Saturday Night’s Main Event #30
Date: February 8, 1992
Location: Lubbock Municipal Coliseum, Lubbock, Texas
Commentators: Vince McMahon, Bobby Heenan

This isn’t exactly a great time for the show but it’s certainly a star studded show. We’re coming up on Wrestlemania VIII and the big story is that Hulk Hogan is scheduled to get the WWF Title shot against Ric Flair. Sid Justice isn’t happy about Hogan getting the chance and they happen to be teaming up against Flair and Undertaker. Let’s get to it.

We get a rather generic opening sequence showing some of the bigger names on the show. This is very early 90s.

Intercontinental Title: Roddy Piper vs. The Mountie

Piper is defending, which isn’t something you often get to say and Jimmy Hart is here with Mountie. Hart steals the belt before the match so Piper (wrestling in a shirt) sends both of them outside for a double noggin knocker. Back in and Mountie ties him in the Tree of Woe to kick away as we get some comments from Bret Hart, who gets the winner at Wrestlemania (he doesn’t care who he faces).

The referee gets bumped and Mountie hits a piledriver, but Hart hands him some water. Mountie pours the water on Piper and then uses the shock stick…but Piper pops up. A right hand drops Mountie and Piper steals the shock stick to knock him out instead. As luck would have it, the referee is up and Piper retains at 3:31.

Rating: C. The match was nothing special but the point was in the surprise of Piper jumping up after the shock stick. Piper had already gotten his big moment of winning the title at the Royal Rumble so this was just a bit of a bonus. Mountie wasn’t going to a long term star around the title picture so having him lose to Piper twice in a row is fine.

Post match Piper takes off his shirt to reveal a vest labeled SHOCK PROOF. Yep, that’s rather fitting of someone as smart as Piper.

We look at the end of the Royal Rumble, with Sid Justice dumping Hulk Hogan but getting tossed by Ric Flair for the win. Note the VERY dubbed audio that has the fans chanting for Hogan, which was absolutely not the case in real time. Sid and Hogan got into it after the match and had to be held apart. Then Hogan got the title shot anyway because…well because Jack Tunney was kind of a goof. Sid was rightfully livid and thinks he’s getting cheated because he’s the newcomer.

But then earlier today, Sid apologized for going too far, especially against Hogan. Uh, right.

Hogan and Sid seem to be ok, but Sid doesn’t get to talk because Hogan wants to talk about going to Wrestlemania. Sid just leaves as Hogan talks and yeah, Hogan has earned whatever he has coming to him.

Ric Flair/Undertaker vs. Sid Justice/Hulk Hogan

Mr. Perfect and Paul Bearer are here with the villains and Hogan brings out Brutus Beefcake as a surprise. Flair and Sid start things off with Sid hitting a big backdrop into a hiptoss. That’s enough to send Flair outside where he seems to be limping a bit, which is made worse as Hogan backdrops and hiptosses him as well.

Undertaker gets hiptossed and it’s back to Sid, who slams him down. Hogan comes back in with a pair of slams as he keeps doing the same things Sid does, but more. Undertaker manages to get in a shot to Sid though and a double clothesline gets two. A double atomic drop puts Sid down again as the villains take over. Hogan makes another save as everything breaks down, with Hogan telling Sid what to do. A double big boot and a double clothesline clear the ring as we take a break.

We come back with Undertaker sneaking up on Sid to take over. Sid gets taken into the corner and Undertaker even gets in a top rope right hand. A double noggin knocker gets Sid out of trouble and Hogan comes in to clean house. Perfect grabs the leg though and Flair gets to start in on the knee.

The Figure Four goes on and Sid isn’t even looking at the ring. Hogan turns it over and escapes as Sid is looking bored on the apron. Undertaker comes back in for the jumping clothesline as Beefcake begs Sid to get in the ring and help. Flair comes in and chops away, which of course triggers the Hulk Up. Hogan knocks them both down and goes for the tag but Sid walks out. The double teaming continues until it’s a DQ at 11:35.

Rating: C. I’ve been a Hogan fan since before I can remember and he’s the reason I got into wrestling in the first place. Watching this match back made me want to see Sid punch him in the mouth. Hogan was an absolute jerk to Sid, both here and at the Rumble (plus in the pre-match promo) and deserved everything that happened to him. And he never even learns as this is eerily similar to what happened with Paul Orndorff six years earlier!

Post match Hogan beats both of them up as Beefcake gets in the ring to watch. Well of course Hogan can just do that.

In the back, Sid isn’t sorry for what happened because Hogan couldn’t beat Flair or himself on his best day.

Post break, Hogan says Sid turned his back on everyone, but thank goodness for Brutus Beefcake (who did….nothing), who was always there for him. Beefcake thanks Hogan for being there in the hospital with him and Hogan dedicates his title match at Wrestlemania (which didn’t happen) to Beefcake, who only had a quick cameo at the show. Of note: this was clearly taped before the match, as Hogan isn’t even sweating just a few minutes after a match.

Sgt. Slaughter/Jim Duggan vs. Beverly Brothers

Duggan backs Blake into the corner to start but gets whipped into…Slaughter, who blocks Duggan from hitting the buckle. The Genius gets in a cheap scroll shot to Duggan and Blake jumps over Beau onto Duggan’s back. Duggan fights out and hands it off to Slaughter, who grabs an abdominal stretch of all things. Everything breaks down and Duggan hits a clothesline for the pin (with the camera looking at Duggan rather than Slaughter’s cover) at 2:39. Nothing to this one.

Randy Savage talks about Jake Roberts making him inside. Oh Randy that ship sailed a long time ago.

Jake Roberts vs. Randy Savage

Savage jumps him from behind to start and sends Roberts into the post, possibly breaking Roberts’ nose. They get inside with Savage hammering away but a poke to the eye cuts him off. Savage is sent outside but comes back in, where Roberts sends him into the buckle. And then outside again. Roberts sends him into the barricade and we take a break. We come back with Savage crawling back inside, where Roberts punches him out of the air and hits the DDT. The short arm clothesline lets Roberts applaud a bit but the DDT is countered with a backdrop to the floor. Back in and the big elbow finishes Roberts at 5:25.

Rating: B-. These two always seemed like they were ready to kill each other but they never had that one huge match. The one at Tuesday In Texas was white hot but it only works so well with such a short amount of time. At least Savage got the pin and survived the DDT, which really should be the end of the feud.

Post match Savage grabs his trusty ring bell but referees and agents cut him off. Elizabeth comes out to celebrate with Savage…as Roberts is waiting on them behind the curtain after the show. While it wasn’t shown here (but later aired on Superstars), Roberts grabbed a chair and was going to smash one of them as they came through the curtain.

That would be Elizabeth, but Undertaker of all people grabbed the chair from him, allowing Elizabeth to escape and Savage to chair Roberts down. Commentary sold the heck out of this, with both of them swearing, as Vince even called Sid a son of a b****. And that’s how Undertaker turned face in an awesome segment that showed there was a point even he wouldn’t cross.

Overall Rating: C+. You could tell that the steam was WAY out of Saturday Night’s Main Event at this point but this one did at least set up a few things at Wrestlemania. The wrestling wasn’t much to see though and the Hogan praise was insufferable. The good thing is it only ran an hour, as this was all about the angles and that wasn’t going to last much longer. We got enough Hogan stuff just in this show, and thank goodness he was leaving soon after this because it was almost impossible to take. Not a great show, but it did serve a purpose.

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

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Smackdown
Date: December 12, 2025
Location: Mohegan Sun At Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

It’s the night before Saturday Night’s Main Event and that means we have one more night before John Cena’s final match. That means we very well may be hearing from Gunther before he faces Cena tomorrow, but there is also the matter of Cody Rhodes facing NXT Champion Oba Femi on Saturday. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a quick recap of Cody Rhodes wanting to face Drew McIntyre again.

Earlier today, Nick Aldis said he can’t get in touch with Drew McIntyre but he’s getting a chance to come here and speak about it face to face.

Aldis tells Cody Rhodes that McIntyre isn’t here and he’s legally claiming an unsafe work environment. Rhodes doesn’t have time for this and heads to the ring.

Here is Rhodes for a chat. He’s not happy with McIntyre’s claims and says they’re happening because McIntyre is only half in. If it was up to Rhodes, McIntyre would be fired, but here is NXT Champion Oba Femi to interrupt. Femi praises Rhodes and talks about how you can often see the future a long way off. This time though, the future is right in front of him and his time is now. Rhodes says they both respect John Cena, but he’s the man who beat Cena for this title. They hold up their titles and stare each other down to wrap up a short but intense segment.

Fraxiom tell Ilja Dragunov they’ll have his back tonight against Tommaso Ciampa. Dragunov appreciates the offer but declines because this is his responsibility. John Cena introduced the US Open Challenge and Dragunov is carrying on its history. Everything seems to be cool.

United States Title: Ilja Dragunov vs. Tommaso Ciampa

Dragunov is defending and they trade forearms to start until Ciampa (with a taped up arm) goes after Dragunov’s previously banged up knee. Dragunov is sent outside and a suplex sends the knee into the steps. We take a break and come back with Ciampa staying on the knee, only for Dragunov to slug his way out of trouble. Some rolling German suplexes have Ciampa down but the knee gives out before Dragunov can suplex him.

Something like a John Cena ProtoBomb gets two but Ciampa catches him on top. That means an Air Raid Crash on the apron for two, only for Dragunov to come back with a missile dropkick to the back of the neck. We take another break and come back with Dragunov looking even more intense than usual but getting taken down with a super Air Raid Crash.

Dragunov strikes away but gets caught with a dragon screw legwhip. Ciampa is back up but the bloody Dragunov hits Torpedo Moscow. Cue the rest of DIY for a distraction, allowing Ciampa to get in a running knee for two. The Fairy Tale Ending is loaded up but Dragunov reverses into a cradle for the pin to retain at 16:57.

Rating: B+. They laid into each other here with Ciampa working on the knee, as a good villain should be doing. At the same time, Dragunov was at his best as he kept fighting through the adversity to retain. I’m not sure who is going to take the title from him but they’re making the idea of beating him into quite the moment.

Post match Ciampa jumps Dragunov but Carmelo Hayes makes the save.

Je’Von Evans is asked about his match tomorrow night but Miz interrupts, saying he doesn’t know why we’re talking to Evans. That doesn’t work for Evans, who wants a match tonight, with Miz saying he’ll get it going.

Here are the Wyatt Sicks for a chat. Uncle Howdy doesn’t like Solo Sikoa casting judgment on his family and it’s interesting that Sikoa’s real family has turned on him. If Sikoa wants the Tag Team Titles, come get them. Sikoa and company come up on the screen, saying they’re coming for the titles next week. The Wyatts are given the option to give them up early, because otherwise, all they can do is RUN.

Charlotte gives Alexa Bliss a pep talk before her match but Rhea Ripley comes in to suggest she and Iyo Sky are coming for the titles instead. Bliss and Charlotte aren’t impressed.

Various celebrities congratulate John Cena on his retirement.

Alexa Bliss vs. Lash Legend

Charlotte and Nia Jax are here too. Bliss sends her outside to start but Legend is back with something like a Dominator onto the barricade. Back in and Legend works on the arm before nailing a rather hard forearm. Jax teases getting involved but Charlotte kicks her down. Bliss tries a DDT but gets cut off for the Lash Extension and the pin at 3:35.

Rating: C. The match was short and to the point, with Legend basically squashing her to show off the power and strength. It would have been a stretch for Bliss to be able to hang with a powerhouse like Legend so the match was put together well. Keeping Legend’s match short made sense and they kept her safe here so well done all around.

Aleister Black and Zelina are ready for Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest.

Smackdown is back to three hours on January 2. Oh joy.

Video on Leon Slater/Je’Von Evans.

Miz vs. Je’Von Evans

They start slowly until Evans snaps off a quick hurricanrana to stagger Miz. With Miz on the floor, Evans takes him down with a springboard moonsault, only to be sent arm first into the post. We take a break and come back with Miz still on the arm but Evans kicks his way out of the corner. A very big moonsault misses though and Miz initiates John Cena’s finishing sequence. Evans fights back though and sends him outside for the dive. Back in and Evans’ springboard cutter is blocked, only for the second attempt to connect for the win at 8:08.

