As you’ve probably heard by now, WWE is going to be holding a UK wrestling tournament in early 2017 which is likely leading to a regular TV series. Now if you listen to WWE, this is for the sake of expanding their international brand. If you pay attention, it’s to crush ITV’s attempt at reviving World of Sport. This isn’t the first time WWE has done something like this and it certainly won’t be the last.
I’m sure the tournament is going to be entertaining as they know how to do these things really well, especially with Nigel McGuinness on commentary. They’re going to crush ITV’s stuff with pure star power and that’s all they need to do. If this is anything like the Cruiserweight Classic or the potential upcoming women’s tournament, this is going to be a blast.
There isn’t much to say about this because it pretty much is what it is: WWE is buying up a lot more talent and giving us cool wrestling with it. I don’t know what is left for WWE to do unless they invade Japan next but I’m sure they would find a way to do it well. Odds are this doesn’t last long but at least it’s a cool concept and should be fun while it lasts.
Monday Night Raw – July 15, 2002 (2016 Redo): Back to the Beginning
Monday Night Raw Date: July 15, 2002
Location: Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Commentators: Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler
This is a big one. Last week it was clear that something had to change around here after one of the most dreadful nights in the history of this show. It’s not so much that the wrestling was bad (save for the mixed tag) but there was almost nothing worth watching and one boring match after another. Things really do need to change and change they will. Let’s get to it.
Undertaker is in his locker room with…..Paul Heyman? Maybe a Mean Mark reunion? Heyman takes credit for tonight’s main event (Undertaker/Brock Lesnar vs. Ric Flair/Rob Van Dam) because he’s looking forward to Undertaker vs. Brock at Summerslam. Undertaker is ready to make Brock famous and Heyman gets out as fast as he can.
Opening sequence.
Here’s the NWO to open things up. Actually it’s just their music as Vince McMahon comes out instead. Why did he do that you ask? It’s because the NWO is gone for good, no matter what. That’s certainly an improvement and it’s not like those that story was doing anything for anyone other than Shawn and the now injured Nash.
Vince goes over some of the World Champions in the company’s history (omitting some big names and getting some major reactions to some others) but says it’s time for a new era. The shake up of both shows begins right here because both show will have a General Manager. Vince says “General Manager” about ten times and kind of threatens the audience with what’s going to happen. The roster is sitting in the back watching the announcement because that’s what wrestlers do.
Flair thinks the new boss will be a McMahon.
Jeff Hardy/Dudley Boyz vs. William Regal/Eddie Guerrero/Chris Benoit
Elimination rules so this has a lot of potential. It’s a big brawl to start with Spike forearming Eddie for a way too early two count. Spike tries a sunset flip but gets small packaged to get us down to 3-2. Bubba gives Eddie a Bubba Bomb but Regal breaks up the cover and drags his partner into the corner for the tag off to Benoit.
The beating goes on for a bit until some Dudleyville right hands take Benoit down. Jeff comes in off the hot tag so house can be cleaned, only to have Eddie pull him down from the floor. The fast pace continues with Eddie taking Jeff’s head off with a clothesline and Regal hitting his weird jumping knees. A butterfly suplex gets two and the fans are staying right there with Hardy (Odd pink/white shirt aside. It looks like he poured paint over his head.).
Bubba makes a save and everything breaks down into the huge brawl. Eddie throws in the European Title with Bubba nailing Regal in the head for the DQ. A Swanton Bomb gets rid of Regal and we take a break with Benoit/Guerrero vs. Hardy to go. Back with Jeff grabbing his double legdrop rollup to get rid of Guerrero. Benoit snaps off a German suplex but gets caught by the Whisper in the Wind. Cue Eddie for another distraction so Regal can get in a brass knuckles shot to knock Jeff silly. The Crossface on the unconscious Hardy gives Benoit the win.
Rating: B. Now this is more like it. They were beating the heck out of each other at a frantic pace which is the kind of opening match you never get around here. To top it off they even managed to keep a champion strong as it took three people and a brass knuckles shot to put Hardy down. Well done all around here and a really good opener.
Bubba and Spike save Jeff from going through a table.
Coach speculates that the new GM could be Mick Foley or Vince’s brother (there’s a name you almost never hear about) but Heyman thinks it’s him. Paul goes up to see Vince but a woman comes in to tell Vince that the new GM just arrived. After a break the new GM comes in and it’s…..Shane McMahon, who isn’t the GM. Well so much for that. Shane is here to make sure Vince doesn’t screw things up. Vince: “You tried to put me out of business and now you have this concern?” Remember that line when we get to Smackdown. Shane knows who it is and thinks the new GM is a parasite.
Tommy Dreamer and Van Dam don’t know who the GM is but Rob had fun beating Heyman up last week. Rob leaves and Steven Richards comes in to set up a Singapore Cane match for later. Stevie canes Dreamer for a little preview.
Tommy Dreamer vs. Steven Richards
Canes are legal. The brawl heads outside early on with Dreamer picking up the steps (dude follow the rules) and getting caned in the jaw for his efforts. It’s a strong enough shot to draw some blood and Stevie suplexes him onto the ramp. Back in and Richards hits him a few more times as there’s only so much you can do with Singapore canes. Dreamer says bring it on and unloads on him with the cane. The DDT gets two but Richards’ superkick gets the same. Dreamer grabs the damaged stick and SHATTERS IT over Steven’s head for the pin.
Rating: D. The match was an excuse to do violent stuff to each other and that’s fine enough for something this short. It wasn’t the worst match in the world or anything and this was just over a year since ECW went under, meaning it doesn’t feel as pitiful as some of the nostalgia pushes like we’ve seen over the years.
Booker T. says that even though the NWO is dead, he still has issues with the Big Show. He wants to see a Coacharooni because Rock isn’t the only one who can mess with the Coach. The dancing isn’t that impressive and Lawler wants to know if Coach is Caucasian. Booker is all fired up….and here’s Eric Bischoff. Yes seriously, THIS is where they decided to debut him.
Here’s Vince in the arena to introduce the new General Manager: ERIC BISCHOFF! It doesn’t have quite the impact since we just saw him before the commercial. I’ve never understood that thinking and it really does hurt what should have been a huge moment. Bischoff talks about running the real WCW, meaning not the watered down version that invaded this company.
We hear about all the signings he made to show off his ruthless aggression. Next up are the Raw spoilers as the crowd is just dying listening to this speech which has NOTHING to do with what’s going on here. Nitro changed the face of sports entertainment forever and Bischoff made Vince keep up with him.
