Smackdown
Date: March 11, 2022
Location: Legacy Arena, Birmingham, Alabama
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee

We are rapidly approaching Wrestlemania and the card is probably about half done. There are still a lot of matches left to be set for the card and it would be nice to see one or more of those matches being added this week. WWE has already set up more than a few matches and stories for the show so at least they have something started. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a look at Brock Lesnar getting beaten down by the Bloodline at Madison Square Garden, leaving him a bloody mess.

Here is a ticked off Brock Lesnar (who looks perfectly fine and is already back six days after that kind of a beating because taking your time is a lost concept in modern wrestling) who gets right to the point. He doesn’t care about Wrestlemania contracts or WWE Titles (which he throws out of the ring) because all he wants is Reigns’ blood.

Lesnar demands that Reigns get out here but he gets Paul Heyman instead. Heyman says Lesnar wants Reigns….but Reigns isn’t here tonight for Lesnar’s protection. Lesnar: “If Reigns isn’t here, who is going to protect you Paul?” The chase is on (with Heyman running more than he has in years) but Lesnar stops to beat up security, allowing Heyman to escape in a car.

We look back at Sheamus and Ridge Holland destroying Big E.’s ATV.

Sheamus and Holland, still with their sledgehammers, saying they improved the ATV by making it lighter. They want a real fight night tonight and they have someone who wants in on it: Butch, better known as Pete Dunne in a hat (who looks a bit miserable, but that might be Dunne). This is a brilliant idea, because when you have Pete Dunne, a 20 something year old phenom, your best bet is to set him up for Bushwhackers jokes.

New Day vs. Sheamus/Ridge Holland

Butch is here with Sheamus and Ridge. New Day goes after Sheamus before the bell to start so we settle down to Holland taking Kofi down and dropping a knee to the face. Kofi hits a springboard dropkick for two so it’s off to Sheamus vs. Big E. The chase is on and Sheamus catches him with the forearms to the chest. Everything breaks down and Kofi hits a flip dive onto Holland, leaving Big E. to miss the apron splash. A jumping knee drops Big E. and we take a break.

Back with McAfee explaining that we may have known Butch by another name but Sheamus and Holland know him as Butch. My goodness it never ceases to amaze me how this company makes things more complicated than they need to be. Kofi kicks Sheamus down and loads up Trouble in Paradise but a Holland distraction breaks it up. SOS gets two instead with Holland making the save. Big E. misses the dive to the floor and Holland suplexes him ONTO HIS HEAD, leaving him down on the floor. Butch offers a distraction and Sheamus Brogue Kicks Kofi for the pin at 9:25.

Rating: C. The match was pretty good but oh my goodness that suplex was terrifying. These injuries keep happening with Holland and it might be time to take another look at him being in this spot. It keeps happening over and over and that is not something that can continue. What matters is him being ok, because that was absolutely terrifying. As for the match itself, it was hard to focus due to the injury and WWE making Pete Dunne an Oliver Twist cosplayer.

We take a long look at Kevin Owens challenging Steve Austin for Wrestlemania and Austin accepting. It is almost strange to see Austin doing a regular look at the camera promo like this.

Sami Zayn is mad about losing his Intercontinental Title and it is made even worse by seeing a clip of Johnny Knoxville having a banner, featuring Sami’s phone number on a banner. That hasn’t sat well with Sami, but he knows he can overcome Ricochet in his rematch for the Intercontinental Title this week.

Drew McIntyre/Viking Raiders vs. Jinder Mahal/Happy Corbin/Madcap Moss

McIntyre comes to the ring but we see the villains jumping the Raiders in the back. McIntyre slowly walks towards the back and here are Mahal and Shanky to go after him, with Moss and Corbin joining in. That is broken up without much trouble, leaving McIntyre to stare Corbin down. Everyone else gets back up and McIntyre gets caught in the ring, with Corbin laughing in his face. McIntyre fights up and clears the ring, making me wonder why in the world I’m supposed to want to see this match at Wrestlemania. No match of course.

We look at Ronda Rousey beating Sonya Deville last week and then making Charlotte tap out to an ankle lock.

Here is Ronda Rousey for a chat. She is ready for one of the biggest matches of her career at Wrestlemania against Charlotte. Rousey isn’t happy with Charlotte saying she is all about the armbar, because it is like saying Mike Tyson is a one trick pony because he just knocked people out. There are thousands of ways to get to an armbar, but she has spent the last few years refining the ankle lock, as taught to her by her first mentor in wrestling, Kurt Angle.

Cue Charlotte to interrupt, saying that Rousey will be in for the biggest fight of her life. Rousey needs to be worrying about winning on the biggest stage, where she won’t be tapping Charlotte out. Rousey: “Like I already did?” Charlotte calls her a one trick pony so Rousey tells her to bring it, and even offers to let her take off the high heels. Instead Charlotte walks away, with Rousey saying Charlotte is either tapping at Wrestlemania or Rousey is taking her arm home. Talking continues to not be Rousey’s strong suit but she was passable enough here.

We look at Brock Lesnar chasing Paul Heyman off earlier today. Lesnar has left too.

Rick Boogs and Shinsuke Nakamura go surfing in their latest Toyota commercial.

Sasha Banks/Naomi vs. Shayna Baszler/Natalya

Carmella and Queen Zelina are watching from ringside as Shayna takes Naomi down by the leg to start. Natalya and Shayna make a wish on Naomi’s legs and Shayna stomps on the ankle. Naomi fights up and makes the tag off to Banks, who comes in with the middle rope Meteora. Banks sends the villains outside and a sliding headscissors sends Natalya into Carmella and Vega’s general direction. Carmella offers a distraction so Zelina can fail at interference, allowing Banks to hit a basement Codebreaker for the pin on Natalya at 3:19.

Rating: C-. I cannot bring myself to care about this title match as it feels like it was thrown together first and then they are trying to make the three teams feel like they matter. They are building up Banks and Naomi after giving them the title shot, much like they are doing with Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley. It might work if you have strong champions, but that is absolutely not the case with Zelina and Carmella. Baszler continues to be the most “just there” wrestler who could be something more, but that’s WWE for you.

Here are the Usos for a chat. They brag about their 236 day reign as Tag Team Champions, which is almost a year (not exactly) and Roman Reigns’ nearly two year reign as Universal Champion (again, not exactly). Cue Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs, the latter of whom has a taped up leg and is badly limping. The Usos laugh off the idea of these two wanting a title shot at Wrestlemania, even calling Boogs Peg Leg Pete. They can have the title shot if Boogs can beat Jey right now.

Jey Uso vs. Rick Boogs

Hold on though as Boogs takes off the leg brace and grabs Jey in a vertical suplex, where he kneels down to one knee twice before taking him down. The gorilla press (with eleven reps)….doesn’t do anything as Boogs just drops him down instead of slamming him due to Jimmy’s distraction. Boogs is right back up with the Boogs Cruise for the pin and the title shot at 1:47.

Post match Jimmy breaks the guitar over Boogs’ back to leave him laying.

Intercontinental Title: Sami Zayn vs. Ricochet

Ricochet is defending and hold on a second here as Austin Theory comes out to sit next to Pat McAfee. Before the bell, Theory gets in McAfee’s face and slaps the headset off of his head. McAfee jumps the table, with Cole shouting NOT THIS WAY and DON’T LET HIM GET TO YOU! Some security finally comes out to clear them out, with McAfee leaving commentary. Theory has to be held back and eventually leaves as we’ll have the bell after the break.

We come back with the bell ringing as Cole talks about McAfee going over the line here, because we need a Michael Cole lecture during an Intercontinental Title match. Ricochet snaps off a headscissors to take Sami down but Sami gets in a neck snap across the top rope. Back in and a sitout powerbomb gives Sami two and we hit the chinlock. Ricochet fights up and knees him down before heading up top. That takes too long though and Sami knocks him off the top for a big crash as we take a break.

Back with…actually a look at McAfee vs. Theory, which absolutely needed to be shown full screen during a title match main event. We go back to the actual match with Ricochet reversing a suplex into a hurricanrana for two. The Blue Thunder Bomb gives Sami two and he takes Ricochet up top, only to get punched back down. Sami crotches him on top though and a t-bone superplex sends Ricochet flying. Back up and the Helluva Kick is countered into the Recoil, setting up the 630 to retain the title at 12:46.

