With the fallout of John Cena's actions at Survivor Series still fresh in everyone's minds, people have differing opinions on what will happen in the future.
First off, as much as I wish this weren't so, Cena will continue to appear on TV "without actually being on the roster" or so they will have us believe. If I were fired from my job and started showing up on a weekly basis to stir shit up I'd be arrested for harassment.
It seems WWE can't even act like this is legit and have him off TV for a whole week. He's too big a draw for them I guess. The other question I have is, what the fuck does Barrett owe to Cena? Barrett said on Raw this past week that he "owed it to Cena" to allow him to appear and say goodbye.
Is Barrett thanking him for costing him the world title? Consistently hindering him and Nexus at every opportunity? Being the worst member of Nexus to date? Barrett owed nothing to Cena, and this was very out of character for Barrett.
Cena will somehow find a way back onto the roster in the coming months and we'll be back to where we started. It's worse than a bloody sitcom. What happened last week is suddenly forgotten by the next episode. The same way Kenny never dies, neither will Cena. Although nobody will scream "you bastard!" at the guy that kills Cena.
What I think this whole thing comes down to is money. WWE will see a drop in income if Cena is gone or is heel. He, being their top draw makes them the most money. The problem is, nobody else that I can see has been allowed that same spot as Cena. They didn't build anyone up to replace Cena as the top face and top draw and we are therefore stuck seeing Cena. Orton is close, and if WWE would give him enough of a chance he could pull it off. I'm not saying this will happen overnight (although that would be nice) but Orton can be the top face while Cena becomes a top heel and I believe that that would be the best solution for right now.
That doesn't mean put the belt on Cena again, because that would be more of the same again. Top people don't need titles. It seems that the main event is very narrow and constantly focused on the WWE Title. This is why there aren't more main eventers. The title picture -- which is where WWE seems to think every main event superstar should be -- isn't big enough for more than 4 people at any time. Titles aren't the only thing to feud over and the sooner Creative understands that, the better.
Survivor Series was a missed opportunity to do something big. Hell, I think anything would have been better than what happened. Cena could have turned heel, Cena could have turned on Barrett after letting him win. The list goes on. I'm working on the basis that no matter what would happen, Cena wouldn't be off TV at all.
On another note, it appears that certain things are just cast aside without explanation. Take for example, the "real reason Nexus helped Kane win at Bragging Rights" that Otunga was talking about way back when. Will we ever know that reason?
There are other unanswered questions but suffice it to say that WWE will never give us the logic that we as fans deserve.
November 27, 2010
November 24, 2010
Squash matches: what is the point?
I've mentioned my hatred of squash matches several times during my posts and I think I owe you all an explanation.
I fully understand the intent of squash matches. I know they are designed to make a star appear dominant.
I understand that top stars need to look dominant in order to be taken seriously as top contenders. Here's where my problem begins. Credibility. For every match someone wins, someone has to lose. In my eyes, a squash match doesn't make the winner look more dominant, it makes the loser look weak. The loser of this squash match may receive a push in the future, and if they continually do the job for other stars it's hard to take them seriously again when they start winning.
I know that doesn't happen that often but I like to hope that WWE will come to their senses and push those that truly deserve it.
If someone is going to lose, I would rather see a hard-fought victory that actually seems like it took effort. I think those wins mean more to a stars credibility if they can be in these tough matches and still come out on top. I like to see people work to be the best.
I think the other factor is that the star is automatically assumed to be at a higher level than his opponent. You don't look strong by beating those weaker than you. To be seen as powerful, you need to face those at your own level and do well at it.
I don't like seeing someone lose for no good reason. Perfect example of this is Kaval. He won his first match on SD this past week where WWE could have been building him up to look like a serious contender for Dolph Ziggler's title. Instead he looks like some cocky ass who thinks "hey, I won one match and now I deserve a title shot."
Yes Kaval is great in the ring but that doesn't change the way that this storyline came across to me. Yes he did earn the title shot by winning NXT, but he chose to use it after winning a single match on Smackdown. That's the part that bothered me. Granted, I did watch Kaval's matches intently hoping that each week would be the week he finally did win.
This is all perception and I'm not asking anyone to agree. Say whatever you want about squash matches, but I feel that they are a mistake and should be done away with.
I fully understand the intent of squash matches. I know they are designed to make a star appear dominant.
I understand that top stars need to look dominant in order to be taken seriously as top contenders. Here's where my problem begins. Credibility. For every match someone wins, someone has to lose. In my eyes, a squash match doesn't make the winner look more dominant, it makes the loser look weak. The loser of this squash match may receive a push in the future, and if they continually do the job for other stars it's hard to take them seriously again when they start winning.
I know that doesn't happen that often but I like to hope that WWE will come to their senses and push those that truly deserve it.
If someone is going to lose, I would rather see a hard-fought victory that actually seems like it took effort. I think those wins mean more to a stars credibility if they can be in these tough matches and still come out on top. I like to see people work to be the best.
I think the other factor is that the star is automatically assumed to be at a higher level than his opponent. You don't look strong by beating those weaker than you. To be seen as powerful, you need to face those at your own level and do well at it.
I don't like seeing someone lose for no good reason. Perfect example of this is Kaval. He won his first match on SD this past week where WWE could have been building him up to look like a serious contender for Dolph Ziggler's title. Instead he looks like some cocky ass who thinks "hey, I won one match and now I deserve a title shot."
Yes Kaval is great in the ring but that doesn't change the way that this storyline came across to me. Yes he did earn the title shot by winning NXT, but he chose to use it after winning a single match on Smackdown. That's the part that bothered me. Granted, I did watch Kaval's matches intently hoping that each week would be the week he finally did win.
This is all perception and I'm not asking anyone to agree. Say whatever you want about squash matches, but I feel that they are a mistake and should be done away with.
Monday Night Raw Review: Nov. 22/10
Hot off the heels of a decent Survivor Series, it's time for Monday Night Raw.
Nexus hits the ring after an intro package talking about Cena's actions.
Barrett says that Cena looked him in the eye and told him that he knew exactly what he was doing. That means 2 things. 1, he was willing to sacrifice his entire career for what he felt was right. 2, Barrett didn't have a fighting chance because Cena was never going to let him win.
He says that that's unfair. No referee is allowed to put his hands on a wrestler. Cena did just that. He pushed Barrett into an RKO. Barrett wants a rematch, this time with a neutral ref.
Email. The GM agrees that there is some truth to what Barrett has said. Therefore, Barrett gets his rematch tonight.
Barrett thanks the GM for the match and says he's allowed Cena to appear here tonight. He feels he owes it to Cena. Bullshit.
Cole stands up and introduces the newest member of the Raw announce team, CM Punk. I like him on commentary. Too bad this means he's out of the ring for a while.
Match 1: Sheamus vs.R Truth
This is a King of the Ring qualifying match.
Sheamus wins after a High Cross.
Rating: 6/10. The right man won, but I think it could have been better.
LayCool is trying to get into the arena. The dude with the clipboard tells them that the entrance is for Raw superstars only. He says sorry, not on the list. Apparently LayCool is going to cause him so much trouble. Natalya is here now. Dude asks if she knows LayCool. Natalya says she's never seen them before. They get locked outside.
Santino talking to Kozlov. Santino says they were so close to winning (were they watching the same match I was?). Kozlov says tomorrow is a new day, and they'll win next time. But what if tomorrow doesn't come? Tomorrow isn't guaranteed. Is there anything that can make him feel better?
Tamina is playing him a love song on the ukulele. Full on kiss now that leaves Santino speechless.
Josh Matthews bothers Randy Orton in his locker room. Orton basically commends Cena for doing what was right and how much he respects Cena. As for his rematch tonight, Barrett won't leave the arena as the champion.
Match 2: Ezekiel Jackson vs. Alex Riley
Another KoTR qualifier. It was supposed to be Zeke vs. Miz, but Mr. Mizanin is suffering from an anxiety attack. Miz has authorized Riley to qualify for him.
Ezekiel Jackson wins after hitting the Book of Ezekiel on Riley.
Rating: 5/10. Meh. Truth be told if I didn't know what happened later in the show I'd say we got ripped off but Jackson works.
We have Cena's farewell address now.
He just drones on for a while. I'll spare you the details. The only thing I like is that he's self aware enough to know he gets as much heat as he does cheers. That and he called himself an idiot.
Orton hugs Cena before he walks out of the arena.
Goodbye Cena. I won't be missing you. Now where did I put my corkscrew? I've got a bottle of champagne that needs opening.
Match 3: Ted DiBiase vs. Bryan Danielson
Brie (Nikki?) Bella comes out and leads Danielson to the ring. Lol at Punk calling Maryse "Maurice." Good times.
A bit of back and forth before Danielson locks in the LeBell Lock and DiBiase taps.
Rating: 6/10. Far too short. I wanted to see a LOT more from these two.
Match 4: Natalya vs. Alicia Fox
Alicia does not look good as a blond but that's beside the point.
Sharpshooter in the middle of the ring and Alicia is forced to tap.
Rating: 6/10. For a divas match this was alright. Glad to see Natalya winning.
Melina wishes Morrison luck before his match which is next. Before he leaves, she smacks his ass.
Match 5: Morrison vs. Tyson Kidd
Starship Pain by Morrison and he picks up the victory.
Rating: 6/10. It was decent and Morrison looked good, but it was a little short. For two fairly athletic and agile guys, there could have been a lot more action.
Match 6: Orton vs. Barrett, WWE Championship
Before Orton even makes it to the ring, Nexus beats him down. He does eventually make it to the ring and the match starts.
Both men are getting some shots in before Cena comes in and ruins it by attacking Barrett. Of course he pulled the ref out of the ring to stop the pin count as well.
