8-26-11 Smackdown results & thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the August 26, 2011 episode of Smackdown

The show starts with tonight’s GM Bret Hart in the ring and he announces that Randy Orton will face Mark Henry for the World Title at the Super Smackdown show Tuesday. Christian then comes out and blames Edge for losing at SummerSlam and says that he is entitled to a rematch. Bret tells him to grow a set and to work his way back up the ladder. Christian then says that he is the only Canadian that is still relevant and he takes a legal letter out saying that he is first in line for a rematch and Bret makes it Orton vs. Christian for the Title in a steel cage. Mark Henry comes to the ring and talks about how he has in WWF/E for 15 years and he still gets disrespected and that he earned his Title match last week and says that if he doesn’t get it somebody’s gonna get hurt. He says that he wants the winner of next week’s cage match. Sheamus comes out and he tells a story about how his granddad had to castrate a bull when he got too vicious and he tells Henry not to make him do the same to him. Sheamus gets in the ring & clotheslines Henry out. They have a quick stare down then Henry walks out. This was a really fun opening segment.

They also announce that Randy Orton will face Ted DiBiase, Jr. tonight.

They show a Daniel Bryan video package recapping him winning MITB and being a submission specialist. This was a real good video.

Daniel Bryan vs. Christian. Christian gets the pin. This was a really great back and forth match.

Wade Barrett cuts a promo saying that he refuses to face a local Lance Storm student that he refers to as, “this dreg” and walks out.

Sin Cara vs. Heath Slater. Cara gets the pin. This was a short match. They had to re tape the match because Cara messed up a lot of spots which could be why the match was as short as it was.

Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase, Jr. come out and Cody says that Randy Orton being World Champion is means he is the best at what he does, but what he does is different from what Cody does. Cody says that he makes miracles by resurrecting the meaning of the IC Title & Ted’s career. Then he says that he hopes Randy believes in miracles.

World Champion Randy Orton vs. Ted DiBiase, Jr. Orton gets the pin. This was a good match too. Ted is a really good worker. I don’t know why he hasn’t been booked better. After the match Cody attacks Ted and bags him. It looks like they turned Ted face, but the same way that Randy Orton was 7 years ago.

Divas Champion Kelly Kelly vs. Tamina. They show a promo from Natalya calling Kelly a real life Barbie doll, which she really is. She then says that she doesn’t play with dolls. Kelly gets the pin. This was ok for what it was.

Matt Striker interviews Jinder Mahal & Great Khali mentioning that he did not win the Battle Royal last week. Mahal says that Khali is the servant and has to let go of his ego. Then he says that Khali will dominate Zeke tonight. This was idiotic.

Ezekiel Jackson vs. Great Khali. Zeke wins by submission the rack. This match was a dud, but it was impressive seeing Zeke rack Khali.

Todd Grisham interviews Randy Orton about next week’s World Title match with Christian. Orton says that he’s beating Christian and took the Title back and now all that Christian has left is his pride and he will take that too. He then mentions Mark Henry and he says that his opponents should not underestimate him.

Sheamus vs. Mark Henry. Sheamus wins by count out after he brogue kicks Henry over the announce table. After the match they brawl and Henry gives Sheamus the World’s Strongest Slam onto the steel ring steps. This was really good too. Both the match and the post match brawl.

I thought that this week’s show was good on the whole. I enjoyed seeing Bret Hart and the opening segment with him & Christian was really good and so was the stuff with him & Mark Henry & the Sheamus-Henry encounter was fun also. I also really enjoyed the Daniel Bryan-Christian match. The Orton-DiBiase match was good too and Ted should be getting a push. The Sheamus-Henry match and post match brawl was also really good.

8-25-11 Impact results & thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the August 25, 2011 episode of Impact

The show starts with Kurt Angle coming to the ring and he calls out Crimson since Crimson called him out last Thursday. Crimson comes to the ring and gets a mic. Before he speaks, Angle says that last week that either Crimson showed some courage or he is a jackass. Angle then says that he feels Crimson wants to be famous and says that tonight he will end Crimson’s undefeated streak and his career. Crimson says that Angle wants Crimson’s respect and that if Angle wants to take out the young guys he can start with him tonight. Bully Ray, Gunner, Scott Steiner, the Jarretts & Abyss then come out and Ray asks Crimson if he knows who he is talking to and Ray puts over Angle’s accomplishments. Kurt then cuts Ray off and tells him to let him handle it by himself and that if any of Immortal runs in during his match there will be a problem. Angle then tells Crimson that it is time to make him famous. This was a typical TNA opening segment but not as long as others.

ODB, Jackie Moore & Velvet promo backstage talking about their match and Jackie saying that they have Velvet’s back. Not much to this.

Eric Bischoff, Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan are in the office and Hogan & Bischoff chew out Flair and they say that Sting is crazy. Hogan says that he will get on the same page with Sting later tonight. This was painful! I’m really tired of these 3 morons!

ODB, Jackie Moore & Velvet Sky vs. Angelina Love, Rosita & Sarita. ODB, Jackie & Velvet win when Velvet pins Angelina. This match was ok for what it was. Angelina tries to goat ODB & Jackie into attacking Velvet during the match. Angelina had Velvet beat and she gave ODB & Jackie a chance to beat Velvet down, but they go after Angelina and Velvet then pins Angelina for the 3 count. After the match Rosita & Sarita yell at Angelina and she shoves them. I don’t get this! Just a few weeks ago ODB & Jackie were attacking Velvet every chance they got and now out of nowhere they’re teaming with her. WHAT!? Also Angelina is a face again after months of that dreck with Winter being a zombie? This company is nutty!

Jessie Sorensen vs. Kid Kash. Kash gets the pin with a roll up and hooking the tights. After the match Christy interviews Kash and Kash says that he has whipped Jessie’s ass, just like he has with his son when he disrespects him and Kash calls Sorensen a prick. Jessie then gets in Kash’s face and Kash shoves him and then security breaks them up. This was good stuff.

Rob Van Dam vs. The Pope D’Angelo Dinero in a Bound For Glory Series match. RVD wins by submission. This was a good match. Matt Morgan was on commentary. After the match Joe comes out and attacks Dinero and then Devon limps to the ring because of Joe attacking him last week and his sons try to encourage him to help out Pope. Devon has his son give him a chair, he gets in the ring and Joe walks out. Devon then helps Pope up to his feet and then he walks out.

Robbie E is offering to team up with Rob Terry backstage. Terry says he will think about it. This was idiotic.

Bully Ray, Gunner & Scott Steiner are backstage getting ready for their match.

Rosita & Sarita find Angelina Love backstage and they double team her and Winter comes in and takes them both out. Hernandez & Anarquia then come in. This was stupid too.

Traci Brooks is in Eric Bischoff’s office asking if he thought about making her in charge of the Knockouts and he says that he is considering it and that he will make a big announcement next week (which they’re taping RIGHT NOW) in Huntsville. This was also a waste.

Time for an in ring Ric Flair & Hulk Hogan promo brother. Hogan says that the main problem that they have right now is that they have a problem and Hogan calls out Sting. Sting comes to the ring and Hogan tells him that he has gone way too far and that it needs to end tonight. Hogan tells Sting that he’s not in his right mind (neither is TNA in general) and says that this is a family show (OK Hulkster, whatever) and that they have all this craziness going on. (TNA has been nothing but craziness for more than a year now)! Sting laughs off what Hogan tells him and Hogan then says that they have learned from their mistakes (no they haven’t, they wouldn’t be taking up TV time with this crap if they had) and that he and Bischoff with run the company with “impeccable precision.” REALLY!? Hogan offers Sting his hand to end the madness and Sting says that he will accept on one condition and Hogan tells him anything that he wants to do. Sting then goes into crazy talk, and says how about milk and cookies, rainbows, unicorns and then he says that he wants flowers. This crazy Sting gimmick is really idiotic! Sting then hugs Hogan and then he kisses him. Flair then takes his jacket off and tells Sting that he is out of control. Sting then says that he won’t be able to go for the kill on Flair because he has too much respect for him and Flair tells Sting that he will kick his f’n ass. This makes zero sense. Sting then says that he will go through Flair and that he is looking at his calendar and is thinking that he should face Hogan at Bound For Glory. Flair tells Sting not to get ahead of himself and Sting cuts him off and says tata for now and he walks out. This was ridiculous! Why is TNA giving us rivalries from 15-20 years ago? This is 2011! No one wants to see Sting-Flair, Sting-Hogan, or even Hogan-Flair (which I hope they decide not to do, but I have a scary feeling that they might) at this stage in their careers!!