Rating: C+. Evans continues to feel like one of the best prospects around and that means we’re likely going to be seeing him a lot more often. It’s also why he was in there against Miz, who is capable of making anyone look good. Miz pulled it off again here, which really shouldn’t be a surprise given how talented he really is.

Nia Jax and Lash Legend mock Rhea Ripley, who isn’t intimidated. Damian Priest comes in to say he likes that intensity from Ripley, who turns around to stare down Jade Cargill. These teases are great, as there are quite a few matches in there.

Michin doesn’t like bullies so she wants to fight Jade Cargill…who jumps Michin from behind to leave her laying. Cargill comes to the ring to say that’s what happens when you step up to her so here is Michin with a kendo stick. Naturally she loads up a table (because THAT is a logical weapon here) but gets kicked in the face for her efforts. Cargill hits a chokeslam and leaves Michin laying. Could Michin and B-Fab look any more useless against Cargill?

Video on the Last Time Is Now tournament.

Saturday Night’s Main Event rundown.

Video on Oba Femi.

Rhea Ripley/Damian Priest vs. Aleister Black/Zelina

The villains jump the heroes from behind to start, with Priest throwing Black into the corner to hammer away. Zelina tries to choke Priest, which goes as well as you would expect. Ripley throws her and hits a clothesline as we take a break. We come back with Zelina hitting a middle rope Meteora but getting muscled up for a hard toss. Priest comes back in for a lifting Downward Spiral to Black, followed by the Broken Arrow for two. Black is back up with a German suplex for two of his own as everything breaks down.

Zelina is picked up and launched at Ripley for a hurricanrana. Ripley tries Riptide but it gets reversed into…I have absolutely no idea (it looked like a Code Red but they landed so badly that commentary had no idea who got hurt). Code Red gives Zelina two but Ripley muscles her up into an electric chair. Black comes in for a standoff with Ripley until Priest is back in with a Razor’s Edge. Riptide finishes Zelina at 9:48.

Rating: C-. This was a rather hasty main event and I’m not sure why. The botch on the Code Red (I think) was pretty terrible, but other than that it was a lot of Ripley throwing Zelina around. This didn’t feel like the big ending of Priest vs. Black and that is something we need to see sooner rather than later. After all the hype, this was quite the letdown.

Overall Rating: C+. I liked the stuff with Rhodes/Femi and the opener, but the main event was pretty disappointing. Other than that, you had Legend and Evans getting some nice wins to get them off to a nice start. The problem is this show is coming the night before Saturday Night’s Main Event and that’s the show that really feels important. Not the best show here, but it had some decent pieces, including a heck of an opener to bail it out.

Results
Ilja Dragunov b. Tommaso Ciampa – Cradle
Lash Legend b. Alexa Bliss – Lash Extension
Je’Von Evans b. The Miz – OG Cutter
Rhea Ripley/Damian Priest b. Zelina/Aleister Black – Riptide to Zelina

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

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Impact Wrestling
Date: December 11, 2025
Location: El Paso County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

Final Resolution has come and gone and shockingly enough, it was basically just a stop on the way towards Genesis next month. Frankie Kazarian is still the World Champion after beating JDC to retain the title. Other than that, Leon Slater is still the X-Division Champion and Mike Santana is on his way through the NXT invaders. Let’s get to it.

Here is Final Resolution if you need a recap.

We open with a Final Resolution recap, including Steve Maclin losing the International Title to NXT’s Stacks.

Opening sequence.

Here is Frankie Kazarian to get things going with the King’s Speech. He’s ready to lead TNA into the AMC Era and become the face of the network, so Walter White can move over. Kazarian has heard all of the fans’ hatred and it gives him his happiness. You need to get used to it but here is Mike Santana to interrupt.

After addressing the fans in Spanish, Santana says he respects how Kazarian got the title. At the same time, he’s a hot blooded Latino so he’s mad too. Next week, he’s in a cage against the NXT wrestlers and then he’s coming after the title at Genesis on January 17. Kazarian says no, but Santana says he’s coming for the title anyway.

We run down tonight’s card.

The NXT guys are ready to take out Team TNA, including Matt Cardona. Stacks doesn’t like Santino Marella getting involved in his relationship with Marella’s daughter and next week, he’s taking out the TNA stars.

We look at Leon Slater in last weekend’s NXT Iron Survivor Challenge. Slater will be in a four way for a future NXT Title shot next week.

Lexis King vs. Matt Cardona

Cardona armdrags King to start as we’re told that next week’s cage match is basically WarGames. King is sent outside for the crash, plus a dropkick through the ropes before being tossed back inside. Cardona gets his arm snapped across the top though, followed by a ram into the post. We hit the armbar before King hammers him down in the corner.

King takes too long posing though and gets blasted with a running clothesline. The Reboot gets two but Cardona’s arm is banged up, allowing King to hit a running clothesline to the back of the head (must be an Outback Jack fan). The cane is loaded up but it’s a distraction so Stacks can come in…and get dropped by Radio Silence. King uses the distraction to roll Cardona up for the pin at 5:00.

Rating: C. This wasn’t bad but the good thing is King is finally finding something to do. He hasn’t exactly been a great star in NXT but this is at least a step forward for him. Cardona is someone who can be treated as a big deal when he’s needed and odds are he’ll be around in the quest for revenge against NXT.

Post match Cardona goes after King but gets jumped by Stacks. Steve Maclin makes the save.

Lei Ying Lee and Xia Brookside are fine after their match at Final Resolution. Tessa Blanchard and company come in, with Blanchard saying she wants a title match. Ying doesn’t like Blanchard, who doesn’t care.

Harley Hudson/Myla Grace vs. Elegance Brand

The Brand is in dressed as elves for a special theme. They swing presents at Hudson and Grace and are knocked out to the floor before the bell. Back in and we officially get started with M taking Hudson down for a basement dropkick but Heather misses a backsplash. The tag brings in Grace to clean house as everything breaks down. The Personal Concierge grabs a present but gets it slammed onto his head. Hudson rolls Heather up but it gets reversed into a cradle to give Heather the pin at 3:14.

Rating: C. The Brand continue to be the top heels in the tag division so having them cheat to beat someone is a good idea. At the same time, it’s nice to see how fast TNA has rebuilt the Knockouts of any kind. There are a bunch of fresh faces around the division and it’s good that they’re already feeling like they belong. That can take time, but they’ve done it rather quickly. Nice job.

We look at Rich Swann snapping and turning on AJ Francis at Final Resolution.

Swann talks about his history with Francis and he’s done with being disrespected. Yes First Class is over but here is Francis to jump him from behind.

Dezmond Xavier vs. Jake Something vs. Cedric Alexander vs. BDE vs. Ryan Nemeth vs. Jason Hotch

One fall for an X-Division Title shot. Alexander and Xavier waste no time in clearing the ring to start. They both miss shots to the others’ heads and seem to show some respect. Something is back in to drop both of them though and we take a break. We come back with Something getting powerbombed out of the corner, leaving Alexander and Xavier to slug it out.

Alexander dives onto Something and Xavier hits a big flipping dive onto almost everyone else. Back in and Nemeth DDTs BDE for two before grabbing a chair. Cue Mara Sade to superkick Nemeth again, leaving Alexander to Spanish fly Hotch for two. BDE is back up with a cutter and a frog splash but Alexander gives him the Lumbar Check for the pin at 10:10.

Rating: B-. As usual, this was the kind of all over the place insanity that you knew was coming when the match was announced. It makes sense to have BDE take the fall here as he’s the celebrity (work with me here) entrant in the match. Alexander is someone who has been needing a win or two in order to let him showcase his talents so I’m rather pleased with the result. The match was exactly what you would have expected, meaning it was perfectly entertaining and messy.

The System is ready for tonight but JDC wants to face Eddie Edwards in his final match. Edwards is in.

Frankie Kazarian complains about facing Mike Santana so Santino Marella says he can defend the title against the winner of an upcoming battle royal in three weeks. In addition to facing Santana. The NXT guys come up to insult Santino, with Arianna Grace slapping Stacks and telling him to watch his mouth.

The System vs. Sinner And Saint

Edwards and Sinner start things off with Edwards dropping him off a clothesline. Myers comes in and gets struck down with some double teaming, allowing Saint to work on his knee. A chinlock doesn’t last long as Myers is up with a Michinoku driver to get out of trouble. Edwards comes back in with a backpack Stunner for two as everything breaks down. A belly to back suplex/sitout powerbomb combination gets two on Edwards but Myers cuts Sinner off. Saint is sent back in for a Roster Cut into the Boston Knee Party for the pin at 4:53.

Rating: C+. The System are one of the better teams in TNA today and they work rather well together. This wasn’t exactly a squash, but at least they didn’t waste time in getting to the point. Sinner And Saint aren’t the most thrilling team, but this was a pretty nice performance from both of them.

Post match respect is shown.

Here are the Hardys for a chat. Matt says he can feel Eddie Guerrero all around us here. They beat High Ryze at Final Resolution and they’re ready to face Team NXT next week. They have to protect TNA because 2026 is going to be their biggest year ever. Cue the Righteous to interrupt, with Vincent introducing himself and his partner Dutch.

The Hardys know who they are but don’t know why he’s here. Vincent praises the team and Dutch says they’re here because of the Hardys. They wish the Hardys luck in the cage match next week and Dutch declares himself righteous. I’ve heard worse, but this wasn’t exactly a great first promo from the Righteous.

Santino Marella announces that Matt Cardona can’t compete in the cage match so Santino will take his place.

Indi Hartwell vs. Dani Luna

Dog Collar match. Luna jumps her before putting the collar on, only for Hartwell to use the chain for some pre-bell whipping. Hartwell gets Luna cinched up and the bell rings and gets pulled down by the neck so Luna can hammer away. The chain is wrapped around the ropes so Hartwell can be pulled into them. That works so well that Hartwell does the same thing to Luna as we take a break.

We come back with Hartwell getting tripped down for two and getting tied to the post. Hartwell can’t kick her way out of trouble but she can pull Luna face first into the post to draw some blood. Luna goes up and gets pulled down into a spinebuster for two, only to catch Hartwell with a running dropkick. Luna is GUSHING blood and tries some powder, which is knocked out of her hands just as fast. Back up and the referee gets bumped, leaving Luna to…hit the Lunar Landing for the clean pin at 12:27.

Rating: B-. The blood looked awesome, but the match itself was nothing noteworthy otherwise. The ending just kind of happened, with the ref bump not really changing much. Luna has come a long way in the last few months and this was the kind of win that she has been needing. On the other hand you have Hartwell, who is falling rather quickly after a hot start.

Overall Rating: C+. Right now, pretty much everything is setting up the cage match next week, which feels like it’s close to the blowoff to the whole TNA vs. NXT feud. At the same time, it feels like everything is building towards the AMC debut, which makes sense, though it leaves them with kind of a weird limbo for the next five weeks or so. This was a good enough show with a main event that felt big, though next week is the really stacked event.

Results
Lexis King b. Matt Cardona – Rollup
Elegance Brand b. Harley Hudson/Myla Grace – Rollup to Hudson
Cedric Alexander b. BDE, Dezmond Xavier, Jake Something, Ryan Nemeth and Jason Hotch – Lumbar Check to BDE
The System b. Sinner And Saint – Boston Knee Party to Saint
Dani Luna b. Indi Hartwell – Lunar Landing

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

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Ring Of Honor
Date: December 11, 2025
Location: Greater Columbus, Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We’re done with Final Battle and the big story is that Bandido retained the World Title. That means he should be a few weeks (at least) away from his next meaningful title defense so we’ll have to see what else is going on. We do at least FINALLY have a Women’s Pure Rules champion and it’s the person who was the favorite to win the whole thing the entire time. Now we begin the months long build towards the next pay per view, whenever that is. Let’s get to it.