Here comes Nexus, thank God. they take care of Cena and the match continues. Barrett walks right into an RKO and Orton retains.
Rating: 4/10. We got ripped off here. Cena should not have been involved. On a related note, shouldn't the ref have called the match as soon as he came to after Cena pulled him out?
Here comes Miz.... and he's cashing in!!!
Match 7: Miz vs. Orton, Miz cashes in
Orton still limping and the men take a bit of time before Miz takes the first shot. Some great back and forth action. Orton with a big powerslam and he starts hunting for the RKO. Epic counter into the Skullcrushing Finale. MIZ WINS! MIZ WINS! MIZ WINS!
Rating: 8/10. Great work from both guys. Jakob I know you're bitching about this but quite frankly, it's what heels do. They take opportunities like this. Get used to it.
Average Match Rating: 5.9/10 (+0.3)
Match of the Night: Miz vs. Orton
Overall Show Rating: 8.5/10 (+0.5)
Magic 8-Ball:
All Hail King Sheamus
The Age of Awesome will not end any time soon
Natalya vs. Beth is impending
That's it for this edition of Raw. Next week will be my coverage of the KoTR 3 hour Raw. I'll have my rant on squash matches up sometime tomorrow night.
Nexus hits the ring after an intro package talking about Cena's actions.
Barrett says that Cena looked him in the eye and told him that he knew exactly what he was doing. That means 2 things. 1, he was willing to sacrifice his entire career for what he felt was right. 2, Barrett didn't have a fighting chance because Cena was never going to let him win.
He says that that's unfair. No referee is allowed to put his hands on a wrestler. Cena did just that. He pushed Barrett into an RKO. Barrett wants a rematch, this time with a neutral ref.
Email. The GM agrees that there is some truth to what Barrett has said. Therefore, Barrett gets his rematch tonight.
Barrett thanks the GM for the match and says he's allowed Cena to appear here tonight. He feels he owes it to Cena. Bullshit.
Cole stands up and introduces the newest member of the Raw announce team, CM Punk. I like him on commentary. Too bad this means he's out of the ring for a while.
Match 1: Sheamus vs.R Truth
This is a King of the Ring qualifying match.
Sheamus wins after a High Cross.
Rating: 6/10. The right man won, but I think it could have been better.
LayCool is trying to get into the arena. The dude with the clipboard tells them that the entrance is for Raw superstars only. He says sorry, not on the list. Apparently LayCool is going to cause him so much trouble. Natalya is here now. Dude asks if she knows LayCool. Natalya says she's never seen them before. They get locked outside.
Santino talking to Kozlov. Santino says they were so close to winning (were they watching the same match I was?). Kozlov says tomorrow is a new day, and they'll win next time. But what if tomorrow doesn't come? Tomorrow isn't guaranteed. Is there anything that can make him feel better?
Tamina is playing him a love song on the ukulele. Full on kiss now that leaves Santino speechless.
Josh Matthews bothers Randy Orton in his locker room. Orton basically commends Cena for doing what was right and how much he respects Cena. As for his rematch tonight, Barrett won't leave the arena as the champion.
Match 2: Ezekiel Jackson vs. Alex Riley
Another KoTR qualifier. It was supposed to be Zeke vs. Miz, but Mr. Mizanin is suffering from an anxiety attack. Miz has authorized Riley to qualify for him.
Ezekiel Jackson wins after hitting the Book of Ezekiel on Riley.
Rating: 5/10. Meh. Truth be told if I didn't know what happened later in the show I'd say we got ripped off but Jackson works.
We have Cena's farewell address now.
He just drones on for a while. I'll spare you the details. The only thing I like is that he's self aware enough to know he gets as much heat as he does cheers. That and he called himself an idiot.
Orton hugs Cena before he walks out of the arena.
Goodbye Cena. I won't be missing you. Now where did I put my corkscrew? I've got a bottle of champagne that needs opening.
Match 3: Ted DiBiase vs. Bryan Danielson
Brie (Nikki?) Bella comes out and leads Danielson to the ring. Lol at Punk calling Maryse "Maurice." Good times.
A bit of back and forth before Danielson locks in the LeBell Lock and DiBiase taps.
Rating: 6/10. Far too short. I wanted to see a LOT more from these two.
Match 4: Natalya vs. Alicia Fox
Alicia does not look good as a blond but that's beside the point.
Sharpshooter in the middle of the ring and Alicia is forced to tap.
Rating: 6/10. For a divas match this was alright. Glad to see Natalya winning.
Melina wishes Morrison luck before his match which is next. Before he leaves, she smacks his ass.
Match 5: Morrison vs. Tyson Kidd
Starship Pain by Morrison and he picks up the victory.
Rating: 6/10. It was decent and Morrison looked good, but it was a little short. For two fairly athletic and agile guys, there could have been a lot more action.
Match 6: Orton vs. Barrett, WWE Championship
Before Orton even makes it to the ring, Nexus beats him down. He does eventually make it to the ring and the match starts.
Both men are getting some shots in before Cena comes in and ruins it by attacking Barrett. Of course he pulled the ref out of the ring to stop the pin count as well.
Here comes Nexus, thank God. they take care of Cena and the match continues. Barrett walks right into an RKO and Orton retains.
Rating: 4/10. We got ripped off here. Cena should not have been involved. On a related note, shouldn't the ref have called the match as soon as he came to after Cena pulled him out?
Here comes Miz.... and he's cashing in!!!
Match 7: Miz vs. Orton, Miz cashes in
Orton still limping and the men take a bit of time before Miz takes the first shot. Some great back and forth action. Orton with a big powerslam and he starts hunting for the RKO. Epic counter into the Skullcrushing Finale. MIZ WINS! MIZ WINS! MIZ WINS!
Rating: 8/10. Great work from both guys. Jakob I know you're bitching about this but quite frankly, it's what heels do. They take opportunities like this. Get used to it.
Average Match Rating: 5.9/10 (+0.3)
Match of the Night: Miz vs. Orton
Overall Show Rating: 8.5/10 (+0.5)
Magic 8-Ball:
All Hail King Sheamus
The Age of Awesome will not end any time soon
Natalya vs. Beth is impending
That's it for this edition of Raw. Next week will be my coverage of the KoTR 3 hour Raw. I'll have my rant on squash matches up sometime tomorrow night.
November 23, 2010
Survivor Series Thoughts
I came in part way through the Kaval/Ziggler match so I can't say anything about the first 2 matches.
Kaval/Ziggler was well done by both men. I don't see a reason for Kaval not to win, but I'll save my final verdict for Friday when I see the fallout on SD.
The tag match was kinda sloppy but it had a few good spots. I'm not overly a fan of these large tag matches but it was fun to watch. I was hoping Del Rio would come back claiming he wasn't eliminated and then toss Rey and Show out. Oh well, alright match aside from team Rey winning.
On a side note, remember when the teams would have names aside from "Team [captain's name]"? I miss that. I really do. It adds to the hype which is never bad, especially if it's a traditional match.
LayCool vs. Natalya, I was expecting the obvious. Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised. Natalya looked great and McCool lost. Usually we see McCool run off and let Layla take the pounding but it's good to see McCool get it for once. Granted she never had any claim to the title at all because it was Layla who won the title originally
With Beth Phoenix returning after the match, the womens division is looking good. I can only hope it stays that way.
Kane and Edge had a good match but the fucked up finish ruined it. Why couldn't we have a clear winner? Are they just trying to find a way to keep the belt on Kane until Taker gets back? It's bullshit. I'm not complaining about Kane still being champ, I just don't like the reasoning behind it.
The tag title match was far too short and since Santino was goofing around it seemed like he didn't take the match seriously. If they want the titles to have credibility, challengers should take the matches seriously. There is a time and place for joking and it's not in the middle of a title match.
I have to say Orton and Barrett put on a great match. I don't know which I would rather see: Cena being fired or Cena turning heel. The former is what we got, and I have to say I like that he's gone for at least a bit, but a heel turn is badly needed.
Overall PPV Rating: 7.5/10
I'll have my Raw review up soon, and my rant on squash matches in the next day or 2.
Kaval/Ziggler was well done by both men. I don't see a reason for Kaval not to win, but I'll save my final verdict for Friday when I see the fallout on SD.
The tag match was kinda sloppy but it had a few good spots. I'm not overly a fan of these large tag matches but it was fun to watch. I was hoping Del Rio would come back claiming he wasn't eliminated and then toss Rey and Show out. Oh well, alright match aside from team Rey winning.
On a side note, remember when the teams would have names aside from "Team [captain's name]"? I miss that. I really do. It adds to the hype which is never bad, especially if it's a traditional match.
LayCool vs. Natalya, I was expecting the obvious. Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised. Natalya looked great and McCool lost. Usually we see McCool run off and let Layla take the pounding but it's good to see McCool get it for once. Granted she never had any claim to the title at all because it was Layla who won the title originally
With Beth Phoenix returning after the match, the womens division is looking good. I can only hope it stays that way.
Kane and Edge had a good match but the fucked up finish ruined it. Why couldn't we have a clear winner? Are they just trying to find a way to keep the belt on Kane until Taker gets back? It's bullshit. I'm not complaining about Kane still being champ, I just don't like the reasoning behind it.
The tag title match was far too short and since Santino was goofing around it seemed like he didn't take the match seriously. If they want the titles to have credibility, challengers should take the matches seriously. There is a time and place for joking and it's not in the middle of a title match.
I have to say Orton and Barrett put on a great match. I don't know which I would rather see: Cena being fired or Cena turning heel. The former is what we got, and I have to say I like that he's gone for at least a bit, but a heel turn is badly needed.