Rating: B-. Well thank goodness for that. I was scared that they were going to put the title back on Zayn for the sake of the celebrity match at Wrestlemania, so at least they did something smart for a change. Ricochet has such a track record of inconsistency so it was nice to see them actually letting him stick with it for once. Good match too, which shouldn’t be a surprise.

We cut to the back where Charlotte and Ronda Rousey are fighting next to a car. Security can’t break it up so Charlotte suplexes her onto the car. Charlotte ties up her legs and fishhooks Rousey’s mouth on the hood. One more shot to the face puts Rousey down and she tries to pull herself to her feet to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. There wasn’t much to be seen her in the way of wrestling, which left the show focused on building up stories for Wrestlemania. That makes sense on paper, but then you get to the reality of the matches they have not being very good. Between McAfee and Knoxville being featured players and Lesnar’s big contribution being chasing Heyman out of the arena, this was a show focused on a lot of midcard material. That doesn’t make for a good show and illustrates how much they are focusing on Lesnar vs. Reigns and almost nothing else. They need something else big on Smackdown, and Zayn vs. Knoxville isn’t it.

Results
Sheamus/Ridge Holland b. New Day – Brogue Kick to Kofi Kingston
Sasha Banks/Naomi b. Natalya/Shayna Baszler – Codebreaker to Natalya
Rick Boogs b. Jey Uso – Boogs Cruise
Ricochet b. Sami Zayn – 630

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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AND

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Impact Wrestling
Date: March 10, 2022
Location: Paristown Hall, Louisville, Kentucky
Commentators: Matthew Rehwoldt, Tom Hannifan

We’re done with Sacrifice and on our way to the Multiverse of Matches over Wrestlemania weekend. I don’t think that show is going to have that much major long term impact, but it does sound fun so far. Other than that, the big story is Josh Alexander is back and coming for the World Title. Throw in the three title changes and Sacrifice was a big night. Let’s get to it.

Here is Sacrifice if you need a recap.

Opening recap.

Here is Josh Alexander for the opening chat. The fans chant about him being the NEXT WORLD CHAMP and that is all he has been wanting since Bound For Glory. He enjoyed sitting at home with his family but he had to come to some realities about his career. His son had been asking him when he would be getting his hands on Moose again. Well now he can say it’s April 23 at Rebellion because he is getting the title and his revenge.

Cue Honor No More to interrupt, with Eddie Edwards saying it must be nice to be able to leave and come back to work whenever you like. Before Josh worries about giving his son a new memory, he should tell him the truth: he has been handed everything since day one. Alexander threatens to knock his head off if he mentions his son’s name again. Alexander brings up everything he put on the line to bring the title back to Impact, but Eddie says the fans will turn on Alexander just as fast as they did him.

Matt Taven tells Alexander not to talk to Eddie like that and talks about how he and Eddie are both former World Champions. Taven: “And our reigns never finished prematurely in front of our wives.” Alexander: “When you were champion, you put the company out of business.” Alexander is willing to fight all of them and tries his best but Team Impact runs in for the save. Scott D’Amore comes out to say he is sure this is going to go smoothly one of these days, but it won’t be tonight. Tonight it’s Eddie vs. Rich Swann but for right now, it’s Willie Mack vs. Kenny King. Also, all night long, everyone is banned from ringside.

Willie Mack vs. Kenny King

King knocks him into the corner to start but gets shouldered out to the floor. The slingshot dive drops King again and they head back inside, where King grabs the referee. That lets him send Mack face first into the middle buckle to take over and a slingshot legdrop gets two. A seated abdominal stretch and camel clutch stay on Mack’s ribs and back but he gets in an “accidental” low blow. The Samoan drop into a standing moonsault gets two on King but he snaps off a powerslam for two. King misses a Blockbuster though and Mack hits the Stunner. The Six Star Frog Splash gives Mack the pin at 8:32.

Rating: C+. This was a good, mostly action based match and it was nice to see Mack getting a singles win for a change. I’ve always thought he could wind up being something around here but he seems more destined to be a tag guy. King was his usual self here and when that works, it can be rather entertaining.

We look at the Bullet Club’s night at Sacrifice.

Moose complains to Scott D’Amore about Josh Alexander sneaking into the World Title match at Rebellion. D’Amore asks if Moose is surprised that Alexander was sent home….which is a mile from Anthem’s corporate office. Moose has a week to sign the contract or he’s stripped.

Ace Austin vs. Crazzy Steve vs. John Skyler

The winner is added to the X-Division Title triple threat match at Rebellion so champion Trey Miguel is on commentary. Steve gets double teamed to start but he knocks Austin down and snaps Skyler’s neck around. Austin bails to the floor for a chat with Madman Fulton so Steve joins them, only to get enziguried.

We take a break and come back with Austin hitting running forearms to both of them in the corner until he gets sent outside. That leaves Skyler to hit a butterfly powerbomb for two but Austin is back in to kick both of them in the head. Austin gets caught on the top so Steve can bite Skyler, who holds him up in the air. That’s enough for Austin to come off with the Fold (turning it into a kind of Hart Attack Blockbuster) for the pin on Steve at 10:11.

Rating: C+. It’s the formula that has worked well forever and it still works today. While the X-Division isn’t quite a cruiserweight division, it goes by the same rules, including a few names being at the very top. That was the case here, as there was little reason to believe anyone but Austin was winning. That’s a good thing too, and the title match is already looking good.

Bhupinder Gujjar is ready to move forward but Rohan Raja comes in to ask why he hasn’t answered his phone calls. Larry D, who doesn’t work here anymore, comes in to get in Gujjar’s face. A big shot to the face has Raja saying that is why he and Gujjar have to be on the same page. Gujjar doesn’t seem convinced.

Violent By Design brags about winning the Tag Team Titles, saying it was all by design.

IInfluence/Tasha Steelz/Savannah Evans vs. Mickie James/Chelsea Green/IInspiration

Green has a brace on her wrist but won’t need surgery this time. Lee and Dashwood start things off with lee taking her down and hammering away early. It’s quickly off to Rayne, who takes McKay into the corner to take over. A forearm knocks Rayne away though and it’s Evans coming in instead. That works for the IInspiration, who double kick her down to take over.

This lasts all of five seconds as the IInfluence trip up Lee on the floor so Evans can run her over instead. Evans’ legdrop connects and it’s Rayne coming in for a chinlock. Lee manages to send the IInfluence into each other though and the hot tag brings in Mickie to clean house. Steelz cuts that off though and Kaleb With A K pulls Green off the apron to break up the tag. That’s fine with James, who hits the MickDT to finish Steelz at 5:59.

Rating: C. I’m not wild on having Steelz lose in her first match as champion, especially to Mickie. This is a match where Evans should have taken the pin to keep the new champions strong, as we are probably heading for a rematch at Rebellion. Either that or Green is getting the shot, though that is going to depend on her wrist, as she never actually got into the match here.

Jonah brags about taking out PCO at Sacrifice, where he showed that PCO is human.

Here is the Bullet Club for a chat. Karl Anderson introduces everyone and we stop for a TOO SWEET/WOOP WOOP chant. Doc Gallows isn’t happy with losing the Tag Team Champions but everyone is on notice. They have won titles on every continent but Antarctica because they don’t have wrestling there so they’re coming to get the Tag Team Titles back.

Jay White talks about beating Alex Shelly in a match that meant a lot to him. He didn’t shake Shelly’s hand, but Shelly can come out here for a too sweet right now. Cue Shelly to say he won’t come down there and too sweet “Jamie”, who he lived with for a year and a half while he was making no money in Ring of Honor. Shelly knows that White is doing what he has to do but he is still hurting from those chops.

White says Shelly knew him but doesn’t know him now. He lists off everything about himself and says that everything in wrestling happens to him. Shelly says he is the king of a generation and influenced Kazuchika Okada, the Young Bucks and White himself. Chris Bey: “WHY ARE YOU HERE???” Shelly: “The adults were having a conversation.” Shelly brings out Chris Sabin, who says that the two of them being together makes them the best tag team around here. Next week: White/Bey vs. Motor City Machine Guns.

