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Post by Mike Giggs' Munchies on Jul 25, 2014 7:38:33 GMT -5
Insurrextion is such a weird name for a wrestling PPV. And they were never good. The WWE Network doesn't have that Global Warning show and I wish they did. I think the main event was Brock/Rock/HHH. Yeah it was. I have that PPV on DVD. It was quite good IIRC. |
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Jul 25, 2014 14:11:34 GMT -5
Survivor Series 1989
11/23/89 – Rosemont Horizon in Rosemont, Illinois
Just a few months shy of the eventual epic showdown between Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania VI, we stop at Survivor Series. Survivor Series is always a fun Pay-Per-View, especially one like this 1989 edition, which featured nothing but eight man tag matches. Not much else to discuss to let's get to it.
The show opens with a montage of Superstars saying what they're thankful for. Some are a waste but some are great. Mr. Perfect is thankful for being perfect, while Roddy Piper is thankful that he's not Ricky Rude. The Ultimate Warrior is thankful for something that I can't really make out.
The Dream Team (Dusty Rhodes, Brutus Beefcake, The Red Rooster and Tito Santana) vs. The Enforcers (Big Boss Man, Bad News Brown, Rick Martel and the Honky Tonk Man) w/ Jimmy Hart and Slick
Even though it's Boss Man's team, they come out to JIVE SOUL BRO! AND YOU ALWAYS LYING TO YOUR FRIENDS! Sorry, I get carried away with it's excellence. Honky and Chico Santana kick things off as Honky attacks him from behind. He was really out of shape. Chico uses a scoop slam and applies an ARMBAR. Honky gets free and tags Martel. Strike Force explodes. You know it's an 80's show when guys trade atomic drops. Boss Man gets the tag and Chico hits him with an armdrag. Tag to the BULL OF THE WOODS, as Dusty lays into his opposing captain. Bionic elbows galore and a tag to Beefcake. Honky gets tagged and misses a terrible looking fist drop, allowing Beefcake to get in offense, but a blind tag brings the Model back in. The ridiculous Red Rooster gets the tag and gets a pop for a back body drop. Knees to the face swing the momentum and the heels start to work over Rooster. Bad News Brown doesn't want a tag and hasn't been in the entire match. Rooster continues to be the face in peril but gets some near falls with roll ups. Hot tag to Chico who is on a roll. Unfortunately for Chico, Martel uses a handful of tights to eliminate him at 9:15.
The son of a plumber comes in and Sapphire is shown in the crowd before she was officially Sapphire. Dusty reaches into his bag of tricks and hits a dropkick. The Dream Team use quick tags to work over Martel, but he hits a backbreaker on the Rooster. Boss Man gets the tag and it's BEARHUG time. It's broken with an eye rake and Boss Man tags Bad News. He doesn't want to enter but Rooster brings him in the hard way. Bad News does get on the offensive and beats down Rooster, who is just getting destroyed the entire match. A double team fails when Boss Man nails Brown. This causes Bad News and Boss Man to come to blows as Bad News walks out for the countout elimination at 15:26. Boss Man tags Honky, who elbows Beefcake. Jesse Ventura points out that Honky's tights say “twist and shout.” Beefcake hits the HHH high knee and eliminates Honky at 17:24.
Martel enters and applies a headlock on Beefcake. Beefcake fights out and hits a sunset flip but Martel reverses. He uses the ropes for leverage but gets caught by the official, allowing Beefcake to finish the rollup and bump him at 20:13. Boss Man is all alone as he goes toe to toe with the Rooster. Boss Man Slam catches him and Rooster is gone after 21:00. Dusty and Beefcake wisely use quick tags and take on Boss Man. Dusty hits a cross body to my surprise and it ends.
Winners: The Dream Team; Survivors: Brutus Beefcake & Dusty Rhodes in 22:02
Solid little opener here. The crowd was into it, it didn't have much down time and kept my interest. Side note, I've never understood the appeal of Brutus Beefcake. ***
After the match, Boss Man and Slick beat on Dusty and Beefcake with the nightstick. Brutus gets the hedge clippers though and runs them off. In the back, Sean Mooney catches up with Boss Man and Slick, who say that Dusty deserved what he got.
MEAN “BAH GAWD” GENE is with the 4x4's, consisting of Jim Duggan, Bret Hart, Hercules and Ronnie Garvin. They all have 2x4s and speak about the match while Jim Duggan is cross eyed.
The 4x4's (Jim Duggan, Bret Hart, Ronnie Garvin and Hercules) vs. The King's Court (Macho King, Canadian Earthquake, Dino Bravo and Greg Valentine) w/ Jimmy Hart and Queen Sherri
Bret Hart bobbing his head while running with a 2x4 is the highlight of this thing. Hercules starts with the Macho King and uses his power to rule this little back and forth. The Hammer gets the tag and hammers away on Hercules. See what I did there? Another 80's atomic drop. Bret gets the tag and excellently executes some offense. The faces continue to tag in and out, as Garvin fires away on the Hammer. Sleeper Hold from Garvin and Valentine reaches the ropes. Tag to Dino who uses an inverted atomic drop. Since Shawn Michaels retired in 2010, nobody does that anymore. The faces are dominating things until the Canadian Earthquake comes in and squashes Hercules, just like he would do at WrestleMania VI. Elimination comes at 3:57. Earthquake tries to do the same to Duggan, but Bret wisely enters and takes out his legs. Shortly after, Garvin gets a near fall on Valentine before the Macho King comes in with a double axe handle. Quick tags from the King's Court as they work over Garvin. Hammer and Garvin have a chop war in the middle until Duggan gets a blind tag and takes out the Hammer with a clothesline at 7:32.
Garvin stomp all around Dino Bravo and the ones to the face just look brutal. Garvin seems to go for a Sharpshooter and gets raked in the eyes. HOLY MOTHER OF GOD! Macho King and Bret get tagged at the same time. Bret nails an inverted atomic drop before stomping him in the mid section. Macho King tags out and there goes my erection. Bret/Bravo doesn't have the same appeal. Fans chant “USA” now...if they only knew what Bret would be like in 1997. He tags Garvin who instantly gets eliminated at 11:17 via a side slam. Duggan rallies the crowd and wails away on Earthquake. Again, we get Bret and Macho tagged in and suddenly, I'm excited again. Bret headbutts him in the ribs before Duggan gets in a cheap shot. Macho gets tied in the ropes and Duggan continues to use cheap shots. Macho King gets free but misses a knee drop. Hitman hits the best backbreaker in wrestling history for a near fall. Bret is the only person who will pick someone up and do a small package. He misses a second rope elbow as Macho tags out. Bravo uses the bear hug and the heels bust out quick tags to beat down on the future WWF Champion. They make a mistake as Macho takes out Bravo and Bret gets the hot tag. Duggan runs roughshod over Macho King, but tags Bret right back in. That was a mistake as Macho King immediately gets Bravo in and Bret eats a shoulder breaker. Macho King gets the tag and hits the elbow to knock off Bret at 19:06. Duggan is in and does his best, hitting all three heels with various moves as the crowd is pumped. He even gets a double clothesline, but ends up on the ground from Earthquake. Duggan fights back, but Sherri pulls the top rope down on Duggan and he falls outside. Earthquake nails him, leading to the countout.
Winners: The King's Court; Survivors: Macho King, Dino Bravo & Earthquake in 23:25
Better than the opener, mainly thanks for the Macho King and Bret Hart being their awesome selves. The countout finish made sense and I dug this. ***1/2
Jim Duggan is not happy as he enters and hits Dino with the 2x4, as Jesse Ventura berates Gorilla Monsoon for condoning that behavior.
The Genius is here with a Thanksgiving poem. It's dumb.
The Hulkamaniacs (Hulk Hogan, Demolition and Jake Roberts) vs. The Million Dollar Team (Ted Dibiase, The Powers of Pain and Zeus) w/ Virgil and Mr. Fuji
Demolition looked badass, except for the chaps they rocked. It didn't work. Hogan spits at Deebo before the match because he's truly a heel at heart. Deebo demands Hogan at the start and it's No Holds Barred all over again. Deebo wins a shoving match. Hogan's punches and a HHH knee have zero effect on Deebo. Hogan rakes the eyes because again, he's a dirty fighter and hits a slam but Deebo is up instantly. He does the dreaded neck snap finisher and chokes Hogan. The referee tries to break it twice and keeps getting tossed by Deebo, leading to the disqualification at 3:21. Ted Dibiase enters and starts to work over Hogan. A boot from Hogan leads to the tag to Jake, who fires away on Dibiase. Ax comes in and clubs the holy hell out of Dibiase. He tags Smash and even more clubs are hit. Hogan gets tagged and triple team clubs as Ventura points out that Gorilla is biased when the faces cheat. Dibiase uses an elbow on Ax to desperately get the tag. The Warlord comes in and it's time for even more clubs. The Powers of Pain work power offense on Ax for a bit. Ax tries to rally but is tripped up by Mr. Fuji and pinned at 9:50.
Smash, Roberts and Hogan now take turns working over the Warlord. They were building towards Demolition vs. The Powers of Pain but I don't remember that match taking place. The Barbarian comes in and hits a flying clothesline on Smash to pin him at 13:42. Powers of Pain have now eliminated Demolition. See what I mean about building up a match? Jake enters and gets thrown around the ring by the Barbarian. The Warlord comes in and beats on Roberts too. Dibiase comes in and drops knees on Jake's back. The piledriver might have done the trick but Jake gets his foot on the ropes. Barbarian misses a flying headbutt, allowing the hot tag to the Hulkster! YOU KNOW IT'S A WRAP! He dominates once he comes in until the Powers of Pain decide to double tam him. They use a spike piledriver, but Earl Hebner disqualifies both of them at the 19:51 mark. What a poopy way to get rid of them.
Dibiase slaps on the Million Dollar Dream and Hogan tries to pull hair. Hogan goes down and his hand might have dropped for the third time but Roberts breaks up the hold in the nick of time. Dibiase tries it again but Hogan gets free and tags Jake. Roberts calls for the DDT but Virgil gets on the apron. He brings Virgil in and hits the DDT but Dibiase drops a fist on him and covers with his feet on the ropes to make this one on one at 23:43. Dibiase goes right after Hogan and applies a headlock but Hogan fights out and they clothesline each other. They get up and Dibiase connects with a back drop that Hogan doesn't sell. He gets up and levels Dibiase, big boot, leg drop and that's all folks.
Winners: The Hulkamaniacs; Sole Survivor: Hulk Hogan in 27:32
Jesse Ventura makes a good point that Hogan wins because he pinned Dibiase and the rest of the team got disqualified. This was fun though and again, had no lulls. The Survivor Series matches tend to be pretty fast paced and this was enjoyable. ***
The Macho King steals the show with a promo in back, while Deebo looks on menacingly. MEAN BAH GAWD GENE is now with Hogan and Beefcake, who will face Macho & Deebo in an upcoming Steel Cage. Sherri, Macho and Deebo show up and a brawl ensues.
Sean Mooney is standing by with the Rude Brood. He puts over his team, including the guy with the perfect record, Mr. Perfect. It's decent stuff. Rude steals the show by showing off his tights, which have his team on the front and the other team on his butt cheeks. Roddy's Rowdies cut a weird promo where they shout a lot and eat turkey.
Roddy's Rowdies (Roddy Piper, Jimmy Snuka and The Bushwackers) vs. The Rude Brood (Rick Rude, Mr. Perfect and The Fabulous Rougeaus) w/ The Genius and Jimmy Hart
Perfect and Luke begin, but a fast tag brings in Butch, who bites him. Piper tags and he bites Perfect. Snuka tags and does the same. Fun opening sequence that got a pop. Jacques gets the tag and front flips into the ring. He continues to show off and hugs his brother. His showboating costs him as Snuka hits a flying headbutt and his leap frog/chop combo. Snuka goes to the top and hits the Superfly Splash to eliminate Jacques in 4:01. Rude comes in and trades shots with Snuka but it ends up being Piper vs. Perfect for a while. Perfect takes a lot of offense from multiple team members before tagging in Raymond. He goes toe to toe with Piper, who gets a near fall with a rollup. Piper connects with a piledriver to eliminate Raymond at 7:30. A not so fabulous showing for the Rougeaus.
Mr. Perfect comes back in as he works over Piper until Piper hits a slingshot. Tag to Butch who gets a near fall. Perfect continues to survive an onslaught of multiple tags as he is impressing me. Piper does a little Rick Rude dance before punching Perfect. Butch gets a tag and bites Perfect again, but gets rolled up at 10:46. Piper rolls up Perfect for two instantly. Tag in to Luke, who does some sloppy offense for two. Perfect gets the tag to Rude, who comes off the top only to get hit RIGHT IN THE BREAD BASKET! Luke bites Rude but gets hit with the Rude Awakening and is gone after 12:14. We get treated to some solid tag work between the four guys left, with Perfect and Rude working the best of the four. Snuka and Perfect do battle and we get DOUBLE NOGGIN KNOCKER. Both men make the tag and the crowd is stoked for Rude/Piper. Fist fight ensues that Piper wins and they spill to the outside. The war continues as both guys are counted out at 18:35. Perfect knows Snuka to the outside and tries to earn a countout win. As Snuka gets on the apron, he takes a suplex back inside. Snuka manages to get near falls but falls victim to the Perfect Plex.
Winners: The Rude Brood; Sole Survivor: Mr. Perfect in 21:27
Another fun match, highlighted by Perfect and Rude. Love that Perfect got to be the sole survivor. ***1/4
Victory promo from the Rude Brood in the back before cutting to the Ultimate Warriors cutting a promo that was hard to understand.
The Heenan Family (Bobby Heenan, Andre The Giant, Haku and Arn Anderson) vs. The Ultimate Warriors (Ultimate Warrior, The Rockers and Jim Neidhart)
It's announced before the match that Bobby Heenan will wrestle instead of Tully Blanchard because Tully failed a drug test and was fired. They obviously don't make the drug test part known, they just say there is “tension in the Heenan Family”. A brawl breaks out before the Warrior arrives as Andre is beating down on Neidhart. Warrior charges the ring and goes right at Andre with clotheslines. He knocks him over the top and outside. Andre gets counted out at 0:27. Andre shouts things that barely make sense, but are still more legible than a Warrior promo. Neidhart and Haku battle in the corner until Double A comes in. Heenan looks pretty funny in his Andre singlet as the fans chant “weasel.” Neidhart eats a thrust kick from Haku and is gone after 3:32. Michaels comes in and Haku misses a headbutt, so he takes some a never ending stream of wrist locks and quick tags from the Rockers. They continue to work over Haku until they tag in the Warrior. He chops away at Haku before hitting a back drop. Soon after, Jannetty and Anderson are legal. Anderson and Haku beat up Jannetty and tag Heenan. He kicks Marty and runs back outside, tagging in Haku. After Haku gets him down, Heenan tags in, stomps on Marty and drops a knee on him to eliminate him at 8:53.
I just want to point out that Marty just got pinned by Bobby Heenan. Arn squares off with the Warrior and gets trapped in the third bear hug of the evening. He breaks it and tags Haku, who runs into the fourth bear hug. After that is broken, we get Shawn and Arn, which is just great. Shawn and Warrior are the only two left and rightfully so, it's two future Hall of Famers. Shawn comes off the top with a splash that only gets two on Anderson. He does get the cross body on Haku and gets the three after 12:54. Heenan gets in some shots on Michaels but Anderson does the majority of the work. After Shawn is thrown outside, Heenan teases a dive off the top, but decides against it. Sunset flip back in by Shawn gets two. Heenan gets the tag and once he gets hit, he runs and tags out. Shawn and Arn bump into each other and both men are down. Anderson Drop puts away Shawn at 15:47.
Warrior winds up and shoulder blocks Arn down three times, but on the fourth, Arn uses Warrior's momentum to send him outside. Heenan teases another dive. Heenan gets the tag and his offense has no effect on Warrior. Poor Arn has to work his ass off here. Gorilla Press and splash eliminates Arn at 18:19 and Heenan is beside himself. He takes an impressive bump on an Irish whip into the corner. Warrior hits his finisher and ends it.
Winners: The Ultimate Warriors; Sole Survivor: The Ultimate Warrior in 20:28
This was the WWF's first foray into seeing if The Ultimate Warrior could be a main eventer and this was a satisfying ending to the event. ***1/4
Overall: 8/10; Great. Holy hell that was a lot of fun. While none of these matches reach four stars, none clock it at under three stars. Everything is really good and the entire show is a lot of fun. The right people went over in nearly every match. Hopefully the next “Random Network Review” is just as fun and according to my randomizer, that show will be Bash at the Beach 1998. |
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Jul 28, 2014 12:50:39 GMT -5
Judgment Day 2002
May 19th, 2002 – Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee – Attendance: 14,521
After beating Steve Austin at Backlash last month, The Undertaker earned the right to face another winner from Backlash, Hulk Hogan, for the Undisputed Championship. At this point, the brand split was struggling and ratings went down after Hogan won the title. Hogan saved the WWF in the late 80's and WCW in the mid 90's but it was too late for him to do so here. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't all his fault. Ratings continued to drop until about the summer when they heated up again. Pun intended. Moving on, this is the first Pay-Per-View ever held under the WWE name instead of WWF so let's see how the “WWE Era” begins.