Overall PPV Rating: 7.5/10
I'll have my Raw review up soon, and my rant on squash matches in the next day or 2.
November 22, 2010
I'm dropping Smackdown from my coverage
I do apologize to you guys for having to do this. I don't consistently have the free time as of right now to keep doing things the way I am. It's been a couple of months since I started writing again, and I think I'm just starting to find the best format or weekly plan. This is what I'll be trying for now.
Monday: PPV recap (if there was one)
Tuesday: Raw review (detailed as always)
Thursday: NXT review
I may do basic SD coverage (ie: quick results) along with my ratings as usual and I'll post random thoughts or rants as I think of them in between reviews.
That said, I'm planning to have my SSeries coverage up tomorrow and my rant on squash matches coming mid week or so.
Thanks for reading and thanks for putting up with me and my lack of direction.
Monday: PPV recap (if there was one)
Tuesday: Raw review (detailed as always)
Thursday: NXT review
I may do basic SD coverage (ie: quick results) along with my ratings as usual and I'll post random thoughts or rants as I think of them in between reviews.
That said, I'm planning to have my SSeries coverage up tomorrow and my rant on squash matches coming mid week or so.
Thanks for reading and thanks for putting up with me and my lack of direction.
November 18, 2010
WWE NXT Review: Nov. 16/10
It's elimination week and I know who I want to see go. Let's get this show on the road.
We start out with the remaining girls in the ring for our first competition. Striker congratulates AJ on winning last week's "how well do you know your pro" competition, which is just about to get underway now. Spoiler much?
Basically, it's like the match game. Question 1: When I first saw my rookie, I thought she was ______ Keep in mind this is PG.
AJ thinks that Primo's answer is that she was underage. Primo in fact wrote: 16 years old
Aksana thinks Goldust said "hot." Goldust said "sexy" which is close enough
Kaitlyn thinks Vickie said she is so much prettier than her. Vickie thought she was a man. If Kaitlyn is a man, I just might be gay
Naomi says Kelly thought she was athletic. She was right. She managed to spell athletic right which is good
Cole is holding up a sign that says "stop the pain"
Question 2: On a scale of 1-5 (1 being terrible and 5 being expert) how would you rate your rookies current in-ring ability.
In reverse order this time starting with Naomi. She says 5. Kelly agrees
Kaitlyn says Vickie thinks she's a 1. Vickie said 3
Aksana says it better be 5. It's a 3 from Goldust
AJ says 4. Primo said 4 as well.
Question 3: Who does your rookie think should be eliminated
AJ says Aksana. So did Primo
Aksana says Kaitlyn. Goldust says AJ
Kaitlyn says Naomi. Wow, Vickie was right
Naomi says Aksana. Kelly said Kaitlyn. I guess she didn't know how to spell Aksana.
Cole says he wants to be eliminated from the show. Same here. Cole needs to go home and stop my pain.
Match 1: Naomi vs. Kaitlyn
Naomi on the top rope. She hits a big splash on Kaitlyn and tries for a pin. Naomi into a sleeper hold. Kaitlyn lifts her up and spins her around into a backbreaker. Naomi kicks out of Kaitlyn's pin attempt. Naomi Irish whips Kaitlyn into the corner. She comes back out and right into Naomi's boot. Naomi picks up the win.
Rating: 6/10. Yeah, this match wasn't too bad. I think this is the best match yet this season.
Vickie is berating Kaitlyn all the way up the ramp.
We're reminded of what happened last week when Goldust was in Naomi's corner for Aksana's match. Aksana tries to apologize to Goldust. She poorly compares their marriage to LOTR. She even brought him gold and black flowers. Aksana says she needs his help for her match against AJ later on. He reluctantly agrees.
Match 2: AJ vs. Aksana
Aksana pulls AJ out of the corner by her foot and pushes her over. Aksana locks in a Mexican Stretch submission hold. Aksana breaks the hold to try for a pin. AJ kicks out and both girls are back on their feet. AJ ducks a clothesline, rebounds off the ropes and tackles Aksana. AJ with several clotheslines and a pin attempt. Aksana kicks out and is in control. She whips AJ into the ropes. AJ rebounds and catches Aksana in a head scissors. Instead fo the Hurricanrana I expected, AJ keeps the head scissors on and wrenches Aksana's arm. Aksana drops to her knees and taps out.
Rating: 7/10. I was impressed that much by these 2. This is the highest rated match of the season so far. Good athleticism from both girls. The submission ending was cool as well. No idea what that hold is called, but it has potential.
The girls are back in the ring for the second competition: Diss the Diva.
AJ is up first. She starts with Aksana. She tapped out. That's it. She says nobody would know Kaitlyn if it wasn't for Vickie. Also she stole a pair of AJ's shoes. Naomi is athletic as hell but her personality is like a leaky faucet.
Will someone please smack Cole?
Aksana's turn. She kicks off with "let me entertainment you" and goes right into the babbling. She says AJ looks like she's 12. That's all I got out of it.
Kaitlyn compares NXT to high school. Aksana is the weird foreign exchange student, Naomi is the jock and AJ is the nerd. That means Kaitlyn is the prom queen. She says that Aksana doesn't even know that USA stands for. Kaitlyn says it stands for U Suck Aksana. That starts a chant. Aksana jumps her. They get split up and she keeps going.
She's about to say something to AJ, but starts with the "you suck Aksana" again.
Naomi's turn. She says Kaitlyn has great legs (I concur). Too bad her wrestling isn't as good as her legs. She now mocks AJ's bouncy personality. She says Aksana is about to be eliminated.
Somewhere along the way, Cole's literally gotten up and started talking to someone in the crowd behind him.
The live crowd is, not surprisingly, the judges. AJ gets a mixed reaction. Heavy boos for Aksana. Naomi gets the best reaction and Kaitlyn gets mostly boos.
Naomi wins. AJ has earned immunity. The pros start deliberating.
Striker asks the pros what they're looking for from the rookies.
Brie says a few things before Nikki cuts her off. She essentially insults the rookies.
Alicia says she feels like an employee at Diva Daycare. She calls herself a piranha.
The girls are lined up outside the ring. The randomizer starts up, and ends on Aksana. She's out. Not shocking. Aksana says it was a mistake after she recovers from her fainting spell. She says she'll be back.
Goldust stops her as she's walking away. He says he has one more thing to say. He wants a divorce. Also not shocking. We have another elimination next week.
That's the end of the show.
Average Match Rating: 6.5/10 (+1.5)
Match of the Night: AJ vs. Aksana
Overall Show Rating: 7/10 (+1)
Magic 8-Ball:
AJ will finally tell Primo about her feelings for him
Naomi will be eliminated
I think that about wraps it up. Saturday is Smackdown Review day, and monday I'll recap the PPV. I'll try to have my feature post on squash matches up early in the week.
We start out with the remaining girls in the ring for our first competition. Striker congratulates AJ on winning last week's "how well do you know your pro" competition, which is just about to get underway now. Spoiler much?
Basically, it's like the match game. Question 1: When I first saw my rookie, I thought she was ______ Keep in mind this is PG.
AJ thinks that Primo's answer is that she was underage. Primo in fact wrote: 16 years old
Aksana thinks Goldust said "hot." Goldust said "sexy" which is close enough
Kaitlyn thinks Vickie said she is so much prettier than her. Vickie thought she was a man. If Kaitlyn is a man, I just might be gay
Naomi says Kelly thought she was athletic. She was right. She managed to spell athletic right which is good
Cole is holding up a sign that says "stop the pain"
Question 2: On a scale of 1-5 (1 being terrible and 5 being expert) how would you rate your rookies current in-ring ability.
In reverse order this time starting with Naomi. She says 5. Kelly agrees
Kaitlyn says Vickie thinks she's a 1. Vickie said 3
Aksana says it better be 5. It's a 3 from Goldust
AJ says 4. Primo said 4 as well.
Question 3: Who does your rookie think should be eliminated
AJ says Aksana. So did Primo
Aksana says Kaitlyn. Goldust says AJ
Kaitlyn says Naomi. Wow, Vickie was right
Naomi says Aksana. Kelly said Kaitlyn. I guess she didn't know how to spell Aksana.
Cole says he wants to be eliminated from the show. Same here. Cole needs to go home and stop my pain.
Match 1: Naomi vs. Kaitlyn
Naomi on the top rope. She hits a big splash on Kaitlyn and tries for a pin. Naomi into a sleeper hold. Kaitlyn lifts her up and spins her around into a backbreaker. Naomi kicks out of Kaitlyn's pin attempt. Naomi Irish whips Kaitlyn into the corner. She comes back out and right into Naomi's boot. Naomi picks up the win.
Rating: 6/10. Yeah, this match wasn't too bad. I think this is the best match yet this season.
Vickie is berating Kaitlyn all the way up the ramp.
We're reminded of what happened last week when Goldust was in Naomi's corner for Aksana's match. Aksana tries to apologize to Goldust. She poorly compares their marriage to LOTR. She even brought him gold and black flowers. Aksana says she needs his help for her match against AJ later on. He reluctantly agrees.
Match 2: AJ vs. Aksana
Aksana pulls AJ out of the corner by her foot and pushes her over. Aksana locks in a Mexican Stretch submission hold. Aksana breaks the hold to try for a pin. AJ kicks out and both girls are back on their feet. AJ ducks a clothesline, rebounds off the ropes and tackles Aksana. AJ with several clotheslines and a pin attempt. Aksana kicks out and is in control. She whips AJ into the ropes. AJ rebounds and catches Aksana in a head scissors. Instead fo the Hurricanrana I expected, AJ keeps the head scissors on and wrenches Aksana's arm. Aksana drops to her knees and taps out.
