1-31-13 Impact results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the January 31, 2013 taped episode of Impact

The show starts with Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian coming to the ring wearing kilts & they have their faces painted. Kazarian says that the international incident are here for the fans’ viewing pleasure. It’s throw back Thursday & they’re throwing it back to the 13^th century. They pay homage to the true UK warriors, the Scotts. Kazarian says Daniels should be World Champion & is the man who will be king. Daniels hears the fans booing. He knows they’re disappointed Jeff Hardy’s still world champion. They are too but they had no idea that Jeff’s face paint was toxic. If it weren’t for Kazarian & his epi pen he wouldn’t be here tonight. When he finally becomes king of this company he promises to defend the title, even against the English because there’s nothing easier than beating the English. He gives the fans permission to worship them now. Then Magnus makes his return. He has his own theory on why Daniels isn’t champion. It might be because Jeff Hardy beat him like he owed him money in the middle of the ring 1-2-3. Daniels might be a grown man who uses strange words. He calls them disrespectful Muppets & says that they need a good thrashing. If they feel like fighting an Englishman they can fight him. Daniels says as they in this arm pit of a country, in for a penny in for a pound. Then they double team Magnus. Magnus makes the come back & tosses them out of he ring. Then Magnus says it’s an honor to get between the ropes and do what the fans pay to see them do. That was taken from him by Aces & 8s.  Since this is open fight night he calls out Devon. Devon comes out. Break time. This was a good way to begin the show. Daniels & Kazarian were good like usual & Magnus cut a good promo too. Of course the fans popped huge for Magnus since they’re in Manchester.

Back from break. Magnus vs. TV Champion Devon. Magnus wins by DQ Doc & Mike Knox come out but Magnus knocks them off the apron & he poses as Aces & 8s retreat. The match was good & the finish was ok.

They show a Joseph Park video package.

Ray, Sting & Brooke are backstage. Ray says he’s texted Hulk and hasn’t heard from him. Sting says he heard from Hulk and he said he will be there. Brooke says that she doesn’t even no what’s happening & then she tries to try using her phone. Whatever. This was weak. This storyline really doesn’t work for me.

Joseph Park comes to the ring. He says how lively the fans are. Then he says after a week of picking who to call out it’s been a tough decision. Before he can say who he will be calling out, Robbie E & Robbie T show up. Robbie E says this must be a joke. He tells Joseph the last thing he is is a wrestler “bro.” He’s just a hamster like all the UK fans. He says that again and Robbie T glares at him. E says T is the exception because he lives in America & is basically an American. Robbie E says Joseph should fight him. Joseph says he’s on.

Joseph Park vs. Robbie E. Joseph gets the pin. This was solid.

Hulk Hogan is in the arena on his cell phone.

Austin Aries & Bobby Roode come to the ring. Aries says the 2 most valuable members of the Impact roster continue to be robbed. But now they’re going to user in a new era. They will collect all the gold. The Knockouts Title, The TV Title, Aries will take the World Title. Aries says they’ll start with the tag titles since they’re the easiest belts to challenge for. Roode says Hernandez & Chavo are a bunch of wankers like the fans. Then out come Hernandez & Chavo. Chavo asks if they’re crazy. Last time he checked Aries & Roode weren’t a team. Chavo says to get a tag title shot they have to be a tag team. Aries says that he & Roode are a team and that Roode beat Hernandez fair and square. Chavo says since it is open fight night why don’t they fight tonight. Aries accepts & if he wins, then he & Roode get to challenge Hernandez & Chavo for the tag titles.

TNA World Tag Team Champion Chavo Guerrero, Jr. vs. Austin Aries. Aries gets the pin. This was a solid match too. Chavo hit the frog splash on Aries and then Roode got in the ring. Hernandez went after him and Hebner got tied up with Hernandez. Then Aries hit a kick on Chavo in the corner & followed that up with a brain buster for the win.

Back to Ray & Brooke backstage. Brooke says Hulk is there.

Kurt Angle is backstage with Samoa Joe, Wes Briscoe & Garrett Bischoff. Angle says he can’t believe Anderson is part of Aces & 8s. Joe says there will be no interference from Aces & 8s. Then he tells Wes & Garrett they don’t need their help. Angle says Joe’s just being Joe but he’s the kind of guy he needs. I’m tried of these segments.

Time to show the video package recapping the Hulk-Ray-Brooke-Aces & 8s storyline.

Bully Ray & Brooke Hogan come out. Ray says it’s been a rough couple of weeks for him & Brooke. He loves Brooke and its his love for her that got him suspended by her dad. Then he calls Hulk family & he says that they have a common enemy in Aces & 8s. Ray needs Hulk to lift his suspension. Brooke, Ray & the fans haven’t managed to do it but there’s 1 guy who can & that’s Sting. Out comes Sting. He says it feels good to be back in the UK. He tells Ray that he doesn’t have the stroke to pull Hulk out there but the fans do. He tells them to chant Hogan and they do. Sting continues to lead the fans in a Hogan chant & out comes The Hulkster. Ray holds the ropes open for the Hulkster. Then Sting says they got a war zone going with Aces & 8s. Sting can’t think of a better place than to make things right, right here, right now. Hulk says that he did the right thing when he walked Brooke down the aisle. Then he says that he will to the right thing again. He lifts Ray’s suspension. Then Hulk says that next week Sting & Ray (his new son in law) will face Aces & 8s in a tables match. Then Hulk & Ray shake hands. This was hokey. I’m really tired of this whole bit with Hulk, Brooke & Ray. Now they finally buried the hatchet & Ray & Sting will face 2 Aces & 8 guys next week. We’ll see how that match is.

Dixie Carter announces that Impact will be taped on the road starting March 14. That taping will be in Chicago. She thanks the fans for making Impact Wrestling a success.

Velvet Sky comes to the ring. She has something she has to get off her chest. Tonight’s a special night for her. Because it’s open fight night she can call out the 2 reasons why she’s not Knockouts Champion. She tells Tara & Jessie to come to the ring. They come out. Velvet says it’s not a handicap match. While they were drinking their protein shakes she got herself a partner. He drinks, but not protein shakes. James Storm comes to the ring.

Velvet Sky & James Storm vs. Knockouts Champion Tara & Jessie. Velvet & Storm win when Velvet pins Tara. This was a decent match.

Time for an update on Jeff Hardy. Tenay says Jeff had an MRI on his knee and there will be more details on Jeff’s injury next week.