AJ Styles comes to the ring and he wants Christopher Daniels to come out. Daniels comes out and AJ criticizes Daniels for asking for the match (I’m not sure why) and AJ says to let it end here, but he wants to know why Daniels wants this rematch so much. Daniels says that at Destination X it was all about competition and that it was a great night (and it truly was) but he still lost. Daniels then asks himself if he even still has what it takes to be in TNA or if he should hang up his boots and walk away. He says that he wants the rematch with AJ to find that out and then says that he came back to TNA, became part of Fortune and even went through a table for AJ. Daniels says that he needs to know if it is time for him to walk away. Daniels then starts to break down and AJ says they will do it one more time and Daniels says that he will see him at No Surrender. AJ then mentions that he is going to be in finals of the Bound For Glory Series at No Surrender so they will have the match next week on Impact. AJ then says that right now he has to kick some Immortal butt. This was a good back and forth promo from both guys. The rematch should be really good.

AJ Styles & Beer Money vs. Bully Ray, Gunner & Scott Steiner in a Bound For Glory Series Falls Count Anywhere Match. Ray, Gunner & Steiner win when Ray pins AJ to get 7 more points. This was a really fun match. They brawled all over the Impact Zone. Abyss also was on the stage watching the whole match. After the match Ken Anderson comes out in a Humvee and he sent Steiner through a table and hit Gunner with a chain and busted him open. Ray was shouting at Anderson saying that he is crazy and Ray walked up the ramp and asked Abyss to do something but Abyss wouldn’t budge. Looks like they’re turning Abyss face too. They should ditch this Immortal stable.

Mickie James promo backstage mentioning that she lost the Knockouts Title at Hardcore Justice and that she is coming after Winter next week (Note: she regained the Title during tonight’s Impact taping).

More Eric Young looking for Scott Baio crap. They exchange words and Baio has a golf club and Young attacks him and gets the “win.” This was idiotic and I hope that this is finally done!

Crimson vs. TNA World Champion Kurt Angle. Crimson wins by DQ. Crimson had Angle pinned, and he kicked out at 2 and then Samoa Joe came out attacked Crimson and he & Kurt Angle had a quick stare down. Angle then left and Joe went after Crimson. Crimson fought back and Joe left the ring and he and Crimson had a stare down.

They talk about next week’s show that was being taped tonight.

Crimson is backstage saying that if Joe wants some he can come get some and then Joe shows up and attacks Crimson.

I thought that this show was a mixed bag. It had its ups and downs for sure. The whole Immortal stable is beyond old and I’m really tired of the Sting-Hogan-Flair crap! The stuff with Knockouts made no sense either. I liked Jessie Sorensen-Kid Kash, RVD-Pope the 6 man tag, & Crimson-Angle. The AJ-Daniels promo was also really good and I’m looking forward to seeing the match that they taped tonight for next week.

8-22-11 Raw results & thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the August 22, 2011 episode of Raw

The show starts with Ricardo Rodriguez introducing WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio comes to the ring and was about to speak when John Cena’s music hits and he comes out. He gets in the ring and they have a stare down. Cena then does Alberto’s gimmick and introduces himself to Del Rio and says that he is the guy who take the WWE off his waist and hurt him real bad. He says Alberto is a target and he caught a nice guy on a bad day. He says that he is not CM Punk and that he will whip hi ass after he wins the Title. CM Punk then comes out and plays to the crowd on the stage before going to the ring. Punk says that this feels like a repeat because Cena wants another Title match and mentions that he beat Cena twice and then Alberto cashed in the MITB case and won the Title, but if anyone is getting a Title match it’s going to be him (Punk). Alberto says this is his time because he is the WWE Champion. Punk tells him not to cut him off and that he doesn’t have a problem with Del Rio cashing in the case but he does have a problem and that everyone’s trying to screw him. He then mentions that they both had problems with Triple H in the past. He mentions that if Cena had won that the text would have said to take him out by name. Alberto mentions destiny and Punk says he is cashing in his opportunity for his rematch. Cena says that was doing the same. Cena and Punk then argue over who will face Alberto for the WWE Title and Alberto says he’s ignoring both of them and that he is celebrating this week, but not in Canada. He tells Punk that he took advantage of an opportunity at SummerSlam. Triple H then comes out and tells Del Rio that he is not out here to protect him and that he has a match next. He then tells Cena & Punk that in a month Del Rio will defend the Title at Night of Champions against the winner of tonight Cena-Punk match. This was a good opening segment. Punk’s promo was good as usual.

John Morrison vs. WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio. Alberto wins by submission. This was a really good back and forth match. After the match Del Rio locks the arm breaker on Morrison.

Eve Torres vs. Nikki Bella. They show comments from Beth Phoenix & Natalya saying they don’t to be a typical, but they won’t tell us what they do want. Eve gets the pin. This was a typical divas match. After the match Kelly takes out Brie. Then Natalya & Beth come out on the stage and they have a stare down.

They show Kevin Nash in the back.

Vickie Guerrero comes out and introduces her Jack Swagger.

Alex Riley vs. Jack Swagger. Dolph Ziggler comes out and he tells Vickie that she doesn’t to manage a second wrestler. Vickie fell, Swagger checks on her and he & Ziggler bicker. Swagger then gets back in the ring and Riley gets the roll up for the pin. This was more idiocy.

They show Triple H backstage on his cell phone.

Triple H is in the ring talking about Nash costing Punk the Title at SummerSlam and that he and Nash have spoke and he wants Nash to come out to explain what happened. Kevin Nash comes out. H mentions that the text message did not come from him and that there’s no conspiracy. Nash said that he thought he was doing H a favor. He says that he was going to apologize to Punk but decides not to after Punk ragged on him last week. H says that Punk crossed the line, but Nash doesn’t work in WWE and Nash he doesn’t have to take any of Punk’s crap. H says that he can’t have Nash calling guys out since he doesn’t work in WWE and he asks Nash to go. Punk then comes out and wants to know who sent the text and tries to figure it out clue style and says that maybe it was Stephanie with the candle stick in the library. He then says that he doesn’t believe them and that stepping over lines is what he does and that Nash should know something about that because he is one too. Punk says that Nash got off easy last week, but he is kicking Nash’s ass tonight. H gets in the way and Punk says that H has had it out for him and he asks if he, Nash of Stephanie is pulling the strings. H says that if Punk crosses a line with him he will leave him lying. Punk says that he wouldn’t want H to take his nice suit off and fold it up and put it in his wife’s purse along with his b**lls. Nash then punches Punk. He & H walk out with Nash complaining. This was a mixed bag segment. Just like last week, I didn’t care for Nash’s promo and I wasn’t too crazy about Triple H’s either, but Punk’s promo was fun. I loved the clue bit! Something WWE doesn’t seem to have right now about where this storyline is headed. It seems like they’re doing what TNA is doing with ODB & Jackie with the whole “doesn’t work here” crap.

Nash and Triple H talk backstage and H says that he needs him to go and Nash says that H has changed.

Kofi Kingston & Evan Bourne vs. WWE Tag Team Champions Michael McGuillicutty & David Otunga for the Titles. Kofi & Bourne win to become the new Titles when Bourne pins Otunga. This was a decent match. The Tag Titles haven’t meant anything in years, but there’s been talk of WWE looking to bring in new Teams.

Josh Mathews interviews Kofi & Bourne and Kofi says it feels great to be the Tag Champions and Zack Ryder and other under card wrestlers pour Champaign on them.

Triple H is backstage and Johnny Ace tells him that Nash got hit by a car and is in the hospital. Triple H leaves Johnny Ace in charge since he needs to check on Nash. That means screw job guaranteed for the Cena-Punk match.

