7-29-11 Smackdown results and thoughts

 Coverage and thoughts on the July 28, 2011 episode of Smackdown

The show starts with Triple H in the ring talking about the issue with the WWE Title. He mentions that late Monday night he resigned CM Punk. Christian comes out and welcomes Triple H (back) to Smackdown. Triple tells him that it’s a slap in the face to cut him off and tells him that he will defend the World Title against Randy Orton at SummerSlam against Randy Orton in a Noh Holds Barred Match. R-Truth then comes out and says that he followed Triple H to Smackdown and talks more about the conspiracy against him. Triple H then books Randy Orton vs. R-Truth for tonight. Then he tells Christian that he a booked a match for him with John Morrison. This was a good opening segment. I thought that all 3 guys cut good promos.

Backstage they show Teddy Long with Triple H and Zack Ryder comes in. H says that he has to take a call and makes Ryder assistant GM for tonight. Good back and forth promo with Triple H and Ryder. I hope this is the continuation of the Zack Ryder push.

John Morrison vs. Christian. Christian gets the pin. This was a real good back and forth match and I also liked how Morrison was selling the neck and the announcers mentioning that he might not be 100% from his neck injury.

The show Jinder Mahal and Great Khali watching from a sky box.

Wade Barrett is in the ring talking about how he should have won the Money in the bank match and gotten a WrestleMania paycheck and not Daniel Bryan. Daniel then comes and tells Barrett that he will main event WrestleMania. Barrett then attacks him, but Bryan gets the LaBell Lock on Barrett and he taps. This was a good segment. Both guys were good on the mic. Hopefully they’ll actually have Daniel cash it in a WrestleMania. I also wish they’d have Cole stop ragging on Daniel. I’m really getting tired of that.

Mark Henry walks into Teddy Long’s office and says that he wants a match. Long tells him that no one to get in the ring with him after he took out Kane and Big Show. Ryder says that he will find Henry an opponent.

They show a video package on Justin Gabriel using clips from the South Africa tour. This was really well done. They did a good job in getting Gabriel over.

Kaitlyn, AJ & Natalya vs. Rosa Mendez, Alicia Fox & Tamina. Rosa, Alicia & Tamina win when Alicia pins AJ. This was a typical short Divas match.

Bobby Howard (a local guy) vs. Mark Henry. The local is afraid to get in the ring and was about to head for the back when Zack Ryder came out and cheered him on, telling him he’s got this. Henry gets the pin. After the match he goes to attack the guy with a chair but Long comes out and tells him that there is already a lawsuit happening and that he will find him suitable competition. Sheamus then comes out and tells Henry that if he wants competition he will fight him and he slaps Henry. Henry then goes after Sheamus but Sheamus yanks down the top rope. Sheamus goes to hit Henry with a chair but Henry bails. This was a really fun segment and they did a good job with the Sheamus face turn.

The Usos vs. WWE Tag Team Champions David Otunga & Michael McGuillicutty. Otunga & McGuillicutty win to retain the Titles when McGuillcutty gets the pin after Otunga pushes the Uso off the top rope. This was a decent but short match.

Backstage Ryder tells Long that he booked Ezekiel Jackson vs. Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase, Jr. for tonight.

Matt Striker interviews R-Truth and Truth says that he is ready for his match with Orton and says that he will go after like a crew of eagles attacking a snake. Another good promo from Truth.

Intercontinental Champion Ezekiel Jackson vs. Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase, Jr. Cody & Ted win when Cody gets the pin. This match was short but ok.

Jinder Mahal & Khali then decide speak Indian to the fans from the sky box and the fans booed. I’m not sure what that was about.

Randy Orton vs. R-Truth. Truth wins by DQ after hitting him with a chair. Christian came out to ringside and distracted the ref for a bit. This was a good match too. After the match Orton attacked Truth more and bashed him with a monitor then gives him an RKO on the announcer’s table. Orton then had a stare down with Christian and was going to go after him, but decided to give R-Truth a second RKO on the table. Christian looked on all worried. They did a really good job of continuing to have Orton be the pissed off crazy guy who wants revenge.

I thought that this was fun show on the whole. The opening segment with Triple H, R-Truth and Christian was good, I liked the Morrison-Christian match, Ryder as the assistant GM was pretty funny and the Orton-Truth match and post match attack by Orton were real good too.

7-28-11 Impact results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the July 28, 2011 episode of Impact

The show starts with Kurt Angle coming out for a promo. He asks Hogan to come out so that they end this situation for good. Hogan then comes out and Angle says that Hogan has been calling his phone and leaving messages. Angle then says that there is nothing about Immortal that he finds appealing and that it is being lead by Hogan and Bischoff, 2 of the biggest sleaze balls in wrestling. He says that he will beat Sting at Hardcore Justice and become the TNA World Champion. He also mentions that he never beat Sting before, but he actually has. I’m not sure why they’re trying to make the fans forget that that happened. He wants to show everyone that he is the best in the world and asks if Hogan knows what it’s like to be the best in the world. Hogan says that he knows what it’s like, where there was no Sting, Matt Morgan, or Rob Van Dam. Hogan says that when there weren’t any “young guns” that he carried the wrestling business on his back and that he turned it from a territorial business into the international phenomenon that it is today. He says that when Angle was a kid, he was selling out arenas everywhere. Hogan then says that he has been calling Angle because he thinks that Angle has had a vision of a higher level and that he wants to help Angle make more money. He then asks why Angle has been disrespecting him. Angle says that he’s not kicking Hogan’s ass right now because he does respect him. He also says that unlike Ken Anderson, he can’t be bought. Angle then says that he paid to see him just like many others. Angle then asks Hogan if he can still go and Hogan says that he will never set foot in the ring again because of his 8 back surgeries. Hogan then says that if Angle is going to continue insulting his kids then Angle will have to prove something. He says that everything that Angle has done including win the Olympic gold metal was a fluke and that if Angle wants to fight him over pride, they are real close to that right now. Angle says that he doesn’t doubt that Hogan still go and Hogan asks him what he is trying to say. Angle says that Hogan is trying to pay him off to take Sting out and asks Hogan why he doesn’t take out Sting himself. This was a typical TNA opening promo. I thought it went a little too long.

Eric Bischoff is on his cell phone backstage and some chick gives him a letter from the Network.

Bound For Glory Series – Rob Van Dam vs. Gunner.  RVD gets the pin. This was a real good back and forth match.

They show Sting backstage in a red suit.

They have a backstage segment with Eric Bischoff, Abyss, Bully Ray, Ken Anderson and the Jarretts and they talk about how the Network sent Bischoff a letter that because of the success of the Destination X PPV that they have to bring in more X Division Wrestlers. Hogan then comes in and says that he wants to eliminate Angle and Ray volunteers Anderson to face Angle. Ray then says that if Anderson is afraid then they have Karen fight him. Bischoff reads more of the letter and Sting shows up in a red suit, carrying a black cage that he has covered up. Sting mentions that everyone in Immortal knows that he has a good relationship with the Network and that he is now the Network executive and that his first decision is to make the Kurt Angle-Ken Anderson match a steel cage match. He also says that Fortune will be at ringside to prevent Immortal from getting involved. Hogan then tells Sting that he has no power and Sting tells him that he just made the match. This was a typical Immortal segment. Joker Sting is actually starting to grow on me though.