Hulk & Brooke are outside the arena. Hulk says Ray isn’t really a bad guy. The way he fought for him & Brooke, he’s ok in Hulk’s book. No matter what happens they’re all in this together. He figured he’d give his “son in law” a wedding present by having him team with Sting to face Aces & 8s (Devon & Doc).

They show clips of the Kurt Angle-Ken Anderson steel cage match from Lockdown 2010. That was a great match.

Ken Anderson says Aces & 8s have showed him more brother hood than TNA has the past 2 and a half years he’s been there. He’s ready for Kurt Angle in the cage. Angle isn’t leaving the way he comes in.

Cut to backstage we see that Samoa Joe who has been attacked. Angle says that his match is up next & tells Wes & Garrett to get a doctor.

Kurt Angle vs. Ken Anderson in a steel cage match. Angle wins by submission. This was a really good match. Then a masked Aces & 8s guy climbs inside the cage. Wes Briscoe unlocks the cage door to get in. Then the masked guy reveals himself to be (no surprise) Garrett Bischoff. Angle goes after Garret and then Wes Briscoe but he clips Angle’s knee from behind. Then they double team him. This ends the show. SO Wes & Garrett finally revealed themselves to be Aces & 8 guys. I’m not sure why Garrett took his mask off since the masks are supposed to have a big meaning. I also don’t get why Ken Anderson, Web Briscoe & Taz revealed themselves to be part of this stable without ever having masks at all, or why Devon, Mike Knox & Doc are still there after they lost their masks. The match was good & I knew the heel turns from Wes & Garrett were coming. (Note: This part of the show was taped before the opening).

I thought this was a decent show overall. The Daniels & Kazarian promo that started the show was good. Magnus was really good too here. The Magnus-Devon match was good too. They were good on the mic like always. The Kurt Angle-Ken Anderson cage match was really good. The Wes & Garrett heel turns I knew were coming & that wasn’t really much. The Aries & Roode promo was good too & Chavo-Hernandez was solid. The mixed tag match was decent too. The in ring bit with Hulk, Brooke, Ray & Sting was typical Hogan nonsense. The Joseph Park segment with Robbies E & T was decent and the Park-Robbie match was also solid. So overall I thought this was a decent to solid show.

1-28-13 Raw results and thoughts

       Coverage and thoughts on the January 28, 2013 episode of Raw

The show starts with Vickie in the GM office with 3 roulette wheels. She says that tonight’s event will be out of her hands. There are 3 wheels. The wheel of superstars, the wheel of stipulations and the wheel of Vickie. Tonight Antonio Cesaro will face Randy Orton. She spins the wheel and it lands on guest referee.

CM Punk & Paul Heyman come to the ring. Punk says this is day 435 of his title reign. He did not lose. He beat Rock and is the new people’s champion. He screams that he did not lose. Punk says fans want to get behind a cheater, someone who pin the champion without help. The fans are all cheaters just like Vince & Rock. Punk was champion for 434 and never had to have any match restarted illegally. Punk says he screwed in Phoenix just like Bret in Montreal. Punk says Rock’s gonna come out & they’re gonna throw a party. Punk says that in his world there are no restarts, or water breaks. HHHHe will crash the party. Then Vince comes out. Punk screams to Vince that he is a thief. Vince says that Vince has a video tape that he got from a mystery source, proving that Punk is aligned with The Shield. Heyman says if I may, Vince says he may not. Vince then tells Heyman that there will be a performance review. This could lead to Heyman’s termination. Thankfully this was a lot shorter than I thought it would be. Punk was good on the mic as usual. I have a feeling the Vince-Heyman segment is going to be painful though.

Randy Orton vs. U.S. Champion Antonio Cesaro with guest referee, The Miz. (Really? As he would say). Orton gets the pin to win the title. The match was solid but did they have to have Cesaro lose to Orton? Naturally Miz & Cesaro had words & that lead to Orton hitting Cesaro with the RKO for the pin. Afterwards Miz picks up Cesaro & gives him the Skull Crushing Finale. I have know idea why the buried Cesaro tonight!

Back to the roulette wheels. The Vickie wheel lands on “Make me laugh.” The camera pans to Ryback. She tells Ryback to make her laugh. He snorts & walks out.

Then Ryback comes to the ring. Break time. Back from break & The Primetime Players are in the ring & so is Matt Striker. They will face Ryback in a “Make me laugh” challenge. (How about a make it stop challenge!) The Players go first. Titus asks what’d a woman say to Striker when he asked her out on a date. Daren says anybody got time for that. The fans boo and Titus says they wouldn’t know entertainment if it hit them in the face. Ryback’s turn. He says what has 4 eyes, 20 fingers & is about to be unconscious? The Players go after Ryback but he makes short work of them & gives Titus Shell Shock. Feed him more. Striker says that made him laugh so Ryback wins the challenge. Then Ryback kicks Striker in the gut and then gives him Shell Shock too. This was really idiotic!! Vince has truly lost his mind if he thinks this crap is actually funny!

They show a Bob Backlund video package. This was really good and it really shows how bad this show has been so far.

Back to the wheel. It lands on Player’s choice. Wade Barrett gets to pick who he will face next.

Wade Barrett is in the ring. He wants to fight the NXT rookie Bo Dallas. Las night was the greatest moment for Dallas when he eliminated Barrett in the rumble match. Tonight Barrett will end his career with the Barrett Barrage. Then out comes Bo Dallas

Bo Dallas vs. Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett. Dallas gets the pin. This was solid. Barrett dominated most of this and then Dallas hit an out of nowhere snap power slam for the pin. It looks like they’re going to have a Dallas-Barrett program for the Intercontinental Title

Back to Vickie spinning the wheel. It lands on John Cena. Then the camera shows Cody Rhodes. He will face Cena next (and more than likely get squashed & made to look like a jobber because no one can beat Super Cena)!

They show that Cena is now on the box of Fruity & cocoa pebbles and then they have a tale of the tape for Cena & Fred Flintstone. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes. Cena gets the pin. During the match Cody gets the mic and says this is a waste “of Cody Rhodes” and is leaving. He goes to leave but Cena throws him back in the ring. Then he gives Cody the AA for the pin. This was terrible too! Cody got buried by Super Cena!

