IMG Credit: WWE

Super ShowDown 2020
Date: February 27, 2020
Location: Mohammed Abdu Arena on the Boulevard, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton

We’re back in Saudi Arabia and for the first time ever, they’re on a streak of a good show. Last October’s Crown Jewel was a pretty good show, though I’m not sure what reason I would have to believe that will be the case again here. I’m not sure how the main event of Goldberg vs. the Fiend is going to go though and that’s a nice feeling. Let’s get to it.

Kickoff Show: Viking Raiders vs. OC

Anderson headlocks Erik to start but that’s broken up with straight power. Ivar comes in for a knee to the face before wrapping his beard (yes his beard) around Anderson’s face. Erik slams Ivar onto Anderson for two but it’s Gallows coming in to try his luck. That means a fall away slam to Erik and the chinlock goes on. Anderson sends Erik into the corner again and Gallows drops the big elbow.

The chinlock goes on again but Erik fights up and rolls over for the hot tag to Ivar. The seated senton out of the corner crushes Anderson and there’s a clothesline to Gallows. Everything breaks down and Erik suplexes Gallows into the corner. Gallows is right back with a chokebomb to Erik, who knees Anderson in the face to get out of trouble. Ivar’s double handspring elbow puts the OC down but he misses a moonsault. The Magic Killer gives the OC the pin at 9:58.

Rating: C. What is with the Vikings not being able to beat these guys over here? It’s a bit of a confusing result as the Vikings have been in a much more prominent role than the OC as of late. That being said, it’s not like this match is going to mean anything in the long run so it’s not something I’m going to get annoyed at. Decent enough power match too.

The opening video talks about making your mark on the world.

That’s a lot of pyro.

Tuwaiq Trophy: Gauntlet Match

Andrade’s US Title isn’t on the line, there are six entrants and it’s R-Truth in at #1 and Bobby Lashley, with a completely covered Lana, is in at #2. R-Truth leapfrogs him to start and snaps off a headscissors, only to get knocked hard off the apron. Back in and Lashley slams him down hard, setting up the chinlock. R-Truth reverses into a sleeper but Lashley runs him over again. The Dominator is broken up though and it’s time for the John Cena sequence. Lashley is fine enough to come back with the Downward Spiral but the spear hits the corner. A rollup gives R-Truth the upset pin at 5:37.

Before the third entrant comes out, Lashley destroys him with a bunch of whips into the steps. The spear drops R-Truth again and it’s the returning Andrade (no Zelina Vega) in at #3. Andrade knees him in the corner to start and puts on an armbar over the ropes. A regular armbar keeps R-Truth in trouble and the running knees in the corner get two.

The hammerlock DDT is broken up and Andrade’s running knee only hits buckle, meaning it’s a crash to the floor. Back in and Truth scores with a Lie Detector for two, followed by a collision of heads so R-Truth can fall on him for the pin at 13:30 (there’s Andrade’s bonus punishment).

Erick Rowan is in at #4 and stars with the power, including a running slam in the corner. R-Truth gets up a boot in the corner and low bridges him to the floor, setting up the big dive. Rowan sends him into the steps but it knocks the cage down, meaning he sends R-Truth into the steps over and over again. A big shot with the steps is enough for the DQ to eliminate Rowan at 17:48. Rowan isn’t done yet as he adds in the Iron Claw before AJ Styles is in at #5.

R-Truth’s shoulder is done and he can barely get to his feet so AJ kicks him in the face. Another into the shoulder lets AJ mock the dancing and it’s time to start on the leg. AJ dances even more and kicks R-Truth in the legs again as the AJ STYLES chants are going fairly strong. The Calf Crusher makes R-Truth tap at 23:36 so it’s Rey Mysterio in at #6 to complete the field. Or not as there’s no Mysterio, who has been attacked in the back by Anderson and Gallows.

AJ grabs the mic and says there’s no Mysterio so he wins by forfeit. He demands his trophy but the referee is willing to give Rey a count of ten. The referee gets to seven but we see the OC down….and some large black boots. Then the gong strikes and there go the lights, as usual. After the full entrance, it’s a chokeslam to give Undertaker the Trophy at 32:27. Undertaker didn’t even take off his hat and coat.

Rating: C-. This was long, though nowhere near as long as some gauntlet matches WWE has done in recent years. Undertaker winning is fine for a surprise and at this point, far better than having him wrestle a full match. I’m sure this will set up the Wrestlemania match and that’s a fine way to go about it. R-Truth did well and as luck would have it, he has a new documentary on the Network. Imagine that timing!

New Day is ready for Miz and John Morrison because this is a big night.

Smackdown Tag Team Titles: Miz/John Morrison vs. New Day

New Day is defending. Big E. powers Miz into the corner to start and there’s the spanking abdominal stretch. The Warrior Splash brings in Kofi and Morrison with the former hitting a running backsplash. It’s already back to Big E., who gets sent outside for the slingshot dive from Morrison. Miz grabs the chinlock but Big E. fights up, only to get caught with a modified Hart Attack (Flying Chuck instead of a running clothesline).

The Rock Bottom out of the corner puts Miz down and that’s enough for the hot tag to Kofi. A running knee and the Boom Drop look to set up Trouble in Paradise but Miz makes the save. Back up and Morrison hits an Alabama Slam into a running knee for two. Kofi is fine enough to get two off the SOS and it’s a pretty awesome powerbomb/top rope double stomp combination for another near fall.

Miz fires off the YES Kicks to Big E. but Starship Pain misses. Kofi is back in for a quick Midnight Hour for two on Morrison with Miz making another save. Kofi loads up the Trust Fall but crashes HARD to the floor instead, leaving Miz to hit the Skull Crushing Finale for two on Big E. It’s back to Kofi, who reverses another Finale into a victory roll for two more. Morrison sneaks in a chair to the ribs though and Miz grabs a rollup (with tights) for the pin and the titles at 12:58.

Rating: B. This felt a bit longer as they packed a lot in there. Miz and Morrison winning the titles is the right call as we’ve seen New Day as champions for what feels like forever. Miz and Morrison can feud with New Day and the Usos in the coming months, but more importantly they’re something fresh and that’s what the titles have needed. If nothing else, a victory Dirt Sheet will be great.

Seth Rollins and Murphy are ready to retain their titles because it is their destiny to get rid of the Street Profits.

Angel Garza vs. Humberto Carrillo

Garza lays on the corner and does some crunches during Carrillo’s entrance. They both miss a bunch of strikes and it’s a standoff with Carrillo backflipping away. The big spinning springboard crossbody winds up being a headbutt for Carrillo. They head outside with Garza getting taken down off a headscissors and then getting knocked into the barricade off a suicide dive.

Back in and a basement dropkick gets two on Garza but he scores with a running dropkick in the corner. You can tell they’re in a different country as there’s little reaction when GARZA TAKES OFF HIS PANTS! Carrillo fights out of a camel clutch and hits a spinning kick to the head for two. Garza is back up to dropkick him out of the air for two but Carrillo hits a Canadian Destroyer to put both of them down. They go into the pinfall reversal sequence like Garza won on Raw….and he does so again with a rollup for the pin at 9:08.

Rating: C. These matches continue to not exactly hit thrilling as they are just lucha matches without a ton of heat. What we got was fine enough, but it was nothing better than what we got on Raw. I just can’t bring myself to care about them and while the matches are fine, they’re forgettable and not exactly making me interested in either of them.

Bayley is ready to make history again and retain her title. I’m liking these quick interviews before the matches to get me a bit more in the mood.

Raw Tag Team Titles: Street Profits vs. Murphy/Seth Rollins

Rollins and Murphy are defending. Dawkins spears Murphy down to start and wrestles him into the corner so Ford can come in. That means the big dropkick but Rollins comes in to take over on Ford. Murphy’s Meteora gets two and it’s back to Rollins for more stomping. Ford finally sends them both outside but Murphy pulls Dawkins off the apron to keep Ford in. Rollins is sent into the corner though and the hot tag brings in Dawkins to clean house.

Dropkicks and suplexes abound for two and it’s back to Ford who gets rolled up for two more. Ford kicks Rollins down though and hits the frog splash for his own two. Dawkins knocks Murphy hard over the announcers’ table but he’s back in to save Rollins again. A double Pedigree is countered into a double DDT on the champs to send them outside. Ford’s big running flip dive is caught though and he gets planted hard. Dawkins dives off the apron to take both of them down and they head back inside. Murphy gets in a knee to Dawkins, sending him into the ropes for the Stomp onto the apron to retain at 10:42.

Rating: B-. The Profits can do a lot of great things and there is little doubt that they are going to win the titles one day. What we had here was an entertaining match but there was no way the title change was taking place. Rollins and Murphy are big deals on Raw and they aren’t dropping the titles on a show that is the wrestling equivalent of a side quest.

We recap the Kickoff Show match.

