches to set up the #1 contenders match.

From Raw.

Riddle vs. Sheamus

They talk trash to start and Riddle takes him down by the arm. Sheamus fights up and grabs an armbar of his own, which is broken up with some right hands to the face. A hard clothesline out of the corner drops Riddle again but he sends Sheamus outside with some more shots to the face. That’s enough to frustrate Sheamus, who comes back in with a shot to the face. Riddle slugs right back but gets taken to the mat for some arm cranking from Sheamus.

They head outside again with Sheamus getting caught in an exploder suplex and the Broton gets two back inside. Sheamus catches Riddle on the apron though and that means ten forearms to the chest. The Irish Curse gets two but Sheamus misses a charge into the post. Riddle kicks away at the chest but Sheamus is back with an Alabama Slam as we take a break.

Back with Sheamus hitting a pump knee for two, only to have Riddle knock him to the floor. The springboard Floating Bro drops Sheamus again but he catches Riddle’s high crossbody back inside. A spinning release Rock Bottom gets two and we hit the Cloverleaf to stay on Riddle’s back. The rope is grabbed so Sheamus tries another ten forearms to the chest.

This set is countered into an armbar over the ropes and Sheamus’ throat is snapped across the top as well. Sheamus is right back with a heel hook and they forearm it out on the mat with the hold still on. Riddle uses the good leg to kick his way to freedom and the knee is fine enough to hit the Final Flash for two more.

Sheamus catches him on top though and it’s a super White Noise for a rather near fall. The Brogue Kick misses, but it’s mainly due to Riddle collapsing. Riddle manages a headbutt and a kick to the head, setting up a victory roll, but Sheamus reverses into the Cloverleaf again. That’s reversed as well though and Riddle rolls him up for the pin at 20:50.

Rating: B. These guys beat the heck out of each other for a long time and it was cool to see them surviving everything that the other threw at them. It made for a great use of a long match and instead of starting to feel long, it was drawing me in more and more. Very good stuff here and well done on making Riddle seem like a bigger deal again.

From Raw.

Keith Lee vs. Bobby Lashley

Non-title and the winner goes on to the triple threat. Lashley’s headlock is countered into one from Lee and they fight over a top wristlock. That’s broken up as well so Lashley hits a running shoulder, earning himself a glare from Lashley. Lee hits the Grizzly Magnum in the corner but Lashley is back with a running clothesline. This time Lee growls at him but Lashley grabs the Downward Spiral for one.

The Hurt Lock is blocked and Lee clotheslines him out to the floor instead. Lee loads up a dive but gets blocked by MVP, meaning it’s time to give chase. Lashley gets in a cheap shot and drives him into the barricade. A fireman’s carry looks to drive Lee into the post, but it looks more like Lashley’s head gets crushed between Lee and the post as we take a break. Back with Lashley cranking on the arm and then grabbing a chinlock to change it up. Lee fights up with a clothesline but Lashley manages a suplex (it was better than the fireman’s carry).

The Hurt Lock is broken up again and Lee slugs him down without much trouble. There’s the Pounce to send Lashley outside and Lee hits a running crossbody. MVP posts Lee behind the referee’s back but Lee still beats the count. Back in and Lee’s arms are too big for the Hurt Lock so Lee gets on his back. That’s broken up with Lee dropping back on him….which draws in MVP for the DQ at 12:37.

Rating: B-. This was a total hoss fight and they did it as they should have. I know the ending might have felt stupid, but neither Lashley nor Lee need to be taking a fall so having Lee win via DQ is as good of a move as you can have. It’s better than either of them getting pinned and Lee continues to look strong for the second night in a row. Now just keep it up for a change.

Jeff Hardy vs. Ricochet

No seriously what is going on with this show? The bell rings and here’s Elias on the stage, because this show is actually doing something for a change. Elias starts playing Amen as Hardy slaps on a headlock to start. Ricochet flips out and hits a headscissors into a dropkick before sending Hardy outside. A dive misses though and Hardy scores with a clothesline off the apron.

We take a break and come back with Ricochet fighting out of the chinlock as the song continues. Hardy snapmares him into a dropkick to the back of the head with Elias singing about how Hardy tried to kill him. Ricochet hits another dropkick and a springboard clothesline into the running shooting star gets two. Now it’s Hardy’s turn for a comeback with a basement dropkick into a splash for his own near fall. The Whisper in the Wind gets two more but the Twist of Fate is countered into a backslide to give Ricochet the quick pin at 10:44.