Then Cena gets the mic (I’m dreading this promo)! He says that by the sound of it some of the fans didn’t pick him to win the rumble. The other 29 guys can come out and say they should have won the rumble, but he can say that he did win. Throwing Ryback over the top was a big step but only the first 1. The next step is to issue a challenge to the champion of their choosing to face at WrestleMania. This is the most difficult decision for him because World Title aside either person holds the WWE Championship going into WrestleMania will be Punk or Rock. Cena says that Punk has beaten him every time. Then he says Rock is a man who he openly spoke about before Rock returned to WWE because he wanted Rock to challenge him. Cena mentions how important that night was to him. For 1 year he jousted with The Rock and Cena says there were moments when Rock couldn’t carry his jock strap. Then on April 1 it was all for nothing because he lost. The fans chant Rocky. Cena says he has a difficult choice and what better to understand that than Las Vegas. Which title should he challenge for? The World Title, which he knows he can win, or the WWE Title, which he has no chance of winning. He looks at the WrestleMania sign, the fans chant Rocky & Cena says he will challenge the WWE Champion. This goes as a message to Punk & Rock. They’re both marked men by Cena.

Then out come The Shield through the crowed. He brings the fight to them but they get the upper hand. Then out comes Sheamus and The Shield triple team him. Then out comes Ryback. He throws Ambrose & Rollins out of the ring. Then fights with Reigns. The other 2 pull Ryback out of the ring and get the advantage. They send Ryback into the steel steps. Then they send Sheamus into the post. Cena tries to make a comeback but The Shield get the upper hand & give Super Cena the triple power bomb. Cena’s promo was not as bad as last week’s but it still made no sense. Rock wasn’t in his league when they had their back & forth promos? Who is he kidding!? Rock had to dumb down his promos so Cena could keep up with him! I guess Punk will get his rematch against Rock for the title the way Cena was yapping. When The Shield came out I was worried that he was gonna squash them too, but they got the upper hand. Then having Sheamus & Ryback come out to brawl with The Shield was solid too. It looks like they might have Cena, Sheamus & Ryback vs. The Shield. That should be in a war games elimination chamber match.

Back to Vickie & the wheel. It lands on lingerie pillow fight. The camera pans to Tensai. He says he’s a monster. Brodus Clay is in there too. Tensai walks out & Vickie tells Brodus that she won’t let them be in that kind of match. Brodus spins the Vickie Wheel & it lands on dance off. He will tell Tensai about the change. God help me!!

Out comes Brodus Clay (This match is going to be just as idiotic as the rest of this show has been)! Break time (For me too. A break from this crap)!

Back from break. Jerry Lawler is in the ring & so is Tensai. Tensai says, “Let’s just get this over with.” (My thoughts exactly)! Then Tensai de robes and has a lingerie top on. King tells him it’s a dance off now. Brodus forgot to tell him. King says each guy will get 15 seconds to dance (And pretty much make me sicker than I’m already feeling). Brodus dances first. Tensai wants nothing to do with this. King tells him what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. King promises. Brodus tells Tensai to give hip a little tap. Then Tensai, Brodus & the chicks dance for a bit (Michael Cole said this is god awful and that someone should blow up the roulette wheel. I totally agree). Then they show Ron Simmons watching backstage on a monitor and he says “damn.” This was really awful and I mean really really awful! King said what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas? I say whatever the hell happens in Vince’s f’d up head should stay in his head!! GOD HELP ME PLEASE!!!! I CAN’T TAKE THIS!!!

Back to the wheel. It lands on body slam challenge. The camera then pans to Alberto Del Rio. Vickie tells Del Rio that she’s seen a few tricks but Del Rio slamming Big Show will be the biggest trick she will ever see. Del Rio says in Vegas anything can happen.

World Champion Alberto Del Rio vs. Big Show in a body slam challenge. Show swats away Ricardo. Del Rio & Show go at it for a bit and then Show gives Del Rio the KO punch. Then Show gets some tape. Ricardo tries to do something and Show kicks him. Then Show tapes Del Rio’s wrist to the rope. Ricardo crawls over to Del Rio and Show kicks him and throws him back to the corner. Then he gives Ricardo a chop and Ricardo falls. Big Show continues to pound Ricardo as Alberto can only watch. Then Show throws Ricardo into the ring barrier. Then he throws Ricardo back in the ring & slams him. Then Big Show kicks Del Rio a couple times and then puts more tape on Del Rio’s already taped wrist. Then Show picks up Ricardo & chops him to the mat. Then he picks up Ricardo, screams at Del Rio for making a fool out of him and then he gives Ricardo the KO punch. Then Show grabs Del Rio’s leg & kicks him down. Del Rio tries to fight back but Show keeps kicking and then he gives Del Rio the KO punch. This was a good segment. I’m glad they had something good on here but God knows how many fans might have turned the show off already. I’m really curious how bad the viewing number for hour 3 will be. Despite the rest of this show sucking, this was a better segment. Big Show did a good job here being all pissed off & having him tape Del Rio to the ropes and then beat down Ricardo was well done.

The Divas are surrounding the ring in Las Vegas show girl costumes for a Las Vegas Lumber Jill match.

Divas Champion Kaitlyn vs. Tamina Snuka. Naturally the other Divas get in the ring and start brawling with each other and the match was a no finish. This was just as terrible as the rest of this show.

The Rock comes to the ring (I really hope to God this will be entertaining)! The fans go nuts for him and he soaks it in. He says there’s only 1 word that can describe tonight’s spirit. 1 word that symbolizes his entire journey. That word is finally. “Finally The Rock has come back to Las Vegas! And Finally The Rock is WWE Champion“. The fans chant Rocky. Rocks says from 1998 to 2003 he won the WWE Title 7 times and after 10 years he can say that this is the proudest moment. He’s thanked his friends and family. Now he thanks the fans. For 434 days Punk came out and ran his mouth saying the fans didn’t count. Rock says that those crap days are over. No longer will Punk come out running his mouth with Heyman. Then Rock rags on Heyman. Tonight we user in The People’s Era. Tonight he & the fans will celebrate. Then CM Punk comes out. He tells the fans no one asked them for their irrelevant opinion. He tells Rock for 434 days he made that title special. Rock didn’t win the title. It was handed to him just like everything has. If Rock were a man he would recognize that the WWE Title is prestigious because Punk made it that way. If Rock had any respect for his father or grandfather he would give Punk back the title and then apologize for tarnishing what Punk made so great. Rock says if Punk had an ounce of man hood he would walk down that ramp and come and take it. Rock tells Punk he has 2 choices. He can face like a man in the ring or he stand on the stage like a punk ass b***ch. Punk goes to ringside but then says he will stand on the stage because CM Punk doesn’t do things on Rock’s terms. Punk does things when he wants to. He might grant Rock a rematch. Punk will grant Rock his rematch in 3 weeks. He tells Rock to show up if he dares. Rock says Punk’s got the match but isn’t taking the title. The only thing Punk will be taking is the beating of life time. “If ya smell what The Rock is cookin!” This was really good. Both guys were great on the mic as usual. I’m hoping their match at Elimination Chamber will be as good as their Rumble match was.