Brian Kendrick and Alex Shelly come out for a promo and Kendrick says a lot of nonsense and Shelly says that what Kendrick said means that Austin Aries is a jackass and he calls Aries out. Aries comes to the ring and Shelly mentions the talent that help make the X Division like AJ Styles, Jerry Lynn, Christopher Daniels, Low Ki, Samoa Joe, Kendrick and himself. Shelly applauds Aries for winning the TNA contract and also says that the X Division was defined on “hybrid” wrestling and he calls out Aries on his cheating tactics. Aries then says that he played by their rules when he beat 2 guys to qualify for the Destination X PPV and that he followed the rules when he beat 3 guys at Destination X to win the contract, but now he is playing by his rules and that his one rule is win at all costs. He then says that Kendrick and Shelly like to please the fans, but he is out to do what is best for himself. He mentions that he has had many 5 star matches but he is about having a 5 star bank account and that with him the ends justify the means and that the end will be him winning the X Division Title. Kendrick then takes the mic and talks more nonsense and Aries asks Shelly if it can be translated. Shelly says that at Hardcore Justice he will get his rematch against both Kendrick and Aries and sets a 3 way for the PPV. Abyss then comes out and says that they don’t make the decisions and he says that he gets a rematch against Kendrick for the X Division Title tonight and that he will finish the X Division for good. Sting then shows up on the tron out and says that he has more stroke than Hogan and Bischoff combined. Then he says that we will find out if monsters are afraid of heights because Abyss will face Kendrick in an Ultimate X match. This was a decent segment. Kendrick doesn’t make any sense, but Shelly and Aries are good on the mic. Abyss and Sting being in this was so-so I thought.

Matt Morgan promo talking about his torn peck and that the World Title is his livelihood.

Bully Ray promo saying he’s not worried about Crimson. Then he talks about his match with AJ Styles this Saturday in the Bound For Glory Series.

Bound For Glory Series – Crimson vs. Bully Ray. Crimson gets the pin. This match was alright.

Bischoff is on the phone in his office saying that he wants to talk to the Network and tells whoever to get the Network on the phone or that person will be unemployed.

Madison Rayne promo saying that she is going to ringside to get revenge on Tara for putting the tarantula on her last week. Sting then shows and Madison flips and runs out.

Tara vs. Winter. Winter gets the pin. Miss Tessmacher and Angelina Love both came out with their partners, but Earl Hebner sent both of them to the back. Hebner also got blinded for a short bit during the match allowing Winter to go low on Tara for the win. This match was decent.

X Division Champion Brian Kendrick vs. Abyss in an Ultimate X match for the Title. Kendrick wins to retain the Title. Throughout the match Abyss hesitated to climb the top rope and tried to rattle the Ultimate X structure so that the belt would come down. Kendrick climbs the cables and Abyss stops him. Then Abyss goes for a choke slam but Kendrick was lifted high enough to get the belt. This was a decent match.

Velvet Sky and Traci on their way to the ring and Velvet is worried about ODB and Jackie. Traci says to trust her. I don’t get this.

Eric Young craziness where he sees some guy and the guy tells him to take acting classes if he wants to be a TV star.

Velvet Sky and Traci Brooks come out for a promo. There sure are a lot of promos tonight on a show where “wrestling matters.” Traci says that she is issuing ODB and Jackie a personal invite to come out. They come out on the ramp and Traci says that she was the original knockout and that TNA asked her to step aside to make room for new knockouts. She then says that she never tried to jump over people like Velvet and that this ends tonight. ODB then says that she and Jackie didn’t lose their jobs till Velvet came along and that she left no room for the women who can wrestle. Velvet then talks about how she was bullied when she was younger and as she got older she told herself that she wasn’t going to be a victim and that the day she came to TNA was the greatest day of her life and that she earned her spot there and that she doesn’t owe ODB or Jackie an apology. She says that she gets the way that they both feel and that if they wanted their jobs back all they had to was ask. Velvet then says that they can do whatever they want here, but she is no longer going to be anyone’s punching bag and she then walks out. This was a pretty good segment. I thought Velvet and ODB cut good promos.

Fortune are backstage and the mention that they have a 6 man tag team match at Hardcore Justice. Daniels then pulls AJ aside and asks him if he remembers what they talked about last week, whatever that was. Sting then comes in and asks if they’re ready to keep Immortal away from ringside tonight. AJ then asks Sting what is in the cage that he is carrying and Sting says that it is a present for Bischoff and that he is going to give it to him right now. This segment was ok.

Eric Bischoff on the phone with Spike TV complaining, then they tell him that they haven’t talked to Sting in weeks. Sting then comes in and says that he is not the Network executive. He does his the whole crazy bit. Sting then lets a bird out of the cage and talks the movie “The Birds” and he takes the key to the cage door with him. This was idiotic! Why did they have this AFTER the entrances for the main event!? 

Kurt Angle vs. Ken Anderson in a Steel Cage. Angle gets the pin. During the match Immortal came out to the ring and brawled with Fortune and Mexican America also came out and brawled with Beer Money. Bully Ray then came out after everyone had left ringside and grabbed Angle through one of the camera cuts on the cage and Anderson took advantage. Ray then opens the cage door to give Anderson a chair and as Anderson was about to take it, Ray held on to it and Angle then hit Angle Slam and got the pin. This was a really good match. After the match Ray walked to the back. Then the lights go out and when they come back on Sting is in the ring and raises Kurt Angle’s arm.

This week’s show had too many promos/segments and only 3-4 matches. The matches that were on the show were from ok to good, but the booking was typical TNA weirdness. The highlights of the show were the RVD-Gunner and Angle-Anderson matches. I thought.

7-25-11 Raw results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the July 25, 2011 episode of Raw

The show starts with the WWE Title Match and they show the belt on a display case.

Rey Mysterio vs. The Miz for the vacant WWE Title. They show the whole roster watching backstage. Rey get the pin to become the new Champion. This was the usual baby face plays the underdog and makes the big come back kind of match, but it was real fun to watch. Miz attacks Rey from behind after the match. Then Alberto Del Rio came out with the MITB Case and was about to cash it in when Rey dove onto Del Rio. Alberto then left with the case and Mysterio celebrated with the Title.

The rest of talent congratulates Rey and pour champagne on him. Cena then comes in and also congratulates him. Josh Mathews then interviews Mysterio and Rey tells his wife and kids that he’s coming home with the gold. More champagne gets shot at him.

Evan Bourne vs. U.S. Champion Dolph Ziggler. Dolph wins with the sleeper. This was a good match. Dolph then got the mic and said, “Follow that.”

They show The Bella Twins and Eve arguing and Keith Stone walks by and Eve complains that the Bellas always pull “twin magic”. Stone then draws on one of the Bella’s arms. This was dumb.

Divas Champion Kelly Kelly & Eve Torres vs. Melina & Maryse. Kelly & Eve win when Kelly pins Melina. This was the usual Divas match.

Triple H comes out to mention the state of the WWE. First he says that WWE is the global success that it is today because of Vince. He mentions Mysterio becoming Champion then says that tonight there will be a second WWE Title match tonight. The match will be Rey Mysterio vs. John Cena. Why is Cena in a Title match again!? He then mentions that there’s someone who should be back on Raw and he welcomes back…Jim Ross! Lawler applauds and is all thrilled and Cole looks disgusted. JR then walks to the announce table, Cole takes his head set off, stands on the table and gets the mic and says that JR’s “The walking Dead.” He then sucks up to Triple H and mentions that he will do just about anything for WWE but he won’t do commentary with JR. Cole then Rags on JR more and says that he couldn’t allow his ego to stay home. Cole says again that he won’t work with JR. Triple H then says that he was going to can Cole, but he looked into Cole’s contract and that it would coast WWE more if he wasn’t there. He then tells Cole that if he leaves he will be in breach of contract. Then he says that he’s giving Cole the night off and that he has till Smackdown to decide. Cole says he isn’t leaving and says he will do more commentary. Triple H says that he gave him the night off from commentary because he’s booked Cole in a match next. Cole then walks out and then R-Truth comes out and mentions that the man who was part of the conspiracy from the start is now “the man”. He mentions that he likes what he sees in the new regime and he wants to know what H will do for him and that “Little Jimmy” and heights and spiders coast him a shot at the WWE Title and asks what Triple H will do about it. Triple H then talks to invisible people for some reason. Truth says that Triple H maybe the game, but he’s not playing. Triple H then tells him that he resigned another guy and that other person wanted a piece of Truth. John Morrison comes out and goes after Truth. They go at it for a bit and Morrison gets the upper hand, hitting the Star Ship Pain. This was a mixed bag segment. I’m not sure what Triple H talking to the invisible people was about, but Morrison’s return was well done. I’m also glad that they brought Jim Ross back to be the head announcer. 