Here is Final Battle if you need a recap.

Final Battle recap.

Opening sequence.

Here are Athena, Diamante and Billie Starkz to celebrate Athena’s three year reign as Women’s Champion. Athena brags about her success and the various women she has defeated. It’s a reason to celebrate, but Starkz didn’t win the Pure Rules Title, so the plan didn’t come out perfectly. She can make up for it in a tag match with Diamante though. I can’t believe they are still teasing Starkz taking the title. How can they drag it out this long?

Spanish Announce Project vs. LSG/Josh Crane

Angelico and Crane start things off with an exchange of wristlocks. Serpentico comes in with a top rope double stomp to the arm and a rollup gets two. It’s off to LSG to stomp Serpentico down in the corner but he rolls away for the tag off to Angelico. The rapid fire strikes have LSG in trouble and the lifting Downward Spiral gives Angelico two. Everything breaks down and the Project grabs stereo submissions for the double tap at 5:08.

Rating: C. The Project is perfectly fine in the ring, but my goodness it’s hard to care about what they’re doing. It’s the same stuff we’ve seen for months now and they never move up the totem pole at all. They pretty much have no stories and they’re just out there to fill in some time about every other week. If that’s all they’re going to do, find somewhere else for them to go, as it’s just filler.

Frat House vs. Dark Order

Silver runs Garrison over with a shoulder to start and it’s off to Uno to crush him in the corner. Vance comes in and gets stomped down in the corner as well, only for Uno to be sent outside for some rapid fire stomping. Back in and Uno tells Vance to kick him more, one such kick is sent at the referee, allowing Uno to kick Vance in the head. Everything breaks down and Garrison rolls through Reynolds’ high crossbody for two. The Order’s striking sequence into a rollup gets two on Garrison but Vance clotheslines Karter by mistake. The Order’s triple flipping slam finishes Karter at 7:18.

Rating: C+. This was another six man with one of the multiple trios who aren’t doing anything around here beating another. It isn’t like either of them are going to get a title shot soon but they certainly had time to have a run of the mill match. Perfectly watchable match but not much more than that, as is almost always the case for these teams.

Deonna Purrazzo is emotional after winning the Women’s Pure Rules Title.

Zayda Steel vs. Rachael Ellering

They fight over wrist control to start with Ellering taking her down into an armbar. Steel’s headlock doesn’t last long and she uses the ropes to flip out of a wristlock. Ellering chops her down a few times, setting up a gutwrench suplex into a backsplash for two. Steel comes back with a neckbreaker and they fight over a suplex. Ellering manages to muscle her over, followed by the Boss Woman Slam for two. Back up and Steel grabs a spinning DDT for the pin out of nowhere at 6:07.

Rating: C. This was about what you would have expected, as Ellering never wins anything and Steel needed a win after the loss in her debut. It wasn’t a bad match, but there’s only so much to get out of something like this. At least Steel won her second match and is getting off to a decent start. The division needs some fresh blood so why not see what she can do?

Post match respect is shown.

The Swirl isn’t happy about their losses at Final Battle but Blake Christian still wants the World Title.

Jay Lethal vs. Nathan Cruz

Cruz jumps him during the handshake and hammers away to start fast. Lethal is right back with a strut but it’s too early for the Figure Four. Instead, Cruz’s neckbreaker gets two and a Hennig necksnap gets the same. Lethal fights out of a chinlock and then does it again, only to get caught with a slingshot belly to back suplex for two. A missed charge in the corner lets Lethal get some rollups for two each and he dragon screw legwhips Cruz down. The Figure Four sends Cruz straight to the ropes so it’s the Lethal Injection to give Lethal the pin at 5:48.

Rating: C+. Cruz was making his debut here and he got to have a nice showcase here, as he had a good look and was fine enough to hang in there with Lethal. I could go for seeing some more from Cruz, which is a good sign his future. Lethal is still at his best when he gets the chance to give someone a rub, which was the case here.

We look back at the opening segment.

Billie Starkz/Diamante vs. Deonna Purrazzo/???

The partner is….Madison Rayne, the hometown girl. Purrazzo gets knocked out to the floor to start but Rayne takes over on Starkz in the corner. Everything breaks down in a hurry and Purrazzo is taken into the wrong corner. A basement dropkick connects on Purrazzo and Starkz is back in for a chinlock. That’s broken up and they clothesline each other down for a double breather. Rayne comes back in with a quick cutter and then a double cutter for a bonus. It’s back to Purrazzo, who Fujiwara armbars Starkz for the tap at 4:49.

Rating: C. Well that was quick, though it’s nice to have a match which feels like it might actually tie into one of the bigger stories around here. At the same time, this again feels like Starkz finally having enough of Athena and coming after the title. I would say I can’t imagine that happening, but in Ring Of Honor, it would absolutely not surprise me as we’re only three years into the story.

Red Velvet is happy with her win over Mercedes Mone and the kitchen is officially open.

Josh Woods vs. Hechicero

They go to the mat to start and neither of them can get very far. Hechicero takes over on the leg but Woods is right back with some quick rollups for two each. A front facelock doesn’t work either and we’re off to an early standoff. Hechicero grabs a DDT and starts in on the arm before twisting on the legs instead. Some shots in the corner stagger Woods, who is right back with some running forearms. Woods’ big knee to the head gets two but Hechicero gets something close to a la majistral into a Black Widow on the mat for the submission at 7:11.

Rating: B-. This was the kind of technical showcase where you knew how good it was going to be due to the people involved. They both got to showcase their skills, though it would have been nicer to have the match go a bit longer. Or for Woods to have been given a chance to be built up before he’s put into this spot. Either way, it was different in a good way here and I’ll take that.

Outrunners/Adam Priest/Tommy Billington/Dalton Castle vs. MxM TV/Premiere Athletes

The villains jump them from behind to start on the floor but the Outrunners take over on TV inside. The Mega Powers Elbow is broken up and Magnum gets taken down. Magnum avoids the frog splash though and a bunch of elbows miss too, allowing Castle to come in and snap off the suplexes. Castle is sent into Billington though and it’s back to the Outrunners for a double slam on Madden as everything breaks down. The extra villains are ejected and it’s a German suplex/clothesline combination to pin Nese at 4:30.

Rating: C. Well that was…messy. I’m not sure why they needed to have everyone involved here other than “they’re here for Final Battle so we’ll put them on this show too”. That seems to be a recurring theme this week and it’s giving us matches like this. The speedy offense was fun, but I could barely tell who was in the match most of the time, which isn’t a good sign.

Shane Taylor Promotions heard the fans cheering for them but they only care about titles and checks. Their biggest accomplishment though: making SkyFlight interesting. Now if only you could make yourselves interesting.

Red Velvet vs. Lacey Lane

Non-title Proving Ground match, meaning that if Lane wins or survives the ten minute time limit, she gets a future title shot. Velvet takes her down by the arm to start but Lane is back with a front facelock. A backslide gives Velvet two and she knocks Lane outside for an early breather.

Back in and Lane ties her in the corner for a running dropkick, followed by a springboard legdrop for two. Velvet is back up with some running knees in the ropes but Lane grabs a Death Valley Driver into a standing legdrop (that was cool….I think). That doesn’t get her very far though as Velvet is back with a superkick into the flipping faceplant for the pin at 5:20.

Rating: C+. It makes sense to give Velvet a win after her big upset on Friday so this was a good use for her here. She needs to be reestablished after so much time away and hopefully it works, as her final Battle match was pretty awesome. Lane is another good hand who I could go for having around a bit more often, though she’ll need to get something going around here.

Death Riders vs. Willie Mack/Aaron Solo

Oh come on can we just wrap this show up already? Mack is knocked outside to start fast and Yuta drops a middle rope elbow for two on Solo. Everything breaks down and Marina Shafir offers a distraction, meaning Solo can get tied in the ring skirt for some double teaming. Mack comes back in for some hard spinebusters but Solo gets sent into the corner for the running clotheslines. The top rope splash into the Dragontamer finishes Solo at 4:48.

Rating: D+. Sweet goodness I hate this show. This was a squash from the Death Riders, who feel like they’re on every show every week and here they are again, winning a match that won’t get them anywhere closer to a title match or anything serious. But hey, at least they go to make this long show even longer in a match over two established losers. Thank goodness for that.

Shane Taylor Promotions vs. Komander/SkyFlight

Moriarty and Komander start things off and trade escapes for a standoff. Dante and Bravo come in, with Dante taking him into the corner by the arm. It’s off to Darius for a dropkick into an armbar before Dante flips over a charge to send Bravo outside. Taylor comes in to headbutt Dante and knock him outside, followed by the beating in the corner back inside.

Bravo’s knee drop gets two and we hit the chinlock. Dante manages to jump over Moriarty and brings Komander in to clean house. The very springboardy hurricanrana gives Komander two on Moriarty as everything breaks down. Dante drops Bravo and it’s Cielito Lindo to give Komander the pin at 9:04.

Rating: C+. The idea here was to push Komander vs. Moriarty for their title match on December 26, though there were no rope breaks here so I have no idea what it has to do with a Pure Rules match. Other than that, the Promotions have already beaten SkyFlight so there’s not much of a need for them to fight again. Then again it isn’t like the six man division is in any way of a division, so odds are it keeps going anyway.

Overall Rating: D+. This show actually got on my nerves more than once and that’s not a good sign. After a five hour show on Friday (plus the regular show on Thursday and a bonus show on Tuesday), here’s one of the longest editions of the weekly show in probably a year or two. It was a bunch of the same people who were around at Final Battle in less interesting matches that are done week after week.

While there were a few stories being moved forward, it’s not like they’re interesting in the slightest. The wrestling was decent enough, but my goodness I am absolutely sick of seeing these same people trotted out there week after week so they can do the same stuff. If this is the best booking they can have, at least cut the shows down to an hour or so at most because MY GOODNESS this felt like it went on for days.

Results
Spanish Announce Project b. LSG/Josh Crane – Double submission
Dark Order b. Frat House – Triple flipping slam to Karter
Zayda Steel b. Rachael Ellering – Spinning DDT
Jay Lethal b. Nathan Cruz – Lethal Injection
Deonna Purrazzo/Madison Rayne b. Billie Starkz/Diamante – Fujiwara armbar to Starkz
Hechicero b. Josh Woods – Black Widow
Outrunners/Adam Priest/Tommy Billington/Dalton Castle b. MxM TV/Premiere Athletes – German suplex/clothesline combination to Nese
Red Velvet b. Lacey Lane – Flipping faceplant
Death Riders b. Aaron Solo/Willie Mack – Dragontamer to Solo
Komander/SkyFlight b. Shane Taylor Promotions – Cielito Lindo to Bravo

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

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WWF House Show
Date: November 30, 1991
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
Attendance: 15,000
Commentators: Vince McMahon, Bobby Heenan, Lord Alfred Hayes

Eh let’s have some fun with something like this as the house shows are almost always a good time. We are freshly off the Survivor Series, meaning Undertaker is actually the WWF Champion at the moment. That’s not something you see very often at this point but it could make for something interesting. Let’s get to it.

Opening sequence, as this is from the WWE Old School series.

Commentary welcomes us to the show and you can see Tito Santana (El Matador in this case) coming to the ring behind them.

Tito Santana vs. Kato

Oh this is a house show opener for sure. Kato tries to jump him to start and gets armdragged down for his efforts. Some shots against the ropes slow Santana a bit and he can’t get an O’Connor roll. A running clothesline works a bit better though and Kato crashes out to the floor. Back in and the armdrag into the armbar has Kato in more trouble as commentary talks about Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair.

A hiptoss takes Kato back down and we hit the armbar again. Kato finally fights up and grabs a backbreaker for his first real offense. Another backbreaker gives Kato two and we hit the reverse chinlock, though Heenan wants a Boston crab. Santana powers up, with McMahon going into a bizarre (for him) explanation of the physics of how Santana is doing this the hard way. Kato’s rollup with feet on the ropes gets two so Santana gives him a faceplant. Another knockdown sets up El Paso del Muerte (Flying Salsa according to Heenan) to finish Kato at 10:05.

