New Column: Thirty Two Words Of WWE Trouble
One statement at Money in the Bank summed up how far WWE has strayed from being a wrestling company.
https://wrestlingrumors.net/tommyhall/kbs-review-thirty-two-words-wwe-trouble/
Monday Night Raw – May 20, 2019: I’ve Seen This Before And I’ve Never Seen This Before
IMG Credit: WWE
Monday Night Raw
Date: May 20, 2019
Location: Times Union Center, Albany, New York
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Renee Young
We’re done with Money in the Bank and believe it or not, that means Brock Lesnar is now a big deal again because of course he is. Lesnar took Sami Zayn’s place in the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match and stole the briefcase, meaning it’s time to find out how long we get to have that hanging over our heads. Super ShowDown is in less than three weeks so let’s get to it.
Here are last night’s results if you need a recap.
We get some highlights from last night.
Here are Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar to get things going. Of course Heyman is more than capable of gloating about Lesnar being Mr. Money in the Bank because that’s what Heyman does best. Heyman talks about all the conspiracy theories about last night, and how Lesnar got into the ladder match. In reality, all that happened was Lesnar attacked Sami Zayn and made a quick deal to get into the match.
All that matters now is that the two World Champions are now vulnerable to the best assassin in WWE history. Seth Rollins and Kofi Kingston need to realize that while the whole world might not be against them, Brock Lesnar is and that might be even worse. This brings out Rollins to say he should be on top of the world after last night but he’s not in a good mood because he has to see this looking at him. He’s out here to be the champion that Lesnar never could be so he needs to get rid of the contract.
Since that’s the case, let’s do that right here tonight. Of course that’s a big negative, because Lesnar wants to make him wait. Heyman brings up Seth having to wait for his girlfriend to main event Wrestlemania and that’s nearly enough for the fight to be on. Heyman holds Lesnar back, saying he might be coming after Kofi Kingston instead. Cue Kofi so the announcers can explain the Wild Card Rule again.
Kofi wants to be one of the best champions of all time so he’s going to need Lesnar to cash that in tonight. Heyman laughs at the idea that the two champions are auditioning to face Lesnar tonight. The way Heyman understands it, Kingston and Rollins aren’t done yet so stay tuned because the Beast is yet to come.
Mick Foley arrives with the new title and is greeted by Dana Brooke, Drake Maverick, Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder. So the Raw Tag Team Champions now exist to greet a legend who is bringing in a new title.
Sami Zayn has to face Braun Strowman tonight and tries to get Bobby Lashley to take his place. Lashley tells him to go soften Strowman up for him. So Sami is fine after the attack from last night? Just like he was fine the night after being crushed in a trash compactor? How is this not a bigger story?
Seth and Kofi ask HHH what Heyman meant and are told that they’re in the main event against Bobby Lashley and Baron Corbin. As soon as I heard that they were in another match, I knew Corbin would be involved. It’s always Corbin and I don’t think WWE can explain why he’s always in these spots.
Sami Zayn vs. Braun Strowman
Sami, with bad ribs (and yes that’s all that wrong with him after last night), runs into the crowd to start and heads to the back, where they run into Lashley. The staredown with Strowman has Sami telling Lashley to DO SOMETHING but Strowman says he’ll deal with Lashley later.
Strowman goes after Sami and sends him into various things before dragging him into the arena. Sami manages to post Strowman a few times but gets sent into the barricade so they can head inside. Strowman misses a charge and hits the post so we can have the opening bell. That just earns Sami a hard clothesline (Sami: “OWWW!!!!”) to the floor where Strowman runs him over again. The running powerslam finishes Sami at 45 seconds.
Charly Caruso brings Lars Sullivan to the ring for a chat. She talks about how dominant he has been since showing up and we see a quick package of such destruction. Before he can say anything, here’s the Lucha House Party (Cole: “The Lucha House Party is back!” Yes indeed. They need a proclamation for showing up to work the day after they appeared last night.) to send Sullivan outside. Double suicide dives take Sullivan down again but he fights them off. The Freak Accident plants Dorado but Kalisto and Metalik save him from the running powerbomb.
Video on AJ Styles vs. Seth Rollins from last night.
Ricochet vs. Cesaro
Fallout from Ricochet getting hurt in the ladder match last night and Cesaro mocking him for being injured. Ricochet has the Kinesio tape on, which is bad idea against the king of the king of Kinesio tape. Cesaro gets a new entrance to replace the James Bond one, which is a good idea since the Bar is done. Cesaro starts fast with a huge backdrop and Ricochet bails to the floor. Ricochet is fine enough to hit the moonsault off the apron but bangs up his back even more. That’s fine with Cesaro, who catches another dive and slams him back first onto the apron as we take a break.
Back with Ricochet fighting out of a chinlock and countering Swiss Death by being tossed into the air and landing on the standing Cesaro’s shoulders. As in Ricochet is standing on Cesaro’s shoulders, because a human can do that. A headscissors puts Cesaro on the floor for the big dive, which is shown in a split screen for the sake of a Secret Life of Pets 2 ad. Back to full screen with Cesaro hitting Swiss Death, followed by a gorilla press backbreaker. The Neutralizer finishes Ricochet at 6:48.
Rating: C+. I knew the tape was a bad idea. This was a lot of fun with the power vs. speed formula still working because it’s one of the best things that can be done in wrestling. Cesaro winning isn’t the biggest problem in the world as his singles push is still being built up and Ricochet wasn’t healthy coming in. Now do something with both of them already.
AJ Styles knows he can beat Rollins but it just wasn’t last night. Baron Corbin comes up to mock him with the claps to say AJ is the kind of guy who always says next time. AJ brings up all of Corbin’s failures but Corbin says he should have gotten the shot since he beat Rollins two weeks ago. AJ doesn’t think that was a slap in the face as Corbin puts it and shows him what a slap in the face is. Corbin promises that AJ will pay.
Here’s Roman Reigns for a chat but before he can say anything, here’s Shane McMahon to cut him off. Shane says he’s done with the Miz and now he has a new target in Reigns. Roman hit his father a few weeks ago and Shane wants to know what kind of a man does that. The announcers don’t bring up the irony, likely because Vince forgot to tell them to bring it up.
Reigns says he hates spoiled rich kids (49 year olds with three children are rarely referred to as kids) and says that since he’s done with Elias (the rematch was already announced for tomorrow night), his schedule is wide open tonight. Let’s put that up to the audience, who seem interested.
Post break McIntyre and Shane are in the back when Miz comes up. Apparently he has McIntyre tonight and isn’t done with Shane. I’m so happy.
Usos vs. Revival
Before the match, we get a recap of what the Usos have done to the Revival over the last few weeks. Revival jumps them before the bell though the referee counts a near fall anyway because the referees have been pretty terrible lately. Jimmy gets sent into the barricade and the beatdown is on inside. An assisted suplex gets two but Jimmy gets over to the tag a few seconds later so the hot tag can bring in Jey. The Revival gets knocked to the floor and we take a break.
Back with Jey fighting out of a chinlock and hitting the enziguri, followed by more kicks to the head. The Revival takes over with a shot to the head of their own, setting up a powerbomb/top rope elbow combination (it was a little different though as Wilder powerbombed Jey at the same time Dawson jumped, meaning that at first it looked like they were on the wrong page) for two. Jey and Dawson slug it out until Jimmy comes back in for a double superkick. Everything breaks down again and Jey kicks Wilder in the face for two more. Dawson sends Jimmy outside and rolls Jey up for the pin (with tights) at 10:37.
Rating: B-. Let me guess: the win over Bryan and Rowan last night isn’t going anywhere is it? I’ll spare you another rant about WWE doing the same stupid things over and over and lament the Revival not likely going anywhere off this win. Odds are the feud continues with more pranks as we wait on more HILARIOUS WWE tropes.
Nikki Cross apologizes to Alexa Bliss for not winning last night and pleads her case when the Revival comes in to say they should be the next guests on a Moment of Bliss. Alexa isn’t sure as they parade off.
It’s time for the Firefly Fun House, which now has an opening sequence of kids playing. This breaks down into images of LET ME IN painted on people’s faces and a closeup of Bray’s mask saying Let Me In.
It’s time for A Moment of Bliss with Nikki Cross sitting in. The guest is Becky Lynch though, meaning we’re going to need another chair. Nikki moves to behind the table as Bliss asks how it feels to no longer be Becky Two Belt. Before she can answer, here are the IIconics to interrupt. Now she’s Becky One Belt but they still have their two belts, which they won at WRESTLEMANIA! They dance a bit to show off the belts but Becky calls them out for their lack of defenses.
If they don’t shut up, she’ll drag them to the ring and become Becky Three Belts. This brings out Lacey Evans to say she’s the reason Becky lost last night. Becky offers to beat up Lacey and the IIconics right now but Nikki offers to be Becky’s partner. Lacey says that’s still one short so Becky picks Bliss. Becky: “You just got to stand there and look pretty sweetheart. The Man will take care of the rest.”
IIconics/Lacey Evans vs. Becky Lynch/Alexa Bliss/Nikki Cross
As Bliss stands on the floor with her coffee, Becky runs Billie over to start. Peyton comes in and takes Becky down for two so Becky bridges up and kicks her in the ribs. Nikki comes in for a running splash in the corner and a bulldog gets two on Peyton. A middle rope crossbody gets the same and it’s time for Nikki and the IIconics to have a yell off.
Lacey comes in and hits the running Bronco Buster in the corner as Alexa is more interested in the temperature of her coffee. Peyton misses a charge into the post though and it’s back to Becky to pick up the pace. Lacey walks out and Billie rolls Becky up for two. The Bexploder sets up a middle rope legdrop to finish Billie at 5:31.
Rating: D+. This is a thing that happened and another instance of a champion losing a match they didn’t need to lose. I’m also surprised that the coffee didn’t get involved in the finish somehow but that might have been a bit too obvious. More Becky vs. Lacey isn’t the most appealing thing, but who else is she supposed to fight?
Here’s Mick Foley to debut the new title. He thinks there is something missing from Raw and it’s time to revisit those three letters: R-A-W. As the cover is falling off the new title, Foley says it takes a lot to be a champion in WWE (get with the times buddy). It’s something that you should sacrifice teeth and an ear for and fight 24/7 to achieve. The new title is the 24/7 Title, with a big 24/7 as the center plate.
This title can be defended anytime, anyplace, anywhere. The fans rightfully boo this out of the building and Foley seems a little shaken. You could get pinned going down the slide at Chuck E. Cheese or even in the shower, as long as there is a referee present. We are going to crown a new champion right here in the form of a scramble, with any every superstar from the Raw, Smackdown, 205 Live, NXT, NXT UK and maybe a legend being eligible to win the title. The title is laid in the ring and whomever retrieves it achieves it.
24/7 Title: Scramble
The lower card runs to the ring to get the title with Eric Young even making an appearance. We get the classic idea of fighting instead of running into the ring to get the title. Eric Young and Cedric Alexander get in the ring but get pulled out, allowing Anderson and Gallows to pick it up. That doesn’t count because it’s not one (But the Usos are one Wild Card entry?) so No Way Jose and EC3 break that up. Drake Maverick and Titus O’Neil go after it next with Titus throwing Maverick over the top and picking up the title to win at 2:37.
And then Robert Roode runs out and rolls Titus up on the ramp to win the title. Everyone gives chase, which I’m sure is what passes for entertainment around here.
Post break Roode hides as the mob runs the other way.
The lights have been turned down, which makes me think that it’s either a bad idea for making the third hour seem important or a bunch of people have left.
Miz vs. Drew McIntyre
Shane is here with McIntyre. During Drew’s entrance, we get a graphic for the Super ShowDown match between Shane and Reigns. Cole: “That match taking place at Super ShowDown, which will be equal to or exceed Wrestlemania!” This line brought to you by the Kingdom of Jeddah.
Miz goes for the legs to start to little avail and gets tossed across the ring. A sunset bomb to the floor is countered with a right hand so Miz punches Drew in the knee to slow him down. Back from a break with Miz powerbombing him out of the corner and sending McIntyre shoulder first into the post. Miz hits a springboard (minus the spring) ax handle and hurricanranas his way out of a powerbomb, only to get caught in the reverse Alabama Slam for two.
Another shot to the knee looks to set up the Figure Four but McIntyre kicks Miz into Shane for a right hand. McIntyre’s spinebuster gets two but Miz is right back with the Figure Four. That’s broken up with some chops and Miz goes after Shane again. The chase lets Shane get in another cheap shot and the Claymore finishes Miz at 13:08.