Josh Alexander wants Honor No More so Scott D’Amore gives him Matt Taven next week. After that, focus on Moose though.

Deonna Purrazzo doesn’t feel bad about what happened to Chelsea Green because she knew the risk. Gisele Shaw comes in to say she’d love to take the titles from Purrazzo but here is Lady Frost to say she beat Shaw at Sacrifice. Purrazzo gets tired of the fighting and makes a winner take all triple threat next week.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Rich Swann vs. Eddie Edwards

Swann is looking serious here and dives off the apron to jump Edwards early. We take a break and come back with the fight still on the floor before they head inside for the opening bell. Maria has joined commentary as well as Eddie chops away in the corner. An overhead belly to belly drops Swann but he manages to send Eddie to the apron for a 619. Swann misses a dive though and we take a break.

Back with Eddie hitting a clothesline but Swann grabs some rollups for two. They head to the apron with a headscissors taking Eddie down to the floor in a crash. Back in and some kicks rock Eddie but he’s fine enough to crotch Swann on top. The Backpack Stunner sets up a half crab, sending Swann crawling to the ropes. Back up and Swann kicks away at Eddie’s face, setting up some stereo kicks to put both of them down.

Eddie’s tiger driver is countered into a rollup for two and they strike it out again. Something close to a Blue Thunder Bomb gives Eddie two Now the tiger driver connects for two but Swann is back with a cutter. The Lethal Injection gets two on Eddie but the phoenix splash misses. The Boston Knee Party connects though and the Die Hard Driver finishes Swann at 18:10.

Rating: B. No surprise on this one as two talented wrestlers got a lot of time and had a good match as a result. Edwards is a legitimate ace for Honor No More and that is what they need, if nothing else for the sake of most of their wrestlers having no track record around here. Swann is not likely to get back to the top of the company, but he is still good for a match like this every time.

Honor No More poses to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. Pretty solid show this week and the fact that we have a main event star ready to come after Moose makes things that much better. What matters here is they keep up the momentum and now we have a path towards Rebellion. Most of the card is yet to be determined, but at least they are already getting somewhere with the most important match.

Results
Willie Mack b. Kenny King – Six Star Frog Splash
Ace Austin b. John Skyler and Crazzy Steve – Fold to Steve
Chelsea Green/Mickie James/IInspiration b. Tasha Steelz/Savannah Evans/IInfluence – MickDT to Steelz
Eddie Edwards b. Rich Swann – Die Hard Driver

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Rampage
Date: March 11, 2022
Location: Hertz Arena, Fort Myers, Florida
Commentators: Ricky Starks, Taz, Excalibur

We’re back to the Friday show this time around and we are still in the fallout from Revolution. The big story on Dynamite was the debut of Jeff Hardy to reunite with his brother, which should make for a major story going forward. This week’s main event will feature the debut of Shane Strickland, which should work out rather well. Let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Marq Quen vs. Darby Allin

Sting and Isiah Kassidy are here too, but we don’t have time to intro them because we need to go straight to the ring thirty seconds into the show. As we go to a split screen of Jeff Hardy debuting, Allin takes over with a headlock but Quen fights up and sends him into the corner to take over. Some stomping has Allin in trouble and Quen hits a shoulder to the ribs in the corner. Allin hits a hiptoss for a breather but Quen goes to the apron and pulls Allin down onto it with him as we take a break.

Back with Allin hitting a superplex for two but Quen knocks him down and hits a backflip stomp/knees to the stomach for two. A flipping Downward Spiral gives Quen two, only to have Allin come back with a reverse DDT. The Coffin Drop is loaded up but Kassidy offers a distraction, which draws over Sting for the save. Quen knocks Allin off the top and hits a 450 to the floor before taking it back inside. Quen’s shooting star press misses though and Allin grabs a Fujiwara armbar for the tap at 11:49.

Rating: C+. Allin continues to be worth a watch every time and that is a great thing. He knows how to excite the fans and get them into whatever he is doing and not a lot of wrestlers can say that. You also have Quen, who can do some amazing high flying, but using a 450 to the floor 40 seconds before you lose is a bit much.

Post match the AHFO comes out to go after Allin and Sting but the Hardys make the save.

Dan Lambert talks about Larry Zbyszko and Bruno Sammartino to set up Wardlow vs. Scorpio Sky for the TNT Title on Dynamite. Sky promises to retain the title and his streak.

The House of Black loves violence and seems to threaten Death Triangle.

Mercedes Martinez vs. Jamie Hayter

Britt Baker and Rebel are here too. Hayter takes her down with a headlock to start, with Martinez reversing into a headscissors for a standoff. Back up and Hayter takes her into the corner before an exchange of shoulders lets them stare at each other again. Hayter stomps her down in the corner to take over again though and we take a break. We come back with Martinez rolling a few butterfly suplexes for two. Hayter is back with an Irish Curse for two and a shot to the head rocks Martinez. Hayter heads up but gets German suplexed HARD back down. Baker offers a distraction though and Hayter hits a clothesline for the pin at 9:30.

Rating: C-. I wasn’t feeling this one as Martinez has lost all of her interest in recent weeks and Hayter is little more than Baker’s muscle. It didn’t help that the first half of the match was pretty dull stuff and Hayter only needed a clothesline to win. Not their best stuff, but it felt like a bit of a clash as both of them have done far better before.

Post match the beatdown is on but Thunder Rosa runs in with a chair for the save.

Hikaru Shida is back and hopes Serena Deeb missed her. She promises to cut Deeb’s head off.

Keith Lee vs. QT Marshall

Lee powers him up by the arm to start but Marshall gets in a poke to the eye. Marshall mocks the BASK IN HIS GLORY, earning himself the Grizzly Magnum chop. The Uncle Phil Biel sends Marshall flying but he gets in a Stunner over the top rope. A missile dropkick puts Lee down but he’s back up with a clothesline. The Big Bang Catastrophe is blocked so Marshall hits an enziguri. The cutter is countered and Lee runs through him with a shoulder. Now the Big Bang Catastrophe can finish Marshall at 3:48.

Rating: C. They had me worried about this one as Marshall was getting in a bit too much offense here for a bit. The good thing is that Lee won with his big move at the end. There is something cool about watching Lee run through people and throw them around, but dang that man is rather large. He might need to slim down a bit, just for the sake of looking a bit better.

Post match Aaron Solo and Nick Comoroto come in for the failed beatdown attempts. Powerhouse Hobbs and Ricky Starks come in as well though and Hobbs hits a good spinebuster to drop Lee.

Tony Nese and Shane Strickland have their face to face showdown.

Tony Nese vs. Shane Strickland

Strickland takes him down by the wrist but Nese is back up without much trouble. A missed charge into the corner sets up an anklescissors takes Nese down and a basement dropkick makes it worse. Nese gets sent outside, where Strickland kicks him in the chest from the apron. A cheap shot gives Nese a breather though and we take a break.

Back with Nese blocking an uppercut and hitting a neck snap across the top. Nese misses the moonsault though and it’s a tilt-a-whirl powerslam, with Strickland rolling into a suplex for two. Strickland goes up top but gets pulled into a gutbuster. A good looking 450 gives Nese two but Strickland sends him to the apron for a running double stomp. Back in and a rolling Downward Spiral gets two and the Swerve Stomp (top rope double stomp) finishes at 13:01.

Rating: B-. Good match and Strickland looked awesome in his debut, but this was a perfect example of a match that could have been trimmed down. It’s ok to have Nese get in a few moves and then lose in about six minutes instead of going more than double that. Leave the fans wanting to see more of Strickland rather than running him through so much in his first match.

Overall Rating: C+. This was a downgrade over the usual Rampages, but it was by no means a bad show. Strickland looked good and they did some nice enough stuff in the other matches, but it is still such an oddly paced show. It feels like they have to rush through everything so they can fit in their longer matches, even when they could be done just as well with a few minutes cut off from each. The show comes off like something that was entertaining on paper but it isn’t exactly great when it airs.

Results
Darby Allin b. Marq Quen – Fujiwara armbar
Jamie Hayter b. Mercedes Martinez – Clothesline
Keith Lee b. QT Marshall – Big Bang Catastrophe
Shane Strickland b. Tony Nese – Swerve Stomp

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Make sure you check out some recent reviews.