Rating: C. Santana is almost as perfect of an opening match wrestler as you can get as the fans know and respect him. It made for a fine match, even against a low level tag wrestler like Kato. The comeback worked and while the match might not have been anything great, it did exactly what it needed to do.

Texas Tornado vs. Berzerker

Berzerker jumps him to start and hits a big (furry) boot but misses a dropkick. Tornado slugs away and clotheslines him to the floor (with Tornado trying a second one and hitting Berzerker’s upside down feet). Back in and Tornado misses a charge into the post and they head outside, where Berzerker is sent into the steps. That’s enough for the countout at 2:02, likely because Tornado appeared to be somewhere over Jupiter. Vince: “That’s one of the strangest matches I’ve ever seen in Madison Square Garden.”

Virgil vs. Skinner

Virgil throws the punches to start and gets slapped in the corner for his efforts. This leaves Vince to ask Alfred about rumors of a comeback, with Hayes, who hadn’t wrestled in eight and a half years, laughing it off. Skinner bails to the floor before coming back in, with Virgil backing him into the corner. An atomic drop sets up a headlock, which is driven into the corner so Skinner can hit a shoulder to the ribs.

Skinner seems to bite Virgil’s ear before sending him outside for the assorted stomping. Back in and Virgil slugs away, only to get tossed to the floor again. A reverse DDT drops Virgil for a terribly slow count, which doesn’t matter anyway as Virgil had a foot on the rope. An elbow to the face gets two more and my goodness the referee is actually getting slower. Vince complains about said referee, saying he was both out of position and “rotund”. Geez man. Anyway, Virgil gets a sunset flip for the pin at 6:08.

Rating: D. I’ve seen Skinner have a good match on occasion, but that was not the case here. This was every bit as dull of a match as you would have expected and it somehow dragged down a show which was already pretty low when this match started. Oh and commentary was right on the referee. That was inexcusable and I’m sure it has to do with the athletic commission, which has a place, but not when it comes to picking referees.

Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair

Mr. Perfect is…not here with Flair, despite being introduced with him. Flair struts on the apron to start and the chase is on, with Flair managing to strike away in the corner back inside. Hogan switches places and fires off the chops, followed by a running clothesline. A hiptoss is blocked and Hogan knocks him to the floor, meaning it’s time for some quick posing.

Flair gets sent into various hard objects and a clothesline sends him into the fans. Back in and something is stuck to Flair’s back but falls off when he grabs a belly to back suplex. That’s shrugged off for a hard whip into the corner, leaving Flair to hit the ineffective chops. Going to the eyes only gets Flair so far as he heads up top, only to crash down in the exactly expected manner. The big boot and legdrop connect but Flair gets his foot on the rope just in time. That means Hogan has to yell at the referee, allowing Flair to kick at the knee.

NOW Mr. Perfect comes to the ring, allowing Flair to wrap the knee around the post. Perfect does it as well and then rams the knee onto the apron, with Heenan thinking his monitor has gone dark. The Figure Four goes on with Perfect grabbing the hands, though Hogan is able to turn it over anyway. Since the referee is a moron, Perfect is able to hand Flair a foreign object for the big knockout pin at 9:25. And hang on as some other officials come out and find the object, meaning it’s a reversed decision.

Rating: C. This was a good example of what was wrong with Hogan vs. Flair: it was really only interesting on paper. They didn’t have much in the way of chemistry and there is only so much drama in Flair using the Figure Four. Outside of some crazy sneaky cheating, Flair feels more like a pest to Hogan than a threat and that’s not going to work. And hey look, it really didn’t.

As usual, Hogan takes his sweet time posing after the match.

It seems that we skip intermission as commentary previews the second half.

Jim Duggan vs. Barbarian

Barbarian throws his….cape? Pelt? Whatever it is, at Duggan, who beats on it with his 2×4 in a funny start. They lock up to start about a minute and a half in and it’s an early standoff. A lockup goes to Barbarian as he shoves Duggan into the corner for some more stalling. Duggan knocks him to the floor, followed by some knees to the ribs back inside as Heenan goes on a pro-Flair rant.

Barbarian comes back with a choke on the ropes and they just start brawling, with the referee doing NOTHING. Vince is all over him (same one as earlier) as Barbarian plants Duggan and grabs the bearhug. Duggan fights out and is quickly cut off with a shot to the ribs. The bearhug sequel goes on and stays for a bit longer, though Duggan slugs out again. Some clotheslines and right hands in the corner rock Barbarian before another clothesline finishes for Duggan at 7:48.

Rating: D+. This is another case where you know what you’re going to get as soon as the match is announced as it’s not like they’re going to do anything else. That doesn’t make it any better, but at least we got to see the worst referee imaginable again. Commentary is right to mock him endlessly, as he does absolutely nothing out there and it just keeps getting worse.

Post match Barbarian jumps him again but Duggan grabs the 2×4 to clear the ring.

Intercontinental Title: Bret Hart vs. The Mountie

Hart is defending and gets his whole hometown listed while Mountie is just from “Canada”. I guess you have to be a champion to get a city. Then again, law and order represents all of Canada so maybe it’s appropriate. Mountie holds him off with the shock stick so here is the Big Boss Man to take it away, allowing Hart to jump Mountie and start fast. Some rams into the corner and an elbow put Mountie down, followed by an elbow for two.

Mountie comes back with some forearms and a bite to the head, with Vince praising the referee (a WWF regular) for breaking it up. Hart bites him right back as Vince makes sure that Hayes is awake. Some right hands in the corner have Mountie in trouble as Hart is looking more fired up than usual for a house show. Hart’s charge hits the post and Mountie elbows him down for two more.

Now Hart goes chest first into the buckle (there it is) and the reverse chinlock goes on. Mountie even pulls the hair for a bonus, with Heenan saying is a way to grow the hair. With that not working, Mountie puts him in the tree of woe for some upside down hair pulling. Heenan complains about Boss Man taking the shock stick away from the Mountie, who is the Excellence Of Electrocution (if that isn’t an electrical company somewhere in the south, I don’t know what we’re doing).

A chair to the ribs (right in front of the referee) has Hart down again on the floor, followed by a piledriver back inside. Some rams into the buckle give Mountie two but Hart ducks a middle rope crossbody. Hart starts the comeback by slugging away, setting up the Five Mo…well never mind actually as the middle rope elbow is enough for the pin to retain at 12:57.

Rating: C+. The ending was definitely a surprise and I can go with that over seeing the same things over and over again. Hart was clearly rising up the card at this point and there was a reason to believe that he was going to be turning into one of the bigger names. Mountie wasn’t a bad opponent either and this worked well enough.

IRS vs. Big Boss Man

After insulting the litany of tax cheats in New York, IRS bails to the floor. Boss Man picks up the referee and gets jumped from behind, but manages to get a boot up in the corner. That’s enough to send IRS outside again and we hit the stall button again. Back in and Boss Man hits the running crotch attack to the back of the head, followed by a nice ram to the buckle (with the referee getting in the way for a bit before letting it go).

A running splash in the corner crushes IRS again but a missed charge cuts Boss Man off fast. That’s enough to send Boss Man outside and IRS gets in a heck of a posting. Back in and some elbows give IRS two, followed by the abdominal stretch (with a rope grab of course). With that not working, the chinlock goes on, followed by some cranking on the leg to keep things fresh.

Another chinlock goes on but this time Boss Man reverses into a sleeper. That’s broken up as they both fall down (likely out of boredom) before Boss Man misses another charge into the corner. The chinlock goes on again but thankfully Boss Man is out faster this time, setting up a running splash for…no count. Back up and IRS sends him outside, where the Mountie runs in for a running knee. IRS goes up and dives into a raised boot, followed by a regular boot to the face. Mountie gets on the apron so IRS nails Boss Man with the briefcase for the pin at 13:41.

Rating: D+. Boss Man was falling fast by this point and that was on full display here. There was quite a bit going on, but losing a singles match to IRS really isn’t a great sign. This would have been better with about five minutes cut out, but Boss Man’s top days were long gone and this was about as good as it was going to be for the rest of his run with the company. The match was just a bunch of dull stuff with Boss Man trying to get in some offense but not getting anything going. IRS isn’t about to be exciting no matter what he’s doing, so how was this going to work?

Rockers vs. Nasty Boys

The Rockers have been having some issues as of late. We get a long stretch of stalling after the bell, with no contact for the first two minutes of the match. Sags bails to the floor but Knobbs suckers Michaels in for a cheap shot so Sags can take over. Michaels bites the nose to get out of an early bearhug and it’s Jannetty coming in with a double clothesline from the top.

Jannetty comes in and, after about a minute of standing around, Knobbs comes in and gets punched in the face. The jumping back elbow sets up the armbar on Knobbs, who fights up without much trouble. Jannetty sticks the landing on a backdrop attempt and gets two off a rollup, meaning the armbar can go on again. Michaels comes in for his own armbar before doing the same thing to Sags.

The Boys fight back but Michaels is right up top for a shot to the head. Michaels goes after Knobs on the apron though and Sags jumps him from behind to take over. That includes a pair of postings on the floor, setting up the reverse chinlock back inside. After quite a bit of that, Knobbs comes back in for a bearhug as this just keeps going. Sags’ side slam gets two but Michaels is back with a sunset flip…which the referee doesn’t notice for a good while.

Sags kicks out and grabs a bearhug of his own, even taking it to the mat in case the regular version was too interesting. Michaels finally gets his knees up for something close to a low blow and the much needed tag brings in Jannetty to clean house. Everything breaks down and Sags elbows Knobbs by mistake. Jannetty gets a small package on Sags, which is turned over. Jannetty turns that over as well, but Michaels isn’t paying attention and turns it back over to give Sags the pin at 17:54. Even commentary seems confused.

Rating: D+. The match wasn’t very good and the ending was unique, but the problem here was how uninteresting the whole thing was. You had the long stalling at the beginning and then a lot of laying around in holds. There is something to be gotten from doing a match like that, but there needs to be a lot more than “here’s the same hold for a few minutes and then the same thing from my partner”. We didn’t get there here and it tanked the match.

Michaels explains himself as the issues continue. These two need to talk. Like at a barber shop. About two days from now.

Overall Rating: D. This was pretty dull stuff, with nothing worth going out of your way to see and only a handful of passable matches throughout. Hart was doing his thing well enough and Michaels would be VERY different when they were back here next time, but egads this did not work. I was interested in seeing what they had here and now it’s easy to see why this was such a dead time for the company.

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

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Evolve
Date: December 10, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Robert Stone, Peter Rosenberg

We’re getting close to wrapping up the year and we have a #1 contender to crown. That should make for an interesting week, as Tate Wilder and Sean Legacy are facing each other for the next shot at Jackson Drake. Wilder has someone working behind the scenes with him as well so let’s get to it.

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

The Vanity Project has their own dorm and it’s already in need of a good cleaning. They’re worried about the new year though, because it’s about continuing their dominance. For now, they’re going to watch Sean Legacy vs. Tate Wilder, because Legacy has been stalking Jackson Drake. Apparently it’s cool if a hot chick is stalking you, but Legacy is neither hot nor a chick. They’re rather interested in the opener though.

Layla Diggs vs. Nikkita Lyons

Masyn Holiday is here with Diggs and Malik Blade is in the VIP section. Diggs takes her down to start and adds a side kick, followed by a running knee in the corner. A bit of a dance sets up a standing moonsault for two and it’s off to the headlock. Lyons sends her to the apron but can’t break it up, instead knocking Diggs down on the apron to take over. A fisherman’s suplex drops Diggs again and Lyons kicks her into the corner. Lyons gives her kind of a bouncing Stinkface but stops for a dance off with Holiday. Diggs grabs a rollup for the pin at 3:22.

Rating: C. Well it could have been worse, and it’s nice to see Diggs getting a win. Lyons continues to feel more annoying than anything else so hopefully she keeps putting people over. They kept it short here and Diggs winning is a nice sign, as she has shown some potential over the last few months. Just give her some wins already.