Rating: C. This wasn’t bad if you cut out the Shane stuff. Shane vs. Miz is coming up on seven months now and I have no idea why anyone would want to see it continue. Miz and McIntyre were trying but when it comes after a chase scene and includes two Shane interferences, there’s only so much that can be done.
Post match Shane loads up Coast to Coast but Reigns comes in for the save.
Seth and Kofi are ready for Lesnar and their tag match. Seth won’t shake his hips though.
We look back at Rey Mysterio winning the US Title last night with the announcers talking about the shoulder clearly being up. Rey suffered a separated shoulder in the post match attack.
Samoa Joe says he never lost last night because he wasn’t pinned. He may be a monster, but Rey can have a chance to hand the title back like a man. Be the man that Rey wants Dominic to be, or imagine the example Joe will set for him.
Roode runs for the parking lot and hides in R-Truth’s trunk. The mob comes up and Truth says he went that way. They run the other way and Truth gets Roode out of the trunk. Roode opens the door and finds…..a referee. Truth sends him into the side of the car and gets the pin and the title before driving off. At least Truth can bring some funny stuff to the title.
Seth Rollins/Kofi Kingston vs. Baron Corbin/Bobby Lashley
No DQ in a surprise stipulation. Corbin jumps Seth from behind on the ramp and the fight starts on the ramp. They get inside and Corbin gets two off Deep Six. Kofi comes in to chop away at Lashley and the Boom Drop connects. Everything breaks down and the champs are sent into the barricade as we take a break. Back with Rollins hitting the Sling Blade on Corbin and bringing Kofi in.
That means a chokebreaker from Corbin as the announcers talk about Lesnar possibly cashing in tonight, all but guaranteeing that it won’t be happening. Rollins grabs a chair to break up a double superplex but Corbin punches him in the face. A springboard knee takes Corbin down and there’s a low superkick to make it worse. The suicide dive takes out Lashley and Corbin, followed by the trust fall from Kofi. Back in and Trouble in Paradise finishes Corbin at 10:36.
Rating: D+. Just a match to fill in time until Brock can come out and not cash in to end the show. Corbin losing doesn’t mean anything as he’ll likely be in a similar spot next week no matter what happens to him. The announcers made it clear that this was just about having Kofi and Seth out there for Brock, which really doesn’t do anything positive for the titles.
Post match Lashley spears both of them down and here’s Brock. Rollins has the chair though so Lesnar walks around the ring and changes his mind. Heyman says they’ll make the announcement next week.
Overall Rating: D. I really can’t remember the last time I’ve seen a show that goes from perfectly watchable at times to bouncing off the rocks at the bottom of a cliff the next. There is some nice stuff in here but then you have the return of the Hardcore Title, Baron Corbin again, two Shane feuds and going back to square one with Lesnar. It’s like they know they need to fix things but are scared to put in any kind of effort and instead go with old ideas that didn’t work in the first place.
The most frustrating thing is they know how to do things well. Bayley’s win on Sunday was a nice moment and there were good matches on this show. It’s like once you get to a certain set of people, everything goes flying out the window though and it’s getting worse every week. Instead of writing up a feud or a good match or letting people get some time on TV (Aleister Black, Buddy Murphy, and how many others from the Shakeup are still waiting for their first match while Titus O’Neil, No Way Jose and various other losers literally chase a title?), this is what we’re getting?
It really does feel like Vince books a part of the show and others run the rest. That’s making for some rather horrible television and hearing “it will be equivalent to or exceed Wrestlemania” for the next few weeks isn’t going to make things any better. The shows feel like they need an editor or a massive overhaul because the bad is expanding and the good is feeling weaker and weaker every week.
Results
Braun Strowman b. Sami Zayn – Running powerslam
Cesaro b. Ricochet – Neutralizer
Revival b. Usos – Rollup with a handful of tights
Becky Lynch/Alexa Bliss/Nikki Cross b. IIconics/Lacey Evans – Middle rope legdrop to Kay
Titus O’Neil won a Scramble by picking up the title
Drew McIntyre b. The Miz – Claymore
Kofi Kingston/Seth Rollins b. Baron Corbin/Bobby Lashley – Trouble in Paradise to Corbin
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2000 Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Part 1 (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:
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Money In The Bank 2019: Talent Talent Everywhere And This Is All We Get
IMG Credit: WWE
Money In The Bank 2019
Date: May 19, 2019
Location: XL Center, Hartford, Connecticut
Commentators: Michael Cole, Renee Young, Corey Graves, Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton
It’s time to climb, even if the build for the show hasn’t been as aggressive as previous years. The last few weeks have been all about the Wild Card Rule and Counting Lessons With WWE, meaning the ladder matches have felt like afterthoughts. No wonder this one has been one of the least frustrating. Let’s get to it.
Kickoff Show: Rowan/Daniel Bryan vs. Usos
Non-title because now the Brand Split means something. Jey and Bryan get things going with an exchange of chops but it’s Rowan coming in as we take a break. Back with Jey in trouble thanks to a powerslam during the commercial. Bryan strikes away in the corner before it’s back to Rowan for the fists squeezing Jey’s head.
Bryan’s surfboard makes Jey cringe some more but Bryan misses the running dropkick in the corner, allowing Jimmy to come in and pick up the pace. The Whisper in the Wind gets two on Rowan with the kickoff launching Jimmy. Something close to a Jackhammer plants Jimmy for two more and we take a break.
Back again with Rowan superplexing both Usos at the same time for a pretty cool visual, allowing Bryan to come back in for the YES Kicks on Jey. A superkick gets Jey a breather but he gets pulled down into the LeBell Lock, drawing Jimmy in for the save. Four superkicks put Rowan down on one knee and a double suicide dive takes him down for good, leaving Bryan to get kicked in the face. The Double Us finishes Bryan at 11:05. Graves: “What does this mean?” Like WWE knows. Oh and this is billed as part of the Wild Card Rule, which makes even less sense than usual.
Rating: B-. You know, I should have known that WWE couldn’t help themselves with this as it’s a couple of annoying things in a row. Not only do champions lose in their first regular tag match since winning the titles, but now we’ll get the Wild Card Rule to have the Usos get a shot, meaning that again I’m supposed to go with the Usos, as in TWO Usos, counting as one Wild Card Rule spot because THAT RULE IS STILL TOO COMPLICATED FOR WWE TO FIGURE OUT!
In Memory of Ashley Massaro.
The opening video looks at diving off of high things. As someone with a lifelong fear of heights, MOVE ON ALREADY! Regular opening, title matches get attention, we’re done.
Women’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match
We’ve got Ember Moon, Bayley, Naomi, Natalya, Dana Brook, Nikki Cross, Mandy Rose, Carmella with Nikki replacing an injured Alexa Bliss. Sonya Deville is here with Mandy. The fight is on in a hurry with Nikki grabbing the ladder for the spinning ladder shots to the face. Brooke gets caught in the corner with the ladder and Ember drives Nikki into said ladder for a big crash.
Naomi, with her hair shaped like Mickey Mouse ears and gear that looks like a bumblebee, comes in for the house cleaning but gets knocked outside by Bayley. Carmella and Mandy slide back in and knock everyone down, leaving a bunch of women to come in and pick up a pair of ladders. That lets Naomi walk onto the ladders for a jumping kick to Mandy and then drop down between the two of them in a bunch of spots that felt rather choreographed.
As the overly scripted part takes place, Carmella is down and having her knee looked at, meaning she has to be taken to the back. Dana sends Ember into the ladder in the corner but Bayley does the same to take her down. The big ladder is set up but Mandy and Natalya make a save by crushing Bayley between the legs. Naomi’s split legged moonsault onto Bayley onto the ladder makes for a good crash and Nikki spears Natalya down.
Ember makes the save this time and Dana shoves a ladder over, sending it crashing hard onto Nikki’s head for a scary crash. Dana and Mandy go up with Dana dangling from the briefcase, eventually hanging over Mandy’s head in a scary crash. Four women go up at once with the ladder falling over, leaving Ember to hit a huge Eclipse from a ladder on the floor onto Natalya in the ring.
Mandy goes up but here’s Carmella limping down to superkick a bunch of people and go up. Sonya makes a save of her own and spears Carmella down before helping Mandy go up. Since Mandy can’t stand, Sonya throws her in a fireman’s carry but Bayley is right there. Mandy and Sonya get shoved down and Bayley wins at 13:39.
Rating: C+. Convoluted spots aside, this was short and to the point with a good choice in Bayley. I mean it’s two years late and her career has been wrecked due to WWE having no idea what they’re doing with her as she has been on a treadmill for over a year, but at least they did something with her. It’s a good match, though eight (or seven at times) people in one match is still too many.
Post match Charly Caruso talks to Bayley about the win and mentions Sasha Banks staying on Raw while Bayley moved to Smackdown. Bayley says she’s proud of what she and Sasha accomplished but she’s here to prove a point, which she just did.
We look at Sami Zayn and Braun Strowman’s issues over the last few weeks.
Sami interrupts HHH’s phone call to look for Shane McMahon and gets him off the phone. Sami is worried about Strowman going insane and killing him later tonight but HHH assures him that Strowman has been banned from the building. Zayn: “I’ve heard that one before.” He wants protection so HHH tells him to tape up his fists and leave.
US Title: Samoa Joe vs. Rey Mysterio
Mysterio is challenging in the rubber match and his son Dominic is watching in the back. Rey hammers away in the corner so Joe sends him to the apron, earning himself an enziguri. The springboard seated senton takes Joe down but he’s right back with a chop. Joe’s nose is busted as he loads up a powerbomb….with is reversed into a hurricanrana for the pin and the title at 1:40??? Joe’s shoulder was a good foot off the mat, which is likely going to be addressed.
Post match Dominic comes out to celebrate but Joe runs Rey over and destroys him in the ring.
Strowman is here and wants to know where Sami is.
We recap Shane McMahon vs. the Miz, which started back in November and is still going today because Shane is that great. Shane attacked Miz’s dad and Miz has sworn revenge, even though he lost at Wrestlemania. Tonight it’s a cage match to keep them in one place.
The Miz vs. Shane McMahon
In a cage and Shane goes to escape twice in a row early on to no avail. Some kicks to the ribs and chest have Shane down until he comes back with right hands. The CM PUNK chants start up as Shane sends Miz into the cage. A torture rack neckbreaker gets two and Shane is already drenched in sweat less than five minutes in.
Coast to Coast is caught and Miz slaps on an ugly Figure Four, sending Shane to the door for the break but not the escape. A chair is dragged in though, with Miz taking it away and blasting Shane in the back with the chair instead. The Skull Crushing Finale onto the chair knocks Shane silly….but he puts his foot on the rope for the break. In a cage match. Five minutes after Shane grabbing the rope in the Figure Four wasn’t a break.
Cole and the fans call the referee out for that MAKING NO SENSE BECAUSE THEY CAN’T KEEP CONTINUITY IN THEIR OWN MATCHES ANYMORE, probably along with a World Champion’s finisher onto a chair isn’t enough to pin Shane. Also, there was almost no way the referee would have been able to see the foot from that angle.
Miz hits Shane in the leg to keep him from climbing out and slams him face first into the cage for the big crash. A top rope splash gives Miz two but Shane is right back with his triangle choke. Miz bridges back into a cover so Shane has to let go. Shane climbs so Miz catches him and loads up a superplex….but Shane falls to the floor to win at 13:10.
Rating: F. Yeah no. Under no circumstances does this make sense or come off as the right move, mainly because it seems that this feud is going to continue for reasons that I do not want to understand. The match was more Shane McMahon Is Awesome with continuity problems and Shane winning AGAIN because of course he does. Keep defending this. I beg of you.
Mick Foley will be on Raw tomorrow to introduce a new title. Let the ratings gimmicks continue.
Sami Zayn has been attacked and hung upside down.
Cruiserweight Title: Ariya Daivari vs. Tony Nese
Nese is defending and Daivari drives a Mercedes into the arena. They start fast with Daivari missing a kick to the head and getting legdropped for two. Daivari goes to the eyes to take over and stomps away as the fans call this boring. A Billy Goat’s Curse (reverse Boston crab) keeps Nese in trouble but he gets out and hits a spinwheel kick as the crowd still doesn’t care. The springboard moonsault gives Nese two but a pumphandle is escaped.
They head outside for a few seconds with Nese throwing him back in and then back out for the running Fosbury Flop. Back in and the 450 gets two on Daivari as the fans want this to end. That’s not fair as it’s been fairly good but the lack of a 205 audience doomed this from the start. Daivari hits a superkick and the Persian Lion frog splash connects. The hammerlock lariat gets two and that’s it for Daivari’s chances. Nese sends him into the corner for the running knee and the pin to retain at 9:28.