Bischoff was THIS CLOSE to putting the WWF out of business (not quite) and now it’s time to turn this show around. Eric says we’ll start things on Vengeance when he’ll sign the one piece of talent he never could get his hands on: HHH. So we’re just supposed to forget the Jean-Paul Levesque days? Bischoff promises to put the E back in WWE to FINALLY wrap this up.
Post break Bischoff sucks up to Undertaker despite him never coming to WCW (“I guess loyalty meant more to you than money.”) but Bradshaw scares the new boss off.
Women’s Title: Molly Holly vs. Trish Stratus
Molly is defending and I have no idea why this isn’t on Sunday’s pay per view. Lawler’s monitor goes out and the thought of not being able to see Trish terrifies him. Why he can’t just LOOK UP isn’t clear but I guess it’s a Bischoff rule. A running flip neckbreaker gets two for the champ and Trish trips trying a clothesline. Molly gets two more off a backbreaker and easily counters Stratusfaction into a rollup with feet on the ropes to retain.
Ric Flair isn’t interested in Bischoff.
Big Show vs. Booker T.
Show easily takes over to start and gets in an impressive looking suplex. A whip sends Booker into the corner and Show casually leans into a raised boot. Booker Cactus Clotheslines him to the floor but misses a chair shot. Show grabs the chair instead, shoves the referee and chairs Booker for the DQ.
Rating: D. So wait. They split up the NWO and NOW they make Show tough again? As usual Booker gets to look like nothing for the sake of another Big Show push because the real money is in Big Show and his bad fitting singlet. I really don’t get this but if Booker wins the rematch via pin, it makes up for a lot.
Show chokeslams Booker through the announcers’ table.
Heyman talks about Bischoff while Brock Lesnar lifts a piece of the set. You know, as monsters do. Paul has a plan for the tag match and Lesnar is pleased.
The announcers pay tribute to Jimmy Miranda, the head of the merchandise stands. I’ve heard Austin and Jericho speak very highly of him.
Hardcore Title: Christopher Nowinski vs. Bradshaw
The title now has a Texas flag design and I actually kind of like it. Nowinski is challenging of course and tries to get out of the match. Chris offers to lay down so Bradshaw can get the pin but IT’S A SWERVE! I mean, the SWERVE doesn’t work but at least he tried. The beating takes Chris into the back where Johnny the Bull jumps Bradshaw and wins the title.
Show comes in to see Bischoff and gets a match with Booker on Sunday.
Johnny the Bull thanks Eric for the chance and gets clotheslined so Bradshaw can get the title back.
Undertaker and Lesnar have a showdown.
Undertaker/Brock Lesnar vs. Rob Van Dam/Ric Flair
Flair and Undertaker start things off with some early chops actually setting up a WAY too early Figure Four. Undertaker will have none of that so Flair hits him low, only to have the champ get in a chokeslam for two. It’s off to Lesnar who throws Ric all over the place and gives him the triple backbreaker. Undertaker gets a thumb to the eye but you don’t need to be able to see to superplex Flair into a big crash.
A great looking powerslam plants Ric again but Flair is able to get over for the hot tag. Van Dam kicks Brock down and gets two off Rolling Thunder to Undertaker. Everything breaks down and Brock gives Flair the F5. A kick to the chest sets up the Five Star hits on Lesnar, only to have Undertaker plant Rob with the Last Ride for the pin.
Rating: C. This started off slow but a hot ending really helped pick it up. I’m really not sure why they didn’t just have Flair lose here as you would think he was the perfect option to do the job. But hey, that’s the point of the Intercontinental Champion right? Lesnar continues to not look great but putting him in there with people like Flair and Van Dam should do him some good.
Bischoff calls Rock and says he’ll be at Smackdown to sign him.
Overall Rating: C+. The show worked well enough but the Bischoff speech in the middle just crippled the whole thing. I liked the wrestling better this time around but there are still a lot of things in their way. We’re now pretty much back to where we were with the two owners (or at least we will be after Smackdown) and that’s…..not the most interesting idea in the world. Raw can be good if it can get out of its own way but given the way things have been going in recent weeks, I don’t see that happening anytime soon.
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book, KB’s Complete Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Volume V at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
Tribute to the Troops 2016: It’s Just Getting Worse
Tribute to the Troops 2016 Date: December 14, 2016
Location: Verizon Center, Washington D.C.
Commentators: Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, John Bradshaw Layfield
I try so hard to care about this show but it feels like WWE puts in less of an effort every single year. This is the annual show for the members of the United States military, meaning almost nothing of consequence will happen and the big main event will be Americans vs. foreigners. Let’s get to it.
Shane and Stephanie McMahon welcome us to the show.
Video on the history of the series with a look back at all of the shows. The ones where they went overseas just feel so much more important.
Lillian Garcia is back to sing the National Anthem.
Cole says this is a rare occasion when the Raw, Smackdown and cruiserweight rosters are on the same show. You mean like Survivor Series?
Here’s Roman Reigns to get things going. Reigns says the people in this arena are the real champions of the United States but here’s Kevin Owens to cut him off. Kevin thinks he should get the praise around here because he’s the longest reigning Universal Champion in history. Trash talk is exchanged with Owens saying he would take the US Title and put a maple leaf sticker on it to turn it into the Canadian Heavyweight Title. So he’s a Lance Storm fan. I admire the cut of this Canadian’s jib.
A challenge is issued but here’s Rusev to interrupt. We get a rare kiss with Lana but Reigns wants a soldier to come out here and show Rusev how to do that properly. A brawl is about to go down but Big Cass comes out to even things up. Mick Foley comes out to make the main event, even though it’s not Raw and he shouldn’t have any authority.
Package on wrestlers visiting troops.
Cesaro/Sheamus vs. Shining Stars vs. Anderson and Gallows vs. Golden Truth
The winners get New Day on Sunday with one fall to a finish. Anderson punches Goldust to start before it’s off to Epico who gets beaten up as well. The Shining Stars get together to put Goldust on the floor and we take a break. Back with Gallows kicking Goldust in the face because it’s beat on the old man night.
An elbow drop gets two with Sheamus making the save. The hot tag brings in R-Truth to clean house with an ax kick getting two on Primo. Cesaro comes in to clean house with his usual stuff, including the high crossbody for two more on Primo. Epico saves his cousin from the Swing but gets Brogue Kicked for the pin at 9:28.