The ID talent give Sean Legacy a pep talk before the main event. They’ll be in the VIP section tonight and Timothy Thatcher shows up. He’s happy with the ID prospects and doesn’t like the Vanity Project. Other than that though, he announces a five on five team gauntlet (sounds like a Survivor Series match) between the ID Program and the Performance Center wrestlers.

Commentary says that whomever gets the final fall in the team gauntlet gets a title shot. Apparently it’s more like a collection of singles matches. I think. It’s not entirely clear.

Carlee Bright talks to Kendal Grey in the back and says she’s being seen as Kendal’s friend. She wants to be a star in her own right so Grey (who is fine with what Bright wants) tells her to find her edge. Everything seems ok.

Drake Morreaux vs. Dante Chen

The much bigger Morreaux takes him down by the arm and stomps on the hand. Chen is back up with an armbar, which is broken up with a nerve hold. Harley Riggins and Jax Presley are in the VIP section as Morreaux misses a discus lariat. Chen takes him into the corner and stomps away, which just makes Morreaux angry.

A pump kick takes Morreaux down for two and the chinlock goes on. Morreaux powers up and plants him down, setting up an atomic drop of all things. A big boot sets up the missed splash in the corner, allowing Chen to grab a suplex. The Gentle Touch is blocked and Morreaux chokeslams him for the pin at 5:12.

Rating: C. Morreaux is a giant (at least by this show’s standards) and having him beat someone up in his debut is fine. The good thing is this show has dropped NXT LVL Up’s weird tradition of having Chen beat debuting stars. It wasn’t much of a match, but it lets us meet Morreaux and that’s what matters the most.

Post match Morreaux says he wants to keep going but Riggins and Presley come over to offer him a spot on their team. Morreaux respectfully declines and things seem to be ok.

Charlie Dempsey is back from Japan, where he heard that Timothy Thatcher is back. Thatcher is supposed to still be the technical master and that doesn’t work for Dempsey. They need to set foot in the ring together and see who really is the best technician. Makes sense.

It’s Gal feels like a weatherman because the ID vs. PC feud is a brewing storm. So which team is he joining? That will be…..whichever team can afford him!

The PC guys give Tate Wilder a pep talk but he doesn’t seem to hate Sean Legacy. He needs to focus on tonight’s match without worrying about the team gauntlet. Wilder doesn’t like their attitude either, but Riggins and Presley say they’re just a call away. Think about it.

It’s Gal vs. Eli Knight

Gal shoves him down and poses to start before grabbing a fireman’s carry for some squats. Knight slips out of that and hits one heck of a dropkick but Gal faceplants him out of the corner. A hard discus lariat gets two and Gal grabs the abdominal stretch. Knight is out again and hits a running clothesline into a hurricanrana. A nice springboard moonsault gives Knight two but he misses a 450. Gal’s German suplex doesn’t work so he grabs the Ferocious Bomb for the pin at 4:12.

Rating: C+. Gal has grown on me tremendously in the last few weeks as he’s so goofy that it makes him entertaining. Don’t take him too seriously and he’s a blast. Knight is someone who got to showcase his rather impressive athleticism here and it was a nice showing for him, though he’s got a long way to go.

Wendy Choo is meeting with her therapist. She’s been working to get better but is so frustrated. Chantel Monroe jumps her and leaves her laying.

Sean Legacy vs. Tate Wilder

For a future title shot and a bunch of ID wrestlers are in the VIP section. We get a handshake to start before they go with some basic grappling. Legacy takes him to the mat and starts in on the fingers, followed by a cravate to keep Wilder down. A standing moonsault gives Legacy two but Wilder is back up with an armdrag into a wristlock. Wilder slams him down for a springboard backsplash and we take a break.

We come back with Wilder fighting out of a chinlock and hitting a belly to back suplex. Legacy misses a charge in the corner and gets dropped with a spinning suplex for two. The Wilde Ride is broken up and Legacy gets two off a rather spinning backbreaker. Back up and Wilder sends him outside for a suicide dive, near the VIP area.

A fight seems imminent so here are the PC guys for some shouting. Cue Braxton Cole to post Legacy as the two teams start brawling. Wilder isn’t happy with Cole and Cappuccino Jones swings at…in theory Cole but he hits Wilder instead. Legacy (who didn’t seem to see the punch) grabs Shambles for the pin at 8:05.

Rating: B-. The ending brawl wasn’t a surprise as they all but guaranteed it would be happening. Legacy winning is a good thing as he needed to get boosted back up, but now he almost has to win the title. He’s gotten close too many times and come up short and it’s probably time Drake lost the title anyway. Not a bad match at all, though the ending took away from it a bit.

Post match the brawl continues and Jackson Drake runs in to beat on Legacy to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This was the show centered around building up things for the future, with the big focus on the PC vs. ID feud. I’m still not sure why that’s such a big deal, but at least they’re setting things up for an important showdown. What matters is that they have some stars and stories built up and Evolve has made them feel important. Next week is the next big match and hopefully they can keep it going, as this is a regularly fun show.

Results
Layla Diggs b. Nikkita Lyons – Rollup
Drake Morreaux b. Dante Chen – Chokeslam
It’s Gal b. Eli Knight – Ferocious Bomb
Sean Legacy b. Tate Wilde – Shambles

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

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Dynamite
Date: December 10, 2025
Location: Gateway Center Arena At College Park, College Park, Georgia
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Excalibur, Bryan Danielson

It’s Winter Is Coming and we have a few title matches. First of all, the inaugural Women’s Tag Team Titles will be decided as the Babes Of Wrath face the Timeless Love Bombs. Other than that, Samoa Joe is defending the World Title against Eddie Kingston in a match where the talking might be the best part. Let’s get to it.

Here is Collision if you need a recap.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Timeless Love Bombs vs. Babes Of Wrath

For the inaugural titles. Shirakawa takes her down to start and does her dance, only for Cameron to shove Shirakawa’s face into her chest. Nightingale comes in to shoulder Storm down, setting up the exchange of forearms. Everything breaks down and Cameron kicks the Bombs out to the floor for a crash. Back in and Cameron gets dropped onto Storm for two and it’s off to Shirakawa.

Cameron belly to back suplexes her as well and hands it off to Nightingale for the rapid forearms. Storm gets Pounced out to the floor and we take a break. We come back with Shirakawa DDTing Nightingale and handing it back to Storm for the Mongolian chops. Shirakawa comes back in to wrench Cameron’s knee and DDT Nightingale at the same time. Nightingale takes Storm down for a leglock of her own while Shirakawa grabs a Figure Four on Cameron.

Both of those are broken up and they strike it out for a double down. Shirakawa’s top rope Sling Blade to Cameron sets up Storm Zero for two but Nightingale makes the save. Nightingale suplexes Storm on the floor but Cameron reverses the Glamorous Driver into That’s Her Finisher. The Babe With The Powerbomb finishes Shirakawa for the titles at 13:55.

Rating: B. I like the result as Cameron and Nightingale are the popular team and have good chemistry together. It felt like a bit of a surprise result but not an all time shocker, which fits that much better. Cameron has come so, so far in her still relatively short career and it’s great to see her pick up some gold.

Post match the Babes are so proud of each other and the Bombs get up for some respect.

Samoa Joe, with the Opps, is ready to take out Eddie Kingston tonight.

Jon Moxley knows his back is against the wall in the Continental Classic but he’s ready to do anything to win. Daniel Garcia knows that they’re willing to fight harder than anyone else, which is why they’re great.

Continental Classic Gold League: Jack Perry (3 points) vs. Kazuchika Okada (3 points)

Perry is taking Darby Allin’s place due to injury and inherits his standing, including the points, in the tournament. Perry charges at him to start and fires off some shoulders in the corner. They fight around ringside and Perry takes him inside for an elbow. Some right hands in the corner have Okada in more trouble but he shoves Perry off the top for a crash onto a camera man. Perry is sent over the barricade and a hanging DDT drops him onto the floor as we take a break.

We come back with the exchange of forearms until Perry hits a rebound clothesline. Perry flips over him in the corner (didn’t quite stick the landing) and grabs a German suplex for two. Okada knocks him down again though and hits the top rope elbow, followed by the perfect dropkick.

Perry’s poisonrana into a running knee gets two but Okada bites the hand to escape the Snare Trap. Okada loads up a tombstone…and Perry bites his crotch to pull him into the Snare Trap. That’s escaped, with Okada bailing to the floor to deal with the aftermath of the bite. Back in and Okada avoids another running knee, setting up the Rainmaker for the pin at 12:11.

Rating: B. Another hard hitting match here with Okada getting the win, which makes the most sense. Perry being thrown into the tournament as an injury replacement doesn’t mean he’s suddenly on Okada’s level so having Perry as a near guaranteed win for a few opponents is about all you should expect from him. At least it came after a good match.

Gold League Standings

Kyle Fletcher – 6 points (3 matches remaining)
Kazuchika Okada – 6 points (2 matches remaining)
Kevin Knight – 3 points (3 matches remaining)
Pac – 3 points (3 matches remaining)
Mike Bailey – 0 points (4 matches remaining)
Jack Perry – 0 points (3 matches remaining)

Post match the Don Callis Family comes out and Perry gets up. Don Callis himself offers Perry a spot on the team and a signing bonus, as paid out of the Young Bucks’ money. Callis threatens him with violence but Perry says for the second time tonight, he’s biting off more than he can chew. Perry goes after him but Luchasaurus and the Young Bucks run in for the save. Callis hands the Bucks the money and runs, leaving the money behind as the Bucks superkick various Family members.

The Conglomeration celebrates the Babes Of Wrath’s title win, though Roderick Strong looks miserable.

We look at Mercedes Mone’s losing streak.

Eddie Kingston is nervous watching and realizes it’s the anniversary of Terry Funk winning the World Title. He knows Funk, and his own parents, are watching and he doesn’t want to get emotional. He’ll bring the fight to Samoa Joe.

Here is Mark Briscoe for a chat. Briscoe talks about how there are people who didn’t think he could win the big one and they can kiss his big white a**. It’s one thing to win a title but it’s another to defend the title, which he’ll be doing on Collision. Cue Wheeler Yuta and the Death Riders in the crowd to say Briscoe has more children than teeth. Daniel Garcia (challenging Briscoe on Saturday) to say he’s going to win the title and break Briscoe’s leg. The fight is nearly on but Garcia is held back by the rest of the team.

The Triangle Of Madness jumps various women but Kris Statlander makes the save.

Hangman Page/Swerve Strickland vs. Opps

Tornado tag. Page and Swerve come through the crowd with a chain and staple gun to beat up the Opps Dojo. The regular Opps come up into the crowd for the fight and they head into the concourse before the opening bell. Page puts Hobbs through a table and stops for a beer as Shibata kicks Swerve in the face.

We take a break before the match has officially started and come back with Page bringing a chair in for the opening bell. The referee takes the chair away and Shibata drops Page with a suplex. Shibata’s running dropkick connects in the corner and Hobbs adds a powerslam as Swerve is still down in the crowd. Hobbs goes after Prince Nana but Swerve is back to make a save.

Swerve hits a middle rope elbow to Shibata’s back but he avoids the Buckshot Lariat. A low blow drops Page, only for Shibata’s armbar to be broken up by Swerve’s top rope double stomp. Hobbs runs Shibata over by mistake and the 450 crushes him as well. A double powerbomb sends Hobbs through a table at ringside and the Buckshot Lariat into the House Call finishes Shibata at 7:16.

Rating: B-. I’m not sure why this needed to be a tornado tag but that’s a minor issue. This was all about Swerve and Page teaming together and it gives them a chance to do it again on a bigger stage. Beating the Opps makes sense for them and now we get to move on to whatever is next for both of them, which could be either together or on their own.

Don Callis wants the Young Bucks to find a partner and fight them next week for the million dollars.

FTR doesn’t like the Bang Bang Gang having delusions of grandeur because they’re addicted to the camera. They can have their Tag Team Title match and then after the loss, it’s time to go to the back of the line.