Santino Marella comes out for his match and gets attacked by The Miz & R-Truth. Truth says what happened to Santino will happen to “Little Jimmy” every time. He then talks about the conspiracy, saying that HHH, Stephanie, Cena, Nash & Punk are all in on it. He says that now that H is charge it’s no longer about The Truth or The Miz. Miz agrees about that conspiracy. He talks about how he main evented WrestleMania and beat Cena. He then mentions that he had to resort to picking a fight with Jared the Subway guy. Truth rags on the fans and Miz says that he is tired of seeing people lik Santino on Raw and that he & Truth haven’t been used right and they say that they will take the opportunity whenever they see it and that they will push back on any conspiracies. Truth & Miz then sing new lyrics to Truth’s music healing the fans. This was a good segment I thought. Miz & Truth healing fans was great.

Alberto Del Rio & Johnny Ace are at ringside for the Cena-Punk match.

John Cena vs. CM Punk to determine the number one contender for the WWE Title. Nash comes out and tells Punk this isn’t over yet. Punk gets distracted and Cena gets the pin. After the match Alberto attacks Cena. Johnny Ace gets in the ring in he and the referee pull Alberto off Cena but Del Rio goes back on the attack and they pull him off again. Alberto then hits Cena with the Title and throws him into the barrier. This was a really good back and forth match, but I was waiting for the screw job the whole time. I liked the match right up until the end.

I thought this was a mixed bag show. This whole Triple H-Kevin Nash-CM Punk-Johnny Ace screw job story line isn’t doing Punk any good. His promos have still been great, but why have him feud with Nash. This whole “who dunnit” is really idiotic. The match was really good till Nash came out, which I knew was going to happen. The rest of the show also had its ups and downs. The Morrison-Del Rio match was good, but I knew Del Rio was winning that. The Tag Title match was ok for what it was and it is nice to see Kofi & Bourne as the Champions, but those Titles haven’t meant anything in God knows how long. The Miz & R-Truth segment was good too. Cena-Alberto is officially set for Night of Champions, which I was expecting. I still don’t get why they took the Title off Punk! He had 2 great matches with Cena for the Title and they pull him out of the Title hunt to feud with Nash!

8-19-11 Smackdown results & thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the August 12, 2011 episode of Smackdown

The show starts with Teddy Long bringing out World Champion Randy Orton. Orton talks about his match with Christian at SummerSlam and says that he beat him so brutally that he can’t even stand. He then talks about how he respected Christian but then after his complaining he began to despise him. Long announces a 20 man Battle Royal to see who will challenge Randy Orton for the World Title. Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase, Jr. then come out and Cody mentions how the former members of Legacy are in the ring and how he & Ted were flunkies in that stable and now Cody is IC Champion. Cody then mentions that he will be in the Battle Royal later and will be looking to win and become World Champion by beating Orton. He then says that Ted has a voice and he hands him the mic. Ted says that he & Cody know Orton better than anyone in WWE and that they haven’t forgotten about how Orton used them. Orton then gives Ted and RKO and Cody backs off. Orton walks out and then Cody gets in Teddy Long’s face saying that this is his show and figures that Long will do something about what just happened. He then says that the IC Title means that he demands Long do something. Long says that he will make Orton stand in a corner on one leg for 10 minutes and make him write 100 times that he won’t RKO Ted. Long then says that he demand that Cody defends the IC Title against Ezekiel Jackson next. This was solid opening segment to kick off the show.

Ezekiel Jackson vs. Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes for the Title. Cody gets the pin to retain the Title. This was a solid match.

Zack Ryder is in Teddy Long’s office and Long says that Alberto Del Rio will be the guest on Smackdown since he is the WWE Champion. The talent are on both shows all the time. Why bother saying he is a “guest?” Aksana then comes in and does the same bit she’s been doing for the last few weeks and Long gets all confused. This was idiotic.

They show another video package about Justin Gabriel being back in Cape Town, South Africa. This was decent.

Justin Gabriel vs. Tyson Kidd. Gabriel gets the pin. This was a good back and forth match. These guys are really talented.

Matt Striker interviews Jinder Mahal & Great Khali backstage and Jinder was talking about how he wants Khali to protect him so he can win the Battle Royal. This was idiotic.

Alberto Del Rio comes to the ring and talks about how he achieved his destiny and mentions that it has been a year since he made his debut in Bakersfield and beat Rey Mysterio and that he beat him Monday in his first Title defense and says that he is on Smackdown because he is a real champion and issues an open challenge to anyone in the back to face him. Daniel Bryan comes out and asks if he’s so special how come he cashed in MITB like all the other MITB winners and he says that that is predictable. RVD announced when he was going to cash it in and is the only one to have so far. This was a good back and forth promo from these 2.

Daniel Bryan vs. WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio. Alberto wins by submission. This was a really great match. After the match Alberto locks the Arm breaker on Bryan and Sin Cara 2 makes the save for Daniel.

Matt Striker interviews Mark Henry and asks how he feels about his chances are in the Battle Royal. Henry says that he should already be the number one contender. He then says that this is like a boat and that the other 19 will overboard and will sink. This was a good promo. 

Divas Champion Kelly Kelly & AJ vs. Alicia Fox & Natalya. Kelly & AJ win when Kelly pins Alicia. This was a typical Divas match. After the match Natalya & Alicia argue and Natalya puts her in the Sharpshooter.

20 Man Battle Royal. Mark Henry wins after he eliminates Cara 2. The final 4 guys were Henry, Cara 2, Sheamus & Wade Barrett. This was fun to watch. Battle Royals usually are entertaining. Afterwards Orton & Henry have a stare down to end the show.

I thought this was a good show overall and better than Raw. The opening segment with the former Legacy was good. I liked the Justin Gabriel-Tyson Kidd & Daniel Bryan-Alberto Del Rio matches a lot. Those were the best matches on the show. The Battle Royal was good too and hopefully they’ll put the Title on Mark Henry. The guy’s been pushed really well.

8-18-11 Impact results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the August 18, 2011 episode of Impact

The show starts with Sting coming out to the ring with a chair. He falls down the ramp and jokingly flops around. He then says that this proves he is crazy and that he was reenacting what happened to him last week. He says that everything was a blur. He then says that it was great to see the fire in Hogan’s eyes and that he and the fans want to see Hogan get back in the ring (no we don’t brother). He says that he wants to face Hogan and he has the fans chant his name. Ric Flair’s music then plays and he makes his Impact return and questions Sting calling Hogan the greatest ever. Flair then mentions that when Sting got the title of “Icon” it meant he is very special to the business. Flair calls Sting one of the greatest wrestling starts in the industry. He then says that he knows who Sting is and that Sting is a real icon. Flair than mentions that he has been asked when will he face Sting again and he says that he has that itch to be the greatest again (those days are long gone). Flair then says he wants to wrestle Sting one more time. Sting was about to speak but Flair cut him off and kept putting him over. He says that if he beats Sting, Sting will retire, but if Sting beats him, he will serve him Hogan’s rear end to him on a silver platter. This makes no sense! Sting then takes his coat off and asks the fans what they want. They cheer and Sting accepts Flair’s challenge. What is Ric Flair doing back and why are we going to see him and Sting in 2011?

Backstage Flair is in Hogan’s office and Hogan is mad at Flair. Flair tries to hug him and Hogan says that he beat down Sting last week and that he should be “dead.” Flair says that he has Sting’s number and Hogan says that he is finished with Sting. Flair then tells Hogan that will kick Sting’s ass and Hogan says that he needs to make sure Sting is not breathing by the end of the night and that he will never face Sting again and Flair blows him a kiss and walks out. I’m getting real tired of Hogan, Flair and this whole Immortal crap!

Bound For Glory Series Match – Devon vs. Scott Steiner. Steiner gets the pin with his feet on the ropes. This was really short. After the match Samoa Joe comes out and puts Devon in a leg vice and Devon’s sons hop over the guard rail and go face to face with Joe. Pope come out and gets between them and Joe walks out. Matt Morgan was doing commentary. There really wasn’t much to this.

Samoa Joe is backstage saying that he will do things his way now and that if he can’t win the BFG series he will take everybody down till the series is no more.