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Rival City Showdown: And Out Come The Wolves

NXT UK – March 10, 2022

Injured Monday Night Raw Star Offers Positive Update.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/injured-monday-night-raw-star-offers-positive-update/

Here’s The Odd Advice Bron Breakker Was Given At Monday Night Raw.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/heres-odd-advice-bron-breakker-given-monday-night-raw/

Here Are Some Interesting Details On Jeff Hardy’s AEW Debut.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/interesting-details-jeff-hardys-aew-debut/

WWE May Be Calling Up A Top NXT Star Sooner Rather Than Later.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/wwe-may-be-calling-up-a-top-nxt-star-sooner-rather-than-later/

There Is A Special Catch To A Recent Surprise NXT Title Change.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/special-catch-recent-surprising-title-change/

William Regal Apologized For A Mistake In His First AEW Dynamite Appearance.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/william-regal-apologized-mistake-first-aew-dynamite-appearance/

Here Is A Look At How AEW Handles Long Term Planning.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/here-is-a-look-at-how-aew-handles-long-term-planning/

WATCH: Special Look At WWE’s Newest Series.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/watch-special-look-wwes-newest-series/

As always, hit up the comments section to chat about what is going on and get on the Wrestling Rumors Facebook page.

NXT UK
Date: March 10, 2022
Location: BT Sports Studios, London, England
Commentators: Andy Shepherd, Nigel McGuinness

It’s time for another title match as Noam Dar will be defending the Heritage Cup against Joe Coffey in the main event. The other big match will see A-Kid facing Charlie Dempsey in what could be a spectacle of technical wrestling. This show is such a breath of air compared to the main roster stuff so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a look at the Heritage Cup Title match.

Opening sequence.

Charlie Dempsey vs. A-Kid

During his entrance, Dempsey says he’s doing this himself, without Die Familie. Dempsey’s early cravate is escaped with a cartwheel and they stare at each other a bit. A-Kid gets taken down by the arm but reverses into a headlock. That is countered into a headscissors as they stay with the technical stuff to start. They go to the test of strength and flip around a bunch, with Dempsey bridging up on his neck.

A-Kid can’t break it down no matter what and gives up, looking a bit disturbed as a result. With that not working, it’s time to slug it out until an Octopus sends Dempsey to the ropes for the break. A-Kid starts twisting on the ankle instead but has to fight out of a kneebar, instead kneeing Dempsey in the head. Back up and Dempsey goes right back to the knee before switching things up with Cattle Mutilation. Dempsey switches to an armbar but A-Kid slips out so Dempsey grabs a fisherman’s suplex for two.

A-Kid is back with his own suplex for his own two but can’t get an arm crank. Instead he settles for an enziguri to drop Dempsey, which draws out Rohan Raja for a distraction. That’s enough for Dempsey to grab Checkmate (Where he ties up the head and leg so that A-Kid is almost kicking himself in the back of the head. It’s almost like he is covering and hooking the leg backwards.) for the tap at 12:34.

Rating: B-. This was the kind of technical exchange that is always going to be entertaining. Dempsey is quite the savage on the mat and knows how to make it look like he is destroying people. A-Kid is awesome, and now he might be on his way to the regular NXT, which should be quite good for everyone.

Sid Scala announces that an American is on his way here…but Wolfgang interrupts. That’s perfect for Scala, who gives Wolfgang a match with Roderick Strong next week.

We look back at Isla Dawn attacking Meiko Satomura last week to interrupt her special ceremony. The title match is in two weeks.

Aleah James is asked about the Women’s Title match but Stevie Turner interrupts to ask why we should care what James thinks. James walks away from her chattering.

Danny Jones/Josh Morrell vs. Symbiosis

Primate hiptosses Morrell over to start but gets caught with a pop up dropkick. T-Bone comes in so Jones does as well, setting up an exchange of shoulders. Jones takes over on the arm and it’s Morrell coming in with a top rope stomp to the arm. T-Bone pulls Morrell into the corner though and the beating is on, including Primate coming in off the middle rope with an ax handle to the back.

Morrell shrugs it off though and the hot tag brings in Jones to start cleaning house. T-Bone gets knocked down and Morrell climbs on top of Jones’ shoulders, setting up a Spiral Tap for two. That’s enough for T-Bone though, who is back with a powerslam and brings in Primate for a top rope headbutt and the pin at 6:04.

Rating: C. Jones and Morrell continue to be some of the more promising guys around here and it is nice to see them getting their chance here, even if they lose to a bigger team like Symbiosis. I don’t know if Symbiosis is going to the title scene, but they could make for some good challengers for Moustache Mountain. Not a showcase for either of them, but it did well enough.

Post match Symbiosis celebrates but Wild Boar runs in for his return and clears them out with a chair.

Nina Samuels mocks Emilia McKenzie, who steals the mic and asks how Samuels must feel to be this desperate for attention.

Ashton Smith/Oliver Carter think Moustache Mountain is trying to get out of the Tag Team Title rematch but Trent Seven tells them to earn it in a pair of singles matches. We’ll start next week.

Heritage Cup: Noam Dar vs. Joe Coffey

Coffey is challenging and has Mark Coffey to cancel out Sha Samuels. Round one begins with Dar circling around him before his leg dive attempt is thrown away. Coffey cranks on a wristlock before taking him to the mat. A Boston crab is escaped so Coffey goes after the leg again, only to have Dar grab the ropes as the first round ends.

Round two begins with Coffey grabbing a headlock takeover and grinds away for the first minute. Dar slips out and kicks away at the ribs but Coffey snaps off a hard German suplex. A running shoulder in the corner gives Coffey the pin at 2:25 of the first round and 6:11 overall.

Round three begins with Dar having to pull himself up so Coffey knocks him right back down. A top rope spinning crossbody gives Coffey two but Dar is back with a kick to the head. The kneebar doesn’t work for Dar so he rolls Coffey up to tie the score at 1:49 of the round and 8:35 total.

Round four begins with Dar going to the arm to cut off the slugout but stops to yell at the camera. Dar kicks him down and stays on the arm but Coffey gets to the apron for a hard slingshot shoulder. They’re both down for a bit until Coffey gets the Boston crab, sending Dar straight to the rope as the round ends. They fight to the floor between rounds though and Dar gets in a cheap shot.

Round five begins with Dar running over a staggered Coffey in the corner. The Nova Roller is cut off by a flying headbutt/shoulder though and they’re both down again. Coffey hits a clothesline for a knockdown but Dar is back up to badly lose a slugout. All The Best For The Bells knocks Dar silly but Samuels puts the foot on the rope. The distraction lets Dar hit the Nova Roller for the pin at 2:54 of the round and 15:45 total to retain.

Rating: C+. This wasn’t a bad match but it was the kind that came and went. Dar might have felt like he was in a bit of danger but it was nothing serious, even if Coffey winning the title could have been interesting. They seem to see something in Dar holding the Cup for a long time and I could go with that, but this was only a pretty good match.

Overall Rating: C+. In something I’ve said before about other promotions, they’re going to be fine if this is one of their bad ones. The star power wasn’t really around this time and they focused on the midcard guys, which worked out fairly well. You can’t have the big names on every week so it isn’t some horrible idea. Good enough show, though they have had better ones.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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And Out Come The Wolves
Date: April 20, 2019
Location: National Guard Armory, Bloomington, Indiana
Commentators: Bob Nugent, Tony Brewer

We’re going to Rival Showdown Pro Wrestling, another promotion on a seemingly endless list of companies I’ve been checking out lately. This show has a bunch of names I have at least heard of so we might be in for something a bit easier to follow this time around. Then again, you never can tell with something like this. Let’s get to it.

Bad sign to start: you can barely hear commentary over the entrance music.

Gringo Loco vs. Jake Something

They shake hands and lock up to start before Loco flips over him and flips forward out of the corner. A running headscissors drops Something so he tries one of his own, only to have Loco stick the landing. Something tries to drop down off a whip but Loco hits a standing moonsault for a nice counter. With nothing else working, Something blasts him with a clothesline and Loco is rocked hard. A whip into the corner gives Something two and he doesn’t seem overly nervous here.