They show Damien Sandow spinning the wheel courtesy of WWE App. It lands on Tables match. Vickie says tonight’s match will be a tables match. Sandow says, “How observant of you.”

Sheamus vs. Damien Sandow in a tables match. Sheamus wins when puts Sandow through a table in the corner. This was a solid match.

Lawler, Ryder, Khali, Hornswoggle & Natalya are in the ring. King says Khali & Ryder will each sing a WWE super star’s theme. Khali goes first. He will be singing Shawn Michaels theme. Khali was way off. This is really terrible. Then out come 3MB. Slater has a question. “Are you kidding me?” They get in the ring and Drew says, “You call this music?” Jinder says 3MB is music. Ryder says he’s a pop artist & he wrote his own song. Khali likes head banging. Heath says they’re the real singers or whatever. Then Khali chops McIntyre. Then Slater & Jinder go after Khali & Ryder. Khali chops Slater & then Hornswoggle gives Slater a tadpole splash. Cole apologizes to the fans for this dreck. Vince should be the guy who apologizes for this idiotic show!

Chris Jericho comes to the ring (This has got to be better than the karaoke segment). The fans chant Y2J. He welcomes everyone to Raw is Jericho. He says it’s great to be back in WWE. He was only gone for 6 months but it felt like 6 years. Last night at the rumble was 1 of the greatest moments of his career. He thanks the fans and says that it will be something he will never EVER forget again! Then out come Dolph, Langston & AJ. Dolph says he’s glad Jericho had a great time before he eliminated him. Then he asks Jericho what he’s doing here because he doesn’t work here anymore. AJ says that she was Raw GM at the time & she was the one who personally got Y2J terminated. Jericho tells “Ziggy” to put AJ on a leash. Langston tells Jericho to leave before he ruins his return. Jericho asks what the E in his name stands for. He says he can put a giant drink on his pecks. Dolph says Jericho doesn’t belong there anymore. Then Vickie shows up on the Tron and says that she signed Jericho. Then she spins the wheel and it lands on strange bed fellows. That means Jericho & Dolph will be teaming up & will face Kane & Daniel Bryan. The champs come to the ring. This was a bit weak. I’m not a fan of the “Guys feuding team up” bit. Jericho’s promo felt kind of forced & I wasn’t into him commenting on Big E’s pecks. That came off lame. They’re also continuing to make Dolph look really weak.

WWE Tag Team Champions Kane & Daniel Bryan vs. Chris Jericho & Dolph Ziggler. Kane & Daniel win when Kane pins Dolph. This was pointless. Kane & Daniel argued and shoved each other. Then Jericho hit Kane in the back and then tagged in Dolph. Jericho walked up the ramp. Kane thought Dolph hit him and then he choke slammed Dolph for the pin.

Trish Stratus is the latest inductee into the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame. They show a video package for Trish. 3 for 3 so far. Trish is also a well deserving Hall of Fame talent. She’s easily 1 of the best female wrestlers/all around female performers. This was really well done.

Vince is in the ring. He says everybody knows he loves to have fun. The best place for that is in Las Vegas. He tells Heyman to come on down and that Punk was escorted out of the arena. Vince tells Heyman to come out and they don’t have all night. Out comes Paul Heyman. He gets a slight ECW chant. Heyman offers Vince his hand. Vince asks the fans if he should. They say no but Vince does. Then he gives Heyman the mic so he can squirt some disinfectant on his hands. He asks Heyman if he’s ever had The Shield or Brad Maddox under contract. Heyman thanks Vince for letting him come out here, look Vince in the eye and settle this once and for all. Then Heyman says that he’s had nothing to do with Maddox or The Shield. Vince asks if Heyman has ever lied. Heyman says in the MSG dressing room he heard Vince sr. say something about adversity. Heyman says he has lied every day of his life because he is a promoter. That’s what promoters do. He doesn’t regret it but he swears to Vince that he is not lying now. Vince asks if Heyman’s an honorable man. Heyman says he’s trying to and maybe he can learn from Vince (Yeah right). He says if takes being honorable to remain in WWE then that’s what he will be. Vince has the camera zoom in on Heyman’s face. Vince then has the footage he talked about before be played. They show Heyman with Maddox. Heyman says when he & Punk came to him, he was floundering in NXT. They paid him to do a job. When they paid The Shield they got the job done. They’re more affective than Maddox is. Then The Shield shows up & Maddox says he will leave. Heyman tells him to take this beating like a man. He wants Maddox to chalk this up to a learning experience. Then The Shield beat on Maddox. The fans chant you got busted at Heyman. Vince tells Heyman this is a personal performance review. Heyman says that wasn’t him. Then he screams to the fans that his career is on the line. He says that Vince knows what it’s like to be falsely accused. Heyman says that he has a thick New York Jewish accent that is easy to imitate. There are a lot of impersonators in Vegas. Heyman says he is being set up because of his success with ECW & with Punk. Vince asks if that was Maddox & The Shield. Heyman says it was, but that wasn’t Heyman. Vince asks the fans if Heyman’s lying and if he deserves to be fire. They all cheer of course. Vince has to wish Heyman well in his future endeavors. In other words….Then Brock Lesnar comes out. The fans chant Lesnar. Brock gets in Vince’s face and the 2 stare at each other. Vince says if he were Brock he wouldn’t do something he would regret. Heyman says he has this under control and begs Brock to leave the ring. Then Brock picks up Vince & gives him an F5. Heyman tells Lesnar no more and pleads with him to back off. Brock walks out of the ring to end the show. I wasn’t into this. It was more of Vince berating Heyman. Heyman was good with his promo as usual but Vince was really hard to take. Him asking Heyman if he ever lied was stupid since we all know Vince has many times. Heyman saying that he can learn to be an honorable man from Vince was idiotic too. I liked Brock Lesnar coming out however & thought him giving Vince the F5 & Heyman getting hysterical was good.