Triple H’s King of Kings song plays and Michael Cole comes out in Triple H’s ring gear, water bottle and all and does Triple H’s entrance. Zack Ryder then comes out.

Zack Ryder vs. Michael Cole. Ryder gets the quick pin. The fans chanted lets go Ryder. Really nice to see Zack on the show tonight. Hopefully they’ll have him on more.

Kofi Kingston vs. Alberto Del Rio. Alberto wins by submission. This was a good back and forth match.

Josh Mathews is about to interview Miz and Miz blames Cena for the Title situation being the way it is because he lost the Title to Punk AKA “He who is not to be mentioned”. Then he mentions that H overturned Vince’s decision to fire Cena. Then he mentions that Rey being Champion won’t be as good as Miz being on George Lopez and that HHH’s version of WWE is a huge mistake. This was another really great promo from Miz.

WWE Champion Rey Mysterio vs. John Cena for the Title. Cena gets the pin to win the Title AGAIN! Cena and Mysterio then hug. This was really good back and forth match, but Cena does not need the Title! Music then plays and after awhile CM Punk comes out with the WWE Title. Punk gets in the ring and he and Cena have a stare down with each guy holding up their Title.

I thought this was a really good show. I enjoyed the Mysterio-Miz match at the start. It was good to have JR back on Commentary too. I also liked the Kofi-Alberto match and the Cena-Mysterio match was really good too, but I think they should’ve kept the Title on Mysterio as I feel he could use the Title. Cena doesn’t need to be Champion. Punk coming out at the end was AWESOME!! He and Cena had a fun face to face with the Titles. Looks like CM Punk is back! YES! Who is the WWE Champion? Great ending to the show!

7-22-11 Smackdown results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the July 22, 2011 episode of Smackdown

The show starts with Randy Orton in the ring talking about Triple H running WWE and about the World Title match at the MITB PPV and he calls out Christian. Christian comes out and remains on the stage and says that when spit at Orton during the match it was by mistake. Orton demands to get his rematch but Teddy Long comes out and tells Orton that he is booked in a Street Fight against Kane. Orton loses it and goes after Christian. After they broke the brawl, Long tells Christian he will be facing Ezekiel Jackson. This was a good segment to start the show.

Intercontinental Champion Ezekiel Jackson vs. World Champion Christian. Christian gets the pin. This was a good match.

Michael Cole interviews the Smackdown MITB winner Daniel Bryan. Cole rags on Daniel and says that he will cash in the MITB contract when the Champ is vulnerable. Daniel then says that he will cash it in at WrestleMania 28. Health Slater come out and says that only would cash it in the greatest stage of them only to come up short. He calls Daniel a loser and says that was why he was kicked out of Nexus and that he will lose to him tonight. We’ll see if that happens. I think it would be neat if they do have him cash it in then. Hopefully they won’t have him lose the contract or get injured.

Daniel Bryan vs. Health Slater. Bryan wins by submission. This was a good back and forth match.

Mark Henry cuts a promo saying how happy he is that put Big Show out of action. Really good intense promo.

Sheamus vs. Wade Barrett. The match goes to a double count out when they brawled outside the ring. Sheamus gets the upper hand and lays out Barrett with the Brogue Kick. This was a decent match and the brawl afterwards with Sheamus kicking Barrett helped get Sheamus over.

Kane promo saying that for 14 years he has unleashed his brand of pain in WWE. He says that men who knew no fear trembled at the sound of his name and that he has haunted the nightmares of everyone who ever faced him. He then says that lately he’s been the guy who feels haunted by his own humanity and that feels more like a human then a monster. He says that his match with Randy Orton will bring monster in him back out. This was a typical Kane promo.

Kane vs. Randy Orton in a Street Fight. Orton gets the pin. Each guy kicked out of the other’s finisher. After the match Kane shook Orton’s hand. Then Mark Henry came out and went after Kane, placing Kane’s leg inside a chair and hit a second rope splash, the same as he did with Big Show. This was a really fun match and the post match beat down by Mark Henry was good too. Henry is really doing a great job as this monster heal.

I enjoyed this show on the whole. They had a lot of good matches on here. The opening segment with Orton and Christian and the Kane-Orton Street Fight were really good. Daniel Bryan and Heath Slater also had a good match. This was a really fun show.

7-21-11 Impact results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the July 21, 2011 episode of Impact

The show starts with a Sting promo in the ring mentioning how crazy he is. He then calls out Hogan and Bischoff. Kurt Angle comes out in his clown gear and tells Sting that he means no disrespect and that it was he who saved Sting from Immortal last week because it was the right thing to do. He says that their paths will cross again at Hardcore Justice. Sting says that respects Angle and Angle mentions that he wants to beat Sting (which he has done already, but I guess we’re supposed to forget that happened). Angle says he has to be the guy to beat Sting because he has no other choice. Sting tells him that they have a problem. Cue Immortal’s music and Ken Anderson and Bully Ray come out and Ray makes Sting and Angle vs. Ray and Anderson for tonight. Ray and Anderson then rag on Angle and Sting some more. This was the usual kind of Impact opening promo.

Bound For Glory Series – Rob Van Dam vs. Scott Steiner. RVD get the pin. This was a good match

Mickie James comes out for a promo and wants Velvet Sky to come out. Mickie says that she has watched Velvet get blamed for other wrestler’s problems and that she knows how it gets and that it isn’t good. Mickie says that she wants to defend the Knockouts Title against Velvet because she feels that Velvet has earned it and that they will tear the roof of Impact Zone off. Winter and Angelina Love come out and Angelina says that she and Winter are competitors and that Mickie and Velvet should go get a hotel room. Angelina mentions that no matter who wins tonight in the Mickie-Velvet Title Match that it won’t be long before she has the Knockouts Title once again. Winter then rags on Mickie and Velvet for a bit and says that when she wins the Knockouts Title at Hardcore Justice it will belong to her & Angelina. They then head to the back. This was a decent segment. Mickie and Velvet were good, but I’m not a fan of the Winter-Angelina combo.

Backstage Rosita and Sarita brawl with Tara and Miss Tessmacher. Madison Rayne comes in and also brawls with Tara and the referees break it up.

Promos from Matt Morgan, Samoa Joe, AJ Styles & Gunner talking about the 4 Way Bound For Glory Series Ladder Match. During AJ’s promo Daniels comes in and wants to talk to AJ. Good promos from all 4 guys.

They show a parking lot brawl from earlier in the week of a brawl with the same 4 knockouts and during the brawl Sarita broke her jaw and is wearing a protective mask.

Tara & Miss Tessmacher vs. Knockouts Tag Team Champions Rosita & Sarita. Tara & Miss Tessmacher win the Titles with a double pin. Madison came out and went after Tara during the match. This was a decent match. I’m guessing that Sarita will be taking time off because of her injury.

Bound For Glory Series Ladder Match for 20 points – AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Gunner vs. Matt Morgan. Morgan wins. This was a real good match. I’m not sure why Gunner was in the match since he is in second place and Samoa Joe hasn’t gotten any points yet and I think they should have had him win.

They show an Eric Young video package where he is at a gas station looking for someone to defend his TV Title against. He finds D’Lo Brown and D’Lo tells Eric that this a road that he doesn’t wanna go down. Young rolls up D’Lo and makes the 3 count himself then runs from D’Lo. Young escapes and D’Lo mentions that Young never recognized him. This whole bit with Eric Young is really getting old.

X-Division Champion Brian Kendrick vs. Alex Shelly for the Title. Kendrick gets the pin when Austin Aries comes in and hits Shelly with the belt. This was a real good match. It looks like they’ll be doing Kendrick-Shelly-Aries at Hardcore Justice.

