9-29-11 Impact results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the September 29, 2011 episode of Impact

The show starts with Sting coming to the ring and talks how Hulk Hogan has brainwashed Kurt Angle and now he is trying to turn Fortune against each other. He then asks Bobby Roode to come out. Roode comes out and Sting says that he is looking at the next World Champion. Roode then says that the support that he has gotten from the fans and the other wrestlers has been overwhelming and he talks about what Kurt Angle has been up to and promises the Sting, the fans and himself that he will win the World Title at Bound For Glory. He then wants Sting to promise him that he will take care of Hulk Hogan so they can finally get the company back to where it belongs. AJ Styles then comes out and he talks about his times as World Champion and then mentions that it has been awhile since he has had the chance to be World Champion again and he tells Roode to take advantage of his Title match with Kurt Angle. Kurt Angle then comes to the ring and he talks about Roode’s match with AJ tonight as he continues to wrestle his own Fortune team mates leading into Bound For Glory. He then tells Sting that he is pissed off because Dixie made him look like an idiot and tells AJ that if beats Roode he will get a World Title match. This was a good opening segment. Roode & AJ both cut good promos. Sting’s was good too. Angle was also good in his delivery.

They show Hulk Hogan walking backstage.

Brian Kendrick vs. Jessie Sorenson vs. Kid Kash vs. Alex Shelly vs. Zima Ion in a Ladder match to determine who will challenge Austin Aries for the X Division Title at Bound For Glory. Kendrick wins. Austin Aries was on commentary. This was a solid match.

They show Kazarian backstage talking about what’s been happening with Fortune and then the Jarretts come in and they tell Kazarian to meet them in the ring.

They show Hulk Hogan walking backstage again.

Ric Flair is on his cell phone backstage and he flips out. I’m not sure what that was about.

Jeff & Karen Jarrett come to the ring and they call out Frankie Kazarian and Traci Brooks. They come out and Jeff introduces himself to Kazarian and mentions that he hand picked him of the Independent Circuit. He then says that he called Kazarian out for “jumping ship” to “the other company” because he wasn’t getting the spot light in TNA and Jeff granted him his release. He then mentions that when Kazarian got to “the other company” that the grass wasn’t greener like hew thought it would be. Jeff says that he rehired Kazarian because he begged for it. Jeff then calls Traci a skank and mentions all that he has done for her and she disrespected Karen and calls both of them ungrateful. TNA referees then come out to separate the 2 couples and Jarrett tells them that he will make their lives miserable beginning tonight. Jeff then says to take that “10 cent whore” and Kazarian punches him. TNA security & referees try to keep them apart and Gunner comes in and takes out Kazarian with an F5. TNA Security then gets the Jarretts and Gunner out of the ring while they check on Kazarian. I wasn’t too crazy about this segment. If this leads to a Kazarian-Jeff Jarrett match I’m fine with that. I’m hoping it doesn’t lead to a mixed tag.

Jessie Neal vs. Hernandez doesn’t happen because Mexican America come out and attack Ink Inc. They pretty much clobber Ink them. They then spray paint “MA on Moore’s & Neal’s backs. This was crap.

A camera man asks Bully Ray backstage if he knows what Hulk Hogan’s major announcement will be. Ray says that of course he know and tells the cameraman that he was the first person that Hogan called and told about the announcement.

James Storm is backstage saying that he is happy for Roode getting the Title match at Bound For Glory.

Flair is in Hogan’s office flipping out saying that Hulk is a franchise and he tells him that what he wants to do is not a good decision and Hulk says that he has already made up his mind. Flair continues to lose it. I’m really tired of Nature “has been” and Hulk “over the hill” Hogan. This promo did nothing for me.

They show a video package recapping the Tara-Madison Rayne feud. I’m surprised they had that. They hadn’t been on TV much, but I’m glad they remembered their own booking.

They show Crimson walking backstage.

Tara vs. Madison Rayne in a “Queen’s Qualifying match.” Madison gets the pin with her feet on the ropes. Madison was hitting on Earl Hebner during the match to try to get her way. At one point Earl stops Tara from using closed fists and he punches Tara. Then Madison kicked Hebner by mistake and he then let Tara punch away but Madison still managed to get the win. This match was really dull. It will be Mickie James vs. Madison Rayne vs. Velvet Sky vs. Knockouts Champion Winter in a 4 Way at Bound For Glory for the Title.

They show Crimson walking backstage again as he makes his way to the ring.

They show Christopher Daniels backstage leaving the Impact Zone and says there’s nothing left to see. The cameraman asks him about the Rood-AJ match and Daniels rags on AJ. He then says that it would a kick in the n**s if he beat AJ at TNA’s biggest show of the year and that would know something about being kicked low. I thought Daniels cut a good promo. It looks like we’re getting AJ-Daniels at Bound For Glory. That works for me.

Crimson comes to the ring and calls out Samoa Joe. Joe comes out on the stage and he questions Crimson for saying his name after what Joe had done to him. Joe mentions that he allowed Crimson to be able to walk away and he calls his undefeated streak a farce. Joe then says that the only reason that he is talked about is because with out Crimson in TNA who else would be Joe’s b**ch? Crimson then runs up the ramp and tackles Joe at ringside but Joe gets the upper hand after swinging Crimson’s leg into the guard rail. Joe then throws Crimson in the ring and goes after Crimson’s Ankle and puts him in a modified Figure Four. Matt Morgan then comes out and goes after Joe and follows him up the ramp but Joe heads for the back. Morgan then goes back to the ring and helps Crimson up. I thought this was a good segment. Joe cut a good promo and the ankle attack followed by Morgan making the save was good stuff too.

AJ Styles cuts a promo backstage talking about his match with Bobby Roode and wants to see if he has what it takes to be World Champion.

Ken Anderson vs. Pope D’Angelo Dinero. Pope gets the pin. Devon’s sons were at ringside (again) and Anderson & Pope brawled right in front of where they were sitting and Anderson took down Dinero. Devon’s sons then shove Anderson and then Devon comes out and had words with his sons and Pope. Bully Ray then came out from the crowd and hit Anderson with a Singapore Cane. Pope then got back in the ring and got the 3 count. Devon then took his sons to the back. This match was dull too. I’m really tired of this whole Devon’s sons being buddy-buddy with Pope bit. Ken Anderson’s is also beyond painful.

Bobby Roode talks about his match with AJ backstage saying that if he can beat then he knows he can beat Kurt Angle at Bound For Glory.

They show Devon, his sons & Pope backstage and Devon is screaming at them all and he tells his sons that he calls the shots. This was idiotic.

They showed a Bobby Roode video package building up to his World Title match at BFG. This was really well done. They had comments from his wife and his sister and they showed him at home with his kids.

Bobby Roode vs. AJ Styles. Roode wins by submission. After the match AJ shook Roode’s hand and told him to win the World Title and then raised Roode’s hand. This was a really great back and forth match. Easily the highlight of this week’s show!

They show Hulk Hogan walking backstage making his way to the ring.

Bobby Roode & AJ Styles are backstage and AJ tells Roode that he gave Roode everything he had and that he is ready for Kurt Angle. Roode says that he told everyone he was ready and that he will give AJ a Title match if he becomes Champion. This was a good promo.