I wasn’t into this week’s show overall. There was a lot of dreck on here. The Ryback-Primetime Players “Funny man” contest, The Brodus-Tensai bit, Khali, Ryder & 3MB were all a complete waste of time!! I liked Big Show taping Del Rio’s wrist to the rope and then Big Show beating on Ricardo while Del Rio couldn’t do anything. The Rock-Punk segment was good. They were both good on the mic like always. The Jericho-Dolph segment I thought was weak & the “Strange bedfellows” tag match was pointless. They continue to make Dolph look like a loser. Orton-Cesaro was ok but having Miz be the referee & Cesaro losing was idiotic too. Sheamus-Sandow was solid, Kaitlyn-Tamina wasn’t much. Having the other Divas in the show girl costumes was idiotic also. I liked the video package for Trish too. Cena’s promo was a bit long & I knew that he was going to go for the WWE Title. I was fine with The Cena, Ryback & Sheamus brawl with The Shield however. On the whole though I thought this week’s show was really painful to watch!

1-25-13 Smackdown results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the January 25, 2013 episode of Smackdown

The show starts with Kane & Daniel Bryan coming to the ring. Before they speak they reshow highlights of their “graduation ceremony” and JBL mentioned how everyone around the world hugged. That was lousy. Back to Smackdown, Kane says they’ve come out to address that started this week (hello rumors). That they’ve somehow gone soft because they’ve learned to channel their anger. Daniel then says nothing could be further from the truth. Kane then says that for those who don’t believe them to just watch the Royal Rumble because after they beat Cody & Sandow, and retain the tag titles (Daniel screams yes after both comments) then Kane is going to throw 29 other superstars over the top rope, win the rumble & go on to WrestleMania. Daniel starts to shout yes again but then asks Kane, “What did you just say?” Kane says Daniel heard him and says that he is going to win the rumble match. Then Kane tells Daniel that he has been in 13 rumbles, which is the most ever. In 1 rumble he eliminated 11 guys (That was 2001). He says that’s also the most ever. Then Daniel reminds Kane that he never actually won a rumble. Daniels says that’s exactly what he will do this Sunday. Then Kane says he’s winning the rumble and then Daniel says that he’s winning. They go back about that. Then Big Show’s music & he comes out. He says that no one cares about Kane & Daniel’s plans. They both have 1 in 30 chance of winning the rumble (So do the other 28) while he on the other hand has a 100 % guaranteed chance if regaining the World Title from Del Rio. Big Show tells Kane & Daniel that they only plans that they should be making are retirement plans, because if they consider making a career suicide choice by deciding to face Big Show at WrestleMania…Daniel then cuts Big Show off & remind Big Show that he beat him for the World Title last year. Big Show then says that he’s not having any of Daniel’s crap tonight. Big Show then says that Del Rio stole his World Title. Del Rio snuck into the World Title picture like some creepy crawling nasty little cockroach, scurrying across the boarder. This Sunday Big Show will squish that bug, and if Kane & Daniel don’t get out of his ring right now he will squish both off them. Kane tells Big Show that he & Daniel aren’t a couple of bugs, “Big man.” They’re the tag team champions & they’re not going anywhere. Then Daniel says, “In other words NO!” He shouts no a few times. Then out come Rhodes Scholars. Sandow tells Kane & Daniel that they’re making a critical error, putting the cart before the horse, or in their case before the goat (Can they stop with the goat beard gag?). Sandow then says that they should be more concerned with the tag title match this Sunday. Then Sandow says that just as goliath underestimated David, Kane & Daniel are underestimating Team Rhodes Scholars & he assures them this Sunday at the rumble their destruction of Kane & Daniel will be of Biblical proportions. Cody tells Sandow that he’s wasting his breath. “Look at who we’re talking to. Look who we’re talking in front of (The fans).” Cody says he will put this in a language that all simpletons can understand. Sandow says that’s all the fans. Cody then says that at the rumble he & Damien will take the tag titles. Then Sandow proposes an alliance with Big Show. Big Show isn’t thrilled with that. Then Sandow says that by this time next week all 3 of them will be champions, how about they set an example for the entire WWE by decimating Kane & Daniel, “Post haste.” Then out come Alberto Del Rio & Ricardo Rodriguez. Del Rio stares down Big Show while Kane & Daniel stare down Cody & Sandow. Then of course Booker T comes out. He appreciates them wanting to fight because that’s what they do on Smackdown; they fight (After the long promo to start the show). Then Booker says that tonight’s main event will be Del Rio, Kane & Daniel vs. Big Show, Sandow & Cody in a 6 man tag team elimination match. “Now can you dig that? SUCKA!?” Cody & Sandow exit the ring. Then Big Show goes after Del Rio but Del Rio trips him into the turnbuckle. They stare down Big Show & Del Rio winks at him. Then Big Show leaves the ring and topples over the steel steps. This was the same “Guys come out & cut promos, their rivals come out & Booker sets up a tag match” segment that they start Smackdown with EVERY Night, because that’s what they do on Smackdown. I’m also tired of hearing JBL say they fight on Friday nights & Booker saying it here was stupid. They fight on Friday nights AFTER the weekly long winded promos that start the show every week!

Sheamus vs. Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett. Sheamus gets the pin. This was a good match.

They reshow The Rock-Shield-Punk segment from Monday.

They show CM Punk & Paul Heyman talking backstage.

Natalya vs. Rosa Mendes. Natalya wins by submission. This wasn’t much. Khali, Hornswoggle, Primo & Epico were on commentary. Hornswoggle danced on the announce table. That distracted Rosa and then Natalya rolled her up & got her in the Sharpshooter for the win.