Rating: D+. If they just have to give Cesaro and Sheamus the titles so be it, as long as New Day has the record once and for all. I’m still not a fan of the team but they’re probably the only option out of these four. The tag division means nothing at the moment so they’re as good an option as there is otherwise. Also, how weird is it to see storyline development on one of these shows?
More wrestlers meeting troops.
Here are Miz and Maryse for a chat with Miz calling himself an inspiration due to his role in the Marine movies. Anyway it’s open challenge time so here’s comedian Gabriel Iglesias to answer. They argue about who is out of their element until Iglesias brings out a friend to answer the challenge.
Miz vs. Apollo Crews
Non-title. Miz starts with the Daniel Bryan mockery fast by doing the YES pose and hitting the running corner dropkick. The running corner clothesline is countered into a belly to belly suplex as Iglesias starts taking pictures with Maryse. Neither Miz nor Maryse are pleased so Crews kicks Miz in the face, meaning another picture can be taken. The distraction lets Crews grab a rollup for the pin at 2:30.
Some troops say hello to their families.
Dolph Ziggler/American Alpha vs. Wyatt Family
Jordan immediately goes for the belly to belly on Harper but gets headlocked for his efforts. Luke is knocked out to the floor and we take a break. Back with Ziggler coming in to clothesline Orton and dropping him with a neckbreaker. The triple teaming puts Ziggler down in a hurry though and Orton’s snap powerslam gets two. Ziggler gets away for the hot tag without too much effort and everything breaks down. That’s fine with the Wyatts who clean house off a release Rock Bottom to Gable. The RKO finishes Chad at 10:55.
Rating: C-. Well that was rather squashy. The Wyatts completely destroyed the three of them here and that’s not a good sign for Alpha’s title hopes going forward. You would think they would be the best option to eventually take the belts from the Wyatts but that really doesn’t seem to be the case, at least not yet. At least they’re keeping the Family strong for a change.
Bayley, Charlotte and Dana Brooke meet a rescue dog. Dana isn’t impressed and a match is made for later.
Bayley vs. Dana Brooke
Charlotte and the dog are at ringside. Dana takes her down and cranks on an arm and a leg at the same time. Bayley comes back with her spinning elbow in the corner but Charlotte grabs the leg to break up the suplex. The fans want Sasha but have to settle for Bayley throwing Dana into Charlotte. Back in and the Bayley to Belly wraps Dana up at 2:24.
Bayley celebrates with the dog just in case she’s not adorable enough yet.
TJ Perkins/Jack Gallagher/Rich Swann vs. Brian Kendrick/Tony Nese/Drew Gulak
Perkins and Kendrick speed things up to start with TJ sending him outside, meaning it’s time for all the dives. Gallagher goes last but opts to climb through the ropes and hit an ax handle from the apron for the pop of the night. Back in and Gulak puts Perkins in something like the Edgecator to take over for the first time.
Perkins cross bodies Nese but it’s not enough for the hot tag. Gulak gets kicked away and it’s off to Swann as things speed up. Everything breaks down with Jack headbutting Nese out to the floor but shaking himself up in the process. A double superkick drops Kendrick and the spinning kick to the jaw ends Gulak at 5:33.
Rating: C. This was exactly what this match needed to be with the right ending. I liked the fact that they didn’t do much to set up the triple threat here as this was much more an exhibition than anything involving storylines. They need to find some better heel jobbers than Gulak and Nese though as they’ve lost so many times now that it’s starting to lose meaning.
HHH and Stephanie went to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for a ceremony.
More wrestlers in Afghanistan.
New Day talks about their title defense on Sunday but instead opt to dance over breaking the record. Big E. thinks they’re the greatest trio of all time when the Club comes in to laugh at the thought. They throw up the too sweet sign and here’s the Shield to stare all six of them down. Reigns: “Nah.” Well that worked.
Big Cass/Roman Reigns vs. Rusev/Kevin Owens
Enzo is back and we hear about how the Americans are going to beat down the bad guys for every branch of the military. Rusev and Reigns get things started with the Bulgarian actually taking over. The running splash misses though and Rusev has to bail from the threat of the Superman Punch. Instead it’s the apron dropkick and the good guys stand tall as we take a break.
Back with Owens getting in a cheap shot on Reigns to give the bad guys control. Owens gets all angry with the trash talk and drops a backsplash on the floor. Reigns finally throws Rusev down and a big uppercut to Owens allows the hot tag to Cass. Everything breaks down but Lana shoves Enzo into the steps. The distraction lets Rusev get in a superkick to set up the frog splash for two. Another hot tag brings in Reigns for the spear and pin on Rusev at 12:55.
Rating: C-. Totally standard main event to end a totally standard show. Lana laying out Enzo was the highlight of the match here and actually makes me want to see them have a wacky comedy match. I’m really happy with the idea of Cass moving higher up the card and while I don’t see him beating Rusev, it’s a good sign to have him in that spot on a pay per view.
A quick thank you to the troops wraps us up.
Overall Rating: D. Is that really what they think of the troops? This was basically an extra hour for Raw and Smackdown with nothing interesting whatsoever going on. In two hours we had maybe ten combined minutes of stuff on the troops, making this one of the lamest tributes ever. It used to be a show in the Middle East. Then it was a show at a military base. Then it was a glorified house show. Now it’s something thrown in as a bonus when you went to Smackdown. To suggest this was about the troop is a joke and you almost have to know that just by paying attention. Totally unnecessary show, as it’s been for years.
Results
Cesaro/Sheamus b. Shining Stars, Anderson and Gallows and Golden Truth – Brogue Kick to Epico
Apollo Crews b. Miz – Rollup
Wyatt Family b. Dolph Ziggler/American Alpha – RKO to Gable
Bayley b. Dana Brooke – Bayley to Belly
Jack Gallagher/Rich Swann/TJ Perkins b. Drew Gulak/Tony Nese/Brian Kendrick – Spinning kick to Gulak’s head
Roman Reigns/Big Cass b. Kevin Owens/Rusev – Spear to Rusev
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book, KB’s Complete Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Volume V at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
205 Live – December 13, 2016: You Can Feel the Vince
205 Live Date: December 14, 2016
Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Corey Graves, Austin Aries
This is turning into a more traditional WWE show week by week. Tonight’s main event is focusing on setting up Sunday’s triple threat match for the Cruiserweight Title instead of tonight’s match standing on its own. The main event here is Rich Swann vs. TJ Perkins in a non-title match so let’s get to it.