Rating: C. These guys tried and I feel bad for the lack of a reaction they received. 205 Live is a good show and it’s not their fault that no one watches it due to how ridiculous their taping schedule is or that WWE raided their talent pool (and hey, Cedric and Buddy have done wonders on the big shows so far). They were working hard out there and tried to get the fans into things but they weren’t going to get a chance. Not a bad match at all, but not the right audience.
HHH asks Strowman to leave, though Strowman says he doesn’t know what’s going on.
Ad for Super ShowDown in Jeddah. No country listed or anything. Just Jeddah.
We recap Becky Lynch vs. Lacey Evans. Lacey wants to get rid of the Nasties and that starts by winning the Raw Women’s Title. Becky has to defend both titles in one night and this is the first of two matches.
Raw Women’s Title: Lacey Evans vs. Becky Lynch
Lacey is challenging and has the traditional money guns (in holsters of course) for her entrance. They start brawling in a hurry and head outside with Lynch sending her hard into the barricade. Back in and Lacey winds up the arm to send Becky face first into the mat and stomp on the arm and shoulder. The arm gets slammed into the apron as Graves points out the picture of Lacey punching Becky on Lacey’s boots. Renee: “Cute.” Probably not what she was going for there.
The arm cranking continues and it’s a swinging neckbreaker to keep Becky down. Lacey pulls out a napkin to wipe down a bit and shoves it into Becky’s face, earning herself a middle rope clothesline. Becky starts the comeback with the Bexploder and a top rope dropkick which might not have completely connected.
It’s still enough to send Lacey outside so the delayed cover can only get two. Something like a middle rope Dudley Dog gives Lacey two and she chop blocks Becky down. The referee takes forever to start counting (making sure to check the shoulders to avoid a fine) and it’s reversed into the Disarm-Her to make Lacey tap at 8:41.
Rating: D+. The lack of strong villains continue to vex WWE as there was nothing to make me believe that Lacey was a threat to the title. That’s the case in a lot of title feuds right now and it’s really showing. Shane McMahon is the top heel in the company and it’s all downhill from there. You can be the biggest champion in the world and get all the rubs like Becky has, but without a good challenger, it doesn’t matter. That’s the case with Becky, plus several others at the moment.,
And here’s Charlotte for the second title defense.
Smackdown Women’s Title: Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte
Becky is defending again. Charlotte takes her straight into the corner for some shoulders to the ribs and Becky’s rollup goes nowhere. Some chops keep Becky rocked and a Boston crab has her crawling over to the ropes for the break. Becky’s comeback is cut off with a kick to the leg but a running forearm drops Charlotte. The Disarm-Her is blocked but here’s Lacey to punch Becky in the face. Becky is right back with a small package for two but Charlotte hits a big boot for the pin and the title at 6:12.
Rating: D+. And thus we get one step closer to Charlotte winning her sixteenth title, because Charlotte and her dad both having sixteen titles is such a cool idea that I’m sure HHH, Shawn and Flair will all love very much. I’m rather over Charlotte as champion and it was nice to have someone new in there for all of six weeks. At least we got something out of it though and that’s an improvement.
Post match Becky goes after Lacey but gets double teamed. Cue Bayley with the briefcase but she gets beaten down as well. Becky and Lacey fight to the floor and Bayley sends Charlotte into the corner, meaning the cash-in is on.
Smackdown Women’s Title: Bayley vs. Charlotte
Charlotte is defending and the top rope elbow gives Bayley the title at 22 seconds. Ignore the rule about the champion having to be on her feet being waved. Oh and ignore Sasha Banks because WWE is making it pretty clear that they don’t care about her.
Bayley celebrates in the crowd in a cool moment. I give them three weeks before they screw it up.
Elias blasts Roman Reigns in the back with a guitar and heads to the ring in a long tracking shot. There’s an electric guitar waiting on him and we get a song about how much Elias hates Hartford. He can’t stand it here and is getting out, just like the Whalers. Elias stops to pose on the ramp and here’s Reigns to take him to the ring.
Roman Reigns vs. Elias
Spear in six seconds. If you don’t have time to run these matches and have to rush through so many matches, maybe your show is too freaking long/has too many matches. It makes sense to have Reigns run him down like that because Elias is no threat to him, but then why book the match?
We recap Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles. Rollins wants to prove that he’s the best and AJ wants to prove that he can win on the Raw stage. Now go have a great match.
Universal Title: Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles
Rollins is defending and they start with a wrestling sequence as AJ takes over early on. The second such sequence goes to Seth and it’s a hard whip into the corner to take AJ down this time. A knee drop gives Seth two but AJ is right back up with the dropkick to take over. Some shots to the ribs keep Seth down as AJ is the subtle heel here. Rollins blocks a hiptoss and hammers away, followed by the Downward Spiral into the middle buckle.
They head to the apron with Rollins saving himself from a Styles Clash but a sliding knee to the face takes him down. Rollins is right back with the suicide dive to send AJ into the announcers’ table, followed by a second for a bonus. Back in and Rollins grabs the Sling Blade, setting up the springboard clothesline for two. The fireman’s carry onto the knee (thankfully now with the normal name of the Revolutionary Knee) drops Seth again and it’s off to the pinfall reversal sequence.
The Buckle Bomb drops AJ and the frog splash gets two. AJ’s torture rack powerbomb gets the same but Seth breaks up the Phenomenal Forearm. The reverse superplex into a reverse suplex slam gives Seth two more and they’re both down. The Stomp is countered into the Calf Crusher so Seth goes with a shot to the head for the break. AJ is right back up with the moonsault into the reverse DDT for another near fall. Seth superkicks his head off but the Stomp is countered into the Styles Clash (SWEET) for the closest two yet. Rollins’ Ripcord knee sets up the low superkick and the Stomp retains the title at 19:52.
Rating: A-. Well yeah this was great and I’m not sure why you would have expected anything else. They beat the heck out of each other and traded a bunch of spots, which is exactly what this was going to be the entire time. Rollins getting a big win is a great sign for his title reign, but that title defense against Lesnar scares me more and more every day. Great match though.
Post match they shake hands as everything is cool.
Kofi Kingston is ready to prove that he’s a champion on his own. He might not be here without the New Day, but Xavier Woods doesn’t want to hear that. Kofi earned this and tonight, Kofi gets to prove things one on one. Woods is even going to honor his wishes and let Kofi do this on his own.
Lucha House Party comes out for a six man tag but Lars Sullivan (gotta work to pay off that fine) comes out and destroys them all. Lars busted himself open in there somewhere.
We recap Kofi Kingston vs. Kevin Owens. Kofi won the title at Wrestlemania and Owens pretended to be his friend for about two weeks before attacking him to set up the title match. The idea here is that Kofi can’t do it on his own and wants to prove himself.
Smackdown World Title: Kofi Kingston vs. Kevin Owens
Kofi is defending and they start fast with Kofi knocking him to the floor for a running chop off the steps. Another top rope shop to the head keeps Owens in trouble but he’s right back with a shot to the face of his own. The running backsplash gives Owens two and the trash talk begins. Kofi knocks him away and goes up, but gets kicked out of the air. The buckle bomb is countered with a backdrop into the corner and Kofi is getting fired up.
The Boom Drop is countered into a Boston crab to keep Kofi’s ribs sore. Kofi is in the ropes soon enough and they head to the apron, with Owens walking into the standing double stomp. Kofi’s top rope spinning chop is superkicked out of the air as Owens keeps cutting him off. Back in and the Pop Up Powerbomb is countered into the SOS for two to put them both down.
Another superkick is blocked and Kofi hammers away with forearms to the head on the mat. Kofi is fired up but walks into the Pop Up sitout powerbomb for another near fall. Owens demands that the fans stop clapping and tries the Stunner, which is reversed into Trouble in Paradise. Kofi throws him back in and walks into the Stunner for two with the champ having to grab a rope. Owens’ Swanton hits knees and it’s Trouble in Paradise to retain the titles at 14:55.
Rating: B. The ending felt kind of out of nowhere but what mattered most here was a well done story with Kofi having to fight through adversity and win the big match on his own. I’m not sure where it goes with New Day, but the way Smackdown goes, we should be leading to Kofi vs. Shane. Tell me that isn’t a possibility at the moment.
Super ShowDown ad.
Men’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match
We’ve got Baron Corbin, Ricochet, Andrade, Finn Balor, Drew McIntyre, Ali, Randy Orton and no Sami Zayn, meaning it’s a seven man match this time around. Orton wastes no time in taking Ali outside for a whip onto the announcers’ table. That leaves us with a Ricochet vs. Balor showdown but Orton throws Balor onto the table as well. Orton drops Ricochet back first onto the table, meaning it’s time for the ladder.
Andrade breaks that up with an elbow to the face but it’s Corbin and McIntyre cleaning house with the ladders. Ali breaks that up and hits a suicide dive, setting up a staredown with Ricochet. They both climb with McIntyre and Corbin making some quick saves. McIntyre throws Ricochet hard into a ladder and Corbin does the same to Ali. Orton gets back inside but walks into the Claymore to send him outside again.
Balor comes back in and starts taking people out with the ladder but Andrade’s ladder shots break it up. Now it’s Ali getting back in for a reverse hurricanrana on Ricochet but Andrade ties Ali up in the big ladder. Ali gets out and hits the middle rope Spanish Fly to Andrade, only to be pulled outside by McIntyre for another beating. Corbin chokeslams Ali through the announcers’ table and now it’s McIntyre being pulled off the ladder. Deep Six plants Ricochet on the floor but McIntyre hits the Claymore to drop Corbin.
A suplex onto the ladder takes Balor out and the reverse Alabama Slam sends Andrade onto Balor for a bonus. Ricochet is back up and gets thrown over the top and through a bridged ladder. That leaves McIntyre to climb the ladder until Orton pulls him into the RKO. Ali and Corbin climb up at the same time but come back down so Ali can hurricanrana him to the floor. Ali is alone….and BROCK LESNAR is here to take Sami’s place and win the briefcase at 19:00.
Rating: B. I’m going to try and remain calm until Lesnar actually cashes in, but EGADS if they go back to him as champion anytime soon I think my head will explode. The match was a lot of fun but I was hoping for someone a little more interesting than Lesnar. Then again this is WWE, where the solution to things not getting better in six weeks is go to right back to what people got sick of in the first place to get them into trouble. I’m hoping they just do this in Saudi Arabia and move on to something fresh, but I have no reason to believe that’s going to be the case.
Brock laughs and says he’s back to end the show.
Overall Rating: B-. This is a case where the wrestling was mostly good but the booking took a lot out of things. Having the show not be quite four hours helped a bit, but that took three matches totaling about two minutes to get there. If that’s the best they can do with a lot of this stuff, don’t bother doing it.
Throw in somehow being at the point where Shane and Lesnar at the top heels and it’s a mess of a time in WWE again. They bring in all these people to the main roster but rarely want to ever actually use any of them as top stars. At some point they need to bite the bullet eventually and that’s not what they did here. I liked the show in parts, but other times made me want to pull my hair out.
Results
Bayley won the Women’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match
Rey Mysterio b. Samoa Joe – Hurricanrana
Shane McMahon b. The Miz – McMahon escaped the cage
Tony Nese b. Ariya Daivari – Running knee
Becky Lynch b. Lacey Evans – Disarm-Her
Charlotte b. Becky Lynch – Big boot
Bayley b. Charlotte – Top rope elbow
Roman Reigns b. Elias – Spear
Seth Rollins b. AJ Styles – Stomp
Kofi Kingston b. Kevin Owens – Trouble in Paradise
Brock Lesnar won the Men’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2000 Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Part 1 (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:
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Money In The Bank 2019 Preview
IMG Credit: WWE
I don’t know if it’s because of everything else that has been going on with WWE over the last few weeks or trying to learn how to count for the Wild Card Rule, but there is something about this year that has made the Money In The Bank build that much easier. The show feels like a complete afterthought at this point, though I’m not sure what the major thought is. There is a stacked card here (gotta fill those four hours somehow) so let’s get to it.
Kickoff Show: Daniel Bryan/Rowan vs. Usos
This is actually not a title match, because Bryan and Rowan defeating the Usos for the titles on SmackDown is totally different than the Usos challenging for the titles on pay per view. Then again I’m apparently not smart enough to understand that two Usos count as one superstar for the Wild Card Rule, because I’m slow enough to see two people as two people. Anyway, this is non-title because rules suddenly apply around here, which is fine enough.