CM Punk & Paul Heyman come to the ring. Punk says that he is so frightened that he can’t sleep. What he’s afraid of is his own potential. 432 days as WWE Champion and everything you see around you. The ring, the Tron, Raw, Smackdown the Royal Rumble, WrestleMania it self. This is all just a surface that Punk has just begun to scratch at and that keeps him up at night, that’s terrifying. 1 thing jeopardizes 432 days of unparalleled brilliance. 1 thing stands in the way. 1 thing can make those 432 days go up in smoke like that. It’s not The Rock. Rock is a man, he is breakable & Punk will break him. What Punk is talking about is The Shield. Because of The Shield’s & their independent actions a stipulation has been put in place that was made official by a letter that was handed down by Vince. Heyman takes out the letter and shows it to the camera. Then Heyman reads the letter, which says, “As per the chairman of WWE if The Shield gets involved in the WWE Championship match at the Royal Rumble you CM Punk will be officially stripped of the championship.” Then Punk says that now because of The Shield the toupee wearing promoter, Vince McMahon wants to swoop in & try to do what no man could physically do. Taking what belongs to him, the WWE Title. Then Punk says that take doesn’t really fit the picture. Punk says that Vince is trying to steal the WWE Title from him. It looks like the champ has a problem but he will fix it. Right now he will do what no one in this company has had the stones to do since The Shield debuted. Punk exits the ring & says that he wants The Shield out there right now. Punk gets a chair and says that they should clear the air face to face. Punk’s not leaving till he gets The Shield. He knows they’re out there in their little clubhouse hanging out (That would be Aces & 8s). Punk gets back in the ring & says that he & The Shield will have words & he’s not leaving till they come out. Cue The Shield’s theme music and they come out the crowed like usual. They get on the apron & surround Punk. Punk says that he can only explain himself in the simplest of ways. He never asked The Shield to attack Rock. He never asked them to attack Ryback at TLC. He’s never asked them for anything in his life. He tells The Shield to stay out of his way. Punk says, “You believe in justice is that what you 3 stand for?” Punk says The Shield is there to fight injustice. There would be no greater injustice in WWE history if Punk’s historic title reign ended because of their interference. In 2 days at the rumble Punk faces The Rock & he promises everyone that he will beat The Rock. But it’s not just day 434 of the most historic WWE Title reign in history. It is the biggest victory of Punk’s career. Then Punk tells Ambrose that he will do it by himself. Punk never asked for The Shield’s help because he doesn’t want it, or need it. He is the best in the world. Then Punk says that if justice is what The Shield stands for, if that’s truly what they want, then Punk & The Shield never have to cross paths again. Then The Shield go back over the ring barrier and walk out. Then Punk says, “Now that is how the champ takes care of business!” He doesn’t whine or cry like all the fans. When something gets in Punk’s way he meets it head on. He tackles the problem because he is the best in the world. Punk then says, “The Royal Rumble, 2 days, Sunday, Phoenix, AZ. The Rock, he’s great. He’s good. He’s the great 1, but I’m the best in the world.” Then Punk says that Rock is just like the fans when it comes to the champ. The Rock is like the fans when it comes to the best in the world. Punk says they’re inferior. In 2 days Rock’s inferiority meets true greatness when he steps in the ring with the best in the world & Punk will prove at the rumble that not only is he the greatest WWE Champion of all time but he is the best in the world. Punk says that he is the greatest of all time. Punk grabs the belt and gets on the turnbuckle. Then he holds the belt over his head & shouts that he is the greatest of all time. Cue The Rock’s music & out he comes. Punk is taunting Rock, showing him the belt. Then Rock gets a mic & says that he will put an end to Punk’s garbage right now. The Rock’s gut says Punk’s a liar & Punk is working with The Shield. The Rock’s heart says despite that he just doesn’t give damn. That’s because The Rock’s boot says this Sunday it’s getting shoved straight up Punk’s candy ass. They stare each other down intently as the fans chant Rocky. Rock tells Punk that the walls are closing in because what will happen this Sunday in their match at the rumble Punk will panic & will crack. When that happens Rock will hook Punk for the Rock Bottom. He will launch Punk in the air & when Punk gets there time will stand still. Punk will have 1 thought in his mind. It won’t be that he’s the best in the world. It won’t be that Punk is the greatest of all time. In that very moment Punk’s final thought will be, “It’s over.” Rock promises him, like he promised the world he will become WWE Champion, beat Punk in the middle of the ring 1-2-3. “It’s Over.” Then Rock gets in Punk’s face and says his catchphrase in a really intense way. This was a great promo. Punk was really awesome here as usual. The Rock’s promo was really entertaining. He cut a great intense promo here & I’m looking forward to their match this Sunday.

Randy Orton vs. Drew McIntyre. Orton wins by DQ when Jinder Mahal comes in. Orton gives Jinder an RKO and then gives Drew the 2^nd rope DDT. Then Slater comes in to clothesline Orton but Orton ducks & gives Slater an RKO too. Then he pounds on the mat, waiting for Drew to get up. When he does Orton gives him an RKO also. This wasn’t really much of a match & 3MB got flattened like usual.

Antonio Cesaro is on commentary for the next match up.

The Miz vs. Darren Young. Miz wins by submission with the Figure 4. This was short. Then Cesaro stands on the announce table & waves the U.S. Flag as he & Miz have a stare down.

They finally show the Royal Rumble by the numbers video package.

World Champion Alberto Del Rio and WWE Tag Team Champions Kane & Daniel Bryan vs. Big Show, Damien Sandow & Cody Rhodes. Del Rio is the sole survivor. * Kane pins Sandow * Kane gets counted out after Big Show gives him the WMD on the floor * Daniel got counted out after Big Show gave him the WMD too & Daniel fell to the floor. * Big Show gets counted out * Del Rio pins Cody. This was a solid match. The eliminations were a bit fast & I know most of them were by count out to build to the Del Rio-Big Show last man standing match at the rumble.

Afterwards Big Show (Who was still lying on the floor) comes back in & spears Del Rio. Then he takes Del Rio over to the announce table & gives the champ the WMD. Then he topples the announce table on top of Del Rio & counts to 10 both in English & Spanish. Ricardo & security check on Del Rio to end the show.

I thought this was a decent show overall. The opening segment was the same as every week. The main event match was solid. Punk’s promo was outstanding. Him telling The Shield he doesn’t need their assistance was well done. I liked The Rock’s promo too. He was great here. The matches were ok for the most part. Sheamus-Barrett was good, Natalya-Rosa wasn’t much & the commentary was pointless. Miz-Darren Young was short. Orton-McIntyre was short. Overall I thought this was a decent show. They did a decent job building to the Del Rio- Big Show match at the end & they did a great job with the final build for The Rock-Punk match at the Rumble.

1-24-13 Impact results and thoughts

    Coverage and thoughts on the January 24, 2013 taped episode of Impact

They start the show by showing what happened after the show went off the air last week. Hulk was helped out of the ring and Ray helped Brooke up the ramp.

Then they show Aces & 8s outside the building celebrating.