We open with a recap of last week’s main event where Swann defeated Brian Kendrick to retain the title. Perkins was on commentary during the match and got into it with Swann to end the show.
The announcers preview tonight’s main event and Sunday’s title match.
Jack Gallagher vs. Drew Gulak
Gulak accepts the handshake and they hit the mat to start, meaning Gallagher can do his handstand to escape a headlock. After rolling around for some near falls, Gulak gets tied up in the Windsor Knot for the running kick to the back of the trunks. Drew’s answer is to kick Jack in the jaw and then start in on the bad knee. Jack will have none of that though and blasts Gulak with that headbutt. The running dropkick in the corner puts Gulak away at 5:52.
Rating: C. I know Gallagher does the same stuff almost every match but he’s just so darn likeable. How can you not smile when you see someone this into his gimmick? Pushing him towards the title and putting him in a feud with someone whose personality he can bounce off of will be a great springboard for his character. Good enough here though and that’s all it needs to be.
Perkins tells Swann that the luck is about to run out.
Tajiri is coming.
Gallagher is talking about his victory when Ariya Daivari comes up. Jack is willing to call it even but Daivari says no way and starts speaking his native language before leaving.
Mustafa Ali vs. Lince Dorado
Ali says he won’t be defined by our ignorance. A great looking springboard hurricanrana takes Ali down to start but a hard kick to the head puts Dorado down. We’re already in a chinlock before a dropkick sends Ali into the corner. They’re certainly moving out there. A Tajiri handspring into a Stunner…uh, stuns Ali and Dorado sends him outside. An Asai moonsault crushes Ali again and both guys are down long enough for the double countout at 3:35.
Rating: C+. Now that was more like it with a standard cruiserweight style. It’s cool to have Gallagher and Gulak doing their mat work but sometimes you need two guys to fly around and look impressive. I liked this more than I was expecting to and it’s a good idea to establish as much talent as they can.
Ali goes for a post match cheap shot but gets kicked out to the floor.
Noam Dar hits on Alicia Fox but she isn’t interested.
Long video on TJ Perkins.
Rich Swann vs. TJ Perkins
Non-title and as you might expect, Kendrick comes out to join commentary. They trade wristlocks to start with both guys flipping out of the others offense. A double dropkick means a double miss into a double nip up and a standoff. Swann finally kicks him in the jaw to take over but Perkins tosses the champ outside for a slingshot dropkick.
Back in and Swann scores with Rolling Thunder for two but another trip to the floor sees Swann tweak his knee. Perkins is no fool and dropkicks the knee out for a near fall of his own. A kick to the head puts TJ down but the knee is too banged up for Swann to capitalize. Perkins’ Detonation Kick is countered into a tiger bomb for two, only to have the knee give out again. The kneebar makes Swann tap at 10:01.
Rating: B-. It’s a good sign that these guys are showing themselves capable of wrestling a match instead of just doing a few minutes of high spots. Perkins needed a big win heading into the pay per view but I can’t imagine they would actually change the title. Swann was fine here and while I’m rarely a fan of champions losing, the knee injury gives him an out.
Kendrick comes to the ring but eats a superkick.
Overall Rating: C+. This was better and having something to build towards is a really positive step. However, the same problem as last week persists: I don’t know how long they can keep this show going with just one set of talent. It works in NXT with a revolving door but this is a bit more limited and it’s going to start showing in a hurry. Still though, they’re in the very early days and this was an entertaining way to spend about forty minutes.
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book, KB’s Complete Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Volume V at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
Smackdown – December 13, 2016: Random Cameos Can Be Good Things
Smackdown Date: December 13, 2016
Location: Verizon Center, Washington D.C.
Commentators: Tom Phillips, John Bradshaw Layfield, David Otunga, Mauro Ranallo
As has been the case more often than not lately, we’ve got a fairly stacked Tuesday show. Tonight it’s a tag team battle royal to determine some new #1 contenders to go along with AJ Styles defending the Smackdown World Title against James Ellsworth. Smackdown doesn’t have anything major to set up until the Royal Rumble so it’s all about big TV until then. Let’s get to it.
We open with Shane McMahon (What purpose does he serve? Can anyone answer that?) and Daniel Bryan watching Ellsworth cost Dean Ambrose last week’s main event. Ellsworth comes in coughing and sneezing so Bryan says the title match is postponed. Therefore, we need a new #1 contender.
Opening sequence.
It’s time for MizTV with special guest AJ Styles, who thinks Ellsworth has come down with Chinfluenza. AJ laughs off the idea of Ellsworth being a threat to the title, which is probably accurate. Miz says that he’s the one who raised his title to greatness and beat Ambrose last week. It’s true that Miz isn’t on AJ’s level because he’s above it, meaning maybe it’s time to make the WWE Championship legendary. A fight is teased but Ambrose and Dolph Ziggler come out because Heaven forbid we go a week without hearing from Dolph. Miz takes Dirty Deeds and actually so does Ziggler, only to have Luke Harper appear and lay Ambrose out.
After a break, AJ comes in and demands protection from the bosses. Tonight it’s a fourway elimination match for the #1 contendership between Miz, Ambrose, Harper and Ziggler with interference being grounds for an elimination. The title match will take place on the December 27th episode of Smackdown.
Carmella vs. Natalya
Nikki Bella is on commentary because this is her division. It’s a catfight to start and we head to a rather early break. Back with Carmella sending Natalya into the corner for the Bronco Buster. We hit the bodyscissors, meaning a lot more screaming. Nikki keeps babbling on about how she trusts Natalya and a friend would never do that because it needs to sound like a reality story. Natalya powers out with a Michinoku Driver but opts to argue with Nikki even more. She even shoves Nikki out of the way of a charging Carmella but the distraction lets Carmella grab a small package for the pin at 9:05.
Rating: D+. So like did you know that Nikki and Natalya were the best friends EVER and would never ever stab each other in the back? I need a camera to awkwardly stare into while I list off various emotions I’m feeling as I talk about this because it’s one of the worse reality show stories they’ve done in a long time.
Video on John Cena hosting Saturday Night Live. Cena is back in two weeks.
Gabriel Iglesias (standup comedian) talks to Apollo Crews about being on tomorrow’s Tribute to the Troops. Miz and Maryse come in so insults can be exchanged.