8 Man X-Division Gauntlet for an X Division Title match. The participants are 1. Robbie E (who still has Cookie with him) 2. Jessie Sorensen 3. Zema Ion 4. Mark Haskins 5. Kid Kash 6. Anthony Nese 7. Alex Shelly and 8. Austin Aries. This was in a series of singles matches. The eliminations were: 1. Haskins pinned Shelly. 2. Haskins pinned Robbie E. 3. Ion pinned Haskins 4. Sorensen pinned Ion 5. Sorensen pinned Nese 6. Sorensen pinned Kash 7. Aries pinned Sorensen. Winner & Number One Contender for the X Division Title – Austin Aries. This was a solid match given the amount of time they had. After the match Christie interviews Aries and he says that he will be the next X Division Champion. Brian Kendrick then come out and tried to shake Aries’ hand, Aries blew him off and they brawl for a bit before security breaks it up. This was good stuff.

Ric Flair is backstage rambling about Sting. This was meaningless.

Sting is backstage waiting for Ric Flair.

ODB & Jackie are backstage talking about ODB’s match with Mickie James and that they will sign a TNA contract. This makes no sense.

Traci Brooks is in Bischoff’s office saying that she can help him out with the Knockouts and asks if should be in charge of the division again and Bischoff considers it. More idiocy, but at least it was easy to follow.

Mickie James vs. ODB. Mickie gets the pin with a DDT. This was a solid match and was longer than I expected. Jackie was with ODB at ringside and during the match had a few opportunities to go after Mickie but she decided not to and after the match Jackie shakes Mickie’s hand after hesitating for a bit. I don’t get this. ODB & Jackie come in “with out a contract”, have a beef with the “typical” Knockouts, then they get invited back and play by the rules and now they’re turning face? What is this?

Winter & Angelina Love are backstage talking about Winter winning the Knockouts Title and her match with Mickie James in 2 weeks. I’m beyond tired of this gimmick.

Bound For Glory Series Match – Rob Van Dam vs. AJ Styles. AJ wins by DQ when Jerry Lynn comes in. AJ had RVD pinned after the Pele and Lynn pulled the referee out of the ring before he could count 3. AJ gets ticked off at Lynn as he walks to the back and then RVD got in Jerry’s face and they had words. I’m not sure why they’re having Lynn get RVD DQ’d in these matches. I’m all for RVD vs. Jerry Lynn, but why does TNA feel the need to make the reason for it so dumb. Also why does a guy lose 10 points if he loses by DQ in this series? I don’t get this!

They show RVD & Lynn arguing in the back about Lynn getting him DQ’d. This is weak. RVD & Lynn don’t need this dumb storyline to have another match.

Ric Flair is backstage yapping and is looking for Sting and waiting for him to show himself. He rambles more while looking for Sting. They show stuff being thrown around and Flair keeps talking and Sting finally shows up but is barricaded by boxes and Gunner tries to sneak attack Sting, but Sting clobbers him and Flair tells Gunner that he’s out of Immortal. This was typical TNA nonsense.

More Eric Young idiocy looking for Scott Baio. End this crap already!!

Crimson comes out limping from Kurt Angle attacking his knee last Thursday. Crimson says that it has been a long week (It was only one day since last week’s show & this week’s were taped back to back nights). He mentions that he used to have a lot of respect for someone in the back, but there seem to be some issues that they have to talk about and Crimson calls out Kurt Angle. Angle comes out and gets a mic. Crimson mentions that last week Angle says that he was going to eliminate all the young talent in TNA and that Angle picked him first. He says that Angle didn’t get the job done because he is still here. Angle says that Crimson is a no one who is going nowhere and that he was brought in to make guys like Crimson and that with out Kurt Angle, Crimson is nothing but a green little b**ch. Angle says that he has been making people his whole career and has not gotten nothing but disrespect. Crimson says that no one has disrespected him and that all the young wrestlers have placed Angle on a pedestal and he mentions that it is an honor to face him. Kurt then says that Crimson can’t shine his gold metal and says that Crimson is going nowhere in this business. Crimson says that he is already somebody and that next week Kurt should face him in the ring so he can show him who Crimson is and why he is here now and says that he is real. This was a decent back and forth promo. It certainly was better than Angle’s promo from last Thursday. It looks like they’re building to Crimson vs. Kurt Angle at Bound For Glory.

Mexican America promo backstage mentioning that they will win the Tag Team Titles.

TNA World Tag Team Champions Beer Money vs. Mexican America for the Titles. The Jarretts are doing commentary. Mexican America win to become the new Champions. Rosita came in and tried to distract Beer Money and they looked to lay her out. Karen comes to the ring and distracted the champs. Jeff then came to the ring to save Karen and he gave Hernandez the AAA Title and he hit Roode with it while the referee was pre occupied with Rosita. Hernandez then got the pin on Roode to win the Titles. After the match the Mexican Flag lowers and the Jarretts & Mexican America celebrate the Title win to end the show. This was a good match, but it was overshadowed by the idiotic storyline.

I thought that this was a typical episode of Impact. There was decent to good wrestling and idiotic, weird booking. That TNA for you. The RVD-AJ Styles match was good, but the end was weak. The X-Division Gauntlet was solid too. The Sting-Flair stuff was brutal. I have no idea what they’re doing with the Knockouts and the Crimson-Kurt Angle feud certainly has begun as they will face each other next week.

8-15-11 Raw results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the August 15, 2011 episode of Raw

The show starts with Triple H coming to the ring talking about how a lot of people are upset with what happened at SummerSlam and he apologizes to the fans and John Cena. He puts over the Cena-Punk match and says he’s not sure who would’ve won if he hadn’t messed up, but he had no problem raising Punk’s hand. He also says that he had nothing to do with Kevin Nash coming out after the match. He mentions that Nash called him and H got him a ticket for the PPV and says Nash can explain why he came in power bombed Punk. He mentions Alberto Del Rio cashing in the MITB case and said that after SummerSlam there would be ONE UNDISPUTED CHAMPION, “and here he is.” Alberto Del Rio then comes out and mentions that it was his destiny to be WWE Champion and that it was not his intention to cash in at SummerSlam and says that destiny does whatever it wants and that he couldn’t resist after Kevin Nash power bombed Punk. He says that as Champion he will represent everyone with respect and honesty and that he will be in the lobby signing autographs for the fans and take pictures with their kids too. He says that he will be a champion for his people. He then mentions that he will defend the Title against Rey Mysterio. He puts over Rey saying that he is a Mexican icon. He says he loves beating Mysterio and mentions that that was how he started his career and that he will do the same tonight. He tells the fans there will be no more 619 after tonight and he will be their new hero. I thought this was a good promo from Alberto.

They show Triple H going into John Cena’s dressing room to talk to him.

They show Morrison from earlier saying that he will take R-Truth down on his terms

John Morrison vs. R-Truth in a Falls Count Anywhere Match. Morrison gets the pin on the floor. They brawled around ringside mostly and went into the crowd for a bit, but I thought it was good.

They show CM Punk walking backstage.

The Miz comes to the ring for a promo. He says that he came to say hello to Jared the Subway guy because he known what a huge Miz fan he is, but Miz is not a fan of his and that he can be a better spokesperson for Subway than he ever could be. Miz then does his own Subway plug, which was really good. He says that he will be a Champion again because he is The Miz and he is “AWESOME!” This was another really entertaining Miz promo.

They show a Limo pulling in and Kevin Nash comes out.

Divas Champion Kelly Kelly & Eve Torres vs. The Bella Twins. Kelly & Eve win when Eve gets the pin. This was a typical Divas match. It was ok for what it was. After the match Beth Phoenix & Natalya and sarcastically applaud Kelly & Eve and the 4 have a stare down.