Another chop rocks Loco again but he comes back with a quick middle rope dropkick. That sets up the big running flip dive to take Something down on the floor in the huge crash. Back in and Something knocks him right back to the floor, setting up his own crazy dive to crush Loco. It also lets Something do his WHAT’S MY NAME shout for the third time in less than eight minutes, just in case you didn’t get the idea.

A running crossbody against the apron gives Something two back inside and they’re both down for a bit. It’s Loco to his feet first and he runs the corner for a diving cutter (that looked good) and a near fall of his own. A top rope moonsault gives Loco two more as they are into the one big move at a time territory.

Something is back up with a running spear in the corner and a Michinoku Driver gets two. Loco escapes a superbomb and hits a super Falcon Arrow for the huge double knockdown. A delayed cover gives Loco two but Something turns him inside out with a clothesline. One heck of a sitout powerbomb finishes Loco at 13:46.

Rating: B-. This was a solid choice for an opener as they beat each other up with one big move after another. It was a classic power vs. speed match and that is going to work almost every time. Something is strong enough with the power game and Loco’s big dives and speed balanced it out well. You can always go with an opener like this and they are starting smart.

Post match here is a manager in a suit and a hat (Jason Bowler maybe?), with commentary trying to talk over him but again, you can’t hear a word of it. The manager has a client named Russ Jones who will face anyone at the next show and he wants Something. The match is on, but the manager won’t shake hands with someone from Detroit. Something knocks him down and shakes his hand anyway.

The ring announcer hypes up tonight’s double main event, including Abyss’ final match. He also hypes up a raffle, concessions and tonight’s charity.

The Carnies vs. Lethal Injection

This would be Kerry Awful/Nicky Iggy vs. Brad/Briar Mercury (in South Park shirts). The rather tattoed and masked Awful and Brad have a pose off to start before Iggy grabs a headlock. Awful takes off his mask as commentary needs security to get rid of some fans standing in front of them, which isn’t something you often hear. Brad and Awful chop the heck out of each other before they take turns bouncing off the same rope in a circle change.

Awful stomps on the arm and starts working on it (Bob: “That was a disarming move.”) before handing it off to Iggy for more arm cranking. Briar comes in and gets armdragged into an armbar of his own before it’s a double fishhook, because no one leaves the Carnies’ circus without a smile. A slam puts Briar down but Brad grabs Iggy from the apron so a dropkick can put him in trouble for the first time.

There’s a double back elbow to put Iggy down again and he gets tossed hard into the corner. Iggy’s escape attempt is cut off and Brad launches Briar into the air for a splash. A stomp out of the corner finally gets Iggy out of trouble and the double tag brings in Awful to chop away at Brad.

Awful hits a butterfly powerbomb into a crossthroat but Briar makes the save. Some superkicks to the….general area of Awful knock him back but Iggy comes back in for the save. A stomp/wheelbarrow faceplant combination plants Iggy as commentary actually tries to remember who is legal. Iggy is left alone with Briar and it’s a chokebomb to give Iggy two. Everyone gets back in and a bit of contrivance lets the Carnies force Brad to Canadian Destroy Brian for the pin at 11:16.

Rating: C-. I wasn’t feeling this one as the Carnies’ deal kind of goes away as soon as the bell rings and they’re just a team. The same is true with Lethal Injection, who were neither lethal nor injecting anything. The ending was not good either, as it takes a lot to make me believe that you can make someone give someone else a Canadian Destroyer and it didn’t work. Not the best match here and I was wanting it to end more than once.

The Carnies take their sweet time in leaving.

Abyss vs. Mojo McQueen

Monster’s Ball and this is Abyss’ final match. McQueen has a smoking box and a horned mask, which makes it less surprising to see him jump Abyss before the bell. Some whipping with the jacket has Abyss in trouble but he’s back up with a shoulder. A clothesline drops McQueen and another sends him out to the floor sot he real fight can begin.

McQueen sends him into the barricade and the slow beating takes Abyss around the ring. Some crutch shots rock Abyss again, including having the crutch knocked into his throat. McQueen’s chop only hits post though and Abyss hits some not so rapid chops against the barricade. They get back inside but Abyss takes too long to hit him with a trashcan. Instead McQueen trashcans him down into the corner, followed by a posting to make it worse.

We’ll get creative with a voodoo doll….but first it’s time to wedge a chair in the corner. McQueen stabs the doll in the head to put Abyss in pain, followed by more stabbings to make it worse. That’s not cool with Abyss, who grabs Janice (the spiked 2×4) from underneath the ring. As is ALWAYS THE CASE, it gets stuck in the turnbuckle pad so Abyss settles for whipping him head first into the chair in the corner. McQueen gets in a knee to the face and it’s time to bring in the table. Abyss breaks that up and pulls out the thumbtacks to put on said table. A chokeslam through both of them gives Abyss the pin at 8:38.

Rating: C. This wasn’t about the match being a big showdown but rather having Abyss in the ring one more time and that worked out well enough. Let him play the hits (or misses like Janice) and get a nice pop. It isn’t like McQueen feels like some top star so having him out there as a victim is a fine enough way to go, even if the match was only so good because they kept things moving.

Post match Abyss thanks the fans and says he couldn’t have picked a better crowd to go out in front of. Nice little moment there that you don’t get from Abyss very often.

Intermission.

Craig Mitchell vs. Eye Candy Elliott vs. Isaias Velazquez

I’ve seen Velazquez in MLW and Mitchell has some size to him. Mitchell lives up to the Eye Candy idea by having two attractive women with him. They hit the stall button to start with Mitchell heading outside for a breather with the women. The two lock up with Mitchell running him over but Velazquez hits a rolling kicks to the head. A dropkick sends Mitchell outside and hits a dive, only to be distracted by the women.

That’s enough to earn them an ejection so Elliott gets inside to start the double teaming of Velazquez in the corner. Velazquez gets double suplexed down and the villains take over. Some loud chops in the corner keep Velazquez in trouble but he ducks a clothesline so that Mitchell gets hit instead. Elliott is tied in the Tree of Woe so Velazquez can suplex Mitchell into him for a clever spot that actually made sense for a change.

A fireman’s carry swung into a faceplant rocks Elliott and a Sliced Bread to Mitchell makes him DDT Elliott for two (I still can’t stand those spots) to leave everyone down. Everyone is back up for a three way slugout until Elliott rakes their eyes. Elliott gets knocked down again though and it’s something like a Deep Six to drop Velazquez. Mitchell’s running forearm to the back of the head gets two but Elliott is back up with a running neckbreaker. Velazquez hits a Cheeky Nandos kick on Elliott, which has commentary and some fans losing it.

Mitchell is back with a World’s Strongest Slam/powerbomb combination at the same time (always looks cool) for two but he misses a charge. That means a middle rope double stomp/hanging DDT combination can put Mitchell down for a change so Elliott hits a swinging suplex for two on Velazquez. Back up and Mitchell hits a rolling Downward Spiral on Elliott but Velazquez runs Mitchell over. A Jay Driller gives Velazquez the pin on Elliott at 13:16.

Rating: C+. I had more fun with this one as they were out there doing their things, which made for an easier match to watch. You could easily get what everyone in this was about and that is not something you get to see very often. Velazquez felt like the biggest star out of the three so the win isn’t a surprise, but it came after an entertaining match.

Mance Warner vs. Mikey

Warner has been around for a bit and comes out to Freebird so he can’t be that bad. Mikey on the other hand has big hair and a big mustache. He also hugs a baby on the way to the ring, which does not go well with our evil commentator. Hold on though as Warner says he’s here to hit someone in the face instead of wrestling them, so let’s make this a Mancer Rules match, meaning falls count anywhere and anything goes.

Mikey is in so here we go, with Mikey posing on the ropes a lot before they go to the slugout. Some rather slow right hands in the corner rock Mance but he avoids a springboard moonsault. Warner heads outside so Mikey drills him with a suicide dive, only to get his skin ripped off by some chops. There’s the hard whip to send Mikey into the barricade but he does the same to Mance to even things up.

They head out over the barricade, with Warner throwing some chairs back to ringside because he’s a bit off. Warner wraps a purse around Mikey’s neck and beats on him some more, only to be taken to the merchandise table. Mikey strikes away but gets caught with a chair shot. A backdrop sends Mikey back to ringside and they finally get back into the ring. Mikey isn’t about to be suplexed onto an open chair so he sends Warner face first into it for two instead.