The opening video package is similar to the video that The Undertaker had when he returned as the American Badass. It's kind of hyped as a Triple Main Event though I'm only looking forward to one of them.
Fun fact; the theme song for this event is “Broken” by 12 Stones, which is a song that I love, but also the same band who would later record the Nexus theme “We Are One.”
WWE Intercontinental Championship
Eddie Guerrero (c) vs. Rob Van Dam
I believe that I see Edge's mom in the crowd. Wrestling sequence opens things and RVD wins with a powerslam that upsets Eddie. RVD fakes out Eddie and then hits him with the split legged moonsault in a fun little spot. RVD nails a leg drop for two as he's controlling more offense than their last two matches. Eddie fights out of a surfboard stretch, so RVD drops an elbow and does it anyway. Eddie uses cowardly tactics to gain the upper hand. RVD does his usual impressive split and monkey flips Eddie, who has always sold that move great. Rolling Thunder connects but RVD only gets a near fall. RVD goes to the top but gets crotched and powerbombed. Because callbacks and continuity matter, Eddie misses the Frog Splash, just like RVD did at Backlash. Things get changed up though when RVD still misses his Five Start Frog Splash. They get to their feet and Eddie shouts some Spanish stuff before they charge each other and RVD gets a cross body. RVD earns a VERY close near fall with a backslide, before Eddie gets one of his own and wins after using the ropes for leverage.
Winner and Still Intercontinental Champion: Eddie Guerrero in 10:58
Two guys that are really good didn't seem to have a great match. Their Backlash encounter was better, but this wasn't bad. **3/4
Devon, Stacy Keibler and the Deacon Batista, in his first PPV appearance, are backstage with Vince McMahon praying for Stacy's safety. While they pray, Vince checks out Stacy. For the failure that was the Reverend character, Devon played it well.
WWE Women's Championship
Trish Stratus (c) w/ Bubba Ray Dudley vs. Stacy Keibler w/ Reverend Devon & Deacon Batista
I LIED AT BACKLASH! TRISH IS WEARING TINY SHORTS AGAIN! That must have been what Devon was really praying for. I guess Trish is over the whole Bubba putting her through a table less than two years ago thing. Stacy gets an early near fall with a spin kick. Trish slaps on a Boston Crab which surprised the hell out of me. Stacy gets tossed outside and throws a tantrum leading to Bubba laughing in her face. Stacy slaps him and he gets “that look” in his eyes. Batista comes in and body slams Trish. She manages to kick out and kicks both Stacy and Batista. Bulldog follows and Trish retains.
Winner and Still Women's Champion: Trish Stratus in 2:53
Nothing match that was really only used to promote the reunion of the Dudleys. 1/2*
Devon nails his brother but then feels remorse. That's a lie though as he and Batista end up putting Bubba Ray through a table. Ironically, Batista would beat these two Dudleys to win his first title in the WWE.
Vince McMahon enters Ric Flair's office and all of a sudden, because they're both heels, they forget that they've hated each other since the end of 2001 and are friends now. They talk about hos untrustworthy Steve Austin is.
The Hardy Boyz vs. Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman
Jeff Hardy leaps out onto Brock Lesnar before the bell and then the Hardys target Heyman. Brock is back in and starts to be his usual dominant self. Jeff tries a cross body but gets caught with a belly to belly suplex. The Hardys start to get a bit of offense but Matt takes a big powerslam. Matt finally turns things around with a tornado DDT while Heyman is pissing himself. Jeff and his green hair connect with Whisper in the Wind, a jawbreaker and then double leg drops from the Hardys. Poetry in Motion hits before Lesnar is knocked outside and the Hardys chase Heyman. They get their hands on him a bit before Lesnar puts a stop to this. Brock tosses Jeff into Matt, knocking him outside and then it's F5 time for Jeff. Heyman begs for the tag and gets it. He hilariously falls into the ring and covers Jeff for the three. So, quick note, Heyman holds pinfall victories over Jeff Hardy and CM Punk.
Winners: Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman in 4:46
This was exactly what it should've been. Brock dominates, the Hardys get in their signature offense and Heyman draws heat. **
Booker T, in his nWo shirt, is being interviewed by Mark Lloyd I think. Ric Flair handpicked Booker to be the newest member and this was around the time that the nWo, Flair and Booker were all going nowhere. Booker hits on some random chick in the back who gives him her hotel key. Sharmell will not be pleased.
Handicap Match
Big Show & Ric Flair vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
If I'm right, this is the last Pay-Per-View match for Steve Austin before he took his ball and went home in 2002. I can see part of why he left. Things begin with a brawl as the heels double team Austin. Flair locks on a Figure Four but it obviously doesn't end things. The double teams continue until Austin gets a chair and Charles “Lil Naitch” Robinson gets things calmed down. Austin and Flair do battle in the ring. Flair fails at doing an atomic drop, leading to a tag to the Big Show. I really didn't like their match at Insurrextion. Show beats down on Austin for a while until he tags in Flair who hits a low blow that Robinson misses. Every Flair chop gets the obvious “woo” from the fans, while Austin's punches and kicks earn “what”. Show comes in and powerslams Austin. Flair and Show now focus on Austin's leg/knee to set up for the Figure Four again. Flair comes in and slaps on the Figure Four but Austin turns it over, only to get elbowed by Big Show. Austin manages to put on the Figure Four for the second time but again takes a leg drop from Show. Austin takes control and hits Show with a Stunner but X-Pac arrives and accidentally kicks Show. Austin hits X-Pac with a Stunner and then hits Flair with one to win.
Winner: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in 15:37
Boring match as none of these guys seemed really motivated. Fifteen minutes was too long also and that hurt this bout. *3/4
Hair vs. Hair
Edge vs. Kurt Angle
Early on, Edge gets a near fall with a rollup and does the “this close” sign with his hand that has been used from time to time since. Edge is in control as he gets Angle tied up in the ropes like Andre the Giant and Spears him. He goes for another but Angle gets loose and belly to belly suplexes him to the outside. SWEET JESUS! Angle fires away with chops while the crowd chants “Angle Sucks!” He continues to work Edge over and nails a DDT for two. He applies a sleeper and they do the “raise the arm three times spot” and of course, Edge is alive after dropping his arm twice. Angle pulls him down by the hair to stop his momentum. Front face lock time because REST HOLDS are key. Edge does rally and hits a high arching belly to belly on Kurt. Kurt now hits one of his own as this is becoming a battle of suplexes. Taz is pissed he wasn't booked in this thing. Angle lands on the apron and gets dropkicked off, allowing Edge to dive over the top and take him out. Missile dropkick back in only earns Edge two. Angle quickly busts out a German suplex to buy him some time. Edge hits a big DDT and goes to the top again, but Kurt runs up and hits another belly to belly. Edge kicks out though. Edge accidentally Spears the referee and Angle turns Edge inside out with a German. Angle gets a chair but eats a German though the referee is down. They counter each other and Edge hits a second Spear but Angle kicks out to everyone's surprise. Angle now hits an Olympic sized Spear and the Angle Slam! One, two...NO! The place is stunned and Angle is pissed. STRAPS ARE DOWN! Ankle Lock but Edge enziguris out of it. Angle is all like, “IM A WRESTLING MACHINE” as he puts the Ankle Lock right back on. Edge pushes him off into the ropes and uses a small package as he bounces off and gets the three!
Winner: Edge in 15:29
Okay, that was fantastic. I was waiting for something like this on this show and Edge and Angle delivered. The finishing sequence was something to behold. ****1/4
Angle is livid and attacks Edge after the match. However, Edge fights him off and hits the Edgecution. He takes him to the barber's chair but Angle gets free and runs away. The camera cuts to the hotel across the street as Booker T is in bed with that chick he spoke to earlier. She asks him to turn out the lights and you just know that shenanigans are coming. Goldust's voice is heard as he scares the hell out of Booker and is in bed with him, asking him to come back to their team. Booker escapes with his ass hanging out.
Hell in a Cell
Chris Jericho vs. Triple H
I don't know why, but I always thought that their Hell in a Cell match had a face Jericho and a heel Triple H. Guess I was wrong. Harley Race high knee in the early goings as HHH pounds away on Jericho in the corner. Jericho uses a rake of the eyes to gets in the driver's seat as he fires away with chops in the corner. Tim White yells at Jericho to get inside after he crashed into the corner and was hurt out there. Like Jericho was out there for his own good. HHH tosses Jericho into the cell a few times. Jericho's arm is bleeding and they continue to brawl outside. HHH goes for a piledriver on the steel steps, but Jericho reverses and catapults HHH into the cell. Jericho must be confused about the match type as he gets a ladder and takes out HHH with it. He does it again as HHH is now gushing too. The brawl continues as Jericho goes to use the ladder again but HHH hits it with a chair, taking out the former Undisputed Champion. Jericho takes a chair shot to the back as well. Jericho does get up to try and use the steel steps but gets a drop toe hold, causing him to face plant onto them. HHH picks up the steps because he's the Game and launches them at Jericho, before they spill back outside. Tim White takes an impressive bump into the cell and JR instantly gives away what's going to happen by stating “I think Tim has the key to the cell.” Jericho lays out Hunter with a chair but there's no referee to count. Jericho is pissed so he beats on Tim White as other officials open the cell and come to check on him. EVEN TIM WHITE HAS BLADED! Jericho runs in the ring but gets a spinebuster for his troubles. HHH takes out Jericho with a sledgehammer but there's still no referee. Jericho manages to escape the cell and HHH slowly follows. They go over to the announce table and HHH hits a DDT through the table. Trips gets the barb wire 2x4 as Jericho climbs the cell to run away. I don't think this feud is personal enough for this weapon. HHH tosses it up top like a moron, so Jericho uses it on him. The brawl goes on up top and Jericho applies the Walls. Mike Chioda climbs up even though I thought a Hell in a Cell couldn't end anywhere but the ring? Anyway, Triple H hits a low blow and goes for the Pedigree, but Jericho hits a back body drop. HHH is up first and hits Jericho with the 2x4.
Winner: Triple H in 24:31
This was good, but not great. It was a glorified spotfest as they tried to recreate some classic Cell spots, but something didn't click the way it should've. Maybe it's that this feud wasn't personal or big enough for the Cell. It was brutal and entertaining, but still disappointing. ***
Edge is still searching for Angle, who hides under a shower cap in a makeup chair. Next, we get a weird sex WWE promo with the Sexual Chocolate theme in the background.
WWE Tag Team Championship
Billy & Chuck (c) vs. Rico & Rikishi
Basically, Mr. McMahon handpicks Rikishi's partner and chooses Billy and Chuck's manager, Rico. So this is generally a three on one handicap match. This is the kind of thing you do on free TV. Rikishi and Billy start out with Rikishi dominating. Chuck runs in and they hit a double flapjack after Rikishi misses a corner splash. Rikishi actually goes to tag Rico, who is suspiciously arguing with a fan. Rikishi starts to fall victim to Billy and Chuck working a tag formula but then he hits a belly to belly for one. Eventually, even though Rico tries to go against him, Rikishi squashes Chuck to win the belts.
Winners and New WWE Tag Team Champions: Rico and Rikishi in 3:52
Awful. The match was crap and the booking decision was worse. Rikishi wasn't as over as he was in 2000 and putting him with Rico was pointless. 1/2*
Edge finally catches up with Angle only to be nailed with a trash can lid. Angle drags Edge out and threatens to cut his hair but Edge counters and puts him in a sleeper hold. With Angle taking a nap, Edge shaves his head and the rest is history. Kurt's hair looked dumb anyway. Edge gets the fans to chant “You're Bald” instead of “You suck” which is pretty funny.
A recap is shown of one of the worst feuds in WWE history, between Hogan and the Undertaker.
WWE Undisputed Championship
“Hollywood” Hulk Hogan (c) vs. The Undertaker
Undertaker walks to the ring because Hogan ran over his bike with a truck, even though we've seen Undertaker use multiple motorcycles. He whips Hogan with the WEIGHTBELT OF DOOM before the bell, but Hogan no sells them and starts to whip him. Hogan dominates until they spill outside where Undertaker wails away on him. Jim Ross continues to sell this as “not a catch as catch can match” which is basically him saying this will suck. Back inside, Undertaker attempts to go Old School but gets crotched and Hogan actually does a second rope suplex. Again, I refuse to call it a superplex unless it's from the top. That only gets a near fall as Undertaker decides it's time to target Hogan's knee. He decides that he's a mat wrestler and he applies some submissions. Hogan shakes that off and hits the big boot. He goes for the Leg Drop but Hogan blocks it and puts on a pretty bad looking half Boston crab. Hogan breaks it by reaching the ropes though. Taker misses a bit boot and gets crotched on the top rope again. Undertaker shakes that off and hits the worst looking Chokeslam in history for two. It's “Hulk Up” time! He hits the big boot and the Leg Drop but Undertaker kicks out. Mr. McMahon comes out as Undertaker gets a chair from ringside. Hogan big boots the chair into his face while Vince distracts the referee. Hogan brings him in the hard way and uses a very 1980's punch and leg drop on him. Undertaker hits him in the back of the head with the chair, which the referee somehow doesn't hear, and hits a better looking Chokeslam to win the strap.
Winner and New WWE Undisputed Champion: The Undertaker in 11:08
I didn't like it at Survivor Series 1991 and I don't like it 11 years later. Crap match between two guys who weren't lighting the world on fire at the time. The Undertaker title reign at least led to the ladder match with Jeff Hardy, but this was bad. *
Overall: 4.5/10; Below Average. Not a good show. The only thing you should go out of your way to catch is Edge vs. Angle. Hogan and Taker put on one of the worst main events in recent memory and even the Hell in a Cell is not must see. The Intercontinental Title match is solid but nothing else passes two stars. I remember the summer of 2002 being much better than this so hopefully, good things are coming. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2014 14:37:43 GMT -5
That chokeslam...  |
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Post by Kanenite on Jul 28, 2014 15:34:54 GMT -5
 WWE Armageddon 2002 (December 15th 2002) Office Depot Center - Sunrise Florida The show begins with a promo featuring clips of Freddie Blassie sitting in a ring, voice overs about Armageddon, and clips showing Triple H, Michaels, Angle, and Big Show. The four men who would make up the two main event matches. Always loved that "End is Here" theme that Jim Johnston made. I also miss PPV names like this. Way better than the gimmick PPVs that land the creative team in a mess when they have to come up with angles out of nowhere so the PPV can have said gimmick match. The pyro hits, and then I remember this awesome PPV set. There is fire, a big "A" made up of industrial metal girders, and RAW and Smackdown! signage on the left and right sides respectively. World Tag Team Championship: Fatal 4 Way Elimination Tag Team Match
Chris Jericho & Christian (C) vs. The Dudley Boyz vs. Booker T & Goldust vs. Lance Storm & William Regal
The show kicks off with this multi team Tag match for the RAW Tag Straps. Chris Jericho wears probably his worst attire ever here. I remember he had a black/teal/gold version of this attire he wore at I think Summerslam 02, but here it's the same design but the base of the tights are almost the same color as his skin so he looks naked with purple stuff on the sides of his legs. Nonetheless, the match starts off pretty average. Fans are hyped though as this is the first match (besides the dark match). Bubba and Regal do some weird rolling pin spot that gets botched horribly, and Bubba gets eliminated from this. The fans, wrestlers, and commentators are all very confused on if the Dudley's got eliminated from this. No bell ring or announcement, but eventually Nick Patrick tells the Dudley's to leave. Seconds later, Goldust eliminates Regal. We are down to two teams, Goldust and Booker, vs. the champs, Jericho & Christian. The match starts to feel more organized, and not so over populated. Jericho starts doing his awesome boxing stomp punches to Goldie, and the runs off the ropes for one more big punch, but Goldie counters. Booker eventually gets tagged in, and turns up on Jericho. Jericho dodges Booker's signatures moves every chance he gets, and counters a kick from Booker into the Walls of Jericho. Goldust breaks it up, Christian is on the top rope, and gets Jericho rammed into his groin from a Irish Whip from Booker. Jericho and Booker trade momentum as Goldie and Christian are outside the ring beat down. Booker does the Spin-a-roonie, then a nice Scissors Kick. Christian distracts the ref, and it gave Y2J enough time to kick out. Jericho then nails Booker with a Tag title, and gets a near fall. Jericho tries it again, but this time Booker catches him with a sick Book End for the victory. Coach interviews the new champs at ringside, and Booker says the fans believe in them, and that Goldust isn't no weak link. Winners, and New World Tag Team Champions, Booker T & Goldust!3/10 Brock Lesnar arrives Edge vs. A-TrainEdge comes out to a decent pop, (Tazz describes it as the fans going "BONKERS!") as "Never Gonna Stop" by Rob Zombie plays. A-Train enters as they show his recent destruction to Edge and Mysterio. They say Edge has a injured MCL from A-Train's attack from 2 weeks ago, but doesn't need surgery. "SHAVE YOUR BACK" the fans start to chant to A-Train. Tazz keeps on calling A-Train "Albert", as he only started using the A-Train name I think the week before. A-Train dominates, keeps Edge in the corner, beating him down, and hits a Guillotine. Edge begins to turn things around after getting out of a Chin Lock. He wails away on him in the corner, and then hits the "Winning Edge" facebuster (that's what they call it in the WWE Games). Edge hits a nice spinning Edge-O-Matic from the top rope for a near fall. Edge goes airborne again from a Missile Dropkick but eats a choppy Bicycle Kick from A-Train. A-Train tries to hit Edge with a chair, but gets Speared instead. A-Train kicks out, and then this time hits Edge's knee with the chair. Edge wins via DQ.Edge dropkicks the chair in A-Train's face post match, and then beats the hell out of him with it. 3/10 Big Show and Paul Heyman talk backstage. Show is mad that Lesnar is in the building and he wants to talk to Stephanie to complain. Heyman tells him not to do that, and that he will handle the situation. "You're the champ, I'm the agent". WWE Tag Team Champion Eddie Guerrero vs. Chris BenoitEddie screwed Benoit out of getting a WWE Title shot, so Benoit wants to rip his head off. The match starts out as Tazz says it should be one for the ages. Benoit and Eddie perform some nice chain wrestling. Benoit tries working the arm, Eddie goes for the leg. They wind up in the corner then Eddie gives Benoit some hard chops then they space out. Eddie starts to take advantage til Benoit Back Body drops Latino Heat and applies a hard facelock. Eddie takes advantage again as the crowd chants "Eddie sucks". He works the arm hard with a nice short arm scissor. Benoit uses brute strength, and lifts Guerrero up and slams him down (shades of Backlund). Eddie attempts to back body drop Benoit out of the ring or at least to the apron, but Chris gets tangled in the ropes. Eddie then dives of the top rope to the outside and hits Benoit good with a unique looking Crossbody. Eddie works the Crippler's leg, until Benoit finds an opening, and then hits Latino Heat with 5 German Suplexes. He then goes for the Diving Headbutt, but sees Eddie getting up so changes plans to hit two more German Suplexes. Eddie then hits Benoit with a chain of 2 Germans, and one nice snap suplex. He follows it up with a Frog Splash but it wasn't enough to put Benoit out. Eddie tackles Benoit out of the ring as they both lie for a moment. In comes Chavito Heat with a WWE tag title and stamps Benoit in the head with it as the ref is tied up with Eddie. Benoit seems KO'd but he kicks out of Guerrero's pin attempt. The Lasso from El Passo gets applied for a few seconds but Benoit gets a Rope Break. Eddie gets fustrated and starts kicking Benoit's leg like crazy. Benoit gets pissed and lays Eddie out with a big Powerbomb. Chavo prevents Chris from doing a Diving Headbutt, but then gets knocked down to the floor. Benoit gets Eddie down again and finally hits the Headbutt. Eddie then plays possum and hits the Lasso again. Benoit flips out and then locks in the Crippler Crossface for the win. I loved how Benoit would always switch sides and roll around to prevent his opponent from reaching the ropes. 6/10 Stephanie McMahon sitting on her table backstage (looking smoking) and says "I looooove that Chris Benoit!"  Paul Heyman tries to get Lesnar banned, but Steph doesn't give in. Heyman says Show will break Lesnar's neck if he shows up at ringside tonight. They air the promo showing off Dawn Marie and Torrie's feud, and highlight the less intimate parts of the Torrie/Dawn Marie hotel room scene that Torrie participated in so Dawn Marie wouldn't marry Al (although she lied). Dawn Marie and Al Wilson enter the ring. Dawn gets on the mic, talking about the footage of Torrie and her. She says Torrie isn't there, and that she will show the tape of what happened in room 357. Dawn plays with the hair of Torrie but then she feels uncomfortable and tries to leave. Dawn shouts "I GUESS YOU DON'T LOVE YOUR FATHER AFTER ALL!" and then Torrie comes back over. She makes Torrie drink some Champagne and est Strawberries. She unzips Torrie's jacket and reveals Torrie's red bra. She then removes her skirt and we see Torrie's panties. Dawn then disrobes herself and reveals her black lingerie. They then make out. Dawn gets them to freeze it, and then Al gets mad and doesn't want to see the rest. He orders the producers to stop it as they do. The fans chant "We Want More" and boo Al. Dawn gives in, and obeys Al's wishes and they play no more of it. Dawn suggests making a tape with Al and then they leave. King gets on commentary and then asks "IS THAT IT! I WANT MORE!" Shawn Michaels stretches backstage. Kane vs. Batista w/Ric FlairKane enters, and his pyro sort of lights parts of the stage on fire. It looks really cool and he gets a good pop. Batista enters and both men start out by trading Clotheslines and Shoulder Blocks. Batista knocks Kane down, but Kane gets up and sends Batista out. At the point you can hear fire extinguishers cooling the stage down from Kane's pyro. Kane hits a big Elbow Drop on Batista. Kane then loses control when Batista hits a powerful looking Spear on him. Ric Flair tries to Irish Whip Kane on the outside of the ring but Kane holds on to the ring post and Flair tumbles on the floor from the momentum and then chops Kane to no effect. Kane then wraps his hand around Flair's throat but Batista breaks it up and sends the action back into the ring. Batista attempts to hit a Sit Down Powerbomb on Kane but he botches and fails to lift him up. Kane does a Flying Clothesline off the top rope and signals for a Chokeslam. Batista gets out and Spinbusters Kane for a near fall. Kane then hits a Surprise Chokeslam but Flair distracts the ref. Meanwhile Batista hits Kane with a cheap shot and hits the Sit Down Powerbomb for the win.2/10 Kurt Angle asks Funaki and Shannon Moore where Brock Lesnar's locker room is, and then point him in the right direction. Cena and B2 enter as Cena kicks a freestyle with lots of twisty camera angles. Pretty enjoyable segment. Women's Championship: Triple Threat MatchVictoria (C) vs. Trish Stratus vs. JacquelineA package plays showing Victoria's psycho tendencies. They show her winning the Women's title, and then her mini fued with Jacqueline. Trish comes in with a nice shiny red attire with some nice cleavage. Jackie comes out ALSO with a shiny red attire with some side boob action. Victoria comes running down to the ring wasting no time and instantly attacks Jacqueline. She then does her amazing flipping leg drop over the top rope to Trish. The match continues it's extremely fast pasted action. Victoria drills Trish with a Superplex. Trish cracks Jackie good with a Chick Kick but awkwardly goes for the pin which Victoria interrupts. Victoria then hits Trish in the head with the Women's title, and pins Jacqueline to retain the title. She also steals Trish's red hat. 1/10 Kurt Angle reminds Brock Lesnar that if he is in Angle's corner, he is 20 feet away from Paul Heyman, and 20 feet away from retribution. **I have to get some food and stuff so I will later update this post with the rest of the PPV** |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2014 15:51:14 GMT -5
That Dawn Marie...  |
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Jul 29, 2014 11:20:52 GMT -5
Bash at the Beach 1998
7/12/98 – Cox Arena in San Diego, California – Attendance: 10,095
So, 1998 WCW. If I'm correct, and I could be wrong, Bash at the Beach 1998 would be the first Pay-Per-View of the Goldberg as WCW Champion era. Looking at the card, I see there is potential. Booker T takes on Bret Hart for the WCW Television Title which could be good, a Cruiserweight Title match between Chris Jericho and Rey Mysterio Jr, as well as Goldberg stepping into the ring with a legend like Curt Hennig. The biggest story going into this match though was the tag team main event where Hulk Hogan would team with Dennis Rodman against DDP and Karl Malone, just a month or so after Rodman's Chicago Bulls defeated Malone's Utah Jazz in the NBA Finals for the second straight year. This also produced the highest buy rate for WCW of the year, even outselling Starrcade. It did a 1.50 buy rate, but the WWF's WrestleMania 14 had produced a 2.30 buy rate or something like that so it shows you where these two companies stood. Enough of that though, let's start this show.
You know, for having more money than the WWF at the time, WCW had a terrible production company for their videos. They are nearly always terrible. MEAN BAH GAWD GENE opens the show by talking about the WCW Hotline. 1-900-909-9900!
Raven's Rules Match
Raven w/ Riggs & Lodi vs. Saturn
Saturn attacks Raven as he makes his entrance. He tosses Raven around into the guardrails before choking him with a shirt. They go inside and Saturn goes to the top but either slips off or just steps off and kicks Raven. Awkward stuff. Lodi is dressed like ECW's famous “hat guy”. Saturn goes back up top but misses now. Because it's Raven's Rules, he sets up a table with assistance from Riggs. Raven's plans get foiled though as he is crotched on the top, though Saturn fails to capitalize. Raven gets a near fall inside with his feet on the ropes. Raven applies a freaking sleeper hold in a Raven's Rules match. Seriously? Saturn hits back to back suplex variations before going outside for a chair, which Tony Schiavone calls a table. Saturn places the chair on Raven's face and hits a springboard leg drop on it for two. Lodi and Riggs try to intervene but Saturn takes them out. He runs at Raven who pulls Nick Patrick in the way. Patrick gets kicked directly in the face, but sells it terribly. I never saw the point of referee bumps during no disqualification matches. Saturn puts Raven on a table, and then stacks a table on top of that one. Kanyon shows up and pulls Raven out. Saturn can see this clear as day but still jumps off and elbows nobody through the table. Kanyon raises Raven's hand in the ring, only to hit him with the Flatliner on an open chair. Riggs rolls Saturn in the ring and Raven gets his arm across him but Saturn gets his shoulder up. Saturn kicks a chair into Raven's face but Riggs breaks up the count. He gets hit with a DVD for his trouble, allowing Raven to hit the Evenflow and win.
Winner: Raven in 10:41
A Raven's Rules match with like, two weapons isn't a good start, but the random and pointless Kanyon appearance coupled with the awkward moments in the match hurt this. *1/2
More from MEAN “BAH GAWD” GENE, as he brings out Eddie Guerrero and the badass LWO theme. He cuts a promo about his nephew as he'll be facing Chavo in a hair vs. hair match later, but first, Chavo has to face Stevie Ray for some reason.
Juventud Guerrera vs. Kidman w/ Lodi
Before he was Billy, he was just Kidman and a member of the Flock. Tony Schiavone points out that the referee is Mark “Shooter” Curtis. So this ref stole Dean Malenko's ECW gimmick. Fun and fast paced sequence after the bell that The Juice gets the best of. After taking Kidman over and out, Juvi goes for a dive but gets tripped up by Lodi. Lodi beats up Juvi in front of the referee who doesn't call for the DQ. Schiavone literally just says “I guess this is Raven's Rules too.” The disconnect is apparent. Juvi does a nice dive on both members of the Flock though. As they spill outside, Kidman hits an alley-oop onto the guardrail. According to Mike Tenay, this stemmed from Kidman saying the Seven Year Itch (Shooting Star Press) is better than the 450 that Juvi does. Schiavone calls a powerbomb onto the outside a sidewalk slam. I can't make this up. Juvi goes for a top rope hurricanrana but Kidman low blows him, again no disqualification, and hits the Sky High off the top. YOU BETTER RECOGNIZE! Both men end up at the top again and Kidman gets crotched on the top rope, allowing Juvi to his a springboard hurricanrana for two. Juvi earns points with me by using one of my favorite moves, the Northern lights suplex for two. Juvi barely lands on his feet from a German and hits the Juvi Driver for a near fall. Kidman ends up missing the Seven Year Itch and Juvi doesn't miss the 450, which finishes it.
Winner: Juventud Guerrera in 9:55
Despite the issues with the rules and the lack of disqualifications being called, these two did a fine job. I enjoyed this. ***
Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. Stevie Ray
As he walks to the ring, Stevie Ray promises to SLAPJACK someone tonight. Chavo has a water gun and a floaty. It's still better than Kerwin White. Eddie comes out with scissors and Chavo grabs a microphone. He dedicates the match to his uncle. He eludes Stevie and flexes to a pop. Chavo then starts to dance and this is weird. He asks for a handshake and when Stevie accepts, he submits.
Winner: Stevie Ray in 1:36
Pointless. I understand that Chavo gave up on purpose to not waste energy on this match, but then why book this in the first place? DUD
Hair vs. Hair
Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. Eddie Guerrero
Chavo bites his uncle on his rear end as his “wacky” gimmick continues. Eddie rolls outside and we get a lot of stalling for some odd reason. Chavo even gets a chair while he waits. Once things finally get going, Chavo hits a back body drop as Eddie crawls on his knees to the referee. Chavo follows in exactly the same manner and bites Eddie's butt again. Eddie targets the ribs and hits a big suplex. Eddie puts Chavo in the Gory Special, which Chavo should know a counter to, since it's like, family tradition. Chavo gets some offense with a monkey flip before chopping away in the corner. Things go outside and Eddie removes the mat, to expose the concrete. Love this spot. Chavo reverses a suplex and it backfires on Eddie. Inside, Eddie hits a superplex. There's a lot of suplexes in here. He charges at Chavo but eats turnbuckle. Chavo goes for a Frog Splash but Eddie gets his knees up. Eddie uses Chavo's tornado DDT but doesn't go for the cover. He instead goes for the scissors but the ref strips him. Eddie misses a Frog Splash. Chavo gets the scissors now, and Eddie uses a small package to best him.
Winner: Eddie Guerrero in 11:54
For two guys who should have obvious chemistry, this wasn't very good. There was far too much stalling at the beginning and the ending didn't make much sense. **
Chavo laughs and shaves his own head after the contest. This causes Eddie to be a bit freaked out as he leaves.
Disco Inferno w/ Alex Wright vs. Konnan w/ Lex Luger & Kevin Nash
I won't lie, it's pretty great that Disco Inferno hails from FunkyTown. Tony Schiavone says that this is an unadvertised match and I can see why. I might not buy a PPV featuring this. Disco and Alex Wright say that they are also “bowdy bowdy and rowdy rowdy.” Konnan steals their thing and says that he's also “bowdy bowdy and rowdy rowdy.” Konnan hits a hip toss and a sloppy looking arm drag. Disco blocks a sunset flip and decides to dance. Konnan connects with the X-Factor followed by a rolling clothesline. Disco ends up sending Konnan outside, where Wright pounds on him while Luger and Nash do nothing. Then, after Konnan is done getting beat up, Luger puts Wright in the Torture Rack. Nash enters and hits the Jacknife on Disco allowing Konnan to lock in the Tequila Sunrise and Disco quits.
Winner: Konnan in 2:16
Another thing that didn't need to be on the Pay-Per-View. The Wolfpack had to use their three on two advantage to beat Disco Inferno. The crowd was hot at least. *
The Giant vs. Kevin Greene
The Giant is billed as 7 foot 4 and weighing 519 pounds. Wow. Kevin Greene enters and looks like he's on coke or something. A lot of early stalling before Greene gets Giant crotched on the top rope and shakes the ropes, though he botches that. He attempts some punches in the corner but ends up getting a spinebuster. Giant continues to bore with some big man offense as the crowd chants “Goldberg.” It was supposed to be The Giant & Curt Hennig against Greene and Goldberg but that was changed when Goldberg won the title. Giant continues to chop away until Green hits a jawbreaker of sorts. Headbutt from the Giant stops his momentum though. Green does get in some offense as he throws Giant into the guardrail a few times. Greene goes to the top and hits a flying clothesline but Giant powers out at two. He decides to taunt which allows Giant to hit the Chokeslam and end this.
Winner: The Giant in 6:58
Kevin Greene tried his best but he's not a wrestler and The Giant wasn't good enough to carry him. Boring stuff. *1/4
Curt Hennig is asked why he thinks he will be the one to beat Goldberg. He makes very valid points about his experience and Goldberg not being able to wrestle long. A video recap is shown of Chris Jericho baiting Dean Malenko into attacking him and getting suspended, changing the match for tonight.
WCW Cruiserweight Championship No Disqualification
Chris Jericho (c) vs. Rey Mysterio Jr.
The WWE Network giving Jericho his WWF debut theme is not bad. Jericho is wearing a top hat for some reason. Ah, it seems that since he won't have a match Jericho is going to do some soft shoe for the fans. JJ Dillon shows up and decides that Jericho should wrestle someone. He teases it as a guy who hasn't wrestled in six months and he thinks it's a jobber. It's Rey Mysterio and the crowd pops. Rey uses fast offense to take control and hits a springboard leg drop for two. They say Rey added about 15 pounds of muscle but he's still way smaller than he was during his WWE run. They botch a hurricanrana spot on the outside. Jericho wisely goes to Mysterio's injured knee. They fight up to the lifeguard stand in the entrance and Schiavone tries to sell falling in sand as bothersome. Rey leaps off the lifeguard post with a hurricanrana. He tosses sand in Jericho's eyes and they're back in the ring quickly. They go to the top and Jericho hits a powerslam off the top before grabbing a chair. He crushes Rey's knee with it but misses his next move with it. Rey now uses the chair and targets Jericho's leg with it. Rey goes for a springboard but Jericho catches him in a sloppy and weak powerbomb. He tries the Liontamer but Rey gets to the ropes as Dean Malenko walks down. Jericho is distracted but goes for the Liontamer again, only to have Rey counter into a pin for the three.
Winner and New Cruiserweight Champion: Rey Mysterio Jr. in 6:01
Maybe it's because Rey just came back from injury but this was kept short and they botched two big spots. Other than that, it was decent, but disappointing. **
WCW World Television Championship
Booker T (c) vs. Bret Hart
Two WWE Hall of Famers squaring off for a WCW mid-card title. Interesting. Man, WCW mishandled Bret Hart's entire run. We get a tie up and Booker hits a quick arm drag. He must have watched some Ricky Steamboat before this match. We get a series of hip toss reversals that ends with Booker hip tossing Bret over and out. Booker goes out and high fives fans, allowing Bret to send him into the guardrail. Bret continues to control inside until Booker hits a spinebuster that gets called a sidewalk slam. Seriously WCW commentary? Can you get something right? Back outside, Bret slams Booker's back into the ring post. Going to the second rope, Bret hits his excellently executed elbow for a near fall. My goodness, everything Bret does looked great. A regular move like a Russian leg sweep looks vicious. Booker gets a very sloppy roll up attempt in the corner that Heenan covers up by saying it's due to Bret focusing on Booker's back. Booker hits a big kick and manages to hit the Scissors Kick but can't cover instantly. He hits a missile dropkick but Bret gets his foot on the bottom rope because he's a ring general dammit. Bret rolls outside and gets a steel chair as he decides to get himself disqualified.
Winner via disqualification and Still Television Champion: Booker T in 8:58
Two good performers kind of mailed it in here. Bret's offense looked great but Booker kind of no sold things at the end. The disqualification finish was stupid too. **1/4
Bret continues the assault and puts on the figure four in the corner as Stevie Ray walks down. Literally walks. Bret exits as Stevie Ray poorly helps Booker to the back.
WCW World Heavyweight Championship
Goldberg (c) vs. Curt Hennig
I love Curt Hennig but he wasn't booked well in WCW at this time and was not a viable threat to the belt. Goldberg should've faced The Giant if anything so he can look like a dominant champion. Beating Hennig won't do anything for him. Also, if you wanted to put Goldberg over even more, he should've won the WCW World Title on a Pay-Per-View. If this show drew a 1.50, imagine what Hogan/Goldberg could've done. At the bell, they square off and Goldberg gets a headlock and runs over Hennig. Chops form Hennig do nothing and Goldberg does a scissors roll that looks terrible. Hennig gets hits with a sloppy slam from Goldberg. Hennig gets in his first real offense by dropping his knee across Goldberg's leg. They mention that Goldberg is 111-0. I feel like he's wrestled ALOT of matches in the like, year that he's been in WCW. Perfectplex gets hit but Goldberg kicks out which broke my heart a little. Well, it's the Hennigplex here so I understand a bit. Goldberg instantly gets up, hits a clothesline, the Spear and the Jackhammer and he's 112-0.
Winner and Still WCW World Heavyweight Champion: Goldberg in 3:50
Well, that accomplished nothing. Goldberg beat a mid-carder in his usual three minute squash. *
We get another weak video package of the build up for the main event though it not featuring any NBA clips is poop.
Diamond Dallas Page & Karl Malone vs. “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan & Dennis Rodman w/ The Disciple
Hogan's like “yea I lost the belt, but I'm still in the main event.” Michael Buffer announces that DDP and Malone don't affiliate themselves with any organizations. So WCW and the Utah Jazz don't count? Rodman and Malone start as the crowd is excited. Reports say that Malone trained hard for this and Rodman didn't, which makes sense. Also, I read that Hogan wanted this to go like 40 minutes. Thank god that wasn't the case. Rodman gets tossed outside by Malone after stalling, so he tags Hogan. They have a flexing contest and Hogan gets upset so he calls for a test of strength. Malone applies some sort of odd rest hold and then slams Hogan. DDP and Rodman gets tagged in ans they lock up as DDP shoves him to the mat. “Boring” chants echo throughout the arena and rightfully so. Rodman spits at DDP so DDP returns the favor. DDP makes Rodman's armdrag look decent. Rodman does two impressive leap frogs before totally screwing up a shoulder block. Malone and Hogan get tagged in. Hogan gets overpowered and claims Malone pulled his hair, allowing Rodman to get in a cheap shot. Hogan does a scoop slam and drops some elbows on Malone. Rodman and Hogan do some tags and double team offense until DDP gets the hot tag and cleans house. His burst doesn't last long because Hogan brings out the WEIGHT BELT OF DOOM! Now DDP plays the face in peril role as he takes a beating. My god, this match seems like it's an Iron Man match. Malone gets the hot tag and pounds Hogan's head into the turnbuckle. DDP gets the tag again and hits Hogan with the Diamond Cutter. Rodman enters and gets a Diamond Cutter from Malone. The Disciple come sin and this a Stunner on DDP, allowing Hogan to get the pin.
Winners: Dennis Rodman & Hulk Hogan in 23:47
Did Hogan and Rodman NEED to go over here? Malone lost to Rodman in the NBA Finals twice, couldn't the good guy at least get the scripted wrestling win? This was terrible and tedious. DUD
Overall: 2.5/10; Bad. Another WCW show where nearly every match is bad. The main event is abysmal and the World Title match is poor. The Cruiserweight Title match and the Hair vs. Hair match both disappoint while the only match that is worth a look is Kidman vs. Juventud. WCW continues to be the worst shows I review. Next for “Random Network Reviews” will be Survivor Series 1996! |
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Jul 30, 2014 11:20:51 GMT -5
King of the Ring 2002
June 23rd, 2002 – Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio – Attendance: 14,200
Coming off of some rough Pay-Per-Views, 2002 was fumbling. However, I remember things picking up around this time. The final King of the Ring Pay-Per-View is here and the Semi-Finals will be held between Brock Lesnar, Chris Jericho, Rob Van Dam and Test. I just wanna sing “ONE OF THESE THINGS JUST DOESN'T BELONG HERE!” The Undertaker was in the midst of his WWE Undisputed Championship run but this was before his classic with Jeff Hardy. Ratings were struggling and going down and Steve Austin famously walked out the night he was to wrestle Brock and he was upset at the lack of shine given to him in 2002. Judging by his matches with Big Show, The Undertaker and Ric Flair, I have to agree.
Interestingly, the opening video package doesn't mention anything about the WWE Championship match and instead, only focuses on the King of the Ring Tournament itself, which I love. The stage here is the one with the giant throne/chair and I always thought that was a pretty cool one.
King of the Ring Semi-Finals
Chris Jericho vs. Rob Van Dam
Back at Unforgiven 2001, these two had one of my favorite matches of the year. RVD is in the midst of his second Intercontinental Title run, while Jericho was Undisputed Champion a few months prior. Early wristlocks include RVD hitting some very weak kicks. Jericho hits a shoulder block and shouts “IM THE KING OF THE WORLD”! They both go for dropkicks and RVD taunts in his face as crowd says it with him. RVD connects with a monkey flip and I would like to point out that his attire is great. Jericho misses his trademark springboard dropkick, allowing RVD to hit a somersault over the top. RVD sets up for the Five Star but Jericho kicks Brian Hebner into the ropes, crotching RVD. Jericho whips out a double underhook suplex from the top from his WCW days for two. Time to expose the turnbuckle and while the referee fixes it, RVD gets a small package that would've gotten him three. Jericho fights back and connects with a poor looking Breakdown for two. REST HOLD time once Jericho gets back on the offensive. RVD does his ridiculous cartwheel moonsault after a step over enziguri. We get a series of counters from both guys for a bit that Jericho wins with a beautiful release German. I'm a sucker for a good German suplex. RVD manages to nail the split legged moonsault for a near fall and so far, this is a great choice for the opener. Jericho attempts the Walls to a big pop but RVD counters into a rollup for two. Jericho sends RVD into the exposed buckle and rolls him up with the ropes for leverage but still can't win. YOU'RE HEELING WRONG! Lionsault misses and Jericho walks into a spin kick. Five Star Frog Splash also misses though, followed by a connected Lionsault. RVD surprises everyone by getting his shoulder up. Wow. RVD goes for a hurricanrana, but Jericho turns it into the Walls only to have the ropes save RVD. They fight op top and Jericho falls, allowing RVD to hit the Five Star and win!
Winner: Rob Van Dam in 14:32
Great choice for an opener. The near falls and missed finishers at the end were frantic and this was a big win for an Intercontinental Champion. ****
Jerry “The King” Lawler enters to get a word with Rob Van Dam. He says it doesn't matter to him if it's Test or Brock that he faces in the finals. Yea, Rob, you should prefer Test. Jericho attacks him post match and puts him in the Walls. Brock and Paul Heyman are watching in the back on a monitor.
King of the Ring Semi-Finals
Brock Lesnar w/ Paul Heyman vs. Test
Test beat Hurricane and Hardcore Holly to advance. Talk about an easy road. This is also the first Pay-Per-View to feature Brock's official theme music. If anyone thinks that Test has a chance here, they're clueless. THE GREATEST REFEREE IN THE HISTORY OF OUR SPORT Nick Patrick is calling this one as Brock eats multiple clotheslines. Brock steps outside to regain his composure. Test stomps a mudhole in Brock when he gets back in. Brock uses an impactful spinebuster to turn things around. He continues to dominate with backbreakers and powerful offense. Test thinks it's 1990 as he does an atomic drop but gets powerslammed. They miscue a spot and awkwardly try to fix it. Test hits an impressive sidewalk slam but only gets a near fall. He even does a full nelson slam for two. Test has looked quite impressive here. He goes for the Pump Handle Slam, but Brock wriggles free only for Test to hit it shortly after. Brock gets his shoulder up as Paul Heyman nearly pooped himself. Test goes for the big boot but Brock dodges and again, ends up getting hit with it. He kicks out to everyone's surprise again. A Heyman distraction allowed Brock to connect with the F5 and advance.
Winner: Brock Lesnar in 8:18
Surprisingly good. Test was all the rave in 1999 but had fallen off since then. However, he looked good here and actually had people believing he would win. **1/2
Jonathan Coachman is backstage and asks Raw superstars who will win the King of the Ring, since both finalists are from Raw. Bubba Ray Dudley wisely chooses Brock. Mark or Marc Lloyd goes to ask Smackdown guys about the the KOTR Finals. Lance Storm and Christian come out and wanted an all Canadian final between Test and Jericho. Christian says the WWE and America is prejudice against Canada. He rightfully says that the rest of the world hates America and here is the birth of the Un-Americans.
Michael Cole and Tazz are somewhere not commentating because Pay-Per-Views had to be called by Raw announcers. On a recent Talk is Jericho podcast, Paul Heyman said that he fought for his Smackdown guys to be able to call matches, especially Smackdown ones, on Pay-Per-Views. I commend him for that.
Cruiserweight Championship
The Hurricane (c) vs. Jamie Noble w/ Nidia
Oh my goodness, this is a Cruiserweight Title match with an actual storyline. Nidia and her boyfriend JAMIE NOBLE BOY targeted The Hurricane and even stole his cape and mask. WASSUPWITDAT?! Nidia is sporting Hurricane's cape to ringside. Hurricane gets the quick upper hand and strikes a pose. He connects with the Shining Wizard and goes for the Chokeslam, but Noble blocks it. He takes a superkick anyway for two. I believe that Nidia is getting “she's a crack whore” chants but it's not loud enough to be sure. Nidia messes up her attempt to trip up Hurricane but he does his best with it. It leads to Noble hitting a clothesline outside. Noble is in control and he applies an abdominal stretch for a bit. Hurricane tries a comeback but gets hit with an electric chair drop. The only thing better than the abdominal stretch is a seated abdominal stretch, which Noble does now. Hurricane fights out and applies a sleeper hold, but it's reversed into a jawbreaker. Noble now puts on a sleeper hold. Hurricane gets out and scores with a neckbreaker and a second rope blockbuster. Eye of the Hurricane is reversed into a German suplex but the Champion hits it anyway for two. Noble gets suplexed from the inside to the outside and looks like he tweaks his ankle. Hurricane soars out onto him. Both men get to the top and Hurricane hits a beautiful top rope swinging neckbreaker. I've never seen that before. Nidia distracts the referee so no count could be made. Hurricane chokeslams Noble and he somehow kicks out. Surprising stuff. Mistake is made when Hurricane gets crotched on the top and Noble hits a powerbomb. He gets the pin as Nidia knocks Hurricane's foot off the rope.
Winner and New Cruiserweight Champion: Jamie Noble in 11:38
These two surprisingly got a good amount of time. I think there was a rest hold or two too many, but all in all, I enjoyed this. ***
The Rock is shown from earlier tonight arriving to a massive pop. Terri Runnels is standing by with Eddie Guerrero. They show clips of Eddie and Chris Benoit beating on Ric Flair. Flair was a face two PPVs ago and a heel last PPV, but now he's a face again. Eddie says hi to his family, which is stereotypically about 100 people deep.
Eddie Guerrero vs. Ric Flair
According to Flair, this is him believing that he has a final run in him. Eddie uses his clear quickness advantage to cause Flair to rethink his strategy outside. One chop from Flair causes Eddie to retreat and Flair to strut. We get a more aggressive Eddie once he come back but it still ends with him getting chops and short arm punches. Flair hits a low blow after directing the official's attention elsewhere. Eddie hits a dropkick to the knee that Flair sells like it broke his kneecap. He screams in agony and drops. Eddie has chosen to target the knee, but I'm not sure why. Ah, Eddie tells me why as he uses Flair's Figure Four. Insult to injury I guess. Flair survives but gets put in a headlock. Eddie misses the Frog Splash and it looks like the MOOD IS ABOUT TO CHANGE. Oh wait, Tazz isn't here. Flair sets up for the Figure Four as Chris Benoit walks down in slacks. Eddie reaches the ropes and reverses a suplex into a rollup for two. Flair tries another pin that is sloppy. I feel like each match has had some sort of botch so far. Eddie hits a tornado DDT and goes for the pin but Flair gets his foot on the rope. Flair ends up outside and Benoit locks him in the Crossface while Eddie distracts the referee. The referee sort of notices so he kicks Benoit out. Bubba Ray Dudley arrives and hits the Bubba Bomb on Eddie. Benoit chases him through the crowd as Flair crawls back in and gets the pin.
Winner: Ric Flair in 16:50
Who thought to give this more time than Jericho/RVD? It wasn't bad, I'm just curious. The finish was stupid as Flair didn't look good at all. But it was a solid contest that got hurt by being a bit too long. **1/4
William Regal and Christopher Nowinski are at The World and they insult the waitress, who sticks her finger in his food. I don't ever want to eat there.
Women's Championship
Trish Stratus (c) vs. Molly Holly
Molly was great in her virtuous role. Action starts before the bell as Molly gets the upper hand with a back body drop. The commentary discusses Molly's ass throughout the match so that's unfortunate. Trish surprises by athletically climbing Molly's shoulders and rolling her up for two. She gets another rollup for another near fall but Molly is tired of that junk and drop toe holds Trish onto the bottom rope. They go outside where Molly slams Trish's face on the apron and then whips her into the guardrail. Molly climbs to the top for the Molly Go Round, but Trish stops her and does her Stratusfying handstand hurricanrana. Trish chops Molly so much that her elbow pad flies off. Chick Kick connects but Molly blocks Stratusfaction and hits a German for two. She climbs again and misses the Molly Go Round, allowing Trish to Roll her up but Molly reverses and uses handful of tights to win.
Winner and New Women's Champion: Molly Holly in 5:41
A good women's contest. Molly was truly great in this role and the shady win worked well. Of course the commentary just talking about Molly's ass is annoying. **
Marc or Mark Lloyd is backstage with Kurt Angle, who is sporting his ridiculous wig. Angle is offended that people call his match with Hogan a battle of “American Heroes” because Hogan hasn't done anything to be an American hero. He's kind of right.
Hulk Hogan vs. Kurt Angle
The collar and elbow tie up ends with Hogan shoving Angle to the mat and hard. A good old fashioned top wristlock follows and again Hogan powers out and sends Angle outside. Angle gets back inside and Hogan poorly sells a clothesline. Hogan gets back on the offensive by ramming Angle's head into the turnbuckle while the fans count along with it. Hogan's offense never left the 80's. Angle uses a well placed low blow to stop Hogan's momentum. Belly to back suplex and Angle is all like “WOO”. Hogan counters a suplex with one of his own and delivers his scoop slam. Angle goes all Roddy Piper and puts Hogan in a sleeper. Hogan survives the sleeper hold and rallies but eats another belly to back suplex. Hogan kicks out of the Angle Slam, which everyone seems to kick out of now. STRAPS ARE DOWN AND HULK IS UP! THE IRRESISTABLE FORCE MEETS THE IMMOVABLE OBJECT! Of course Hogan wins out with the big boot but no Leg Drop. He removes Angle's wig instead, forcing Angle to walk out. Hogan puts the wig on, causing Angle to turn around with a chair. Hogan ducks and the chair hits the ropes, bouncing back into Angle's face. Hogan goes for the Leg Drop but Angle counters and gets the Ankle Lock! Hogan nearly breaks it but Angle won't let go! Even when Hogan gets to the ropes. Hogan has to tap out, which is one of the craziest things I've ever seen.
Winner: Kurt Angle in 12:08
As with most stuff Hogan did in 2002, this wasn't great. Angle did his best and the ending was pretty fun. **1/4
We are now treated to the absolutely hilarious Goldust, Booker T and the Rock segment from this show. Goldust is dressed as The Rock and the Rock interrupts and it's hysterical. See it if you haven't. CHECK CASHING, SUCKER TRASHING, NEVER LOONY, SPINAROONIE, SLAMMING JAMMING, FIVE TIME WCW CHAMPION. Gold wearing, sometimes oh, so daring...man this is funny.
King of the Ring Finals
Brock Lesnar w/ Paul Heyman vs. Rob Van Dam
Battle of Paul Heyman guys. Brock dominates the early stages with some pretty brutal offense. He slams RVD into opposite corners. Some small “Goldberg” chants can be heard, if only those fans had a crystal ball into WrestleMania XX. Brock hits consecutive backbreakers and RVD has gotten zero offense. He applies a bear hug in a throwback to some 1980's offense. RVD dodges a tackle and slam, allowing him to get in some offense. He hits Rolling Thunder for two and Brock aggressively kicks out. However, he nails the Five Star Frog Splash but Heyman brings him down across the top rope. I don't see why Brock needs help winning. RVD tries a moonsault but Lesnar catches him and hits the F5 to earn a title shot at SummerSlam.
Winner: Brock Lesnar in 5:32
Much shorter than I remember. Brock dominated like he should, but then gets hit with a Five Star and needs help. That was weird and this was okay at best. **1/4
Triple H is walking backstage for his title match when he runs into Shawn Michaels and the nWo. They embrace and he greets Kevin Nash, X-Pac and HBK with happy smiles, while Big Show barely gets a nod. Nash tells him that if he needs help, throw up the nWo sign and they'll be there.
WWE Undisputed Championship
The Undertaker (c) vs. Triple H
If this is like their Insurrextion match, I will not be happy. We get a brawl early on, both in and outside of the ring. Side note, Paul Heyman stayed at ringside for commentary so that is a step up. Triple H does the ten punches in the corner but Taker counters into snake eyes. Taker starts targeting the kidneys with some SOUP BONES. Jim Ross says his signature line when a match is crap “this ain't no catch as catch can contest.” Undertaker hits the guillotine leg drop on the apron for a near fall. Big boot gets him another two count and this is pretty slow. Heyman says that Brock punked out the Rock backstage after winning the King of the Ring. HHH is fighting back with a back body drop but Taker decides to expose the turnbuckle. It backfires though when he gets sent into it and HHH connects with a neckbreaker. HHH hits an ugly spinebuster for a near fall. Taker fires back with a near fall after a DDT. Even here, all Heyman talks about is Brock. Pedigree gets countered and of course, Earl Hebner moves perfectly into the way and the ref is down. A double clothesline later and everyone is down bringing out The Rock, to his theme and everything. Heyman runs through the crowd to escape while Rock replaces him on commentary. Taker has a chair but HHH thwarts his attempts to use it. Things spill outside where The Rock gets hit and involved. He hits HHH with a chair after Taker dodges and then he takes out the Rock. HHH is busted open as he is rolled back inside. Last Ride plants HHH and Nick Patrick rushes out to make the cover. Taker takes too long and HHH is able to kick out. Taker is pissed so he lays out Patrick, allowing Rock to get back in and hit hi with Rock Bottom. We call this overbooking folks. Rock leaves and HHH stirs first and Earl Hebner slowly counts so Taker kicks out. HHH scores with a Pedigree but again, everyone is slow to the pin so Taker can get his shoulder up. He hits a low blow and rolls up HHH with a handful of tights to retain.
Winner and Still WWE Undisputed Champion: The Undertaker in 23:44
I seriously question who keeps having The Undertaker wrestle these twenty plus minute matches. This was another snoozefest. Since WrestleMania, there hasn't been a good main event. *1/2
The Rock is in the entrance so Undertaker taunts him, causing Rock to run down and hit him with a Rock Bottom and People's Elbow. Triple H is all mad and Pedigrees him. He celebrates but gets a Chokeslam for his efforts.
Overall: 6/10; Average. I had high hopes for this and was disappointed. The opener was fantastic and the Cruiserweight Title match was good. The Finals was way too short and the main event was again, poor. Everything else was average including the Flair/Eddie and Hogan/Angle matches, but at least mildly entertaining. |
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Post by Mike Giggs' Munchies on Jul 30, 2014 12:23:44 GMT -5
In fairness the next main event in 2002 featured Undertaker and was in the top 5 matches of the year.
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Jul 31, 2014 12:31:51 GMT -5
Survivor Series 1996
11/17/96 – Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York – Attendance: 18,647
Okay, so this will be my first review here of a show from Madison Square Garden. The Garden is where I saw my first ten or so live events, including the 2000 Royal Rumble, so events there have a special place in my heart. 1996 was a very important year in the history of WWE. Actually, it might be THE most important. With WCW starting to take over due to the nWo and their edgier product, the WWE would slowly gravitate away from their cartoon like characters and move towards a more real and edgier product of their own. Survivor Series would turn out to be a pretty historic night. This show not only features the debut of The Rock but also the first ever meeting between Bret Hart and Steve Austin. The card looks pretty good so I'm excited to dive into this.
The opening video package shows how the WWF was all over New York City over the week leading up to this event. The commentary team is Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross.
Survivor Series Elimination Match
The British Bulldog, Owen Hart, Marty Jannetty & Leif Cassidy w/ Clarence Mason vs. Doug Furnas, Phil Lafon & The Godwins w/ Hillbilly Jim
Marty Jannetty as a heel? Furnas and Lafon get no pop as they're very new to the WWF. Maybe Jannetty isn't a heel as he's trying to rally the crowd but Cassidy is talking smack to them. Jannetty also needs knee pads. He starts with Lafon who outshines him in their encounter. Cassidy gets the tag and also loses a wrestling sequence to Lafon. Lafon gets a dragon screw and tags Phineas Godwin, so I'm sure the workrate is about to decline dramatically. Leif continues to heel it up by slapping and spitting at Phineas. Jannetty hits Phineas with a knee as he comes off the ropes and seems to hurt himself. See what I mean about him needing knee pads? Owen and the Bulldog finally get some work in as they beat on Phineas. Once Jannetty gets the tag, things go sour for his team although JR calls Phineas stupid for trying a superplex. Henry gets tagged and Jannetty's knees go out on him again. If only there was some kind of pad he could wear to protect his knees. He gets planted with the Slop Drop at 8:12 and his knees thank him. Owen runs in and spinning heel kicks Henry instantly to bump him at 8:18.
Phineas throws a fit and has a Festus like rampage. Bulldog shows off his power by slamming Phineas and eliminating him after 9:04. Doug Furnas comes in now and has an impressive sequence with Bulldog until he messes up a dropkick. Cassidy gets the tag and continues to enjoy heeling it up with his partners. He hits a nice suplex but Furnas powers out of the pin. He plants him with a spinebuster but Owen blind tags in and nearly takes off Furnas' head with a gorgeous dropkick. Owen pulls out a fisherman suplex for a near fall. Bulldog tags in, does his awesome stalling suplex and shows off. Furnas finally makes the much needed tag to Lafon who wows the crowd with a reverse suplex from the second rope to eliminate Cassidy at 13:43.
We're down to Owen and Bulldog against Furnas and Lafon, four guys who would have a great tag match at Final Four three months later. Bulldog hits a flapjack on Lafon before tagging Owen. He's always had a nice belly to belly suplex and he uses it here for two. Owen connects with the ENZIGURI THAT KILLED SHAWN MICHAELS but Lafon kicks out. Bulldog goes low in front of the referee, who decides not to disqualify him. Things break down and Lafon gets a pin on Bulldog with a rollup at 17:22 which shocks a lot of people. Bulldog is pissed so he chop blocks Lafon. Owen wisely targets that leg after Bulldog leaves. Owen slaps on the Sharpshooter and raises his arm in the air to celebrate. Furnas runs in and Owen breaks the hold. Lafon hits a reverse enziguri and makes the hot tag to Furnas. He runs over Owen with a shoulder block, followed by a sweet dropkick for two. He bests Owen's belly to belly from earlier and gets two again. Furnas hits a release German suplex and pins Owen as well!
Winners: Doug Furnas and Phil Lafon in 20:41
Talk about establishing a new tag team. Furnas and Lafon came into this match with nearly no reaction but won over the crowd with their work and pinned the tag team champions. A really fun opener. ****
Mankind is in the boiler room or something with Uncle Paul, who is not happy about being suspended above the ring inside of a cage. He's hilarious shouting in his voice “I AM NOT AN ANIMAL! I'M NOT GOING IN NO CAGE BECAUSE I'M PAUL BEARER AND YOU'RE NOT!” Mankind ends it with a riveting promo as he's known for.
Mankind w/ Paul Bearer vs. The Undertaker
Coming into this match, Mankind was 3-0 against The Undertaker. Here's another example of correctly establishing a new star. Undertaker descends from the rafters with bat like wings and this was the debut of his new attire as he rid himself of the gloves and got a mole on his face somehow. He goes right for Paul Bearer which allows Mankind to get in a sneak attack. Inside Undertaker tosses Mankind around and uses a drop toe hold which shocks Jim Ross. This was the catalyst for a new Undertaker style, which led to his underrated 1997 title run. I loved a lot of Undertaker's stuff after WrestleMania 12 and disliked nearly every match before it. Different dynamic here as Undertaker focuses on Mankind's hand but it makes sense to prevent the Mandible Claw. They go outside and Mankind hits a somersault off the apron. The fight ends up back inside and Mankind wails away on The Undertaker but Undertaker bites his fingers when he tries the Mandible Claw. Undertaker sells the hell out of a piledriver. He tries the Claw again but gets a big boot. Taker goes for the Tombstone but Mankind manages to get on the Claw, only to have Taker toss him outside. Taker sits up after Mankind trips him up and kicks him into the rail. He continues to focus solely on the hand and nails Old School. This is the first instance I get of the “best striker in the game” that JR always calls Undertaker. Mankind gets the Claw on again but Undertaker fights out with a Chokeslam. JR rightfully points out that we're getting an Undertaker who wrestles more. Mankind has a weird weapon that he hits Taker with and he gets on Taker's back trying to do more damage. Taker counters into the Tombstone and earns the pinfall.
Winner: The Undertaker in 14:52
Really good stuff here. The psychology of focusing on Mankind's hand was introduced by Shawn Michaels two months prior, but it made even more sense here since it worked so well on Undertaker previously. ***1/2
The cage lowers and Undertaker is about to get his hands on Paul Bearer, when the Executioner, or Terry Gordy I believe it was, shows up. Bearer escapes and Taker clotheslines the Executioner before the heels retreat.
Even in 1996, the WWF was trying to be ahead of the times as they have Doug Furnas and Phil Lafon chatting with fans using AOL. Sunny comes out to highlight the show because not much is hotter than 1996 Sunny. She joins commentary and does a little dance that Vince McMahon joins in on for about three seconds and it's glorious. Dok Hendrix is standing by with the upcoming Survivor Series team who are confident because Mark Henry is hurt and will not be able to compete, making it 4 on 3.
Survivor Series Elimination Match
Crush, Goldust, Hunter Hearst-Hemsley & Jerry Lawler w/ Marlena vs. Marc Mero, Jake Roberts, Rocky Maivia & The Stalker w/ Sable
Jim Ross and Sunny are oddly hostile towards each other. Marc Mero introduces the replacement for Mark Henry as Jake Roberts. Unlike the rest of his '96 run, he's topless tonight so there's that. For those who don't know, The Stalker is Barry Windham and I have no clue how that character is a face. Goldust and Mero start things off and we get some solid back and forth. Stalker and Hunter go at it for a bit but once Mero gets tagged back in, HHH exits and Crush comes in. Rocky comes in and impresses because he's a BLUE CHIPPER! HHH comes in against him and here is chapter one in a storied rivalry. When Jake gets the tag, he comes in and hits his offense to a big pop. He hits the DDT on Lawler and eliminates him at 10:41. Goldust and the Stalker do battle in the ring until he eats a Curtain Call and is bumped after 12:44.
Mero comes in and hits a high knee lift. He's in control until HHH finally enters with him and hits a backbreaker. Sunny rags on Sable throughout this match. Crush enters and bores me to tears sometimes. HHH puts Mero in the abdominal stretch which leads JR to mention the guy who invented the move. Impressive. Goldust gets the tag and the heels have isolated the Wildman. He recovers and hits a twisting moonsault off the top to eliminate the future 13 time World Champion at 19:44. Crush comes in and gets dropkicked outside. Mero goes to fly on him but misses and hits hard. A heart punch later bumps him at 20:33. Jake Roberts comes in and goes for the short arm clothesline but also eats a Heart Punch and he's gone at 20:54.
The BLUE CHIPPER rookie is left alone against Goldust and Crush. His hair just looks absurd right now as Crush calls for a test of strength and the rookie falls for it. Crush gets in a cheap shot but Rocky recovers and hits him with a slam before Samoan punching Goldust. A flying cross body on both men keeps his rally going but the numbers game hurts him. Crush goes for the one move he seems to know and accidentally hits Goldust with a Heart Punch. Rocky nails another cross body and gets rid of Crush at 23:12. A shoulder breaker on Goldust right after makes Rocky the sole survivor in his debut.
Winners: Rocky Maivia in 23:44
Not the greatest Survivor Series match, but entertaining for the most part. It was clear from the start that this was the Rocky Maivia showcase. **3/4
The promo for the upcoming match is good, but Austin's pre-match interview is just badass.
Number One Contender's Match
Bret Hart vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Bret is sporting an orange outline on his attire, which is one of my favorite looks for him. Staredown to begin and Austin gives Bret the double bird. They trade some wrestling holds early on, with Austin being the aggressor but Bret having a counter for pretty much everything. EDDIE GILBERT hot shot from Austin is followed by elbows to the back of the beck. Austin wisely targets the neck of Bret now and wears him down for a while. Bret gets a rollup for two and hits a Canadian leg sweep. Austin counters a bulldog so we get the signature Bret sternum bump in the corner. They go up top and Bret counters a second rope suplex and follows it with his trademark elbow, but from the top! That only gets him a near fall though. Thing spill outside when Bret crashes out there, so Austin drives him back first into the post. Bret sends him over the rail and into the crowd, where he stomps on him. Austin manages to slingshot Bret onto the Spanish announce table in a pretty sweet spot. He places Bret on the table and drives his elbow onto him from the apron. This went from a wrestling match to a brawl nicely. Austin suplexes him back in the ring and hits Bret's elbow from the second rope for two. It turns into a fist fight and Bret now hits the EDDIE GILBERT hot shot, I don't care what you say JR, it's not a stun gun to me. Bret does an awkward rollup for two. Austin responds with a superplex and both men are down until Bret pulls him into a pin for two. Austin hits the Stunner from out of nowhere but takes a bit to cover so Bret kicks out. Austin is pissed as he fires away with PISTON LIKE RIGHT HANDS! Texas Cloverleaf from Austin, and I always hoped he would've done this move more often being from Texas. Bret reaches the ropes to break the hold though. He whips Bret into the corner, but he goes down and hits the post kidney first. Great spot. Bret goes for the Sharpshooter but Austin blocks it and Bret gets in some right hands. Sleeper hold from Bret, but Austin counters with a jawbreaker. Austin applies the Million Dollar Dream, reaching deep into his bag of tricks, but Bret walks up the turnbuckle and pushes off, resulting in a pinning combination that earns him the three.
Winner: Bret Hart in 28:36
Wow. That started slow but really picked up. Austin looked like a million bucks and only lost because of a minor error that he made. They would best this match the following year, but this was a great first chapter. ****1/2
Dok Hendrix interviews Sid, who is wearing a backwards baseball cap. I can't take anything that he says here seriously.
Survivor Series Elimination Match
“Diesel”, Faarooq, “Razor Ramon” & Vader w/ Clarence Mason vs. Flash Funk, Jimmy Snuka, Savio Vega & Yokozuna
Oh god. The fake Razor and Diesel debacle. Snuka was a mystery partner who got a decent pop. I would've enjoyed Vader vs. 2 Cold Scorpio but as Flash Funk, it doesn't have the same appeal to me. Funk does do some impressive stuff like a moonsault to the floor. Vader slams Funk and Yokozuna thinks this is a Mexican style match because he comes in with no tag and takes out Vader. Faarooq is debuting his Nation attire as Savio Vega takes him down. Savio chops away at “Razor” He delivers ten punches in the corner and I wish we got the count in Spanish like ECW fans would do a few years down the line. Kane comes in with Funk and misses a big boot but hits a big clothesline. Isaac Yankem throws him to the mat and tags in Faarooq. Snuka ends up coming in and gets in offense on Vader, who should not be selling for him. However, Snuka actually slams him which impressed and surprised me. Savio ends up eating a Jacknife and is the first one eliminated at 8:39. Shortly after, Snuka hits the Superfly Splash on “Razor” and he's gone after 9:28. “Diesel” enters and clocks him with a chair and all hell breaks loose between everyone, resulting in a disqualification.
Match ends in a double disqualification at 9:48
Was on the card to give the crowd a break after the Austin/Hart classic. The ending was dumb too and this has been the only match worth skipping so far. *
WWF Championship
Shawn Michaels (c) w/ Jose Lothario vs. Sycho Sid
Did you know that Sid was the MASTER...AND THE RULER...OF THE WORLD? Sid and Vlad the SuperFan go back and forth with “WHOS THE MAN?” “YOU THE MAN” as Sid's incredibly fitting theme music plays. As the story goes, this was supposed to be Vader's shot and win but Shawn wanted his boy Sid instead. The crowd is behind Sid as Shawn gets boos. Sid starts off by hammering HBK and gets a pop for it. Shawn's high octane offense puts him in the driver's seat and he applies a headlock. Shawn counters a gorilla press and Sid goes for the Powerbomb but Shawn escapes and heads outside. Sid gives chase to Shawn outside, and once back in, Shawn takes out the knee. Shawn is getting a Cena like reaction with the guys booing and the high pitched fans cheering. A “let's go Sid” chant starts. Shawn applies the figure four and continues to focus on the knee. Sid gets back on the offensive for a bit but misses a big boot, allowing Shawn to dropkick the knee. Shawn gets knocked over the top but skins the cat, only leading to a clothesline over anyway. Sid has now slowed the pace and is dominating, which the crowd loves. Sid catches Shawn as he leaps off the top and delivers a big backbreaker. Shawn hits the corner hard as a girl in the crowd screams like it's the end of the world. He fights back and actually slams Sid with ease. We get the awful spot where Shawn goes for a double axe handle even though Sid's on his back, which allows Sid to get his boot up. Shawn oversells this. As he rallies, the crowd boos and Sid catches Sweet Chin Music and follows with a one arm chokeslam. The place is going nuts for Sid. Powerbomb gets countered into a small package for two. Despite staying in control, he steals the camera from a cameraman. Jose Lothario stupidly gets on the apron, so Sid levels him with it. Sweet Chin Music connects but Shawn sees that his mentor is basically having a heart attack and goes outside. Sid brings him in and Shawn hits the referee by mistake before going back out to Jose. Sid strikes him with the camera and hits the Powerbomb inside to become the champion.
Winner and New WWF Champion: Sycho Sid in 20:01
Probably the best match of Sid's career and it ends with his first WWF Title win. Good stuff that was even more interesting because of the crowd reaction. ***1/2
Overall: 8.5/10; Excellent. With the exception of the one Survivor Series match, everything here is good to great. The opener was surprising, Undertaker/Mankind was really good as was the main event, you get to see Rock's debut and Austin/Hart is must see. A very good show that helped cement what would be a badass 1997. Go see this for sure. Up next on “Random Network Reviews” is ECW Heatwave 1998! |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2014 14:49:24 GMT -5
I absolutely LOVE Survivor Series 1996. So underrated. I had an old VHS tape my dad bootlegged for me after renting it from a local video store and making a copy. I've probably seen the show over twenty times. Easily.
I love the Bret vs. Austin match, the surprisingly hostile MSG crowd who shat on HBK in favor of Sid, the debut of Rocky Maivia, etc.
All of the matches are good too. There isn't a dud on the card. Excellent show, excellent review. One of my favorites.
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Jul 31, 2014 14:51:39 GMT -5
I absolutely LOVE Survivor Series 1996. So underrated. I had an old VHS tape my dad bootlegged for me after renting it from a local video store and making a copy. I've probably seen the show over twenty times. Easily. I love the Bret vs. Austin match, the surprisingly hostile MSG crowd who shat on HBK in favor of Sid, the debut of Rocky Maivia, etc. All of the matches are good too. There isn't a dud on the card. Excellent show, excellent review. One of my favorites. I had a strong feeling that you would be a fan of this review, and my mention of the orange Bret Hart attire. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2014 14:54:23 GMT -5
I absolutely LOVE Survivor Series 1996. So underrated. I had an old VHS tape my dad bootlegged for me after renting it from a local video store and making a copy. I've probably seen the show over twenty times. Easily. I love the Bret vs. Austin match, the surprisingly hostile MSG crowd who shat on HBK in favor of Sid, the debut of Rocky Maivia, etc. All of the matches are good too. There isn't a dud on the card. Excellent show, excellent review. One of my favorites. I had a strong feeling that you would be a fan of this review, and my mention of the orange Bret Hart attire. Best attire ever and he only wore it once to my knowledge. The only thing that pisses me off about this entire show is after the Austin/Hart match, JR talks about Bret not having any ring rust and says how NOBODY could've beaten Bret Hart on this night, in this building to which Vince replies "well I completely disagree with that " which takes away from the moment. If it was SHAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNN MICHAELS though, Vince would still be going on and on about it. |
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Jul 31, 2014 15:05:36 GMT -5
I had a strong feeling that you would be a fan of this review, and my mention of the orange Bret Hart attire. Best attire ever and he only wore it once to my knowledge. The only thing that pisses me off about this entire show is after the Austin/Hart match, JR talks about Bret not having any ring rust and says how NOBODY could've beaten Bret Hart on this night, in this building to which Vince replies "well I completely disagree with that " which takes away from the moment. If it was SHAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNN MICHAELS though, Vince would still be going on and on about it. I found that very strange. Vince McMahon downplayed the fact that Bret returned after months off and didn't miss a beat. He does not shut up throughout the entire main event about Shawn Michaels' heart, courage and determination though. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2014 15:07:49 GMT -5
Best attire ever and he only wore it once to my knowledge. The only thing that pisses me off about this entire show is after the Austin/Hart match, JR talks about Bret not having any ring rust and says how NOBODY could've beaten Bret Hart on this night, in this building to which Vince replies "well I completely disagree with that " which takes away from the moment. If it was SHAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNN MICHAELS though, Vince would still be going on and on about it. I found that very strange. Vince McMahon downplayed the fact that Bret returned after months off and didn't miss a beat. He does not shut up throughout the entire main event about Shawn Michaels' heart, courage and determination though. More evidence which shows why Vince is clearly the anti-Christ and will rise up to become the ruler of nations after the rapture. |
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Aug 1, 2014 12:01:47 GMT -5
Vengeance 2002
July 21st, 2002 – Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan – Attendance: 12,000
At the start of July, The Undertaker surprised me and many others by putting on a great title match against Jeff Hardy on Raw. It was one of my favorite Ladder matches ever. He would have to defend the title at Vengeance in a Triple Threat match against The Rock and Kurt Angle, with the winner facing Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. Brock was still in a small feud with the man he beat to win the King of the Ring, Rob Van Dam and Edge was teaming with his childhood hero. Vince McMahon had taken back full control of the WWE, but thought the brands should stay split and appointed General Managers in Eric Bischoff and Stephanie McMahon. Also, some guy named John Cena was about to have his first ever Pay-Per-View match. Things were starting to take a turn for the better in 2002 and I'm excited to get to those points.
The opening video is based off of Samuel L. Jackson in Pulp Fiction which is odd for this time. Michael Cole and Tazz are calling the first half of the show, while Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler will close things.
Tag Team Tables Match
Bubba Ray & Spike Dudley vs. Chris Benoit & Eddie Guerrero
This is Chris Benoit's first Pay-Per-View match in over a year. Strangely enough, we get an actual tag match with legal men and everything. I thought Tables matches were tornado style. Eddie and Benoit wrestle circles around their competition in the early goings and, I just noticed, the Radicalz match tonight. Benoit nails a German suplex on Bubba Ray although this is starting slowly. For some reason, Bubba is playing the face in peril, so I guess Spike will get the hot tag. They finally go for a table and Spike hits a somersault onto Eddie. The Radicalz hit a double second rope suplex on Bubba, but Spike moved the table out of the way. Benoit and Guerrero are dominating. Bubba now intercepts Spike as he's about to go through the table. I have a bad feeling about the result of this. Spike hits the WASSUP headbutt as he is a small, white D-Von tonight. Bubba goes for a second rope senton but Benoit moves and Bubba breaks the table. It's not an offensive move though, so it doesn't count, although that's basically how Sheamus won his first WWE Title. Spike counters a suplex and hits the Dudley Dog through a table on Eddie, eliminating him. Spike goes for it on Benoit but it gets blocked and he gets gorilla pressed from the inside through a table on the outside because Benoit is a boss. Bubba Ray completes the win by hitting a Bubba Bomb on Benoit through the table.
Winners: Bubba Ray & Spike Dudley in 14:59
I don't know why the Dudleys had to go over, but Benoit and Guerrero dominated. That helped the match along, but this wasn't great. **1/2
Jonathan Coachman interviews Eric Bischoff, who is proud of his Raw guys who just performed. He is trying hard to sign free agent Triple H, but I have no idea why he's a free agent. Look Eric, the dude's wife is running Smackdown. She can offer more than you bro. I'll ignore that they were at each other's throats and divorcing like two months ago.
WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Jamie Noble (c) w/ Nidia vs. Billy Kidman
It's JAMIE NOBLE BOY! Collar and elbow tie up actually takes them out of the ring and once they're back inside, we get several near falls. Noble regroups outside as Nidia cheers him on. Kidman owns the first few sequences until Noble uses a Nidia distraction to work him over. Noble targets the arm and Kidman can't do a move because it hurts. Look at the selling. He rallies with a hurricanrana and dropkick before hitting what I can only describe as an Attitude Adjustment/Go to Sleep combination for two. Seriously, it was badass. Noble goes back to the arm with a Fujiwara armbar but Kidman makes it to the ropes. They both end up on the top, and Kidman hits a second rope Sky High. YOU BETTER RECOGNIZE! That will forever be a D-Lo move. Kidman goes for the Shooting Star Press, but Noble rolls out of the way. Noble hits a beautiful Tiger Bomb and keeps his belt.
Winner and Still Cruiserweight Champion: Jamie Noble in 7:34
Good cruiserweight match, as both guys know what they're doing. Kidman sold the arm work well and the finish was sweet. ***
Marc Lloyd is backstage with Kurt Angle, who is offended that he's not the favorite. Paul Heyman interrupts with Brock Lesnar and interesting that this would be the WrestleMania XIX main event. They shake hands and how cool is it that this would be one of the best rivalries of all time.
European Championship
Jeff Hardy (c) vs. William Regal
Regal cried when he lost the belt two weeks prior and, bless him, he did whatever the company asked of him. Jeff is in his strange phase of wearing glow in the dark stuff and he has short green hair. Jeff poses like an idiot and gets slapped in the early stages. Regal is very aggressive and keeps trying to get quick pins. He misses an ugly knee drop and Jeff gets on the offensive. Regal has Jeff's barricade attack scouted and he hits R2 in time to counter. Jeff don't care as he hits Whisper in the Wind. He follows with an enziguri and leg drop before climbing up top for the Swanton Bomb. Regal gets his knees up, which has to hurt, and then nails an interesting backbreaker. Jeff counters a move and wins with a school boy.
Winner and Still European Champion: Jeff Hardy in 4:16
Decent but short. If they would've gotten more time, I think it had potential. However, they got a good amount of stuff done in the four minutes. **1/4
William Regal cries again as he just can't seem to be the champion of his home. Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan congratulate Jeff hardy backstage. When he leaves, Hogan and Flair paint a picture where Hogan does the ugliest Swanton Bomb in history. They also discuss the new General Managers.
Chris Jericho vs. John Cena
The Undisputed Champion Chris Jericho experiment is over and he's back to the mid-card. John Cena has what must be the most generic theme music ever. Jericho gets a chair and goes for Cena before the match but he ducks and hits Jericho with it. Why did he do that? Because he has RUTHLESS AGGRESSION! The bell rings inside and Cena continues to handle things until Jericho needs a breather. Time for the EDDIE GILBERT hot shot from Jericho, because that's like, something that seems to happen on every show. Jericho goes to expose the turnbuckle, but is stopped by the referee so Cena gets a near fall. Jericho does his little two step dance, which is still awesome. Jericho hits the Breakdown and climbs to the top. “IM THE KING OF THE WORLD”. He shouts that which allows Cena to hit a second rope suplex. The best spot of the match happens when Cena jumps at Jericho and he meets him with a dropkick in mid-air. Cena catches a leaping Jericho with a belly to belly for two shortly after. Lionsault misses and Cena goes for a rollup but gets it reversed for two. Jericho goes for the Walls but Cena pulls him into a pin and gets the three.
Winner: John Cena in 6:21
Here is the first case of John Cena overcome the odds. What a trend this would begin. Regardless, for his first Pay-Per-View match, this was good, although Jericho did most of the carrying. I liked this and wished it was a bit longer. **3/4
Eric Bischoff is still waiting outside of Stephanie McMahon's office when her lawyer or something enters with legal documents. Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler come out because it's their turn to commentate.
Intercontinental Championship
Rob Van Dam (c) vs. Brock Lesnar w/ Paul Heyman
As usual, RVD is sporting some sweet attire. Brock begins by tossing RVD around, but the Intercontinental Champion wisely targets the big man's legs with kicks. That doesn't last long as he ends up back in control anyway. Brock misses a big clothesline and ends up outside. RVD dives out and sends Brock into the post. He goes for a moonsault but Brock catches him and absolutely plants him with a STIFF powerslam on the mat. I mean STIFF. Giant backbreakers from the challenger. RVD hits a step over enziguri before kicking Lesnar in the head so hard that Heyman shouts “GODDAMN” at ringside. RVD goes for a monkey flip but Brock just tosses him outside. Brock applies a side bear hug inside to slow the pace significantly. RVD manages to fight out and hit a guillotine leg drop before going to the top. He leaps off and kicks Brock in the face. Rolling Thunder connects but can't get him the three. RVD goes for the Five Star but Brock grabs him and goes for the F5. RVD counters into a tornado DDT as business just picked up. Five Star is hit and Heyman pulls the referee out causing the disqualification.
Winner via disqualification and Still Intercontinental Champion: Rob Van Dam in 9:38
Not terrible for what it was but Brock would do much better down the line. **1/2
Charles Robinson beats up Paul Heyman after the match, while RVD takes down Brock. He gets a chair and calls for the Van Terminator, but Heyman grabs his leg. This allows Lesnar to catch RVD and do bad things. Stephanie McMahon leaves her office and looks pissed. Bischoff laughs and says that he knows Triple H didn't sign with Smackdown. Stephanie says “he signed” and walks off. Triple H exits and Bischoff yells at him until HHH admits what he signed was his divorce papers.
No Disqualification
Big Show vs. Booker T
It's WCW! Show starts in control with his power until Booker actually does an enziguri. It looks as lame as it sounds. Show chops the black off of Booker's chest a few times. Things spill outside and Show runs into the ring post. It's time for the poor Spanish announce table to be destroyed. Booker hits Show with one of the monitors and it actually looked good. Show is bent over one table, so Booker climbs on the other, runs off and hits a Scissors Kick through it. I have to admit, that was pretty damn sweet. I really dug that spot. Back inside, Booker is still firing away on Show but gets caught for a Chokeslam. He blocks it with a low blow and hits a second Scissors Kick. Booker goes to the top and actually pulls out the Houston/Harlem Hangover for, what I believe, was the first time in the WWE to win.
Winner: Booker T in 6:12
Things started slow but once they went outside, I started to enjoy this. The Scissors Kick table spot was great and I appreciated the effort to use the Harlem Hangover. **1/4
Torrie Wilson and Dawn Marie are at “The World” and Torrie says that she won the Golden Thong Award there last time. I remember that and she was deserving. A few months later, these two would engage in some HLA.
Triple H comes out because it's time for him to decide whether he will be a part of Raw or Smackdown. Before he can even speak, Bischoff comes and pleads his case with the whole “it's business, not personal” with us. He offers a movie and sneaker deal for some reason. Stephanie comes out and brings up how Bischoff gave HHH no credit and badmouthed him during his WCW run. Triple H makes some bad jokes and chooses the devil he knows in Stephanie. Shawn Michaels comes to interrupt. He wants to remind HHH of their friendship. He all but says they should reform DV and make Bischoff's life on Raw hell. He decides to choose Shawn over Stephanie, a choice I would never make. Bischoff tells Stephanie that the difference between them is that he has testicles, which the crowd takes as some sort of insult, and Stephanie uses the “Women's Special Slap” from WWF No Mercy to take him down.
Marc Lloyd interviews Rikishi about Triple H joining Raw. He says that Trips leaving hurts the young guys in the locker room. Weird promo. Terri Runnels goes to interview Booker T and Goldust about Triple H. Another weird segment, but this one was funny.
WWE Tag Team Championship
Edge & “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan vs. The Un-Americans
Maybe I'm alone in this, but I enjoyed the Un-Americans. Hogan and Christian start, which must be a dream for Christian. Hogan shoves him and Christian oversells it. Hogan hits them with the, to quote Gorilla Monsoon, DOUBLE NOGGIN KNOCKER! Edge comes in and it looks like he'll be the face in peril for a while. That lasts for a bit until Hogan comes in and dominates. Big Boot on Storm followed by one for Christian, but he ducks and hits a reverse DDT. Hogan powers out and again, Christian oversells. HULKING UP TIME! Christian is no match for this. Big boot connects this time and the Leg Drop is hit but Storm breaks up the pin. Thumb to the eye from Christian before they use heel tactics to take down Hogan. Weird to see Hogan needing to make the hot tag, but he does and Edge comes in on fire. He goes for a Spear on Storm, but he leaps over and Edge takes out the referee. Edgecution hits but there's no referee! Test comes down and attacks Hogan. TEST! TEST! THIS IS A TEST! Big boot on Edge and Storm covers as the referee counts but Edge kicks out. Rikishi comes down and fights Test to the back. Edge counters a whip and hits Storm with the Spear. Jericho, who is also an Un-American I guess, shows up and hits Edge with a Tag Team Title, allowing Storm to get the pin.
Winners and New WWE Tag Team Champions: The Un-Americans in 10:00
Fun little tag team match and the interference actually made sense except for the Jericho run in. **1/2
Eric Bischoff comes up to Kurt Angle, sucks up and wants him on Raw. Stephanie McMahon is interviewed and says that Bischoff campaigning is fine because she's in contact with every Raw superstar and will rip the “heart” out of Raw.
WWE Undisputed Championship
The Undertaker (c) vs. Kurt Angle vs. The Rock
If The Rock wins, he becomes the first seven time Champion in WWE history. Rock and Taker go face to face and Angle gets pissed that they're not paying attention to him. This hilariously leads to a double beating. Angle catches Rock with a German suplex and I must say that his red, white and blue camo attire is great. A belly to belly suplex sends Rock reeling before he hits yet another. Things spill outside where Angle clotheslines the Rock, only to run into one from Booger Red. Back inside, Taker hits a big sidewalk slam on Rock for two. Rock surprises everyone by hitting Undertaker with an impressive chokeslam. Angle breaks up the pin and Rock continues to steal finishers by putting on the Ankle Lock. Kurt gets out and hits a Rock Bottom. This is getting crazy. Taker blocks the Angle Slam and hits Angle it! These guys must have some serious stored finishers. Angle gets sent outside and Rock hits a spinebuster. It's People's Elbow time but Angle pulls him out before he can cover and tries to get the pin on his own but Taker kicks out. SOUPBONES in the corner for Angle. They go back outside and Taker continues to wail away on Kurt. Rock is up and spits water in Taker's face but ends up down again. Angle is busted open from hitting the ring post as Taker hits the guillotine leg drop on the apron. Time for the Champion to go OLD SCHOOL but Rock breaks up the pin. He fires away with right hands but eats a DDT for two. Angle has grabbed a chair but gets volleyed back and forth by his opponents with right hands. Taker and Rock block each other's finishers and the referee ends up knocked down. Angle cold cocks Taker with the chair and hits Rock with the Angle Slam! He's too hurt to cover in time though. Both men end up kicking out. Rock gets a take down on Angle and applies the Sharpshooter but Taker big boots him. Last Ride on the Rock and he covers but Angle breaks the count by putting Taker in the Ankle Lock! Taker rolls forward to counter and it's Last Ride time for Kurt but he latches on a Triangle Choke. Taker tapped to it on a recent Smackdown but he counters with a powerbomb. Angle don't care as he locks the hold back on! Rock now breaks the hold and goes for the Rock Bottom but Angle counters it into the Ankle Lock somehow. Rock counters into a rollup for two. Angle runs into a chokeslam and Taker runs into a Rock Bottom but he kicks out! Angle rolls up Rock for a very close near fall and then hits Taker with the Angle Slam. THE STRAPS ARE DOWN but Rock hits him with a Rock Bottom and it's over just before Undertaker can break the pin.
Winner and New WWE Undisputed Champion: The Rock in 19:35
Well, that's the match of the year in 2002 up to this point. That was one of the best damn Triple Threat matches I've ever witnessed. It was my first time watching it since it aired live and it had me on the edge of my seat. Excellent stuff. ****1/2
Overall: 7.5/10; Very Good. The main event is must see for sure. The Cruiserweight Title match is good and while nothing else reaches three stars, nothing is under two stars. In other words, it's a solid night highlighted by an awesome main event and I recommend you go out and see this show. |
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Post by Mike Giggs' Munchies on Aug 1, 2014 14:52:00 GMT -5
Told you the triple threat was awesome ;[ don't remember another time where I've seen the break of a pin just after three other than that match.
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Aug 3, 2014 13:29:21 GMT -5
ECW Heatwave 1998
8/2/98 – Hara Arena in Dayton, Ohio – Attendance: 4,440
I've mentioned before that growing up, ECW was the coolest thing in the world for me. Heatwave 1998 was a show that I've fondly remembered and consider it the best ECW Pay-Per-View of all time. Now, from reviews that I've read in the past, this show has a mixed response. Some agree with me, and some say it's overrated. Now, it has been a while since I've seen it so it'll be interesting to see how it holds up and if my view on it changes.
Joey Styles, my favorite commentator or all time, opens the show as usual in the ring. He won't be alone tonight though as he will be joined in the booth by the ECW World Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas and Francine. Two things I want to point out. One, Francine is just wearing underwear and a sheer robe and two, Douglas was in the midst of the second longest arm injury of all time. Only “Cowboy” Bob Orton had a worse one, with Owen Hart in third.
Jerry Lynn vs. Justin Credible w/ Chastity, Jason & Nicole Bass
Joey Styles on Bass, “we should call her Russia because she's so much bigger than Chyna.” Credible has his badass “got blood?” shirt. Lynn gets an early sunset flip and cross body for near falls. He gets caught for That's Incredible but counters it. Lynn sends him out with a head scissors and follows with a splash. Francine chimes in dynamite analysis on the match throughout. That was sarcasm by the way. The fans stop to pay attention to something besides the match for a few. Justin hits a powerbomb onto a steel chair for two. He throws Lynn outside, allowing Jason and Bass to beat on him. Back inside, Credible goes for a double axe handle but gets caught with an atomic drop and flapjack. Credible fights back with the Boss Man Slam for two. REST HOLD time as Credible applies a headlock. Lynn breaks out and we get a series of quick near falls before Lynn plants him with a tiger bomb. Top rope hurricanrana gets Lynn another near fall. Lynn gets caught in a mid air powerbomb but ends up hitting a DDT on a steel chair. Chastity puts Justin's foot on the rope when he gets pinned. Big spot time as Lynn hurricanranas Credible from the top through a table outside! Inside, Jason hits Lynn with a steel chair but ends up getting a tiger bomb. Bass attacks him but he low blows her hilariously. Chastity jumps in and takes a tombstone. Lynn places Credible on top and calls for a hurricanrana but gets hit with a low blow. Credible then steals the show with a second rope That's Incredible to end it.
Winner: Justin Credible in 14:36
Good opener. You could tell that they had wrestled a lot by their chemistry. This was spot after spot but it was fun and the finish was great. ***
Chris Candido w/ Tammy Lynn Sytch vs. Lance Storm
This was the return of Tammy Sytch to ECW. Since Candido is sporting Rick Steiner like headgear after an ear injury, he runs around the ring barking which is a nice touch. They give each other clean breaks early on before showing off their athleticism. Chops galore earn “Woos” from the crowd, which I'm sure eats away at Douglas who is quiet through all of this. Storm removes the headgear to expose his surgically repaired ear. Candido dives outside and takes out Storm. Surfboard in the ring works until Storm dropkicks out of it. Tammy trips up Storm but it does nothing because he still gets to Candido. He chases Tammy, which allows Candido to hit the third tiger bomb of the night. British Bulldog like stalling vertical suplex from the former Skip. Storm fights back to get a near fall with a super kick but Candido connects with a neckbreaker. Candido impresses again with a powerslam for two leading Tammy to tell the referee that he sucks. Storm suplexes Candido from in the ring to the outside and you just hear a sick thud as he hits the concrete. Storm springboards out onto him but I'm still in awe of the sound of the suplex. Back inside we get a DOUBLE NOGGIN KNOCKER! Gorilla Monsoon would be proud. Storm hits a superplex and climbs to the top right after with a diving spinning heel kick for two. Storm springboards from the apron and Candido totally telegraphs a powerslam counter. Tammy gives Candido powder but Storm knocks it into his face. Tammy gets in and knocks Storm onto his crotch on the top. The referee and Tammy get into a shoving match, causing Tammy's top to come down. Candido climbs to the top and hits the Blonde Bombshell, which is an impressive top rope powerbomb to win.
Winner: Chris Candido in 11:01
Another good match with another good finish. I don't know how I feel about back to back top rope finishers, but I enjoy both guys and this match. ***1/4
Joey takes us to an incident in the parking lot earlier where New Jack got into a fight with Jack Victory, who he was scheduled to wrestle tonight. The match is canceled for some reason, but I'm not mad about it. We cut to a promo with Bill Alfonso, Rob Van Dam and Sabu. RVD, as always, calls himself three quarters of the Tag Team Champions. Yes, RVD is a double champion here. RVD sneezes the word Hakushi, because Jinsei Shinzaki is Hakushi. RVD had the biggest ego in the world in ECW.
Masato Tanaka vs. Mike Awesome
I love the matches these two put on. Awesome shows how agile he is with a flying back elbow in the beginning. Awesome catches Tanaka mid leap frog with a belly to belly before hitting a slingshot shoulder block before Hernandez and Sheamus made it cool. Awesome flies over the top like Undertaker which is impressive. Tanaka is a MAN who gets up instantly from a release German suplex. Tanaka runs to the entrance and back before leveling Awesome with a steel chair. Outside they have a sword fight with chairs that Tanaka wins with a shot to the back. Awesome backdrops Tanaka into the front row and then decides to springboard fro the ring into the crowd. This is not a man ladies and gentlemen. They go back to the ring and we get a sitout Awesome Bomb that only gets two. HAVE YOU NOT BEEN WATCHING THIS SHOW? NORMAL POWERBOMBS DONT WIN MATCHES! Awesome Splash from the top only gets two again. Awesome gets a chair and hits Tanaka twice, but he gets up nearly instantly before getting the chair dented on his head for the third shot! He kicks out though. Running release Awesome Bomb is hit and he sets up a table outside. Awesome leaps of the top with a giant chair shot but doesn't cover. He goes for the Awesome Bomb through the the table, but Tanaka wriggles free and powerbombs Awesome through it! OH MY GOD! Awesome kicks out though. Tanaka hits the Roaring Elbow but Awesome kicks out. Tanaka hits a tornado DDT onto two steel chairs to finally earn the win.
Winner: Masato Tanaka in 11:49
Just like all of their other matches, this was badass. Two guys just beating the hell out of each other and it works beautifully. ***1/2
Taz cuts a promo in the back saying that his FTW Title is the only one that means something. Not Austin, not Goldberg and not Mike Tyson. The Taz character is easily one of Paul Heyman's greatest creations. Cut to a Dudleys promo next as Bubba Ray makes it a religious like promo. Good stuff.
ECW World Tag Team Championship
Rob Van Dam and Sabu (c) w/ Bill Alfonso vs. Hayabusa and Jinsei Shinzaki
I'm going to call him Hakushi for the duration of this match. I also don't get why they don't just dub over RVD's ECW theme with “One of a Kind”. Lots of showboating from RVD, angry stares from Sabu and whistle blowing from Alfonso in the early stages. RVD and Hayabusa have a “who's more athletic” competition but they botch some stuff. Hakushi comes in and completely upstages any Undertaker Old School ever by walking halfway around the ring on the rope. Sabu gets the tag and comes in hot but quickly cools off with some slow offense. Hayabusa gets the tag and they promote a history between these two as Sabu dropkicks the knee and hits the Arabian Press. Hayabusa causes Sabu to take a breather outside. Sabu applies the camel clutch on Hayabusa leading to RVD doing a pointless back flip before dropkicking Hayabusa. Hakushi doesn't like RVD showboating so he springboard dropkicks him. Hayabusa baseball slides Sabu outside and nails the Asai moonsault. As things spill into the crowd, Sabu dives out onto them. RVD puts Hakushi in a bow and arrow as Sabu comes off the top with a chair shot to the ribs. Hayabusa breaks the count and we get double team moves on RVD including a springboard swanton, followed by a springboard knee drop and then a moonsault. The spots are out again tonight. Superkick/German suplex isn't enough to put away Sabu. Sabu hits a top rope hurricanrana on Hakushi and it's instantly followed by RVD leaping from out of the screen with a twisting frog splash. The height he got on it is absurd. The pin is broken, leading to Hayabusa hitting the 450 splash but Sabu breaks that pin. Tag team Rolling Thunder hits and it was always cool as a team move. Sabu puts Hakushi in a Boston crab as RVD hits a top rope leg drop for two. A table is brought into the ring and psychology is useless because these dudes get stuck just standing around at times. Hayabusa ends up crotched on the top and eats a big Van Daminator. Sabu gets a splinter from the table and goes down like a ton of bricks, which is funny considering how tough he is. Hakushi catches a chair stupidly and eats a Van Daminator. DID YOU NOT SCOUT BEFOREHAND? Hayabusa and Hakushi are laid head to head on a table when Sabu and RVD hit double leg drops off the top, through the table to finish it.
Winners and Still ECW World Tag Team Champions: Rob Van Dam and Sabu in 20:51
As a kid, this was one of my favorite matches ever. It's not as great as I remember it, but it's a fun spotfest that continues this show's strong run so far. ***
FTW Championship
Taz (c) vs. Bam Bam Bigelow
Bigelow is introduced as the “self proclaimed Taz killer” which is badass. The very first move is a powerbomb from Bigelow and it's got to be like the 25th powerbomb of the evening. Taz is all like NAPOLOEON RAMPAGE because he eats the powerbomb and gets right up like Masato Tanaka before they fight out onto the aisle. Taz kicks Bigelow into the crowd and goes to splash him but gets caught. Taz must have smoked with RVD before the show to try something like that. The fight goes deeper into the crowd for a while. Tazplex gets hit on the concrete near the entrance. They finally get back into the ring and Bigelow hits another powerbomb. Instead of trying to pin Taz, he sets up a table in the corner and throws Taz headfirst through it. He takes the broken table to the other corner and sets it up again. Taz fights back and we get a t-bone Tazplex through that table. Things now spill to the aisle again as we are reminded that falls count anywhere. Bigelow attempts a T-Bone suplex into the crowd, but Taz counters into a tornado DDT that sends both men THROUGH THE AISLE! Shane Douglas is all like “they're dead!” As both men are dying under the aisle and on the concrete, you can hear a guy going “ECW! ECW!” in a weird voice. Bigelow is first out of the wreckage as he stumbles towards the ring. NAPOLEON RAMPAGE because Taz gets up and he's pissed. He chases down Bigelow and locks on the Tazmission! Bigelow clearly reaches for the ropes but it's called a tap out.
Winner and Still FTW Champion: Taz in 13:21
The worst match of the night so far, but that doesn't mean that it was bad. This was a fun brawl with a big spot to end it that one upped their previous bout. **3/4
Taz gets a microphone and tells Shane “Beat me if you can...survive if I let you.” I've got to give it to Taz, that was a sweet catchphrase. We get a short video package starting from when the Dudleys broke Beulah McGillicutty's neck with a 3D. Joey Styles gets all enthusiastic about his hatred for THOSE DAMN DUDLEYS.
The Dudley Boyz and their entourage come out as Joel Gertner steals the show. “Hotter than a heatwave and harder than Chinese algebra” is followed by “I always leave them sore, yet they keep coming back for more.” Great stuff. He also introduces Sign Guy Dudley as the “quiet behind the riot and the innovator of silence.”
Dudleyville Street Fight
The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray, D-Von & Big Dick) w/ Joel Gertner, Sign Guy Dudley & Jeff Jones vs. The Sandman, Spike Dudley & Tommy Dreamer
Sandman busted himself open with a beer can before the match begins. Even though this is billed as having no rules, we start with actual tagging and such. We get a loud “Spike” chant as he comes in to a bigger pop than he'd get anywhere else. Boring start to this street fight as we're just getting normal wrestling. Man, Bubba has really slimmed down over the years. Spike counters a Bubba Bomb into a hurricanrana before Sandman strikes Bubba with a beer. WEAPONS! We finally get some outside action as things are starting to turn into more of a fight. We get a FrankenSander before the Sandman sets up a ladder in the ring. Spike climbs it and dives off onto his big brothers and Tommy at ringside. Soon after, Bubba puts a ladder on Tommy and hits a second rope senton on it. Acid Drop from Little Spike Dudley turns the tide. Sign Guy comes in and gets put in the figure four with his hurt leg. Jeff Jones comes in and piledrives his Beulah blow up doll, so Tommy piledrives him. The three Dudleys and Gertner are put in trees of woe in each corner. The three faces and the referee all deliver baseball slides to them. Yes, the referee too. To be fair, he only hit Gertner, who badmouthed him before the match. Big Dick plants Tommy on a ladder and puts Spike through a table. Bubba tries a splash on Tommy but misses and catches the ladder. Tommy DDTs him on the ladder and it's over.
Winners: The Sandman, Spike Dudley & Tommy Dreamer in 14:26
Again, a fun brawl but the last two matches of this show were the worst on it. It was still enjoyable. **1/2
Jack Victory arrives and stops Tommy's celebration with a guitar shot. This, of course, brings out New Jack and an even bigger brawl ensues. Victory takes a guitar shot and things are more interesting than they were during the main event. The show closes with the four faces posing, the Sandman, Tommy and Jack on top of ladders and Spike at the bottom.
Overall: 8/10; Great. The best ECW Pay-Per-View of all-time is what this show stays being in my memory. Despite the fact that the last two matches are the worst, they're both entertaining and fun brawls. The undercard featured good wrestling and good brawling. I recommend this as a fun way to spend nearly three hours. My next "Random Network Review" is going to be Clash of the Champions: Dixie Dynamite. |
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Post by The Kevstaaa on Aug 4, 2014 12:23:30 GMT -5
SummerSlam 2002
August 25th, 2002 – Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York – Attendance: 14,797
I've always considered the 2002 SummerSlam to be the very best in the history of that annual blockbuster. Granted, I haven't seen it in a long time but it's the show that I was most excited to get to in this year. Brock Lesnar gets his first shot at the Undisputed Championship, while Shawn Michaels makes his historic return to the ring after a four year retirement. The rest of the card is stacked with Kurt Angle, Edge, Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit, Rey Mysterio, Rob Van Dam and a LOT more. This was the peak of 2002 in my opinion, but let's see if the show is as good as I remember.
Kurt Angle vs. Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio appears behind Kurt and is all like “WHOS THAT JUMPING OUT THE SKY” as he springboard hurricanranas Angle to start. A dropkick and monkey flip follows as things are off to a quick start. Kurt wisely goes for the ankle early on. Rey misses the 619 and Angle pulls him out of the ring hard. Back inside, Kurt hits a ridiculous German suplex but Rey counters a second attempt with a rollup. The story here seems to be that Angle is doing his best to ground Rey, which makes perfect sense. Kurt has a counter for every high risk move that Rey tries including a big sidewalk slam. Single leg Lion Tamer of sorts gets locked on and looks painful as hell. Rey reverses with a pin but gets clotheslined down instantly. Again, as soon as Rey seems to get momentum, Kurt hits a big belly to belly and the STRAPS ARE DOWN! Angle Slam is countered into an arm drag though. With Kurt outside, Rey goes to fly but the referee stops him. As the ref bends through the second rope to talk to Angle, Rey leaps over him in a cool spot. A springboard leg drop earns Rey a near fall as the crowd is totally into this. Rey leaps onto Kurt's shoulders, but gets slammed down into the Ankle Lock. He breaks free and hits the 619, followed by the West Coast Pop but gets one of the closest two counts ever. He nails a springboard dropkick with Kurt up top and goes for a top rope hurricanrana but Kurt counters into an Ankle Lock somehow! That was badass. Rey has no choice but to tap.
Winner: Kurt Angle in 9:20
Excellent opener. Rey Mysterio looked like a million bucks and Kurt Angle looked like the best wrestler in the world. The crowd was hot and the action was great. ****
In the back, Stephanie McMahon finds Eric Bischoff in her office after she brags about her awesome Smackdown match. They will share the General Manager's office for the evening.
Chris Jericho vs. Ric Flair
Surprisingly, this is the first ever SummerSlam match for the Nature Boy. He was at the 1992 show, but didn't wrestle. We start with mat wrestling and Flair struts after getting the upper hand. Flair sends Jericho over but he skins the cat, only to get chops and short punches. The match goes outside with Jericho being the aggressor. In the ring, Jericho badmouths Flair with each shot and does his awesome little dance. Second rope dropkick from Jericho gets a two count. I feel like any Flair match with Charles Robinson as the referee could be a conspiracy. Jericho chokes Flair with his wrist tape but Flair just comes back with chops. “IM THE KING OF THE WORLD”. Showboating on the top does Jericho in when Flair slams him off. Flair hits another back body drop because his offense was a bit limited at this time and it continues with more short punches. Jericho attempts the Walls but gets pull into an inside cradle for two. He misses the Lionsault and eats more chops before Flair tries the Walls. Jericho reverses and puts on the figure four. Flair taps but only after he grabs the ropes. Jericho is pissed as he thought he won which causes him to make a mistake. Once Robinson gets hit, Flair goes low and makes Jericho tap to the Figure Four.
Winner: Ric Flair in 10:22
Not the best match from either guy. Chris Jericho continues to fall after being Undisputed Champion just a few months before. **1/4
Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman are backstage bragging about what Brock did to Hulk Hogan. In case you didn't know, he beat the crap out of Hogan and left him bloodied on Smackdown.
Edge vs. Eddie Guerrero
So three matches and six sure fire Hall of Famers. Impressive start. Edge opens things with a flapjack while Michael Cole informs us that Eddie is jealous that Edge is a sex symbol. Eddie sells the monkey flip like a man as usual before Edge gets a near fall. Eddie gets tied up in the ropes and Edge hits a Spear but crashes outside when he tries another. Edge seems to have a hurt arm, so Eddie goes right after it by throwing him into the steps. The next few minutes involve Eddie targeting Edge's shoulder/arm. Edge's shoulder ends up bleeding and he rallies with some right handed offense. A facebuster gets him two so he decides to suplex Eddie to the outside. Instead of resting, he flies off the top and takes out Eddie. They go to the second rope and Edge hits a sitout front suplex for two. He starts to call for the Spear but Eddie dropkicks him right in the injured shoulder. PSYCHOLOGY. Eddie's Frog Splash gets blocked by Edge getting the knees up and he plants Latino Heat with the Edgecution for two. Northern lights suplex and neckbreaker from Eddie who goes back to the top. Edge stops him but Eddie headbutts him like 15 times and Frog Splashes the injured arm! Edge somehow kicks out! Edge manages to hit a Spear from out of nowhere and win.
Winner: Edge in 11:47
Good match with really good psychology. Not keen on Edge winning with a Spear since that shoulder was worked on the entire time, but still good stuff. ***1/4
Jonathan Coachman interviews the Un-Americans backstage about their upcoming Tag Team Title defense. They continue to make a lot of good points about Americans to heat because the truth hurts.
WWE Tag Team Championship
The Un-Americans (c) vs. Booker T and Goldust
I loved the odd Booker and Goldust pairing as it worked to perfection. Of all the guys who returned at the 2002 Royal Rumble, Goldust stuck around in relevance for the longest. All four guys get shine in the early goings. Booker drops a knee on Storm for a one before Goldust hits a big elbow. Storm ends up sending Goldust over the turnbuckle and outside which is different. The Un-Americans heel it up for a while as it looks like Goldust will be tonight's face in trouble. That good old tag formula. Goldust manages to pick up a near fall but when he makes the tag, blind Nick Patrick didn't see so tag formula continues. Goldust fights out and slingshots Christian into Storm before a rollup gets him two. Storm and Christian go for a con-chair-to but Goldust ducks and hits them with a double clothesline. He finally makes the hot tag and Booker lights up the Un-Americans. Missile dropkick from Booker gets a near fall, as Goldust takes on Storm outside. Booker misses the Scissors Kick and Christian gets the Unprettier blocked. Storm accidentally kicks Nick Patrick just before Booker hits both Champions with a double Scissors Kick. SPINAROONIE! No referee is there to count for Booker though. Test runs in and bit boots Booker hard to finish it.
Winners and Still WWE Tag Team Champions: The Un-Americans in 9:36
Solid tag team match. It followed tag formula nicely, though it can get old. Still, all four guys had their working boots on tonight and put on a good show. ***
Cut to The World where Nidia picks a dude to make out with in front of her boyfriend Jamie Noble. Weird segment. Eric Bischoff and Stephanie McMahon are now shown watching in the locker room and they talk about the upcoming Intercontinental Title match.
WWE Intercontinental Championship
Chris Benoit (c) vs. Rob Van Dam
The belt logo is blurred for some reason. It couldn't still have said WWF could it? Early feeling out process as this is the first every Pay-Per-View meeting between the two. Benoit, along with Eddie had just jumped to Smackdown. According to Paul Heyman, he lost someone to Raw for star power, I forget who, and when asked for Benoit and Eddie in return, he kind of got laughed at. This would allow for the creation of the Smackdown Six. Benoit ducks a kick and he folds RVD with a huge release German. Benoit hits a Bret Hart like backbreaker for two. The Crippler is focusing on the shoulder/back/neck for the Crossface later. RVD this a monkey flip, but Benoit is quickly up and takes him back down. RVD gets a kick and goes for the split legged moonsault but Benoit gets his knees up. Benoit goes up top and misses the flying headbutt before RVD misses the Five Star. Crossface is applied but RVD uses his foot to reach the ropes. RVD gets launched to the outside and so far, this is just all Benoit. He rams the shoulder into the post and things go back inside. The fans turn their attention to something happening in the crowd, so Benoit puts on a REST HOLD. The challenger rolls out but again gets slammed to the mat. Crossface gets locked on again but RVD manages to get out of it. Three Northern lights suplexes, a move that I love, gets Benoit a near fall. He locks on the Crossface again and this is totally one sided. He gets close to the ropes so Benoit pulls his arm out and turns it into a different submission move. RVD finally gets something going by putting Benoit in a Crossface of his own, only to have Benoit get out and dropkick him. RVD's ponytail is out, which I've never seen. He starts to rally with an enziguri and rolling thunder. After RVD counters a super back drop, he hits a turning Five Star to win abruptly.
Winner and New Intercontinental Champion: Rob Van Dam in 16:31
Really good match, but very one sided. RVD barely got any offense until the end. That being said, Benoit dominating makes for a good match and even though the ending was abrupt, I enjoyed this. ***3/4
Eric Bischoff taunts Stephanie McMahon backstage and she is very pouty. As he continues to brag, Stephanie just laughs in his face. Strange.
Test vs. The Undertaker
So after his heel run with the WWE Undisputed Title, The Undertaker turned face and there was no better way for the American Badass to do that, than to face anti-Americans. Early on, Undertaker actually leap frogs over Test which shocked the hell out of me. He goes for Old School but gets crotched on the rope and falls outside. Test whips Undertaker into steel steps but nobody believes that he will win. He runs the offense in the ring for a while and decides to put on a wristlock of sorts. The Deadman rallies and hits a belly to back suplex. Taker hits a big DDT for a near fall and connects with Old School this time. Booger Red hits snake eyes but misses a big boot. He counters the pump handle slam and Test blocks a Chokeslam. Taker ducks a big boot and hits the Chokeslam this time. Test kicks out and they try to sell it as a big deal but it isn't. The rest of the Un-Americans run out but take beatings from Taker. Test comes in and hits the big boot this time, but Taker gets the shoulder up. He grabs a chair but gets it kicked in his face behind the official's back. A Tombstone later and Test is resting in peace.
Winner: The Undertaker in 8:18
Not bad, but still rather slow. It a decent big man match though and Test didn't look bad. **1/4
Unsanctioned Street Fight
Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H
When he has his face shaved, Triple H kinda looks like a wuss. Shawn starts with early right hands as the crowd pops. After knocking Triple H outside, Shawn follows with a plancha and shows everyone that he's still the same HBK. All we need is Vince McMahon creaming himself of commentary and it'll be 1996 all over again. He gets a trash can lid and it backfires, though when HHH tries to bring him in the ring, HBK levels him and skins the cat back in. HES LIVE...AND IN YO FACE. He warms up the band but HHH ducks Sweet Chin Music and we get a vicious backbreaker. HHH continues to work on Shawn's broken back with hard whips into the corner and more backbreakers. HHH gets a chair and wails away on Shawn's back. Shawn fights back but takes a chair shot that busts him open. HHH takes Shawn's belt and whips him like this is a “Hollywood” Hogan match or something. HHH goes under the ring and grabs his trusty sledgehammer but Shawn stops him. However, HHH takes control again with the abdominal stretch. Not often can you see an abdominal stretch in a Street Fight and have it make sense. Hebner and HHH get into a shoving match even though he shouldn't be trying to stop him. The distraction gives Shawn time to rally and try to come off the top, until Triple H pushes Hebner into the ropes, crotching Shawn. He hangs upside down in the corner so HHH can hit him in the back with a chair yet again! A backbreaker on an open chair is hit and Shawn must be dead. Shawn kicks out though. The Game sets up for a Pedigree on a chair, but HBK counters with a low blow. Both men are down but when they get up, Shawn hits Sweet Chin Music into a chair! Both guys are down again. Trips is bleeding like a stuffed pig as Shawn fires away and hits his flying forearm. He nips up to a massive pop. He catches him with a chair shot and sends HHH to the outside. Shawn now takes Hunter to the woodshed, whipping him with the belt. He bulldogs HHH onto the steel steps and pulls out a ladder. He whacks Hunter with the ladder for two. Hunter nabs a near fall with the high knee. HHH tries to attack with steel steps but eats a drop toe hold and lands face first on the steps. Shawn pulls a D-Von and GETS THE TABLE! He sets it up outside and nails HHH with a fire extinguisher. Shawn climbs up top and hits a splash through the table outside! Back inside, the ladder gets set up and Shawn hits an elbow off of it after telling the fans that he loves them. He gets right up and tunes up for Sweet Chin Music but HHH blocks it. He goes for the Pedigree but Shawn counters with a rollup and wins his return match.
Winner: Shawn Michaels in 27:20
Wow. Shawn Michaels was gone for over four years and came back better than ever. His ability to tell a story is nearly unmatched and this was damn near perfect. ****3/4
Triple H attacks Shawn after the match with the sledgehammer and hits him in the back, which is just a brutal post match thing to do. Howard Finkel comes out to brag about being committed to his job and he's interrupted by Trish Stratus. She has had a feud with him recently and she fake flirts with him. Lillian Garcia shows up and slaps him before kicking him low.
WWE Undisputed Championship
The Rock (c) vs. Brock Lesnar w/ Paul Heyman
Rock does Brock's signature jumping during his entrance and IT'S ABOUT TO GO DOWN. I've always loved that. Rock sprints to the ring and fires away but Brock tires of that quickly and hits a belly to belly. He goes for a quick cover but obviously that's not enough. “Rocky sucks” chants are hear as Brock crushes the Champion with rib breakers. When Rock gets thrown outside, Heyman kicks him and Brock continues to beat him down. Heyman continues to get in cheap shots and every Rock rally is cut short by a Lesnar power move. After a Rock back suplex, both men are down until they nip up at THE SAME TIME! That was great. Rock hits a DDT and gains a near fall. Rock goes for the sharpshooter but Heyman gets on the apron so he nails him. He gets the sharpshooter on but the crowd boos. “Let's go Lesnar” rings out through the arena. Heyman is back on the apron with a chair and gets brought in the hard way. As he distracts the referee, Brock hits Rock in the gut with the chair. BEARHUG time and this was actually built as a credible threatening move when he nearly killed Hogan with it. Rock fights out of it and a Heyman distraction actually allows Rock to hit a low blow. Rock explodes with a clothesline and right hands that send Brock outside. Rock slingshots Brock into the post and he puts Heyman through the announce table with a Rock Bottom. Back inside, Rock hits the Rock Bottom on Brock but only gets a two! Brock actually hits a Rock Bottom now as the crowd pops but Rock kicks out! Spinebuster from the Rock and it's THE MOST ELECTRIFYING MOVE IN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT, but wait! Brock pops up and nails him. He goes for the F5, but it's blocked, and he then he blocks the Rock Bottom. Another counter later and Brock hits the F5 to become the youngest WWE Champion in history!
Winner and New WWE Undisputed Champion: Brock Lesnar in 16:01
Great main event. The changing of the guard was here as Brock wins the belt and the fans wanted it for sure. Awesome back and forth and each guy played to their strengths. ****1/4
Overall: 10/10; Perfect. The best SummerSlam of all-time and a top 10 Pay-Per-View in the history of the WWE. Nothing is under two stars and everything is entertaining. Shawn's comeback is glorious, the main event is awesome and that's just scratching the surface. I love this show. |
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Joined on: Dec 12, 2024 8:15:01 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2014 14:10:05 GMT -5
Summerslam 2002 is the best one ever. No doubt.
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