Hulk Hogan comes to the ring and he says that he feels like he has had a million pounds lifted off his shoulders. He mentions that after some soul searching that his Hulkamania run has been the greatest run of all time. He then talks about mentions that in his first day in the business he broke his leg and then mentions that he learned respect and the ropes of the business. He then talks about facing Andre The Giant and mentions that he sold out Madison Square Garden many times and that at the end of the day Hulkamania would go on forever. He then mentions that he had the chance of a lifetime to come to “Impact Wrestling”/TNA with 30 years of knowledge and make a difference (and the company is worse than ever, brother!) He says that he has been there for almost 2 years and that every moment has been worth it (even though he NEVER mentions them anytime he’s on a talk show, BROTHER!) including watching guys like Bobby Roode, James Storm, AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels and Rob Van Dam (who came in at the beginning of the Hogan era) step up. They show Sting watching on a monitor backstage saying what a great actor Hogan is. He then says that unfortunately this is the end of the road for him (we’ll see about that) and he mentions that he wanted to tell the fans this first, even before he told his wife. He then mentions that when he lost his family and his health that they only thing he never wanted to loose was his fans. He then says that no matter how bad it got he knew that the fans would be there (I haven’t been a Hulkamaniac in years Brother). He then says that his run is done and says that Bobby Roode, James Storm, Kazarian & AJ Styles are the stars of the future. WRONG HULKSTER THEY’RE THE STARS OF THE PRESENT! THEY’VE ALL BEEN IN TNA FROM THE VERY BEGINNING IN 2002!! Hulk then says that he is inviting everyone to come to Knoxville next week for a “formal announcement” because this will be the final time that we see him in the ring (No it won’t). They show Sting backstage saying that he will celebrate with the Hulkster and that it’s show time. That ended the show. This was a typical Hulk Hogan putting himself over promo I thought. I don’t know why they’re doing this whole we’ll never see Hulk Hogan in a ring again bit when everyone knows that isn’t going to happen.

I thought this show was a mixed bag overall. They had some good stuff on here. The Roode-AJ match was the greatest part of the show easily. The video package was great too. I also liked the backstage promos from both guys before the match and the post match promo. Daniels’ promo was good too. I also liked Samoa Joe going after Crimson and Matt Morgan coming out to help Crimson. The X Division ladder match was solid too. I did not care for the Anderson-Pope match and the whole Devon’s pissed at his sons bit and now him saying that he calls the shots sounds like a heal turn, which would make no sense since Pope was the heal at the start of this program. I wasn’t into the Tara-Madison match either. I thought it was kind of slow. The Ink Inc-Mexican America segment was dull too. The Hulk Hogan promo was a mixed bag I thought. I liked going down memory lane of the old days, but him saying that he had the chance of a lifetime to come to Impact was idiotic. I’m not sure why they turned him face after taking control of TNA from Dixie Carter and being the head guy in Immortal. On the whole this show was not great but not totally awful either.

9-26-11 Raw results and thoughts

    Coverage and thoughts on the September 26, 2011 episode of Raw

The show starts with Triple H coming to the ring (again). He says that Miz & Truth weren’t fired because of his ego “but because of this.” They show a video of them that they made at Night of Champions attacking the referees and they recap last week. HHH says that they were fired because of their own actions and came to him with a weak apology. He said that he used them to get one more main event out of them last Monday and mentions that Mark Henry will pay a $250,000 fine for attacking Jim Ross and slamming Jerry Lawler through the announce table and that no superstar is bigger than WWE. He talks some more and Vickie Guerrero and Dolph Ziggler come out and Vickie says that Dolph has something to say. Dolph says that he wants to know what he will do for him and talks about being punched by Hugh Jackman last week. He says that he can still compete but can’t eat solid food and asks again what Hunter plans on doing about this. HHH says he isn’t sure what he wants him to do and then says that he might get security for him when the Muppets are there Halloween night. Cody Rhodes then comes out and talks about Randy Orton hitting him with the bell on Smackdown and asks why Orton wasn’t fined. HHH says that a few years ago Orton cuffed him to the ropes and beat on Stephanie and he tells Cody to man up. Christian then comes out and says that what happened to him last week when Sheamus came out during his match was much worse then what happened to Dolph and Cody. HHH reminds him that it was a lumber jack match. Christian then says that they have had enough and asks Dolph and Cody to join him in filing the biggest lawsuit in WWE history. Christian then says he could change his mind if HHH gave him one more match. HHH says that he will give one more match against Sheamus at hell in a cell, one more match with Orton on Smackdown and a match with John Cena tonight. Christian asks if it’s for the Title. HHH says it’s not and Christian flips. He then tells Dolph that he will defend the U.S. Title tonight against Zack Ryder. Dolph flip and he and Vickie walk out. He then tells Cody that he’s giving him the night off and Cody tells HHH that he’s a crappy COO and that he should resign. HHH says that he will defend the IC Title tonight against the first 9 guys he finds and Cody will defend the IC Title in a 10 man Battle Royal. This was a decent opening segment. I’m tired of HHH starting the show every Monday and his promos are getting dull. The heels however cut some good promos.

10 Man Battle Royal for the Intercontinental Title. John Morrison, Sin Cara, Ezekiel Jackson, Sheamus, Daniel Bryan, Justin Gabriel, Alex Riley, Drew McIntyre and Champion Cody Rhodes. Cody slid out of the ring right away. McIntyre was eliminated first by Zeke. The other Sin Cara came out and took the other ones place and got eliminated by Daniel Bryan. The 2 Sin Caras then go at it for a bit and on Cara wants to get back in the ring, but the refs stop him. Sheamus then eliminates Gabriel. Zeke eliminated Daniel & Morrison. Cody eliminates Ted, then Cody eliminated Zeke. It’s down to Sheamus and Cody. Christian comes out and distracts Sheamus for a bit, but he goes back after Cody. Cody took his protective mask off and tried to hit Sheamus with it, but Sheamus blocked him then he booted Christian. Cody finally eliminated Sheamus to retain the IC Title. This was fun to watch. Battle Royals usually are. After the match Christian attacks Sheamus and Christian says that Sheamus cost him the World Title.

They show David Otunga complaining to Johnny Ace backstage and they talk about Otunga’s law degree. This was dumb. I’m not a fan of either guy. Are they going to have Otunga do a lawyer gimmick like Clarence Mason?

Beth Phoenix & Natalya are walking backstage.

They show a Kelly video package. This was useless.

Divas Champion Kelly Kelly & Eve Torres vs. Beth Phoenix & Natalya. Beth & Natalya win when Beth pins Kelly. This match was ok.

Mark Henry comes to the ring for a match.

Great Khali vs. World Champion Mark Henry. Henry hits him with the belt before the match starts and then gives Khali the World’s Strongest Slam. That was awesome! Henry then walks out and jaw jacks with the fans. Great stuff from Mark Henry.

They start to lower the cell and John Cena comes out. He talks about this Sunday saying that history will be made because this is the first triple threat cell match. He says that the WWE Title is surrounded by controversy and mentions Punk leaving with the Title, then Del Rio cashing in MITB and then him winning the Title for a record 10^th time. He says that Sunday the controversy will be over. He then talks about how brutal the cell structure is. He says that on Sunday he goes to hell and says that he has been through hell before and will not lose the Title Sunday. Alberto Del Rio then comes out and then CM Punk does and Cole says that they will be doing commentary. Punk came out with his announcer’s jacket. Christian then comes out for his match with Cena. They raised the cell. I get that they were trying to put over the cell by having it lower during Cena’s promo but I didn’t think they needed to.

WWE Champion John Cena vs. Christian. Cena clotheslined Christian over the announce table and Del Rio then goes after Punk. Cena and Christian then got back in the ring and was about to AA Christian but Del Rio came in and booted Cena, so Cena won by DQ. Alberto then says that on Sunday he will be WWE Champion again.

Zack Ryder vs. U.S. Champion Dolph Ziggler for the Title. Ziggler gets the pin to retain the Title when Jack Swagger gets involved while Vickie Guerrero had the ref’s attention. This was a decent but short match. After the match Ziggler & Swagger go to double team Ryder and Kofi Kingston & Evan Bourne come out and run the heals off. Teddy Long then comes out and tells Vickie that he will give her 3 minutes to find a third partner for Swagger & Ziggler for a 6 man with Ryder, Kofi & Bourne and that if she can’t find anyone it will be 3 on 2. Vickie then runs to the back.

Back from commercial and the 5 guys are in the ring and Swagger and Ziggler haven’t got a partner.

WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston & Evan Bourne and Zack Ryder vs. U.S. Champion Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger. Vickie comes back out with Mason Ryan for the match. So it’s now, Ryder, Kofi & Bourne vs. Ziggler, Swagger & Mason Ryan. Swagger tags Ryan in and he then attacks Ziggler and Swagger. Ryder then gets the pin on Dolph. Winners – Kofi Kingston, Evan Bourne & Zack Ryder.