Rating: 7/10. I was impressed that much by these 2. This is the highest rated match of the season so far. Good athleticism from both girls. The submission ending was cool as well. No idea what that hold is called, but it has potential.
The girls are back in the ring for the second competition: Diss the Diva.
AJ is up first. She starts with Aksana. She tapped out. That's it. She says nobody would know Kaitlyn if it wasn't for Vickie. Also she stole a pair of AJ's shoes. Naomi is athletic as hell but her personality is like a leaky faucet.
Will someone please smack Cole?
Aksana's turn. She kicks off with "let me entertainment you" and goes right into the babbling. She says AJ looks like she's 12. That's all I got out of it.
Kaitlyn compares NXT to high school. Aksana is the weird foreign exchange student, Naomi is the jock and AJ is the nerd. That means Kaitlyn is the prom queen. She says that Aksana doesn't even know that USA stands for. Kaitlyn says it stands for U Suck Aksana. That starts a chant. Aksana jumps her. They get split up and she keeps going.
She's about to say something to AJ, but starts with the "you suck Aksana" again.
Naomi's turn. She says Kaitlyn has great legs (I concur). Too bad her wrestling isn't as good as her legs. She now mocks AJ's bouncy personality. She says Aksana is about to be eliminated.
Somewhere along the way, Cole's literally gotten up and started talking to someone in the crowd behind him.
The live crowd is, not surprisingly, the judges. AJ gets a mixed reaction. Heavy boos for Aksana. Naomi gets the best reaction and Kaitlyn gets mostly boos.
Naomi wins. AJ has earned immunity. The pros start deliberating.
Striker asks the pros what they're looking for from the rookies.
Brie says a few things before Nikki cuts her off. She essentially insults the rookies.
Alicia says she feels like an employee at Diva Daycare. She calls herself a piranha.
The girls are lined up outside the ring. The randomizer starts up, and ends on Aksana. She's out. Not shocking. Aksana says it was a mistake after she recovers from her fainting spell. She says she'll be back.
Goldust stops her as she's walking away. He says he has one more thing to say. He wants a divorce. Also not shocking. We have another elimination next week.
That's the end of the show.
Average Match Rating: 6.5/10 (+1.5)
Match of the Night: AJ vs. Aksana
Overall Show Rating: 7/10 (+1)
Magic 8-Ball:
AJ will finally tell Primo about her feelings for him
Naomi will be eliminated
I think that about wraps it up. Saturday is Smackdown Review day, and monday I'll recap the PPV. I'll try to have my feature post on squash matches up early in the week.
November 17, 2010
Old School Raw Review
So, for this post, I wanted to take the blog old school, but I don't quite know how to do that. So you're stuck with the same new school ACA-CT.
We open Raw with an old school intro. Can someone turn that siren off?
Old school stage which looks pretty cool. Everything is mid 80's-mid 90's era. Dear God what the fuck is Justin Roberts wearing? He introduces "Mean" Gene Okerlund. Gene has his own little interview area set up. He brings out "Cowboy" Bob Orton. He talks a bit about Randy and Survivor Series.
Barrett comes out and says that he doesn't owe anything to the old school. He's where he is because of his own initiative. Here comes Miz now. He talks about cashing in his money in the bank tonight, and how Barrett wouldn't be facing Orton for the title after that, which means Cena will be in Nexus forever.
Cena up on the tron now.Some lip flapping and it ends with Cena and Miz having a match later tonight.
Match 1: Dolph Ziggler vs. Sexual Chocolate
Powerslam by Chocolate. He misses on a pancake splash as Dolph rolls out of the way. Dolph to his feet first and hits the Zig Zag. Chocolate kicks out of Ziggler's pin. Another Zig Zag, another near fall. Ziggler locks in the Sleeper. Chocolate's arm falls and the ref calls the match.
Rating: 7/10. Average match, but Henry was way too slow as always. He has this habit of making any match drag and it bothers me, especially when he's in the ring with someone like Dolph.
Backstage and DH Smith is talking to Tyson Kidd. Smith says that his dad and the Dynamite Kid didn't see eye to eye but they were one of the greatest tag teams ever. Tyson agrees. They run into Tony Atlas who starts rambling about him and Rocky Johnson. Kidd and Smith walk away leaving Atlas babbling.
For some reason Tony rubs WD40 into his arms.
Match 2: Hart Dynasty vs. Nexus (Gabriel and Slater)
Slater and Smith are both trying to make it to their corners. Smith gets to Tyson, who kicks Smith in the head and walks out. Gabriel is tagged in and hits the 450 on a downed Smith.
Rating: 8/10. Excellent work from both teams as always. I'm disappointed that Hart Dynasty has been split up, as they were one of the last real tag teams in WWE. Other than that, it was great.
Gene is backstage with Randy Orton now. Before he can answer Gene's question, Truth cuts him off and starts defending Cena. He says that Cena's going to choose to be free at the PPV and Orton can either fight or just let it happen.
Back from commercials and Justin Roberts introduces the Fink. He introduces the Brooklyn Brawler and Harvey Wippleman. Brawler complains that he didn't get a standing ovation. Brawler issues an open challenge to the new school.
Match 3: Brooklyn Brawler vs. Ezekiel Jackson
Zeke with a chokeslam and the pinfall.
Rating: 4/10. You know my opinion of squash matches.
In the Nexus locker room, Otunga is telling someone to step up and take out R Truth. Barrett comes in and tells Otunga that that someone will be him. Fuck, I thought the old school was devoid of email. King agrees. The GM says Otunga won't be facing Truth because Otunga will be in a special match later. Instead, Barrett will face Truth. Cena walks in and asks for a "thank you" for taking care of Miz (who didn't really need to be taken care of).
Match 4: Cena vs. Miz
Miz says that Cena is wrong in that Cena thinks he won't have any problems if he takes Miz out. But there is a problem. The GM never sanctioned the match, so Miz decides to make a substitution.
Match 4.1: Cena vs. Alex Riley
AA, STF, that's that.
Rating: 4/10. It's Cena, what do you expect?
Miz in the ring now. Orton runs out and gets rid of Miz. HEre comes Nexus. Orton cleans house and stares down Cena. They trade a few punches before the refs break them up. The GM announces that Orton and Cena will be guests on..... Piper's Pit. This will either be really hilarious, or really bad.
The siren is blaring again. I know it's part of the old school thing, but it's annoying me.
Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff in the ring. Volkoff sings the Soviet anthem. Of all the times I didn't want an interruption, Santino gives us one. Although given who's in the ring, it makes sense. Kozlov joins the singing. According to Santino, it was "crushingly terrible." Santino says there's a song he wants everyone to hear.
Holy shit it's the Slickster! Seriously, I did just mark out a bit. Now THAT ladies and gentlemen is how you sing your own entrance music. Take note Truth. Jive Soul Bro FTMFW!
Sheik starts babbling about Hulkamania and USSR #1 and so on.
The Usos interrupt now. Here comes Jimmy Snuka.
Match 5: Santino and Kozlov vs. the Usos (#1 Contender match)
Kozlov with a hot tag to Santino. Santino is on fire as he downs Uso #1 (yeah, I can't tell them apart). Santino with a headbutt on Uso #1 and a pin attempt. Kozlov stops Uso #2 from breaking the pin up. Uso #1 kicks out anyways. Santino ducks Uso #1 and hits the Cobra for the victory.
Rating: 6/10. I think Santino is underrated in the ring. He's not the best by far, but he does deserve some credit. I don't take him and Kozlov seriously as title contenders though.
Sheamus runs in and Brogue Kicks Kozlov. Santino backed into a corner. Sheamus is literally just pushing Santino around. John Morrison to the rescue. Go figure. Morrison finally explains himself saying that Sheamus is a bully. When bullies feel threatened, they back away. Speaking from experience, that's not true.
Match 6: Otunga vs. Kofi Kingston
George Steele is here for some reason. He's eating the turnbuckle. Goody.
Kofi is dominating. Trouble in Paradise and Kofi wins.
Rating: 5/10. Glad Otunga lost. Brings him closer to leaving Nexus. Aside form that this match was a disaster. Why Steele? Seriously, I can't figure it out.
Morrison talking backstage with Arn Anderson and Jerry Briscoe. Sheamus Brogue Kicks Morrison and accepts his challenge to a mach at SSeries.
Aksana is walking around backstage with the $Million Title. HOOOOO!!!! Hacksaw's here. He says Aksana's mom is waiting for her just around the corner. Aksana walks over and she proclaims "mom, you've lost weight." Turns out, it's the American Dream Dusty Rhodes. Someone tosses a net over Aksana. Goldust wrestles the Title away from her. He returns it to Money Inc. DiBiase Sr. goes to give the belt back to Jr. who doesn't want it back. He wants something else that isn't a hand me down. I'd take the $Million Title if it were just handed to me.
Cody Rhodes comes in and talks to his dad and brother. Dusty admits to raising weird kids before breaking into a dance along with Tatanka and Hacksaw. Cue the Ron Simmons "Damn."
Match 7: Barrett vs. Truth
Wasteland by Barrett for the pinfall.
Rating: 6/10. Again, I don't like squash matches, but given who was involved I think it was a good thing for Nexus.
Holy Shit! Chavo Classic along with Alberto Del Rio make their way to the ring. Tito Santana cuts off Rodriguez and introduces Del Rio himself. Del Rio makes a few fat American jokes. Sgt. Slaughter is in the ring now. He calls Del Rio puke. They end up having a match.
Match 8: Slaughter vs. Del Rio
Several cobra clutch attempts fail. Del Rio with a nice kick to Slaughter's head and a pinfall victory.