Tag Team Battle Royal
American Alpha, Heath Slater/Rhyno, Ascension, Vaudevillains, Hype Bros, Breezango
The winners are the #1 contenders and both members have to be eliminated. Simon Gotch is knocked out two seconds into the match off a hard clothesline from Mojo Rawley. Thing slow down considerably with people taking various shots at each other around the ring. In other words, it’s a battle royal. Slater and Rhyno start double teaming English as Chad Gable pulls Viktor over the top for an elimination.
Konor gets rid of Gable a few seconds later and we’re down to nine. Slater accidentally puts Rhyno out and another team is split. We take a break and come back with English being dumped out, meaning the Vaudevillains are done. Fandango is swept out to the floor and we’re down to Jordan, Breeze, Slater, Konor and Ryder, meaning Rawley was put out during the break.
Jordan starts to clean house with shoulders and suplexes but Breeze and Konor get together for the elimination. Dang American Alpha just can’t get there. Slater snaps off some neckbreakers but the numbers game catches up with him, allowing Konor to throw him out. Breeze tries to turn on Konor but gets dropkicked down by Ryder. Konor knocks Breeze out to the floor and Zack gets rid of him for the win at 13:33.
Rating: D. Battle royals almost always suck by definition and it certainly didn’t help that the Hype Bros were built up as the next challengers last week. At least they had to do more than beat Ascension and Breezango to get the shot though, making this somewhat of an effective way to crown new #1 contenders.
Baron Corbin video.
Alexa Bliss vs. Deonna Purrazzo
Actually never mind as Bliss says this is beneath her so no match.
Bliss lays Purrazzo out but here’s Becky Lynch to interrupt. She wants her rematch right now but Bliss says not tonight. Actually never mind again as Shane McMahon comes out to say the title match is on.
Smackdown Women’s Title: Alexa Bliss vs. Becky Lynch
Lynch is challenging and Bliss hides in the ropes to start. The threat of a Disarm-Her sends Alexa even further into the ropes, followed by some armdrags to keep the champ in trouble. Bliss gets rolled up for two as JBL talks about blocking Mauro on Twitter. Another Disarm-Her sends Bliss outside and, claiming a knee injury, she takes the countout at 4:30.
Rating: C-. See, Smackdown is smart enough to not blow the big title match on a regular Smackdown with no hype. If this were Raw, the title match would have five minutes’ build and then go fifteen minutes before we got the next match. The match was little more than an angle but it gives Becky a win over the champ and sets up another rematch.
Bliss goes after Becky with the knee looking just fine. The beatdown sends Bliss limping back to the floor.
Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Luke Harper vs. The Miz
AJ is on commentary, elimination rules with the winner getting a title shot in two weeks and of course Miz’s title isn’t on the line. Harper absolutely cleans house to start by knocking Ziggler and Ambrose to the floor, followed by a Michinoku Driver to Miz. Ziggler and Ambrose get together to put Harper on the floor, leaving Miz to DDT Ziggler for two.
Miz starts firing off some baseball slides but stops to mock Bryan’s pose. That means it’s time for YES Kicks and the corner dropkicks to make it even worse. It’s Dean coming back in to cut Miz off but Harper just blasts him with a boot to the face. Ziggler gets caught in a torture rack but Ambrose makes the save and takes Luke down with the rebound lariat. Miz tries to steal a fall but gets small packaged for the elimination at 6:45 as we take a break.
Back with Ambrose hitting a spinning backbreaker for two on Ziggler while Luke it out on the floor. The Zig Zag puts Harper down but Dean drops the top rope clothesline for two on Ziggler. Harper comes back with a sitout powerbomb for two more on Ziggler but a superkick into Dirty Deeds gets rid of Luke at 15:13.
So what was the point of adding him to this match in the first place? Couldn’t they do the exact same thing with three instead of four? The catapult sends Ziggler face first into the post but he’s fine enough to hit a super X Factor for two. Cue Miz to offer another distraction but Ambrose takes him down with a suicide dive. Ziggler uses the distraction to get in a superkick for the pin and the title shot at 19:05.
Rating: B-. Harper being there for no apparent reason aside, this was a nice long match with everyone looking good to quite good. I really could go without Ziggler getting ANOTHER World Title shot but at least it’s only two weeks away on a TV show and not six weeks away at the Rumble.
Rich Swann tells us to check out 205 Live.
Overall Rating: C+. This was an interesting show as they set up a lot for what feels like it could be a major show on December 27. I can go for the Hype Bros as the next victims for the Wyatts and it should be interesting to see what happens when Lynch finally gets a big time title shot. Good show here and I think I can handle another week without Ellsworth getting his title shot.
Results
Carmella b. Natalya – Small package
Zack Ryder won a battle royal last eliminating Konor
Becky Lynch b. Alexa Bliss via countout
Dolph Ziggler b. Luke Harper, Dean Ambrose and the Miz – Superkick to Ambrose
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book, KB’s Complete Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Volume V at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
Monday Night Raw – December 12, 2016: New Day Still Rocks
Monday Night Raw Date: December 12, 2016
Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves
It’s the go home show for Roadblock: End of the Line (because there were NO OTHER NAMES FOR A PAY PER VIEW BESIDES ROADBLOCK so they had to use the name twice) but we’ve got two big deals to get through before the pay per view. Tonight we have the long awaited debut of the made over Emmalina as well as New Day trying to extend their Tag Team Title reign one more day in the hopes of matching Demolition’s all time record. Let’s get to it.
Opening sequence.
Tag Team Titles: New Day vs. Anderson and Gallows vs. Cesaro/Sheamus
New Day is defending and if they keep the titles, they tie the record for the longest Tag Team Title reign in WWE history. Woods talks about how this is their chance to elevate every New Day fan ever, along with Woods’ grandma. However, Xavier doesn’t get the idea of one more triple threat. Kofi says New Day IS the triple threat with Woods as the brain, Kofi as the handsome finesse and Big E. as the big, thick, meaty third leg.
Kofi and Cesaro start things off and the spinning high crossbody gives Kingston an early two. A dropkick sends Sheamus into the corner so the champs can run him over for two. Anderson and Gallows get to take over on Kofi and it’s off to a break. Back with Big E. down and Anderson and Gallows hitting something like a running Demolition Decapitator (nice touch) for two on Kofi. Sheamus tags himself in and starts cleaning house with the Philadelphia fans getting way into the ten forearms to the chest.
Big E. dives in to save the cover but gets an Irish Curse for his efforts. The Boot of Doom gets two on Sheamus with Cesaro making the save this time. That’s enough for the hot tag to Cesaro, who busts out all of his favorites, capped off with a high crossbody for two on Karl. Anderson gets caught in the Swing into the Sharpshooter but Big E. makes the save, only to have Cesaro hurricanrana his way out of a powerbomb. A Hart Atack with a Brogue Kick drops Anderson but Kofi runs in with Trouble in Paradise to pin Sheamus at 11:57.