They show David Otunga backstage talking to Ziggler, Cody & Christian saying that they need to protect themselves from HHH. He says that they need to be together if they go with the lawsuit. They all agree.

CM Punk vs. Alberto Del Rio. John Cena is on commentary. Punk gets the pin. This was a good back and forth match. After the match the cell starts to lower again and Cena tries to get but Ricardo tries to block him but the cell comes down and Ricardo is also locked inside. Punk gives Ricardo the GTS then Cena gives him the AA. Punk then tried to GTS Cena then Cena tried to AA Punk and then Alberto hit both guys with a chair. Del Rio then throws Punk into the turnbuckle where Alberto placed the chair. He then hits both Cena & Punk with chair one more time and stands tall while Punk & Cena were still on the mat. This ended the show.

I thought that this was a good show overall. I enjoyed the Punk-Del Rio match and the post match action. The opening promo was a mixed bag and I’m not sure where they’re going with Otunga leading the other heals with this “lawsuit”. Mark Henry slamming Khali was impressive too. The Battle Royal was fine for what it was also. The rest of the show had some decent matches but nothing memorable.

9-23-11 Smackdown results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the September 23, 2011 episode of Smackdown

The show starts with the whole WWE Roster at ringside and Johnny Ace talks about Triple H’s job as COO and then brings out the new World Champion Mark Henry. Henry says that it took him 15 years to win the World and that he it will be another 15 years before anyone take it. Triple H then comes out but before he can say anything Christian says that since he is a former 2 time World Champion that he is a leader and should get a Title match. He then says after Mark Henry loses the Title to Orton he will beat him and become a 3 time World Champion. Triple H then announces Christian vs. Mark Henry for the World Title in a Lumber Jack match for tonight’s main event. He then says that the entire roster will be the lumber jacks and the winner will face Randy Orton at the next PPV. This was a good opening segment.

Sheamus vs. Health Slater. Sheamus gets the pin. This was a decent match.

Backstage Christian tries to get Khali to help him out during his match later.

Justin Gabriel vs. Wade Barrett. Barrett gets the pin. This was a good match.

Matt Striker interviews Randy Orton and Orton says that he will drag Mark Henry or Christian to the depths of hell and we come back he will be World Champion.

Backstage Christian tries to Ezekiel Jackson to help in out in his match.

 AJ & Kaitlyn vs. Beth Phoenix & Natalya. Beth & Natalya win when Beth pins AJ. This was a squash.

Randy Orton vs. Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes. Cody wins by DQ after hitting Cody with the protective mask. After the match Orton continues attacking Cody with Cody’s mask and DDTs him.

Backstage Christian talks to Sheamus and gives him potato as a peace offering because the Irish love potatoes and he asks Sheamus to help him out later. Sheamus tells him no problem. Christian walks out. Sheamus then bites the potato and then spits it out and says that it’s from Idaho, not Ireland.

Great Khali vs. Jinder Mahal. Khali gets the pin. This was dull.

Sin Cara (Mistico) vs. Daniel Bryan. During the match Hunico came put and pushed Mistico off the top and took his spot and gets the pin.

Backstage Christian tries to get Zack Ryder to help him out during his match. Ryder then gets a call from Hugh Jackman and walks off.

WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston & Evan Bourne vs. The Usos. Kofi & Bourne win when Bourne pins Jimmy. This was a real good back and forth match. These guys are really talented.

Christian vs. World Champion Mark Henry in a Lumber Jack match for the Title. The lumber jacks went after Henry and he cleaned house on them all. Christian then tried to bail, but Sheamus came out and threw Christian back in the ring and Henry hit the World’s Strongest Slam for the pin. After the match Randy Orton came out and went after Henry. He went for an RKO but Henry shoved him off. Orton then ducked a clothesline and drop kicked Henry out of the ring. They have a stare down with Mark Henry holding up the World Title to end the show. This was really fun to watch. The match was good as was Henry cleaning house on the lumber jacks and the post match Orton-Henry stuff was good too.

This was a really fun show overall. I liked the main event. They had some good stuff in there. The Kofi & Bourne-Usos match was also good to watch. Both teams are really good in the ring. On the whole this was a good show.

9-22-11 Impact results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the September 22, 2011 episode of Impact

The show starts with Sting coming to the ring holding a contract and he says that he wants to face Hogan at Bound For Glory and gets the crowd to chant Hogan’s name (I’m not sure why) and Hogan then comes to the ring. Hogan says the match will not happen because Hogan is not medically cleared. Sting laughs that off and asks for a clip to be shown. The clip was Hogan attacking Sting from a few weeks ago and Hogan says that this isn’t funny and Sting says this proves that Hogan can still go (Really). Hogan says that he doesn’t have anything to prove and that the contract means nothing and that he is now a business man. Sting then says if he wants to do business they can have the match right now. Eric Bischoff then comes out and asks Sting what he’s doing. Sting punches him out right away and then says that there’s nothing that Hogan to prevent the match from happening. This was a typical TNA opening segment. The Sting being crazy bit is idiotic and Hogan is beyond old.

Backstage segment with Karen Jarrett, Traci Brooks, Mickie James & Brooke Tessmacher with Karen talking about the Mickie-Tessmacher “Queen Qualifier” match later. She tells Brooke to think twice about going out to the ring and showing what everyone wants to see. Mickie & Brooke walk out and then Karen tells Traci to cover her chest again. Kazarian then comes in and rags on Karen and says that all she is worth is 50 cents. Karen then calls some one (probably Jeff Jarrett) on her cell. This was awful.

They show Jeff Hardy backstage.

Mickie James vs. Knockout Tag Team Champion Brooke Tessmacher in a “Queen’s Qualifying” match. Mickie gets the pin. This was a solid match.

They show Mexican America outside the building from “earlier today” and they ride off in a pick up truck.

They show Al Snow talking to Jeff Hardy and he tells him that he respects that he is man enough to admit his mistakes.

Jessie Sorensen vs. X Division Champion Austin Aries for the Title. Aries gets the pin. Kid Kash came out during the match and distracted Sorensen by taking Jessie’s football and tossing it to him. Jessie threw it back to him as Kash was walking out and hit Kash in the back and Aries got the roll up for the pin. This was a real good match.

Rob Van Dam & Ken Anderson are backstage talking about their tag with Jerry Lynn & Bully Ray.

They show Mexican America in a tattoo place and Anarquia has Rosita and Sarita. Anarquia says that he is scared of needles and he has Hernandez Pray with him. Ink Inc then come in and attack Mexican America. Jessie Neal & Hernandez go back and froth and Neal puts him through a table. Moore & Anarquia go at it and Moore beats the crap out of him and then Neal & Moore double team him. Neal tells the camera not to show what they’re going to do. This was painful!

Jeff Hardy walks into Matt Morgan’s trailer and Morgan says that what Hardy did was a slap in the face to him and that he would be a better role model then Jeff. He then admits that he was a painkiller addict and that he will give Jeff one last chance and that he will hunt him down if he messes up again. He then says that Jeff has what it takes to be a role model (No he doesn’t!) This was ok. Morgan cut a good promo.

They show Rob Van Dam has been taken out after being put through a table.

Jeff Hardy is with Kurt Angle and Kurt says he doesn’t want him in TNA and that he should go. Jeff says that the others he spoke to were sincere and he asks Kurt who he is. Kurt says he is an Olympic Gold Medalist and a 14 time World Champion. Jeff then says that Kurt doesn’t want him there because he is his biggest threat. Angle tells him off and heads for the ring. I wasn’t too crazy about this promo.