Warner knocks him back down but takes a bit too long going up, allowing Mikey to roll away before he can do anything. Instead Mikey misses a nip up and kicks Warner on the face to take him off the ropes. A dropkick drives a chair into Warner’s face and a rolling splash onto a chair onto Warner gets two. They sit next to each other and chop it out before getting to their feet for the right hands.

Both of them wind up their fists for about thirty seconds until Warner punches him down for two. Back up and Mikey slides between his legs but can’t get a sunset flip. Instead he kicks Warner in the face so Warner grabs a chair, which is kicked into the head for two more. Mikey slowly goes up top, with the delay allowing Warner to pelt him with a chair to bring him back down. A huge lariat finishes for Warner at 14:43.

Rating: D+. This was every hardcore, weapons brawl you could imagine and that is not a good thing. It doesn’t help that Abyss had a better (or at least faster) brawl earlier on and it didn’t make this look very good. Warner is someone who can talk rather well but the repetitive brawling can be a bit much to take.

Post match Warner talks about how they beat each other up and asks for some beers to celebrate. Mikey celebrates to Warner’s music and seems buzzed off one beer.

Jaylee vs. Elayna Black

Jaylee was in OVW for a bit and shoulders Black down to start. Black is back up with a cradle for two but Jaylee tosses her to the apron. Back in and Jaylee kicks her down and steps on the hair. We hit the chinlock for a bit but Black fights out in a hurry. Not that it matters as Jaylee grabs a standing armbar for the tap at 3:24, which seems to confuse commentary.

Rating: C-. Well that was quick and mostly painless, though they didn’t exactly seem polished out there. Jaylee certain had a look, but Black is the one who would get the attention, as she wound up signing with NXT under the name Cora Jade. She would get better, but she didn’t have time to showcase her talents here.

The ring announcer talks about the sponsors again. As a bonus, a kid gets in the ring to draw the raffle winner. It turns out that it is the kid’s birthday so we get a cake brought in, with the fans singing Happy Birthday. While this is going on, commentary points out other great days on this date in history….like the Columbine massacre….and the birthday of a certain German dictator.

Cue GT Vega (in the main event) to interrupt because he wants to know why he wasn’t invited. Vega has the candles lit again so the kid can blow them out….and then he hits the kid with the cake (pretty hard too). Vega wants someone to come out here and tell him that it isn’t his ring. No one is going to take him out, but here is someone to interrupt. That’s all well and good, but I’m going to need more on what that commentator said because WHAT THE HECK MAN???

GT Vega vs. Eddie Edwards

This is hardcore Eddie so he throws a chair at Vega’s head to knock him off the apron before the bell. Eddie: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” Vega gets whipped up against the barricade and chopped a lot, only to have Vega chop the post by mistake. A headbutt with a birthday hat makes Vega stagger but Vega sends him inside, only to be taken down by a suicide dive. Kid to Vega: “NO ONE LIKES YOU! NO ONE LIKES YOU!”

Eddie crotches him on the barricade and leads the crowd in HAPPY BIRTHDAY again. Vega fights back and sends Edwards throat first into the barricade before sending him into a garage door. That’s broken up and Eddie sends him into a wall, followed by a trip to the merch table. As luck would have it, Eddie’s children’s book is on sale so he hits Vega in the head with it. Vega comes back and chokes with a chair, though he does stop to pose.

Eddie gets whipped through some chairs and kicked in the face as commentary apparently can’t see over the fans. They go back to ringside, with Vega sending him face first into the apron. A Roman Reigns apron dropkick rocks Eddie but he comes back with an overhead belly to belly inside (where they bothered to go for once). Eddie gets up a boot in the corner but gets dropkicked off the middle rope to put it on the floor again.

Back in and Vega chokes on the ropes some more, followed by a spinebuster for two. Eddie gets in a kick to the face though and they head outside, where fans are BEGGING Eddie to hit Vega with the cake. That’s exactly what he does, making Eddie the biggest hero on the show so far. Back in and Vega kicks him down again as Edwards just can’t keep anything going. A bridging northern lights suplex gets two on Eddie, who catches him on top with a crotching.

The top rope superplex brings Vega back down and the backpack Stunner gives Eddie two. A fireman’s carry faceplant drops Vega again but the Boston Knee Party is countered into a powerbomb backbreaker for a rather near fall. Vega’s TKO gets two more and he kicks Eddie in the face a few times.

Edwards is right back with a powerbomb for two but Vega kicks the referee down by mistake. That lets Eddie grab a chair but Vega hits him low. A chair to the head finishes Eddie at 18:31 (or so, as I didn’t hear an opening bell)….but they keep going anyway as Eddie seemed to kick out just in time. Vega hits Roderick Strong’s End of Heartache for the real pin at 18:58.

Rating: B-. The big brawl at the start wasn’t my favorite, but what mattered here was how it felt like an important match. Eddie is someone who can work well with anyone and it was nice to see him getting a spot like this. Vega looked polished as well, but from what I can tell, this was his second to last match to date. That’s a shame too, as he was a pretty solid heel here and could have gone on to a bigger stage.

Post match Vega yells at the birthday kid again but Eddie hits him low. Eddie hands the kid the cake to hit Vega again for the happy ending.

Overall Rating: C+. For a show that didn’t exactly look great on paper, this wound up working pretty well. You can tell when the bigger stars are carrying things here and that is always a plus. There were a few too many hardcore/weapons brawls and some of the matches were weaker, but it was a step or so above a lot of regular independent shows. The company didn’t seem to last long, though they did seem to have some potential. Just get better commentary though, as it was pretty terrible. Overall pretty good, but it needed some adjustments.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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AND

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Wrestlemania XV
Date: March 28, 1999
Location: First Union Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Attendance: 20,276
Commentators: Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler

The pre-show will be replaced by Sunday Night Heat, the regular Sunday night show, for the next several years.

Sunday Night Heat: Ivory vs. Jacqueline

Sunday Night Heat: Battle Royal

Everyone goes after Rock and Grunge (a famous ECW tag team known as Public Enemy and therefore the crowd favorites) and put them out in about five seconds. A group of people get rid of Viscera (the giant formerly known as Mabel) but he pulls Gillberg out to make himself feel better. Animal, Skull and 8-Ball are put out and Hawk (with a full head of hair) goes out as well. Taylor is eliminated as Owen and Jarrett actually play some favorites for a change.

Boyz II Men sing America the Beautiful.

Hardcore Title: Al Snow vs. Hardcore Holly vs. Billy Gunn

Merchandise plug.

We recap Butterbean vs. Bart Gunn in a Brawl For All match. So back in 1998, the WWF lost its mind and decided to have a shoot toughman competition which was designed to be won by Dr. Death Steve Williams, a legitimate brawler and the Brock Lesnar of the 1980s. However, Bart Gunn shocked the world (or no one who knew his background as a toughman fighter but why pay attention to something like that) and won the thing.

Butterbean vs. Bart Gunn

Since this took about two minutes all together, the San Diego Chicken (sports mascot) shows up to annoy Pazienza, who knocks him out with one punch.

Mankind and “The Big Show” Paul Wight brawled on Heat earlier tonight.

Mankind promises to beat up Big Show again.

Paul Wight vs. Mankind

Once in the back, Vince wants Show arrested for assault in ANOTHER angle on this show.

Intercontinental Title: Road Dogg vs. Ken Shamrock vs. Goldust vs. Val Venis

Ryan yells at her brother until Venis goes outside for a brawl and a double countout. Ken comes back in and suplexes Dogg and Goldust to leave both guys laying. This gives me a chance to point out how stupid this is considering they have no issues, making this yet another bad decision. Back up and Ryan trips Goldust by mistake (allegedly, as Dogg was nowhere near Goldust), allowing Dogg to roll through a powerslam attempt for the pin to retain at 9:54.

Goldust rips into Ryan post match.

Big Show is arrested.

HHH vs. Kane

HHH lays Kane out with the chair and a Pedigree post match before officially reuniting with Chyna to a big pop.