Rating: C+. It was a rather nice match but the biggest thing to take from it is the fact that Amen is a heck of a catchy song. This was certainly unique and while I’ll take that over the usual nothing matches that we get around here, it would have been nice to see Hardy vs. Ricochet getting the full attention. Granted I’ll take this over what we usually get around here every time so it’s an upgrade in the right direction.

We get the Undertaker tribute video from Survivor Series.

From Raw.

Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles

For the final spot in the triple threat match. AJ goes straight for the rollup at the bell but Orton is back up so they can circle each other again. Orton sends him into the corner but AJ comes out with a shot to the throat for a breather. They head outside with AJ getting knocked up against the barricade, with Omos picking him up and back onto the apron. AJ hits a running kick to Orton’s face and then drops him onto the announcers’ table as we take a break.

Back with AJ hitting a chop block to take the knee out and put Orton down again. The leg cranking is on again but it’s too early for the Calf Crusher, as Orton rolls out and kicks him in the chest. Orton can’t hit a suplex but he can hit the backbreaker for two. AJ is right back with the Calf Crusher though, with Orton making it over to the rope after a lot of screaming.

The leg is fine enough to hit the snap powerslam for two on AJ but the RKO is blocked. Orton rolls to the floor….and we have Fiend lights. The lights come back up and Orton gets back inside, where he counters the Phenomenal Forearm and hits the hanging DDT. The RKO is loaded up and now the Fiend appears behind Orton, who looks terrified. Then the Fiend disappears and it’s the Phenomenal Forearm for the pin at 12:47.

Rating: C+. The Fiend stuff was good, even if it was another distraction finish. AJ moving on makes the most sense as we’ve covered Orton in the title hunt. Throw in the Orton vs. Fiend is a fresh match and the TLC card is a little more interesting. I’m curious to see how the #1 contenders match goes next week and that’s a nice feeling to have.

Fiend’s laughter ends the show.

Overall Rating: C+. What the heck was that? This show was nothing like the usual Main Event and I can’t believe that they actually did some of this stuff. It felt like a part of Raw which was left on the cutting room floor and while Raw isn’t very good, this was a complete breath of fresh air from the usual stuff. I have no idea why they went in this direction, but if they do this going forward (which I don’t believe they will), this show has rocketed past 205 Live on the scale of nothing WWE shows.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: Ring Of Honor Wrestling

Ring of Honor
Date: November 25, 2020
Location: UMBC Events Center, Baltimore, Maryland
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

Believe it or not we are well on the way to Final Battle and I’m not sure how many matches have actually been set up for the show. Actually I’m not even sure how many matches have been teased for the show, which makes for a fairly important next few weeks. Hopefully they can get off to a good start here. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Quinn McKay welcomes us to the show and runs down the card.

Jay Briscoe wants the Tag Team Titles back but first he has to deal with EC3.

EC3 talks about how much he envies Jay Briscoe for sticking around here while he chased the bright lights. Now he wants to know if Briscoe believes in the code of honor and if he can control his narrative.

EC3 vs. Jay Briscoe

EC3 backs him into the corner to start and Jay isn’t interested in a handshake. Briscoe grabs a front facelock so EC3 slips out and hits an elbow. Hold on though as EC3 looks down at his hand so Briscoe stomps him down into the corner. Choking ensues…..for the DQ to give EC3 the win at 1:57. Well that’s not something you see much of these days.

Post match EC3 takes him down and hammers away as the fight is on hard. Security (in masks) make the save. EC3 gets away and drops to his knees, allowing Jay to try the Jay Driller. That’s broken up as well and Briscoe is ready for more.

Post break, Quinn McKay asks Jay Briscoe why he didn’t adhere to the Code Of Honor. Jay: “Why? Because F*** Y** that’s why!” McKay: “Succinct.”

Leon St. Giovanni, who you can call LSG, talks about being a baseball player his entire life before he saw Ring of Honor. It was all he wanted to do, especially when he saw Jay Lethal. For years, LSG was part of a tag team with Shaheem Ali and now he is on his own after a horrible 2019. People need to step up to him now and that includes Jay Lethal in their Pure Rules match. The boy who wanted to be Lethal is now the man who is going to beat him. Good line.

Jay Lethal talks about how the Pure Wrestling Title tournament taught us who the best man was and he can live with that. He was eliminated by Tracy Williams because Tracy was the better man that night. The Foundation is here to find the best and they want to reward those people. That is why Lethal requested this match because Samoa Joe did the same thing for him years ago. Now Lethal wants to pay it forward to LSG, but he’ll have to pay for the free gift.