Kurt Angle comes out and asks Bobby Roode to come to the ring. Roode comes out and Angle commends him for passing the first test by beating Kazarian. He then says that tonight he will face Christopher Daniels and he mentions that Daniels took advantage of his best friend 2 weeks ago and wonders what Daniels will do tonight. Roode takes the mic and says that for 13 years he has given it all to this business. He then says that Angle is the greatest wrestler who ever lived, but on October 16 in Philly nothing will prevent him from becoming World Champion. Angle then says that he knows a guy who will stand in his way and that guy might be his closest friend. James Storm then comes out and gets in Roode’s face and says that he can see what Roode is thinking, that Immortal brought him out, but Storm says that he makes his own rules and that he is not out here to go at it with Roode, but he is out there to get into it with Kurt Angle. Storm then tells Angle that since he has the stroke that he should announce Storm vs. Angle. Angle asks Storm who he thinks he is and Storm advises him to go to the back and get his gear and sorry about his luck. This was a good segment. All 3 guys cut great promos.

Ken Anderson vs. Bully Ray & Jerry Lynn. Ray & Lynn win when Ray gets the pin after hitting him with a chain. This was a solid match.

James Storm cuts a promo saying that he’s glad Roode had the Title match and mentions that he wants a Title match also.

Christopher Daniels then comes out with a mic and says that he will not face Roode tonight because he feels that he has nothing to prove by beating him because he beat a former World Champion and Grand Slam Champion, AJ Styles 3 weeks ago. AJ then comes out and asks Daniels why he makes these comments about beating him and says that he and Daniels can do it one more time if that’s what Daniels wants. Daniels says that he has proven his point and mentions that AJ mentioned that the last match they would be the final one. AJ then slaps the mic out of Daniels’ hand, they got face to face and AJ chewed out Daniels. AJ was about walk out when Daniels said that he had no idea that AJ was a sore loser as well as a b**ch. AJ then turned around and attacked Daniels. Security comes out and separates them, but they go at it again. AJ & Daniels then brawl towards the backstage area and then back to the ring. Kazarian then runs out to separate the 2. Things then settle down a bit and then Daniels kicks AJ low before heading to the back. This was really great stuff! They both cut great promos and the brawl was fun too watch.

Kurt Angle and Scott Steiner are backstage and Kurt says Steiner’s been training him and Steiner says that Kurt Angle is the greatest wrestler ever.

They show Kazarian and Daniels backstage and Kazarian is trying to calm Daniels down telling him they’re family but Daniels is still steamed and he is tired of being in AJ’s shadow.

Then they show Kazarian talking to AJ and AJ says that this is the true Christopher Daniels. Kazarian tries to reason with AJ and AJ barfs. These were both good segments. AJ barfing I wasn’t crazy about but the rest was good.

They then show Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan backstage and Hogan says that he will drop a bomb shell that he will drop on the company next week.

James Storm vs. TNA World Champion Kurt Angle. The match goes to a no contest. Gunner came out during the match. Storm kicks Brian Hebner by mistake and Earl then comes out and goes to count Storm’s pin on Angle but Gunner yanked Earl out of the ring and then hit Storm with the belt. Bobby Roode then came out to make the save for Storm and clotheslines Gunner out of the ring. Roode picked up the Title and laid it in front of Kurt Angle and they had a stare down as Kurt took the Title and walked to the back. This was a really fun back and forth match and the Roode-Angle stare down was good too.

I thought this week’s show was good on the whole despite there only being 3 matches. The Beer Money-Kurt Angle promo was really good and so the back and forth promo and brawl with AJ & Daniels. Those were the highlights of this week’s Impact!

 

9-19-11 Raw results and thoughts

    Coverage and thoughts on the September 19, 2011 episode of Raw

The show starts with CM Punk coming to the ring and he says that this building (They’re in Cleveland) has never been kind to him and mentioned that he had to give up the WWE Title one time and the other Bob Holly punched him too hard and mentions that he was in a war last night. He then admits that maybe he was wrong and Miz & Truth were right about a conspiracy, but not the one they’re talking about. He was about to say more and HHH music played and he came out and punk said he wasn’t done. He says that he’s as beat up as Punk and that they went to war last night, but is still the COO of WWE and talks about how Cena made history winning the WWE Title for the 10^th time and that Alberto deserves the rematch and Punk also deserves the rematch he never got. He then says that in 2 weeks at Hell in a Cell it will be Cena vs. Punk vs. Del Rio in a triple threat cell match. He then tells Punk that if he didn’t believe anything HHH had said he has no problem going back to war with him right now. Punk says he would too and then says that his pride is hurt and that they don’t like each other, but that someone is playing both of them. Punk says he realizes it wasn’t him, but someone higher up on the ladder. Johnny Ace then comes out and says that he says that Punk is in the middle of the conspiracy and tells HHH not to believe anything Punk says. Punk says that Ace thinks he himself deserves to be COO because if HHH lost he would have taken the spot and was behind the whole thing. Ace says that HHH lost control of the show because of Punk and says that Punk works for him. HHH says that he is the COO and Ace works for him. HHH says that he will get to the bottom of this and Ace wishes Punk all the best in his future endeavors and cans him, but HHH un cans him and says that he will do the firing. He then says that somebody will be getting fired by the end of the night. This was a solid opening segment. Punk did a great job on the mic as usual. HHH’s promo was decent too, but I’m not a fan of Johnny Ace.

Sheamus, Justin Gabriel, Kofi Kingston & Evan Bourne vs. Christian, Wade Barrett, David Otunga & Michael McGuillcutty. The faces win when Sheamus pins Otunga. This was a solid 8 man tag.

HHH is backstage with referee Chad Pennington and he says that he and the other ref’s don’t feel safe in the ring. HHH tells him to have Miz & Truth come into his office if he sees them. Del Rio then come in and flips for being put in a 3 way cell match and H says that if he wants his rematch tonight he can have it and Alberto says that he needs to rest. He then says he prays that Vince come back to run the place. HHH says that he has been in the cell and Alberto will need all the Prayers he can take.

John Morrison vs. Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio wins by submission. This was a pretty short match. It looks like they’re re pushing Del Rio, while Morrison continues to slide down the card.

Time for this week’s guest star Hugh Jackman. He comes out and poses and shakes the fans hands. He then gets the mic and says that he is excited to be on Raw and that the Oscars aren’t in front 15,000 screaming fans in Cleveland. He then promotes his new movie and Vickie Guerrero comes out with Dolph Ziggler and she hits on him and she says that she is his biggest fan. She then remembers to mention Ziggler. Dolph says that he doesn’t appreciate Jackman interrupting his time. He says that this was supposed to be his celebration as being the greatest U.S. Champions in history by winning the 4 way last night. He then says that Cleveland is the town of the underdogs and that the movies aren’t real, but this is as real as it gets (whatever). Jackman says that he loves the underdog and that he will help the biggest underdog in the back beat Dolph. Ziggler says that he can bring out whoever he wants and that that person will wish they never met Ziggler. Jackman then gets a Zack Ryder sign from one of the fans. I wasn’t a big fan of this segment. Ziggler saying that this is “real life” was a joke.

They show The Miz & R-Truth coming to the building and Johnny Ace tells them that HHH wants to see them. Miz then apologizes to Ace for compromising his position.

Sin Cara (not sure which one it is) vs. Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes. Before the match starts the other Sin Cara came out and the 2 have a stare down. Each Cara poses and then one Cara attacks the other and they do a lot of flips and head scissors and have an unofficial match. One Cara then bails while the other one remains in the ring. I’m not sure why they had Cody Rhodes come out at all if this was going to be a Cara-Cara showdown.

They show Miz & Truth coming into HHH’s office and Miz says that they’re sorry for getting involved in his match last night. Truth then apologizes to him and that they love being WWE superstars. HHH accepts their apologies and then says that since they decided to put their hands on a ref he’s fining them each $250 and then says that since they will face CM Punk & John Cena. This was a decent promo.