Mansoor vs. Dolph Ziggler

Robert Roode is here with Ziggler but gets ejected before the bell. They trade headlocks to start until Mansoor hits a hard running shoulder. A standing moonsault gets two but Ziggler rakes the eyes across the rope to slow things down. The big jumping elbow sets up another chinlock on Mansoor, which is switched into something like a Crossface and then the Rings of Saturn.

Mansoor fights up and avoids the Fameasser, setting up the slingshot neckbreaker. A kind of reverse Big Ending gets two more but Mansoor gets pulled off the top. The Zig Zag gives Ziggler two but they seem to get a little messed up when fighting over a suplex. A reverse Sliced Bread (kind of a running flip DDT) plants Ziggler and the moonsault (with only the legs hitting Ziggler) finishes at 9:12.

Rating: C-. This was miles away from the Cesaro match as they were missing some cues and the match was hardly interesting in the first place. The Mansoor match has become the token crowd match. That’s all well and good, but when you do it over and over again, the charm is gone. When the match isn’t exactly great either, it isn’t making things that much better either.

Post match Mansoor says the same thing he says after every win: Saudi Arabia is awesome and he’s proud.

We recap Brock Lesnar vs. Ricochet. It’s the latest smaller guy challenging Lesnar in an underdog role. Ricochet has as much chance of winning as I do of becoming Miss Nevada 1974, but he has that natural underdog charisma to him that makes you believe a miracle could maybe kind of sort of have a prayer of happening.

Raw World Title: Brock Lesnar vs. Ricochet

We recap King Corbin vs. Roman Reigns. They’ve been feuding for months but want to keep everyone else out, meaning it’s time for a cage match. This feels tacked on after the feud ended so there isn’t much of a reason to care about it.

King Corbin vs. Roman Reigns

In a cage and commentary says this is the final time these two are fighting. Reigns chains the door shut so one escape route is cut off. Corbin uses the delay to jump Reigns from behind and the cheap shots take us to the opening bell. The slow beating begins and Corbin goes for an early climb but Reigns cuts him off without too much effort. They come back down with Reigns firing off the clotheslines in the corner.

The Superman punch is countered and Deep Six plants Reigns for two. Corbin looks for the key to the door but settles for two off a powerbomb instead. Some hard forearms keep Reigns down and the door is unlocked, only to have Reigns send him into the door. The Superman punch is countered into a chokeslam for two though and Corbin grabs the chain.

Corbin tries his own Superman punch but gets dropped by the real thing. They both go climbing and wind up on top for the slugout. Reigns has to be pulled back in so Corbin can send him into the cage and back to the mat. That just earns Corbin back to back Superman punches, followed by the Superman punch with a chain for the pin at 12:52.

Rating: C-. I know they kept hyping this up as the end but do you really believe we won’t see it again within a few months? This feud has been driven so far into the ground, which isn’t a good idea as it didn’t have the longest legs in the first place. It was your normal cage match, but they have made me sick of seeing both guys so it wasn’t exactly something that matters anyway.

We recap Undertaker’s surprise (I guess?) appearance earlier tonight.

Smackdown Women’s Title: Naomi vs. Bayley

Naomi is challenging and thankfully her big hair didn’t make it through customs. Bayley takes her to the mat to start but Naomi gets up and hits the splits splash. A kick to the face gives Naomi two more and a hurricanrana puts Bayley on the floor. The running corkscrew dive takes her down again but Bayley drives her back first into the apron to take over.

Back in and we hit the chinlock, with Bayley shouting at fans to shut up. Naomi fights up and hits a kick to the head, followed by a kick to the head for a change of pace. A springboard kick to the face drops Bayley again, followed by a knee to the ribs for two. The reverse Rings of Saturn has Bayley in more trouble but she gets a foot on the rope.

Bayley grabs a quick Bayley to Belly for two and there’s a running knee to rock Naomi again. Naomi catches her on top but misses the split legged moonsault. It’s time to get creative as Bayley ties Naomi’s legs into her shirt and finishes with that weird bulldog driver at 11:38.

Rating: C. I know WWE is going to be doing their big “rah rah we’re awesome and trailblazers and amazing” stuff out of this and I get why they go there, but it’s not a great match. Bayley has been champion for a long time now and it’s going to take a big win to get it off of her. Maybe they have something interesting planned at Elimination Chamber, but for now she has cleaned out the division.

We recap Goldberg vs. the Fiend. Goldberg was the most dominant force of his day and never got a rematch for the Universal Title. Therefore, he’s back to go after Fiend, who is a whole different animal.

Smackdown World Title: Goldberg vs. Fiend

Fiend is defending and gets in Goldberg’s face to start. Goldberg hits a quick spear for two but gets caught with the Mandible Claw. That’s broken up with a ram into the corner and Goldberg hits two more spears. There’s a fourth for two more and Fiend is right back with the Claw. Goldberg knees his way out and hits the Jackhammer to win the title at 2:59.

Post match Fiend gets up, the lights go out, and Fiend disappears. Goldberg celebrates to end the show.

What else is there to say about this? WWE has made it clear for a long time now that outside of Wrestlemania season and Saudi Arabia, nothing else matters. Fiend could have beaten Rock and Austin at the same time and there was no way he was going to defend the title at Wrestlemania because Fiend vs. anyone (save for that colorful guy from Massachusetts) isn’t a Wrestlemania style main event. I’m sure Reigns will get the title back in Tampa and it’ll be Reignsamania again as Fiend gets a pat on the back and is told he did well, just not well enough for the big show.

Overall Rating: D+. While it’s a far cry from the depths that these shows have sunk to before, it’s a pretty weak show with only a few good things throughout. They did make it feel more important with multiple title changes, but at the same time there is so much that just comes and goes like it’s on a slightly bigger than usual house show. The ending is annoying as a big Wyatt fan but I pretty much knew he was done as soon as the match was announced. I wanted to imagine Goldberg going down to the Claw but that’s not how WWE works. Anyway, not the worst, but the main event is almost all anyone will be talking about.

Results

Undertaker won a gauntlet match last eliminating AJ Styles

John Morrison/The Miz b. New Day – Rollup with tights to Kingston

Angel Garza b. Humberto Carrillo – Rollup

Seth Rollins/Murphy b. Street Profits – Stomp to Dawkins

Mansoor b. Dolph Ziggler – Moonsault

Brock Lesnar b. Ricochet – F5

Roman Reigns b. King Corbin – Superman punch with a chain

Bayley b. Naomi – Bulldog driver

Goldberg b. Fiend – Jackhammer

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

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

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

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

Somehow it’s that time of year again.  I’ll be starting the Wrestlemania count-up on Sunday March 1 so I need a pair of shows to redo.  I’ll be doing XXXV from last year but I need another.  You can vote in the comments and all shows are eligible except the following:

XVII

XXI

XXIV

XXXIV

Pick something.

https://wrestlingrumors.net/2020/02/26/kbs-review-triple-vision/

IMG Credit: WWE

Monday Night Raw
Date: September 26, 2005
Location: Heart O’Texas Coliseum, Waco, Texas
Commentators: Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler, Jonathan Coachman

It’s a big show as this is the last episode to take place on Spike TV. Starting next week, Raw is back on USA where it really belongs. That’s where everything started and after five years on Spike, it’s time to go back where things got going. We’re also coming up on Taboo Tuesday, but more importantly is next week’s Homecoming. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Here’s Vince McMahon to get things going. Vince talks about this being the last episode on Spike TV and all of the growing up they have done together. Spike has been a great tag team partner and he wants to thank them for everything. Next week though, they are returning home to the USA Network with a huge show. Thankfully the Network version doesn’t censor Vince saying USA, as Spike did during the live broadcast. Anyway here’s Kurt Angle to interrupt because he isn’t happy with Eric Bischoff getting next week’s WWE Championship match.

Angle demands the first title shot against whoever wins and no one else deserves it….so here’s Shawn Michaels. He won at Unforgiven too so he should get a title shot too. Angle thinks the Masterlock cut off the oxygen to Shawn’s brain because Angle beat him at Wrestlemania. Shawn remembers superkicking Angle to beat him at Vengeance. Vince makes a rubber match for next week for the #1 contendership and let’s make it a 30 minute Iron Man match.

Women’s Title: Trish Stratus vs. Victoria

Trish is defending and Ashley/Candice Michelle/Torrie Wilson are all at ringside. Trish slugs away to start and anklescissors her out to the floor. Victoria throws her into the crowd though, only to have Trish come back with a clothesline from the barricade. Everyone else gets in a catfight and Victoria gets in a cheap shot, setting up the slingshot flipping legdrop. The spinning sidewalk slam gets and Victoria goes up, where she has to block the Stratusphere. They crash out to the floor but it’s Trish with a spinebuster into the Stratusfaction, drawing in Torrie and Candice for the DQ.