Kevin Nash gets introduced as a former WWE Champion, 4 time WCW Champion and one of the most influential wrestlers in the industry. Kevin Nash and first thanks Triple H for letting him come out to explain his action last night. He mentions that before the main event he got a text message, which said to ask him to stick it to the winner. He mentions that it was just business. He talks about Triple H not knowing anything about it and that they should get on the same page. CM Punk then comes out and asks Nash if he expects him to believe that he & H aren’t on the same page. He then talks about how H resigned him because it was good for business and that he’s always thought H doesn’t know what’s good for business and Nash has no idea what is. Nash tells Punk to watch his mouth and Punk Nash needs to watch the show because he whatever he wants to whoever he wants and that Nash story shows that H is a liar, but maybe H was telling the truth and that Nash is the lair. Punk then mentions that Nash’s career is dead and that he’s pissed off at a lot of people in WWE but not Alberto. He mentions that H is bringing his friends back no that he is in charge. Nash then calls Punk in Indy guy and rags on his accomplishments. Punk then says that Nash called Eddie Guerrero a vanilla midget and that it’s 2011 not 1995. Nash then talks about 1996 and then says that if Punk who he says looks like a guy who works in a waffle house is a champion then he should hit the weights. Punk than mentions that he came in and left as CM Punk and says they can fight right now if Nash wants to. Punk goes to the ring but security block him. Punk says that he is not surprised that H made his buddy untouchable and that if they’re watching Nash’s back no one is watching Triple H’s so he will go and find out from H himself. This was a mixed bag segment I thought. I wasn’t too crazy about Nash’s promo and calling Punk an Indy guy. Punk’s promo was really great as always.

Nash walks into Triple H’s office and Johnny Ace comes in and says that H is talking to Punk and says that Punk was out of line. He says that it was good see Nash and they should go somewhere. This was pointless. Why is Johnny Ace an on air character?

Dolph Ziggler & Vickie Guerrero are on commentary and they bicker.

Alex Riley vs. Jack Swagger. Vickie takes her head set off and takes JR’s hat and puts it on, then she puts it on the referee. Swagger gets the pin. Dolph then steps on JR’s hat and puts hit on JR’s head. This was stupid. The whole match was more of a background to the Dolph-Vickie commentary/bickering. They hardly focused on the match at all.

Backstage Swagger thanks Vickie and says that she managed both Dolph and Edge and they were both World Champion. He then talks about all the great managers from the old days and tells Vickie that she should manage him.

CM punk walks into the office and Stephanie is there and says that she is sorry that he lost the Title, but that he might not have actually won it either since Cena’s foot was on the rope. She then says that in the end people always get what they deserve. I’m not sure what was up with that.

Kofi Kingston & Evan Bourne vs. WWE Tag Team Champions Michel McGullicutty & David Otunga. Kofi & Bourne win when Bourne pins Otunga. This was a decent match. Kofi & Bourne are really good. The other 2 guys, not so much. I’m guessing they’ll have a rematch at Night of Champions.

They show Rey Mysterio getting ready for his Title match next.

Rey Mysterio vs. WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio for the Title. Del Rio gets the pin to retain the Title. This was a really enjoyable back and forth match. After the match Alberto continues to attack Rey and slams his arm the announce table, throws him back in the ring and locks on the arm breaker. Cena then comes out and tries to STF Alberto, but he bails. Cena says that he could be pissed off at Triple H, but he’s not. He’s pissed off at Alberto because he went into business for himself and cashed in the MITB case after Cena & Punk had a great match and that Del Rio is not a Champion but a target. He mentions that Punk earned the right to defend the Title and Del Rio was lucky, but won’t be lucky if his next Title defense is against him. This was a good intense promo from Cena.

I thought that this was a decent show on the whole. I enjoyed the Title match and the post match segment and promo from Cena. The Punk-Nash segment had its ups & downs. I did not care for Nash’s promo that much, but I liked Punk’s. He was great as always and I think he is definitely a face now. I think this storyline could be good if they don’t focus most/all of it on the McMahons and the old click. Punk deserves to be the top guy.

8-12-11 Smackdown results & thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the August 12, 2011 episode of Smackdown

The show starts with Triple H coming to the ring and announces Ezekiel Jackson vs. Cody for the IC Title, Randy Orton vs. Great Khali and the battle of the Money in the Bank winners Daniel Bryan vs. Alberto Del Rio for tonight. Christian then comes out and says that he is threatening to sue WWE because of Orton’s anger issues and that having the no holds barred match at SummerSlam is an unsafe working environment for Christian and that he wants Triple H to take stip out of the match. Triple H says the match will take place and that it will be no holds barred and if Christian decides not to face Orton, he will fire him for being in breach of contract. Triple H says that he doesn’t like Orton but he does respect him, and he doesn’t respect Christian and neither do the fans because of how he won the World Title. He tells Christian to face Orton and earn the respect. Triple H walks out but Christian stops him and says that he will face Orton Sunday and that he wants to know who he’s facing tonight. Sheamus’ music plays and he comes out setting up the first match for the show.

Sheamus vs. World Champion Christian. Sheamus wins by count out when Christian purposely gets himself counted out. This was a good match.

Kaitlyn & AJ vs. Beth Phoenix & Natalya. Beth & Natalya win when Beth pins AJ. After the match Natalya puts Kaitlyn in the Sharpshooter.

Teddy Long & Zack Ryder are backstage and Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase, Jr. come in and they thank Ryder for giving Cody an IC Title match (even thought Triple H made it). Long says it wasn’t Ryder who made the match and then Aksana comes in, Long stumbles over a few words and walks out.

Johnny Curtis is backstage and Mark Henry shows up and tells him that it’s a shame that his first match will also be his only match because he is facing Henry. Henry says that he liked the vignettes that Curtis was doing with the corny expressions and that he had a saying for him. “Break a leg.”

Sin Cara 2 vs. Tyson Kid. Cara 2 gets the pin. This was good back and forth match too. The announcers mentioned that Cara looked more muscular.

Daniel Bryan vs. Alberto Del Rio. Alberto wins by submission. This was a real good back and forth match. After the match Wade Barrett comes in and gives Daniel the Waste land.

Intercontinental Champion Ezekiel Jackson vs. Cody Rhodes for the Title. Cody gets the pin to become the new champion. This match was also good. After the match Ted puts a bag over Zeke’s head, then Zeke comes to and clobbers Ted.

Matt Striker interviews Randy Orton backstage and Orton says that he is ready for Christian and that he will keep everything simple for Khali and that Khali won’t need a Rosetta stone or Jinder Mahal to translate the meaning of RKO.

Johnny Curtis vs. Mark Henry. Henry gets the pin. After the match Henry gets a chair and was about to break Curtis’ ankle with the second rope splash but Sheamus comes out and Henry bails. Sheamus gets the mic and says that all he hears from Mark Henry is how tough he is, but every time Sheamus out he runs. Sheamus calls him “Shamu” and tells him to get back in the ocean. Henry makes like he’s going to face Sheamus but he hit Curtis and walks out. The match was a squash but the post match promo from Sheamus was good.

Randy Orton vs. Great Khali. Orton gets the pin. After the match Christian come out and says that Sunday everything is about to change and mentions that anything goes and that he now the best thing going.

I thought this was a good show overall and they did a decent job in the final hype for the SummerSlam build. The best matches were Cara 2-Kidd and Bryan-Del Rio.

8-11-11 Impact results and thoughts

      Coverage and thoughts on the August 11, 2011 episode of Impact

The show starts with Bully Ray, Ken Anderson, Scott Steiner, Gunner & Abyss in the ring. Ray rags on Abyss about how he has “gotten soft” and all he does lately is lose. He then mentions that there will be a 4 Way Bound For Glory Series Match tonight with him, Gunner, Scott Steiner & Crimson and Ray says that he will win the match because he is on the road to becoming World Champion. Ray then turns to Anderson and he commends him for one of the more brutal beatings he had given in awhile at Hardcore Justice and said that he belongs in Immortal and wants to shake his hand, and Anderson was laughing and Ray attacks him before he can say anything. Ray, Gunner, Steiner & Abyss then beat down Anderson and he had to be stretchered to the back. This was a typical opening TNA segment. Ray cut a great promo as always, but I have no idea why they had Anderson be in Immortal just to get a short while later.

Immortal are on Bischoff’s office and Bischoff says that Ray was right about Anderson. He mentions that Hogan is on his way to the arena and so is Kurt Angle and doesn’t know where Angle’s head is at. Bischoff then rags on Abyss. This was another stupid Bischoff segment. Not much else to say about this.

Mickie James vs. Madison Rayne in a Number One Contender Match for the Knockouts Title. Mickie gets the pin. This wasn’t much of a match. It was ok for what it was. I’m not sure why the former Champion had to win a number one contender match, when the former champion usually gets the automatic rematch. Minor comment.

X Division Champion Brian Kendrick vs. Robbie E. Kendrick gets the pin. This was a decent but short match. Austin Aries was on commentary.