Kendrick cuts a promo in the back all upset that Aries helped him win.

Mexican America come out for a promo and Anarquia says that what Tara & Miss Tessmacher did to Rosita & Sarita before was garbage. He says that they’re pissed and when they’re pissed they kick ass. They then call out Beer Money. Beer Money come out and they go face to face with Mexican America. James Storm then tells them to leave the ring and TNA and go cut grass. Storm then says that he will kick Anarquia’s teeth down his throat. Storm mentions that since they have been in the Bound For Glory Series they came out to reintroduce themselves to everyone. Storm mentions that they’re the best tag team being 4 time tag champions and that they aren’t going to just beat Mexican America but they are going to kick their asses for the fans in the Impact Zone, the people watching and for all the Mexicans that came before Mexican America that they’re disgracing and that at Hardcore Justice Beer Money will beat Mexican America and retain the Tag team Tiles and he advises them to mark the day on their calendar because afterwards they will wake up with green cards stuck up their rear ends. Roode then says Storm’s catch phrase to Mexican America. This was a mixed bag segment. Mexican America is crap, but Storm’s promo was good.

Knockouts Champion Mickie James vs. Velvet Sky for the Title. The match never started because Winter & Angelina attacked Mickie during her entrance. Velvet comes out to even the odds and they brawl for a bit then ODB & Jackie come out and they attack Velvet as Winter & Angelina bail. Traci Brooks then comes out to make the save. Then referees and security broke up the brawl, separating Mickie, Velvet & Traci from ODB & Jackie. Then the cops come out and they cuff ODB & Jackie and they take them out of the Impact Zone. This was a real good brawl I thought.

TNA World Champion Sting & Kurt Angle vs. Ken Anderson & Bully Ray. Sting & Angle win when Angle pins Anderson. After the match Sting and Angle shook hands then Angle pulled Sting in close before he left the ring. This was a good match too.

I thought that this was one of the better Impact episodes. The Kendrick-Shelly match was real good, and the Mickie & Velvet & Traci-ODB-Jackie brawl was really fun to watch. Storm cut a good promo too, but I’m not a fan of Mexican America. The 4 Way ladder match was good too. The opening promo was decent and the main event tag match was good. I have mixed feelings on the whole Joker Sting gimmick. Overall I thought this was a good episode of Impact.

Follow up thoughts to the end of Raw

 

Hey all, I'm here with an extra blog this week about my feelings on the segment that ended Raw this week. When I watched it Monday I thought it was a somewhat underwhelming follow up to Sundays Money in the Bank PPV and also I was looking forward to seeing the Rey Mysterio-Miz match in the WWE Title Tournament Finals. With that said, looking at it now, I actually thought that they did a good job with the segment. I mentioned in the Raw thoughts that I liked Cena's promo and he did do a really great job. I wasn't expecting Triple H to come out, so I was surprised when they played his music. The interaction between him and Vince and how emotional they both got during the segment was actually real good. I think there certainly is potential for a good follow up next week and the weeks to come. I at first found the whole Vince being relieved bit to be lame with Triple H taking over the day to day operations of WWE because we all know that this only in the storyline, but looking at it from the storyline perspective, I think this has the potential to be really compelling, something that WWE hasn't been too often in a while!

7-18-11 Raw results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the July 18, 2011 episode of Raw

The show starts with Vince and Johnny Ace coming to the ring. Vince says that the fans are chanting for the biggest in great in WWE history and that Punk walked out on everyone and Vince called him an egotistical selfish turd. He mentions that no one will be bigger than WWE (Hulk, Bret, Michaels). He then mentions that there will be an 8 man Tournament to crown a new WWE Champion. The matches are Rey Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger vs. R-Truth, Kofi Kingston vs. Alberto Del Rio and Alex Riley vs. The Miz. He then mentions that Cena let him down last night and that there will be severe consequences. Vince then says he hopes the fans enjoy the show.

Michael Cole then mentions John Cena’s tweet form earlier today where Cena wrote that he believes he has been future endeavored.

WWE Title Tournament First Round – Alex Riley vs. The Miz. Miz gets the pin. This was a good match.

They show a John Morrison video package to hype up his return to the ring.

WWE Title Tournament First Round – Jack Swagger vs. R-Truth. Truth gets the pin. This was a good match too.

Alberto Del Rio comes out for his match and gets the mic and mentions that he is Mr. MITB and that he can cash it in whenever he wants. He says he was going to last night, but Punk ran and he pins the blame on Cena and he hopes Cena gets canned and there is a new leader and that it is his destiny to be WWE Champion. Ricardo Rodriguez then makes his return and does the Spanish introduction for Del Rio, announcing him as the Money in the Bank winner and calling him the new WWE Champion.

WWE Title Tournament First Round – Kofi Kingston vs. Alberto Del Rio. Kofi gets the pin. This was a good back and forth match also.

Josh Mathews interviews Kofi Kingston and Kofi talks about how he was in the MITB match last night and came up short, but tonight is a new opportunity and this was the first step to him becoming WWE Champion. Good promo from Kofi.

WWE Title Tournament First Round – Rey Mysterio vs. U.S. Champion Dolph Ziggler. Rey gets the pin. This was also a good match.

They show Vince and Johnny Ace in Vince’s office.

Kelly Kelly, AJ, Gail Kim, Eve Torres, Natalya, Beth Phoenix & Kaitlyn vs. The Bellas, Melina, Maryse, Alicia Fox, Tamina & Rosa Mendes. The faces win when Beth pins Rosa. This was predictable ultra short divas match. Why do they have multi diva matches?

WWE Title Tournament Semi Finals – Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz. Miz gets the pin to advance to the Finals. This was another real good match.

Scott Stanford interviews R-Truth. Truth mentions that he deserves to be WWE Champion and that conspiracy kept him from winning MITB, but it won’t keep him from winning the WWE Title. Good promo from Truth. He really does a great job as a paranoid heal.

They show another video package on Tough Enough winner Andy Levine where he visited the town that he grew up in. This was really well done.

WWE Title Tournament Semi Finals – Rey Mysterio vs. R-Truth. Rey gets the pin to advance to the finals. This was also a real good match.

Mysterio is still in the ring getting set for the finals and Vince comes out. He tells Rey that the finals will take place next week because he has something big to say. He again mentions how know one wrestler is bigger than WWE and that he can make a new John Cena. He thanks Cena for everything he’s done, but he also has to make a business decision and that he does what’s right for the fans for business. The fans chant CM Punk. He then says that he wants to get this over with. John Cena then comes out and takes the Mic and says that he knows what Vince is about to do and doesn’t want to go through what Shawn Michaels. He mentions that no matter how many great matches and Titles he held, he was mentioned as the guy who screwed Bret and Cena said that he doesn’t want to be known as the guy who screwed CM Punk. He puts over Punk for having a great match last night. He mentions that he won’t play along with Vince’s crap because that would make the Title meaningless. He then says that he can find another opponent for The Rock at WrestleMania 28. He then mentions that he gets to walk out of the arena with his pride and dignity. He says that he loves WWE and feels that he belongs there. He mentions that if Vince makes him walk tonight he will continue doing what he loves else where “brother.” He mentions that he does a lot for WWE but he won’t kiss Vince’s ass. Vince was about to can Cena when Triple H came out. HHH says that there was a board of directors meeting today and that he got a call and flew to the office and the board asked him to talk to Vince because they are concerned about this situation and about Vince. He puts over how Vince made a global empire. He says that the board is concerned about Vince’s questionable direction lately and that the board asked H to tell Vince that have filed an injunction against him and the family agrees. He also says the board has picked someone to take over the day to day operations for WWE and he says that the board picked him. He tells Vince that he won’t can Cena and says that he taught Triple H from day one that no one is bigger than the business. He then reluctantly tells Vince that he is relieved of his duties. He then says that he loves Vince, calls him pop and says that he is sorry. Triple H then walks out crying. Vince stands in the ring and gets around of applause from the fans. The fans then chanted thank you Vince to end the show. This was a really dumb segment I thought. Cena’s promo was good, but the whole thing just seemed anti-climactic after last nights great PPV.