Leon St. Giovanni vs. Jay Lethal

Pure Rules. Lethal headlocks him to the mat in a hurry and is broken up even faster as the feeling out process starts fast. LSG flips out of the hiptoss into the dropkick and it’s another standoff. Another headlock has LSG down before Lethal works on the arm for a bit. After pulling LSG away from the ropes (doesn’t count as a break), the threat of a Figure Four sends LSG to the ropes for the first break.

Back up and Lethal goes for the back, including taking him down into a waistlock. Another Figure Four attempt results in some back to back small packages for two each. LSG sends him outside for a dropkick through the ropes for a near countout before stomping away back inside. We take a break and come back with LSG holding a cravate. After a good bit of cranking, Lethal fights up and hits a Russian legsweep to send LSG to the apron. The triangle dropkick sets up a suicide dive but LSG doesn’t go off his feet.

Back in and LSG gets up before Hail to the King can launch. Instead it’s a reverse DDT for two on LSG, who is right back with a rolling clothesline for the same. LSG grabs a crucifix into the Crossface (WAY too popular a move these days) but Lethal slips out in a hurry. The Sharpshooter (see also the Crossface) goes on with LSG bridging back into a Muta Lock. Lethal grabs the rope and we’re out of time at 15:00. Lethal wins via split decision.

Rating: B-. LSG looked good here and this is the kind of a match that can give him a nice boost. I had forgotten he was part of the company so putting him out there against a star like Lethal is a pretty smart move. This was a good showcase for him and sometimes that’s all you need to do. Well maybe throw in a win every now and then too.

John Walters is coming back.

Video on Bateman vs. Matt Taven. Bateman isn’t impressed with Taven and is standing in his way to get to Vincent. That’s cool with Taven and we have a main event.

Matt Taven vs. Bateman

Taven chops away and hits a dropkick but the much bigger Bateman runs him over without much effort. The beating doesn’t last long as Taven comes back with a suplex and some right hands to the head. Bateman grabs a swinging neckbreaker and we take a break. Back with Taven hitting a lifting Downward Spiral to send Bateman outside. That means the Flight Of The Conqueror, though Taven comes up holding his leg. They head inside again where Taven misses the Aurora Borealis (frog splash), only to grab a rollup for the fast pin at 9:33.

Rating: C-. There is something amazing about how nothing Taven was as a heel and how much more interesting he is as a face. It is such a huge turnaround and in a good way as I can see the star power in him this time around. That dive alone looked great and now the showdown with Vincent should be set for Final Battle. I’m not sure how interesting the match is, but at least it has been set up properly.

Post match Bateman jumps Taven from behind and here’s Vincent to say Taven is a little too comfortable. Bateman knocks Taven out as Vincent talks about how embarrassing Taven is. There is no one in this building and yet Taven is still that desperate for attention. No matter how hard Taven tries, he will never get that kind of attention.

Vincent grabs Taven’s face and says his legacy will be nothing but a failure. He pulls out a dart and promises violence but the lights go out. Cue the returning Mike Bennett (Kanellis) for the save to clean house. A Kingdom reunion ends the show. Bennett didn’t do anything in WWE so if he can be a star here, good for him.

Overall Rating: C. The EC3 stuff isn’t doing anything for me, the Pure Rules match was good and the main event angle was fine enough. We’ll call the whole thing in the middle, but at least they are starting to set something up for Final Battle, even if nothing has been announced on TV as of yet. Watchable enough show though, as things are starting to get back to normal.

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

There are only so many ways around this kind of issue.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/kbs-review-lana-problem/

IMG Credit: Major League Wrestling

Fusion #111
Date: November 18, 2020
Location: Gilt Nightclub, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Jared Saint Laurent, Rich Bocchini

I’m not sure what to make of things around here. Last week’s show wasn’t the worst but it also didn’t exactly live up to the expectations I was hoping for around here. It’s time to start the Opera Cup again and while it’s a nice idea, it’s not like the first one was a blow away idea. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a quick preview of tonight’s first round Opera Cup matches.

Opening sequence.

We look at the end of last week’s show with a new member of Contra attacking Alex Hammerstone.

Earlier today, Richard Holliday didn’t think much of Contra and promises that Hammerstone will be fine. He runs into Gino Medina, who claims he quit the Dynasty while Holliday insisted he was fired. Medina implies violence by the end of the night.

Opera Cup First Round: TJP vs. Richard Holliday

Holliday has the Caribbean Title held up but makes it clear that this is non-title. The bigger Holliday shoves him down without much effort to start so TJP runs the corner for a headlock takeover. A basement dropkick sends Holliday bailing into the corner for a breather and the threat of the Octopus sends Holliday to the ropes a moment later. We settle down to TJP working on a hammerlock, followed by an armdrag to frustrate Holliday even more.