They show Teddy Long walking up the entrance ramp. Jim Ross then says that that Long told him that Orton will get his rematch at Hell in a Cell. He then introduces then NEW World Champion Mark Henry! Mark Henry comes out and JR congratulates him on winning the Title and asks how it feels to finally be Champion after 15 years. Henry says that he doesn’t know much about Hell in a Cell, but he gave Orton hell last night and he will do it again. He then says the Title has his name on it and no one will take what he has. He then says that none of the fans ever believed in him and tells JR to apologize for them and then JR will apologize to him. He then says that JR wanted Vince to fire him and that he was injury prone and an overachiever and then he says that the World Title says it all. He then gives JR the opportunity to apologize and JR does. Henry then says that he hates ass kissers. He then pulls JR’s tie and forces him to the mat. Jerry Lawler then comes in and tries to get Henry to get JR go. He finally does and then he grabs Lawler and says that he will take JR’s place. Lawler punches but gets clobbered and Henry gives him the World’s Strongest Slam. Henry then takes apart the announce table, throws Lawler over it, picks him up and gives him The World’s Strongest Slam through the table. There were some fans telling him to get Michael Cole. That was funny. Henry then walks out with the Title. This was a really great segment. They’ve made Mark Henry the 2011 version of Vader! I hope they let him have a long Title reign.

Back from commercial and they show Lawler being helped to the back by a referee and a security guy. Josh Mathews is now on commentary with Cole. I’m glad Josh is getting a chance to do announcing tonight.

Divas Champion Kelly Kelly & Eve Torres vs. Beth Phoenix & Natalya. Kelly & Eve win when Eve pins Natalya. Not a bad match.

They show Hugh Jackman backstage with Zack Ryder talking about his internet show and they head for the ring.

They show a trailer for Hugh Jackman’s movie. Boring.

Zack Ryder vs. U.S. Champion Dolph Ziggler. Ryder gets the pin. Jackman punched Ziggler while the referee wasn’t looking because he kicked her out after she slapped Ryder. This was a decent match.

The show a Jack Swagger video package. They show Vickie watching and then Swagger comes in and says that he is more impressive than Dolph is. Vickie then says that she will manage Swagger. Swagger walks off and bumps into Dolph.

They show Cena & Punk backstage and Cena talks about their historic matches and that Punk earned his respect. He then mentions the triple threat cell match and that they will make history again that night. Cena then says that it would be a shame if Punk gets canned. Punk then says that it would be a shame if Cena got canned tonight and that it would be a first if that ever happen to the WWE Champion.

The Miz & R-Truth come out and sing Truth’s music with heal lyrics.

WWE Champion John Cena & CM Punk vs. The Miz & R-Truth. Punk & Cena win when Punk pins Miz. This was a good match. After the match HHH’s music plays and he comes out and says tells Punk that he had a good match then he tells Miz & Truth they’re fired. Miz & Truth head for the back and the show the locker room watching in the back. Scott Stanford goes to interview HHH but Miz & Truth attack him and the other wrestlers break it up. Miz & Truth are then thrown out of the building. Triple H walked off all pissed to end the show. The was good too I thought.

I thought that this was a good show overall. I liked the 8 man tag. The main event tag match was good too and I liked the end of the show when Miz & Truth attacked HHH and got kicked out. The highlight of the show this week was the Mark Henry promo/segment. I really hope they have be Champion for a long time and have him be the unstoppable monster Champion.     

9-16-11 Smackdown results and thoughts

 Coverage and thoughts on the September 16, 2011 episode of Smackdown

The show starts with Edge coming out saying how great it is to be home and mentions that Randy Orton & Mark Henry will be on “The Cutting Edge.”  Cody Rhodes then comes out and tells Edge that he is kissing up to the home town fans and Edge fired back. Cody then talks about how he beat Orton Monday and tries to give Edge a paper bag. Edge doesn’t take and Cody walks out and tries to give them to the fans. Ted DiBiase, Jr. was in the crowd and he attacked Cody and Cody bailed. This was a really good opening segment. Edge cut a real good promo and so did Cody. Ted going after Cody was good too. Maybe this is the start of push for Ted.

Daniel Bryan vs. Sin Cara. Bryan wins by DQ after Cara loses it. Then the original Sin Cara came out and the 2 Caras had a stare down. This was a good match, but it was more of an angle to set up Sin Cara 1 returning.

Backstage segment with Teddy Long & Zack Ryder and Long tells him that he has made a rule that says that Orton & Henry can’t touch each other on “The Cutting Edge.” He tells Ryder to relay the message to Orton & Henry and Ryder reluctantly goes. Then Aksana comes in to give Teddy Long a massage and Trish Stratus comes in and breaks that up. Teddy & Trish then talked. I was not a fan of this segment.

AJ vs. Beth Phoenix. Beth gets the pin. After the match Beth gets the mic and says that she will beat Kelly this Sunday. This was a squash.

Backstage Trish & Edge were chatting and Christian came in and said that he was sorry about being a jerk and they both hugged. Christian then asks Edge to ask Teddy Long to give Christian one more match. Edge says that Christian is giving him a headache and Christian says that he was there for him in his final match at WrestleMania. Christian then walks off in a huff. Zack Ryder then comes in and asks Edge to tell Orton and Henry about the no contact rule. This was a good promo.

Justin Gabriel & Sheamus vs. Wade Barrett & Christian. Before the match Sheamus takes the mic and rags on Christian & Barrett. Then he says that he chose Justin Gabriel as his partner because he couldn’t find the Ax or the Smasher so he Justin Gabriel “The 450 Splasher.” That was kinda funny. Gabriel & Sheamus win when Gabriel pins Barrett. This was a good back and forth match. Afterwards Christian tried to sneak up on Sheamus, but Sheamus caught and Christian slid outside the ring. Sheamus then tried to goat him into going at it but Christian walked out.

Great Khali vs. Heath Slater. Khali wins by DQ when Jinder Mahal comes in. Jinder came out with a mic during the match and was berating Khali in Punjabi. After the Match Mahal & Slater double team Khali but Khali fights them off. Jinder bails and Khali flattens Slater. This was boring!

WWE Tag Team Champion Evan Bourne vs. R-Truth. Miz & Truth rap rag on the Toronto fans to Truth’s theme music. I don’t know why they have him come out to that again. Truth gets the pin. This was a solid match. Kofi & Miz were on commentary.

Edge comes out for “The Cutting Edge” segment and brings out Orton & Henry. Edge asks Orton if he can beat Henry Sunday and Orton says that he know he can. Edge then mentions that Henry has been there for 15 years and hasn’t been World or WWE Champion. Henry then says that he has guys smaller and weaker than him become Champion and that he will end the World Title Sunday. Orton then calls Henry the World’s Strongest failure. They had a stare down and Edge said that they aren’t supposed to each other during “The Cutting Edge” and he announces that the segment is over. They went at it and the Smackdown locker room came out to break them up and Orton went after Henry, then Henry went after Orton. He gave Orton the World’s Strongest Slam, and then clobbered the other wrestlers; Big splashed Randy Orton twice, cleared the ring and gave Orton a second World’s Strongest Slam. Henry then stood over Orton holding the World Title to end the show.

I thought that this was a really good show on the whole. The opening promo with Edge was really good as was Cody’s promo. Ted attacking Cody from the crowd was good too. The Sheamus & Gabriel-Christian & Barrett match was also good. The cutting Edge at the end was really great. They did a great job in the final build to the World Title match at Night of Champions!

9-15-11 Impact results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the September 15, 2011 episode of Impact

The show starts with Ric Flair coming out in his ring gear and calls out Sting. Sting then comes out and he too is in his ring gear and Flair says that Sting might be a franchise but franchise and God are a different level. Flair then says that only way that Sting will get to Hogan is over Flair’s dead body. Sting says that Flair will die then. Sting then tells Flair to take his robe and have the match right now, but They go back and forth and before they can brawl security breaks them up. This was a short segment thankfully. (Note: They filmed this segment twice).

They show Jeff Hardy coming into the building.

Jeff Hardy backstage promo saying that he’s been looking to redeem himself. Why is he there? I did not care for this. I’m real tired of BOTH Hardys!

Pope D’Angelo Dinero, Devon and Knockouts Tag Team Champions Brooke Tessmacher & Tara vs. TNA World Tag Team Champion Hernandez & Anarquia and Rosita & Sarita. Pope, Devon, Tessmacher & Tara win when Tessmacher & Tara get the double pin on Rosita & Sarita. Rosita & Sarita hit on Devon’s sons during the match. This match was ok for what it was.