Rating: C-. If you get rid of all of the annoyances and interference, it was the usual good Trish vs. Victoria match. The problem right now is very obvious: other than maybe Victoria, there is no one to remotely threaten Trish’s title and unless Lita goes after it again, that’s going to be the case until someone brand new comes up.

Post match the brawl is on with Ashley ripping off Candice’s dress. A handicap bra and panties match is set up for next week.

Big Show vs. Snitsky

Street fight so Snitsky brings a chair, which is knocked out of his hand in a hurry. Some other weapon shots put Show down for two but he knocks a trashcan away. Snitsky gets dropped onto a trashcan and it’s a chokeslam, followed by a kitchen sink shot, to give Show the pin.

Rating: D-. What else were you expecting here? It’s a three minute match and Show barely broke a sweat beating Snitsky, again. I think we’ve gotten the point by now, but never let that stop WWE from running a match over and over. This wasn’t any good and felt like filler, which is rarely a good sign.

We recap Ric Flair retaining the Intercontinental Title last week, despite getting beaten down by Chris Masters and Carlito.

Here’s Flair for a chat on the stage. He’s been jumped from behind more times than he can count so now he needs some help. That brings out a sledgehammer, because next week, HHH is back and it’s game on.

Video on HHH. I really don’t think anyone has forgotten who he is.

Eric Bischoff is on the phone when John Cena comes in to hang the call up. Cena talks about Bischoff being a kung fu master and a ninja in four states. He’s up against the champ next week though and that means a Karate Kid pose. Cena didn’t have much to say here, but what else was he supposed to say?

Shelton Benjamin vs. Kerwin White

White debuts his caddie, Nick Nemeth, who of course would go on to become Dolph Ziggler. After Shelton makes some golf jokes, White jumps him to start and we’re already in an armbar. Back up and Shelton has to skin the cat, setting up the top rope clothesline. That puts White on the apron so Shelton suplexes him back in, only to have Nemeth trip him to give White the pin. I knew the one match winning streak was too much for Shelton.

There’s a ladder in the ring and here are Edge and Lita, with the latter in a neck brace, for a chat. Lita rants about Matt being a loser who can’t move on but Raw will be just fine without him. She knows a lot about twists of fate and remembers the first Raw on Spike, five years ago. That night it was the Hardys vs. Edge and Christian in a ladder match but this time around, she’s in the right corner.

Teddy Long comes in to see Bischoff and suggests some Smackdown exposure on next week’s show. Bischoff says no but Vince comes in to say it’s going to be a three hour show (erg) and Smackdown should have a big match. Long is thrilled so he leaves, meaning Bischoff can try to get out of the Cena match. Vince doesn’t want to hear about it because Bischoff was all tough when he had Ted Turner behind him. Go be that Bischoff again.

Lance Cade/Trevor Murdoch vs. Val Venis/Viscera

Non-title. Venis runs Cade over to start and drops an elbow for an early two. Murdoch knocks Venis off the top though and it’s a running neckbreaker to give Cade two of his own. The camel clutch goes on but Venis is right back up for the tag to Viscera and the house cleaning. Cade gets knocked off the apron and it’s a splash into the Money Shot for Murdoch, only to have Cade use a chair for the DQ.

Rating: D. So that happened. Venis and Viscera at least have a theme to them but it isn’t exactly something that is going to make me care about them. That being said, I can appreciate them trying to do SOMETHING new in the division as it’s not like there has been more than two teams for….pretty much ever now?

Chris Masters and Carlito are worried about splinters in their tables match. Oh and Carlito needs to speak English.

Rob Conway vs. Eugene

Eugene has a Shawn Michaels bear and starts fast with an airplane spin into a poke to the eye. He bites Conway on the tights and steals his sunglasses, which is too far for Conway so the beating is on. The chinlock has Eugene in more trouble but he fights up with right hands. A spinebuster sets up the People’s Elbow for two but Conway DESTROYS THE BEAR. Eugene is distraught and it’s the Ego Trip to give Conway the pin.

Rating: D+. Another match between a new name and an established name that doesn’t have much left in the tank. This wasn’t very good and Conway has lost what little steam that he had in the first place. These new names have to go somewhere, but they need something to help them get there in the first place. Conway being a cocky heel can work, but they’re not helping him much by having him beat up Eugene and other low level guys.

Smackdown Rebound.

Homecoming rundown.

Carlito/Chris Masters vs. Shawn Michaels/John Cena

Tables match. It’s a brawl to start, as it should be, with Cena and Carlito heading outside. Back in and a side slam drops Carlito so the pairings can trade off. No one can find a table (apparently not being happy with the ones in plain sight in front of them) until Carlito sets up one at ringside.

Cena and Carlito fight over a suplex through the table but Shawn accidentally superkicks the referee off the apron and onto (not through) the table. Back from a break with Masters grabbing the Masterlock on Cena with Shawn having to make the save. Carlito plants Shawn with a DDT and the good guys are sent into various hard objects on the floor. Cena makes a comeback though and is smart enough to turn a table over at ringside before Shawn can be slammed through it.

With Shawn down on the floor, a table is set up in the corner. Shawn dives in to spear Cena down, breaking up a whip through said table. Stereo ten punches in the corner have Carlito and Masters in trouble and we get stereo Shuffles for a unique visual. Masters is put on the table but here’s Kurt Angle to shove Shawn off the top and through a table for the win.

Rating: B. The best thing they had going here was the fast pace. This was almost non-stop action with both teams staying active the entire time. On top of that, there were no ridiculous tags in a match where anything goes. The ending is fine as it’s not like either of them took a fall and it puts some more heat on Angle vs. Michaels for next week. Better stuff than I was expecting here.

Post match it’s an Angle Slam to put Cena through a table. Cena is busted open and Bischoff holds up the title. This goes on for a good while as the show seems to be running a bit short.

Overall Rating: D+. This wasn’t a very good show but everything is built around next week’s show anyway so it’s not like this really matters. The main event was good and that’s about all you can ask for from a lame duck show like this. It’s still not a good period for WWE but at least they’re trying to do something new. Now if only the new stuff could be, you know, better overall.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Monday Night Raw
Date: February 24, 2020
Location: Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, Jerry Lawler

It’s the go home show for Super ShowDown but since WWE doesn’t get the idea of slowing down on anything, we are also building towards Elimination Chamber and Wrestlemania at the same time. Brock Lesnar is in the house tonight and that could mean some interesting things for Drew McIntyre and Ricochet. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a look back at Randy Orton destroying Matt Hardy last week.

Opening sequence.

Here’s Orton for a chat. He needs to apologize for going a little too far, but he also mentions that it has been fifteen years since Raw has been in Winnipeg. Fifteen years ago, he was 24 years old and the Intercontinental Champion, but on that night he was punched in the face by someone named Adam, who you may know as Edge. The fans want Edge but Orton makes it clear that he isn’t here tonight. These people will never understand why he did what he did, but he is sorry for it.

Cue Kevin Owens, who first has to pause while the fans chant for him. Owens has been dealing with some delusional people as of late and now Orton is here as well. See, he doesn’t believe that Orton is telling the truth and now Owens wants to know why Orton attacked Edge.

Owens remembers when Edge retired because he was already wrestling for a living. Then in the Royal Rumble, he heard Edge’s music and wanted to be out there with him because he saw the look in Edge’s eyes. So why did Orton do what he did. Orton: “You think you know me?” Owens knows the people want to see them fight so Orton agrees, but a little later.

Angel Garza and Zelina Vega are ready to take out the trash that is Humberto Carrillo. Vega can’t get away from Charly Caruso fast enough but Angel kisses her hand and says with Charly, business is always pleasure. She seems to approve.

Humberto Carrillo vs. Angel Garza

They start wacky by tying their legs together, standing on their heads, and slapping each other in the face. Garza gets sent outside but comes back in with a headscissors, only to have Carrillo land on his feet. Carrillo sends him outside again for a heck of a suicide dive and we take a break. Back with Garza tying him in the Tree of Woe, allowing Garza to TAKE OFF HIS PANTS! I MEAN HIS OWN IF THAT ISN’T CLEAR!

Carrillo fights back and sends him to the floor, only to do a handstand on the apron for some reason, allowing Garza to hit a superkick. An exchange of kicks on the apron puts Garza down and Carrillo stomps away for a bonus. A catapult sends Garza onto the middle rope for the moonsault to the floor and we take a second break.

Back again with Carrillo grabbing a standing Spanish Fly for two but Vega offers a distraction. Garza catches him on top and that means a super Spanish Fly for two. A pinfall reversal sequence gets several near falls apiece until Garza sits down on a rollup attempt for the pin at 14:41 (he might have had the tights but it’s not clear).

Rating: B-. They did some cool spots and it was clear that they know each other very well. It’s nice to have some lucha out there as they feel like something different, which is more than you get a lot of the time on Raw. If they could combine these two into one wrestler, they would have gold but for now they have a guy with more charisma than he knows what to do with and a guy who Vince wants to push really hard. Maybe they can make it work, but for now it’s just pretty good.