Continental Classic Gold League: Mike Bailey (0 points) vs. Kyle Fletcher (6 points)

They trade knockdowns and rollups for two each to start and Fletcher bails outside, with the fans approving. Back in and Fletcher stomps him down but Bailey snaps up with a heck of a springboard hurricanrana. That sends Fletcher outside so Bailey gives him another hurricanrana but Fletcher is back in with a spinning backbreaker.

Bailey dropkicks him down and hits a springboard corkscrew dive to the floor. That doesn’t work for Fletcher, who hits a heck of a superkick and slams him hard onto barricade. We take a break and come back with Bailey dropping him on the apron and snapping off the moonsault knees. Back in and the Flamingo Driver is broken up and the shooting star press hits raised feet.

Fletcher’s sitout Last Ride gets two but Bailey manages a running Spanish Fly. A quick hurricanrana gives Bailey two and he kicks Fletcher in the head for two more. The tornado kick gives Bailey a rather near fall and the Ultimate Weapon gets two more. Bailey misses the knees to the floor though and an apron powerbomb sets up the brainbuster….for two. They strike it out until Bailey traps the arms and grabs a sunset flip for the pin at 19:10.

Rating: A-. This was an awesomely entertaining match, which is what you need to see in this kind of a tournament. Bailey is someone who is the definition of junk food wrestling, as it might not be good but it can certainly be exciting. At the same time, I’m not sure if I would have Fletcher lose like this, but DANG this was a blast and that’s what they were shooting for here.

Gold League Standings

Kyle Fletcher – 6 points (2 matches remaining)
Kazuchika Okada – 6 points (2 matches remaining)
Kevin Knight – 3 points (3 matches remaining)
Pac – 3 points (3 matches remaining)
Mike Bailey – 3 points (3 matches remaining)
Jack Perry – 0 points (3 matches remaining)

Hangman Page wants the World Title back and is coming for it at World’s End.

The Young Bucks ask Luchasaurus to be their partner but he’s not interested. Instead they go to Kenny Omega and he’ll do it for free.

AEW World Title: Eddie Kingston vs. Samoa Joe

Joe, with Hook, is defending. They circle each other to start until Hook grabs a foot, which is enough to get an early ejection. Joe takes him down and starts striking away but some knees to the face wake Kingston up. Kingston grabs a running bulldog and we take a break. We come back with Kingston kicking away and asking Joe to do the same. Joe strikes him down and hits the enziguri in the corner, which might break Kingston’s nose.

Kingston gets up to exchange strikes until Joe’s scoop powerslam gets two. Joe knees away so Kingston fires off the chops and grabs an exploder for two of his own. Another knockdown lets Joe grab an STF, only for Kingston to bite the finger. The DDT drops Joe, who rolls to the floor, followed by a cutter back inside. The spinning backfist misses though and Joe Koquina Clutches him for the tap at 12:18.

Rating: B. This was the definition of “as advertised”, as these two beat the fire out of each other. Joe and Kingston are bigger guys who can hit each other rather hard, which is exactly what we got here. Kingston losing isn’t a surprise, though seeing him actually tap is a bit out of left field. Good match here though, with Joe getting Kingston out of the way before moving on to his next big opponent.

Overall Rating: A. Well dang that was great. You had nothing but solid to great matches all night and the title win at the beginning was awesome as well. This show flew by and never came close to dipping, which is about as much as I can ask for in a television show. Outstanding show here and something that felt like it would have fit back in the older days of AEW.

Results
Babes Of Wrath b. Timeless Love Bombs – Babe With The Powerbomb to Shirakawa
Kazuchika Okada b. Jack Perry – Rainmaker
Hangman Page/Swerve Strickland b. Opps – House Call to Shibata
Mike Bailey b. Kyle Fletcher – Sunset flip
Samoa Joe b. Eddie Kingston – Koquina Clutch

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

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NXT
Date: December 9, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

Deadline has come and gone and we have #1 contenders to both top titles. In one case though, there is a new champion though as Oba Femi beat Ricky Saints to regain the NXT Title. That means he is set to face the new Iron Survivor Je’Von Evans, while Kendal Grey is set to challenge Jacy Jayne for the women’s side. Let’s get to it.

Here is Deadline if you need a recap.

Long Deadline recap.

Here is Oba Femi to get things going. Femi talks about how this title is power. Ricky Saints took the title off of him at No Mercy and knocked the Ruler off his throne, but now things are back as they should be. When you look at him you will see power and the Ruler…and here is Saints to interrupt. Saints is able to admit that Femi was the better man at Deadline, but he’s not about to just bow down.

Now Saints is betting on himself and undoing all the mistakes. They’re 1-1 and now Saints wants one more match for the title. Cue Je’Von Evans, who reminds us that he won the Iron Survivor Challenge. He’s locked in right now, so how about we do the NXT Title match tonight? Saints tries to talk him out of it but Evans wants to do it tonight. Femi isn’t about to back down and the match is set. This feels like a way out of Cody Rhodes vs. Femi at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Or Saints is turning on Evans.

We recap Kelani Jordan’s fall to the evil side.

Tatum Paxley is ready to take care of the Culling until it’s just her and Izzi Dame.

Kelani Jordan vs. Jordynne Grace

Grace slams her down to start but it’s too early for a Vader Bomb. Jordan kicks the knee out and starts dropping some elbows onto it to make things worse. Back up and they fight to the apron, where Grace blocks what looks like a Spanish Fly. Jordan goes back to the knee and we take a break.

We come back with Grace suplexing her down but getting dropped with a chop block. They head back inside with Jordan going after the leg again, only to get caught in a rolling Chaos Theory. Jordan rolls outside and grabs a chair, only to have them fight over a Tombstone. With that not working, Jordan is sent into the steps, followed by a Vader Bomb. Grace grabs the chair but the referee takes it away, allowing Jordan to kick her through the barricade. Back in and a 450 gives Jordan the pin at 11:23.

Rating: B-. The stuff with the chair was a bit weird and the knee injury didn’t matter much in the end. The good thing is that Jordan continues her rise up the ranks, though I’m not sure what Grace is going to be able to do. At some point she has to win something and that’s been an issue for a long time now.

Post break, Grace complains to the women’s locker room but Thea Hail gives her a pep talk. It doesn’t go so well, but she does try.

Here is Blake Monroe for an open challenge.

Blake Monroe vs. ???

Non-title. A bunch of the locker room tries to come in but Thea Hail sneaks in from behind and Kimuras Monroe for the tap. Granted the match never started but she did make Monroe tap.

Shiloh Hill gives a scientific explanation for being nervous for his first match. He does however remember to put in his teeth.

Shiloh Hill vs. Lexis King

King tries to jump him to start but gets knocked outside and into various things before the bell. They get inside to officially start things off but King fights out of trouble in the corner. Some boot choking has Hill down but he’s up with a double clothesline. Hill takes out his fake tooth and hits a hard shoulder, followed by a belly to back neckbreaker for the pin at 2:57. I’ve liked Hill thus far and he wasn’t bad here, albeit in a small dose.

Oba Femi is ready for Je’Von Evans tonight and Cody Rhodes on Saturday.

Here is Ethan Page for a chat. Page talks about how he’s been winning over and over because he made sure to learn as much as he could. Now we’re going to watch John Cena walk away this weekend and someone is going to have to take his place. Page won the NXT Title in recent time and now he’s making the North American Title that much important. He’s the biggest superstar around…but the lights go out and Tony D’Angelo (who returned at Deadline) is back to lay him out with a spinebuster. That might be the end of Page’s rather impressive reign.

Ava has Dion Lennox, Myles Borne, Leon Slater and Joe Hendry in her office. They all tied at Deadline, so they’re in a four way for the #1 contendership to the NXT Title at New Year’s Evil. Ethan Page storms in to complain about everything and gets mocked by Borne.

Wren Sinclair vs. Sol Ruca

Kendal Grey is here with Sinclair. They hit the ropes a few times to start fast with Ruca getting two off a rollup. They trade rollups for two more each until Sinclair takes her down and starts working on the leg. Ruca is back up with some running elbows and a missile dropkick. A butterfly suplex drops Ruca, who knocks Sinclair into the corner. That means the Sol Snatcher can finish Sinclair off at 3:33.

Rating: C+. They didn’t have time to do much here but anything involving the Sol Snatcher is going to work. It just looks cool and has become Ruca’s signature spot, which has helped turn her into a star. If she isn’t brought up to the main roster sooner or later, she’ll be around the NXT Title. Or getting speared by Zaria.

Post match Zaria comes out to glare and Ruca leaves through the crowd to get to her.

Post break Grey and Sinclair are still in the ring with Fatal Influence joining them. Jacy Jayne says Grey has done well but this is as good as it’s going to get. Grey’s stock is doing well but her reality is going to slap her in the face at New Year’s Evil. Then these people will move on to the next new flavor of the month. Yeah she’s won the Evolve Women’s Title but the NXT Title is on another level.

Jayne brags about herself but Grey says she’s the one with the momentum now. No one is expecting Grey to win, just like no one was expecting Jayne to win the title in the first place. The best part of being the underdog is seeing people’s faces when the underdog bites back. Sinclair suggests she’s coming after the Women’s Speed Title and the big brawl is on, with Fatal Influence standing tall.

Hank & Tank have gone to Pro Wrestling Noah and won their GHC Tag Team Titles. Granted they lost them less than two weeks later, but it’s better than nothing.

Hank & Tank are back, now in Japanese robes. OTM comes in and a match is set for next week.

Blake Monroe complains to Ava about the attack by Thea Hail. Ava gives Hail a title match next week.

Sol Ruca and Zaria make peace because friends fight.

We look at Stacks becoming the TNA International Champion at Friday’s Final Resolution.

NXT Title: Je’Von Evans vs. Oba Femi

Femi is defending and powers Evans around to start. Evans’ running knee gets two and Femi is a bit rocked early on. Femi misses a boot in the corner and gets taken down by a running kick to the face. A big backbreaker gets Femi out of trouble and we hit the chinlock. Back up and Femi is sent outside, where he counters an Asai moonsault into a drop onto the apron.

Femi drops him face first onto the apron again and we take a break. We come back with Evans grabbing a hurricanrana out to the floor, followed by another on the floor. Femi Pounces Evans onto the announcers’ table (Booker takes a nice bump getting away) but Evans beats the count back in.

Evans is actually up with a frog splash to the back and another to the chest gets two. Femi is sent outside again for the big dive, followed by a German suplex for two back inside. A big elbow to the face gives Femi two more but the Fall From Grace is countered into a cutter. There’s the top rope cutter…but Ricky Saints pulls the referee. Evans takes him out and goes back inside, where he gets elbowed in the face a few times. The Fall From Grace retains the title at 13:47.

Rating: B+. These two work well together as Evans is an incredible athlete who has the size to make for an interesting challenger to Femi. They had me wondering if the title was going to change here, which granted might have something to do with the Cody Rhodes match coming up on Saturday. That aside, this was a heck of a match as Evans had the crowd wanting to see him win the big one, which is going to happen one day to a massive reaction.

Overall Rating: B. They pulled off a nice balancing act here with the fallout from Deadline, setting up New Year’s Evil and doing something this week too. That’s a heck of a thing to do and they managed to make it work in the end, with an awesome main event on top of it. I’m digging what NXT is presenting and hopefully they can keep that up, as it can make for some rather good stuff.

Results
Kelani Jordan b. Jordynne Grace – 450
Shiloh Hill b. Lexis King – Belly to back neckbreaker
Sol Ruca b. Wren Sinclair – Sol Snatcher
Oba Femi b. Je’Von Evans – Sitout Fall From Grace

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

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Monday Night Raw
Date: December 8, 2025
Location: T-Mobile Arena, Kansas City, Missouri
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We are less than a week away from John Cena’s final match and now he has an opponent. Gunther has won the Last Time Is Now tournament and will be receiving the shot against Cena this Saturday. Gunther is likely going to have something to say about that, but we also need some NXT matches set for the show. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a long recap of the Last Time Is Now tournament, with Gunther beating LA Knight in the finals on Smackdown.