Rating: B. I find it interesting that New Day won this clean instead of doing a heel turn, or really anything heelish for that matter. Of course there’s always the chance that something is done later in the night to screw this up but for now, that’s one of the unbreakable record that I never would have expected to be broken coming down.
The place goes NUTS for the record as New Day celebrates.
Back from a break with New Day arriving at their celebration party. After we stop to hug Stephanie, champagne is poured and goes right into Stephanie’s eyes. She throws the big bowl of BootyO’s everywhere and storms off because we haven’t had enough Stephanie moments lately. We just saw (what should have been) one of the longest, most untouchable records in WWE history matched and broken but no, because WE NEED A STEPHANIE STORY!
We look back at Sami Zayn/Braun Strowman/Mick Foley’s issues over the last few weeks. Sami has said he wants a match with Strowman “or else”.
Back with Stephanie all covered in champagne (because we’re supposed to believe that the smartest, most amazing woman that ever lived didn’t realize that she might get covered with champagne in a celebration INVOLVING CHAMPAGNE BEING SPRAYED EVERYWHERE) when Owens comes in to ask for a yet to be determined favor.
Braun Strowman vs. Curtis Axel
Splash, torture rack, wheelbarrow slam, Braun wins at 1:14.
Braun says Foley is protecting Sami because Sami can’t last two minutes against him. Foley is watching from the back when Sami comes in to demand the match on Sunday. No one saved Foley and Mick wouldn’t be where he is now if someone did. Mick says he’ll put Sami up against anyone on the roster but Strowman. That’s interpreted as Foley believing Sami can’t do it so Sami says if Mick won’t give him the opportunity, then maybe he doesn’t need to be on Raw anymore. Foley says he’ll call Daniel Bryan and work out a trade.
Ariya Daivari vs. Lince Dorado
Daivari knocks him to the floor to start but here’s Jack Gallagher to interfere. Gallagher has a mic though and actually announces his intentions to interfere in this match (because it would be ungentlemanly to not announce it in advance) because Daivari is a right scoundrel who deserves a proper thrashing. Jack officially comes in for the DQ at 2:37.
It’s time for Seth Rollins with the Rollins Report. After saying he wants HHH again, Rollins wants to know if Kevin Owens will be in Chris Jericho’s corner this Sunday so he brings out Owens as his guest. Owens comes to the stage….and sits on his own stool. Seth asks about the friendship with Jericho so Owens says they’ll have each others backs. As for tonight though, Owens will be teaming with Jericho against New Day for the Tag Team Titles.
Cue Jericho to say he thinks Owens is nuts. Owens loves the idea of stopping New Day’s bid for the record but Rollins suggests that Owens is trying to order Jericho around. Rollins calls Jericho sparkle crotch and that means HE……is going to make Jericho drop his pen. He’s going to put Rollins on the disabled list instead. The Canadians head to the ring and beat Seth down. Reigns comes out for the WAY too late save and the Canadians bail.
Rich Swann recaps the incident on 205 Live that set up Sunday’s Cruiserweight Title triple threat. Brian Kendrick comes in and threatens to stab Swann in the back. TJ Perkins comes in to laugh at Kendrick and it’s time for a match.
TJ Perkins vs. Brian Kendrick
An early wristlock doesn’t get Kendrick very far and he has to bail from the kneebar. The Wrecking Ball dropkick knocks Brian outside and we take a break. Back with Perkins hitting a jumping spin kick to the head and a springboard missile dropkick for two. The Captain’s Hook is countered into the kneebar so Kendrick dives over to the ropes. Back up and Sliced Bread #2 gives Kendrick the pin at 8:24.
Rating: C-. So flash back to any time these two have fought in the last few months and update the details as necessary. This wasn’t interesting because neither of the wrestlers are interesting. The triple threat has some potential but for the life of me I never need to see these two fight again.
Foley adds Rollins/Reigns to the Tag Team Title match because it’s Philadelphia and we need another three way dance.
Charlotte and Sasha Banks will have no rematch after Sunday.
Video on Sasha vs. Charlotte.
Bayley vs. Alicia Fox
This is over a destroyed Bayley Bear. Bayley rides her to the mat to start and rides Fox for a bit, earning some HEY WE WANT SOME BAYLEY chants. The ax kick gets two for Fox but she spends too much time talking trash and walks into the Bayley to Belly for the pin at 2:45.
Here are Lana and Rusev to make fun of Enzo Amore. They’ve got some footage of what happened after the doors closed last week and of course we don’t get to see it. They make some more fun of Enzo until Big Cass comes out to brawl. Rusev and Lana bail, likely setting up a match on Sunday.
Jericho suggests that winning the Tag Team Titles might help his friendship with Owens.
Emmalina’s debut is postponed.
Sami Zayn vs. Jinder Mahal
Sami dropkicks him to start but gets kneed in the face to give Jinder what is likely a short term advantage. The chinlock keeps Sami down until the exploder and Helluva Kick give him the pin at 3:20.
Rating: D+. This was just a way to possibly write Sami off Raw, assuming they send Sami over to Smackdown like he should have been in the first place. Mahal is fine for a spot like this, though I find it hard to believe that this match was already set up coming into tonight’s show. Granted I can live with this though because IT’S NOT MAHAL VS. DARREN YOUNG!!!
Post match Mick comes out to say that Sami will be traded to Smackdown for a talent to be named. All he has to do is sign the deal, but first Mick offers to tell him who the talent will be. The official offer will be Sami for……Eva Marie. Sami goes nuts because he’s worth 100 Eva Marie’s and he’s tired of making up for Foley’s mistakes. He actually grabs Mick’s shirt and shoves him away because he wants Strowman so badly.
Foley agrees to make the match for Roadblock but says Sami better have the anger ready. There was never any trade proposed (the paper was blank) because Foley wouldn’t trade him. The only catch is there’s a ten minute time limit (earlier tonight Braun said Sami couldn’t last two minutes) because that’s all Mick is willing to risk Sami’s health.
Video on John Cena hosting Saturday Night Live.
Recap of New Day’s night.