Since the titles aren’t on the line, I’ll go with the champs winning in another rather good match. The Usos are long past being bullet proof in WWE so another loss here isn’t going to hurt them in the slightest. Bryan and Rowan need a few wins to establish themselves as champions (maybe a title defense would help that) and beating the Usos again is a good idea.
Cruiserweight Title: Tony Nese(c) vs. Ariya Daivari
I figured I’d knock this one out near the start because A, I expect it to be on the Kickoff Show and B, I’ll probably fall asleep if I do it much later. The annoying thing here is that these guys are trying as hard as they can to make the title match interesting and that’s something that I can always appreciate. The problem though is they feel like two midcarders who are headlining a C show instead of something worthwhile, which is more the fault of 205 Live losing all of its talent in the Shakeup (yet Buddy Murphy still can’t get on the show).
I’ll go with Nese retaining here as while he might not be the most interesting person in the world, he’s still better than the most stock villain you could have in Daivari. The division is dying for someone more interesting though and I don’t see that on the horizon at the moment. They’re trying to build something with Nese and he has gotten better in recent weeks, though they still have a long way to go.
SmackDown Women’s Title: Becky Lynch(c) vs. Charlotte
Oh yeah this is one of the reasons why those people don’t have time to get on: a double portion of Lynch (that’s not a bad thing). This is either the first or second title defense that Lynch has on the show and since it’s a Lynch match, she has to be facing Charlotte for the title. These two have been joined at the hip for years now and why bother making two new challengers when you can only make one? It’s not clear who Lynch faces first and it kind of makes a difference here.
I’ll take Lynch to retain here, assuming it’s the first match. My guess is that Lynch will be worn down in a successful title defense in the first match and then lose the title, so if this goes on second she can lose to Charlotte. This of course would set up a rematch, because these two have to fight until the end of time. The match is likely to be good, but I could go for something else.
Raw Women’s Title: Becky Lynch(c) vs. Lacey Evans
Something fresh like this perhaps. Evans is far from a perfect or well rounded character but she’s SOMETHING new and that’s what the division needs. It wouldn’t shock me to see her win the title here, which wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. She has a unique character and can work well enough in the ring, but it still does feel a little early for Lynch to be losing either title.
I’ll go with Lynch retaining here, as Charlotte getting one of the titles makes more sense than Evans. This double champion on both shows thing is making for a complicated situation, but above all else it would be nice to have one champion per show for the sake of letting someone else get a chance in there. It’s clear at the moment that some new blood is needed up and down the show, which is why I’d rather have Evans get one of the title, even if I don’t think it’s going to happen.
Roman Reigns vs. Elias
Oh yeah there’s this match too. I’m not sure why anyone is going to buy Elias as a threat to Reigns, but that is the case with just about anyone on the roster at this point. That and the fact that it’s really Shane McMahon feuding with Reigns instead of Elias, which isn’t the most interesting thing in the world. Why anyone would expect anything but the obvious from this match is beyond me, but that’s never stopped WWE before.
Of course I’m going with Reigns here because Elias doesn’t win major matches and Reigns could get hit by a train, pop up and hit a spear for the pin. That’s just how Reigns matches go and while it (and the concert from Elias) is likely to be entertaining, it’s not going to be the most dramatic match. Hopefully they don’t give this one too much time because delaying the inevitable is rarely the most interesting use of time in a match.
Shane McMahon vs. The Miz
We might as well get this one out of the way next. This feud has been going since November 2 and that’s about six months longer than a McMahon feud should be going at the moment. I guess it’s still about Miz’s dad, who hasn’t come off looking good and isn’t exactly an inspiring plot device. This time it’s in a cage to prevent interference, meaning you can almost guarantee interference coming.
I’ll go with Miz winning here as we NEED a trilogy match between these two, probably in Saudi Arabia so the feud can enter a seventh month. This feud has been one of the biggest groan inducers in recent months as it just keeps going, even if the match itself should be entertaining. I still have no idea why McMahon, who is pushing fifty, is a semi-regular wrestler and the top heel in the company, but that’s the world we live in today. Miz wins here, but the feud still isn’t done.
Men’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match
It’s rather nice to be coming up on one of these things without having watched the same singles and tag matches over and over again to drive me away from things. On the downside though, I also have next to no idea who is actually in the thing as the match has left that little of an impact on me. Odds are it’s going to be someone that hasn’t gotten a ton of hype recently, because the idea of building momentum to these things is a bunch of nonsense.
I’ll take Andrade to win, which is more of a hunch than anything else. I don’t think he’ll win the title (which has been more of a trend lately) but it could be cool to see someone new near the main event scene. The SmackDown World Title scene feels like an upper midcard title at the moment and it’s not like anyone but Reigns feels like a top star on the show. Would Andrade as a World Title contender feel that out of the question at this point? Odds are it’s wrong but I’ll take Andrade here.
United States Title: Samoa Joe(c) vs. Rey Mysterio
For some reason this seems to be more about Mysterio’s son Dominic than the match or the title, but it’s not like the US Title has meant anything in months anyway. Samoa Joe beat Mysterio in less than a minute at WrestleMania so Mysterio beat him in a nothing match on Monday Night Raw to get another title shot. Then Mysterio’s son has been around and annoyed Samoa Joe, setting things up here.
I’ll take Samoa Joe to retain again because his pointless title reign needs to continue. It’s a shame that the US Title has become a near curse to the champions, but that’s where we are with the title these days. Hopefully things get a little bit better, but I’ve been saying that for so many months now that it’s almost impossible to buy that anything else is going to happen. Expect Dominic to get involved and likely become more of a focus in the coming weeks, which isn’t likely to be a good idea.
Raw World Title: Seth Rollins(c) vs. AJ Styles
They’ve been trying with this one but it’s still falling a little flat. I know they’re going for a dream match idea here but there’s a fine line between a dream match and an “oh that will be good” match. Rollins is still getting into being the face of the show and while Styles is an incredible talent, he is just coming off a year long reign as champion over on SmackDown, making a title change here not that likely.
I’ll take Rollins to retain here, which makes me all the more sad as it feels like we’re coming up on the dreaded Baron Corbin title push. He’s going to get to the main event scene at some point and it would make sense to go after Rollins rather than Styles. The match should be awesome though and hopefully it happens before the ladder match so we don’t have to worry about a cash-in to take away from the ending.
SmackDown World Title: Kofi Kingston(c) vs. Kevin Owens
This is an interesting one as Kingston won the title six weeks ago and while he still feels like a transitional champion, I’m not convinced that he’s going to be losing anytime soon. As mentioned earlier, the SmackDown main event scene feels like we’re just waiting for Reigns to come after the title and until then, everything is completely wide open. That brings us to here though.
I’ll take Kingston retaining, though a briefcase cash-in wouldn’t shock me. I don’t think that’s going to happen two years in a row, though it would be nice to not have the briefcase running around for another year. The match should be good and they have a story set up with Owens telling Kingston that he can’t do things on his own, though I think it’s a way for Kingston to get his first pay per view title defense.
Women’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match
And then there’s this to close things out, which is quite the wide open field. Nikki Cross is replacing the (again) concussed Alexa Bliss and that….doesn’t really change anything as Bliss wasn’t the most likely candidate to win in the first place. That leaves a bunch of potential winners, though some of them are a lot less likely than others and can be cut off pretty easily.
I’ll take Mandy Rose to win, as it would set up an instant feud with Sonya Deville and give WWE the push that they’ve been wanting to run with for months now. That’s a fine choice too as Rose has gotten a lot better and could be worth a try in the title scene. I mean, it isn’t going to be Natalya, Brooke (I kind of want to see her get a run though, just for the sake of comedy), Moon, Carmella or Cross, which only leaves a few options. Rose seems to be the best of the remainders so we’ll go with her.
Overall Thoughts
Money In The Bank is looking like the most “oh dang we need to do a show” that happens to be one of the bigger events in recent years. It feels like WWE is trying to do all kinds of things at once and almost nothing is getting a real focus. That being said, I’ve had a far less annoying time with the build this year and that has made me a lot more interested in this show than in previous years. WWE feels like they’re booking day to day at the moment though and that needs to change, either starting with or the night after this show.
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2000 Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Part 1 (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:
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Main Event – May 2, 2019: For The First Time In Forever
IMG Credit: WWE
Main Event
Date: May 2, 2019
Location: Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky
Commentators: Renee Young, Byron Saxton, David Otunga
Oh dear. Do we really have to do this one? After this week’s rather horrible Raw and Smackdown, I’m scared to see what we could be getting in the way of highlights. There aren’t many good things to look at and I have a bad feeling that WWE will want to focus on the less than thrilling stuff. Let’s get to it.
Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.
I was in the arena for this show so it’s my second time seeing the original matches.
Opening sequence.
Heath Slater vs. Mojo Rawley
Rawley now has paint around his eye, which I’m sure will lead him to nothing but success. The fans remind Mojo that he has kids and suggest that they want Ryder (this is the arena where Mojo turned on Ryder and the fans always remind him) as he hits a corner splash. Slater gets knocked outside and a running charge drives him into the barricade. Back in and the running right hand in the corner sets up the Alabama Slam to finish Slater at 2:44. Slater had no offense.
We look at Kevin Owens turning on New Day last week.
From Smackdown.
Michael Cole brings Kofi Kingston to the ring to start things off. We look at Kofi’s performance in the Elimination Chamber and the second gauntlet match. Kofi talks about how none of this happens without Big E. and Xavier Woods because they proved that the impossible is possible. Cole calls the win over Daniel Bryan maybe the greatest Wrestlemania moment ever (uh, hang on a second now) and we see a clip of the title win.
Kofi calls it the greatest moment of his life, next to the birth of his children and his wedding day. With that comes people gunning for him though, which leads us to a clip of Kevin Owens attacking him last week. Kofi agrees that he probably should have seen this coming but the New Day believes in letting people change if they want to. At the end of the day though, Kevin Owens is going to be Kevin Owens.
If Owens wanted a title shot, all he had to do is ask. Last week, Kevin said he was coming for the title so let him come, say at Money in the Bank. This brings out Owens, who says challenge accepted. Owens talks about how the moment from Wrestlemania is fleeting and everyone knows Kofi isn’t championship material. Cue Woods to jump Owens from behind but Owens superkicks him down, leaving Kofi to chase him off.
From later in the night.
It’s time for the Kevin Owens Show, but there is now no set with just a pair of chairs. Owens points out the lack of a set but it’s ok because he is the show. At Money in the Bank, he will take away the burden of being WWE Champion from Kofi Kingston because it belongs to him. That brings us to his guest, but there is no Xavier Woods.
Owens expected this to be the case, so he brings out a Xavier action figure. It was part of a pack though so there is also a Big E. figure, complete with a cast around his leg. Owens puts them in the chair and then kicks it over. He knows what is in their mind and heart….but here’s Kofi for the brawl. Kingston throws him over the announcers’ table but gets raked in the eyes, allowing Owens to bail to end the show. Good final segment with Kofi bringing out the fire again.
Cesaro vs. Cedric Alexander
Rematch from last week’s Raw. Cesaro runs him over for an early two and it’s off to a quickly broken chinlock. A slam cuts Cedric off and it’s a chinlock to keep him down. Some stomps to the head have Cedric in trouble until he comes back with some chops. Those just earn him an uppercut and another chinlock, followed by a big boot for two.
It’s time to crank on the arm, which seems a little out of place. Cedric fights up for his spinning elbow to the head but the Neuralizer is blocked with an elbow to the back. Cesaro doesn’t follow up fast enough though and gets caught by a middle rope dropkick. A whip into the corner sets up a rollup to give Cedric the pin at 5:05.
Rating: C. This didn’t have the time that it needed to go somewhere but there is a reason that my eyebrows went up when I heard the music playing. These two have some nice chemistry and the mixture of styles has made some good little matches. Cedric winning here is quite the shock, but at least he’s getting somewhere.
From Smackdown again.
Roman Reigns vs. B Team
Elias is on the floor. Reigns powers out of Dallas’ headlock but gets punched into the corner by Axel. Reigns fights out of the corner without much effort though and gets two off the Samoan drop. A quick Elias distraction lets Axel get in a clothesline though and we take a quick break.
Back with Reigns fighting out of a chinlock and hitting a clothesline on Dallas. Everything breaks down and a Samoan drop/DDT combination plants the B Team. The Superman Punch hits Axel for two with Elias pulling the regular referee out at two. Elias takes over as referee and the PerfectPlex gives Axel two of his own. The guitar is brought in but it’s a Superman Punch to Elias and a spear finishes Axel at 10:47.