The actual show starts with Taz & Aces & 8s coming to the ring. Taz says everyone’s been asking him why he’s with Aces & 8s. He couldn’t pass up the chance to be part of the group of men that have an agenda for revenge & redemption. He also couldn’t pass up the chance to be part of a vision from a higher power. Taz says all the wedding was was a chance for Aces & 8s to make the others just another victim. Taz then says that Dixie should take a look at his contract. It says if someone touches him, he will own this place. They’re Aces & 8s and they’re driven to rule TNA and they will. Ray & Brooke with just collateral damage. This was a solid promo from Taz. He talked about the “higher power” so he’s not the leader of this faction.

Jessie tells Tara that she has a huge match with Velvet. Tara’s a winner, Velvet’s a loser. Jessie & Tara are Impact’s power couple. Tara is motivated. This was lame.

They show a Christopher Daniels video package mentioning that he has a world title match tonight. This was good.

Backstage Kazarian says he is a licensed manager. Camera guy asks Daniels how he prepares for a big match. Daniels says this isn’t a match, this is a turning point. He’s not a creature, he’s a feature. He asks how world heavyweight champion of the world sounds. Solid promo from Daniels here.

Velvet Sky vs. Knockouts Champion Tara for the Title. Tara gets the pin when Jessie trips Velvet as she was going for a slam. Tara fell on top of Velvet, Jessie held Velvet’s foot and Tara got the pin. This was ok.

Next week is Open Fight Night and Impact will be in Manchester, England. Last year’s Impacts from the UK were great. These should be just as good!

Camera guy asks Sting if he’s talked to Hulk, Brooke or Ray. Sting says now’s not the right time. What he has to say he will say in the ring shortly. Well of course.

Kenny King is backstage looking at himself from a mirror on his locker. He says he is the fairest of them all. Then Zima Ion comes in. They talk about their tag match with Christian York & RVD. Kenny mentions that RVD beat Zima for the belt. Kenny then tells Ion to watch what he does. Then Ion looks in the mirror, sprays his hair and says he’s the best X Division Champion. This was alright.

Joseph Park comes to the ring. He says being in TNA over the last year, he’s realized his place is as an active member of the Impact roster. He realized that his debut match didn’t go they way he hoped, but he fought hard. He might not have won, but he realized that he is here to be the best that he can be in Impact Wrestling. Next week Impact takes place in England & it’s open fight night. He’s ready. He has a passport and says that next week he will be competing in his first open fight night. Then he asks who he should pick to face next week. He will watch videos of every wrestler and will make his decision next week. Next week will be his first Impact Wrestling match. He will hold his court in that ring and get that “W.” This was a decent promo but I don’t get why they’re making like this is his debut. We’ve seen the guy in action in the Joseph Park character before.

X Division Champion Rob Van Dam & Christian York vs. Kenny King & Zima Ion. Kenny & Ion win when Ion pins York. This was a good match. Kenny gave York a spring board block buster & Ion covered York for the pin.

Bully Ray & Brooke Hogan arrive at the Impact Zone. Camera guy asks Ray about the wedding. Ray says they’ll do their talking in the ring. He tells the camera guy to get the camera out of his face. Everyone wants to do their talking in the ring.

Samoa Joe is backstage with Wes & Garrett. Joe says that if they want to know how Angle’s doing, they should ask him themselves. He tells them not to ride the back of his coat tails. Angle comes in and says he’s not 100% but he knows what he has to do. Joe walks out. Wes & Garrett say they got his back. This was pointless. Can they have Wes & Garrett turn heel & be revealed as Aces & 8s guys already?

They replay the end of last week’s show when Taz revealed to be part of Aces & 8s during the “wedding.”

Bully Ray & Brooke Hogan go over to the announce table. Ray says something to Tenay. Then they head to the ring. Ray says that last week should’ve been the greatest night in their lives, but in reality it turned into a nightmare. A lot of people were hurt. Ray expected this from Devon, but not from Taz. He says Taz in nothing but a coward. Ray doesn’t care that he got hurt. It’s more about the people that Taz hurt around Ray. Taz hurt Sting and the man Ray’s been trying to get him to trust, Hulk Hogan. But most of all Taz hurt the woman Ray loves. How dare Taz ruin their biggest day? The things he will do to Devon, Taz and Aces & 8s he can’t say on national TV. They better sleep with 1 eye open. He guarantees that he will not sleep a wink till he kicks every singe 1 of their asses. But he can’t to that unless Hulk lifts his suspension. He knows that Hulk’s at home resting up but Ray wants him to lift the suspension. Then out comes Sting. Sting will do his best. He says that Hulk doesn’t do anything half way. He goes all the way. Sting says that Hulk’s only come half way when he came down the Aisle with Brooke. Now it’s time for Hulk to go all the way because he is the best of all time. Next week they’ll be in the U.K. & Sting believes that Hulk will reinstate his “son in law” Bully Ray next Thursday. This was a mixed bag segment! Ray’s promo was really good but this whole thing is weak. If Ray’s “suspended” then how come he’s in the arena. Also Sting called Hulk the best of all time? Really?

Austin Aries tells Roode that they both know they can beat Hernandez & Chavo. Roode says Aries’ brain buster is a devastating finisher. Roode says Aries should face Hernandez. Aries says that Hernandez is a power guy; Roode is the power guy of their team. Roode’s also a technician and the longest TNA World Champion and Roode should face Hernandez. Roode then says that Aries beat him. Aries says that he beat Roode twice but Roode said that it was a fluke; he will admit that Roode is the better man & should face Hernandez. This was decent.

They show highlights of the Hardy-Aries-Roode title match from Genesis.

Backstage Jeff Hardy mentions that last week Daniels hit him with Angel’s wings on his World Title. He knows exactly who Daniels is & tonight he will show the rest of the world exactly what he isn’t. This was a decent promo.  

TNA World Tag Team Champion Hernandez vs. Bobby Roode. Roode gets the pin. This was a decent match. Aries came to ringside & he & Roode shove each other. Then Chavo fights with Aries. Earl Hebner is tied up with Chavo & Aries. Roode then hit a bulldog on Hernandez for the win. Afterwards Aries & Roode still argue as they walk up the ramp.

They reshow Aces & 8s attacking Kurt Angle in the cage, followed by Angle calling out Anderson & Knox hitting Angle with the hammer.