We recap Becky Lynch and Shayna Baszler, even though we’re still supposed to believe that there’s a point to the Elimination Chamber.

Ricochet vs. Luke Gallows

Ricochet starts moving fast to start and sends Gallows to the floor for the big flip dive. Back in and Ricochet springboards into a big boot as we see Paul Heyman watching. An uppercut gives Gallows two and we hit the chinlock. Ricochet fights out in a hurry and hits an enziguri for the double knockdown. The springboard crossbody into the standing shooting star gets two but Gallows is back with a superkick. Ricochet hits his own though and the Recoil connects, setting up a shooting star press (to the middle of the ring) for the pin at 4:31.

Rating: B. That might be a bit high but I really liked the story they told here. Ricochet has no change of winning on Thursday but they are having him win match after match against big names and I’m digging everything that they’re doing. This was a very well done match with the big man vs. little man and then the shooting star was amazing. The rating is much more for the setup and storytelling than for the wrestling, but I really liked this.

Post break, AJ Styles talks about how the OC needs to act like the best team in the world. Ricochet could become WWE Champion but if that miracle happens, AJ will be right there to get his title back. They need to plant their flag at the top of the food chain but here’s Aleister Black on the way to the ring. AJ says Black needs to learn what matters around here and they beat Black down. The team leaves and Black pulls himself to his feet. I’m up for Styles vs. Black.

Here are Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman for a chat. The Canadian fans are happy to see their honorary Lesnar but Heyman cuts them off with his usual introduction. Heyman talks about how wrestlers are always trying to make catchphrases for themselves but Lesnar has never needed one. All Lesnar has to do is decide to be champion and no one can stop him. Lesnar getting in the ring is special and that’s what you’ll be seeing on Thursday at Super ShowDown. He owes Ricochet an uppercut and since Lesnar is wrestling, it is special by definition.

The stakes on Thursday have never been higher though, but why is that the case? If Ricochet can pull off the miracle, he is going on to face Drew McIntyre at Wrestlemania and the consequences are huge, if that happens. Heyman: “If my aunt had balls, she would be my uncle, but she is not!” (that one cracked Lawler up). Lesnar is going to wreck McIntyre at Wrestlemania and be champion forever. And that is a spoiler.

We look at Becky Lynch calling out Shayna Baszler.

Aleister Black vs. Erick Rowan

Yeah you knew the rematches were coming. Despite getting beaten up, Black can still do his full entrance. Black is still staggered so Rowan runs him over and drives some knees into the back. A suplex doesn’t work for Rowan as he gets low bridged to the floor, followed by a big boot to knock him off the apron. Black gets knocked onto the apron and then sent into the timekeeper’s area and we take a break.

Back with Black getting Side Effected for two but he strikes away and sweeps the leg. There’s the springboard moonsault press and a running knee to the face gives Black two. Black might be limping a bit after the moonsault and Black Mass is countered into a Jackhammer for two more. Rowan sends him outside to whip Black into the barricade but a charge into the steps knocks the cage over. That’s fine with Rowan, who powerbombs Black into the post but then goes to check on the cage, allowing Black to hit Black Mass. Another one finishes Rowan at 10:24.

Rating: C+. These two beat each other up rather well and while the cage thing is getting annoying, it’s what Rowan would be doing in a situation like this. Black had to work for this one and while the match with Rowan didn’t need a sequel, they did a good job with this one. Black seems to be moving on to AJ anyway, so going through two Rowan matches isn’t a horrible situation.

Post match, Black challenges Styles for next week.

We get a sitdown interview with Drew McIntyre, who isn’t scared about Brock Lesnar because he’s main eventing Wrestlemania. Drew talks about debuting in 2009 (which he says was thirteen years ago) and how he hasn’t won a single World Title since that time. He lost his passion, which included his time in 3MB. Then he got fired and it put a chip on his shoulder, but he knew he could only blame himself. He wasn’t about to let people remember him as the idiot playing air guitar.

When McIntyre came back, he came back to NXT, which was where he could be a leader. Then he debuted on Raw in 2018, four years to the day since he was released. He’s been called the future but then he was a past superstar without ever being the present. That’s why he knew he had to eliminate Lesnar and now he’s going to Wrestlemania to fulfill his destiny. They’re doing everything they can to make McIntyre into a star and it’s slowly working.

Here’s R-Truth with the winter premiere of Truth TV, featuring Bobby Lashley and Lana as his special guests. They’re not here for the talk show though, because Lashley is scheduled to beat Truth up. Truth would rather ask him questions though, because Lashley is too big. Truth: “Have you seen Sonic the Hedgehog?” Lana: “RING THE BELL!”

R-Truth vs. Bobby Lashley

Lashley stomps away and sends him outside as the fans chant for Rusev. Back in and Truth uses John Cena’s finishing sequence but gets speared down for the pin at 1:53.

We recap Baszler vs. Lynch’s face to screen argument last week.

Styles vs. Black is confirmed for next week.

All six women’s Elimination Chamber participants, save for Baszler, are in the ring for a contract signing. Asuka counts the participants but realizes there’s one missing. Lawler continues anyway, with Sarah Logan, Natalya, Liv Morgan, Ruby Riott (who nearly comes to blows with Morgan) and Asuka all sign, which draws out Baszler through the crowd. Lawler wisely leaves as Shayna and Natalya are about to fight, but Asuka breaks it up.

Asuka tells Shayna to bite her but Natalya takes Asuka down and the fight is on, with Liv diving over the table to get at Riott. Shayna is eventually left alone so here’s Becky to take her down. Officials break it up in a hurry. I don’t remember the last time there was a big match with such an obvious winner but it’s getting annoying in a hurry.

The Bella Twins are official for the Hall of Fame.

Here are the Street Profits for a chat before we get to their singles match. They are ready for their Tag Team Title match on Thursday against the Monday Night Messiah and Murph the Smurf. The titles are all that matters though because every day of their lives, they want the smoke.

Murphy vs. Angelo Dawkins

Murphy throws his shirt at him to start but Dawkins is back with the shots to the face and a running elbow, followed by the spinning splash in the corner. There’s a Sky High and Seth Rollins comes in for the DQ at 1:08.

Post match Ford clears the ring and says Dawkins hit Murphy so hard last week that it erased his last name. Ford can do it to Rollins right now too.

Montez Ford vs. Seth Rollins

Ford starts fast and knocks Rollins to the floor for the big flip dive and we take a break. Back with Dawkins and Murphy being ejected, allowing Ford to hit a heck of a springboard crossbody for two. A dropkick knocks Rollins down again but he grabs a suplex back inside for his own near fall. Ford rolls him up a few times but gets buckle bombed for his efforts. A running powerbomb into the barricade sends us to a break.

Back with Ford hitting an enziguri and a standing moonsault gets two. Another enziguri staggers Rollins and there’s a DDT for two more. Ford goes up but gets caught, only to sunset bomb Rollins down for the crash. The frog splash misses though and Rollins Stomps him for the pin at 15:21.

Rating: B-. These guys looked good together but Ford is the one who matters most. Even WWE can see what they have with him and maybe this is a sign that they have some plans for him on his own. You have to use talent like that in a big way and WWE would be nuts to not at leas try. If nothing else, having him do frog splashes and dives like that will keep him around for a long time.

Kevin Owens vs. Randy Orton

Owens pounds away to start but the threat of hit the Cannonball sends Orton outside. Cue Rollins and company for the distraction though and Owens is sent into the barricade as we take a break. Back with both of them down and the Profits and Viking Raiders running in for the big brawl. They fight to the crowd with everyone else, leaving Owens to get crotched on top.

Owens knocks him off anyway and hits the Swanton. Rollins is back though and Owens has to knock him off the apron, allowing Orton to come back with a clothesline. Another Rollins distraction lets Orton hit the hanging DDT….for a very fast counted pin at 8:10. Even Orton looks confused by what happened but he’ll take it.

Rating: C. The match had a lot of stuff going on at once but I can go for a few different stories being mixed together, even if it is just for a week. There is no need to always keep things separate so doing something like this is a good idea on occasion. The story is fine as well, with what seems to be a referee going along with what Rollins has been preaching, though I’ve never liked the trope for some reason. It’s a new wrinkle though and that’s fine.

Post match Rollins throws Orton some chairs but Owens pucks one up. The referee pulls it away so Owens grabs him and opens the referee’s shirt to reveal a Seth Rollins shirt. That means a Stunner to the referee and a powerbomb through a table ends the show.

Overall Rating: B. The word I would use here is balanced, as we got a little bit of everything, including action, storytelling and talking, to come together for a rather solid show. There was nothing bad on here, save for maybe trying to make us believe that Baszler isn’t the biggest lock in recent memory. This was the best show they’ve had in a long time and I had a rather god time watching the entire thing. I don’t remember the last time that was the case and that’s a rather nice feeling to have back.