Devon & The Pope talk backstage about the tag match and Devon mentions that Pope beat him clean Sunday and that he has to team with him tonight to get the points for the BFG Series. Not a bad promo, but this whole rivalry hasn’t made sense from the start.

Robbie & Cookie backstage and they argue and he says she’s done. I hope that this is the end of the Robbie E gimmick.

Bound For Glory Series 3 Way Tag Team Match – TNA World Tag Team Champions Beer Money vs. Rob Van Dam & AJ Styles vs. The Pope & Devon. Beer Money win when Roode pins Pope for 7 more points. Christopher Daniels was on commentary for a bit saying that he wanted one more match with AJ and walked out. This was a good match.

TNA World Champion Kurt Angle comes to the ring to talk about beating Sting for the Title at Hardcore Justice. Angle apologizes to Sting for hitting him with a chair to win the Title after the talk that they had last week. He says that he meant everything that he said to Sting before Hardcore Justice and says that he used the chair because Dixie Carter lied to him in the past about Jeff and Karen and that he is not going to let Dixie have her company back. Angle walks up the ramp and Sting comes out on the stage and knocked the chair out of Angle’s hands with the bat. Hulk Hogan attacks Sting from behind with a chair. Angle says that Hogan has invested in him. Hogan attacks Sting on the ramp to the ring with the chair. Hogan then raises Angle’s hand. Angle cut a good promo, but I don’t get him being part of Immortal, especially if Jeff Jarrett is part of the same faction. They feuded for months and I hope they don’t do the old forget that happened idiocy.

Knockouts Tag Team Champions Tara & Brooke Tessmacher vs. ODB & Jackie Moore. Tara & Tessmacher win Brooke pins Jackie. This was a decent match. ODB & Jackie shook Tara’s & Brooke’s hands after the match.

They show a number of X Division wrestlers in Bischoff’s office and Bischoff blames Abyss for them being there. He also mentions that the X Division has a weight limit and that there will be a Gauntlet next week to see who will challenge Brian Kendrick for the X Division Title. Austin Aries says that he will make the X Division something Bischoff will be proud of.

The Jarretts come to the ring for a promo and Jeff has the AAA Title and is in Mexican gear, Sombrero and all. Jeff then rags on Mexico and then brings out 2 janitors who were played by Florida Independent Tag Team Los Ban Dejos. He asks them who the king of Mexico. They didn’t speak English and kept saying “Que” to everything Jarrett was saying. They eventually say “Guerrero” and Jarrett attacked them. Hector Guerrero comes to the ring and helps the “janitors” out and the Jarretts bail when he comes in. This was beyond idiotic!

More Eric Young stupidity. Can they please end this?

Ken Anderson comes out of a trailer all bloody and goes into Ray’s trailer and Gunner attacks him from behind.

Bound For Glory Series 4 Way Match – Crimson vs. Gunner vs. Scott Steiner vs. Bully Ray. Matt Morgan does commentary. Crimson wins when he pins Gunner. The match was mostly a handicap match. After the match Kurt Angle comes out and attacks Crimson to end the show.

I thought this show was a mixed bag. The opening promo was the usual stuff TNA has. The Kurt Angle heal promo was good I thought, but I’m not sure why they might have him be part of Immortal. I think he would be better as heal on his own. The 3 Way Tag and the 4 Way BFG Series matches were the highlights of this week’s show.

8-7-11 Raw results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the August 8, 2011 episode of Raw

The show starts with Triple H in the ring mentioning how historic SummerSlam will be when Cena faces Punk for the Undisputed Title. He mentions that in the last month they’ve gone from no WWE Champion and Vince being in charge to H being in charge and there are to WWE Champions. He says that the undisputed part is where he comes in as COO and says that he found someone who will have absolute authority and that is himself. He mentions he’s the only guy he can trust and that he will be the referee for the WWE Title match. He mentions the Cena-Punk contract signing tonight and that they will both be in singles matches tonight and Cena’s match is right now. Cena comes out and he and Triple argue for a bit with Cena saying that H made himself the ref because of his ego and H tells Cena to not tell how to ref the match and that the match will turn the way he wants it to. They actually managed to drown out the commentary. I thought this promo was kind of weak. I hope if Triple H is turning heal, which it sounded like when he said that he only trusts himself, that we won’t see “Mr. Helmsley.”

WWE Champion John Cena vs. Jack Swagger. Cena gets the pin. The match was pretty good, but there was never any doubt Cena was going over.

Time for the SummerSlam recall and they show clips of the really great Bret Hart-Mr. Perfect match from SummerSlam 91, which in my view is the best SummerSlam ever! That was a really fun match!!

Scott Stanford is cut off by Ricardo Rodriguez who introduces Alberto Del Rio, who calls Punk the voce of the gutless because he ran when Alberto was ready to cash in the MITB and tonight we will see what would have happen that night. Good promo from Del Rio.

Josh Mathews interview R-Truth and Truth talks nonsense here and talks about how he hates spiders again. He talks more nonsense about “spider stew”. Then he says he’s going to step on a spider tonight and that spider is John Morrison. This was a weird promo. I have no idea why they’re booking Truth to be this crazy out there guy.

Rey Mysterio vs. The Miz. Miz comes out and attacks Rey during his entrance and rams him face first into the WWE logo stand. The refs helped Mysterio up and to the back. Miz says that there’s so much emphasis put on the WWE Title match when he should be the focus because he is all over TV and that he wants a referee to come out and say that Miz wins the match by forfeit. A ref comes out and tells Justin Roberts that Triple said that Miz will be in a match right now and Kofi Kingston comes out.

Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz. Miz get the pin. This was a good back and forth match.

Josh Mathews interviews CM Punk backstage about his reaction to H making himself the ref at SummerSlam. Punk says that he’s not surprised because he has a bigger ego than Vince and that he Title match was history making by itself, but Triple H had to put himself in the mix. He then mentions his upcoming match with Del Rio. This was another good promo from CM Punk.

WWE Champion CM Punk vs. Alberto Del Rio. Punk gets the pin. This was a real good match.

Eve Torres vs. Beth Phoenix. Beth gets the pin. This was a typical Divas match. Good but short. Beth then says that she is tired of Divas like her and Kelly making a mockery of the Divas division. She was about to ask Eve something when Kelly attacked her from behind.

Alex Riley vs. U.S. Champion Dolph Ziggler. Before the match Alex gets the mic and says it smells like death just took a dump in her mouth. That was stupid. Vickie gets in the ring and screams at Riley and then slaps him causing a DQ. Dolph and Vickie then bicker a bit and Alex punches Dolph into Vickie. Dolph and Vickie argue a bit more and Vickie walks out. There really wasn’t much to this and was kind of on the dull side. Alex Riley won by DQ.

They showed a video package recapping the WWE Title situation and the Title match on Sunday. This was put together really well.

John Morrison vs. R-Truth. Truth gets the pin. This was a good match, but I’m surprised they had a clean finish.

They show Triple H and Johnny Ace reading over the contract for the Cena-Punk match.

Christian cuts a promo on the Tron mentioning that he has an announcement to make on Smackdown and that Triple H should be there to hear it in person.

Time for the Contract signing. Punk says that they’re out there for show and that someone could flip the table over. He then shows a clip of Dwayne ripping on Cena. I saw this online, Rock was as funny as usual. Punk mentions that Cena and Rock are both phonies. Cena says Punk caught him off guard with the clip and that he loves to see the fans get psyched and mentions that Rock is a future Hall of Famer. Cena then says that Punk is to PG and a modern day Hulk Hogan. That was a comical line. He then says that Rock is a star and that he has his millions and Cena says that he himself couldn’t win over the fans. Cena mentions when Punk called him the Yankees and he says that he was right about that because he like the Yankees get a mixed reaction from fans. He says that he will not give up on the fans that have been loyal to him and that there is nothing phony about that. He then says that Punk is an underground voice of the voiceless and to look in the mirror if he wants to see phony and Triple H agrees saying that Punk ran away and made a new deal over the phone. Punk then asks Johnny Ace if he personally fired Vladimir Kozlov, Chris Masters and Harry Smith. That was great stuff! The fans chant CM Punk! Punk says that this is about him, Cena and the WWE Title and that Cena looks down on him and mentions how Cena said Punk did a good job when he won the ECW Title and he almost gave up on him. Punk says that he held up WWE for some perks and says that he has to fight for the opportunities that Cena has been handed. He mentions Cena winning his first WWE Title back in 05 in Los Angeles and that on Sunday he will walk out with nothing. He says that after SummerSlam he will be the WWE Champion and he then signs the contract. Cena says that Punk beat him at MITB and has every right to be called WWE Champion, but has he thought about what happens if he loses. He then mentions that he will face Rock at WrestleMania no matter what and that Punk needs this match more than he does and that if he doesn’t back up what he says on Sunday, he will be a one hit wonder and wishes him luck. Punks says that he would rather be a one hit wonder than a phony. They then stand up and knock over the table and have a stare down but Johnny Ace gets between them and Punk decks him, then Cena goes after Punk, but Punk gets out of the ring and Cena winds up hitting Triple H by mistake. Triple H and Cena stand in the ring and Punk asks if that’s how it will be at SummerSlam. This was a well done final hype segment for Sunday.