Here is Gunther to get things going. He’s looking forward to facing Cena, who is the greatest sports entertainer of all time. The problem is that he’s facing the greatest professional wrestler of all time. Gunther puts up a countdown to Cena’s final match, but just beating Cena isn’t enough. The thing is, Cena is the one who never gives up, but Gunther is ready to break him. Gunther is going to drain his spirit and make him give up. Tick tock. Good, to the point stuff here and it should work on Saturday.

We open with a recap of last week’s chaos with the Women’s Tag Team Titles as Judgment Day looks to want the belts.

Iyo Sky vs. Kairi Sane

Rhea Ripley and Kairi Sane are here too. Feeling out process to start with Sane getting two off a sunset flip, which is reversed into a rollup for the same. A crucifix gives Sky two but Sane headscissors her down and poses a bit. Back up and Sky sweeps the leg and hits a basement dropkick to send Sane outside. Asuka offers a distraction though and Sane scores with a clothesline off the apron as we take a break.

We come back with Sane’s sliding forearm getting cut off with a raised boot. A missile dropkick sends Sane into the corner for the Bullet Train and a near fall, with Ripley being surprised by the kickout. Sane is able to knock her off the top though and the tree of woe double stomp gets two.

They go to the apron, where Sky gets out of a backdrop and hits a German suplex to send Sane to the floor. An Asai moonsault connects with Sane but she’s able to distract the referee so Asuka can tie Sky in the tree of woe. Ripley goes after Asuka, as she should, and Sky takes Sane down. Over The Moonsault finishes for Sky at 11:34.

Rating: B. Nice back and forth match here, which shouldn’t be a surprise given the two talented stars in there. Sky continues to be one of the most skilled stars in the division and she has moved into the top level over the course of the year. The tag division is starting to look a lot more interesting and I could go for seeing what they have in mind in the coming weeks.

Logan Paul wants the Vision to get rid of Rey Mysterio after last week. He’s willing to be the Vision’s backup as well and Paul Heyman gives him back the brass knuckles. Just in case. Heyman likes this guy.

Video on the War Raiders.

Rey Mysterio vs. Finn Balor

And never mind as Logan Paul runs in to take out Mysterio. That’s broken up and but here is the masked man to Stomp Mysterio, allowing Paul to lay Mysterio out. Security chases the masked man off but LA Knight runs in for the save and wants Paul tonight. No match here.

Tag Team Titles: AJ Styles/Dragon Lee vs. War Raiders

Styles and Lee are defending and New Day/Grayson Waller are watching from ringside. Erik gets taken into the corner to start but gets out by punching Styles in the face. The Raiders are sent outside, where they catch Lee’s dive and throw him at Styles to cut off another dive. Ivar crushes Styles against the ring board and we take a break.

We come back with Styles still in trouble but managing a quick Pele. Lee gets the tag and hits a top rope double stomp in the tree of woe ti Erik. For some reason Lee tries a fireman’s carry on Ivar before hitting something like a Death Valley Driver. Erik crushes Lee in the corner but he’s able to send the Vikings outside.

Lee’s superkick on the apron staggers Erik, who throws him into a powerslam on the floor. Back in and the Doomsault connects but Styles makes the save. Styles gets the tag and strikes away until Erik cuts him off rather quickly. A super hurricanrana sends Ivar into Erik, meaning the Phenomenal Forearm can retain the titles at 11:23.

Rating: B-. Styles and Lee might not be the next big thing in the tag division, but they’re a good example of something that works well in the short term. The good thing is that’s all it needs to be and it’s working well. If nothing else, Styles gets one last moment in the sun on the way out and that’s a cool thing after an all time career.

Post match New Day gets in the ring for the staredown but here are the Usos through the crowd (with Jey Yeeting with a baby). After running it back, the Usos make it clear that they’re back in the tag division. Last week, Jimmy asked Jey what they were going to do after Jey’s recent issues. Jey says it’s time to get back to them and put the tag division on notice. The Usos are ready to get the gold back and they’ll beat up the New Day in the process. New Day gets dropped and leave, so Styles and Lee get in the Usos’ faces. I’ll believe it lasts when I see it, but the tag division could use the depth.

Here is Stephanie Vaquer for a chat. She wants to face everyone and doesn’t talk too much because she speaks through actions. Nikki Bella might be a legend, but things are a bit different than they were fifteen years ago. Vaquer lists off some of the stars of today, but she’s at the top of the list. Cue Bella to say she demands a rematch but Raquel Rodriguez runs in to post Bella hard. Rodriguez says she’s coming for the title, which I’d call an upgrade over Bella.

Video on John Cena’s Wrestlemania history.

Judgment Day is having a good night but Liv Morgan isn’t happy with Raquel Rodriguez going after Stephanie Vaquer. Rodriguez didn’t know they had to run everything by her but she’s off to talk to Adam Pearce about her title shot. Morgan says she and Roxanne Perez can be the next Women’s Tag Team Titles, which seems to be news to Perez.

Lyra Valkyria vs. Roxanne Perez

Bayley and Liv Morgan are here too. Valkyria backs her into the corner to start fast and grabs a northern lights suplex for two. Perez is sent outside where she blocks a dropkick through the ropes (or Valkyria didn’t quite get it right) and sends Valkyria’s shoulder into the steps a few times.

We take a break and come back with Valkyria fighting out of an arm crank. A crossbody gives Valkyria two and she powerbombs Perez, only to hurt her own arm in the process. Valkyria sends her outside for a dropkick through the ropes (this one works better), followed by the high crossbody for two back inside.

Perez gets in the cartwheel knee to the head for two, followed by a nasty Fujiwara armbar on the bad arm. That’s broken up and Valkyria gets in a release German suplex, dragon Morgan up to the apron. Bayley cuts her off but Perez escapes Nightwing. Morgan gets in a quick kick to the face and Pop Rox finishes for Perez at 10:17.

Rating: C+. This was a bit sloppy at times but it gives me some hopes for the women’s tag division. As usual, the issue is the lack of depth so it’s nice to see some teams actually coming together. Keep that going and we might be able to get somewhere, even if it feels all but destined that Morgan turns good and gets rocketed to the moon.

Natalya’s rather intense training of Maxxine Dupri continues but Dupri manages to make her tap to the ankle lock.

Saturday Night’s Main Event rundown, with AJ Styles/Dragon Lee vs. Je’Von Evans/Leon Slater being added.

Logan Paul vs. LA Knight

Paul Heyman is here too. Paul jumps him to start fast but Knight is able to send things out to the apron. A suplex over the top gives Knight two and a discus lariat connects for the same. Paul bails outside so Knight hits a dive and loads up the announcers’ table. Knight sends him into the table a few times and adds a slingshot shoulder for two back inside. A belly to back suplex doesn’t work though and Paul grabs a Zig Zag as we take a break.

We come back with Paul dropping him throat first onto the top, followed by an Alley Oop for two. Knight slugs away and grabs his jumping neckbreaker for two before putting Paul up top. Cue the Vision for a distraction, allowing Paul’s high crossbody to connect for two. Knight gets in a quick knockdown for a breather, followed by the jumping top rope elbow. Vision’s interference causes Knight to get knocked down but the referee ejects both of them. Knight hammers away on Paul outside….and it’s the masked man to stomp him on the announcers’ table. The frog splash gives Paul the pin at 13:44.

Rating: B-. This was more about getting the masked man out there to take Knight out and that’s not a bad way to go. The masked man is an interesting story as it has the tease of being Rollins but could be almost anyone. That’s the kind of suspense that makes you wonder and now we’ll have probably a few weeks to find out who it is. Knight’s time in the main event scene continues and this should give him something else to do, which is a good sign for his future.

Post match it’s a Super Spear and a pair of Tsunamis to leave Knight laying. Post break, Heyman mocks Kansas City before saying that Bron Breakker will win the World Title on January 5. Breakker wants to know where CM Punk is, but he means where is the old Punk that Breakker saw for years.

Punk presents himself as this great guy but he’s just a fraud. He’s spent years preaching being straightedge but now he looks like the biggest crackhead ever! Breakker knows he can beat the Punk, so he wants the OLD Punk. He wants the 2011-13 Punk, who was a feared man. Breakker gets on his knees and begs the old Punk to be there, or it’s going to be bad.

We see LA Knight getting up in the back so Logan Paul and Reed go after him. As Breakker says it’s going to be “spear, 1-2-3”, Knight tries to fight back but gets powerbombed through a table. Reed drops him onto the hood of a car and the Tsunami crushes Knight. Adam Pearce comes in to yell a lot to end the show. Breakker’s stuff was good, but I’m not sure he’s going to win the title so soon. Either way, good dominant performance from the Vision here.

Overall Rating: C+. I liked the opener, but the rest of the show felt like it was about setting up things for later. That’s fine on paper, but it’s only so interesting for over two hours. The action was good enough, though it wasn’t exactly enough to carry the show. Just get to Saturday and then we can see what happens, but it might be a bit before things pick back up.

Results
Iyo Sky b. Kairi Sane – Over The Moonsault
AJ Styles/Dragon Lee b. Viking Raiders – Phenomenal Forearm to Ivar
Roxanne Perez b. Lyra Valkyria – Pop Rox
Logan Paul b. LA Knight – Frog splash

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

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Backlash 2008
Date: April 27, 2008
Location: 1st Mariner Arena, Baltimore, Maryland
Attendance: 11,277
Commentators: Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler, Michael Cole, Mick Foley, Tazz, Mike Adamle

It’s the show after Wrestlemania XXIV and that means it’s time to see where things have gone since the biggest show of the year. That should make for a good night, with Randy Orton defending the Raw World Title in a four way. That’s the kind of match that could go in a few directions but hopefully it lives up to what should be a safe amount of hype. Let’s get to it.

The opening video looks at Wrestlemania and everything that has happened since then. Beware the Backlash. That might not be the best tagline, as you probably shouldn’t be scared of the show you’re about to watch.

Commentary welcomes us to the show, including the debuting Mick Foley.

US Title: MVP vs. Matt Hardy

Hardy is challenging after a LONG story between the two, which involved a pizza eating concept. MVP dives after the leg to start fast but Hardy is right back with the threat of a right hand to send MVP outside. Back in and a hiptoss gives Hardy two, followed by an elbow drop for two (with commentary pointing out that it’s more about wearing MVP down than trying to get a win, which makes sense).

Hardy’s headlock doesn’t get him very far so he goes with a middle rope elbow to the back of the head for two instead. MVP hits him in the back though and grabs a belly to back suplex for two. Hardy is able to knock him off the top but a moonsault hits raised knees. A seated abdominal stretch has Hardy in more trouble and MVP pulls him down by the hair for a bonus.

The regular abdominal stretch (naturally holding the rope) stays on Hardy’s ribs, as do a series of elbow drops. A fireman’s carry faceplant only seems to wake Hardy up as he hits a clothesline. The Playmaker is countered into a Side Effect but MVP is able to crotch him on top. MVP goes up with him, with Hardy grabbing a super Side Effect for a delayed two. Back up and MVP catches him in the corner, followed by the running big boot to send Hardy outside. Hardy beats the count so MVP goes back to the ribs. The big boot in the corner misses though and Hardy grabs the Twist Of Fate for the pin at 11:26.

Rating: B. This was the culmination of a long story and what matters the most is that Hardy got the win, just as he should have. The whole point of the thing was that they finally had to have a match where Hardy got the belt. It worked well and was a good match on top of the story, so nice job all around.

Post ads, Matt Hardy talks about how this is the biggest win of his career because he worked so hard to get here. Now, all that matters is that he’s better than MVP.

ECW Title: Kane vs. Chavo Guerrero

Guerrero, with Bam Neely, is challenging after losing the title to Kane in eight seconds at Wrestlemania. Kane wastes no time in taking him into the corner for the big right hands. A basement dropkick connects but bangs up Kane’s recently tweaked (by Guerrero and company) knee. The knee is fine enough for a charge into the corner but Guerrero sends him face first into the buckle.