I thought this was a good show right up till the Vince-Cena-Triple H segment at the end. That felt like a major let down. They should have had the Mysterio-Miz match I think. The whole tonight we’ll crown a new Champion and then to make the Finals next week was kind of disappointing to me. Also why were the fans chanting thank you Vince at the end? Everyone knows (I hope) that he is not really stepping down as chairman and that this is all a storyline. The tournament matches were fun to watch, but the end felt really underwhelming.

7-15-11 Smackdown results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the July 15, 2011 episode of Smackdown

The show starts with Josh interviewing Randy Orton in the ring. Orton talks about his World Title match with Christian at MITB. Christian then shows up on the Tron and says that he will regain the World Title. Christian has a picture of when he stood over Orton with the World Title a few weeks ago and Orton said that doing that to try to get Orton’s goat was pathetic. Christian then mentions that Orton’s dad, Cowboy Bob was pathetic and a joke and that Randy is just as pathetic as his dad is. Orton tells what’s pathetic is being World Champion for 5 days (actually 2 days since the show is taped). How about the way Randy Orton was booked when he first won the World Title 7 years ago. That was real pathetic booking! This was good segment. I thought it they did a good job continuing the build for the PPV match.

Intercontinental Champion Ezekiel Jackson vs. Ted DiBiase, Jr. Jackson gets the win by submission. This was a decent match.

Backstage Cody Rhodes tells Ted that if he loses one more match Cody will personally put a bag over his head. Some guy then walks by and Cody puts the bag on his head.

Daniel Bryan vs. Cody Rhodes. Cody gets the pin. This was a real good back and forth match. These guys have great chemistry together.

Teddy Long tells a referee to let Mark Henry and Big Show know that if the touch each other before during their face to face later the PPV match will not take place. Kane then comes into Long’s office and thanks for giving him the match with Randy Orton later. Kane says that he hasn’t been feeling like a monster lately and Long tells Kane that he is scaring him. Kane said that if Long really was frightened, he wouldn’t have the guts to tell him.

Jinder Mahal and Khali are having a photo shoot done. They then chew out the cameraman and Mahal tells him that he is the star. Whatever.

Backstage they show that Randy Orton’s tour bus has been spray painted saying, “ORTON SUX. TEDDY LONG = MORON. CHRISTIAN = UNCROWNED WORLD CHAMPION.” Christian comes and acts all shocked and says he can’t imagine who would do this and that he wouldn’t stand for it. Christian can really cut some funny promos. Why does Orton have the tour bus again is what I wanna know.

Sin Cara vs. Sheamus. Sin Cara gets the pin. This was a good back and forth match too. They need to ditch the gold and blue lights during Cara’s matches though. After the match Wade Barrett, who was on commentary attacked Sheamus.

Christian is in the casino with Randy Orton’s wallet that he found backstage. He takes out $1,000 and says that he will play for Randy’s daughter’s college fund. He bets the $1,000 on number 1 and it lands on number 20. Christian then says that Orton’s luck has just run out. This was another great promo from Christian.

Teddy Long is in the ring for the Big Show-Mark Henry face and has both guys come out. Henry stands on the stage. Mark Henry says that Show started everything and they show the clip from last month when Big Show attacked Mark Henry. They argue back and forth for a bit, then Show says they don’t have to wait till Sunday and calls Henry out. Henry is about to go to the ring but Long stops him and says that on Sunday they will let God sort it out. Show and Henry then glare at each other. This was a good segment and I thought it gave their match for this Sunday a good final hype.

Divas Champion Kelly Kelly vs. Rosa Mendes. Kelly gets the win.

Time for another corny Johnny Curtis promo. This time he says that soon the cat will be out of the bag. He goes to pull a stuffed cat out, but when he does it turns out to be a stuffed elephant. He flips out on an assistant and tells him that “elephant in the room” was for next week and he tore up the stuffed elephant. Can they please drop these idiotic segments and let the guy have a match on the show already?

Justin Gabriel vs. Heath Slater. Slater has a mic and says that he and Gabriel were on top of the world in the tag team division, that they were 3 time tag team champions. Slater then says that lately Gabriel has been dropping the ball and that he is tired of sharing the spot light with him and that at MITB it will be Slater’s time to shine because he is “the one man rock band.” Gabriel gets the win. This was a good but short match. Too bad they broke up Gabriel and Slater because they were good as a tag team. I know the tag division has no meaning in WWE, but I thought they were good together. They had good matches with the Usos.

Kane vs. World Champion Randy Orton. Kane wins by count out when Orton saw Christian coming out. Christian went over the guard rail and Orton followed, then went back over the barrier and he then Christian snuck up behind him and they brawled into the where Kane throat chopped Orton. Kane and Christian double stomp Orton in the corner for a bit then Kane turns to Christian. Christian slides out of the ring and then Kane turns around and Orton gives him an RKO. Christian then comes back in and spears Orton and punches him. Christian then gets a steel chair and the World Title. He goes to hit Orton with the chair but Orton kicks him in the gut, then picks up the chair and Christian escapes. Orton then repeatedly hits Kane in the back with the chair. He then glares at Christian from the ring while Christian is backing up to the stage. This was more of an angle then a match and they did a good job hyping up the World Title match for Sunday.

I thought this was a good show with some good matches and segments on it. The highlights were the Christian promos and Daniel Bryan vs. Cody Rhodes. They did a good job in giving the Money In The Bank Pay Per View the final hype before this Sunday night.

7-14-11 Impact results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the July 14, 2011 episode of Impact

The show starts with Immortal coming to the ring in tuxedos to celebrate Ken Anderson becoming part of the stable. Anderson comes out in a camouflage tuxedo. Hogan and Bischoff put over Anderson, while Anderson also put them over; then he lights go out. When they come back on Sting is in the ring at a poker table. Sting asks Bischoff who he would bet the World Title match tonight. He does more of his Joker gimmick then he says that he has friends with him tonight to prevent Immortal from getting involved in the match. The lights and camera are then pointed at the rafters and there’re 4 guys with clown suits. Sting then flips over the poker table before the lights go out again and when they come back on Sting is not there. This segment was a typical TNA opening. The whole Immortal stable has got to go. Hogan and Bischoff do nothing for me. Sting’s Joker bit was kinda funny this week, but I also find that idiotic.

Bound For Glory Series – Bobby Roode vs. Samoa Joe vs. Pope Dinero.  Roode wins when he pins Joe after countering the Kokina Clutch by flipping over and using the turnbuckles, but Roode taps at the “same time”. (Roode actually tapped after the 3 count) After the match Joe flips out on Earl Hebner then other referees come out to get Joe away from Hebner. Joe then flips off the refs as he walks out. This was a pretty good match.

They show the Jarretts in the back with a couple wagons filled with sombreros.

Hogan, Bischoff and the rest of Immortal with Hogan saying play time is over and tells Immortal to take out Sting. Bischoff then rags on Abyss for losing the X Division Title at Destination X. The Jarretts come in with the sombreros and other gifts for Immortal. Jeff then opens a briefcase that has the “Immortal” Title AKA the “Dos J Title” with a Mexican flag design in the center. This was stupid. The goof ball Jarretts gimmick needs to end.

Pope is in the back with Devon’s sons saying they support him. Devon then comes him and tells his sons to stay away from Pope. Devon then tells Pope to lay off. Pope says that Devon’s sons look up to him and Devon calls Pope a con artist and that he doesn’t Trust him. This storyline is odd too. If Devon wants Pope to stay away from his sons, why does he let them go to the shows?

They show a video package on the great Destination X PPV! That was a really fun show!

Austin Aries vs. Shannon Moore. Aries gets the pin after using the chain on Moore’s book followed by a slingshot corkscrew splash. After the match Alex Shelly comes out and he and Aries have a stare down. Shelly then helped up Moore. This was a good back and forth match.