European Title: X-Pac vs. Shane McMahon

Shane is defending and has Test in his corner. Patterson and Brisco fail at attacking X-Pac during the entrances so Shane has to run. He celebrates over a leapfrog, earning him a kick to the face. Test saves Shane from the Bronco Buster and crotches X-Pac against the post as the Mean Street Posse watch from the front row. Back in and Shane hammers away but misses a Corporate Elbow.

Post match the Outlaws make the save until Kane comes out to chase HHH off. The Outlaws shout to Lawler that HHH is done. He would be done with the midcard at least as he would win his first WWF World Title in August.

Undertaker vs. Big Boss Man

Hell in a Cell. To give you an idea of where Undertaker is right now, here are some of the spoken words during his theme song: “Accept the lord of darkness as your savior. Allow the purity of evil to guide you.” Boss Man pounds away in the corner to start but Undertaker does the same to take over. Various shots put Undertaker down but he keeps sitting up. A double leg trip (in the Cell mind you) puts Boss Man on the floor and Undertaker rams him into the Cell a few times.

Vince is guest referee, but Commissioner Shawn Michaels makes a surprise appearance with referee Mike Chioda. After complaining that he had to buy a ticket to get in, Shawn tells Vince that he has to pay attention to the rulebook. The rules clearly state that only one person can appoint a referee at Wrestlemania, and I think you can guess who that is. On top of that, the Corporation is barred from ringside and if Shawn sees any of them out here, he and Vince can have a fight of their own out back. This is another angle made and written off in less than two hours.

WWF World Title: The Rock vs. Steve Austin

No DQ, Rock is defending and Austin comes out in a shirt due to forgetting his vest at home. This is also the Wrestlemania debut of the WWF World Title belt that debuted the night after Wrestlemania XIV. They immediately brawl to the floor to start and go into the crowd for the main event style brawl. No one can get an advantage so they fight up the aisle with Rock backdropping him knee first onto an electric light, only to be sent into the big Wrestlemania logo, making it sway in a bit of a scary moment.

Highlight package takes us out.

Ratings Comparison

Hardcore Holly vs. Billy Gunn vs. Al Snow

Original: D+

2013 Redo: C-

2015 Redo: D

Original: F+

2013 Redo: C-

2015 Redo: C-

Butterbean vs. Bart Gunn

Original: F

2013 Redo: N/A

2015 Redo: N/A

Mankind vs. Big Show

Original: C-

2013 Redo: D

2015 Redo: D

Ken Shamrock vs. Road Dogg vs. Goldust vs. Val Venis

Original: D

2013 Redo: C

2015 Redo: D+

Kane vs. HHH

Original: D+

2013 Redo: C-

2015 Redo: C

Tori vs. Sable

Original: F

2013 Redo: F

2015 Redo: F

X-Pac vs. Shane McMahon

Original: C+

2013 Redo: D

2015 Redo: C-

Undertaker vs. Big Boss Man

Original: H (For holy goodness why was this a Cell match?)

2013 Redo: F

2015 Redo: F

Steve Austin vs. The Rock

Original: B+

2013 Redo: B-

2015 Redo: B

Overall Rating

Original: D

2013 Redo: D

2015 Redo: D

Individual ratings aside, it still sucks.

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2011/03/22/history-of-wrestlemania-with-kb-wrestlemania-15-this-is-the-best-they-can-do/

And the 2013 Redo:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2013/03/24/wrestlemania-count-up-wrestlemania-xv-russo-at-his-best/

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Wrestlemania XIV
Date: March 29, 1998
Location: FleetCenter, Boston, Massachusetts
Attendance: 19,028
Commentators: Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler

Tag Team Battle Royal

Los Boricuas (Vega/Perez), Los Boricuas (Estrada/Castillo), Truth Commission (Recon/Sniper), Bradshaw/Chainz, Nation of Domination (Brown/Henry), Nation of Domination (Faarooq/Mustafa), Legion of Doom 2000, Quebecers, Rock N Roll Express, Headbangers, Too Much, Disciples of Apocalypse, Steve Blackman/Flash Funk, Godwinns, New Midnight Express

Ever the poor sports, the Godwinns come back in with their metal buckets to knock the LOD silly and give the Express a chance. Animal rolls under the ropes to the floor, leaving Hawk to beat up both goons on his own. Animal comes back in to clean house and the Express is clotheslined out to give LOD the win at 8:13.

Kevin Kelly and Honky Tonk Man tell us to CALL THE HOTLINE!

Clips of various media appearances that took place in Boston over the recent days. This would become a Wrestlemania tradition and always made the show feel more important.

Light Heavyweight Title: Taka Michinoku vs. Aguila

Michinoku is defending and won the inaugural title late last year. Aguila is better known as Essa Rios and slaps hands with the champion to start. A quick spinwheel kick sends Taka out to the floor and Aguila follows him out with a moonsault to the outside. Taka kicks him outside as well and nails his signature running springboard dive to take over again.

European Title: HHH vs. Owen Hart

Hart starts fast and scores with some early clotheslines and right hands in the corner followed by a standing hurricanrana for two. So much for the leg being badly damaged but he does seem a bit ginger. HHH sends him to the floor but Slaughter stops Chyna from interfering. Back in and a poke to the eye breaks up the Sharpshooter to give HHH control.

Rating: B. What a difference a year makes with HHH as he went from a slow, boring match with Goldust to a really good, fast paced match here with Owen. I never quite got why Hart kept losing and losing to HHH as you would think they might want to go somewhere with him as the last remaining Hart. At least he was a good opponent for HHH and we got a good match here.

Marc Mero/Sable vs. Luna/The Artist Formerly Known As Goldust

Mero celebrates like he got the pin in a perfect character move.

Intercontinental Title: Ken Shamrock vs. The Rock

Rock is defending and the leader of the Nation of Domination. He actually gave Shamrock a title shot back at the Rumble where Shamrock got disqualified and the feud has continued from there. This included Rock BLASTING Shamrock in the face with a chair a few weeks back on Raw in a shot that would probably get him fired today. Rock has the Nation in his corner, minus Faarooq who Rock took the leadership from. If Rock gets disqualified here, he loses the title.

Tag Team Titles: Cactus Jack/Chainsaw Charlie vs. New Age Outlaws

In Your House XXI ad.

We recap Undertaker vs. Kane and this is going to get a bit complicated. Paul Bearer had promised to destroy Undertaker and revealed that Undertaker had a brother named Kane, who had been horribly burned in a fire as a child, a fire that Bearer claimed Undertaker set. During the first Hell in a Cell match, Kane actually debuted and laid out Undertaker, seemingly setting up their first match. However, Undertaker vowed to his parents that he would never fight his brother.

Undertaker vs. Kane

They stare each other down and Undertaker hammers away to almost no effect. A big toss by the throat sends Undertaker into the corner but Kane charges into a boot to the face. Undertaker charges into a Tombstone attempt but gets dropped on his head in the corner. Kane knees Undertaker down in the corner before draping him ribs first across the top rope.

Bearer comes in for some cheap shots, allowing Kane to lay Undertaker out with a chair and another Tombstone. Kane and Bearer leave but Undertaker sits up again.

Another Attitude spot, but this time with some legends talking about how amazing their days were. In their time, there were no flashing lights or moonsaults, no walking the top rope or pyrotechnics. Today though, the legends are the ones cheering. Another outstanding ad here as you can see that everything is changing.

We recap Austin vs. Michaels, which translates to a video on Mike Tyson, who is the real star of this show and the reason it was such a big deal. This is one of the best celebrity investments in company history and made the match.

WWF World Title: Steve Austin vs. Shawn Michaels

JR gets the famous line with “The Austin Era has begun!” Michaels is ticked off at Tyson and takes a swing, earning him a right hand to the jaw to knock Shawn out cold. Confetti falls and the highlight package takes us out.

There are better Wrestlemanias out there but this one was the right show at the right time with the right ending. The memorable moments here are memorable for a reason and the show holds up today for all the right reasons. This show launched the WWF into its second great era and they never looked back. Well not for a few years at least.