I thought that this week’s show was good overall. There were a few weak spots, like Triple H’s opening promo, R-Truth’s promo and the Alex Riley-Dolph Ziggler match/segment, but there was some good stuff too like Miz attacking Mysterio, the Kofi-Miz match, the Pun-Del Rio match and the contract signing segment at the end was good too. Punk as always cut a really great promo. 

8-5-11 Smackdown results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the August 5, 2011 episode of Smackdown

The show starts with recap video of Mark Henry taking out Kane and Big Show, and Sheamus challenging him. They announce Sheamus vs. Mark Henry for SummerSlam.

Sheamus vs. Great Khali. Sheamus gets the pin.

AJ vs. Natalya. Natalya wins by submission. After the match Natalya turns heal and attacks AJ. She then gets the mic and says that Beth Phoenix is right that the days of the cutie Divas are done. The match was short, but Natalya cut a good promo afterwards.

Hopefully this will be the start of a push for both Natalya and Beth. It would be cool if they teamed up to “take out” the other Divas.

They mention that Zack Ryder will debut his new “talk show” tonight.

Matt Striker interviews Randy Orton backstage about his match with Christian at SummerSlam. Orton talks about how he has anger management issues and that Christian will help him get through them. Orton says that Christian is only guy to win the World Title by DQ, but at SummerSlam, Christian will have to pin Orton or make him submit and Orton says Christian can’t do it.

They show another video package of Justin Gabriel from the Cape Town tour. This was really well done too.

Daniel Bryan vs. Tyson Kidd. Wade Barrett does commentary. Bryan wins by submission. This was a really great back and forth match! These guys are real talented and Tyson Kidd should be getting a push.

Zack Ryder comes out for his new segment and starts his promo when Ezekiel Jackson came out and tells him that he didn’t go for being in a handicap match last week. Ryder tries to say why he made the match when Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase, Jr. come out. Rhodes got on the mic and he rags on Zeke saying that he doesn’t deserve to be a champion. He says that after he beats Zeke for the IC Title he will resurrect its image just as he has with Ted. I’m not so sure if the IC Title can have the meaning that it used to, since it hasn’t in years. Zeke says that Cody hasn’t resurrected anything and that he is just using Ted. Zeke says that he knows what being used is like and talked how his time in the Corre and says that nothing is better than freedom and he holds up the IC Title. Cody says that Ted has free will and suggests that Ted face Zeke right now if that’s ok with Ryder. Ryder says it’s cool with him and was about to make the match when Teddy Long then came out and told Ryder that he is not the GM and that Long is the guy who makes the matches on Smackdown and he sets up Jackson vs. Ryder next and tells Cody & Ted that they’re banned from ringside.

Intercontinental Champion Ezekiel Jackson vs. Zack Ryder. Zeke wins by submission. This was a squash.

This wasn’t on the show, but during the taping while Ryder is still in the ring Triple H’s music plays and he comes out and says that he is still kind of new at being COO and has only had the job a couple of weeks and mentions how stressful it is. He tells Ryder that when he made him Teddy Long’s assistant last week, he meant for Ryder to get coffee and sharpen pencils. Hunter then he’s going to do something just for fans in the building. They turned out the lights and the Tron and they had on a spot light. Triple H then takes his Jacket off and undoes his collar. He then gives Ryder a Pedigree. Why bury Ryder? He’s been getting over pretty well with fans. First they have him job to David Otunga in the Tag match Monday and then they Have TRIPLE H, the guy who is “in charge” giving him a pedigree! I don’t get this. They should be pushing Ryder not burying him!

Teddy Long was in his office and Aksana came in dressed in black. She wants to talk with Teddy and he gives her his office card to set up an appointment. She asks if she can have his cell number and he writes it on the back of the card. She came on to him the whole segment. This was weak.

Vladimir Kozlov vs. Mark Henry. Henry gets the pin. After the match Henry gets a chair and puts Kozlov’s leg in it and gives him the second rope splash. Sheamus then came out with a chair and Henry bails.

Sheamus cuts a promo backstage saying that he has the luck of the Irish and mentions that Mark Henry has taken other people’s dreams and careers, but that it won’t happen to him.

The Usos & Trent Baretta vs. WWE Tag Team Champions Michael McGuillicutty & David Otunga & JTG. McGuillicutty, Otunga & JTG win.

They mention that Johnny Curtis will make his Smackdown in ring debut next week.

Christian cuts a promo about how he overcame Teddy Long, Triple H, the refs and the fans to become World Champion again. R-Truth then came in says that Christian is saying that it’s a conspiracy. Christian says the didn’t wanna come right out and say it and Truth says that he sounds just like Miz and he says that he will put a hurt on Randy Orton for attacking him last week.

Randy Orton & John Morrison vs. World Champion Christian & R-Truth. Christian & Truth when Christian pins Orton. After the match Christian & Truth run up the ramp celebrating their win.  

I thought this was a good show overall. The Daniel Bryan-Tyson Kidd match was the best part of the show. The main event tag match was good too.

8-4-11 Impact results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the August 4, 2011 episode of Impact

The show starts with Bully Ray, Gunner, Scott Steiner, the Jarretts, Abyss and Ken Anderson. Ray and Anderson have words about Anderson losing to Kurt Angle last week and Anderson challenges Ray to a match at Hardcore Justice. Anderson and Ray then go at it for a bit and then Fortune comes out, Kazarian talks a bit and a brawl starts. Not a bad segment. Ray was great on the mic as usual and the brawl was ok.

Miss Tessmacher vs. Madison Rayne. Earl Hebner sends Tara to the back. Tessmacher gets the pin. Mickie James does commentary. After the match Mickie James heads to the ring to help out Tessmacher but Winter and Angelina come out and attack Mickie. The match was ok for what it was. So was the post match attack.

Bound For Glory Series – AJ Styles vs. Devon. Devon gets the pin. Pope comes out and sits with Devon’s kids during the match. Daniels also came out and sat at the front of the ramp, which distracted AJ. Devon and AJ shake hands and hug after the match, then Devon has words with Pope while AJ & Daniels also argue.

They show a video package recapping the history with Kurt Angle and Sting. I thought it was well done.

Pope cuts a promo talking about his match Samoa Joe and that he has a match with Devon at Hardcore Justice.  

Bound For Glory Series – Samoa Joe vs. The Pope. Devon comes out to watch. Pope wins by reverse decision DQ. Joe won by submission but he wouldn’t release the hold and the decision was reversed.

Joe cuts a promo saying that the people in TNA don’t want him anywhere near the Title because they know that he is a threat. Good intense promo.

Beer Money in the back with Storm saying that he hurt his back during the brawl. Roode offers to take Storm’s place and Storm okayed it.

Bully Ray talking to Hogan on his cell phone saying that Anderson wasn’t Immortal material. Hogan wants Ray to apologize for starting the tension, Ray refuses, then he will out of respect for Hogan. This made no sense.

Bobby Roode vs. Hernandez in a Street Fight. Roode tells the ref that he is taking Storm’s place. Hernandez tapped to the arm bar but the ref missed it and Mexican America got involved and Hernandez gets the pin. This was a decent brawl.