Rating: 6/10. It was cool to see Slaughter again, but at the same time he didn't need to be in a match.
After the match Del Rio continues to attack Slaughter. This gets broken up by MVP. Maybe MVP is still getting a push....
Dear GOD It's Mae Young. Why won't she die?
I don't know if this is good or bad but here comes LayCool. They make a shit ton of "old" jokes before Mae demands a match with those sluts. Yes, she said sluts. Apparently she also wants the match to be no DQ. She called them bitches as well.
Match 9: Mae Young vs. LayCool
The bell rings and McCool and Layla are trying to decide who's going to fight. A few other divas come out and beat down Layla. They drag her over to Mae who pins her with her foot.
Rating: 2/10. Way to make your top heel divas look like shit. I may not like LayCool but at the same time if they're going to be pushed as the top heels they shouldn't be made to look inferior to someone who is 3x their age.
The Fink introduces our special guest announcer. Good Ol' JR. FUCK YEAH BOOMER SOONER! Are him and Cole wearing the same jacket?
Match 10: Brian Danielson vs. Jack Swagger
Cole getting ignored by King and JR. It's epic.
Swagger in control. Gutwrench powerbomb countered by Danielson. Swagger with a backbreaker instead. Another gutwrench powerbomb counter by Danielson and a nice kick to the head. Danielson picks up the win.
Rating: 8/10. Great work from both men. Would love to see a feud develop here.
After the match Ted DiBiase hits Dream Street on Danielson.
We have all of the legends on the stage now.
Jimmy Snuka
Bob Orton
IRS
Tito Santana
Sgt. Slaughter
Hacksaw
Brooklyn Brawler
Chavo Classic
Gene Okerlund
The Fink
Mae Young
Jerry Briscoe
Ted DiBiase Sr.
Slick
Tatanka
Tony Atlas
Arn Anderson
Ron Simmons
Dusty Rhodes
George Steele
JR
Iron Sheik
Nikolai Volkoff
Here comes Roddy Fucking Piper.
He says that old school isn't about nostalgia or happy feelings, it's about manning up. He talks about smashing Lou Albano with a gold record and smashing Superfly with a coconut. Now, without further ado, it's time for Piper's Pit.
Here comes Cena. I'm so excited. Piper essentially says that Cena's spitting in the face of all the legends by choosing to be free from Nexus.
Cena proceeds to kiss legend ass. Barrett comes out now and says that he doesn't need Cena to help him win but there's a reality Cena needs to face. If Cena doesn't raise Barrett's hand, if Barrett doesn't win the WWE Title, Cena is history.
Piper is getting pissed now. He says that if Barrett has Cena hand him the title, Barrett may have the championship, but he won't be a champion. Barrett forces Cena to put on a Nexus shirt. Barrett talks a little more about the implications this sunday before Orton comes out.
Orton says that ever since last week, he's been trying to put an to everything by kicking Cena in the skull.
Cena calls him out on it. Orton responds by saying he could either go after Cena, or....
He jumps Barrett. He has Barrett down and starts stalking him for an RKO. Small glitch in my feed and Orton tosses Barrett out of the ring. Cena's down as well. Cena avoids a punt and gets Orton with the AA. Afterward Cena looks so upset about it. Barrett gets back into the ring.
He forces Cena to raise his hand. Cena does, but then pulls Barrett in for the AA. Cena standing tall with Piper as the show fades out.
Average match rating: 5.6/10 (-0.1)
Match of the Night: Danielson vs. Swagger
Overall Show Rating: 8/10 (+1)
Magic 8-Ball:
DiBiase is looking to become the US Champion
DH Smith will try to reconcile with Tyson, but Tyson will blow him off
Otunga will be out of Nexus by next week
Cena will sadly still be with us
I think that given my strong dislike of squash matches, I'll rant about them for my next feature post. No promises on when it will be up, but I'll aim for around this time next week. As always regularly scheduled reviews will continue.
We open Raw with an old school intro. Can someone turn that siren off?
Old school stage which looks pretty cool. Everything is mid 80's-mid 90's era. Dear God what the fuck is Justin Roberts wearing? He introduces "Mean" Gene Okerlund. Gene has his own little interview area set up. He brings out "Cowboy" Bob Orton. He talks a bit about Randy and Survivor Series.
Barrett comes out and says that he doesn't owe anything to the old school. He's where he is because of his own initiative. Here comes Miz now. He talks about cashing in his money in the bank tonight, and how Barrett wouldn't be facing Orton for the title after that, which means Cena will be in Nexus forever.
Cena up on the tron now.Some lip flapping and it ends with Cena and Miz having a match later tonight.
Match 1: Dolph Ziggler vs. Sexual Chocolate
Powerslam by Chocolate. He misses on a pancake splash as Dolph rolls out of the way. Dolph to his feet first and hits the Zig Zag. Chocolate kicks out of Ziggler's pin. Another Zig Zag, another near fall. Ziggler locks in the Sleeper. Chocolate's arm falls and the ref calls the match.
Rating: 7/10. Average match, but Henry was way too slow as always. He has this habit of making any match drag and it bothers me, especially when he's in the ring with someone like Dolph.
Backstage and DH Smith is talking to Tyson Kidd. Smith says that his dad and the Dynamite Kid didn't see eye to eye but they were one of the greatest tag teams ever. Tyson agrees. They run into Tony Atlas who starts rambling about him and Rocky Johnson. Kidd and Smith walk away leaving Atlas babbling.
For some reason Tony rubs WD40 into his arms.
Match 2: Hart Dynasty vs. Nexus (Gabriel and Slater)
Slater and Smith are both trying to make it to their corners. Smith gets to Tyson, who kicks Smith in the head and walks out. Gabriel is tagged in and hits the 450 on a downed Smith.
Rating: 8/10. Excellent work from both teams as always. I'm disappointed that Hart Dynasty has been split up, as they were one of the last real tag teams in WWE. Other than that, it was great.
Gene is backstage with Randy Orton now. Before he can answer Gene's question, Truth cuts him off and starts defending Cena. He says that Cena's going to choose to be free at the PPV and Orton can either fight or just let it happen.
Back from commercials and Justin Roberts introduces the Fink. He introduces the Brooklyn Brawler and Harvey Wippleman. Brawler complains that he didn't get a standing ovation. Brawler issues an open challenge to the new school.
Match 3: Brooklyn Brawler vs. Ezekiel Jackson
Zeke with a chokeslam and the pinfall.
Rating: 4/10. You know my opinion of squash matches.
In the Nexus locker room, Otunga is telling someone to step up and take out R Truth. Barrett comes in and tells Otunga that that someone will be him. Fuck, I thought the old school was devoid of email. King agrees. The GM says Otunga won't be facing Truth because Otunga will be in a special match later. Instead, Barrett will face Truth. Cena walks in and asks for a "thank you" for taking care of Miz (who didn't really need to be taken care of).
Match 4: Cena vs. Miz
Miz says that Cena is wrong in that Cena thinks he won't have any problems if he takes Miz out. But there is a problem. The GM never sanctioned the match, so Miz decides to make a substitution.
Match 4.1: Cena vs. Alex Riley
AA, STF, that's that.
Rating: 4/10. It's Cena, what do you expect?
Miz in the ring now. Orton runs out and gets rid of Miz. HEre comes Nexus. Orton cleans house and stares down Cena. They trade a few punches before the refs break them up. The GM announces that Orton and Cena will be guests on..... Piper's Pit. This will either be really hilarious, or really bad.
The siren is blaring again. I know it's part of the old school thing, but it's annoying me.
Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff in the ring. Volkoff sings the Soviet anthem. Of all the times I didn't want an interruption, Santino gives us one. Although given who's in the ring, it makes sense. Kozlov joins the singing. According to Santino, it was "crushingly terrible." Santino says there's a song he wants everyone to hear.
Holy shit it's the Slickster! Seriously, I did just mark out a bit. Now THAT ladies and gentlemen is how you sing your own entrance music. Take note Truth. Jive Soul Bro FTMFW!
Sheik starts babbling about Hulkamania and USSR #1 and so on.
The Usos interrupt now. Here comes Jimmy Snuka.
Match 5: Santino and Kozlov vs. the Usos (#1 Contender match)
Kozlov with a hot tag to Santino. Santino is on fire as he downs Uso #1 (yeah, I can't tell them apart). Santino with a headbutt on Uso #1 and a pin attempt. Kozlov stops Uso #2 from breaking the pin up. Uso #1 kicks out anyways. Santino ducks Uso #1 and hits the Cobra for the victory.
Rating: 6/10. I think Santino is underrated in the ring. He's not the best by far, but he does deserve some credit. I don't take him and Kozlov seriously as title contenders though.
Sheamus runs in and Brogue Kicks Kozlov. Santino backed into a corner. Sheamus is literally just pushing Santino around. John Morrison to the rescue. Go figure. Morrison finally explains himself saying that Sheamus is a bully. When bullies feel threatened, they back away. Speaking from experience, that's not true.
Match 6: Otunga vs. Kofi Kingston
George Steele is here for some reason. He's eating the turnbuckle. Goody.
Kofi is dominating. Trouble in Paradise and Kofi wins.
Rating: 5/10. Glad Otunga lost. Brings him closer to leaving Nexus. Aside form that this match was a disaster. Why Steele? Seriously, I can't figure it out.
Morrison talking backstage with Arn Anderson and Jerry Briscoe. Sheamus Brogue Kicks Morrison and accepts his challenge to a mach at SSeries.