Results

Angel Garza b. Humberto Carrillo – Rollup

Ricochet b. Luke Gallows – Shooting star press

Aleister Black b. Erick Rowan – Black Mass

Bobby Lashley b. R-Truth – Spear

Angelo Dawkins b. Murphy – Sky High

Seth Rollins b. Montez Ford – Stomp

Randy Orton b. Kevin Owens – Elevated DDT with a fast count

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

205 Live
Date: February 21, 2020
Location: Gila River Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
Commentators: Jon Quasto, Aiden English

I fear this show more and more every single week. The biggest problem continues to be the uninteresting talent being pushed as the focal points of the show and by that I mean the Singh Brothers, and to a lesser extent, Ariya Daivari. They aren’t the kind of people you build a show around and yet that’s the best this show can get. By that I mean it’s the best talent WWE will allow on here because they gave up on 205 Live a long time ago. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Joaquin Wilde vs. Raul Mendoza

Feeling out process to start as they do the test of strength/bridging near falls/they know each other so well sequence. Back up and Mendoza charges into a headscissors for two before bailing to the floor for a breather. Wilde slaps him in the chest but charges into a kick to the head in the corner. A hurricanrana puts Wilde on the floor and gets taken down with a running Cannonball.

Back in and Wilde hits a sunset bomb out of the corner before shoving Mendoza off the top and outside. Wilde throws him back in and teases a springboard, causing Mendoza to try to dropkick him out of the air but Wilde hangs on in a smart move. The actual springboard crossbody gets two but Mendoza is right back with Rhea Ripley’s standing Cloverleaf. That’s pulled down into a bodyscissors with Wilde making the rope in a hurry. Wilde gets two off a rollup but Mendoza is back with a running kick to the face for the pin at 8:11.

Rating: B-. This was as good as if not better than anything on this show in about a month as it was a pair of talented people getting a few minutes to showcase themselves. It’s a match we’ve seen before but after so many weeks of the same people over and over again, these two were a breath of fresh air. They didn’t even have a great match but they had a good one and something we hadn’t seen in a good while.

We look at Jordan Devlin retaining the Cruiserweight Title on NXT.

Post loss, Lio Rush was upset but Tyler Breeze came up to mock him. I think you know where this is going.

Samir Singh vs. Tyler Breeze

Well why go with something that could be good when you can have a Singh match? Aiden is so sick of the Singhs that he threatens to walk out on the match. Samir forearms Breeze down and hits the dancing because he has to get that in. A belly to back suplex gives Breeze two and he dives onto Samir for taking a break on the floor. Sunil gets in a few shots though and Samir scores with a top rope elbow to the face. The chinlock goes on for a bit until Samir goes up, only to dive into the Supermodel kick to give Breeze the pin at 3:24.

Rating: D+. Nothing to see here but they kept it short and Samir was a bit more serious than usual. It’s nice to see that for a change as they keep going on with the same shtick far too often. Both of the brothers are fine enough in the ring but my goodness the same stuff for so many weeks and months has ruined anything positive they could offer.

Post match Sunil tries to jump Breeze and gets superkicked as well.

We look back at Tony Nese and Mike Kanellis defeating Brian Kendrick and Ariya Daivari last week, thanks to Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch.

In two weeks: Lio Rush and Tony Nese captain five man teams in an elimination match between newcomers and 205 Live originals. I know that’s not some revolutionary idea but it’s something DIFFERENT for a change and that’s what this show has been dying for over the last few months.

Ariya Daivari/Brian Kendrick vs. Danny Burch/Oney Lorcan

No DQ. It’s a brawl in the aisle before the bell with Daivari throwing Lorcan off the stage (for a rather short drop). Kendrick gets whipped hip first into the steps and Lorcan is brought inside for the opening bell and a near fall as Burch and Kendrick fight in the crowd. Lorcan throws Daivari over the barricade and into Kendrick, who is taken inside for a beating.

It’s Daivari coming in with a chair, only to get sent face first into said chair. Again: Daivari is not very good at….anything really. Burch tells Lorcan to get the table and they set one up at ringside. Kendrick saves Daivari from going through the table and sends Lorcan through it instead with a Death Valley Driver from the apron. Lorcan goes over the announcers’ table and Daivari throws in a ladder. Naturally, Daivari is sent into the ladder because he’s a sitcom character at this point.

Kendrick Russian legsweeps Burch off the ladder and Daivari adds a splash off the ladder for two. Lorcan Hulks Up to slug it out with Kendrick but Daivari makes the save with the chair. A running Blockbuster sends Kendrick onto the chair and Burch duct tapes Kendrick to the turnbuckle. Daivari tales the assisted spike DDT onto (not through) the table. Another one inside finishes Daivari at 12:16.

Rating: B. Again, it’s the kind of match that works for the dual reason of they were trying hard and it was something fresh around here. These guys beat each other up rather well and the weapons were the right touch here. Burch and Lorcan are two of the better people around here and if you can get some better opponents for them more often than not, they could be the focal point around here.

Overall Rating: B-. It’s hard to believe that this was an entertaining show but that’s what we got here. Maybe it was seeing the Singhs get kicked in the face or maybe it was the two rather good matches but I had a good time with this one and as usual it isn’t too long. Now I have no reason to believe that this will be the norm, but when you expect the usual drek and get a good show, I’ll certainly take it.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Main Event
Date: February 20, 2020
Location: Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett, Washington:
Commentators: Byron Saxton, Mickie James

The Wrestlemania build is in full swing and that means things are going to get interesting in a hurry. There are a lot of things going on at once, though that also includes the builds towards Super ShowDown and Elimination Chamber. We heard a bit about both shows this week so a recap could be useful. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Zack Ryder/Curt Hawkins vs. Shelton Benjamin/Eric Young

Shelton knocks Hawkins off the apron to start and drives Ryder down for an early two. Young comes in for the stomps and the fans seem happy to see him. It’s already back to Shelton as the formula is on in a hurry. The chinlock doesn’t last long for Shelton so he knocks Ryder to the floor without much effort. Young’s top rope elbow gets two but Shelton’s running knee only hits corner. The hot tag brings in Hawkins to start cleaning house and a Michinoku Driver gets two on Young. Hawkins gets knocked off the top but slips out of a Death Valley Driver, setting up the Bro Island Express to finish Young at 4:22.

Rating: D+. Pretty standard match here but it’s nice to see Hawkins and Ryder, one of the feel good teams around here, get a win. They lose so often anymore and while they aren’t going to get back in the title picture or anything, a win like this is hardly too much to ask for after all of the losses.

From Smackdown.

Miz/John Morrison vs. Roman Reigns/???

Before the match, Miz asks why the Usos are already missing after being back a month. Morrison has been back for a month and he’s right here. Reigns has a mystery partner and that would be….Daniel Bryan. Hang on though as here’s King Corbin, who was banned from wrestling tonight, with a ticket to have a seat. Joined in progress with Bryan kicking at Morrison, knocking Miz off the apron, and then hitting him with a suicide dive.

The missile dropkick plants Morrison and Bryan gets in the early nipup. The YES Kicks have Morrison in more trouble and there’s a hurricanrana to put him down again. Morrison knocks him outside though and Miz sends Bryan into the barricade. Reigns hits a huge dive over the top onto everyone though and we take a break with Corbin being annoyed. Back with Bryan in trouble as Morrison gets two off a slingshot elbow.

The chinlock doesn’t last long so Morrison kicks him in the head and brings Miz back in. Miz crotches Bryan on top but Bryan ties him in the Tree of Woe. Being smart though, Morrison tags himself in and knees Bryan in the face for two. Morrison misses a 450 and the hot tag brings in Roman for the house cleaning. Roman’s jumping clothesline misses, though the camera is fast enough to switch to cover it well enough.

The Superman Punch misses Miz and Morrison gets two off the Flying Chuck. Starship Pain is countered into a rollup and Reigns Superman Punches Morrison out of the air. The spear is cut off as well and Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale for two with Bryan having to make a save. Miz takes way too long to load up the running knee and gets Superman Punched (with the camera possibly showing it not coming close, though it might have grazed him) down. The spear gives Reigns the pin at 13:47.

Rating: B-. And you thought we might get through a week without Corbin getting involved. That’s the kind of thing that you can only dream of because it’s just not going to happen. This was an entertaining match with everyone working hard and trying, though I’m really not sure I see the need for Reigns to get the pin here when you can have Miz and Morrison, as in the #1 contenders, win here, perhaps off some Corbin interference.

Post match Corbin gets in a shot with the scepter to end the show.

From Raw.

We look at Charlotte accepting Rhea Ripley’s Wrestlemania challenge.