Guerrero hammers away and is quickly tossed outside in a heap. Kane sends him into the apron but the top rope clothesline is broken up, with Kane hurting his knee again. The knee is wrapped around the post, which the referee doesn’t seem to mind. Granted he doesn’t see it when Neely does it as well, though I can’t imagine he would approve. Guerrero goes up but gets caught in an electric chair for a heck of a crash to leave them both down.

Back up and one heck of a big boot drops Guerrero, followed by the side slam for two. Now the top rope clothesline (almost a top rope punch) drops Guerrero again but he manages a much needed tornado DDT for two of his own. Guerrero goes after the knee again and the frog splash connects…with Kane catching him by the throat for the chokeslam to retain at 8:49.

Rating: C+. They were working through quite the problem here, as there is only so much you can do with these two. It’s hard to imagine that Guerrero is going to be a major threat to Kane and since Neely was pretty much useless, there wasn’t much that Guerrero could do. Kane wins a straight up match despite having his knee injury and that should move him on towards someone new, as Guerrero has been vanquished.

Sidenote: dang Kane’s theme song was awesome.

Randy Orton knows the rules of the main event and says the Age Of Orton is a reality. Tonight’s reality will be the same when he walks out as the champion.

We get a tale of the tape of Big Show vs. Great Khali. Foley: “Cole what size shoe do you wear?” Cole: “Nine.” Foley: “That’s smaller than the shoe print of the shoes Coach left for me to fill!”

Great Khali vs. Big Show

The cameraman is smart enough to shoot up at them to make the staredown look even bigger. They shove each other to start and then slug it out with Show getting a slight advantage. Some headbutts rock Khali but he’s back with a clothesline to put Show down for the first time. Khali knocks him outside with another clothesline, followed by a boot to the head back inside. Something close to a crossface has Show in trouble and Cole can never remember him tapping out. Well…..other than probably to Cena, he might not have.

Show fights up but can’t get a slam as Khali falls down on top of him. That means a nerve hold (no, you don’t have to ask Khali twice for that one) for a bit, followed by Khali’s big chop for two. Show fights up and now the slam connects for two. Khali knocks him against the rope and tries a chokebomb but Show powers out and hits the chokeslam for the win at 8:06.

Rating: C-. This was never going to be some kind of a mat classic, but at the same time, it also wasn’t a terrible match. Instead it was more just slow and plodding than anything else. The match existed for the sake of having two giants go at it and do their big person stuff. That worked well enough, though it could have been a few minutes shorter.

John Cena talks country music with Jimmy Wang Yang when Randy Orton interrupts. Orton promises that Cena will lose tonight and go home disappointed, just like at Wrestlemania. Cena promises to leave Orton a broken man.

We recap Shawn Michaels vs. Batista. Michaels retired Ric Flair at Wrestlemania and Batista is unhappy, with Michaels giving the logical response: he gave his best, just like Flair wanted him to. Batista was upset at Michaels for getting rid of Flair because Flair has to be the big focal point. At the same time you have special referee Chris Jericho, who is stirring up some issues, even accusing Michaels of wanting to get rid of Flair.

Shawn Michaels vs. Batista

Chris Jericho is guest referee. JR: “This match has global significance.” Nice try but….come on. Batista misses a shot in the corner and gets punched in the face but the threat of a Batista Bomb sends Michaels scurrying. Back in and Michaels starts kicking at the legs but has to duck a clothesline in the corner. Another ducking doesn’t go so well and Batista gets to stomp away, only for Michaels to use a Ric Flair chop block.

A short armscissors goes on and Michaels cranks away for a good while until Batista does the standard standing counter. Instead of slamming Michaels down though, they crash over the top and out to the floor in quite the heap. Michaels sends the banged up arm into the post and a hammerlock goes on back inside. Batista gets to the rope so Michaels is right back to the bad arm.

An armbar over the ropes keeps Batista in trouble, followed by something close to a Kimura. A Samoan drop breaks Batista out this time and he whips Michaels upside down in the corner. The big running clothesline turns Michaels inside out but he’s able to reverse a Batista Bomb into the crossface. Michaels is smart enough to take him back into the middle of the ring but Batista finally makes the rope. Jericho has to physically break the hold and that is not cool with the fans.

A side slam gives Batista two and Michaels nips up, only to get speared down for two more in a nice sequence. Michaels is able to knock him out of the air and hit the big elbow and Batista is in trouble again. The superkick is countered with a spinebuster and the Batista Bomb is loaded up…but Michaels hurts his knee on the counter. Batista is backed away but goes after Michaels anyway, walking right into the superkick to give Michaels the pin at 15:00.

Rating: B. This was a well put together, logical match as Michaels broke down the machine just enough to stay alive until the ending. The idea here was that Batista wanted to destroy Michaels to get revenge but Michaels is just a better wrestler and knew how to pick him apart by being patient. Well that and then cheating in the end, which is a rather Michaels/Flair thing to do. Michaels throwing in quite a few Flair bits made it even better, though this was just the start of a VERY long story, which would get a lot better. Jericho was only so much of a factor here, but that would change rather soon.

Post match Michaels needs Jericho and another referee to help him out.

Randy Orton comes in to see HHH, who will NOT succeed tonight. HHH says pride comes before the fall.

Beth Phoenix/Melina/Jillian/Victoria/Natalya/Layla vs. Ashley Massaro/Cherry/Kelly Kelly/Maria/Michelle McCool/Mickie James

Get them all on the card match. Phoenix shoves McCool down to start and blocks a belly to belly suplex attempt. Melina comes in for a faceplant into a Last Chancery before throwing her down again. McCool manages a basement dropkick and brings the screaming Melina to the corner for the tag off to James. A hurricanrana out of the corner drops Melina, as does a running clothesline. Natalya (in her pay per view debut) comes in and gets neckbreakered down for two as we go over her family tree.

Cherry is knocked off the apron before Victoria comes in for the dancing moonsault. Natalya gets pulled off the apron by Cherry and it’s time for the big brawl at ringside. We settle down to Massaro hurricanranaing Jillian for two before Phoenix comes in for a chinlock. The double chicken wing is broken up and James comes in with a tornado DDT. Victoria drops James with the Widow’s Peak and it’s time for the parade of knockdowns. Phoenix fisherman’s busters Massaro for the pin at 6:30.

Rating: D+. As is so often the case with a match like this, what are they supposed to do? They have about six and a half minutes for twelve women to get in there and do something. You can only get so far with that kind of a situation, especially when Phoenix is the focal point of one of the teams. In other words, cut down the lineup by about half and it’s a lot better.

We recap Edge vs. the Undertaker for the Smackdown World Title. Undertaker took the title from Edge in the main event of Wrestlemania and Edge wants it back. Therefore, he went to a spa with Vickie Guerrero and is promising to get the title back for her. In other words, it’s a pretty basic rematch.

Smackdown World Title: Undertaker vs. Edge

Undertaker is defending and dang that Big Gold Belt looks perfect on him. We get the Big Match Intros and Undertaker mouths “I’m going to hurt you”, which has Foley going through some flashbacks. Edge gets shoved to the floor to start and it’s already time for a breather. A shoulder drops Edge again and Undertaker slugs away in the corner. Edge tries to fight back and he is promptly launched into the corner for the right hands.

Undertaker starts in on the arm, which is sent into the corner to keep Edge in trouble. They head outside with Edge’s back being sent into various hard object, including Snake Eyes onto the steps. The boot to the head has Edge in more trouble and there’s the apron legdrop. That seems to damage Undertaker’s back though and Edge grabs a bodyscissors to hold him down. Undertaker’s solution, as tends to be his custom, is to punch Edge in the face but Edge is right back on the back.

A baseball slide to said back puts him on the floor and it’s a camel clutch back inside. Undertaker powers up but falls right back down, thankfully sending them to the ropes. Edge tries it again so Undertaker just drops down onto him, which is as effective as you would expect. They trade shots to the face until Undertaker punches him down, followed by Snake Eyes. The big boot and elbow get two but Old School is broken up. Edge goes up but is smart enough to avoid a super Last Ride.

Undertaker slams him down anyway, only to go up (oh dear) and miss a not great looking top rope elbow. Edge goes up again and gets chokeslammed back down for quite the crash. Back up and Edge manages to get a turnbuckle pad off and ram the bad back into the buckle…so here is Curt Hawkins with a belt shot to make it worse. The spear is countered into a DDT so here is Zack Ryder, who is knocked off the apron just as fast. The yet to be named Hell’s Gate retains the title at 18:25.

Rating: B. All of the cheating at the end brought it down a bit as there was only so much to be gained from Edge’s usual bag of tricks. At the same time, it didn’t have quite the same amount of drama as their Wrestlemania classic. As it is, it’s just good, which is still a solid result, even if it’s kind of a letdown. In other words, the first match was excellent and this one not so much.

Post match Undertaker won’t let go until Vickie Guerrero is wheeled out. Undertaker finally lets go and Edge has to be taken out on a stretcher. This would result in Vickie stripping Undertaker of the title the next week on Smackdown.

Randy Orton goes to JBL’s dressing room but runs into Mr. Money In The Bank, CM Punk, who wishes him good luck tonight.

We recap the Raw World Title, which is about Randy Orton trying to convince us that we’re in the Age Of Orton, which isn’t exactly clicking. Tonight, he’s facing three challengers in an attempt to make him feel more like a big deal.

Raw World Title: Randy Orton vs. John Bradshaw Layfield vs. HHH vs. John Cena

Orton is defending under elimination rules and charges at JBL to start. JBL tries to hammer away but Cena is right back to knock him down. HHH sends Cena outside and Orton is whipped into him for a crash into the announcers’ table. Back in and the villains beat up HHH but he double clotheslines his way out of trouble. HHH sends JBL outside and into the steps but the Pedigree is broken up.

Cena is back in to take over on Orton and the fans are NOT pleased. The top rope Fameasser connects and the STFU goes on, with JBL…realizing that making a save would be kind of dumb so HHH grabs a crossface on JBL instead. Orton goes to the eye to break out and then yells at JBL, only for Cena to knock Orton into him for the break.

Orton actually goes up top and since it’s not 2004, he gets crotched right back down, setting up a Tower Of Doom for two each on Orton and JBL. The release fisherman’s suplex gives Cena two on HHH, who spinebusters him right back. HHH avoids an FU so Cena gives it to JBL instead. The STFU gets rid of JBL at 10:30.

Orton immediately Punts Cena though and we’re down to two at 10:42. So it’s HHH vs. Orton and they stare each other down until HHH grabs a suplex. The knee drop gets two and Orton is tossed outside for the required brawling. HHH is sent into the steps and a catapult sends him over the barricade in a big crash.

Back in and Orton slowly starts stomping away (shocking I know), including the knee drop to the back for two. The chinlock goes on for a good while until HHH fights up, only to get powerslammed back down. The RKO is shoved away though and they’re both down for a bit. They get back up and HHH’s jumping knee drops Orton again, followed by the facebuster for two.

HHH takes him outside and over the announcers’ table for the big crash. That’s not enough so Orton gets dropped onto the steps and they head back inside. The Pedigree is countered and an RKO connects but Orton can’t immediately cover. The VERY delayed cover gets two but a Punt and RKO are both blocked, setting up a Pedigree to give HHH the title back at 28:12.

Rating: B. They kind of followed the Wrestlemania 2000 main event formula here and that’s quite the odd choice as that match wasn’t exactly much to see. Cena and JBL were both knocked out in a hurry and then it was nearly twenty minutes of HHH vs. Orton. I’m fine with HHH getting the title back, but it would be better to have the match actually feel like a four way rather than a singles match with some window dressing. The action was good, but just cut out Cena and JBL if this is what you were going for here.

Overall Rating: B+. This was a solid show with the big matches delivering and only a few of them not being worthwhile. It’s a solid follow up to Wrestlemania as they’re continuing a bunch of the stories while also taking some things into another direction. I liked this more than I was expecting to and it held up on another viewing here so well done.

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