Rating: D+. The match wasn’t exactly the most surprising result and that’s not the best way in the world to go when Elias isn’t going to be bought as a serious threat to Reigns at Money in the Bank anyway. Reigns overcoming the odds is fine, but if the odds don’t make him an underdog in the first place, what is he overcoming?
Tamina/Alicia Fox vs. IIconics
Non-title and this is the first time Main Event has had three matches in a very long time. On the way to the ring, the IIconics make fun of Kentucky and the Kentucky Derby. Oh and the Wildcats are terrible too. Billie and Peyton can’t decide who has to start with Tamina so it’s the alternating tags to make the decision.
Peyton gets shoved down so Billie tries a waistlock and gets thrown away with ease. It’s off to Alicia, who scores with dropkicks on both champs. A sunset flip out of the corner gets two on Peyton but she drops Fox and it’s time for the pose. Tamina comes back in for a running corner splash on Billie but Peyton breaks up the Samoan drop. The big boot sets up Peyton’s running knee for the pin at 3:56.
Rating: D. The IIconics are fun to watch but Tamina and Alicia? Someone thought that was a good idea? Like, we’re supposed to cheer for Tamina? I know this means nothing and it’s not likely to be a permanent change, but egads that’s a heck of a stretch. We get a third match for the first time in forever and it features Tamina? Really?
From Raw to wrap it up.
It’s time for the contract signing between AJ Styles and Seth Rollins. Michael Cole starts the questioning by asking what a win would mean to AJ. That’s an easy one because the win is the reason AJ came here. He spent two years on Smackdown and he’s very grateful, but now it’s time to come where the really crazy fans are.
AJ has heard about Seth for two years and knows he’s a good guy, but AJ wants the Universal Title. When you want something bad enough, you’ll do some unexpected things to get it. The fans aren’t sure what to make of that so AJ goes back to the compliments by saying Seth is a winner and a champion. But how many times has it been said that Seth will be the new AJ? Not very many that I can think of, but AJ thinks it makes sense because Seth is stronger, faster and younger. Fans: “SHAVE YOUR BACK!”
The reality though is Seth will never be the next AJ Styles. Seth didn’t want to be though, because he would rather be the first Seth Freaking Rollins. The compliments are appreciated but things are different on Raw. That’s Michael Cole instead of Tom Phillips and the ropes are red. If AJ wants to take the title, he needs to be better than phenomenal.
AJ asks about Seth’s health after being a workhorse for all those months. Fans: “BURN IT DOWN!” AJ knows they’ll burn it down and then he’ll build it back up. Seth doesn’t know how much trouble he’s in because the Shield isn’t around to help him anymore. Yeah he went through a lot at Wrestlemania, but Seth doesn’t have much left.
AJ is ready to go now though and at Money in the Bank, he’s biting like a pit bull and not letting go until he’s Universal Champion. Styles signs and Seth starts talking about their differences. It’s true that AJ likes to build things up but Seth likes to burn things down. There is one thing that separates them though: Seth beat Brock Lesnar. That seems to get to AJ as Seth signs.
AJ picks up the title and slowly hands it over so Seth can hold it up. Fans: “SHAVE HIS BACK!” AJ jumps him instead and the fight is on with Seth kicking him out to the floor. There’s the suicide dive and Seth poses again, but it’s a shot to the head into the Phenomenal Forearm through the table to end the show.
This took some time to get going because they don’t have any reason to hate each other, but some of those lines from Seth ran deep. AJ seems to be playing heel here, and while that might not go full blast or last permanently, it’s an interesting way to go here. It’s also something AJ knows how to do, so we should be in for some quality stuff if that’s where they’re going.
Overall Rating: D+. They were very, very smart to stay clear from Raw this week because the show was just that bad. That being said, I can go for having three matches here as it gets some people in the ring for a change, though that doesn’t always mean it’s a good idea. You could have dropped the first match for some more highlights, but in this case having fewer highlights was the right call. I’m indifferent to the new format, but egads they picked a good week to start rolling with it.
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2000 Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Part 1 (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
Monday Night Raw – April 29, 2019: A Long Time Coming
IMG Credit: WWE
Monday Night Raw
Date: April 29, 2019
Location: Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky
Commentators: Michael Cole, Renee Young, Corey Graves
It’s a homecoming show for me as Rupp Arena hasn’t hosted a Raw since 2010, which was the first Raw there since 2000. Since I live ten minutes from the arena, it was rather nice to not have such a long drive home. Now the problem with that is it was a long show, but that’s Raw for you. Let’s get to it.
Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.
As you can tell, I was in the arena for the show, sitting in the upper deck opposite the hard camera. The crowd was the biggest I’ve seen for a Raw in Rupp perhaps ever, which says a lot as Rupp is one of the biggest arenas in the country. The upper deck wasn’t even entirely tarped off, which I never remember seeing.
Cole welcomes us to Rupp Arena from the University of Kentucky. It’s not on the campus, nor is it owned by the University but that hasn’t stopped WWE from saying the same wrong line over and over for years.
Here’s Alexa Bliss to announce the men’s Money in the Bank participants. After explaining the concept for the uninitiated, here are the participants: Braun Strowman, Ricochet (Kentucky boy), Drew McIntyre and Baron Corbin (Bliss: “He is the former acting General Manager of Monday Night Raw. Former Golden Gloves….you know I’m not going to list the rest of his accolades. It’s Baron Corbin.”).
Baron wastes no time in insulting the fans by promising to become a two time contract winner. Ricochet: “Or is that two time loser?” The insults abound, with McIntyre accusing Corbin of choking last week against AJ Styles as well. Corbin says it was because he didn’t have the chance to adequately rest between matches but McIntyre doesn’t want to hear it. He also doesn’t want to hear from Ricochet, who isn’t grown up enough for this.
McIntyre promises to drop Corbin and Ricochet where they stand but Strowman tells all of them to shut up. None of them can stop him, so let’s do the preview match right now. By preview, he means a match that has nothing to do with climbing a ladder, which is all Money in the Bank is about.
Baron Corbin/Drew McIntyre vs. Braun Strowman/Ricochet
Strowman still isn’t playing and blocks an early chokebreaker attempt. A clothesline puts Corbin on the floor for the middle rope moonsault from Ricochet as the fans give Ricochet quite the welcome home. Back in and Ricochet swings at McIntyre but a crossbody is countered into a suplex which is escaped as well, only to have McIntyre chop him down.
That’s enough for the villains to take over on Ricochet as we’re told about Bliss announcing the women’s participants later. Now that Graves is very happy, Corbin chokes away on the rope. The chinlock goes on because Corbin knows one style match and that includes a chinlock. Ricochet fights up for a clothesline and nipup into the dropkick but Corbin drops him again as we take a break.
Back with Ricochet still in trouble off a huge backdrop from McIntyre during the break. They head outside with Strowman chasing Corbin but running into the Claymore, with McIntyre seeming to bang himself up on the landing. Drew is fine enough to hit a heck of a clothesline on Ricochet and crank on the arm back inside. It’s back to Corbin, who gets kicked in the face and dropkicked for a bonus, allowing the hot tag to Strowman.
House is cleaned in a hurry but McIntyre avoids a charge to send Strowman shoulder first into the post (the ring shook). The Claymore is loaded up on Ricochet but Corbin tags himself in. That earns him a right hand from McIntyre, sending Corbin into Strowman’s powerslam. The shooting star press gives Ricochet the pin at 14:05.
Rating: C-. This was every Money in the Bank build match that you could have, with the faces and heels teaming together despite having no intentions to do so in the actual ladder match. Corbin and McIntyre already getting in a fight isn’t surprising, but Corbin holding up the briefcase again is looking more and more likely by the week.
Here are the Usos, who sing their own theme music in one of the best jobs of hyping up a crowd in a hurry.
Usos vs. Anderson and Gallows
During their entrances, Anderson and Gallows promise to lock the Usos up in their own penitentiary because they’re bullet proof. Jimmy runs Anderson over to start and a shot to the face gets two. It’s off to Jey, who slides over to taunt Gallows and then gets in a running elbow for two more.
Gallows comes in and gets knocked outside but is fine enough to block a suicide dive. Back in and Jimmy gets sent neck first into the middle rope for some quality writhing in pain. The beatdown is on and we take a break. Back with Anderson grabbing the chinlock and getting two off an elbow to the face. A belly to back suplex gives Gallows two but Jimmy uppercuts his way out of trouble.
The hot tag brings in Jey for a superkick and a Samoan drop, followed by the running Umaga attack in the corner. Jey misses a charge into the corner though and walks into the always good looking Anderson spinebuster for two. The Magic Killer is broken up and it’s double superkicks into the Superfly Splash to finish Gallows at 11:19.
Rating: C. I’ve been a big Usos fan for a long time so it’s cool to see them back on track over on the new show, but my goodness I could go for more from Anderson and Gallows. They’re good, they’re entertaining and they can work, yet they’re lucky to get a ten minute match once every few months. Would a few weeks long program be too much to ask?
Post match the Usos say put the kids to bed and cover grandma’s eyes, because we’ve got something special. We see a clip of Jey near the showers, where he films Dash Wilder shaving Scott Dawson’s back, which the fans don’t know how to accept. Back in the arena, the Revival comes out and say that since Dawson is a real man with big muscles, he needed some help. The Revival says there’s nothing wrong with that and they’ll come for the Usos after their match tonight. That’s cool with the Usos, who promise penitentiary time.
I was there the night the Revival debuted on the main roster and now I’m here when they’re in a feud over shaving back hair. That’s what tag team wrestling is to WWE these days: Hawkins and Ryder holding the titles, the War Raiders having three names in three weeks, and the Revival dealing with personal grooming. And you wonder why this division is considered death.
We look at Rey Mysterio losing to Samoa Joe in a minute at Wrestlemania. Their rematch is tonight. It’s non-title, so get Rey’s victory music ready now.
Here’s Miz for MizTV. Miz hypes up the crowd, saying he thought we had some Wildcats in here. He’s glad to be back on Raw with new challenges and new guests, starting with one tonight: Bobby Lashley. Miz starts his intro but Lashley cuts him off in the third person. We move on to Lashley’s untapped potential, with Lashley not wanting to hear about it because he’s a two time Intercontinental Champion since returning a year ago. But what has Miz done? Miz: “Bobby Lashley wants to go stat for stat with me?”
Miz says the old Miz would list off his accomplishments (which he does) but cuts himself off because we could be here for a long time. The fans seem to like that so Miz calls himself an overachiever. Miz: “Have you seen my wife?” Lashley brings up Shane McMahon attacking Miz’s father and the fight is on. Miz fights back and throws Lashley plus the chairs out of the ring. I think you know what’s next.
The Miz vs. Bobby Lashley
Joined in progress with Lashley hitting the delayed vertical suplex but Miz is right back with the kicks in the corner. Some running dropkicks connect as the referee gets the blood gloves. Cue Shane McMahon for a distraction but Miz clotheslines Lashley to the floor. A dropkick through the ropes drops Lashley and Miz stares Shane down. Shane charges the ring as Miz rolls Lashley up for two, followed by the short DDT for the same. The YES Kicks connect but Shane puts up a picture of Miz’s dad. That’s enough of a distraction for Lashley to hit the spear for the pin at 2:53.
Post match the double beatdown is on and Shane chokes Miz out as he looks at the picture of his father. Shane reiterates that he is the best in the world. This coming Thursday, it will be six months of this story. Six months of Miz vs. Shane McMahon. That’s all they can come up with for what is going to be over half a year over Shane winning a tournament in Saudi Arabia and then Miz’s horrible father. They deserve the backlash they get for this nonsense.
Post break, let’s take another look at what we just saw.
Viking Raiders vs. Lucha House Party
The House Party jumps them before the bell and it’s a springboard missile dropkick to rock Ivar. He’s fine enough to cartwheel away from a handspring elbow and it’s off to Erik as the Raiders take over. Erik drives Ivar into the corner to crush Metalik, setting up the Viking Experience for the pin on Kalisto at 1:54.
Post match Lince Dorado tries to avenge his buddies but gets caught in the German suplex/springboard clothesline combination.
Video on the IIconics.
Here’s Alexa Bliss to introduce the women’s Money in the Bank participants. First up is Natalya, who is proud to finally have a chance to be Raw Women’s Champion. Next up is Dana Brooke, who is tired of Natalya being handed everything. They get catty with each other until Alexa shuts them down. Naomi is third (giving us a FEEL THE BLISS graphic as the two graphics are up at once. That means another speech from Naomi about getting a chance but Bliss cuts them off again, saying they’re worse than the men earlier.