Tag Team Titles: Seth Rollins/Roman Reigns vs. Chris Jericho/Kevin Owens vs. New Day
New Day is defending and has the chance to surpass Demolition’s record reign. Again. Woods and Rollins start things off with a Sling Blade dropping Xavier. It’s off to Reigns vs. Big E. with E.’s spear being blocked by a raised knee. Jericho gets smart by tagging himself in to take over on Big E., including a top rope back elbow to the jaw. Owens and Big E. are both dropped by a double clothesline so it’s back to Woods.
Xavier is taken to the top and it’s almost a double Canadian superplex, only to have everyone else get involved for the super Tower of Doom to send us to a break. Back with Owens holding Woods in a chinlock until he misses the backsplash. The hot tag brings in Big E. to clean house with the belly to belly suplexes. We hit the hip swivel and the Warrior splash crushes Jericho, only to have Seth tag himself in. Everything breaks down again and Seth suicide dives onto Chris.
Another one takes out Big E., followed by a third to get rid of Kofi and Big E. at the same time. Jericho’s Codebreaker to Reigns is countered into a sitout powerbomb for a hot two. The Superman Punch nails Owens and Jericho rolls Reigns up for an even hotter near fall. Woods makes a blind tag and hits his really long top rope elbow for two on Roman. A knee to the face drops Woods but Rollins superkicks Owens to the floor.
Jericho crotches Rollins on top and Owens adds a Cannonball. The Lionsault gets two on Woods (I bought it for a second) and it’s off to the Walls to put Xavier in even more trouble. Woods turns it over and small packages him for two but he walks into a Pop Up Codebreaker. Rollins dives in for the save by shoving Owens into Jericho to break up the pin (smart). That means CANADIAN ARGUING, leaving Rollins to Pedigree Jericho. Big E. pulls Seth to the floor and Woods covers to retain at 20:23.
Rating: B+. This whole match is summed up with one line: New Day retained. That’s the only logical way to end this and it’s all that matters in the grand scheme of things. Now what makes it even better is they had some outstanding near falls and false finishes. New Day breaking the record makes the most sense and that’s what matters, no matter how you look at it.
Post match Owens and Jericho yell at each other with Chris saying they’re done. Jericho leaves and tells Owens to turn around, allowing Reigns to spear him to end the show.
Overall Rating: B+. It really is amazing how well something can work when you tease a bad ending and then do the smart thing to send the fans home happy. I really liked the show this week as Raw has found a bit better balance. New Day retaining in two very good matches is the right way to go about things and the show was a lot of fun as a result. I don’t really care about Roadblock but at least we had a great go home show.
Results
New Day b. Cesaro/Sheamus and Anderson and Gallows – Trouble in Paradise to Sheamus
Braun Strowman b. Curtis Axel – Wheelbarrow slam
Ariya Daivari b. Lince Dorado via DQ when Jack Gallagher interfered
Brian Kendrick b. TJ Perkins – Sliced Bread #2
Bayley b. Alicia Fox – Bayley to Belly
Sami Zayn b. Jinder Mahal – Helluva Kick
New Day b. Roman Reigns/Seth Rollins and Chris Jericho/Kevin Owens – Pedigree to Jericho
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book, KB’s Complete Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Volume V at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
205 Live – December 6, 2016: How Appropriate That I Forgot to Post This
205 Live Date: December 6, 2016
Location: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Corey Graves, Austin Aries
It’s the second week of the show after a pretty strong debut episode. The main event is the same as it was last week with Rich Swann facing Brian Kendrick for the Cruiserweight Title, though time it’s Swann putting the title on the line. Other than that it’s hard to say what we’ll be getting but some more debuts are likely. Let’s get to it.
Rich Swann talks about his family passing away, leaving him with only wrestling. It took him a long time to get here but now he’s crusierweight champion. That’s a simple story but it works no matter how many times it’s done.
Opening sequence.
Noam Dar vs. Cedric Alexander
Before the match, Alexander gets a kiss on the cheek from Alicia Fox. They get technical to start with Dar working on an armbar until a dropkick puts him on the floor. Back in and Dar stays on the arm while driving his knuckles into Cedric’s shoulder. They’re sticking with a basic story so far and that’s a good idea.
Speaking of telling a story, it’s really kind of amazing how different the commentary here is. You have the announcers talking about how Alexander has good genetics and Dar is more about strategy with Aries getting himself over as a huge heel who could take this show by storm once he’s healthy. In other words: it sounds like wrestling commentary instead of the usual WWE nonsense.
The arm work continues with Aries talking about how hard it is to wrestle without one limb, “unless you’re Zack Gowen of course.” Alexander fights back with the good arm and a springboard crossbody gets two. Dar kicks him square in the arm and grabs a Fujiwara armbar. The rope is grabbed of course so Dar kicks him in the face for the pin at 10:29.
Rating: C. The arm work here was fine for a story and the match was perfectly watchable. I’m not sure about having Alexander lose here but Dar could be a valuable asset for the division going forward. Cedric is already over with the audience but the Fox thing feels a little forced. Maybe it’ll be ok going forward though.
Post match Dar dedicates the win to Fox, meaning we have a heel turn and a likely rematch.
Mustafa Ali video.
TJ Perkins wishes Swann luck but suggests that it was the same luck that gave Swann the win last night.
Ariya Daivari vs. Jack Gallagher
Rematch from last night with Jack coming in with a limp due to Daivari’s post match attack. They shake hands to start though Jack isn’t convinced. So he’s smart and gallant. Daivari works on a leglock to start so Jack does some rapid fire kicks to the leg (from his back of course) and grabs one of his own.
It’s right back to Gallagher’s knee with the leg going into the LED board (because that’s what wrestling rings are made of these days) and then the LED post (because….well you get the idea). A leglock keeps Jack in trouble until he remembers that he’s Jack Gallagher and spins out. The big headbutt to the chest gets two but another kick to the knee drops Jack again. A frog splash puts Gallagher away at 6:30.
Rating: C+. This was only a little better than the opener but it didn’t have the same spirit to the previous Gallagher matches. It’s almost like taking away his speed and athleticism via a knee injury is a really bad idea. On top of that, Daivari might as well be wearing a VILLAIN shirt so he’s only going to get so far.
Lince Dorado video.
TJ Perkins comes out for commentary on the main event.
Brian Kendrick says he’s ready this week because a lot of the stress is gone. He’s dedicating his win to himself.
Cruiserweight Title: Rich Swann vs. Brian Kendrick
Swann is defending. Perkins and Aries bicker to start as Kendrick works on the arm. A loud dropkick gives the champ two as it seems they have a lot of time to work with here. Brian bails to the floor but catches Rich with Sliced Bread on the outside. That means a banged up knee though as we combine the first two matches’ stories into one main event.