Abyss promo in the back saying that Kendrick has the X Tile, which belongs to him and that he will get the Title back for Immortal. One of Sting’s clowns then hits Abyss with a bat.

Shannon Moore and Alex Shelly mention how Aries used the chain to win.

Aries promo saying that he can’t be beat.

Madison Rayne promo saying that she will end Tara’s career.

Tara promo saying that Madison did get her her job back and that she got her a gift that she will give to her after the match.

Scott Steiner shows of his arm to Val and a Sting clown attacks him a bat too.

Tara vs. Madison Rayne. Tara brings back her pet tarantula and scares Madison before hitting the Widows Peak for the win. After the match Tara chases Madison to the back while holding her tarantula. This was a decent match.

Doug Williams and Brutus Magnus promo in the back saying they will win the Tag Titles.

Kurt Angles comes out and mentions that by beating Jeff Jarrett at Slammiversary he is the number one contender for the World Title. Angle mentioned that he will face either Ken Anderson or Sting for the Title at Hardcore Justice. He mentions that he wants to face Anderson whether or not he has the Title. He also talked about their cage match at Lockdown in April 2010, which was a real great match! He also says that he and Sting have some unfinished Main Event Mafia business and he also mentioned their empty arena match back in January 2009. He calls it one of the greatest matches in TNA history and that neither guy won. Angle then mentions that he never beat Sting and wants the chance to do so. Good promo from Kurt.

The Jarretts are shown walking out of the arena and Jeff gets attacked by a Sting clown.

British Invasion vs. Mexican America. Mexican America get the win when Rosita distracts the referee and Magnus had Anarquia pinned, but Hernandez broke it up by hitting Magnus with an elbow and he rolls Anarquia on top of Magnus for the pin. This match was ok. The Mexican America team is dumb and now they’re gonna challenge Beer Money for the Tag Titles. I much rather would’ve seen Beer Money vs. British Invasion. I think they would have had a good match.

Bischoff, Bully Ray & Gunner in the Immortal office and Bischoff tells them not to let him down. Gunner tells Ray they should go after them, Ray says he’s right behind him. Gunner walks out, but Ray stays.

They recapped the Ultimate X and X Division Title matches with promos from both guys talking about their match next week. Good promo/video.

Gunner is in the back calling out the Sting clowns and they show up and they attack him too and they drop their masks and they reveal themselves to be AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian & James Storm.

Sting vs. TNA World Champion Ken Anderson for the Title. Brian Hebner gets knocked out during the match and Bully Ray comes out still in his tux and attacks Sting. The lights go out and when they come back on one of the guys in the clown suits is in the ring and he attacked Ray and Anderson with a bat. The lights go out again and when they come back on the clown are Ray aren’t there. Sting then gives Anderson the Scorpion Death Drop for the pin and regains the Title. While Sting was celebrating with the Title, the clown was standing on the stage and took off his mask and it was Kurt Angle. This was a pretty good match.

I thought this show was decent. Not the greatest but not the worst either. The whole Fortune dressed as Sting’s clowns was ok, but why have Daniels and AJ be background players after they had a really great match at Destination X?

7-11-11 Raw results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the July 11, 2011 episode of Raw

The show starts with CM Punk coming out with a megaphone. He also has a mic in his hand. Punk talks about how Vince suspended him because of his promo from 2 weeks ago. He recapped everything he said and said that he got in trouble because he spoke his mind, which no one else is brave enough to do. He then says that his match with Cena is back, then he picks up the megaphone and says that he brought it as back up in case the cut his mic. Great stuff. He mentions that Vince wants Punk to sign a new lucrative contract. Punk mentions that a mic is a pipe bomb in his hands and that Vince realized that Punk is the hottest thing in wrestling today and that he made WWE socially relevant. Punk mentions that he is a youtube sensation and espn hosts are calling him to be on their shows. He mentions that Vince wants to give him everything he wants now that he has 1 foot out the door after being in WWE for 5 years. The fans chanted CM Punk. Punk then says that he and Vince should have a live contract negotiation and that Vince might have to join the “CM Punk kiss my ass club.” John Cena then comes out and Punk talks into the megaphone saying Cena’s music is too loud. Hysterical! He thanks Cena for getting reinstated to his job he never wanted and that when he wins the belt he will get a new one because the spinner belt has been around too long. Punk mentions that the last time Cena was “fired” it lasted a week so Cena doesn’t have to worry about losing his job. Cena says that Punk has to go through him to win the Title and that he isn’t a push over. Punk says that he is the best wrestler in the world. Cena says he is the best because he earned the WWE Title. Cena then mentions other wrestlers who thought they were the best. He says he’s coming to Chicago to whip Punk’s ass. The Raw GM chimes in and announces that Cena will be in a “very special match” next. Punk then says “good luck” into the megaphone. Once again Punk cut a really great promo. He was easily the high point of the segment.

Back from commercial, Cena is still talking and then Justin Roberts announces that the Raw GM made Cena’s match a handicap match. Out come Michael McGuillicutty & David Otunga.

John Cena vs. WWE Tag Team Champions Michael McGulicutty & David Otunga. Cena wins after pinning McGullicutty. This match was ok. Nothing great. It went a little longer than I thought it would.

Dolph and Vickie are in the back rehearsing what how to tell Vince to fire Punk and Cena and that he should make the U.S. Title the main belt. Vickie impersonates Vince then Drew McIntyre comes in and impersonates Vince, walk and all. He then says that he will tell Vince to retire. Vince comes in says that Dolph and Drew deserve to have the spot light so he puts them in a handicap match against the Big Show. Scott Stanford comes in asks about the Punk contract bit and that world wants to know what he has to say. Vince says the entire world can go to hell. This was a really dumb segment. Dolph is a talented guy and they seem to be doing the usual yo-yo push him like they do with a lot of the young talent. Also why do we have TWO handicap matches in the same night!?

Divas Champion Kelly Kelly vs. Melina. The Bellas are on commentary. Kelly gets the pin. This was a typical Divas match. The Bellas then get in the ring and tell Kelly to find something to eat because she is too thin. They rag on Kelly more, Kelly attacks one of them, they double team her and Eve comes out and The Bellas flatten her too. This segment was boring. The Bellas don’t do it for me.

The Miz comes out and there is a ladder in the ring. Miz gets in the ring and climbs the ladder and sits at the top of it and says that there’s no better view and that he’s used to being on top, which is what makes him different from the other MITB competitors. He says that he knows what it takes to be a champion and everyone will find out that he still has what it takes to be champion. He was about to say his catch phrase when Jack Swagger comes out. He mentions that he also won MITB and became World Champion and that he will again. Miz does the “really” bit. Miz then says if someone cashes the case in and no one remembers it then did it happen. Evan Bourne comes out and says that he will climb the ladder go air born and win MITB. Kofi Kingston comes out and says that this is a match where they all put everything on the line for the biggest Title in WWE and that anybody can win. He mentions that if he wins it will be because of what he does Sunday. He then mentions that Edge had to retire because of matches like this. R-Truth then comes out and talks about the conspiracy against him and that he beat Cena in a table match 2 weeks ago and complains about having to be in the MITB match and mentions that he has acrophobia. He mentions that the conspiracy knows he is afraid of heights and also hopes there’re no spiders on the ladder because he is afraid of spiders too. He says that the briefcase won’t get got if it has spiders on it. Alex Riley comes out and Miz bails. Then Alberto Del Rio comes out says that he shouldn’t be in the MITB match because he won the number one contender match last week. He mentions that it will be Cena vs. Punk because Cena is afraid of Del Rio and now he has to show everyone again that it is his destiny to become WWE Champion. The Raw GM then chimes in and makes a 6 man tag, Evan Bourne, Alex Riley & Kofi Kingston vs. Miz, Truth & Swagger. This was a good segment and it let most of the guys get some mic time (except Alex Riley). Truth’s promo didn’t make a lot of sense though. Miz was good as usual.