TJP slips out of a suplex attempt and hits a dropkick to the back. Holliday is knocked outside and that means it’s the Wrecking Ball dropkick to keep him in trouble. Back in and TJP gets crotched on top to finally give Holliday control. Holliday starts stomping away at the leg before switching over to the arm. TJP is right back up and slides through the legs to grab a Sharpshooter. Make that a Muta Lock, followed by a Pentagon arm snap.

Holliday’s arm is fine enough to drop TJP onto the apron but TJP snaps off a top rope hurricanrana. Holliday plants him back down and grabs the chinlock, which is enough to start TJP’s comeback. A not great looking tornado DDT sets up Three Amigos but Holliday hits a spinebuster. The Market Crash finishes TJP at 10:25.

Rating: D+. Not their best showing here as it was just a collection of moves that took up about ten and a half minutes. I’ve seen better from both of them so maybe it was just an off night. Either way, this wasn’t quite the best way to start off the tournament, which isn’t exactly thrilling in the first place.

The Von Erichs wish you a happy Thanksgiving. They’re coming for Team Filthy too.

We look back at Myron Reed retaining the Middleweight Title over Brian Pillman Jr. and calling out Lio Rush as his next challenger.

Lio Rush likes the idea of a big debut with a big title shot.

We look at King Mo knockout out Low Ki (thanks to some interference) earlier this year.

King Mo wants the doctors to keep Low Ki out of the ring because his head is too scrambled.

Dan Lambert wants to know why Low Ki is in the Opera Cup but King Mo isn’t.

Salina de la Renta interrupts the announcers and wants to know who tried to get her contract broken. She is running the January 6 episode and no one is canceling that.

Calvin Tankman vs. Robert Martyr

This is Tankman’s debut and he’s a rather large guy who can move around well. Tankman starts fast with a dropkick and chops Martyr down in the corner. Martyr runs into a backbreaker and the Tankman Driver (Drill Claw) finishes at 1:14. Total destruction.

Tankman dedicates that to his baby and now he wants to beat everyone in his path to the World Title. That was to the point.

Alex Hammerstone has ribs, neck and back injuries.

Hammerstone calls in and says the injuries aren’t even keeping him out of the gym, let alone the ring. Contra hacks the feed though and promises to end Hammerstone.

Opera Cup First Round: Rocky Romero vs. Tom Lawlor

Team Filthy is here with Lawlor and I’ve missed the I HAVE COME TO KILL YOU theme. Romero blocks an early takedown attempt and grabs a headscissors on the mat as the grappling begins. Romero’s rollup gets two and it’s off to a cravate, which Lawlor reverses into one of his own. That doesn’t go anywhere either so Romero grabs a headlock to slow things down.

Lawlor wins a battle of shoulder blocks but Romero dropkicks him to the floor. A running knee off the apron drops Lawlor again and we hit the chinlock back inside. There’s the Octopus to have Lawlor in even more trouble so he slowly walks to the ropes. A headscissors takes Lawlor down but he pulls Romero into a bow and arrow hold. With that broken up, it’s a Hennig necksnap into a sliding clothesline for two on Romero. Lawlor grabs a Fujiwara armbar before switching to a double arm crank.

That’s reversed into something like a crucifix with a Crossface (that’s a new one) with Lawlor making it over to the rope. Lawlor starts cranking on the leg until Romero uses the good one for an enziguri. Romero’s guillotine choke is countered into an exploder suplex but he’s right back with another tornado DDT.

Lawlor gets tied in the ropes for a middle rope stomp to the back. A running Sliced Bread gives Romero two but Lawlor is right back with Lars Sullivan’s Freak Accident. They strike it out until Lawlor gets two off a backslide. With the rear naked choke not working, Lawlor uses his legs to grab a cradle for the pin to advance at 17:43.

Rating: B-. Good back and forth match here which might have gone a bit longer than necessary. The most important part here though was that it felt like an important match with Lawlor hanging in there to win in the end over a game Romero. It wasn’t a classic, but it did what it was supposed to do and worked well enough.

Post match Lawlor says he is coming for the Opera Cup to add his name to the list of winners.

Overall Rating: C. This was almost all about the tournament and Contra, which seems like it could be the case for a long time to come. Much like last week, what we got here was fine though it wasn’t anything memorable. MLW has a tendency to not have the big fight feeling and that has been the case so far. Maybe they need more time, but it isn’t exactly promising so far.

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