Aksana is walking around backstage with the $Million Title. HOOOOO!!!! Hacksaw's here. He says Aksana's mom is waiting for her just around the corner. Aksana walks over and she proclaims "mom, you've lost weight." Turns out, it's the American Dream Dusty Rhodes. Someone tosses a net over Aksana. Goldust wrestles the Title away from her. He returns it to Money Inc. DiBiase Sr. goes to give the belt back to Jr. who doesn't want it back. He wants something else that isn't a hand me down. I'd take the $Million Title if it were just handed to me.
Cody Rhodes comes in and talks to his dad and brother. Dusty admits to raising weird kids before breaking into a dance along with Tatanka and Hacksaw. Cue the Ron Simmons "Damn."
Match 7: Barrett vs. Truth
Wasteland by Barrett for the pinfall.
Rating: 6/10. Again, I don't like squash matches, but given who was involved I think it was a good thing for Nexus.
Holy Shit! Chavo Classic along with Alberto Del Rio make their way to the ring. Tito Santana cuts off Rodriguez and introduces Del Rio himself. Del Rio makes a few fat American jokes. Sgt. Slaughter is in the ring now. He calls Del Rio puke. They end up having a match.
Match 8: Slaughter vs. Del Rio
Several cobra clutch attempts fail. Del Rio with a nice kick to Slaughter's head and a pinfall victory.
Rating: 6/10. It was cool to see Slaughter again, but at the same time he didn't need to be in a match.
After the match Del Rio continues to attack Slaughter. This gets broken up by MVP. Maybe MVP is still getting a push....
Dear GOD It's Mae Young. Why won't she die?
I don't know if this is good or bad but here comes LayCool. They make a shit ton of "old" jokes before Mae demands a match with those sluts. Yes, she said sluts. Apparently she also wants the match to be no DQ. She called them bitches as well.
Match 9: Mae Young vs. LayCool
The bell rings and McCool and Layla are trying to decide who's going to fight. A few other divas come out and beat down Layla. They drag her over to Mae who pins her with her foot.
Rating: 2/10. Way to make your top heel divas look like shit. I may not like LayCool but at the same time if they're going to be pushed as the top heels they shouldn't be made to look inferior to someone who is 3x their age.
The Fink introduces our special guest announcer. Good Ol' JR. FUCK YEAH BOOMER SOONER! Are him and Cole wearing the same jacket?
Match 10: Brian Danielson vs. Jack Swagger
Cole getting ignored by King and JR. It's epic.
Swagger in control. Gutwrench powerbomb countered by Danielson. Swagger with a backbreaker instead. Another gutwrench powerbomb counter by Danielson and a nice kick to the head. Danielson picks up the win.
Rating: 8/10. Great work from both men. Would love to see a feud develop here.
After the match Ted DiBiase hits Dream Street on Danielson.
We have all of the legends on the stage now.
Jimmy Snuka
Bob Orton
IRS
Tito Santana
Sgt. Slaughter
Hacksaw
Brooklyn Brawler
Chavo Classic
Gene Okerlund
The Fink
Mae Young
Jerry Briscoe
Ted DiBiase Sr.
Slick
Tatanka
Tony Atlas
Arn Anderson
Ron Simmons
Dusty Rhodes
George Steele
JR
Iron Sheik
Nikolai Volkoff
Here comes Roddy Fucking Piper.
He says that old school isn't about nostalgia or happy feelings, it's about manning up. He talks about smashing Lou Albano with a gold record and smashing Superfly with a coconut. Now, without further ado, it's time for Piper's Pit.
Here comes Cena. I'm so excited. Piper essentially says that Cena's spitting in the face of all the legends by choosing to be free from Nexus.
Cena proceeds to kiss legend ass. Barrett comes out now and says that he doesn't need Cena to help him win but there's a reality Cena needs to face. If Cena doesn't raise Barrett's hand, if Barrett doesn't win the WWE Title, Cena is history.
Piper is getting pissed now. He says that if Barrett has Cena hand him the title, Barrett may have the championship, but he won't be a champion. Barrett forces Cena to put on a Nexus shirt. Barrett talks a little more about the implications this sunday before Orton comes out.
Orton says that ever since last week, he's been trying to put an to everything by kicking Cena in the skull.
Cena calls him out on it. Orton responds by saying he could either go after Cena, or....
He jumps Barrett. He has Barrett down and starts stalking him for an RKO. Small glitch in my feed and Orton tosses Barrett out of the ring. Cena's down as well. Cena avoids a punt and gets Orton with the AA. Afterward Cena looks so upset about it. Barrett gets back into the ring.
He forces Cena to raise his hand. Cena does, but then pulls Barrett in for the AA. Cena standing tall with Piper as the show fades out.
Average match rating: 5.6/10 (-0.1)
Match of the Night: Danielson vs. Swagger
Overall Show Rating: 8/10 (+1)
Magic 8-Ball:
DiBiase is looking to become the US Champion
DH Smith will try to reconcile with Tyson, but Tyson will blow him off
Otunga will be out of Nexus by next week
Cena will sadly still be with us
I think that given my strong dislike of squash matches, I'll rant about them for my next feature post. No promises on when it will be up, but I'll aim for around this time next week. As always regularly scheduled reviews will continue.
November 15, 2010
TV-14 Won't Save WWE
Let's face it: We're all begging for a return of the glory days of WWE known as the Attitude Era. While this in theory is sounds awesome there are a few fundamental problems with that as of right now. I could talk about trying to attract younger viewers and that whole thing, but I'm going beyond that.
Pro wrestling in recent years has been under scrutiny for injuries sustained by performers and their effects. The poster case for this is of course Chris Benoit. He received so many concussions and other head trauma that he had the brain of an 80 year old alzheimers patient by 2007. The fact of the matter is that WWE and wrestling promotions in general are trying to eliminate these types of injuries by banning chair shots to the head and similar measures.
Things have changed dramatically since I first started watching wrestling in 1996-7. Some people may say that WWE's current product is what the fans of today want to see. While I don't discount that possibility, I think it's just bad business to alienate older fans by changing everything and barely acknowledging the past existed. Yes, you need to stay current but at the same time you can keep aspects of the past and present them in a new way. Every generation will have its Hulk Hogans, Steve Austins, Bret Harts etc. and I get that. Just so long as they acknowledge the originals I'm cool.
The other problem WWE has is that they can't seem to find creative ways to book gimmick matches anymore. I remember a time when there were years between Hell in a Cell matches, Ladder matches were used to crown champions not contenders and the matches were actually exciting when they finally did happen. Now, everything is watered down and we can predict the next HIAC, TLC and ladder matches like we can predict what time it was an hour ago. We know that there will be these matches every year now and in that they have lost their novelty.
Though the novelty may be gone, there is still the chance to put on a great match. A chance that is rarely taken anymore. Yes, there have been a few great gimmick matches in recent years, most of them are scathing indictments of the current WWE environment.
I do understand that we need to worry about the health of the performers. I don't deny the risks they subject themselves to for the sake of entertainment. That is very real and I won't dispute it. WWE in their recent push to protect their employees has taken some of the real risks away, and in doing so removed some of the perceived risk.
I'm not cold-hearted and I do think that there needs to be some safety for the performers, but I also expect things to look dangerous. I expect things to look like they hurt. The point is that the moves can be as safe as possible while still looking like they do real damage. Yes, accidents happen and people get injured but there is no need to completely strip out everything that is potentially hazardous from the ring. Some things do make sense, like banning chair shots to the head. That was a good call and while I do miss them I understand the purpose. That said, banning head shots still leaves back shots, body shots, arm/leg shots, etc. yet we barely ever see those. For the lack of use they may as well be banned at the same time.
I think the choice to expose the performers to these risks lies with the performers themselves. Let them make the choice to step into the ring and subject themselves to the use of weapons. It's as simple as a little check box on their contracts saying "yes I'm willing to have weapons used on me" or "no I'm not willing." WWE can still provide good medical care and inform their performers of the risk for injury and whatnot.
While some superstars won't be willing -- and I'm cool with that -- some will be. With that we could still see the extreme action some of us love, and keep everyone else happy. I'm not saying violence for the sake of violence is the answer. There is no need for everyone taking chair shots every week and I recognize that. I would rather see well written storylines that eventually culminate in the extreme matches.
Sadly, that will never happen. A TV-14 rating may allow for more violence, but we will never see an increase. The best we can hope for from a TV-14 rating in this new safer atmosphere is more extreme characters, more extreme promos and scantily clad divas (well, more scantily clad). In a way, those are all good things, but the wrestling will still be weak and unimpressive.
Pro wrestling in recent years has been under scrutiny for injuries sustained by performers and their effects. The poster case for this is of course Chris Benoit. He received so many concussions and other head trauma that he had the brain of an 80 year old alzheimers patient by 2007. The fact of the matter is that WWE and wrestling promotions in general are trying to eliminate these types of injuries by banning chair shots to the head and similar measures.
Things have changed dramatically since I first started watching wrestling in 1996-7. Some people may say that WWE's current product is what the fans of today want to see. While I don't discount that possibility, I think it's just bad business to alienate older fans by changing everything and barely acknowledging the past existed. Yes, you need to stay current but at the same time you can keep aspects of the past and present them in a new way. Every generation will have its Hulk Hogans, Steve Austins, Bret Harts etc. and I get that. Just so long as they acknowledge the originals I'm cool.
The other problem WWE has is that they can't seem to find creative ways to book gimmick matches anymore. I remember a time when there were years between Hell in a Cell matches, Ladder matches were used to crown champions not contenders and the matches were actually exciting when they finally did happen. Now, everything is watered down and we can predict the next HIAC, TLC and ladder matches like we can predict what time it was an hour ago. We know that there will be these matches every year now and in that they have lost their novelty.