Back in and a dragon suplex sets up the Captain’s Hook. Swann isn’t about to tap to a chinlock though so he grabs the rope and completely misses the spinning kick in the corner. Thankfully Kendrick falls outside from the collision instead of the kick, allowing Swann to hit a corkscrew dive.
Not that it matters as the fans are cheering for Aries. Swann’s standing 450 (Why does that have to be in the corner?) is countered into a rollup for two and they both go down from kicks to the head. The Captain’s Hook is countered again as Ranallo tries to figure out how to counter the hold. Dude it’s a chinlock. Stop acting like it’s an Inverted Chikara Special.
A long Captain’s Hook stays on the neck until Swann makes the ropes again (of course). Kendrick knocks him off the apron and out to the floor, only to have Swann send Brian into Perkins. The distraction is enough for Swann to nail the spinning kick to the head for the pin at 12:37.
Rating: B-. Good but nowhere near as good as what they did last week. That being said this was more about setting up something with Perkins involved, which is a better idea from a storytelling perspective. Swann winning clean via pin is a good idea too as you don’t want him winning off a countout or something like that, especially this early in his reign.
Post match, Kendrick goes after Perkins and Swann inadvertently collides with TJ to end the show.
Overall Rating: C+. And that might be about it for my interest in 205 Live. The wrestling was fine, the storytelling was fine and that’s the only word to describe the whole thing: fine. There’s nothing on here that makes me feel like I need to see this again and that’s not good for a recurring series. It’s fine at the start but this feels like a show that doesn’t have the longest lifespan and that’s a problem two weeks in.
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book, KB’s Complete Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Volume V at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
Main Event Date: December 9, 2016
Location: Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton
We’ve had a steady schedule for all of a week now so of course it’s time to change again. This show is now being released on Fridays on Hulu and will be available online a day or so later. If nothing else it’s kind of nice to wait a little bit instead of having the show airing just a day or two after Smackdown. Let’s get to it.
Opening sequence.
Darren Young vs. Jinder Mahal
…..no. No no, no no no. NO! How many times can they possibly do THIS SAME MATCH??? Young wristlocks him down to start and we hit the mat with a headlock takeover. Jinder goes after the knee to take over but some cannonballs down onto the leg only get him kicked out to the floor. The Gut Check is broken up but a second attempt is enough to put Mahal away at 5:00.
Rating: D+. Just a simple match but the repetitive nature is just killing the thing. I have no idea who is loving these matches so much but I really question their taste in wrestling. Just find something new already because, even though not a lot of people are watching, these shows have an audience and they deserve a bit more respect.
Back to Raw.
It’s time for the big ending with Charlotte (who has accepted the Iron Man challenge) apologizing to her dad. We see her yelling at Flair (that makes three times tonight) but it was even harder to see Flair raise Sasha’s hand last week. Charlotte says no one can imagine how hard it is to be Ric’s daughter because of how big his legacy really is.
Then last week she saw her dad raise Sasha’s hand and she knew she had failed as his daughter. Flair comes out and hugs her but, of course (that’s a trend tonight) she slaps him in the face. Cue Sasha but Charlotte Alley Oops her face first into the post. Charlotte mocks Flair crying and walks away to end the show.
From Raw again.
Anderson and Gallows vs. Cesaro/Sheamus
The winners get New Day, at ringside here, next week for the titles. Anderson and Gallows go outside and get in New Day’s face to start but the Europeans run them over, sending the cereal flying. Back from a break with Cesaro fighting out of Anderson’s chinlock and escaping the Magic Killer with some help from Sheamus. The hot tag brings Sheamus in for the ten forearms to the chest but everyone winds up on the floor for the brawl with New Day and that’s a no contest at 9:58.
Rating: C. This was fine though the triple threat for next week was obvious. I’m really not sure who wins the thing but it’s a cool feeling to have a match where I don’t know the ending. The match should be fun and I really could see it going either way. This match was just a means to an end and that’s fine.
Bo Dallas vs. Sin Cara
Another rematch. Cara starts fast by knocking him outside for a suicide dive. Back in and Bo runs the masked one over and implores that we Bo-lieve in him. Cara’s moonsault seems to hit knees and he sends Bo into the ropes while trying to throw Dallas outside. We take a break and come back with Cara failing to suplex Bo out to the floor.
Dallas’ belly to back suplex does work but Cara throws him into the ropes for another crash. A Lionsault press gets two for Cara and a middle rope Regal Roll gets the same. Cara fires off some knees until the referee pulls him away, allowing Bo to grab a rollup (and maybe some tights) for the pin at 10:40.
Rating: C+. This was much better than I was expecting with both guys actually working a lot harder than you would have guessed. Dallas has a place on the roster but he needs the right character to really pull it off. I mean, he’s beating a main roster guy here but that doesn’t count because Cara is just a lowly cruiserweight and therefore meant to be beaten right?
Back to Raw one last time to wrap things up.
US Title: Chris Jericho vs. Roman Reigns
Roman is defending and is actually driven into the corner to start. The Superman Punch is countered with a dropkick and a clothesline puts the champ on the floor. A big dive to the floor takes Reigns out again and we take a break. Back with Reigns caught in a chinlock for a bit before being tossed out to the floor.
The Lionsault only gets two and the fans are getting WAY into Jericho all over again. A Samoan drop and Superman Punch get two on Jericho and the Codebreaker is countered into a sitout powerbomb. Roman goes shoulder first into the post though and we hit the Walls. As Reigns grabs the rope, cue Owens for a superkick. The Codebreaker gets two on Reigns but the Canadian argument sets up the spear to retain the title at 13:43.
Rating: B. Is there a reason why Reigns needs the US Title? Someone answer that for me. His feud is over the World Title and he doesn’t have a long term challenger but he’s still US Champion with no real prospects for a title feud anytime soon. Jericho vs. Rollins over the US Title could elevate the belt but Reigns is keeping it anyway. I don’t think I need to explain this one being good as Jericho is still on fire.
Overall Rating: C-. Just a show here really and that’s mainly due to how stale Raw feels at the moment. With almost nothing interesting going on Monday nights, it’s kind of hard to get into a recap show with a decent featured match. I’m already missing the old Main Event format and again, that’s just because Raw’s roster isn’t as interesting or entertaining.
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book, KB’s Complete Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Volume V at Amazon for just $3.99 at: