The pay-per-view that the WWE and its superstars put on this past Sunday was one of the absolute best in the last little while. It was entertaining and engaging, keeping the crowd interested and involved in what was happening in the ring. Here is a quick run down of who fought who, who won, and what their stipulations were:
Randy Orton versus Kane:
Stipulation: falls count anywhere
Winner: Randy Orton
This was a very entertaining match in a feud that seemed to be fizzling out. I personally liked that they actually moved all over the arena, somewhat reminiscent of the hardcore match between Hardcore Holly and Al Snow. The first few punches and the flying dropkick that Kane delivered looked like they hurt. Overall, I was very pleased but I'm hoping that both men can move on to things that are bigger and better.
Brodus Clay versus Dolph Ziggler
Stipulation: none
Winner: Brodus Clay
An obvious filler match. I get why people like the funkasaurus but I'm not sure that this should be a permanent gimmick for Clay. His dancing with the kids in the middle of the ring was pretty cute.
Big Show versus Cody Rhodes
Stipulation: tables
Winner: Cody Rhodes
The way that Big Show lost is complete bullshit. He's a 500 plus pound man, what did they think would happen if he stepped on a table? I was really mad that he lost because I felt like he was due for a lengthy title run after finally getting a Wrestlemania moment. As a fan, I'm not interested in seeing Cody Rhodes face on my television with the belt and seeing Big Show portrayed as a loser. Hopefully the creative team has a direction for this and another title run for Big Show.
Sheamus versus Daniel Bryan
Stipulation: two out of three falls
Winner: Sheamus
A.J lurking in the shadows is just plain creepy, had to get that out of the way.
I called who would get what fall in the match and who would win. I really like Sheamus and the way his character has developed, gingers have to stick together! His shirt was hilarious and I'm sure that seeing it plays with the head of Daniel Bryan. Both men did a tremendous job and it was my second favorite match of the entire event. Daniel Bryan doesn't interest me that much anymore, I liked him way better when he was just a face technical wrestler.
Two Jobbers versus Ryback
What in the holy hell was this garbage? They should have just kept him as Skip Sheffield and not made him wear that ridiculous outfit. Finish him? I was unaware I was watching Mortal Kombat.
C.M. Punk versus Chris Jericho
Stipulation: Chicago street fight
Winner: C.M. Punk
Hands down this was the best match of the whole thing and it really showed what great entertainers and athletes the wrestlers of the WWE really are. Punk's mother and sister being at ringside added a lot to the atmosphere going into the match and when his sister slapped Jericho, I almost died. This match couldn't have been any more perfect, it was a great showcase for the talent of both of these individuals. If this did not secure them both a spot in the Hall of Fame, I don't know what could do the job. This match rivals the one he had with John Cena at last year's Money in the Bank pay-per-view, and is on my list of favorite matches.
John Cena versus Brock Lesnar
Stipulation: no count out or disqualification
Winner: John Cena
I had major problems with this match from the beginning. Lesnar should not have been able to wear trunks with sponsor logos on them or such thickly padded gloves. Another thing that really bothered me is the way that he fought the match. It was fought as if he was still in UFC but it should not have been that way. When he cut Cena and he started to bleed, the match should have been stopped. Anyone who knows me knows that I am the HUGEST John Cena fan around and I love all of his matches but this one was different. I didn't like the way that it was fought by Lesnar and it made me feel like he treats the company and what they do as a joke. Why bother even coming back if you're not going to wrestle? All he did was pound the crap out of Cena to try and prove how tough he is. When John picked him up and slammed him down on the steps, the crowd erupted and you could literally feel the electricity coming from them.
Having John Cena win after all that adversity was a great touch and a good way to end the broadcast. The speech that he gave after left me reeling, I could not imagine a WWE without John Cena.
I would rate this pay-per-view a ten out of ten.
Monday Night Raw was a showcase for the fallout from the previous night and featured a beat the clock challenge to determine the new number one contender for C.M. Punk's title. Randy Orton ended up winning the contest with a time of 4:16 and won the right to face Punk at Over the Limit. With three weeks left until the event, it will be interesting to see what kind of build up they can accomplish.
We also witnessed the fallout from Cena versus Lesnar at Extreme Rules. Triple H came out and did what everyone wanted, told Lesnar that he is no better than anyone else in that locker room and took away all of the perks that Johnny Ace afforded Lesnar. I feel like people aren't responding as strongly to Lesnar being back because he is simply just being an asshole. People enjoy bad guys but Brock Lesnar is just a punk. I hope that he just moves on to something else and leaves the WWE alone.
Showing posts with label Chris Jericho. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chris Jericho. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
Raw is Jericho.
After weeks of mysterious videos and messages, the mystery man has finally been revealed.
Chris Jericho is back and I have a feeling he is better than ever.
The internet was in an instant uproar about how he made his return. He came out and didn't say anything. I thought it was genius. Jericho is a master on the microphone and is one of the best talkers ever in the industry. If he came out and started speaking right away, it would have taken away from the 'magic' of his return. He is another example of what the wrestling industry needs. People need to settle down and let a story develop, he will speak next week and then it will officially begin.
My big prediction is that he will feud with CM Punk. In his previous WWE run, he prided himself on being the best in the world at what he does. CM Punk now uses the 'best in the world' slogan on one of his new shirts. These two would cut some of the best promos anyone has ever seen and if the WWE doesn't see the potential then they are going to miss out on some great television. They will either face each other at Wrestlemania 28 for the title or face each other to see who the best in the world really is. The fans are in for a real treat and some great television and matches.
I am already looking forward to next week...
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Finishing the Journey to Wrestlemania.
This Monday was the final Raw before the biggest sports entertainment event of the year, the show of shows, the showcase of the immortals, Wrestlemania. It was some of the superstars last chances to build their matches, make their cases, and have the last word concerning their match ups. All in all, it was a pretty solid broadcast, there wasn't much in-ring time as it was all about building up the hype for the big event on Sunday.
The show opened with CM Punk sitting in the middle of the ring, in his hometown of Chicago. He basically just talked about Randy Orton and how he has taken out almost every member of the new Nexus. I really enjoy CM Punk, both in-ring and on the mic, he has a lot of talent and will go quite far in the business. The crowd totally ate him right up. Randy came out with his knee heavily taped and proceeded down to the ring, they tussled and Orton failed to deliver an RKO. The crowd was obviously behind Punk, but this was a great way to kick off Monday Night Raw. CM Punk is a great wrestler but it will be interesting to see how he fares without his minions around, just him and Randy in the ring.
The in ring competition saw Edge and Christian face Alberta Del Rio and Brodus Clay, Kane/Big Show/Santino/Kozlov face the Corre, Lawler faced Jack Swagger, and Dolph Ziggler and Sheamus go against Daniel Bryan and John Morrison. First, I always enjoy when Edge and Christian are together, they are extremely charismatic and entertaining. This is the type of tag team that the WWE needs to see more of, they are great competitors but also engage the crowd. The tag team division could be, once again, built up to its glory. Hopefully the two get paired together on a consistent basis. As for Del Rio, it is dicey to say that he will win the championship in his first ever Wrestlemania. I don't like when WWE rookies are given the push too soon, they need time to develop as personalities and performers. But who knows? He may shock us all and take the title this Sunday but I don;t think Edge will let that belt go so easy.
Yet another match was added to the Wrestlemania XXVII card, Kane/Big Show/Santino/Kozlov against the Corre. I don;t expect an epic battle from this match but it should provide some pretty good entertainment value, it is also nice to see Wade Barrett coming into his own more. I think he is a fantastic talent that should not be wasted. There was more build to the gimmick match of the event, not to downplay the talent of those involved but in a match featuring Snooki, 'gimmick' is the only word to use. Dolph Ziggler and his partner Sheamus took on Daniel Bryan and John Morrison. I am continually impressed by both Bryan and Morrison in every conceivable way. My Dad mentioned that Bryan just reeks of Stampede Wrestling, he is so old school it is ridiculous. Very technical, which you don;t really get a lot these days, probably one of the best technical wrestlers ever. I'd put him right up there with both Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko. Morrison, being a high flyer and a risk taker, is a great foil for Daniel Bryan. Perhaps future tag team champions?
Another thing that I noticed during the show was that both Jerry Lawler and Josh Matthews seemed to be ignoring Michael Cole (which I loved!). Josh Matthews shows promise as a color commentator, meshing well with the King's announcing style, then you have Michael Cole. Seriously, get this guy off TV, at least after Jerry beats the holy hell right out of him. Lawler faced Swagger, was making a comeback in the match and Cole gets in the way. I wish Lawler would have smoked him with that chair. Every dog gets his day and Michael Cole's day is Sunday. I personally can;t wait to see him get what he deserves, and I'm sure the WWE Universe can;t wait either.
The two video packages were for Sin Cara and Undertaker/HHH. Word has it that Sin Cara is making his television debut on the Monday Night Raw after Wrestlemania, many were hoping for a debut at the big show. WWE could be pulling our leg for all we know. One thing is for sure though, this talent will be impressive. The Undertaker/HHH promo was impressive, the two individuals have done a really great job of putting this program together. As the last of the real legends in the locker room, their expertise will make this match one of the best, if not the best, in 'Mania history.
When Taker and Triple H had their final confrontation on Raw, the mere presence of these two individuals garnered a HUGE reaction from the crowd. What got an even bigger reaction was the presence of HBK, I had no idea he was appearing and jumped right off the couch when his music started. Shawn basically gave a rundown of what each guy has going for them heading into their No Holds Barred match. Then he does the unexpected, calls out Hunter as to why he thinks that he can beat the Undertaker when he couldn't on two occasions. There is discussion from both Triple H and the Undertaker about respect, and how Hunter looked up to the Undertaker as a source of inspiration as to how a true wrestler works. More than likely fueling those retirement rumors we keep hearing, Triple H says that he and Shawn made a pact. I am paraphrasing here but it basically was that if either individual could not perform up to their personal standards, then it was up to the other guy to say that it was time to hang up the boots. Apparently, Hunter thinks it is the Taker's time to hang it up and go on with life.
Not likely.
You can really see the mutual respect between the three of these guys in the ring. Then it happens, Shawn goes to super kick Undertaker, Triple H steps in and says that Shawn knows why he will beat him at Wrestlemania. By this point, I'm getting ready to lose my mind, thinking that the announcement that everyone speculated will come out. Instead, Shawn quietly steps out of the ring, mouths an 'I'm sorry.', and heads up the ramp. It's tough to say whether or not the Heartbreak Kid will be involved in the match at the pay-per-view. He will be on hand for the Hall of Fame, as he is being inducted, but has he really hung up the boots for good? Only time will tell.
Now for the moment that everyone has been waiting for, the long awaited confrontation between the Rock, John Cena, and the Miz. I'm not generally impressed with the Rock but he did get a great shot in at Cena, calling him a 'homeless power ranger'. Cena was entertaining as always, and the two banter back and forth. The the Miz comes out to ruin it all. He blabbers on about how Rocky is afraid to get beat by the Miz because he's just a movie star now and so on. Then the crowd gets what they want, Riley and Miz start beating on him and then he fights back and getting probably one of the loudest pops of the night. Then, in a startling turn, Cena delivers his signature Attitude Adjustment to Rocky, laying him flat out in the ring. Many are speculation that this is the beginning of a heel turn for John Cena, I beg to differ. I think that it is simply him just proving that he is bigger, better, and badder than Dwayne Johnson. Cena is showing his dedication to his fans and the business, where as Rocky could only appear twice before his hosting gig. I don't think that Cena will turn heel but perhaps his little gesture will guarantee the Rock;s involvement in his match this Sunday.
I would also like to send out a huge congratulations to the Legion of Doom for being the final inductees into the Hall of Fame for 2011. I cannot think of a more deserving duo, it is just so sad that Hawk will not be here to enjoy the honor or see the impact that the Road Warriors left on the wrestling business. I had an inkling that they would be in this year, if not, then next year. When I heard the rumbling, raspy voices of Animal and Hawk, I lost my damn mind. I jumped up off the couch and almost threw my notebook across the room. I am so glad that they are being recognized for their contribution to the sports entertainment industry. I look forward to seeing them and Paul Ellering being inducted this year, they truly deserve this honor.
It is also worth noting that Chris Jericho is continuing to do well on 'Dancing With The Stars`. He scored a 23/30 for his quickstep last night, bringing his combined score to 42/60 for both week one and two of the competition. Keep those votes coming in to keep Jericho on the show!
The show opened with CM Punk sitting in the middle of the ring, in his hometown of Chicago. He basically just talked about Randy Orton and how he has taken out almost every member of the new Nexus. I really enjoy CM Punk, both in-ring and on the mic, he has a lot of talent and will go quite far in the business. The crowd totally ate him right up. Randy came out with his knee heavily taped and proceeded down to the ring, they tussled and Orton failed to deliver an RKO. The crowd was obviously behind Punk, but this was a great way to kick off Monday Night Raw. CM Punk is a great wrestler but it will be interesting to see how he fares without his minions around, just him and Randy in the ring.
The in ring competition saw Edge and Christian face Alberta Del Rio and Brodus Clay, Kane/Big Show/Santino/Kozlov face the Corre, Lawler faced Jack Swagger, and Dolph Ziggler and Sheamus go against Daniel Bryan and John Morrison. First, I always enjoy when Edge and Christian are together, they are extremely charismatic and entertaining. This is the type of tag team that the WWE needs to see more of, they are great competitors but also engage the crowd. The tag team division could be, once again, built up to its glory. Hopefully the two get paired together on a consistent basis. As for Del Rio, it is dicey to say that he will win the championship in his first ever Wrestlemania. I don't like when WWE rookies are given the push too soon, they need time to develop as personalities and performers. But who knows? He may shock us all and take the title this Sunday but I don;t think Edge will let that belt go so easy.
Yet another match was added to the Wrestlemania XXVII card, Kane/Big Show/Santino/Kozlov against the Corre. I don;t expect an epic battle from this match but it should provide some pretty good entertainment value, it is also nice to see Wade Barrett coming into his own more. I think he is a fantastic talent that should not be wasted. There was more build to the gimmick match of the event, not to downplay the talent of those involved but in a match featuring Snooki, 'gimmick' is the only word to use. Dolph Ziggler and his partner Sheamus took on Daniel Bryan and John Morrison. I am continually impressed by both Bryan and Morrison in every conceivable way. My Dad mentioned that Bryan just reeks of Stampede Wrestling, he is so old school it is ridiculous. Very technical, which you don;t really get a lot these days, probably one of the best technical wrestlers ever. I'd put him right up there with both Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko. Morrison, being a high flyer and a risk taker, is a great foil for Daniel Bryan. Perhaps future tag team champions?
Another thing that I noticed during the show was that both Jerry Lawler and Josh Matthews seemed to be ignoring Michael Cole (which I loved!). Josh Matthews shows promise as a color commentator, meshing well with the King's announcing style, then you have Michael Cole. Seriously, get this guy off TV, at least after Jerry beats the holy hell right out of him. Lawler faced Swagger, was making a comeback in the match and Cole gets in the way. I wish Lawler would have smoked him with that chair. Every dog gets his day and Michael Cole's day is Sunday. I personally can;t wait to see him get what he deserves, and I'm sure the WWE Universe can;t wait either.
The two video packages were for Sin Cara and Undertaker/HHH. Word has it that Sin Cara is making his television debut on the Monday Night Raw after Wrestlemania, many were hoping for a debut at the big show. WWE could be pulling our leg for all we know. One thing is for sure though, this talent will be impressive. The Undertaker/HHH promo was impressive, the two individuals have done a really great job of putting this program together. As the last of the real legends in the locker room, their expertise will make this match one of the best, if not the best, in 'Mania history.
When Taker and Triple H had their final confrontation on Raw, the mere presence of these two individuals garnered a HUGE reaction from the crowd. What got an even bigger reaction was the presence of HBK, I had no idea he was appearing and jumped right off the couch when his music started. Shawn basically gave a rundown of what each guy has going for them heading into their No Holds Barred match. Then he does the unexpected, calls out Hunter as to why he thinks that he can beat the Undertaker when he couldn't on two occasions. There is discussion from both Triple H and the Undertaker about respect, and how Hunter looked up to the Undertaker as a source of inspiration as to how a true wrestler works. More than likely fueling those retirement rumors we keep hearing, Triple H says that he and Shawn made a pact. I am paraphrasing here but it basically was that if either individual could not perform up to their personal standards, then it was up to the other guy to say that it was time to hang up the boots. Apparently, Hunter thinks it is the Taker's time to hang it up and go on with life.
Not likely.
You can really see the mutual respect between the three of these guys in the ring. Then it happens, Shawn goes to super kick Undertaker, Triple H steps in and says that Shawn knows why he will beat him at Wrestlemania. By this point, I'm getting ready to lose my mind, thinking that the announcement that everyone speculated will come out. Instead, Shawn quietly steps out of the ring, mouths an 'I'm sorry.', and heads up the ramp. It's tough to say whether or not the Heartbreak Kid will be involved in the match at the pay-per-view. He will be on hand for the Hall of Fame, as he is being inducted, but has he really hung up the boots for good? Only time will tell.
Now for the moment that everyone has been waiting for, the long awaited confrontation between the Rock, John Cena, and the Miz. I'm not generally impressed with the Rock but he did get a great shot in at Cena, calling him a 'homeless power ranger'. Cena was entertaining as always, and the two banter back and forth. The the Miz comes out to ruin it all. He blabbers on about how Rocky is afraid to get beat by the Miz because he's just a movie star now and so on. Then the crowd gets what they want, Riley and Miz start beating on him and then he fights back and getting probably one of the loudest pops of the night. Then, in a startling turn, Cena delivers his signature Attitude Adjustment to Rocky, laying him flat out in the ring. Many are speculation that this is the beginning of a heel turn for John Cena, I beg to differ. I think that it is simply him just proving that he is bigger, better, and badder than Dwayne Johnson. Cena is showing his dedication to his fans and the business, where as Rocky could only appear twice before his hosting gig. I don't think that Cena will turn heel but perhaps his little gesture will guarantee the Rock;s involvement in his match this Sunday.
I would also like to send out a huge congratulations to the Legion of Doom for being the final inductees into the Hall of Fame for 2011. I cannot think of a more deserving duo, it is just so sad that Hawk will not be here to enjoy the honor or see the impact that the Road Warriors left on the wrestling business. I had an inkling that they would be in this year, if not, then next year. When I heard the rumbling, raspy voices of Animal and Hawk, I lost my damn mind. I jumped up off the couch and almost threw my notebook across the room. I am so glad that they are being recognized for their contribution to the sports entertainment industry. I look forward to seeing them and Paul Ellering being inducted this year, they truly deserve this honor.
It is also worth noting that Chris Jericho is continuing to do well on 'Dancing With The Stars`. He scored a 23/30 for his quickstep last night, bringing his combined score to 42/60 for both week one and two of the competition. Keep those votes coming in to keep Jericho on the show!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Monday Night Raw & Then Some- Two Weeks Away From Wrestlemania.
It's only two weeks until Wrestlemania, and Monday Night Raw is getting better than ever.
Triple H came out to open the show, speaking briefly about his upcoming match with the Undertaker, he put it perfectly when he said it would be the defining moment in both of their distinguished careers. This match has got to be the single most exciting bout ever, the Undertaker could either lose his undefeated streak or continue with the greatest legacy in sports entertainment. During Triple H's in-ring promo, Ted DiBiase Jr. comes out and blabs about how he has become an afterthought. One, no one honestly cares what he has to say, and two, there is no real explanation as to why he is challenging him. I personally think that since Legacy broke up, DiBiase has become a sort of joke within the company. I haven't seen him really do anything of any substance for a while. He of course gets beaten to a pulp by Hunter and then that's the end of that segment.
The first match of the broadcast is Evan Bourne versus Sheamus, who I can't stand, as I have stated in numerous posts. It was a pretty quick match with a somewhat predictable outcome, seeing as Bourne beat Sheamus last time and Sheamus has just won the United States title belt. Daniel Bryan comes out and invokes his rematch clause and challenges the human block of cream cheese at Wrestlemania XXVII. Hopefully the WWE officials give these two time to shine, it will be a refreshing addition to an already amazing card. The matches were pretty solid, Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel retained their tag titles against Santino Marella and Vladamir Kozlov, Eve retained her title against Maryse, and the inter gender-handicapped-tag team match was inspired. As much as I don't like Vickie Gurerro, it is a good build for the Wrestlemania confrontation. Not much wrestling time on the broadcast but it was quality.
My big issue with this week was, once again, Michael Cole. I do realize that they want us all to not stop talking about him, generating even more buzz for the most annoying person every to be handed a microphone. He should NOT be interrupting a match to flap his lips. I'm not a huge fan of women's wrestling right now but they deserve the same adulation and respect that the men get while competing in the ring. I would also like to personally congratulate Eve Torres for slapping Cole, as so many members of the WWE universe have wanted to do for the past several weeks. Once again, he is attempting (and very poorly) to humiliate Jerry Lawler. I don't know who signed off on this monstrosity but he once again goes for Jerry's deceased parents. It might be bringing in the ratings but it crosses the boundaries of good taste, there's a fine line in building hype for a match and just taking it a step too far. It doesn't take a genius to see what side of that line this falls on. Once again, Jerry gets attacked by both Swagger and Cole. Like no one saw that coming, the fans can't wait for him to get his comeuppance in two weeks at Wrestlemania.
Can I also ask what the hell was with his portrayal of Jim Ross? Not even chuckle worthy, just plain stupid.
We once again saw another promo video for Sin Cara. He looks like a worthy adversary and I, for one, am glad that the WWE is starting to bring in some high flyer's. It will be interesting to see what brand he will be on once he makes his official debut with the company. Speaking of video promos, the one hyping the Taker/Triple H bout was extremely well done. It was very interesting to see the career highlights of both individuals and to hear what their fellow colleagues/adversaries/friends had to say about each person and how they think the match is going to go. Something tells me that everyone in the arena and at home is going to be glued to the television for this one.
Another build featured on the broadcast this week was John Cena and the Miz (with the Rock thrown into the middle of course!). John announces that next week, on the final show before the big event, that he will come face to face with Dwayne Johnson. It will be interesting to see how the two interact while in the same ring, as opposed to exchanging extremely funny barbs back and forth. He also talks about the Miz, concerning his abilities and creativity by coming out dressed as the Rock and delivering an attack. The Miz also gets to cut his own promo in the ring, debuting the 'new' championship belt. Simply the same design with the 'W' flipped upside down. This had to be the stupidest thing I have ever seen in my entire wrestling watching life. What a bozo. What I did enjoy was when John Cena revealed that he was actually in the arena and would be paying a visit to both the Miz and Alex Riley in the ring. I was fooled because I thought he was still at home with a concussion, as it was reported that he had to undergo IMPACT testing, as per the WWE Health and Wellness Policy. Cena did take a jab at Rocky by saying that he wasn't via satellite, that he was here. That has bugged me since the Rock came back, he should have been making live appearances on a consistent basis. It was worth it to see the Miz cower while letting his protege take the beating. Will this have an effect on their match at Wrestlemania XXVII?
There are a few other points that I would like to discuss as well, mostly TNA related. What the hell is up with Jeff Hardy? I don't watch TNA at all, I do not enjoy the type of product that they produce but I do try to keep tabs on it as often as I can. I heard what happened in his last match with Sting, and can honestly say that I would be disgusted as a fan. This is not the first incident of this type with Hardy at an event, as he was almost stripped of the title at a TNA pay-per-view awhile back. All they offered fans for this debacle was 6 months of free access to their on-demand service, is Dixie Carter serious? There are clearly problems within the company as no one has yet to formally address the issues that Hardy is having, all he has gotten so far was being pulled from some upcoming events. There is clearly something wrong with him, that company, and their drug testing policy. There has been nothing that I have ever read about any health or wellness policy that TNA has, while WWE's policy and practices are available online, in full detail for anyone to view. I would like to try and find a copy of TNA's and actually review it to see how it measures up. This man is becoming such a huge liability for this company that he is going to just bring them down with him. Dixie Carter needs to smarten up, if it was my wrestling promotion, Hardy would be fired immediately. I honestly don't think that his popularity and ability to draw viewers is worth having him show up clearly unable to perform (as mentioned, this has happened on more than one occasion and i not an isolated incident.). They aren't only cheating the fans, they're cheating themselves out of having any sort of chance to be a decent wrestling promotion.
And finally, Chris Jericho made his debut on ABC's 'Dancing With the Stars' last night. I thought he did a great job on his cha cha with partner Cheryl Burke and look forward to seeing him dance as long as he's on the show. So wrestling fans, call/text/vote online to keep Chris and Cheryl on the show! All information for the show, registering to vote online, and those competing on the show can be found here.
Triple H came out to open the show, speaking briefly about his upcoming match with the Undertaker, he put it perfectly when he said it would be the defining moment in both of their distinguished careers. This match has got to be the single most exciting bout ever, the Undertaker could either lose his undefeated streak or continue with the greatest legacy in sports entertainment. During Triple H's in-ring promo, Ted DiBiase Jr. comes out and blabs about how he has become an afterthought. One, no one honestly cares what he has to say, and two, there is no real explanation as to why he is challenging him. I personally think that since Legacy broke up, DiBiase has become a sort of joke within the company. I haven't seen him really do anything of any substance for a while. He of course gets beaten to a pulp by Hunter and then that's the end of that segment.
The first match of the broadcast is Evan Bourne versus Sheamus, who I can't stand, as I have stated in numerous posts. It was a pretty quick match with a somewhat predictable outcome, seeing as Bourne beat Sheamus last time and Sheamus has just won the United States title belt. Daniel Bryan comes out and invokes his rematch clause and challenges the human block of cream cheese at Wrestlemania XXVII. Hopefully the WWE officials give these two time to shine, it will be a refreshing addition to an already amazing card. The matches were pretty solid, Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel retained their tag titles against Santino Marella and Vladamir Kozlov, Eve retained her title against Maryse, and the inter gender-handicapped-tag team match was inspired. As much as I don't like Vickie Gurerro, it is a good build for the Wrestlemania confrontation. Not much wrestling time on the broadcast but it was quality.
My big issue with this week was, once again, Michael Cole. I do realize that they want us all to not stop talking about him, generating even more buzz for the most annoying person every to be handed a microphone. He should NOT be interrupting a match to flap his lips. I'm not a huge fan of women's wrestling right now but they deserve the same adulation and respect that the men get while competing in the ring. I would also like to personally congratulate Eve Torres for slapping Cole, as so many members of the WWE universe have wanted to do for the past several weeks. Once again, he is attempting (and very poorly) to humiliate Jerry Lawler. I don't know who signed off on this monstrosity but he once again goes for Jerry's deceased parents. It might be bringing in the ratings but it crosses the boundaries of good taste, there's a fine line in building hype for a match and just taking it a step too far. It doesn't take a genius to see what side of that line this falls on. Once again, Jerry gets attacked by both Swagger and Cole. Like no one saw that coming, the fans can't wait for him to get his comeuppance in two weeks at Wrestlemania.
Can I also ask what the hell was with his portrayal of Jim Ross? Not even chuckle worthy, just plain stupid.
We once again saw another promo video for Sin Cara. He looks like a worthy adversary and I, for one, am glad that the WWE is starting to bring in some high flyer's. It will be interesting to see what brand he will be on once he makes his official debut with the company. Speaking of video promos, the one hyping the Taker/Triple H bout was extremely well done. It was very interesting to see the career highlights of both individuals and to hear what their fellow colleagues/adversaries/friends had to say about each person and how they think the match is going to go. Something tells me that everyone in the arena and at home is going to be glued to the television for this one.
Another build featured on the broadcast this week was John Cena and the Miz (with the Rock thrown into the middle of course!). John announces that next week, on the final show before the big event, that he will come face to face with Dwayne Johnson. It will be interesting to see how the two interact while in the same ring, as opposed to exchanging extremely funny barbs back and forth. He also talks about the Miz, concerning his abilities and creativity by coming out dressed as the Rock and delivering an attack. The Miz also gets to cut his own promo in the ring, debuting the 'new' championship belt. Simply the same design with the 'W' flipped upside down. This had to be the stupidest thing I have ever seen in my entire wrestling watching life. What a bozo. What I did enjoy was when John Cena revealed that he was actually in the arena and would be paying a visit to both the Miz and Alex Riley in the ring. I was fooled because I thought he was still at home with a concussion, as it was reported that he had to undergo IMPACT testing, as per the WWE Health and Wellness Policy. Cena did take a jab at Rocky by saying that he wasn't via satellite, that he was here. That has bugged me since the Rock came back, he should have been making live appearances on a consistent basis. It was worth it to see the Miz cower while letting his protege take the beating. Will this have an effect on their match at Wrestlemania XXVII?
There are a few other points that I would like to discuss as well, mostly TNA related. What the hell is up with Jeff Hardy? I don't watch TNA at all, I do not enjoy the type of product that they produce but I do try to keep tabs on it as often as I can. I heard what happened in his last match with Sting, and can honestly say that I would be disgusted as a fan. This is not the first incident of this type with Hardy at an event, as he was almost stripped of the title at a TNA pay-per-view awhile back. All they offered fans for this debacle was 6 months of free access to their on-demand service, is Dixie Carter serious? There are clearly problems within the company as no one has yet to formally address the issues that Hardy is having, all he has gotten so far was being pulled from some upcoming events. There is clearly something wrong with him, that company, and their drug testing policy. There has been nothing that I have ever read about any health or wellness policy that TNA has, while WWE's policy and practices are available online, in full detail for anyone to view. I would like to try and find a copy of TNA's and actually review it to see how it measures up. This man is becoming such a huge liability for this company that he is going to just bring them down with him. Dixie Carter needs to smarten up, if it was my wrestling promotion, Hardy would be fired immediately. I honestly don't think that his popularity and ability to draw viewers is worth having him show up clearly unable to perform (as mentioned, this has happened on more than one occasion and i not an isolated incident.). They aren't only cheating the fans, they're cheating themselves out of having any sort of chance to be a decent wrestling promotion.
And finally, Chris Jericho made his debut on ABC's 'Dancing With the Stars' last night. I thought he did a great job on his cha cha with partner Cheryl Burke and look forward to seeing him dance as long as he's on the show. So wrestling fans, call/text/vote online to keep Chris and Cheryl on the show! All information for the show, registering to vote online, and those competing on the show can be found here.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
My Favourites.
I am such a huge wrestling fan and thought it would be neat to share some of my favorite wrestling moments, personalities, and basically anything else with everyone else. This is all opinion of course, but it will be interesting to see what everyone has to say about mine/their favorite moments. Here I go...
Favorite Announcers:
Bret 'Hitman' Hart:
He has always been my favorite wrestler, for as long as I've been alive. The Hart name is something special in the wrestling industry, as well as to wrestling fans in Canada. He is dedicated and a consummate professional, something he no doubt learned from his father Stu and mother Helen. He was born into this business and never took the opportunities afforded to him for granted. His sportsmanlike demeanor is demonstrated when he shook the hand of the 1-2-3 Kid after an incredible match on Monday Night Raw. To me, Bret always seemed so authentic and real, not like he was playing a character and stayed as true to himself as anybody could, especially in the Attitude Era. He always seemed to have this enigmatic aura surrounding him. Some may say that he wasn't one of the best wrestler but I beg to differ. He is one of the greats, there is so much more to being a legend than your in-ring ability. Bret is truly the excellence of execution. The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.
Chris Benoit:
I love Chris Benoit, the wrestler. I do think it was a tragic ending to what would have been a Hall of Fame worthy career. I feel sorry for him, and especially Nancy and Daniel. However, this is going to be about the wrestler that he was, not what he will be remembered as. Benoit was one of the toughest guys ever to step in the ring. He could stand up to anybody that was put in his way, it didn't matter if he won or lost. In terms of technical ability, he was one of the best. Canadian wrestlers seem to have this grit to them, I personally believe that they work harder than anyone in the business. Training in the Hart Dungeon is probably a key factor in the wolverine demeanor of Chris. What he lacked in size, he made up for in ability, speed, and toughness. It is such a shame that he will be remembered as a monster because he could have been one of the greats. One of the best grapplers to ever be in the ring.
John Cena:
I don't think that there has ever been a superstar that divided the WWE universe as greatly as John Cena does. I love him and I don't care what anyone else says about him. Cena has mass appeal and is certainly one of the most popular WWE superstars in history. I love seeing the crowd wearing his gear because his fan base is so diverse. He has also provided us with some of the funniest moments, best Wrestlemania moments/matches, and the most tremendous feats of strength. Prime example being when he delivered an Attitude Adjustment to Edge and the Big Show....AT THE SAME TIME! John Cena seems like a regular guy with incredible strength. I do think that he could benefit from expanding his catalogue of moves, without losing his signature maneuvers. He is the current face of the company and his years of hard work have definitely secured his spot in the Hall of Fame.