They show Traci Brooks and Karen Jarrett backstage having words and Karen tells Traci to cover her chest. Karen then asks Traci to get all the knockouts together for a meeting (joy). She then tells Traci to get that smirk off her face. This was idiotic.

They show the Knockouts in Karen’s office and she says that her feud with Winter is over and that she doesn’t get a rematch. She then says that there will be a series of matches over the next 3 weeks that she calls “Queen’s Qualifying Matches. Mickie vs. Tessmacher, Tara vs. Madison and Velvet vs. Angelina with the winner’s challenging Winter for the Knockouts Title at Bound For Glory. Madison played up to Karen the whole time. This segment was crap!

Fortune (A.J. Styles, Frankie Kazarian, Christopher Daniels & James Storm) come to the ring and Styles gets the mic and he introduces Bobby Roode as the Bound For Glory Series winner. Roode comes to the ring and AJ congratulates him and says that Roode will beat Kurt Angle for the World Title. The crowd chanted, “Next World Champ.” Daniels then takes the mic and he mentions how he beat a former World Champion and he also congratulates Roode on winning the series. Daniels then says that the fans believe in Roode and that Roode has to believe in himself. Kazarian then takes the mic and praises the whole Fortune stable and he says that they are a unit, but they also have individual goals and that it is Roode’s time to achieve his. James Storm then takes the mic and talks about the road that they have been on. Storm then mentions that he would have liked to have won the series, but if it can’t be him then it deserves to be Bobby’s chance. He then says to Kurt Angle, “Sorry about your damn luck.” Kurt Angle’s music then plays he comes to the ring and says that is was amazing that Roode clawed his way to the top despite an injury. He then question’s Fortune’s mentality and asks the other Fortune member if they’re jealous. He mentions that they’re all there to be World Champion. Angle then tells Roode that since his team mates don’t want to tell him how they really feel, he tells Roode that they’re jealous. Angle then says that he also has some stroke in what goes on and that in the weeks leading up to Bound For Glory, Roode will face a member of Fortune each week. Angle then says that if they lay down for Roode they will be at the bottom of the totem pole but if one of them beats Roode then they will be at the top of the totem pole and says that Kaz will face Roode tonight. This was a good segment. I thought they all cut good promos.

Eric Bischoff was on the phone and Kurt Angle is in the office and they mention what a great idea Angle came up with.

Velvet Sky vs. Angelina Love in a Queen’s Qualifying Match. Velvet gets the pin. Winter hit Angelina with the belt by mistake during the match and that allowed Velvet to get the pin. This match was ok, but not that good. It was a typical Knockouts match.

Jeff Hardy walks into AJ Styles’ locker room and AJ tells him off. He cut a good promo here.

Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair are backstage talking about Flair’s match with Sting and Sting then shows up and does his crazy gimmick.

Tenay & Taz interview Crimson by satellite and Crimson talks about how Samoa Joe injured him and took him out of the BFG Series and that he will be back in 2 weeks. Not a bad Crimson promo.

Matt Morgan vs. Samoa Joe. Joe wins by submission. This was a good match.

Kurt Angle is talking to Kazarian backstage asking him if he’s ready and that Angle is looking for the next challenger after he beats Roode. Angle wants Kazarian to show that he is the main guy in Fortune.

Devon is with Jeff Hardy backstage and says that he knows the Jeff Hardy that can have good matches and they have been in some of the best matches. He says that he won’t turn his back on Jeff but he won’t let him throw everything away again. He tells Jeff that he has his back. Devon cut a really good promo here.

Bobby Roode vs. Frankie Kazarian. Roode wins by submission. This was a really good back and forth match. Kurt Angle was watching on a monitor backstage and looked upset that Kazarian lost.

They show Kazarian & Roode backstage and Kazarian said that he gave it his all and knows that he faced the next World Champion.

Austin Aries cut a promo saying that he will be calling the X Division Title the A Double Title and that he will defend the Title next week.

Bully Ray & Jerry Lynn cut a promo backstage with Lynn saying that he will beat RVD’s brains in and Ray saying that he is tired of Ken Anderson and that they will take them out next week in a Tag match.

Sting vs. Ric Flair. Sting wins by submission. Immortal ran out during the match and the referee tried to stop them. Bully Ray then snicks into the ring, but Ken Anderson comes out and runs him off. Hogan remains at ringside cheering on Flair. Flair uses brass knuckles and Sting kicks out and Sting eventually got the win. After the match Sting looks at Hogan, who is on the stage to end the show. This was actually a good match.

I thought overall that this was a decent show. The Sting-Flair was better than I thought it would be and the Roode-Kazarian match was the best match on the show.

9-12-11 Raw results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the September 12, 2011 episode of Raw

The show starts with Alberto Del Rio in the ring saying that he take the fans booing him but he can’t take being disrespected and mentions how Cena gave him the AA last week and the fans mocked. He says that he is the WWE Champion, the man who took out Rey Mysterio and made Edge retire. He then says that he is the guy that beat Punk for the Title and he will teach Cena a lesion at Night of Champions. Bret Hart’s music plays and he comes out to a huge pop! Bret gets the mic and says that he came out to give him some advice because when he looks at him he sees a man that doesn’t know what it means to be Champion. Del Rio then rants more and Bret cuts him off saying that he is all style and all substance. He then says that he should be a fighting champion. Del Rio then says that Bret looks like a hobo with the 1994 jacket and he says that he is the best there is and not Bret. He then says that he will make an example out of Bret tonight. John Cena then comes out to a mixed reaction. He says that he doesn’t agree with Del Rio and that when he sees Bret he sees a WWE Hall of Famer. He then mentions that every time Cena is in the ring Del Rio always runs. Cena then tells Del Rio to split. He then says that he will win the WWE Title at Night of Champions. Del Rio then says they should give the fans what they want and Cena says “Let’s do this.” Del Rio then says that Cena will face Ricardo Rodriguez mentioning that Cena hit him a few months ago and Ricardo will make him pay. Cena says that Alberto is classless and heartless and says that he should defend the Title against Bret Hart! The fans chant “We want Bret.” Johnny Ace then comes out (UGH) and he says that there will be a tag match later tonight and announces Bret & Cena vs. Alberto & Ricardo. This was a mixed bag of a segment. It’s always great to see Bret. Cena’s promo was mediocre at best, and so was Del Rio’s and Johnny Ace’s just sucked. I don’t know why he’s on the show.

John Morrison & Alex Riley vs. U.S. Champion Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger. Morrison & Riley win when Riley pins Swagger. Ziggler did not break up the pin. This was a decent match. After the match the heels bicker.

Josh Mathews interviews Miz & R-Truth and says that HHH granted them their request to challenge Kofi & Bourne. Miz then says that it’s laughable that HHH gives them the match and everything is peachy. He then rags on Punk a bit and says he should change his name to BS. Truth then says that he also wants HHH to resign as COO. They then come to the ring & Truth says that HHH is COO and that spells coo and that 2 time spells coo coo and that is what HHH is. He then rambles more and Miz says that Sunday Kofi & Bourne are gonna get got and Truth says, “And that is Awesome.” This was a weird promo. I have no idea what they’re doing with these guys.

WWE Tag Team Champion Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz. Miz gets the pin. This was a good back and forth match.

Vickie Guerrero is backstage with Teddy Long and he says that Ziggler will defend the U.S. Title at Night of Champions against Swagger, Riley & Morrison. She complains a bit and they run into Kelly and Vickie calls her a Barbie doll and a pathetic Divas Champion and that even she could beat her. Long then says that he had been looking for some competition for Kelly. Looks like Kelly vs. Vickie later tonight.

They show Bret Hart & John Cena backstage talking about their match.

David Otunga & Michael McGuilllicutty are in the ring and Michael says that he has personality and asks Lawler if he remembers who his dad is. Lawler says that he remembers him and that he’s nothing like his dad and then rags on Otunga. He then introduces his partner. Sheamus’ music plays and he comes out.