Bliss talks about the fourth woman getting the chance but no one can stop talking long enough for her to be given an opportunity. And it’s Bliss herself rounding out the field. Naomi wants to fight Bliss, who says she would, but she doesn’t want to. Bliss doesn’t even have the right shoes! Naomi: “I can beat you with my shoes on or off.” After the worst smack talking ever, Bliss agrees to the match.
It’s time for Firefly Fun House. Bray Wyatt is painting, because he loves to express himself and when you express yourself, no one can hurt you. Rambling Rabbit, a rabbit puppet that looks like he’s been beaten half to death, pops up and asks to see the picture. It’s of the Wyatt Compound burning, which doesn’t sit well with Rambling. Abby the Witch pops up (Bray: “YEOWWY WOWWY!”) and scared Rabbit off before saying Bray didn’t learn his lesson last time.
Bray assures her that is all in the past and that he’s sorry for what he did. The kids forgive him for what he did, which is enough for Abby, as long as Bray keeps it quiet while she sleeps. Bray calls her a sociopath and here’s Rabbit to ask if that’s the Word of the Day. Why yes it is, and Bray spells it for us, though he doesn’t define it. That’s all the time we have for today but remember: he’ll light the way and all you have to do is let him in. Just like last week this is really creepy, but I’m not sure how it’s going to work in the arena.
Naomi vs. Alexa Bliss
Joined in progress again with Bliss having to tie her shoes, allowing Naomi to kick her in the leg and hit a bulldog onto the middle buckle. The standing Stinkface (erg) sets up a splits splash for two on Bliss. Back up and Bliss takes her into the corner for some stomping and it’s off to a chinlock. Naomi fights up again and hits her dancing kicks but Bliss drops her again.
Hang on though as she needs to tie her shoes (Percy Femur’s favorite wrestler everyone). Naomi’s small package gets two so Bliss slaps on another chinlock to slow things down. The shoes flare up again so Naomi goes after Bliss, who loses both shoes in the process. Bliss sends her into the corner and yells about the shoes, only to walk into the Rear View. The split legged moonsault finishes Bliss at 6:01.
Rating: D. The shoes thing got a bit annoying but the bigger problem was how they couldn’t do much of anything out there because they kept getting in the way. Bliss being back in the ring is a good thing though as she’s certainly an upgrade over some of the women’s division. With so many moving over to Smackdown, she’s certainly one of the better choices on Raw.
Rey Mysterio wants to do better against Samoa Joe tonight to prove himself to his son Dominic.
Here’s Becky Lynch for a chat with Charly Caruso. After soaking in the BECKY TWO BELTS chants, Becky says that’s why she would do this. She had a hard journey to get here and that means she can either talk or fight. Becky only knows how to fight so of course that’s what she’s going to do. Never tell her the odds, because people told her she would never main event Wrestlemania, until she did. Then people said no one could beat Ronda Rousey, until Becky did it.
Her whole career has been a long shot but nothing has been an accident. You can talk about odds all you want, but she got where she is today by beating everyone. Charlotte has the pedigree but Becky has her numbers. As for Lacey Evans, she has a great right hand but it’s a mistake to punch someone who likes it.
We see a clip of Evans knocking Becky out last week so Becky wants to fight right now. Cue Evans, who says it’s just like a man to want what he wants when he wants it. Lacey is tired of these manners so the fight is on. Referees can’t break it up and agents can’t either as the fight is getting intense in a hurry. After several moments it’s finally broken up after a heck of a brawl in a very good segment.
Video on Make A Wish Day. Nothing wrong with that.
Revival vs. Curt Hawkins/Zack Ryder
Non-title. Hawkins takes Dash down to start as the announcers are already talking about the back shaving stuff from earlier. Dawson gets in a cheap shot from the apron to put Ryder in trouble and it’s time for some hard elbow drops. The SHAVE YOUR BACK chants get on Dawson’s nerves so he grabs a front facelock. Dawson even mocks the fans with his own SHAVE YOUR BACK chant before kicking Ryder in the stomach. Ryder is fine enough to reverse Wilder’s suplex into a neckbreaker but Dawson is right there to knock Hawkins off the apron. That means a collision with Ryder though and a crucifix pins Dawson at 4:17.
Rating: D. So it was a squash until a fluke win for the champs, who were barely mentioned as the entire thing was about the Revival vs. the Usos. If WWE wants to go with that as the top feud on the show, that’s fine. Just get the titles onto one of them instead of having the champions look like the fourth most important team (at best) on the show.
Miz’s response to Shane: a challenge for a cage match at Money in the Bank. So once Miz wins there, where do they go for the tiebreaker?
Here’s Sami Zayn for a chat. Last week he talked about being on vacation and not being happy now that he’s back here. The other great thing about his time away was allowing himself to get back to things that interest him, such as history and psychology. That made him think about a concept called psychological entitlement, which is very appropriate for WWE fans.
For years, these people have been fed the lie that the customer is always right. Sami won’t even get into the economic and social reasons why that has been pounded into their heads because no one here will get it. The point is that everyone feels they are right and they should get everything they want. If they don’t get it, they’ll throw a fit right then and there. Last week at the airport at 4am, a father told his five year old to sign an action figure. Sami said no, but it didn’t make him feel good. He was already bothered by the fact that the kid had been taught that he got what he wanted.
After seventeen years and five star classics, Sami thought he had done enough already. That is the new dynamic: he’ll do what he wants and the fans will gladly take it. Recently people have been telling him to quit WWE if he hates it so much. That’s not going to happen, because nothing sounds more enjoyable than taking the fans in the palm of his hands. From now on, Sami is taking the power back. The promos are great, but I’m not sure where this is going.
Shane accepts Miz’s challenge.
Samoa Joe vs. Rey Mysterio
Non-title. Before the match, Joe says he embarrassed Rey at Wrestlemania. If Rey was any kind of a father, he would have gotten his son a mask to hide his shame. Tonight, Rey is paying for costing Joe his title shot last week. Joe goes right at him to start and knocks Rey to the floor. The suicide elbow launches too early as Rey slides back in and hits the seated senton off the apron.
Rey’s sliding splash hits knees though and we take a break. Back with Joe grabbing a neck crank as we hear about Rey’s loss at Wrestlemania. Just have him pin Joe already because they’re making it as obvious as anything else. Rey fights up and hits the tornado DDT, followed by a 619 to the ribs. The regular 619 is blocked and Joe hits the release Rock Bottom out of the corner. Joe picks him back up but gets pulled into a rollup for the pin at 7:18. Joe didn’t even try to move during the pin and it looked horrible.
Rating: D+. What we got was good but the ending looked terrible and the Curse of the US Title continues to be a very real threat. I’m sure we’ll get a rubber match at Money in the Bank, because Joe choking him out in a minute on the biggest show of the year was just a starting point. Just let Joe (or whoever else gets saddled with the title) win something already, because this is nonsense.
Post match Dominic comes out to put Rey on his shoulders in a scene you don’t get very often.
It’s time for the contract signing between AJ Styles and Seth Rollins. Michael Cole starts the questioning by asking what a win would mean to AJ. That’s an easy one because the win is the reason AJ came here. He spent two years on Smackdown and he’s very grateful, but now it’s time to come where the really crazy fans are.
AJ has heard about Seth for two years and knows he’s a good guy, but AJ wants the Universal Title. When you want something bad enough, you’ll do some unexpected things to get it. The fans aren’t sure what to make of that so AJ goes back to the compliments by saying Seth is a winner and a champion. But how many times has it been said that Seth will be the new AJ? Not very many that I can think of, but AJ thinks it makes sense because Seth is stronger, faster and younger. Fans: “SHAVE YOUR BACK!”
The reality though is Seth will never be the next AJ Styles. Seth didn’t want to be though, because he would rather be the first Seth Freaking Rollins. The compliments are appreciated but things are different on Raw. That’s Michael Cole instead of Tom Phillips and the ropes are red. If AJ wants to take the title, he needs to be better than phenomenal.
AJ asks about Seth’s health after being a workhorse for all those months. Fans: “BURN IT DOWN!” AJ knows they’ll burn it down and then he’ll build it back up. Seth doesn’t know how much trouble he’s in because the Shield isn’t around to help him anymore. Yeah he went through a lot at Wrestlemania, but Seth doesn’t have much left.
AJ is ready to go now though and at Money in the Bank, he’s biting like a pit bull and not letting go until he’s Universal Champion. Styles signs and Seth starts talking about their differences. It’s true that AJ likes to build things up but Seth likes to burn things down. There is one thing that separates them though: Seth beat Brock Lesnar. That seems to get to AJ as Seth signs.
AJ picks up the title and slowly hands it over so Seth can hold it up. Fans: “SHAVE HIS BACK!” AJ jumps him instead and the fight is on with Seth kicking him out to the floor. There’s the suicide dive and Seth poses again, but it’s a shot to the head into the Phenomenal Forearm through the table to end the show.
This took some time to get going because they don’t have any reason to hate each other, but some of those lines from Seth ran deep. AJ seems to be playing heel here, and while that might not go full blast or last permanently, it’s an interesting way to go here. It’s also something AJ knows how to do, so we should be in for some quality stuff if that’s where they’re going.
Overall Rating: D. This was a rough one and it didn’t get much better watching it back. The wrestling ranged from annoying to bad and some of the stories feel like they’re trying to be way too jokey instead of serious with some not so funny acts. Couple that with a bunch of “I’M GOING TO WIN AND CASH IN THE BRIEFCASE BECAUSE IT’S MY TIME!” promos and this was a hard watch. It did have some good parts (contract signing, Becky vs. Lacey, Sami’s promo and the Viking Raiders) but the bad is far stronger here and given the direction of some stories, that’s going to be the case for a long time.
Results
Ricochet/Braun Strowman b. Baron Corbin/Drew McIntyre – Shooting star press to Corbin
Usos b. Anderson and Gallows – Superfly Splash to Gallows
Bobby Lashley b. The Miz – Spear
Viking Raiders b. Lucha House Party – Viking Experience to Kalisto
Naomi b. Alexa Bliss – Split legged moonsault
Zack Ryder/Curt Hawkins b. Revival – Crucifix to Dawson
Rey Mysterio b. Samoa Joe – Rollup
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2000 Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Part 1 (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:
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Main Event – April 25, 2019: The Interest Is There
IMG Credit: WWE
Main Event
Date: April 25, 2019
Location: Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, Iowa
Commentators: Percy Watson, Renee Young, Byron Saxton
These shows are so hit or miss and with a week where a lot went down, it’s hard to say what we’re going to get. If nothing else we might have something fresh in the way of the original matches, though there is no reason to expect it to be anything worth seeing. That’s never stopped Main Event before though. Let’s get to it.
Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.
Opening sequence.
Dana Brooke vs. Ruby Riott
Dang it not Ruby. Likely annoyed at having her stable broken up and getting sent to Main Event, Ruby drives her into the ropes but gets powered right back out. Some elbows work a bit better for Riott until a kick to the face gives Brooke two. Shoulders in the corner put Brooke back in trouble so she grabs a rollup for two more to get away.
The chinlock goes on to keep Brooke down again as the back and forth continues. This time Brooke fights up and gets kicked in the face for her efforts, meaning it’s right back to the chinlock. Brooke comes back again with a clothesline and the handspring elbow sets up a cartwheel splash. Ruby gets two off a rollup but walks into the Samoan driver for the pin at 5:12.
Rating: D. Remember the match where Brie Bella knocked Liv Morgan silly and the rest of the match was a mess? Ruby Riott was the one who took charge and threw something together on the floor. She can do that because she’s talented, experienced and unique enough to be put in that spot. Now she’s jobbing to Dana Brooke on Main Event.
We look back at Roman Reigns punching out Vince McMahon.
From Smackdown.
Here’s Shane McMahon to get things going. After making Greg Hamilton do the big intro, Shane wants to talk about Roman Reigns. We see the clip of Reigns hitting Vince last week, which is like disgracing the American flag or defacing Mount Rushmore (which Shane stumbles over). That man is a national treasure and it’s time for payback.
Shane lists off some options before saying that he’ll deal with Reigns right now in this ring. Reigns comes out and they both drop their mics. Cue Elias from behind and the beatdown is on. Drift Away leaves Reigns laying. Great. More McMahon Family Fun as Shane and Vince like each other again.
We look at Becky Lynch having to face two challengers at Money in the Bank.
From Raw.