Evan Bourne, Alex Riley & Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz, R-Truth & Jack Swagger. Kofi, Riley and Bourne win when Riley pins Swagger. Miz attacks Riley from behind, Kofi kicks Miz, Truth knocks Kofi out of the ring and Bourne takes out Truth and was about to go for a Shooting Star Press when Alberto Del Rio came out and clobbered everyone with a ladder. This was a real good match and Del Rio’s post match beat down was good too.

Big Show vs. U.S. Champion Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre. The match ends in a double count out when Show clobbers Drew up to the stage and Ziggler hid from Show the whole match. After the match he was about to choke slam Drew when Mark Henry came out and shoved Big Show off the stage and Henry also fell off. The match wasn’t much, but Mark Henry coming out was good.

Back from commercial and the refs help Henry out and other refs check on Big Show.

Time for the live contract negotiation. Vince says he will not be joining the CM Punk kiss my ass club. Vince calls out CM Punk and says he has a plane to catch. Punk comes doing Vince’s power walk. Punk mentions that for someone who is pro Cena he figured he would have Cena gear, but it looks like he doesn’t have faith in Cena. Vince says that isn’t why he wants Punk to resign but because he couldn’t live with himself if Punk were to leave with the belt and calls him Phil. Punk says the contract wasn’t up to par so he has a new one and has added some perks to it, then asks the fans if they wanna see it happen and of course the fans cheer. Punk says that the first perk is that he will push Vince around and if Vince doesn’t let him the contract goes bye-bye and he leaves with Title. Next he says he wants his own jet, and wants his face on all WWE merchandise and bring back the WWE ice cream bars (that got a big pop) and that he wants WWE films to start production on CM Punk the movie and that it will be successful. Finally he mentions that the Rock-Cena match at WrestleMania 28 can still happen but Punk will be in the main event. He also mentions that Punk will apologize to him and the fans for being a hypocrite, then says that Vince is one of the biggest bullies he has met in his entire life. The fans chant CM Punk. He mentions that he had friends who worked in WWE only to be unfairly released. He mentions Colt Cabana and Luke Gallows and how he is defending them and that Vince will apologize to them too and like it. Vince says they should be gentleman about this. Punk asks if they should be gentleman or should Vince apologize. Punk tells him to sign the contract and avoid any further embarrassment. The fans chant “We want wrestling”. Vince says he doesn’t care what they want and Punk says that that’s the problem. Vince apologizes, but not loud enough and Punk does the “what” bit, then Vince screams he apologizes and calls Punk an SOB. Punk then rubs it in. He tells Vince to sign the contract before the stock continues to fall. The fans chant Colt Cabana. This is great stuff. Cena then comes out and acknowledges the fans cheering Punk and that they’ll cheer for him in Chicago and that’s when he walks out. Cena then does his typical promo and says they’re both acting like kids. REALLY? Cena continues to talk about how much he hates Vince but the fans paid good money to see the show and calls Punk the biggest hypocrite of all and that he will walk out on the fans. He then mentions that The Rock made the same promise. Punk mentions how they’re in Cena’s home town tonight and they will be in Punk’s home town Sunday. Punk then continues to cut a great promo. Punk says that Cena has become what he hates, the Yankees. Cena decks Punk, then Punk goes up the ramp and says that he is the underdog. Punk says that he is glad Cena decked him and it made him realize why he wants to leave WWE and that is because he is tired of Cena and that the fans can say good bye to Cena, the WWE Title and CM Punk. Punk rips up the contract and says that he will be the best in the world elsewhere. This was another really great promo from CM Punk and easily the highlight of the show!

This show was good I thought. They had some good final build up for the Raw part of the MITB PPV. I enjoyed the 6 man tag match and the best parts of the show by far were Punk’s promos, both at the start and the end of the show!

7-8-11 Smackdown results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the July 8, 2011 episode of Smackdown

The 8 guys who are in the Smackdown Money In The Bank match are Daniel Bryan, Sheamus, Kane, Wade Barrett, Sin Cara, Cody Rhodes, Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater.

The show starts the participants in the ring being interviewed about their chances in the match. Bryan talked a bit about hoping to win the match and become World Champion, but Cody took the Mic and said that Daniel is a common man and that he will win the MITB match and become World Champion and when he does everyone will have to swallow their pride. Wade Barrett talked a bit about winning NXT Season 1 and was about to mention how he formed Nexus when Sheamus comes out and cleans house. He mentions that he is in the MITB match and that he wants revenge for being punted out of his Title shot at Capitol Punishment. Christian then comes out and says that for his World Title match at the PPV, if Randy Orton is DQ’d or if Christian is gypped by a bad call from the ref then he becomes World Champion. Teddy Long then comes out and announces World Champion Randy Orton vs. Sheamus for tonight. I thought this was a good opening segment.

Intercontinental Champion Ezekiel Jackson & Daniel Bryan vs. Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase, Jr. Cody & Ted win when Ted pins Jackson. This was a good match.

Matt Striker interviews Mark Henry and mentions Henry’s attack on the production guy last week and that he could be fined, or suspended. He then mentions his match with Kane later tonight and that he has a match with Big Show at MITB. Henry gets in Striker’s face and Striker walks out. Henry looks all pissed off about the whole thing.

Trent Baretta vs. Jinder Mahal. Mahal gets the pin. Khali was on commentary. I don’t know why. After the match Khali picks up Trent and Mahal full nelson slams him. This was a squash.

Todd Grisham interviews Sheamus and asks him about his recent rampage that he’s been on. Sheamus says, “It’s an Irish thing fella. You wouldn’t understand.”

AJ vs. Tamina. AJ gets the pin.

Kane vs. Mark Henry. Henry gets the pin. This was a good big man match. After the match Henry jaw jacks Booker T with Booker saying he has no problem with him.

Todd Grisham interviews Randy Orton mentioning Orton’s match with Christian and the stip. Todd asks why Orton would agree to that. Orton says because he is tired of facing Christian and doesn’t care what stip is in the contract. He then talks about tonight’s match with Sheamus. This was a decent promo from Orton.

Sin Cara vs. Tyson Kidd. Cara gets the pin. This was a real good match too.

Matt Striker asks Teddy Long what he intends to do about Mark Henry. Long said that the matter is being investigated and when it’s done he will take the results under advisement. Striker said that that sounded like a politically correct answer and asks Long if he is intimidated by Mark Henry. Long stares for a bit and walks off.

The Usos vs. Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater. The Usos win when Jay pins Gabriel. Gabriel & Slater bicker for a bit. This was another good match. These 2 teams work real well together.

Johnny Curtis promo saying that when he makes his Smackdown debut he will take the cake. He picks up a cake and blows out the candles. When are these corny segments going to end?

World Champion Randy Orton vs. Sheamus. Orton wins by DQ when Christian comes in and attacks Orton. Sheamus then punt kicks Christian and then Orton gives Sheamus an RKO. Orton poses with the belt to end the show.

I thought this was a good show. The opening segment, the Jackson & Bryan-Cody & Ted match, Mark Henry, The Usos-Gabriel Slater, Sin Cara-Tyson Kidd and the Orton-Sheamus were the highlights.

7-7-11 Impact results & thoughts

 Coverage and thoughts on the July 7, 2011 episode of Impact

 The show starts with Bully Ray, Abyss, Gunner & Scott Steiner coming to the ring. Ray calls out Ken Anderson and he comes out and Ray says that Anderson can’t beat Sting without Immortal. Steiner tells him that he is either with Immortal, or against them. Gunner then mentions the 4 of them have a match against Kurt Angle and Sting. The lights go out in the arena and Sting’s music hits. Sting is in the rafters and when the lights come back on, Kurt Angle is in the ring and takes out the Immortal guys. Angle says that he and Sting also expect him to make a decision tonight.

Beer Money in the back getting Roode motivated for his match with Crimson and they mention that Storm will be teaming with Matt Morgan. They’re not sure why and I’m not either.