Akira Tozawa vs. Cedric Alexander

Cedric takes him into the corner to start and we get a clean break, plus a nice round of applause from the crowd. Tozawa jumps over a legsweep attempt and grabs a headlock takeover, earning himself a chop up against the ropes. The fans want to see it again but have to settle for Tozawa rolling him up for two instead. They go outside with Cedric dropping him back first onto the apron as we take a break.

Back with Cedric getting caught in a hurricanrana to the floor, setting up the suicide dive. They head back inside with Tozawa’s missile dropkick getting two and the Octopus keeps Cedric in trouble. Tozawa plants him again for two but Cedric rolls away from another dropkick. The Neuralizer into the Lumbar Check finishes Tozawa at 7:18.

Rating: C+. This is where Main Event can shine: taking people who don’t get a ton of significant television time and letting them have a good match. Tozawa is someone I enjoy watching every time and Cedric can make anyone look good. They had a good one here and that made or an entertaining match that I actually liked watching. Imagine doing that on a blank canvas like Main Event.

From Raw.

Here are Murphy and the AOP to introduce Seth Rollins for a sermon. He even has a pulpit to make it look a little more official. Rollins didn’t come up with the name sermon because that was bestowed on them by the powers that be, but it seems appropriate as what he has to say is divine. We are here to celebrate progress and movement into the future in Rollins’ vision. Last week was the end of phase one because the four of them showed that through the power of faith you can believe whatever you set your mind to.

Now the real work begins though because Rollins takes being the Monday Night Messiah very seriously. Now it is time to find the flaws in the system and rehabilitate them the best they can, or eradicate them if they must. This is the gospel and if you stand in their way….and here are the Viking Raiders. Rollins bails as they beat up Murphy and the AOP but here’s Kevin Owens to Stun Rollins on the stage.

From later in the night.

Viking Raiders/Kevin Owens vs. Murphy/AOP

Owens dropkicks Murphy at the bell and hands it off to Ivar for a knee to the face. Owens keeps Murphy in the corner and the Vikings take turns beating Murphy up. Ivar slams Erik onto Murphy for two but allows the tag to Akam so we can have a fight. That means Erik can slug away but Akam grabs a powerslam to take over.

A toss into the knee from Rezar gets two and it’s Erik getting choked in the corner. Murphy grabs the chinlock but Erik fights up and knees Rezar in the face. The hot tag brings in Owens to clean house as we take a break. Back with Owens fighting up and scoring with a superkick to Murphy, only to get driven back into the corner.

Owens wins a slugout with Murphy and makes the tag to Ivar to fight the AOP at the same time. The low crossbody crushes Akam and there’s the spinning kick to Murphy’s face. Everything breaks down and Erik knees Rezar into the corner. Ivar drives Erik into Rezar for a bonus and Owen’s Swanton gets two. The Vikings and AOP fight to the floor, leaving Murphy to get Stunned. Cue Rollins for the DQ at 15:24.

Rating: C+. It’s an interesting change here as Rollins’ team loses, which hasn’t been the case so far. The resistance against Rollins and company is interesting as we might be getting closer to one of the big showdown matches. I do like the idea of bringing in new people to fight on one side or another and that’s what we’ve been getting here. Also: where was Samoa Joe?

Post match Rollins says Owens has crucified him since day one so now it is time to crucify him. Cue the Street Profits for the save but Rollins gets away. The Profits and the Vikings wreck Murphy and the AOP, with Ivar and Ford hitting top rope splashes (Ford’s is so impressive) to end the show. Rollins and company are going to need some new people to at least even the sides so that could go somewhere.

Overall Rating: B-. This is one of those shows where they were actually trying for a change, which has to do with the time of the year more than anything else. It helps when the things that they were recapping from Monday and Friday had the effort included as well, which you only see in the spring. Do that more often and we might be somewhere, but I’ve long since given up on that being the norm around here.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Smackdown
Date: September 23, 2005
Location: United Spirit Arena, Lubbock, Texas
Attendance: 3,000
Commentators: Michael Cole, Tazz

No Mercy is coming up pretty soon and that means the card needs to start being set up. We already have the World Title match set and you can probably guess a few more from here. That makes for some interesting moments, though the Palmer Cannon story is already wearing thin. Hopefully everything else can balance it out. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Christian vs. Booker T.

Booker takes him into the corner to start and we get a clean break because Booker is a nice guy. A hiptoss has Christian bailing to the ropes for a breather but a clothesline puts him down again. Booker slugs away in the corner but Christian powerbombs him off the ropes and grabs a chinlock. That gives us a rather amusing visual as Booker looks irritated at having to do this so Christian steps on his head for a change of pace. Back up and a double clothesline knocks both of them down.

It’s Booker up first with the side kick connecting for two and a spinebuster puts Christian down for two more. He’s back up with a clothesline and unhooks a turnbuckle pad, causing Sharmell to yell at the referee. That means there’s a delayed two off the Book End, allowing Christian to get in a poke to the eye. Sharmell gets up on the apron to yell this time so Christian sends Booker shoulder first into the post. Christian loads up the Unprettier so Sharmell pulls his leg, allowing Booker to grab a rollup pin.

Rating: C-. Egads this Sharmell stuff is getting annoying but it might lead to Booker turning heel, where he thrives a little bit better. The match was the usual decent one between these two, albeit with Sharmell getting involved so often that it got annoying in a hurry. Now can we get back to one of these two going after the US Title again?

Eddie Guerrero has a stomach ache but refuses to be taken out of the main event where he teams with Batista against MNM. Vomiting ensues.

Jillian Hall introduces JBL as Texas’ favorite son and richer than JR Ewing. JBL comes out in street clothes to say he’s managed to come home again. This place reminds him of how far he’s come because now he knows how great New York City is. Texas has its perks too, like JBL being born here. People are still chanting his name though, from Texas Tech to Madison Square Garden. He still doesn’t like people who come here in the dead of night and wear masks to hide from immigration. JBL will defend wrestling and America because he is a wrestling god.

Animal/Heidenreich vs. Jared Steel/Anthony Galleti

Non-title and Galleti is pinned off a Doomsday Device in about a minute.

Sylvan (minus the Grenier) doesn’t think much of how Christy Hemme and Stacy Keibler look. Hardcore Holly comes in to defend their honor.

Sylvan vs. Hardcore Holly

Holly has Christy and Stacy with him but gets jumped by Sylvan to start. That earns Sylvan some chops but he sends Holly over the top for a crash. A running knee in the corner drops Holly again but he’s right back with a dropkick for the breather. The spinebuster looks to set up the Alabama Slam but Sylvain slips out. Sylvan catches him with a middle rope dropkick, only to have Holly come back with a shot to the face. That’s enough for Sylvan, who leaves for the countout.

Rating: D. As has been the case for several weeks now, points for trying someone new but it’s still Sylvan vs. Holly. What are you expecting from these guys? The match was short and nothing all that interesting, but was it ever going to be anything else? Sylvan as a fashion expert is Sylvan with a gimmick. I need more than that.

Teddy Long tells Batista about Eddie’s issues but the best doctor in town is on the way.

Cowboy Bob Orton has a casket in the ring and is directing people to set up decorations for what looks like a funeral.

We recap last week’s main event, including Undertaker seeing himself in a casket.

Bob brings out Randy Orton for part of the Undertaker’s retirement ceremony. They open the casket to show the fake Undertaker and Randy talks about how he won last week with mind games. As he is talking, the mannequin opens its eyes and neither Randy nor Bob have any idea what is going on behind them. Randy leans over Randy and gets grabbed by the throat but Bob pulls him to safety. Short angle but to the point well enough.

Mr. Kennedy vs. Rey Mysterio

Before the match, Kennedy says Chimmel is getting the hang of this commentary thing. Kennedy gives him a hug and tells Chimmel to take a bow, but it’s a low blow to put Chimmel down instead. A mic drops from the ceiling and Kennedy handles his own entrance, even saying that he gained a pound because the Simon System works. The threat of an early 619 sends Kennedy to the floor but he picks Mysterio up and hits a backbreaker for two back inside.

Mysterio sends him into the corner and gets in a springboard crossbody, only to get planted hard again. Kennedy sends him to the apron so Mysterio springboards in with a seated senton. That earns him a DDT but Kennedy misses a charge and gets caught with a Fameasser over the middle rope. Cue JBL, on a horse, for a distraction though, allowing Kennedy to hit the super Regal Roll for the pin.

Rating: C-. The match was fine enough but what matters here was some smart booking. They advanced Mysterio vs. JBL, which is all but guaranteed for No Mercy, but also keep Kennedy undefeated and strong. Just like in the previous match, they’re trying something new, but in this case they might have something with Kennedy.

Raw Rebound.

Teddy Long has an idea for Raw Homecoming but he and Cannon need to focus on tonight’s main event.

Sharmell has been talking to Kennedy and doesn’t know why Booker can’t get a US Title shot.

The doctor doesn’t know what’s wrong with Eddie and neither does the attractive nurse.