Baron Corbin vs. AJ Styles
The winner gets Rollins at Money in the Bank. AJ seems to have an ankle or leg injury so it’s right hands instead of the dropkick. AJ’s springboard is blocked with a right hand to the face and Corbin sends him hard into the corner. They head outside with AJ being whipped in the barricade and getting dropped ribs first onto said barricade as we take a break. Back with AJ fighting out of a chinlock but getting slammed down onto his face for two.
Styles gets in some kicks to the leg but it’s too early for the Calf Crusher. Instead AJ goes with the running seated forearm and a spinning backfist to rock Corbin. A rollup into a Styles Clash attempt is broken up and it’s Deep Six for two. The Calf Crusher goes on this time though until Corbin slams him head first into the mat for the break. AJ gets sent into the corner but comes back with a kick to the head. The Phenomenal Forearm sends AJ to Money in the Bank at 13:05.
Rating: C-. I can’t remember the last time I felt such a relief, but there is no way that Corbin isn’t getting his title at some point. It’s clear that WWE sees the world in him for some reason and there doesn’t seem to be a way around it. At least we can have Rollins vs. Styles while it lasts though and that match should be awesome.
Post match Rollins comes out for the staredown. A handshake ends the show.
From Raw.
We go to the Firefly Fun House, which looks like a children’s program. Bray Wyatt (looking slim) in a longsleeved shirt comes in and introduces himself, saying he knew we would be together again. Offscreen children cheer and Bray can’t wait to show what he’s learned. He ducks his head and looks to come up evil but he’s just kidding. Bray introduces us to his special friends: Mercy the Buzzard and Peppy the Witch (the stars of the creepy vignettes). See, Bray used to be a bad man, which makes the children boo.
That part of him is dead now, but he always keeps a memory with him to prevent that from ever happening again. That would be a cardboard cutout of his old look…..and Bray whips out a chainsaw and cuts it in half. The fun is just getting started and remember that he’ll always light the way, so all you have to do is let him in. I have no idea what to think of this but it was disturbing in a lot of ways.
EC3 vs. No Way Jose
EC3 is rather disturbed by the Conga Line. Same with me man. The dancing begins again after the bell with EC3’s waistlock not being much of a counter. A slam works a bit better though and it’s a Stinger Splash into a neckbreaker. The seated full nelson sets up the EC3 Elbow (that’s growing on me) for two more. It’s too early for the TKO though and Jose grabs a belly to back suplex. Some clotheslines set up a high crossbody but EC3 gets in a reverse DDT to cut things off. The 1%er finishes Jose at 5:13.
Rating: D+. It was slightly better than the first match but that might be due to the lack of Ruby Riott losing. EC3 is someone else who seems to check all of the boxes for greatness in WWE but for some reason (possibly backstage discipline), he’s stuck here as the high point of his week. Hopefully things turn around for him because he’s too good to pass up.
And from Smackdown to close things out.
Kofi Kingston vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Non-title, Rusev and Lana are at ringside and Owens and Woods have their own announcers’ table. Nakamura misses an early kick to the head and gets sent to the floor. Kofi teases a dive so Nakamura can get back in, where he takes Kofi down into a cross armbreaker. That’s switched into a cross armbreaker but Kofi stacks him up for two and the escape. Kofi’s top rope splash to the back gets two and a dropkick puts Nakamura on the floor again. A dive is cut off with a kick to the face though and Nakamura adds the knee drop off the apron.
Back from a break with Nakamura hitting more knees, followed by a kick to the head. They head outside with Nakamura kicking him out of the air for two as we go to New Day for more commentary. Kofi flips to his feet and goes to the middle rope but Nakamura hits the sliding German suplex to take him down again. Kinshasa is countered with the standing double stomp. Trouble in Paradise misses so Kofi settles for the SOS, drawing in Rusev for the DQ at 13:23.
Rating: B-. The ending wasn’t exactly in doubt as WWE isn’t about to push Nakamura into the World Title scene all of a sudden. Kofi not winning isn’t the biggest problem in the world as it’s basically a matter of time until he loses the title. Good match from two good workers, but what comes after is probably what really matters.
Post match Owens and Woods make the save with Woods being taken down. Owens cuts the nonsense and superkicks Kofi, setting up the big beatdown. He shouts that Kofi’s kids better have had a good time because Owens is coming for the title. Kofi tries to fire up but gets stomped down in the corner. Woods breaks up the apron powerbomb so Owens gives it to him instead to end the show. I know it seemed obvious from the beginning, but that’s because it was obvious from the beginning. Why stretch it out for another few weeks instead of just getting to the point already?
Overall Rating: C. The original wrestling was even worse than usual if you can believe that, but the rest of the show was good stuff with a nice focus on the recaps, which were all big stories instead of focusing on midcard material from one show over another. There is interesting stuff going on in WWE at the moment and this was a nice showcase.
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2000 Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Part 1 (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:
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Monday Night Raw – April 22, 2019: Get Used To It
IMG Credit: WWE
Monday Night Raw
Date: April 22, 2019
Location: Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, Iowa
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Renee Young
It’s kind of a new world around here as we have the first show with all the new talent brought over in the Superstar Shakeup. That could be a good or a bad thing, but given how many changes they’ve managed to make since the Shakeup took place, your guess is as good as mine about what they’re doing here. Let’s get to it.
Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.
Tonight it’s a pair of triple threat matches with the winners facing off later in the night for the #1 contendership to the Universal Title.
Here’s HHH to open things up but before he can say anything, Universal Champion Seth Rollins (the hometown boy) joins him. We get a quick hug before Rollins gets to soak in the cheers. Rollins talks about everything he’s been through in recent weeks, including stomping Brock Lesnar’s bucket head three times at Wrestlemania. HHH seems impressed but we pause for a BURN IT DOWN chant.
The landscape has changed recently and that brings them to Money in the Bank. Rollins knows all about that because he’s cashed in and been cashed in on, but that’s not happening again. HHH says worry about the night of Money in the Bank rather than the briefcase, which Rollins thinks means Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar. Actually it means the two triple threats, which we heard about five minutes ago.
This brings out Samoa Joe, who likes the Becky Lynch plan of a belt on each shoulder. Rey Mysterio comes out to say he wants Seth at Money in the Bank. Now it’s Drew McIntyre saying that he would be the Universal Champion if he had gotten to Lesnar first. Miz is out next, saying that he’s been rebooted thanks to Shane McMahon. Nothing sounds better as a headliner for Money in the Bank than Miz vs. Rollins but now it’s Baron Corbin (with some loud booing) to interrupt.
Corbin should get the title shot because he’s the only person to retire a Gold Medalist at Wrestlemania. Just to complete the set, here’s AJ Styles to say Corbin’s face is almost as annoying as his voice. Styles says he’s ready to make Raw the house that he built by winning the Universal Title at Money in the Bank. Rollins is ready for all of them because he’s Seth Freaking Rollins and he’ll burn it down. This was WAY longer than it needed to be with six versions of “it’s my title shot”.
AJ Styles vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Samoa Joe
One fall to a finish. Rey gets knocked into the corner to start and AJ hits Joe with forearms. A pop up hurricanrana drops Joe as I try to figure out why Mysterio and Joe are on the same level after Joe annihilated him at Wrestlemania. With Joe on the floor, AJ snaps off a backbreaker and knees Joe through the ropes. That’s too much fun though and it’s Joe coming back in to run both of them over and hammer away on Rey in the corner. Mysterio is sent hard out to the floor and we take a break.
Back with Rey charging into the scoop powerslam with AJ making a save. Rey gets up and drops AJ but Joe is smart enough to roll to the floor to avoid the 619. That means a dive onto Joe so AJ and Rey can go up top at the same time. Joe comes back in and super backdrops both of them for the triple knockdown.
We take another break and come back again with Rey sending AJ to the floor and hitting a nasty crucifix bomb on Joe. There’s the tornado DDT to plant Joe again and everyone is down. The 619 is countered into the Koquina Clutch but AJ makes a save. That means a 619 to Joe but AJ comes in again and hits the Styles Clash to Rey onto Joe for the pin on Joe (of course) at 17:48.
Rating: B. I’m not even going to bother yelling about Joe taking the fall as it’s just not worth it anymore. AJ advancing on to the main event makes sense, though I’m scared about the idea of Corbin getting the title shot. The action was good here with three hard workers in there, though my hopes for Joe running through the roster is already looking unlikely.
We look at John Cena guest hosting the Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Naomi vs. Billie Kay
Before the match, the IIconics tell Naomi thank you next, but can’t remember who sings the song. After remembering who it is, they wonder who is backing the Glow. Billie takes her down into an armbar but Naomi is right back up with the sitout jawbreaker. After knocking Peyton off the apron, it’s a sunset flip to finish Billie at 1:11.
Creepy dollhouse vignette.
The Miz vs. Baron Corbin vs. Drew McIntyre
Again, one fall to a finish. McIntyre and Corbin double team Miz to start, knocking him to the floor and then bringing him back inside to keep up the beating. Corbin switches over to punching McIntyre in the face and going outside, where McIntyre sends him into the barricade. Back in and McIntyre suplexes Miz for two but Corbin’s distraction lets Miz get back up for the Daniel Bryan offense. McIntyre takes Miz up top for a super White Noise but Corbin adds a powerbomb for the Tower of Doom as we take a break.
Back with Miz diving onto the two of them on the outside. Miz throws McIntyre back inside for the Figure Four until a thumb to the eye breaks it up. Deep Six gives Corbin two on Miz but Corbin misses a charge into the steps to knock himself out. That leaves Miz and Corbin to trade pinfall attempts until a short DDT gets two on McIntyre. Another gets the same on Corbin so Drew sends Corbin outside. The Claymore drops Miz and Corbin comes back in to shove McIntyre to the floor and steal the pin at 15:01.
Rating: C+. You knew Corbin was winning, I knew Corbin was winning, the fans should have known Corbin was winning, and the world should have known Corbin was winning. Why? He’s the guy who wrestles in gear that makes him look like an assistant manager at Applebees, was the focal point of Raw when the show’s ratings tanked like never before, and has fewer great matches than I have terms as Governor of New Hampshire. And now we get to see him wrestle again tonight!
AJ Styles says he’s ready for Corbin and lists off the accolades, with AJ winning every one of them.
Here’s Sami Zayn to say he’s here to tell you the truth about yourself. No one likes to hear about how negative they are, which triggered the denial and deflection. The fans have created this false narrative of everything wrong with Sami, even though he understands what it’s like to be outside these walls. We see some photos of him in various nature locations and some historic locations.
Sami points out the huge smile on his face which goes away when he comes back here. There must be a problem and it’s all the fans here. It’s the toxic culture that the fans put on both him and themselves. It’s easier to blame him than accept the blame for all of this because the fans get in this mob mentality. That won’t keep them safe from him though because he’d rather be in any of those places than here. If the fans don’t like that, they can all take a trip to h***.
Video on Cedric Alexander.
Cesaro vs. Cedric Alexander
Cesaro is freshly on Raw as well. Alexander gets powered into the corner to start but an anklescissors sends Cesaro outside. Back in and Cesaro slams him down, setting up a neck crank to keep things slow. Cesaro forearms him in the back a few times before going back to the chinlock.
A boot to the face drops Cedric again but he fights back up with forearms and a spinning back elbow to the jaw. Cedric grabs a rather nice Michinoku Driver for two and the Neuralizer keeps Cesaro in trouble. The big running flip dive to the floor connects but Cesaro uppercuts him out of the air for the knockout pin at 6:25.
Rating: B-. Cedric looked great here and the more he can get in the awesome work he’s capable of the better. Just keep him away from longer promos as he really can’t talk well enough to survive on this level. Cesaro being back on his own and getting a win is a good sign, but I’m not believing anything about his push until I see some results.
The Usos are ready to fight everyone around here (including the Viking Raiders, as the name was so bad that even WWE buckled under the negative response). The Revival comes in and laughs off the idea of the Usos being great. That’s not cool with the Usos, who are ready to fight whenever.
Viking Raiders vs. Lucha House Party
The Raiders jump them from behind and the beatdown is on with the masked guys taking a beating. The pop up powerslam is now dubbed the Viking Experience because those WWE names MUST BE HEARD NO MATTER HOW MUCH EVERYONE HATED THEM!!! No match.
Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder aren’t worried about the new competition around here.
Here’s Becky Lynch for a chat. She talks about Lacey Evans being her first challenger around here and doesn’t mind being sucker punched. Becky has thrown a few punches of her own but it’s the person throwing her that bothers her. Lacey is another bleach blonde who uses certain skills to curry favors with management.