Though the novelty may be gone, there is still the chance to put on a great match. A chance that is rarely taken anymore. Yes, there have been a few great gimmick matches in recent years, most of them are scathing indictments of the current WWE environment.
I do understand that we need to worry about the health of the performers. I don't deny the risks they subject themselves to for the sake of entertainment. That is very real and I won't dispute it. WWE in their recent push to protect their employees has taken some of the real risks away, and in doing so removed some of the perceived risk.
I'm not cold-hearted and I do think that there needs to be some safety for the performers, but I also expect things to look dangerous. I expect things to look like they hurt. The point is that the moves can be as safe as possible while still looking like they do real damage. Yes, accidents happen and people get injured but there is no need to completely strip out everything that is potentially hazardous from the ring. Some things do make sense, like banning chair shots to the head. That was a good call and while I do miss them I understand the purpose. That said, banning head shots still leaves back shots, body shots, arm/leg shots, etc. yet we barely ever see those. For the lack of use they may as well be banned at the same time.
I think the choice to expose the performers to these risks lies with the performers themselves. Let them make the choice to step into the ring and subject themselves to the use of weapons. It's as simple as a little check box on their contracts saying "yes I'm willing to have weapons used on me" or "no I'm not willing." WWE can still provide good medical care and inform their performers of the risk for injury and whatnot.
While some superstars won't be willing -- and I'm cool with that -- some will be. With that we could still see the extreme action some of us love, and keep everyone else happy. I'm not saying violence for the sake of violence is the answer. There is no need for everyone taking chair shots every week and I recognize that. I would rather see well written storylines that eventually culminate in the extreme matches.
Sadly, that will never happen. A TV-14 rating may allow for more violence, but we will never see an increase. The best we can hope for from a TV-14 rating in this new safer atmosphere is more extreme characters, more extreme promos and scantily clad divas (well, more scantily clad). In a way, those are all good things, but the wrestling will still be weak and unimpressive.
November 12, 2010
WWE NXT Review: Nov. 9/10
Striker is interrupted in the ring by Goldust. He calls Aksana out. She answers and she basically says that it's a greencard marriage. She says that when they divorce, she gets half the $Million Title. It's the American way. Fail "USA" chants by Aksana.
Naomi involved now. She wants a match. Aksana asks Goldust for advice. He says she should face Naomi.
The rookies are in the ring now. Challenge 1: arm wrestling. Kill me now.
AJ loses to Aksana. Naomi loses to Kaitlyn. Aksana loses to Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn wins by DQ. Cole is napping.
Match 1: AJ vs. Nikki Bella
*Ding* Virus database has been updated. I'm not kidding, that played over the PA.
Nikki tries to switch places with Brie, but Brie won't have it. Nikki gets back into the ring and argues a bit with Brie. AJ with the roll up and pinfall victory.
Rating: 6/10. I love AJ as a competitor, she has the most talent on NXT. The Bellas killed this match. I'm glad the shenanigans with the switching places seems to be coming to an end.
The girls are all in the ring again. Challenge 2: High school yearbook photo recognition.
In order:
Eve (she was uuugggllyyyy)
Jack Swagger (painfully obvious)
Cena (he looked like a twat then, too)
Chavo
Jerry Lawler (looks like Cody Rhodes)
Mark Henry (fat fuck)
AJ and Kaitlyn tie. They face off in sudden death. AJ wins by correctly identifying John Morrison.
Stupid challenge. But at least it wasn't based on their abs like the last superstar identification challenge.
Backstage with Kaitlyn and Vickie. Long story short, they both say Dolph told them he'd leave the other one.
Match 2: Naomi vs. Aksana
Goldust comes to ringside and stands with Kelly Kelly in Naomi's corner.
Naomi counters an Irish Whip attempt into a boot to Aksana's face for the pinfall.
Rating: 4/10. While the match was technically decent, it wasn't exciting in any way.
That's the end of the show for this week. Next week will be the next elimination.
Average Match Rating: 5/10 (--)
Match of the Night: AJ vs. Nikki
Overall Show Rating: 6/10 (-1)
That does it for this week's review. The feature post is coming along nicely and I'll have it up tomorrow night if all goes well.
Naomi involved now. She wants a match. Aksana asks Goldust for advice. He says she should face Naomi.
The rookies are in the ring now. Challenge 1: arm wrestling. Kill me now.
AJ loses to Aksana. Naomi loses to Kaitlyn. Aksana loses to Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn wins by DQ. Cole is napping.
Match 1: AJ vs. Nikki Bella
*Ding* Virus database has been updated. I'm not kidding, that played over the PA.
Nikki tries to switch places with Brie, but Brie won't have it. Nikki gets back into the ring and argues a bit with Brie. AJ with the roll up and pinfall victory.
Rating: 6/10. I love AJ as a competitor, she has the most talent on NXT. The Bellas killed this match. I'm glad the shenanigans with the switching places seems to be coming to an end.
The girls are all in the ring again. Challenge 2: High school yearbook photo recognition.
In order:
Eve (she was uuugggllyyyy)
Jack Swagger (painfully obvious)
Cena (he looked like a twat then, too)
Chavo
Jerry Lawler (looks like Cody Rhodes)
Mark Henry (fat fuck)
AJ and Kaitlyn tie. They face off in sudden death. AJ wins by correctly identifying John Morrison.
Stupid challenge. But at least it wasn't based on their abs like the last superstar identification challenge.
Backstage with Kaitlyn and Vickie. Long story short, they both say Dolph told them he'd leave the other one.
Match 2: Naomi vs. Aksana
Goldust comes to ringside and stands with Kelly Kelly in Naomi's corner.
Naomi counters an Irish Whip attempt into a boot to Aksana's face for the pinfall.
Rating: 4/10. While the match was technically decent, it wasn't exciting in any way.
That's the end of the show for this week. Next week will be the next elimination.
Average Match Rating: 5/10 (--)
Match of the Night: AJ vs. Nikki
Overall Show Rating: 6/10 (-1)
That does it for this week's review. The feature post is coming along nicely and I'll have it up tomorrow night if all goes well.
November 10, 2010
Monday Night Raw Review: Nov. 8/10
John Cena is in the ring to start the show. There's a podium with the Nexus logo on it. Cena reads a statement introducing Wade Barrett, who, along with Nexus comes to the ring. Barrett talks about his impending title reign a bit before addressing some issues from last week.
He tells Otunga he'll deal with him leading Nexus to Smackdown after he deals with Cena's refereeing last week. To recap, Cena was a guest ref in a tag match between Barrett, Otunga, Orton and Truth. Cena was trying to keep Orton in his corner and missed a tag from Otunga to Barrett. Cena forced Barrett out of the ring, thus missing an RKO on Otunga. He turned around in time to see Truth pinning Otunga and made the 3 count.
Barrett tells Cena to make the announcement that Barrett is the new WWE Champion.
Orton cuts them off. Long story short, there's 2 stipulations added to the match at SSeries. Pinfall or submission only, and Nexus is banned from ringside.
The main event for tonight is announced as Nexus vs. Team Orton (as chosen by the GM). Oh yeah, Cena's the ref, AGAIN.
Match 1: Eve and the Bellas vs. Maryse, Alicia Fox and Tamina
Apparently this match has something to do with soccer?
The Bellas switch places (again) and the fresh Bella wins.
Rating: 4/10. The wrestling was bad, and the soccer uniforms only made it worse. The significance of the uniforms is lost on anyone who doesn't follow soccer.
Backstage, Otunga is talking to the rest of Nexus before Barrett interrupts. Barrett tells Otunga he's facing Cena tonight.
Match 2: Hart Dynasty vs. Samoan Cryme Tyme
Wow, the Usos are actually wrestling. I'm shocked.
Kidd is down outside the ring and Smith is down inside the ring. Jey(?) with a splash off the turnbuckle for the pin.
Rating: 7/10. I'm glad they're finally pushing the only other tag team on the brand, but at the same time how can this go anywhere if they're only ever facing the Hart Dynasty?
Backstage with Randy Orton. Striker asks him about Team Orton and who he thinks will be on the team. He says he has no idea, but they'd better be the best of the best. In walks Miz. He says he's just talked to the GM and he's on the team.
In the Nexus locker room, we have Slater and Gabriel admiring their tag titles before Otunga comes in. Otunga says he's going to show how a leader really acts. He's going to beat Cena tonight.
Match 3: Goldust vs. DiBiase w/Maryse
Looks like Goldust is trying something different with his face paint tonight. I kinda like it.
Maryse grabs the $Million Title from ringside and tries to run off, but Aksana sprints out and stops her. They wrestles for the title before Aksana gets the upper hand and runs back up the ramp.
In the confusion, DiBiase gets distracted long enough for Goldilocks to roll him up for the victory.
Rating: 8/10. Great ring chemistry between these 2. I like that Maryse figured out she could get away with the title during the match. I mentioned that a while back. Glad they tried it but at the same time I'm glad it failed if that makes any sense.
Match 4: Otunga vs. Cena
Nexus walks out with Otunga, but quickly exit again.
Cena with an FU and STFU. Otunga taps.
Rating: 4/10. I understand why they had this match. Barrett is trying to humiliate Otunga by putting him up against his lackey. The point is essentially that Cena is a better member of the group than Otunga. That said, the match was terrible. Good concept, horrible execution.
Otunga is backstage with a bag of ice on his neck. Barrett joins him. Barrett basically calls Otunga an embarrassment, but he has a chance to redeem himself. Otunga is to take Nexus back to SD where he will face Edge. Oh, and if he doesn't beat Edge, he's done. Out. No longer Nexus and ergo against us.
Santino and Kozlov make their way to the ring, dressed like a couple of stereotypical British chaps (you know, to blend in). Their guest, all the way from "Irish Land" is Sheamus. Santino says that they got off on the wrong foot, and this tea party is to get them back on the right foot.