Simon Dean comes out and gets a debuting star.

Simon Dean vs. Bobby Lashley

Lashley shoves him down to start so Simon needs a shake. Simon can’t do much so Lashley bounds him off the mat in a unique spot. For some reason Dean tries a half nelson so Lashley does pushups with Simon on his back. Lashley suplexes him down and finishes with a Dominator. Why wouldn’t you push this guy to the moon?

US Title: Chris Benoit vs. Orlando Jordan

Benoit is defending and takes his time here, finishing with the Crossface in about 50 seconds. I think we get the joke now.

Eddie seems to be feeling better after the nurse works on him but freaks out when Batista replaces her. Batista has his own doctor, who seems to violate Eddie in a rather personal way. The doctor’s name? Dr. Barnett.

Undertaker vs. the Ortons in a casket match is confirmed for No Mercy.

Batista/Eddie Guerrero vs. MNM

There’s no Eddie to start but he hobbles down the aisle, still holding his stomach. Mercury gets shoved into the corner to start and then gets shoved down for a bonus. For some reason Mercury tries shoving Batista, meaning it’s a chase around the ring. Back in and Mercury can’t whip Batista either so Batista easily chokes him. Nitro gets in a kick to the back and Mercury scores with a neckbreaker for two. Batista shrugs off a double suplex and spears Nitro down, meaning it’s time to clean house. A Melina distraction lets Batista hit the Batista Bomb on Mercury, only to have Eddie tag himself in and steal the pin.

Rating: D+. This was an angle instead of a match as MNM loses again, this time in a glorified handicap match. At least it was to someone who is at the top of the food chain, though it is still annoying to see a team who could be so much lose over and over. They aren’t the champions at the moment though so it could be a lot worse. Just get them their titles back from Animal and Heidenreich as the story is over. Batista vs. Eddie is getting interesting though and I want to see where things go from here with the mind games going hard.

Batista isn’t pleased with a smiling Eddie to end the show.

Overall Rating: D+. It was a rough show this week with the wrestling not being all that great and the stories only being so good. Eddie vs. Batista is an interesting take on things but Cowboy Bob isn’t quite enough to make me care about the (still good) Undertaker vs. Randy feud any more and JBL vs. Mysterio is just a feud that is taking place. The show wasn’t bad, but it also wasn’t very good and No Mercy isn’t looking great so far.

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Smackdown
Date: February 21, 2020
Location: Gila River Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

As tends to be the case far too often these days, WWE is building to several things at once. This time around it’s the go home Smackdown for Super ShowDown, Elimination Chamber is in about two weeks and we’ve got Wrestlemania (and its sign) looming over everything. The big story tonight is Goldberg being in the arena for a change as he’s ready to face the Fiend next week. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Here are the Usos to get things going. They aren’t happy with Miz and John Morrison targeting them last week so tonight is about revenge. They’re not coming in alone though so here’s New Day. The Usos are glad to have them here, though they better be keeping those titles warm. Both teams put over the others’ accomplishments but Big E. points out that they’re up 7-6 in title reigns over the Usos. That makes them the better team, but the Usos want one more shot after Super ShowDown. Now it’s Miz and Morrison interrupting and they have a song the fans can sing about their names. They have partners too.

Usos/New Day vs. Robert Roode/Dolph Ziggler/Miz/John Morrison

Joined in progress with Ziggler in trouble in the corner, including Big E. whipping the Usos into Ziggler. The Usos send Kofi into him as well but Morrison throws Kofi to the floor for a big boot from Miz. Kofi gets sent into the barricade as Big E. has to be held back. Roode chinlocks Kofi back inside and sends him into the corner for the tag to Ziggler. With the referee distracted, Kofi gets triple choked but Miz spends too much time posing.

Kofi goes up top but gets shoved outside in a big crash. Back from a break with Kofi backdropping Ziggler to the floor and hitting a running stomp on Roode. That’s enough for the hot tag to Big E., who comes in and beats the heck out of Miz. Morrison cuts off the spear through the ropes so Big E. gives him the Rock Bottom out of the corner for two (during the kickout, the screen glitches to show what looks like a letter).

Morrison’s running knee to the face into the standing shooting star press gets two so it’s a spinebuster/Zig Zag combination (more like a spinebuster/slap to the back combination) for two on Jey with Jimmy making the save. A bunch of superkicks have Ziggler in trouble and, after escaping the Glorious DDT, another finishes Roode at 11:45.

Rating: C. It’s a formula tag match which mixed up two feuds and that is something that works far more often than not. The Usos are back at full speed and that’s a very good sign for the future of the division. You can only do New Day vs. Usos so many times though and a title change to someone fresh would be a smart move. Also, what was up with the glitch?

Drew Gulak offers Daniel Bryan a PowerPoint presentation about what is wrong with him but Heath Slater comes in. Heath is annoyed at Bryan for beating him (Heath: “You made my kids cry. Nobody makes my kids cry but me!”) so he wants a rematch. Bryan is game.

Long video on the Mandy Rose/Otis saga, including last week’s failed date.

Tucker accuses Mandy of inviting Dolph Ziggler but Mandy says Ziggler was there when Otis was late. She doesn’t seem to know anything about sending out a text saying she was going to be late.

We get a sitdown interview with Lacey Evans, who was hurt by the loss to Bayley but she isn’t finished until the job is done. Yes she used to be a bully but then Sasha Banks and Bayley brought her daughter into it and that made her change. Now, her sights are on the Elimination Chamber and she will win the Women’s Title at Wrestlemania. Wait, how many Elimination Chamber matches are we getting??? The Raw women’s match has already been announced and you would assume a men’s match so…..at least three?

Cesaro/Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Elias/Braun Strowman

This is a Symphony of Destruction match, meaning there are musical instruments around the ring and falls count anywhere. Elias sings a song to introduce Braun, which actually isn’t interrupted. Braun brings out the huge bass for a nice callback to the first version of this thing. Elias hiptosses a tambourine out of Nakamura’s hands to start and then knees him out to the floor.

Everything breaks down in a hurry and Strowman breaks a drum over Cesaro’s head. That earns him a ukulele to the back from Sami Zayn, which has even less effect than you might have expected. Nakamura catches Strowman with a mic stand to the face though and we take a break. Back with Cesaro playing the cowbell and then sending Elias through a table.

That just earns him the running shoulders from Strowman, followed by a chokeslam onto the apron. Sami offers another distraction though and it’s a double suplex to send Strowman through the bass. It’s Elias with another guitar to the back but Nakamura breaks up an elbow through a table. Instead, Strowman powerslams Nakamura onto (not through) a piano, leaving Elias to elbow Cesaro through the table for the pin at 10:44.

Rating: C+. I liked this one well enough as the sight gag of the big bass coming back alone helped. Then you have a powerslam onto the big piano, which was a cross between painful and impressive. I’m not sure how far anything in this feud is going to go but it gives some people something to do for the time being so good enough.

Video on Roman Reigns vs. King Corbin.

Corbin is tired of Reigns’ face being everywhere and he’s ready to get rid of Reigns one on one at Super ShowDown. Then Corbin becomes the face of the company.

It’s time for a Moment of Bliss, with Alexa Bliss talking about the Hall of Fame. This year’s class includes the NWO and Batista, and now it will also include the Bella Twins, her guests tonight. They can’t believe how awesome this is and they’re all about breaking barriers, like making this announcement on the first ever women’s talk show. Brie brings up being pregnant at the same time and….uh yeah everything is awesome. Daniel Bryan comes out for his match and brings his daughter for a nice moment.

Daniel Bryan vs. Heath Slater

Drew Gulak is on commentary and is rather pleased with Slater starting on on Bryan’s knee. A knockdown gives Slater two and he goes up, only to have Gulak yell at him. The distraction lets Bryan move and the YES Kicks are on. The running knee finishes Slater at 2:44.

Mandy is in the back (with another letter glitch, though it might look like a ticking clock) when Ziggler comes up to offer her a ride. She accepts and they leave, with Otis popping up behind them, looking rather sad.

Sheamus is going to be in the Elimination Chamber. So that’s three, minimum.

Shorty G. tries to fire Apollo Crews up but Apollo doesn’t want to hear it. He’ll handle Sheamus his way.

Naomi vs. Carmella

The winner gets Bayley, at ringside, for the Women’s Title at Super ShowDown. Naomi pulls her into a headlock to start but Carmella reverses into one of her own. That’s broken up as well so Naomi gets two off a sliding clothesline. The very spinning headscissors has Naomi in trouble but she’s back in with a high crossbody for two. A quick Bayley distraction lets Carmella get two off a middle rope hurricanrana. That’s enough for an ejection and Carmella takes Naomi out with a suicide dive as we take a break.