While Lacey is back there “furthering her career”, Lynch wants a fight right now. This brings out Lacey to say that it’s typical of a man to disrespect a lady, though maybe it’s just the Irish in her. At Money in the Bank, Becky will understand respect and those two titles (Two?) will belong to Lacey. Becky says she’s been on a journey and Lacey is on her last nerves. Do not confuse happiness with contentment because Becky is coming for her at Money in the Bank.
Becky Lynch vs. Alicia Fox
Non-title. Fox’s headlock doesn’t work and Becky sends her outside without much effort. Becky goes to the floor as well and gets driven hard into the barricade as we take a break. Back with Becky getting a sloppy headscissors but being sent outside before the Disarm-Her can go on. Becky drives her into the barricade this time and it’s the Disarm-Her to make Fox tap at 8:02.
Rating: D-. Yes they really brought back Fox for this horrid match which managed to bring Becky down. I tried to defend Fox for as long as I could because I liked her charisma but egads this was hard to sit through. It didn’t help that the match felt like eight hours instead of eight minutes. Terrible stuff and get rid of Fox already.
Post match Lacey punches Becky out twice in a row.
Corbin says he deserves to win the title and is ready to make Rollins pay for making his life miserable.
Ricochet vs. Robert Roode
Yes it’s Robert and he has a Rick Rude mustache to go with the new name. During his entrance (still with Glorious), Roode talks about losing 150lbs of dead weight with Chad Gable being gone. Now he can show why he’s glorious. Graves promises a spike in pregnancies after all the women see Roode’s mustache, which sends Renee off commentary in laughter.
A headlock slows Ricochet down to start but he’s right back with an anklescissors to send Roode into the ropes. Ricochet sends him outside and hits a picture perfect moonsault from the middle rope to the floor. Back from a break with Roode holding a chinlock and Graves continuing his pregnancy theories. A suplex gives gives Roode two more and we hit the reverse chinlock.
Ricochet fights up and hits a hurricanrana, followed by kicking the buckle into Roode’s head. The springboard clothesline sets up a standing shooting star press for two but Roode hits a spinebuster for two of his own. The Glorious DDT is countered into a swinging GTS but the 630 misses. Roode sends him into the buckle and hits the Glorious DDT for the pin at 11:18.
Rating: C-. They see more in Roode than in Ricochet? The Roode who is now ripping off Rick (and Silas Young in a way) Rude and hasn’t exactly been thrilling in his WWE run? I get the idea of trying to push someone while you can, but did this need to be Ricochet taking the fall? There’s no one else around whatsoever?
We go to the Firefly Fun House, which looks like a children’s program. Bray Wyatt (looking slim) in a longsleeved shirt comes in and introduces himself, saying he knew we would be together again. Offscreen children cheer and Bray can’t wait to show what he’s learned. He ducks his head and looks to come up evil but he’s just kidding. Bray introduces us to his special friends: Mercy the Buzzard and Peppy the Witch (the stars of the creepy vignettes). See, Bray used to be a bad man, which makes the children boo.
That part of him is dead now, but he always keeps a memory with him to prevent that from ever happening again. That would be a cardboard cutout of his old look…..and Bray whips out a chainsaw and cuts it in half. The fun is just getting started and remember that he’ll always light the way, so all you have to do is let him in. I have no idea what to think of this but it was disturbing in a lot of ways.
Next week: the Money in the Bank names are revealed.
Baron Corbin vs. AJ Styles
The winner gets Rollins at Money in the Bank. AJ seems to have an ankle or leg injury so it’s right hands instead of the dropkick. AJ’s springboard is blocked with a right hand to the face and Corbin sends him hard into the corner. They head outside with AJ being whipped in the barricade and getting dropped ribs first onto said barricade as we take a break. Back with AJ fighting out of a chinlock but getting slammed down onto his face for two.
Styles gets in some kicks to the leg but it’s too early for the Calf Crusher. Instead AJ goes with the running seated forearm and a spinning backfist to rock Corbin. A rollup into a Styles Clash attempt is broken up and it’s Deep Six for two. The Calf Crusher goes on this time though until Corbin slams him head first into the mat for the break. AJ gets sent into the corner but comes back with a kick to the head. The Phenomenal Forearm sends AJ to Money in the Bank at 13:05.
Rating: C-. I can’t remember the last time I felt such a relief, but there is no way that Corbin isn’t getting his title at some point. It’s clear that WWE sees the world in him for some reason and there doesn’t seem to be a way around it. At least we can have Rollins vs. Styles while it lasts though and that match should be awesome.
Post match Rollins comes out for the staredown. A handshake ends the show.
Overall Rating: D+. The ending helped, but this was a show where the matches don’t add up to the overall total. There was way too much Corbin, too many champions losing and that nonsense with Fox looking like she belonged in OVW. At the same time, there were things like Bray’s new character (WHAT WAS THAT?) and Cesaro getting a win, though the Corbin push continues to elude me, even if he lost here. Rollins vs. Styles should be more than enough to help for a long time though, even with Money in the Bank coming up.
Results
AJ Styles b. Samoa Joe and Rey Mysterio – Styles Clash to Mysterio onto Joe
Naomi b. Billie Kay – Sunset flip
Baron Corbin b. Drew McIntyre and the Miz – Claymore to Miz
Cesaro b. Cedric Alexander – Uppercut
Becky Lynch b. Alicia Fox – Disarm-Her
Robert Roode b. Ricochet – Glorious DDT
AJ Styles b. Baron Corbin – Phenomenal Forearm
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2000 Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Part 1 (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:
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Main Event – April 4, 2019: Just Get To Wrestlemania
IMG Credit: WWE
Main Event
Date: April 4, 2019
Location: Capital One Arena, Washington DC
Commentators: Byron Saxton, Percy Watson, Renee Young
This one (and the next one) got lost in the Wrestlemania shuffle so I’m a few weeks late in getting them up. The Network posts it two and a half weeks after it originally airs so I’ll have to take what I can get. The recaps might be a bit more interesting here as there has been some pretty significant time since this show took place. Let’s get to it.
Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.
Opening sequence.
No Way Jose vs. Tyler Breeze
Breeze has cut off his hair and the visual isn’t the best, though it’s still better than Jose’s green hair. Jose shoves off a headlock to put Breeze in the corner so it’s a superkick to his dancing ribs. The chinlock goes on and Breeze cuts off the comeback with a belly to back suplex. A front facelock doesn’t work as well as Jose shoves him off for a crash and they’re both down. Breeze gets in an enziguri but Jose fires off a heck of a clothesline for two. Since it worked before, Breeze goes with another enziguri to set up the Unprettier, which is countered into the pop up right hand to give Jose the pin at 5:18.
Rating: C-. This was a battle of the overlooked talents who have diminished themselves with bad hair choices. It’s also a match that we’ve probably seen half a dozen times at this point and that’s not something that I need to see again. You would think they could mix up the Main Event matches a bit with Wrestlemania upon us but apparently that’s too much to ask.
Video on the Women’s Title match now being Winner Take All.
From Raw.
Riott Squad vs. Ronda Rousey/Charlotte/Becky Lynch
Whoever betrays their partners first is out of Sunday’s main event. Before her entrance, Becky says she doesn’t want to hear from the loudmouth Charlotte or from Rousey with her God complex. Ronda and Charlotte talk about wanting to make history but Becky has to. Charlotte and Ruby start things off but Becky tags herself in and mocks the strut.
She even begs Charlotte to slap her in the face before sending Ruby outside as we take an early break. Back with Becky having to fight out of Logan’s standing Texas Cloverleaf and suplexing Morgan for two. Charlotte tags herself in and argues with Becky but Ronda tags herself in as well to yell at Charlotte as well. The armbar makes Morgan tap at 7:20.
Rating: D+. Angle advancement here as it should be as the Riott Squad loses AGAIN because that’s the only reason they exist. The women’s division needs to figure out how to use jobbers again because they don’t have the roster depth to make something like this work. It’s not like this means anything anyway, but how many times can the Squad lose before it loses all meaning?
Post match the fight is on until security breaks it up. That goes nowhere so here are the cops, with Ronda hitting one of them. That’s enough for an arrest but Becky attacks the cuffed Rousey. Becky is arrested as well so Charlotte goes after Becky and the Wrestlemania main event is all in handcuffs. They all kick at the cops’ legs as I have no idea what this is supposed to accomplish.
They’re all taken to police cars with Ronda and Becky in the same one so another fight breaks out with the window being kicked out. Charlotte gets in one more knee to Ronda’s head before the car is taken away. This was intense, but seeing the three of them in handcuffs and fighting each other felt like a rejected scene from a bad B movie rather than an effective wrestling angle. Just go with the classic locker room holding them back instead of going so far over the top with it.
From Smackdown.
It’s time for the contract signing between Daniel Bryan and Kofi Kingston. Bryan and Rowan are already in the ring as New Day come out, complete with pancakes. The fans’ KOFI chants are shushed by Bryan because he’s here to educate the masses. The fans need to stop thinking that a few months of success make up for eleven years. Their life lesson: DO NOT BE COMPLACENT. Also, don’t be a bystander in your own lives like Kofi has been doing.
He’s sat and watched while New Day pushed him to the top. The Kofi chants keep going as Bryan rants his final lesson: don’t mistake a fad for reality. Bryan has been where Kofi is now but with YES chants instead of KOFI chants. The reality is that the people feed off of him because they are parasites. Bryan wants Kofi to soak this in because it’s as good as it’s ever going to get. Kofi grabs the mic and says it’s time to educate Bryan. He can claim to know what Kofi is feeling but it’s become clear that Bryan knows nothing about him.
Kofi watched Bryan become champion in two years but not as a bystander. Bryan hasn’t been through eleven years with no singles title matches because it’s all led here. Kofi sees Bryan trembling because Bryan knows Kofi is ready. The one common thread is that Bryan knows what Kofi is feeling and knows what’s coming. At Wrestlemania, Kofi becomes WWE Champion. Kofi signs and we’re set. Kofi sounded nervous, but the fire was there and that’s what mattered.
Video on Kurt Angle’s career. That’s the kind of tribute he deserves because he really was that awesome.
Wrestlemania rundown.
Lucha House Party vs. Ascension
Lince Dorado is the odd luchador out so Konnor hits the floor to yell at him. Back in and Kalisto hits the dropkick to the knee but Konnor nips up (that’s a new one). It’s off to Metalik for the rope walk dropkick to Viktor but the referee gets distracted, allowing Konnor to break up another springboard. We take a break and come back with Metalik in trouble as Viktor grabs a chinlock.
Since no one has ever done it before, Viktor mocks the Lucha Dance and hands it back to Viktor for an elbow to the back. Metalik fights out of a slam and counters into a DDT for the hot tag to Kalisto. The rolling kick to the head hits Viktor and there’s the hurricanrana driver for two. Everything breaks down and Kalisto seems to slip off a handspring but catches his balance fast enough to kick Konnor in the head. With Viktor down on the floor, it’s the Salida Del Sol into Kalisto’s rope walk elbow for the pin at 9:35.
Rating: D+. Another match we’ve seen time after time though at least the Lucha guys are always entertaining in one way or another. The Ascension on the other hand isn’t the best idea in the world because there’s no reason to believe they’re never going to win anything. Still though, not the worst.
From Raw.
Here are Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman for a chat. Heyman does his introduction (Heyman: “Don’t worry I’ll be doing this again next week too.”) before talking about how appropriate the Winner Takes All stipulation is because it’s the same thing for Lesnar. Brock is going to win and take it all, including Seth Rollins’ best shot. Lesnar took the Undertaker’s Streak and then last year he took the hopes and dreams from Roman Reigns when EVERYONE knew that Reigns was going to win.
This Sunday is for the fans who watch hockey for the fights, the fans who watch NASCAR for the crashes and the fans who watch soccer for the riots. On Sunday, Lesnar will have his foot on Rollins’ chest and then the two of them will go out to dinner to discuss Lesnar’s future. This brings out Rollins, who says Sunday is the biggest match for both of their careers because everyone from the fans to the locker room is sick of Brock.
Yeah Lesnar has made a fortune because he’s such an athletic freak and the most decorated athlete in combat sports history (not really) but Rollins could win. Lesnar goes to leave but Rollins kicks him low. That earns him a release German suplex but Rollins goes low again and hits the Stomp to leave Lesnar laying. I love that the only way to really hurt Lesnar is a low blow and no one really tries to do anything else.
Overall Rating: C-. I’m not sure on this one, as they did a nice job of setting up the show but the show is so bloated and weak looking (because of the size) that it’s not the most interesting thing in the world. The original wrestling might as well have been cut out for the sake of more build videos, which would have been a better move for something like this. Not bad, but get to Wrestlemania already.
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2000 Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Part 1 (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:
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