Bound For Glory Series – Crimson (who’s now in the lead) vs. Bobby Roode. Crimson gets the pin. This was a good back and forth match.

Abyss is walking around backstage with a towel over his head & they show Brian Kendrick meditating in his robe and also wearing Abyss’ mask.

Brian Kendrick then comes to the ring with Abyss’ mask and calls out Abyss. Abyss comes out and still has the towel over his head. Kendrick does a promo about why Abyss wears a mask and he then talks about their match at Destination X. Kendrick gives Abyss his mask back and Abyss puts it on. After he does he attacks Kendrick and gives him the shock treatment then the black hole slam.

Jack Evans vs. Tony Nese vs. Jessie Sorensen in a match to qualify for the Destination X PPV. Jack Evans wins when he pins Nese. This was a great match.

So the 4 Way Contract match at Destination X will be Austin Aries vs. Zima Ion vs. Low Ki vs. Jack Evans. That should be a good match.

The reunited British Invasion are in the back mentioning that they will take out Mexican America. Doug Williams talks about how he will issue an open challenge to anyone at Destination X.

Velvet promo backstage talking about how she’s no longer going to be the fall girl for whatever problems the other Knockouts might have.

Kurt Angle is shown walking around backstage and he sees Sting laughing and singing eye of the tiger using different words. Sting then talks about next week’s “mid summer nightmare.” Joker Sting really isn’t working for me.

Velvet Sky vs. ODB & Jackie Moore. ODB hits Jackie with a chair by mistake after Velvet gets out of the way. Velvet kicks the chair into ODB then hit a snap DDT on Jackie for the pin. This was a solid match.

Devon & The Pope are in the back and Devon tells Pope that he will be sorry he ever met him if he double crosses him.

RVD vs. Jerry Lynn vs. Christopher Daniels vs. AJ Styles. RVD wins when he pins Daniels. There was a lot of great action in this match. Lynn hit a Kryptonite Krunch on Daniels then RVD Frog Splashed him to get the pin. This was a great back and forth match.

Eric Young talks more nonsense outside his new trailer.

Bound For Glory Series – Devon & Pope Dinero vs. James Storm & Matt Morgan. Devon & Pope win when Devon pins Storm after Pope hits him with a TNA Tag Title and lets Devon pin him. Devon gets 7 more points. Before the match Devon tried to keep Pope away from his sons. Also during the match Morgan pulled Storm off Pope cause he was looking to get the points. Morgan also took a fall and looked injured and the ref went to check on him and the distraction allowed Pope to use the belt. After the match Devon looked confused about what had happened.

Ken Anderson is in the back saying that he will give his answer tonight.

The Jarretts in an arena in Mexico again saying that when they get back next week they will have a fiesta for Jeff’s birthday. Karen says that she has gifts for everyone in Immortal.

Hulk Hogan attacks Sting with a bat backstage.

Kurt Angle & Sting vs. Bully Ray, Abyss, Gunner & Scott Steiner. Sting doesn’t come due to Hogan’s backstage attack, so Angle was by himself. During the match Ken Anderson came out and took Sting’s spot as Angle’s partner. Angle tagged him in and Anderson looked like he was going to Mic Check Bully Ray but he turned around and hit Angle with it. Then he dragged Angle back to the corner so that he could “tag in” and Ray pins Angle for the win. After the match Anderson embraced Abyss and Hulk Hogan came out on the stage and applauded.

I thought overall that this was a good show. The “Joker Sting” bit is idiotic, but there were some good matches on the show. The best matches were the 3 way X-Division match and RVD-Lynn-Daniels-AJ matches.

7-4-11 Raw results & thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the July 4, 2011 taped episode of Raw

         

The show starts with a graphic announcing Rey Mysterio vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. R-Truth for the number one contender slot since CM Punk was “suspended” last week. They also announce Alex Riley vs. The Miz.

John Cena comes out and talks about CM Punk being taken out of the Title match mentions the 3 Way match. He says that WWE will go forward as if Punk was never there. Cena doesn’t go for that decision and he feels that Punk said what he believed in. He says that doesn’t agree with Punk, but he feels that he has the right to express his opinion. Cena than says that he wants answers from Vince tonight and that he wants to face CM Punk at Money In The Bank. This was a really good promo from Cena. If only more of his promos were like this.

Kelly Kelly & Eve Torres vs. The Bella Twins. Kelly & Eve pick up the win when Kelly gets the pin. This was a good back and forth match.

Scott Stanford interviews R-Truth and Truth mentions that he beat Cena already and shouldn’t have to be in the 3 way and goes on about everything being a conspiracy. Truth bumps into Alberto and he tells Truth that it is his (Alberto’s) destiny to be WWE Champion. Good promo from Truth and the bit with him and Del Rio was good too.

Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov vs. WWE Tag Team Champions David Otunga & Michael McGuillicutty. Otunga & McGuillicutty get the win when McGuillicutty pins Santino. This was a decent match.

After the match Zack Ryder came out on the stage and said “Woo, woo, woo. You know it.” Then he walked out.

Scott Stanford interviews The Miz. Miz says that he should be in the number one contender match tonight. He says that he isn’t because of Alex Riley. He then says that he brought Riley to Raw and tonight he will take him out.

Evan Bourne & Sgt. Slaughter are in the back and Jack Swagger comes in and rags on Slaughter. Swagger challenges him and Slaughter accepts. This was ok. I liked Swagger’s part of the segment.

Sgt. Slaughter vs. Jack Swagger. Swagger gets the pin. After the match Swagger locks the Ankle Lock and Slaughter and Evan Bourne makes the save. Sgt. Slaughter then leads the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Rey Mysterio vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. R-Truth. Del Rio wins when he makes Rey tap. So Alberto is the new number one contender. This was a really great match!

Dolph Ziggler & Vickie Guerrero are in the ring having a 4^th of July celebration because Dolph is the U.S. Champion. Vickie wants the fans to happy birthday to Dolph. The fans don’t bother and Vickie sings. Dolph says that he is the best superstar in WWE today and he is at his peak. Dolph says that while he is U.S. Champion, that is the only Title that matters. Kofi Kingston then comes out and tells Dolph that he can’t beat him without Vickie at ringside. Dolph says that he is at a higher level than Kofi is and he tells Kofi to split. Vickie gets pushed into the cake and Kofi & Dolph then brawl. This was a decent segment. Vickie is really good at playing the heal.

Alex Riley vs. The Miz. Alex Riley gets the pin. After the match Miz attacked Riley, throws him into the barricade and it breaks rammed him into the ring steps, then punt kicked him over the announce table. This was a good match too and the post match beat down by Miz was really a good way to Miz to get his heat back.

Vince comes out and says that CM Punk deserved to be suspended. He says that Punk wanted too much money for his new contract and that he is standing by his decision to suspend Punk. Cena then comes out and he says that Vince loves freedom of speech and that he still wants to face CM Punk at the PPV. Cena tells Vince that if he doesn’t feel like fighting then he should hang it up. Vince said that he suspended Punk because he doesn’t want to take the chance of Punk leaving WWE with the Title. Cena says that Vince is afraid to let Punk wrestle. Cena talks about the match some more and Vince tells Cena not to piss him off and tells him not to be like Hulk Hogan. Cena then tells Vince that he should give the people what they want and makes a speech to Vince. Then Cena gives Vince the Title and walked out. Vince tells Cena to hold on and he follows him up the ramp. Vince reinstates Punk and Cena-Punk Title match is on again. Vince tells Cena that he will be “fired” if Punk wins the Title. Where does this leave Del Rio? Will he, Mysterio and Truth be in the Money In The Bank Match like it was originally announced? This was a really good segment. Cena was again really good with his promo. Vince was hit and miss, but this was still good.

I thought this was a really enjoyable show overall! The highlights were Cena’s promos (I can’t believe I actually typed that) and the Alex Riley-Miz match along with the post match beat down and the Mysterio-Truth-Del Rio match!