They have green tea and Ginger beer.
Sheamus says Santino isn't a bad guy, just misunderstood. He knew a guy like Santino back home. His only friend was a donkey and everyone called him the village idiot. But how can people call a donkey the village idiot?
Now, does Sheamus take his tea dark or milky?
Santino says that Sheamus has so much rage because he was either exposed to gamma rays or excluded from playing with the other kids when he was young. Santino won't do that. He won't exclude Sheamus, he won't treat him like a ghost.
Sheamus says he can't remember why he hates Santino, who can't remember either. Kozlov reminds him that Sheamus hates Santino because the latter beat the former in the "biggest upset in double double E history."
For added fun, turn this segment into a drinking game. Take a shot for every ginger reference.
Santino is shaking so much he spills tea on Sheamus, who flips the table over. Email from the GM.
There's a match coming up now.
Match 5: Sheamus vs. Santino
Kozlov has been banned from ringside.
Santino ducks out of the ring and gets partway into the crowd. Email again. Santino can get back in the ring and compete, or be immediately suspended.
He chooses to get back in the ring.
Santino gets himself disqualified with a low blow.
Rating: 5/10. For what it was, it was good. Santino is underrated on the mic and although not that skilled in the ring he can entertain.
Sheamus beats down Santino before John Morrison breaks it up. Morrison lays out Sheamus and helps Santino to the back.
Backstage with Cena and Barrett. Cena's watching WM highlights on a TV. Barrett asks Cena if he'd like to experience that again. All he has to do is raise Barrett's hand as the victor in 2 weeks.
Match 6: Orton, Miz, Danielson, Mark Henry and Truth vs. Nexus
I can tell you this right now: I want to see more of Danielson vs. Gabriel. They were great in the ring against each other.
Team Orton clears Nexus out of the ring as Otunga makes his way down.
Nexus is cleared out, Orton and Barrett are legal. Otunga distracts Cena long enough for Miz to hit Orton with the MITB briefcase and the Skullcrushing Finale. Cena, none the wiser, counts the pinfall and Nexus wins.
Rating: 6/10. There were some great pairings in there, but it turned into a bit of a clusterfuck. Nice reminder that Miz still has the MITB case.
That's the show for this week. Tune in next week for a 3 hour special edition of Old School Raw.
Average Match Rating: 5.7/10 (+0.1)
Match of the Night: Goldust vs. DiBiase
Overall Show Rating: 7/10 (+2)
Magic 8-Ball:
Goldust and DiBiase will face for the title at SSeries. Aksana will say something to the effect of Goldust cares more about that belt than he does about her.
The Usos will face the Hart Dynasty in a #1 contender match and win. Hart Dynasty will continue to crumble.
Otunga will turn on Nexus at SSeries.
John Morrison will explain his actions next week. He'll face Sheamus at SSeries.
Cena will continue being Cena. I can't say more than that.
That does it for this review. I'll have the feature post up this week. I'm thinking about renaming the blog, but I have no thoughts. I'm always open to suggestions so hit me up on Facebook or email me at ACA-CT@hotmail.com.
He tells Otunga he'll deal with him leading Nexus to Smackdown after he deals with Cena's refereeing last week. To recap, Cena was a guest ref in a tag match between Barrett, Otunga, Orton and Truth. Cena was trying to keep Orton in his corner and missed a tag from Otunga to Barrett. Cena forced Barrett out of the ring, thus missing an RKO on Otunga. He turned around in time to see Truth pinning Otunga and made the 3 count.
Barrett tells Cena to make the announcement that Barrett is the new WWE Champion.
Orton cuts them off. Long story short, there's 2 stipulations added to the match at SSeries. Pinfall or submission only, and Nexus is banned from ringside.
The main event for tonight is announced as Nexus vs. Team Orton (as chosen by the GM). Oh yeah, Cena's the ref, AGAIN.
Match 1: Eve and the Bellas vs. Maryse, Alicia Fox and Tamina
Apparently this match has something to do with soccer?
The Bellas switch places (again) and the fresh Bella wins.
Rating: 4/10. The wrestling was bad, and the soccer uniforms only made it worse. The significance of the uniforms is lost on anyone who doesn't follow soccer.
Backstage, Otunga is talking to the rest of Nexus before Barrett interrupts. Barrett tells Otunga he's facing Cena tonight.
Match 2: Hart Dynasty vs. Samoan Cryme Tyme
Wow, the Usos are actually wrestling. I'm shocked.
Kidd is down outside the ring and Smith is down inside the ring. Jey(?) with a splash off the turnbuckle for the pin.
Rating: 7/10. I'm glad they're finally pushing the only other tag team on the brand, but at the same time how can this go anywhere if they're only ever facing the Hart Dynasty?
Backstage with Randy Orton. Striker asks him about Team Orton and who he thinks will be on the team. He says he has no idea, but they'd better be the best of the best. In walks Miz. He says he's just talked to the GM and he's on the team.
In the Nexus locker room, we have Slater and Gabriel admiring their tag titles before Otunga comes in. Otunga says he's going to show how a leader really acts. He's going to beat Cena tonight.
Match 3: Goldust vs. DiBiase w/Maryse
Looks like Goldust is trying something different with his face paint tonight. I kinda like it.
Maryse grabs the $Million Title from ringside and tries to run off, but Aksana sprints out and stops her. They wrestles for the title before Aksana gets the upper hand and runs back up the ramp.
In the confusion, DiBiase gets distracted long enough for Goldilocks to roll him up for the victory.
Rating: 8/10. Great ring chemistry between these 2. I like that Maryse figured out she could get away with the title during the match. I mentioned that a while back. Glad they tried it but at the same time I'm glad it failed if that makes any sense.
Match 4: Otunga vs. Cena
Nexus walks out with Otunga, but quickly exit again.
Cena with an FU and STFU. Otunga taps.
Rating: 4/10. I understand why they had this match. Barrett is trying to humiliate Otunga by putting him up against his lackey. The point is essentially that Cena is a better member of the group than Otunga. That said, the match was terrible. Good concept, horrible execution.
Otunga is backstage with a bag of ice on his neck. Barrett joins him. Barrett basically calls Otunga an embarrassment, but he has a chance to redeem himself. Otunga is to take Nexus back to SD where he will face Edge. Oh, and if he doesn't beat Edge, he's done. Out. No longer Nexus and ergo against us.
Santino and Kozlov make their way to the ring, dressed like a couple of stereotypical British chaps (you know, to blend in). Their guest, all the way from "Irish Land" is Sheamus. Santino says that they got off on the wrong foot, and this tea party is to get them back on the right foot.
They have green tea and Ginger beer.
Sheamus says Santino isn't a bad guy, just misunderstood. He knew a guy like Santino back home. His only friend was a donkey and everyone called him the village idiot. But how can people call a donkey the village idiot?
Now, does Sheamus take his tea dark or milky?
Santino says that Sheamus has so much rage because he was either exposed to gamma rays or excluded from playing with the other kids when he was young. Santino won't do that. He won't exclude Sheamus, he won't treat him like a ghost.
Sheamus says he can't remember why he hates Santino, who can't remember either. Kozlov reminds him that Sheamus hates Santino because the latter beat the former in the "biggest upset in double double E history."
For added fun, turn this segment into a drinking game. Take a shot for every ginger reference.
Santino is shaking so much he spills tea on Sheamus, who flips the table over. Email from the GM.
There's a match coming up now.
Match 5: Sheamus vs. Santino
Kozlov has been banned from ringside.
Santino ducks out of the ring and gets partway into the crowd. Email again. Santino can get back in the ring and compete, or be immediately suspended.
He chooses to get back in the ring.
Santino gets himself disqualified with a low blow.
Rating: 5/10. For what it was, it was good. Santino is underrated on the mic and although not that skilled in the ring he can entertain.
Sheamus beats down Santino before John Morrison breaks it up. Morrison lays out Sheamus and helps Santino to the back.
Backstage with Cena and Barrett. Cena's watching WM highlights on a TV. Barrett asks Cena if he'd like to experience that again. All he has to do is raise Barrett's hand as the victor in 2 weeks.
Match 6: Orton, Miz, Danielson, Mark Henry and Truth vs. Nexus
I can tell you this right now: I want to see more of Danielson vs. Gabriel. They were great in the ring against each other.
Team Orton clears Nexus out of the ring as Otunga makes his way down.
Nexus is cleared out, Orton and Barrett are legal. Otunga distracts Cena long enough for Miz to hit Orton with the MITB briefcase and the Skullcrushing Finale. Cena, none the wiser, counts the pinfall and Nexus wins.
Rating: 6/10. There were some great pairings in there, but it turned into a bit of a clusterfuck. Nice reminder that Miz still has the MITB case.
That's the show for this week. Tune in next week for a 3 hour special edition of Old School Raw.
Average Match Rating: 5.7/10 (+0.1)
Match of the Night: Goldust vs. DiBiase
Overall Show Rating: 7/10 (+2)
Magic 8-Ball:
Goldust and DiBiase will face for the title at SSeries. Aksana will say something to the effect of Goldust cares more about that belt than he does about her.
The Usos will face the Hart Dynasty in a #1 contender match and win. Hart Dynasty will continue to crumble.
Otunga will turn on Nexus at SSeries.
John Morrison will explain his actions next week. He'll face Sheamus at SSeries.
Cena will continue being Cena. I can't say more than that.
That does it for this review. I'll have the feature post up this week. I'm thinking about renaming the blog, but I have no thoughts. I'm always open to suggestions so hit me up on Facebook or email me at ACA-CT@hotmail.com.
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