The Undertaker:
Never in the entire history of the WWE, has one person been simultaneously feared and respected by everyone. Since his debut at Survivor Series in 1990, he has had a legacy like no other superstar before or after him. Undertaker has such a presence that when the lights go out and his music hits, you know that you are in for something special. His career is what legends are made of, I am speaking about his incredible streak at Wrestlemania. It is so fitting that Wrestlemania is the `showcase of the immortals`. His matches are what I (among millions of other fans) look forward to every single year. He`s called the Phenom for a reason, a nickname that this future Hall of Famer has truly earned. What more can I possibly say about one of the greatest wrestlers in history?
I truly enjoyed sharing some of my favorites with everyone. Some may agree or disagree, healthy discussion is always welcome! I hope to keep this going with new categories each time.
Favorite Announcers:
- Jim Ross
- Gorilla Monsoon
- Jerry Lawler
- Bobby Heenan
- Howard Finkel
- Paul Bearer
- Miss Elizabeth
- Bobby Heenan
- Jimmy Hart
- Sherri Martel
- Paul Ellering
- Mickey Rourke punching Chris Jericho in the ring (WM25)
- John Cena coming out as an old school gangster (WM22)
- Shawn Michaels descending from the roof to face Bret Hart (WM12)
- Shawn Michaels mouthing "I'm sorry. I love you." to Ric Flair (WM24)
- Kofi Kingston scaling a vertical ladder (WM25)
- Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels in an Iron Man Match (WM12)
- Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon in the first ever Ladder Match (WM10)
- Any Undertaker match (Do I really need to go into details? His matches are legendary.)
- Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin in a Submission Match with Ken Shamrock as the guest referee (WM13)
- Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon (WM26)
Bret 'Hitman' Hart:
He has always been my favorite wrestler, for as long as I've been alive. The Hart name is something special in the wrestling industry, as well as to wrestling fans in Canada. He is dedicated and a consummate professional, something he no doubt learned from his father Stu and mother Helen. He was born into this business and never took the opportunities afforded to him for granted. His sportsmanlike demeanor is demonstrated when he shook the hand of the 1-2-3 Kid after an incredible match on Monday Night Raw. To me, Bret always seemed so authentic and real, not like he was playing a character and stayed as true to himself as anybody could, especially in the Attitude Era. He always seemed to have this enigmatic aura surrounding him. Some may say that he wasn't one of the best wrestler but I beg to differ. He is one of the greats, there is so much more to being a legend than your in-ring ability. Bret is truly the excellence of execution. The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.
Chris Benoit:
I love Chris Benoit, the wrestler. I do think it was a tragic ending to what would have been a Hall of Fame worthy career. I feel sorry for him, and especially Nancy and Daniel. However, this is going to be about the wrestler that he was, not what he will be remembered as. Benoit was one of the toughest guys ever to step in the ring. He could stand up to anybody that was put in his way, it didn't matter if he won or lost. In terms of technical ability, he was one of the best. Canadian wrestlers seem to have this grit to them, I personally believe that they work harder than anyone in the business. Training in the Hart Dungeon is probably a key factor in the wolverine demeanor of Chris. What he lacked in size, he made up for in ability, speed, and toughness. It is such a shame that he will be remembered as a monster because he could have been one of the greats. One of the best grapplers to ever be in the ring.
John Cena:
I don't think that there has ever been a superstar that divided the WWE universe as greatly as John Cena does. I love him and I don't care what anyone else says about him. Cena has mass appeal and is certainly one of the most popular WWE superstars in history. I love seeing the crowd wearing his gear because his fan base is so diverse. He has also provided us with some of the funniest moments, best Wrestlemania moments/matches, and the most tremendous feats of strength. Prime example being when he delivered an Attitude Adjustment to Edge and the Big Show....AT THE SAME TIME! John Cena seems like a regular guy with incredible strength. I do think that he could benefit from expanding his catalogue of moves, without losing his signature maneuvers. He is the current face of the company and his years of hard work have definitely secured his spot in the Hall of Fame.
The Undertaker:
Never in the entire history of the WWE, has one person been simultaneously feared and respected by everyone. Since his debut at Survivor Series in 1990, he has had a legacy like no other superstar before or after him. Undertaker has such a presence that when the lights go out and his music hits, you know that you are in for something special. His career is what legends are made of, I am speaking about his incredible streak at Wrestlemania. It is so fitting that Wrestlemania is the `showcase of the immortals`. His matches are what I (among millions of other fans) look forward to every single year. He`s called the Phenom for a reason, a nickname that this future Hall of Famer has truly earned. What more can I possibly say about one of the greatest wrestlers in history?
I truly enjoyed sharing some of my favorites with everyone. Some may agree or disagree, healthy discussion is always welcome! I hope to keep this going with new categories each time.
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