Sheamus & Jerry Lawler vs. David Otunga & Michael McGuillicutty. Sheamus & Lawler win when Sheamus pins McGuillicutty. This was squash. I hope they don’t have Lawler and a mystery partner and face these 2 guys every week.

Ricardo is backstage doing push ups & Del Rio asks him what he’s doing.

Bret Hart & John Cena vs. Ricardo Rodriguez & WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio. Bret & Cena win when Bret makes Ricardo tap. Alberto walked out on Ricardo during the match. This wasn’t much of a match. Cena then gets the mic and tells Alberto to keep running and that Sunday he will regain the WWE Title.

They had a video package remembering the attack from 10 years ago that John Cena narrated.

Divas Champion Kelly Kelly vs. Vickie Guerrero. Kelly gets the pin in a quick match. Dolph Ziggler was at ringside and Jack Swagger came out and he and Ziggler argued and that distracted Vickie and allowed Kelly to get the pin. After the match Beth Phoenix comes out but Kelly see her coming, kicks Beth and then escapes.

Josh Mathews interviews Mark Henry. Henry says that people wonder why he took out Kane & Big Show and ran Sheamus through a barricade at SummerSlam. He said it was because he has been there for 15 years and that he has not been respected and given a Title match and that Orton will enter his hall of pain Sunday. This was good promo from Mark Henry.

World Champion Randy Orton vs. Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes. Mark Henry comes out to watch and Orton gets a chair and runs Henry off. Cody sneaks up from behind but Orton catches him. Henry comes back out with a chair and sits on the stage to watch and Orton walks up to him with Cody behind him. Orton goes back to the ring and Cody gives him a jumping kick off the apron. Mark Henry watches from the stage. Mark Henry then comes to ringside for a closer look. Henry then gets on the steel steps and Orton and the ref were distracted and Cody took his “protective” mask off and hit Orton with it for the pin. After the match Henry hit Orton in the back with the chair and holds up the World Title. This was really good stuff. The match was just as good as their match on Smackdown and Mark Henry being at ringside was good too.

Time for the HHH-CM Punk “Final Face Off!” Triple H comes out then Punk does. The fans chant for Punk. Punk says that the world is waiting what they’ll say to each other so Punk will start. Punk says that respects HHH and applauds him for “firing” Nash. He then says that he doesn’t like HHH and HHH doesn’t like him and that Punk always knew that and he said that HHH called him a “pompous internet darling.” HHH says that’s changed a little bit and Punk says that a little bit isn’t enough and says that HHH is just like Vince in that they share the same opinion, which is that Punk doesn’t belong in a ring with guys who fit “they’re image.” He then rags on him more and then HHH cuts him off and mentions that guys like Bret, Michaels, Foley & Rey Mysterio aren’t body builder types and they made it to the top and that Punk doesn’t need to worry about his opinion and what the fans think matter (yeah whatever). HHH tells Punk to get over with the fans if he wants to be a star (Hey Hunter he IS OVER WITH THE FANS DOOFUS)! Punk then says if we’re listening to the fans where are his WWE ice cream bars and he talks about his first “brass ring speech” from 2006 and mentions that he & HHH were on the same team at Survivor Series that year and that the fans were chanting his name. He says that what you see with him is what you get and that he would rather be hated for what is than loved for something he isn’t. HHH says that Punk had a lot of opportunities and that maybe Punk isn’t as good as he thinks (whatever). He then mentions that Cena is a guy that came from nothing and made to the biggest star in this industry and that he gets a mixed reaction but he sells out arenas. HHH says that Punk needs to worry about the fan’s opinion (Vince doesn’t). HHH then says that some like look like future stars but turn out to be nothing and vice versa. HHH & Punk then go back and forth and says that he earned everything that he got and HHH agreed. He then talks more about getting over and says that this is about the 2 of them because Punk made this a personal issue and that he will kick Punk’s ass at Night of Champions. Punk says that he is the best in the world and that he will pin HHH and that his quest doesn’t end till HHH is no longer COO. He then says that this is Phil Brooks talking to Paul Levesque. He was about to say why it is going to be so satisfying to kick his ass but they cut the mic. HHH gave Punk his mic and they cut that one too. HHH then gets a third mic and tells Punk to lay a pipe bomb on him. He offers Punk the mic and he takes and his HHH in the head with it. Punk then walked to the back to end the show. This was better than last week’s “show down.” Punk’s promo was good as always and HHH was not as good. I didn’t care for him saying that he has to get over with the fans when he already is. Overall though I thought this was a good final build promo.

I thought that overall this was better than last week’s show. Having Bret on the show was nice and I thought that they did a good job in building up the Orton-Henry match during Orton’s match with Cody. The HHH-Punk face off was pretty good too I thought. I didn’t care for HHH’s promo saying that the fans’ opinion is what matters since we all know that Vince almost NEVER listens to the fans!! On the whole though the show was much more enjoyable this week!

9-9-11 Smackdown results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the September 9, 2011 episode of Smackdown

The show starts with Mark Henry talking about how he’s been flattening everyone who stands in his way. Zack Ryder then comes out and tells Henry that he & Randy Orton will be action tonight and that they can’t interfere in each other’s matches. Henry then asks Ryder who he thinks will win the World Title match at Night of Champions him or Orton. Ryder says he would rather not say because if he says Orton then Henry will clobber him. Henry then attacks Ryder.

Ezekiel Jackson vs. Mark Henry. Henry gets the pin. This was a solid match.

Backstage Aksana is hitting on Teddy Long and he says that he has to check on Zack Ryder.

Sin Cara vs. Tyson Kidd. Cara gets the pin. This was a good back and forth match. After the match Josh Matthews goes to interview Cara but is not sure if Cara speaks English. He mentions that there has been a more aggressive side to Cara. Cara says that this is the real him and that he was holding back out of respect for the other talent but he won’t hold back anymore. Daniel Bryan then comes out and challenges Cara to a rematch for next week and Cara goes after him. Cara then locks him in a submission hold and doesn’t release it right away.

They announce Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes for tonight’s main event. They also announce Sheamus vs. Wade Barrett.

Matt Striker interviews Randy Orton backstage talking about his match with Cody Rhodes and mentions that Cody is unstable. He then talks Mark Henry attacking him last week calling it smart and calculating. He then says that Mark Henry is dangerous and unstoppable but that he will stop him with the RKO. This was a good promo from Orton.

Divas Champion Kelly Kelly vs. Natalya. Kelly gets the pin. This was a decent match.

Christian comes out and says that the Sheamus-Wade Barrett match has been postponed and so have all of tonight’s matches because Teddy Long refuses to do what is right. He then talks about the tag from last Monday and that he was the victim of a Sheamus-John Cena double team, but he still managed to compete in a steel cage for the World Title the next night and he took Randy Orton to his very limit. He then says that he deserves one more match and Sheamus’ music then plays and he comes out and tells Christian that this is getting embarrassing for everybody. He then says that says that this reminds him of when his dog had pups and they were all born strong and healthy except one and that one became scrawny. Christian then says that he doesn’t care about his Irish stories and tells him to shut his mouth. Sheamus then says that he has a match right now that he wants to get started and that Christian will not get one more match. He then tells Christian that he is out matches, chances and excuses and most importantly he is going to get out of the ring. Christian then exits the ring and heads for the back. Wade Barrett comes out for the match with Sheamus. This was a really good promo from these 2 guys.

Sheamus vs. Wade Barrett. Sheamus wins by DQ when Christian comes in and goes after Sheamus. Sheamus fights back and Wade Barrett gets Sheamus from behind and he and Christian double team him. Sheamus fights them off and Christian bails and then Sheamus gives Barrett the Brogue Kick. Christian then comes off the top rope, but Sheamus catches him and goes for the Celtic Cross but Christian slides out and heads for the hills. This was a good match and the post match action was fun to watch also. Sheamus and Christian work well together and could be a fun rivalry.

WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston & Evan Bourne vs. Jinder Mahal & Great Khali. Kofi & Bourne win when Kofi pins Mahal. Mahal got upset at Khali during the match and smacked him and then Khali shoves Mahal, which allows Kofi to hit the Trouble In Paradise for the pin. Khali then walks out and Mahal is flipping. This match was ok for what it was. Kofi & Bourne dominated most of the match, which is good since they’re both real talented.

Cody Rhodes come out and cuts a promo saying that he is an inspiration and that throughout his career he has been surrounded by people who are jealous of his abilities, his youth and his success and he overcame. He says that he was trying to inspire Ted through his success, but Ted was happy being Ted and Cody that he wouldn’t let Ted sink him so he dropped him. He then says when the anchor sunk the Intercontinental Title floated. He then talks about Orton calling him unstable and that there is a thin line between unstable and thriving. He then says that Orton gave him a chance to show just how unstable he can be. Randy Orton comes out for the match.

World Champion Randy Orton vs. Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes. Orton gets the pin. Mark Henry comes out after the match and clobbers Orton and gets a chair, places it over Orton and sits on and chokes him saying he want the World Title. That ended the show. This was rally fun match and the post match attack by Mark Henry was really good too.

I thought that this a good show on the whole with some good matches. I liked Cara-Kidd, the Sheamus-Christian promo was really good and so was the Sheamus-Wade Barrett match and the post match action. Mark Henry’s opening promo was really good too. He continues to look like the monster that he is. They’re doing a good job with him. Cody Rhodes cut a good pre match promo too. He and Orton also had a really good match and the post match attack by Mark Henry was entertaining. Overall this was more enjoyable show.

9-8-11 Impact results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the September 8, 2011 episode of Impact

The show starts with Ken Anderson saying that he’s been a man of few words and has been attacking everyone. He mentions that he agreed to be part of Immortal as a business decision and he says it wasn’t a good one and he goats the crowd into booing him. He mentions that because of Bully Ray he is out of Immortal and he has something to say to Ray and that is, “Thank you.” He then says that they’ll hate him more than they do and starts tonight saying he’s going after Kurt Angle. He then talks about how Angle’s been busy ducking Sting that he forgot that Anderson has a rematch. He then mentions how he knows it won’t be one on one because Immortal will come out. He then says that he will not be coming out alone later. Sting’s music plays and he comes out and mentions how Immortal cost him the match with Kurt Angle last week but he’s still there. He says that this week The Network is letting him call the shots tonight and that he will be the special enforcer for the Anderson-Angle match. He then goes on more about how he is going to take out Hogan. This was a typical TNA opening segment. This whole Network storyline makes no sense. Hogan is running the show one week and The Network lets Sting run it the next. This is really old.

Pope D’Angelo Dinero & Devon vs. The British Invasion to see who will challenge Mexican America for the Tag Titles at No Surrender. Pope & Devon win when Devon pins Williams. This was a solid match. Mexican America were on commentary. I don’t get this! Why are Devon & Pope now a team and all buddy-buddy after months of Devon saying he doesn’t trust Pope? Also I thought Samoa Joe “injured” Pope & Devon and they were out of the Bound For Glory Series. How come they’re in a match now?

Kurt Angle is backstage saying it doesn’t matter that Sting is the guest Enforcer for his match with Anderson. Then some guy named Eddie Alvarez walks in and he & Angle chat and walk off.

Jeremy Borash is in the ring with the final 4 and Ray tells him to get out. He then talks about how he is going to win the BFG Series and says that Beer Money will be known as one of the greatest tag teams of all time not just in TNA but all over the World. He then says that Tag Teams never ask each other how they can be by themselves, but all the great teams have. He then says that Gunner will make sure that Ray wins the series and that Storm and Roode will do what’s best for themselves because wrestlers are selfish. He then mentions that if anyone gets hurt tonight they won’t be competing in the series. Roode gets the mic and says that what Ray said won’t affect him. He then mentions that he & Storm have their eyes set on becoming World Champion. He then mentions how only one of them will challenge for the Title at BFG and that man will be the better man and he asks Ray who the better man will be and says it obviously won’t be Gunner and it sure won’t be Ray’s. He says he’s going to promise the Beer Money fans that at BFG whether it’s Roode or Storm walking out with the World Title they’ll share the moment together. This was a good segment. Ray & Roode both cut great promos.

TV Champion Eric Young vs. Robbie E for the Title. Young gets the pin. This was a good back and forth match despite both guys being comedy acts. After the match Rob Terry comes out and attacks Eric Young.

RVD goes into Jerry Lynn’s dressing room and says that he screwed him out of the Title. Lynn says that it’s always RVD who gets the offers and that Lynn is only brought in because promoters know that he & RVD have good matches. Lynn says that he is better than RVD and RVD punches him.

Mickie James & Velvet Sky are talking about their tag match later and Velvet congratulates Mickie on regaining the Knockouts Title then says that she’s wondered what it would be like to have the belt around her waist. Karen Jarrett then comes in and tells Mickie that Winter will have a rematch for the Knockouts Title at No Surrender and then she tells Velvet to lose weight. That was idiotic. This was dull.

They show Jeff Hardy coming into the building.

Ken Anderson vs. TNA World Champion Kurt Angle for the Title. Angle has Anderson pinned but Sting yanks the ref out. Anderson wins by DQ when Immortal comes out. Sting then comes in and Immortal clobber him too. This was a really good back and forth match right up till the DQ finish.

Immortal are backstage celebrating and Bischoff is on the phone and tells them to take the celebration outside. Bischoff is on the phone with someone and doesn’t like what he hears. This was really idiotic!

Knockouts Champion Mickie James & Velvet Sky vs. Winter & Angelina Love. Winter & Angelina win when Winter pins Mickie after spewing blood in her face.

Austin Aries comes to the ring and talks about his match with Brian Kendrick for the X Title and he calls Kendrick a hypocrite saying that he’s been preaching love and piece but has been attacking him and was about to offer him to come out but Kendrick’s music hits and he comes out in a suit. He says that he talks in ways that people don’t get and he says that he wants to be successful like Aries. He says that received a lot of compliments for being clean. He then asks the fans if they like this version of Brian Kendrick. The fans boo and Kendrick says that getting dressed up isn’t him. He then talks about how people are cowards when they dress up and then continues to talk his usual nonsense. Aries says that Kendrick has something that should be his, the X Title. Kendrick calls the belt a piece of material (you know Russo had to have written that one). Aries then calls Kendrick a fake and afraid. Kendrick then attacks him and Aries bails. This was a mixed bag promo.

Hulk Hogan comes into Bischoff’s office all thrilled that Anderson and Sting got taken out and Bischoff looks upset. He then tells Hogan that he got a call from The Network saying that because of the Immortal attack it will be Ken Anderson vs. Sting vs. Kurt Angle for the World Title at No Surrender. Hogan then flips out and says that it can’t get any worse. This was painful. I’m really tired of Hogan & Bischoff and the whole Network-Immortal storyline.

James Storm vs. Bully Ray vs. Bobby Roode vs. Gunner in a 4 way match. Samoa Joe comes out and Matt Morgan comes out and attacks him from behind and security breaks it up. Gunner wins when he pins Ray. This was a pretty good match.  

Jeff Hardy comes out to talk about what’s been happening the past 6 months. He mentions the Victory Road PPV from March and says that he had personal issues that made the show not do well and mentions that he let down the fans, the company and the other wrestlers. He says he realizes that he might not be forgiven, but he wants one more chance to prove himself. The fans chant “One more shot” as Jeff puts down the mic and exits the ring to end the show. (Note: Jeff Hardy FINALLY had his day in court TODAY from his arrest 2 YEARS ago and was sentenced to 10 days in prison and just under 3 years probation.) Way to go TNA! They air his return the same day he gets thrown in the clink. They knew that this could happen and they go ahead with it anyway!

I thought that this show overall was a mixed bag. I liked the Anderson-Angle match till the finish and the Roode-Ray promo was great! The 4 way match was good too I thought. I hated the Hogan-Bischoff segment and I wasn’t crazy about the Jeff Hardy promo. It was a typical episode of Impact. There was some good wrestling mixed in with the usual idiotic booking. That’s TNA for you!