Ratings Comparison

Tag Team Battle Royal

Original: D-

2013 Redo: D

2015 Redo: D+

Taka Michinoku vs. Aguila

Original: D+

2013 Redo: B

2015 Redo: B-

HHH vs. Owen Hart

Original: B-

2013 Redo: D+

2015 Redo: B

Marc Mero/Sable vs. The Artist Formerly Known As Goldust/Luna Vachon

Original: C

2013 Redo: C

2015 Redo: C

The Rock vs. Ken Shamrock

Original: C+

2013 Redo: C-

2015 Redo: D+

New Age Outlaws vs. Cactus Jack/Chainsaw Charlie

Original: C+

2013 Redo: C

2015 Redo: B

Kane vs. Undertaker

Original: D+

2013 Redo: C-

2015 Redo: D+

Steve Austin vs. Shawn Michaels

Original: B+

2013 Redo: B+

2015 Redo: A-

Overall Rating

Original: B+

2013 Redo: B

2015 Redo: B

That’s a lot more all over the place than usual, even by my standards.

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2011/03/21/history-of-wrestlemania-with-kb-wrestlemania-14-everything-changes-forever/

And the 2013 Redo:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2013/03/23/wrestlemania-count-up-wrestlemania-xiv-the-austin-era-has-begun/

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Make sure you check out some recent reviews.

Wrestlemania XII (2015 Redo)

Sacrifice 2022

Monday Night Raw – March 7, 2022

ECW On Sci Fi – October 2, 2007

NXT LVL Up – March 4, 2022

Wrestlemania XIII (2015 Redo)

NXT – March 8, 2022

Ring Of Honor TV – March 2, 2022

Dynamite – March 10, 2022

WWE Announces New Hall Of Fame Inductee.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/wwe-announces-new-hall-fame-inductee/

Wrestling Legend Receives Very Special Award.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/wrestling-legend-receives-lifetime-achievement-award/

Another Star Leaving Impact Wrestling, Officially A Free Agent.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/another-star-leaving-impact-wrestling-officially-free-agent/

Asuka Calls Out Inaccurate Medical Updates.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/asuka-calls-inaccurate-medical-updates/

Title Change Takes Place On Monday Night Raw.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/title-change-takes-place-monday-night-raw-2-4/

WrestleMania 38 Title Match Gets Even Bigger.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/wrestlemania-38-title-match-gets-even-bigger/

“Serious” Injury Takes Place At AEW Revolution.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/serious-injury-takes-place-aew-revolution/

Stone Cold Steve Austin Officially Challenged For WrestleMania 38.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/stone-cold-steve-austin-officially-challenged-wrestlemania-38/

Becky Lynch Injured During WWE Live Event, Sent To Hospital.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/becky-lynch-injured-live-event-sent-hospital/

WRESTLING RUMORS: Another Former WWE Champion Joining Hall Of Fame.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/wrestling-rumors-another-former-wwe-champion-joining-hall-fame/

More On What To Expect From Vince McMahon At WrestleMania.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/expect-vince-mcmahon-wrestlemania/

Huge Title Change Takes Place This Week On NXT.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/huge-title-change-takes-place-week-nxt/

WWE Might Not Show All Of This Year’s Hall Of Fame Inductions.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/wwe-might-not-show-all-of-this-years-hall-of-fame-induction/

Wrestling Legend Confirms She Is Retired From The Ring.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/wrestling-legend-confirms-retired-ring/

NXT Is Getting A New Star Next Week (Kind Of).

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/nxt-getting-new-star-next-week-kind/

AEW Made Several Changes To Revolution Title Match Ending.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/aew-made-several-changes-revolution-title-match-ending/

New Update On Cody Rhodes’ Wrestling Future.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/new-update-cody-rhodes-wrestling-future/

Here’s (Probably) Why Steve Austin Isn’t Wrestling Again.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/heres-probably-steve-austin-isnt-wrestling/

BREAKING: Jeff Hardy Makes AEW Debut.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/breaking-jeff-hardy-makes-aew-debut/

You’ll Be Seeing More Of Miro In AEW For A Long Time To Come.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/youll-seeing-miro-aew-long-time-come/

Title Change Takes Place In AEW Dynamite Main Event.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/title-change-takes-place-aew-dynamite-main-event/

Bray Wyatt Making First Wrestling Related Appearance In Seven Months.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/bray-wyatt-making-first-wrestling-related-appearance-seven-months/

Longtime AEW Stable Breaks Up, New One Takes Its Place.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/longtime-aew-stable-breaks-new-one-takes-place/

AEW Trio Splits Up As Manager Gets Fired.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/aew-trio-splits-manager-gets-fired/

As always, hit up the comments section to chat about what is going on and get on the Wrestling Rumors Facebook page.

IMG Credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/wwe-figurines-wrestlers-wrestling-5564385/

Throughout decades of WWE wrestling, we’ve seen some of the biggest personalities make the walk down to the ring. These athletes often come with their own nicknames that represent their character and the qualities they present. There have been way too many memorable nicknames to count, but these ones stand among the best.

While the “Wild West” had nicknames like “Billy the Kid”, “Wild Bill” Hickok and “Buffalo Bill”, other industries have taken this trend even farther. For instance, the poker world is filled with memorable nicknames for their players, and professional fighters choose names that will make them seem more fearsome. In the world of wrestling however, nicknames are all about giving the athlete more personality.

”Latino Heat” Eddie Guerrero

The late Eddie Guerrero is a wrestler that will never be forgotten and alongside Rey Mysterio, he is an icon for Mexican-Americans. While the seldom spoken Mysterio was known for his high-flying acrobatics, Eddie made his name with his fiery personality and charisma. He was a scrappy wrestler that would do anything to win, including cheat and play dirty. “Latino Heat” is what you came to expect when you faced Guerrero in the ring.

”Nature Boy” Ric Flair

Ric Flair was a master of the microphone, a true “natural” when it came to promoting and getting the crowd whipped into a frenzy. His nickname ”Nature Boy” really means “The Natural” and is a homage to early wrestling legend Buddy Rogers. The name was passed down to Ric and this is precisely why it’s so great. ”Nature Boy” Ric Flair is a piece of wrestling history that carried Ric to the highest level of the sport. His other nickname, “The Dirtiest Player in the Game” wasn’t too bad either.

”The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels

Shawn Michaels took a different avenue when it came to creating his character. Instead of being overly muscular and bulky, Michaels had a more athletic figure and used more high-energy moves in the ring. He also played up the “ladies man” persona with his nickname, ”The Heartbreak Kid.”

IMG Credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/OebdsI0Q4F0

”Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner

Wrestlers were always trying to out muscle each other and ”Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner made it a point that he wanted to be the biggest and most muscular of all. His name is absolutely ridiculous but somehow was perfectly fitting when he entered the ring in his bizarre trademark chainmail headdress, reminiscent of what a knight would wear.

”Macho Man” Randy Savage

In the era when professional wrestling was all about masculinity and testosterone, one man stood as the most “macho” of all. ”Macho Man” Randy Savage is a legend of the 80s golden era. His trademark raspy voice combined with his muscular figure and bright flamboyant attire made him a fan favorite during his title reign.

”Stone Cold” Steve Austin

Almost assuredly the greatest wrestler of all time, ”Stone Cold” Steve Austin was an incredible success. His nickname was everything at once, exciting, fearsome, and catchy. Combined with his signature move, the “Stone Cold Stunner” he became a superstar of the sport. His other nickname, “The Texas Rattlesnake” was equally monumental, as it illustrated his loner attitude and quickness to strike at friends and foes alike.

”The People’s Champion” The Rock

People forget that movie star and part-time Olympics hype man Dwayne Johnson started off his career in pro wrestling. Long before his film days he was ”The People’s Champion,” The Rock. This is an iconic nickname because of what it represented. Much like the equivalent in the later cliche nickname of “The Champ” John Cena, this name represents the fact that at the time The Rock was the biggest star on the roster. He was the ultimate face of the franchise and let the fans know he was here for them.

”The Eighth Wonder of the World” André The Giant

André The Giant was a wrestler that didn’t need a nickname. His massive 7’4”, 520lbs figure made him one of the largest entertainers of all time. André could be seen towering over the crowd as he made his way to the ring. With all of these features in mind, ”The Eighth Wonder of the World” was the ideal nickname for André. It underlined the truth of the man, that he was a one-of-a-kind human being and it was a true marvel that he existed at all.