Back with Carmella cutting off the dancing kicks and getting two off an Edge-O-Matic. Naomi misses a springboard kick to the head so she settles for a slingshot corkscrew dive to the floor. A sunset flip gets two back inside and Carmella reverses into the Code of Silence. That’s escaped into a Rear View for another near fall on Carmella. A middle rope Blockbuster sets up the split legged moonsault to pin Carmella for the title shot at Bayley at 12:47.

Rating: D+. That’s about as good as you were going to get here as neither of them are exactly known as ring generals. You could have gone with either winning but Naomi’s entrance inside a stadium will be worth seeing. I’m not sure what this means should Bayley win, but since we’re getting another Chamber match, it should be explained in a hurry.

John Cena is back next week.

Here’s Goldberg for a chat. He’s glad to be back and whatever the Fiend is, he’s ready. Cue the Firefly Fun House with Bray doing some construction. Bray wants Goldberg to get to know his friends, including most of the cast. There is one person left though….and the lights go out. The Fiend is here but Goldberg is smart enough to turn around and spear him.

Goldberg loads up another one but the lights go out again and Fiend disappears to end the show, complete with Fiendish laughter. As usual, Goldberg is at his best when things are kept simple. He hit Fiend hard and Fiend went down, can he do it again? What more do you need?

Overall Rating: C. This was the annoying show that we have to get through but thankfully next week will only have two things to build towards. That’s the big overarching problem at the moment: there is too much stuff coming up on the calendar and it is causing a lot of issues. This week’s show was designed to set things up for next week and beyond, which is fine, but doesn’t exactly make for a thrilling show. It did its job, but that job isn’t an exciting one.

Results

Usos/New Day b. Miz/John Morrison/Dolph Ziggler/Robert Roode – Superkick to Roode

Elias/Braun Strowman b. Cesaro/Shinsuke Nakamura – Top rope elbow through a table to Cesaro

Daniel Bryan b. Heath Slater – Running knee

Naomi b. Carmella – Split legged moonsault

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Monday Night Raw
Date: September 19, 2005
Location: Kay Yeager Coliseum, Wichita Falls, Texas
Attendance: 3,500
Commentators: Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler, Jonathan Coachman

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

Opening sequence.

Bischoff looks surprised and Angle talks about everything he’s going to do as champion, cutting Vince off in the process. Vince doesn’t like the sound of Angle as WWE Champion. Vince: “Who in the h*** named you WWE Champion?” Angle: “He did.” Vince makes Bischoff admit the match ended in a DQ and tells him to shut up.

Due to the DQ, Cena is still champion but Vince has something else to talk about. In two weeks on October 3, we’ll be having Raw Homecoming, with Mick Foley, HHH, Hulk Hogan and Steve Austin all making appearances. On that same night, Cena will defend the WWE Championship….against Bischoff. Vince takes the title and leaves as Bischoff is speechless.

Post break, Bischoff tries to talk Vince out of this. Eric: “What if I win???” Vince says he’ll think about it and gets in the limo. Once inside, he says he’s thought about it and the match is still on.

Trish Stratus vs. Torrie Wilson

Non-title, Torrie has Victoria and Candice (plus Torrie’s dog) with her and the trio comes out to what would become Laycool’s music. Trish on the other hand has Ashley’s and what would continue to be Trish Stratus’ music. Even Coach points out that Torrie isn’t very good in the ring so you know this isn’t going to go well. Victoria grabs the leg from the floor and Torrie takes over for what must have been a good three seconds before Trish starts beating her up. The big chop (with hand lick) has Torrie against the ropes but Victoria’s distraction lets Torrie get two off a rollup. Trish is right back with her own rollup for the fast pin.

Post match the big brawl is on with Torrie and company cleaning house to stand tall.

Trevor Murdoch vs. Hurricane

Lance Cade and Rosey are at ringside. Totally different than what they were doing before the title change. See, now Murdoch has the belt instead of Hurricane, so it’s not the same. Murdoch can’t hit an early DDT and gets driven into the corner, meaning it’s an early breather on the floor.

Back in and a single right hand puts Murdoch outside again but this time Rosey throws him inside again. Murdoch works on a neck crank but Hurricane comes back with a DDT. Some clotheslines into a middle rope dropkick gives Hurricane two and the pace picks up a bit. Never mind though as Murdoch avoids a charge and hits his own DDT for the pin.

Rating: D+. These things are little more than time filler and that is getting annoying. This is one of the darkest times the Tag Team Titles has ever seen and I’m not sure how much better it is going to get anytime soon. Cade and Murdoch are a better option than Hurricane and Rosey but who are they supposed to face?

Carlito insists that he was reaching for the ropes last night and did NOT tap out. He’ll get the Intercontinental Title back tonight.

Edge rants to Bischoff about wanting Matt Hardy fired for attacking Lita. Bischoff doesn’t like being yelled at so it’s a ladder match at Raw Homecoming, loser leaves Raw and the winner keeps the Money in the Bank briefcase. That’s the only way they can really go with these two.

Tyson Tomko vs. Eddie Craven

Tomko knocks him outside and kicks him in the face for the referee stoppage in about a minute.

Video on Carlito vs. Ric Flair, capped off with the title change at Unforgiven.

Intercontinental Title: Ric Flair vs. Carlito

Flair is defending and starts with a WOO, as tends to be the case. A chop puts Carlito on the floor for a bit and another puts him down inside. More chops send Carlito outside again, followed by a hammerlock to start in on his arm. Carlito throws him outside though and it’s a backdrop for two back inside.

Flair gets sent into the corner and bangs up his eye so Carlito hammers away like a smart villain. That earns Carlito a whip into the corner and Flair grabs a bite of the apple to spit in Carlito’s face. Rights and lefts in the corner have Carlito on the apron and a shot to the face sends him outside again. Flair posts him and we take a break. Back with Carlito slapping away and getting two off a neckbreaker.

The chinlock goes on for a bit, followed by a spinebuster for two more. An atomic drop out of the corner gives us a quick double knockdown and Flair drops the big elbow. Flair chops and punches away and even manages another top rope shot to the head. The beating continues on the floor before Flair takes it back inside, with a kick to the ropes for the low blow, to set up the Figure Four. A grab of the rope is enough to make Carlito tap.

Rating: C. This got some time and it’s nice to see Flair get the cheers that the fans have been wanting to give him for months (if not years). It’s one of those situations where the reign isn’t as important as the loss, because taking the title from Flair is going to be a disheartening moment, which is what a heel should be doing.

Matt Hardy is ready for the eight man tag but here’s Shawn Michaels to say everyone is talking about Hardy. Big Show and John Cena come in to say they’re going to be an awesome team. Cena to Show: “If we need you to, you’ll eat somebody.” Cena lists off what they’re going to do to their opponents and makes Todd Grisham do the Robot.

We hear about the stars returning for Homecoming.

Flair tells Maria that he’s the Nature Boy because he can go all night long. Carlito comes in to call Flair not cool and the beatdown is on until Chris Masters comes in to Masterlock Flair.

Smackdown Rebound.

Kurt Angle/Chris Masters/Edge/Snitsky vs. John Cena/Matt Hardy/Big Show/Shawn Michaels

Joined in progress with Cena clotheslining Edge and getting two off the release fisherman’s suplex. Show comes in to step on Edge’s back and it’s a chop to Masters for a bonus. Cena is back in and clotheslines Masters for two but he’s back with his own suplex. That means Shawn can come in for the first time with some chops. Masters slams him but misses an elbow, allowing Matt to come in and slug away at Edge.

The Masterlock goes on but Show breaks that up with a headbutt. Back from a break with Edge chinlocking Matt and then planting him with a flapjack for two. Snitsky gets in his own suplex for his own two but the next chinlock is broken up even faster. It’s back to Angle for the failed Angle Slam but he gets the ankle lock just fine. Show makes another save so Snitsky forearms him into the Angle Slam over the top for the big crash. Back from another break with Edge Edgecating Shawn to stay on the leg.

Masters pulls on the leg a bit more and it’s Angle working on a chinlock. The Angle Slam gets two and it’s back to the ankle lock, which is broken up in a hurry. Edge comes in and spears Cena off the apron….and here’s a ticked off Big Show getting back on the apron. Show cleans house and everything breaks down, with Show shrugging off all four opponents at once. Matt is tossed onto Masters and Snitsky, leaving Edge to get Shuffled into the chokeslam for the dog pile pin.

Rating: C+. Big time house show main event style match here and it worked just fine. They didn’t have anything overly important going on and just did what they needed to do to send the fans home happy. Their matches and feuds are already set so just let them go out there with some time and have some fun in a match that gets some time.

A long celebration ends the show.

Overall Rating: C. This felt like a placeholder show as they are coming off of Unforgiven and don’t have much going on until we get to Homecoming in two weeks. You can tell that’s going to be a big night and where everything takes off next, so this is really more about holding things in place until then, which is fine because it’s just two weeks. Not much of a show, but it also wasn’t bad and I can live with that well enough.

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

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

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

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