Ray goes into Anderson’s dressing room saying he respect for the business and the guys who there before him and says that neither would be there if it weren’t for Hogan. He then apologizes for provoking Anderson and Anderson reluctantly shakes his hand, then Ray hits him. Good heal tactics from Ray, who is easily the best heal in TNA.

Alex Shelly vs. Austin Aries. Aries gets the pin. This was really fun match. Aries then gets the mic and says that he beat Shelly clean with a wrestling maneuver. Kendrick then comes out, Aries bails and says he will see them at the PPV. This was really great stuff, Aries cut a great promo. This was easily the highlight of the show!

More Eric Young, this time saying he’s taking acting lessons. More stupidity.

JB interviews Kurt Angle in the production truck about the empty arena match Angle and Sting had back in 09. Angle says that he got a few injuries from the match and they show the match and talk about the history of that feud. Angle then says that he is looking to beat Sting clean. They talk about the match Sunday and show the empty arena match and do commentary on that. This was odd. I have no idea why they had this segment.

Bound For Glory Series – RVD & Crimson vs. Gunner & Scott Steiner. RVD & Crimson win when RVD pins Steiner to get more points and is now in second place. This was a good back and forth tag match. Christie interviews RVD & Crimson and they announce RVD vs. Crimson in a Bound For Glory Series Finals Match for Hardcore Justice.

Kurt Angle and Sting have a contract signing for their World Title match Sunday. There’s a lot of back and forth talking and they say that they respect each other. Sting also says that he is going to make sure that Dixie Carter regains control of TNA.

I thought that this show was mediocre. The Roode- Hernandez Street Fight and the BFG series tag matches were good and the Alex Shelly-Austin Aries match was easily the highlight of the show. Bully Ray did some good heal stuff too and is the best heal in TNA. The Sting-Angle segment was decent too.

8-1-11 Raw results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the August 1, 2011 episode of Raw

The show starts with CM punk coming out and posing on the stage with the Title. Great stuff! Punk gets the mic and says, “The champ is here!” and holds up the belt. He then sits in the middle of the ring and says he spoke his mind and that caused a little bit of change when Vince was “relieved” of his duties. He tells the fans that for far too long they haven’t been getting what they want, but now he will make it fun for everybody. He says that he made the phone call to return and his timing couldn’t be better because once John Cena is parading around as WWE Champion. He says that what Cena has is a belt, but what he has is a championship title! He says that it doesn’t matter who WWE crowned as Champion because he is the real champion and the best in the world. Triple H’s music plays and he comes out. Punk says it’s time to play the game. Punk is really awesome!! Triple H then mentions that he resigned Punk because it was good for business and that the fans wanted him back. He says that the fans asked for Punk and he put his personal feelings aside and gave the fans what they wanted. Punk wants to know what H’s personal feeling toward him are. H says that he thinks he is a guy who is overrated, smug and puts too much stock in his own hype. Punk says that’s like looking in the mirror for H. He then rags on Vince and his “yes men” for screwing up and letting major talent go/walk out like Jericho, Lesnar and Batista. Punk then says that H couldn’t afford for Punk to be else ware. H then says that Punk resigned for himself and that he needed WWE because without it he’d be nothing. Punk says that he is the WWE Champion and H tells that him that Cena is also. H’s music plays and Punk has it cut and says that his pipe bomb is about to go off. He says that resigning doesn’t mean he’s going to shut up and then mentions H hogging the spotlight many times over people who deserved it more. He cuts a great promo here saying that H is a bully who likes to push people around and that if he pushes Punk, Punk likes to push back. H admits that he has a massive ego and that ego is telling him to slap his tattoos off him, but he won’t because he took the job as COO for the fans. He says he might not like the rules that go with the job, but he respects them and won’t break them and tells Punk not to break them either. Punk then asks if H is going to fight, or does he have to get his wife’s permission first. Punk then walks out holding up the Title. This was a really outstanding opening segment!!

They show Rey Mysterio and John Morrison getting set for their tag team match with R-Truth and Miz.

Divas Battle Royal for a Divas Title match at SummerSlam. Beth Phoenix wins. Kelly then gets in the ring to congratulate Beth and Beth attacks her. She then gets the mic and says that her days as the perky cute little blond bimbo are officially over. Hopefully this is the start of a push for Beth.

Miz and R-Truth are backstage they talk about what huge mistake triple H being in charge is and Truth says it’s a conspiracy. Truth says if H was bringing Punk back all along then why were they in a Championship tournament. This was a good back and forth promo.

Josh Matthews interviews John Cena. Cena says that H has a major decision to make, and that is to decide to the WWE Champion is.

John Morrison & Rey Mysterio vs. R-Truth & The Miz. Truth & Miz win when Truth pins Morrison. This was a good match, but I don’t know why they had Morrison lose again. After the match Miz gives Morrison the Skull Crushing Finale. Mix then picks him up and Truth hits him with a water bottle.

Josh Mathews interviews Triple H. H mentions how Punk ragging on Stephanie doesn’t bother him because it’s been done before. He then says that both Cena and Punk can come out. He says that if he were Cena he would keep it strictly business. Not a bad promo.

Dolph Ziggler & Vickie Guerrero come out. Vickie gets the mic and says that while everyone talks about the controversy of having 2 WWE Champions, Dolph has shown that he is better than Cena and Punk. Dolph says that after his match last week he said, “follow that” meaning that no one will have his skills or charisma and is more of a man than anyone in the back. Alex Riley comes out and asks why he hides behind Vickie. Vickie says that thanks to her Dolph is a former World and Intercontinental Champion and is the current U.S. Champion. Alex says that Dolph has had a good run, then asks when the last time was that he accomplished something on his own. He says that Miz hid behind him and Dolph is hiding behind Vickie. Riley then asks if Dolph is afraid to drop Vickie because the fans will realize that he is a bleach blond fraud. Dolph then takes his jacket off and un does his tie then he and Vickie walk out.

Santino Marella & Zack Ryder vs. WWE Tag Team Champions David Otunga & Michael McGuillicutty. The champs win when Otunga pins Ryder. This was a decent short match.

They reshow the Triple H-CM Punk promo from the start of the show.

Josh Mathews interviews CM Punk. Punk says that he’s waiting to see what Triple H’s decision will be and that he was testing H before. Then he mentions how he beat Cena at MITB to win the Title and that the champ is here and now the champ’s walking out. Good promo from Punk.

Evan Bourne vs. Alberto Del Rio. Alberto wins by submission. This was a good match. Del Rio locks the arm bar on Bourne after the match and Kofi Kingston comes out to make the save.

Triple H comes out to decide what to about the WWE Title(s). He is about to say what he will do when Johnny Ace comes out. He mentions that he is executive VP of talent relations and that replaced JR. H asks what he wants. Ace says that Hunter should strip John Cena of the Title because that is what Vince would want him to do. Cena then comes out and says that Ace has been Vince’s right hand man for 10 years because he is one of Vince’s yes men. He then mentions that he punched Ace at MITB. He says that he won’t have the Title taken from because some goon in a suit who used to carry a surf board doesn’t like him. Ace says he made his decision because Punk beat him. Cena then says that was a great show and that his favorite moment when he punched Ace and that he should do it again. H says he doesn’t have a problem with that and then Ace walks out. Cena then asks what H is going to do and H says he is a legitimate WWE Champion. He mentioned that he hadn’t spoken to Punk till the Comic Con and that Punk came in with a signed contract and that he is a legitimate WWE Champion also. CM Punk then comes out and says that now that he’s back full time if he’s going to strip him of the Title and that everything will go back to the same old. Hunter says that neither guy will be stripped of the Title and at SummerSlam it will be Cena vs. Punk to determine the undisputed WWE Champion. Cena and Punk then have a stare down and Punk holds up his Title, then Cena holds up his. Punk gets on the turnbuckle and holds up his Title again, then Cena does the same. They go back and forth with both guy’s theme music during this. They each hold up their Title on the turnbuckles to end the show. This was a good segment too and the playing both guy’s theme music when they held up their belts was well done.

I thought this was a good show overall. There wasn’t as much wrestling as other weeks but the Cena-Punk-WWE Title bit was really good. The opening promo, the Morrison & Mysterio-Truth Miz match and the closing promo were the highlights of this week’s show in my opinion.