Kurt Angle comes to the ring. He says that he thought Aces & 8s would be temporary, but their obviously in it for the long haul. He’s tired of their cheap shots and the injuries they’ve given to everyone including himself. He says they don’t know what revenge is. Angle says next week he will get his revenge on Ken Anderson. Then he tells Anderson to come to the ring because he has something to tell him personally. Out comes Mr. Anderson through the Aces & 8s entrance & in Aces & 8s get up. He asks Kurt if he wants to fight him next week. Anderson doesn’t wanna fight him next week, he wants to now. Then he hits punches Angle and then pounds on him for a bit. Then Kurt clotheslines him. Anderson rolls out of the ring. Angle then says that next week Anderson can’t run & no one will run in to attack Angle because next week they will face each other in a steel cage. This was decent too.

Aces & 8s are in the clubhouse and Anderson tells them to shut up. Devon knows Anderson’s got Kurt Angle coming up, but Devon isn’t gonna let him go in there without a battle plan. He tells Anderson to relax. This was a typical Aces & 8s bit. These bits are way old.

TNA World Champion Jeff Hardy vs. Christopher Daniels for the Title. Jeff gets the pin. This was a really good match.

Then Taz gets the mic & heads to the ring for a word from Jeff. Taz asks Jeff what he’s gonna do when Aces & 8s destroys everything around here and he’s left lying & his title is gone. Then an Aces & 8s guy comes in and hits Jeff in the knee with a tire iron. Referees check on Jeff to end the show. This was good.

I thought this was a good show overall but there was a lot of talk it. Some good, some not. The opening segment with Taz & the rest of Aces & 8s was good. Taz cut a really good old school Taz promo. Jeff-Daniels was really good. Great back & forth action there! The post match bit with Taz distracting Jeff and then having the Aces & 8s guy hit Jeff was solid also. The Angle-Anderson segment was decent too. Let’s see if this cage match will be as good as the cage match they had back at Lockdown 2010. RVD & Christian York vs. Kenny King & Zima Ion was good too. Hernandez-Roode was decent also and I like how they have Aries & Roode forming this uneasy alliance. Their backstage bit was good too. The Sting-Ray-Brooke in ring segment was a mixed bag. Ray cut a great promo but I wasn’t really into Sting’s. How come Ray’s always in the Impact Zone if he’s “suspended?” I wasn’t a fan Sting called Hulk the best of all time, or calling Ray Hulk’s “son in law” since they never were “Officially married.” The Joe-Angle-Wes-Garrett bit backstage was weak. Can Wes & Garrett turn heel already? I wasn’t a fan of the Anderson-Devon in the Aces & 8s clubhouse bit. I’m really tired of those. Velvet-Tara was ok but there wasn’t much to it. Joseph Park’s promo was decent too but I’m tired of the whole “kay-fab” bit. I also don’t get why they’re hyping next week up as his in ring debut since we’ve seen him in the ring before. SO on the whole I thought this was a good show.

1-21-13 Raw results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the January 21, 2013 episode of Raw

They start the show with the video of Martin Luther King speech.

The actual show starts with Vickie Guerrero & Paul Heyman coming to the ring. Vickie says it’s her job to make sure the fans are entertained by her show. The fans might not like her but she is always a professional and will always do the right thing. As a leader doing the right thing isn’t the same as doing the popular thing. Especially when it comes to The Rock. Heyman says he is out here in a show of unity & solidarity with Vickie. Last week on Raw 1 man took it upon himself to de-fame not only Heyman’s character but also the best & sexiest GM in the history of any TV show. That man of course is The Rock. Vickie says everyone should how atrocious Rock’s behavior was. The show Rock ragging on Heyman from the Rock concert last week. Heyman then says that it’s 1 thing to pick a fight with him because in 6 days Rock has to answer to CM Punk. But to pick a fight with Vickie is vile. Rock said things about Vickie that Heyman wouldn’t repeat in San Jose. Then they show Rock ragging on Vickie. Vickie is glad the fans enjoyed seeing Rock mock their appearances last week, but that won’t happen tonight. Rock is in San Jose but she has banned him from entering her arena. If he shows up he will be arrested. Then a production guy tells Vickie That Rock is there. Then they show Rock backstage with some cops. Rock says Vickie wants to screw the people and the people’s champion. He tells the cops he knows they got a job to do but there isn’t a force on this planet from Rock getting in the people’s ring tonight. 1 of the cops says if he does they’ll arrest him. Rock says they should arrest Punk for impersonating being WWE Champion. He tells them to arrest Heyman. Then he tells them not to arrest Vickie, but to ask her what her intestines look like. If Vickie thinks Rock’s not getting in the building tonight then she has her head right up her ass. Rock tells the cops that he is relentless and there’s no way he isn’t getting in that ring and electrifying the fans. Vickie says Rock might talk a tough game but all he will be singing is Jailhouse Rock. Then Vickie says, “If ya smell what The Vic is cookin.” This was a decent way to start the show. Heyman was good here & I thought Vickie was too. Rock of course was his usual comical self.

Tonight there be a beat the clock challenge. Whoever wins their match in the shortest time gets to pick what number they enter the rumble. Orton vs. Cesaro will be first. Why not just have the winner come in at # 30?

Randy Orton vs. U.S. Champion Antonio Cesaro in a beat the clock match. Orton gets the pin in 11:36. This was a solid match but having Cesaro lose cleanly was a mistake.

They show the Mick Foley Hall of Fame video package.

Time for a Shield video. Ambrose says it’s time for the fans to open there eyes. Rollins says if they fans don’t they will open them for them. The show clips of The Shield attacking guys with a voice over of video from Smackdown.

Brad Maddox hops the guardrail and does commentary.

Zack Ryder vs. Big Show. Big Show gets the pin. This was a really short and meaningless squash.   

Afterwards Big Show says he will give everyone a preview of what will happen in his last man standing match with Del Rio. He puts his foot on Ryder’s chest and starts counting. The fans what him and he flips out. He asks if they think he’s playing around.

Paul Heyman is backstage on his cell phone. He’s telling someone there’s no way Rock is getting in the building. Then Maddox comes in. He says he has always wanted to be famous and there’s nothing he wouldn’t do to keep his dreams alive. Heyman says he admires Maddox and tells Maddox that if he sticks with him he will make Maddox famous. Then Maddox says “Back to the studios.” This was ok. Maddox had his camera man there again. I thought Heyman was good here. I’m not sure if they’ll actually have him manage Maddox.

Ryback vs. Heath Slater. Ryback gets the pin. This was a squash too. Ryback also took care of Drew & Jinder. Then Ryback says that his job is fun. Sunday is his first rumble match. It’s a match he was made for, a match he will thrive on and a match that will lead him to the main event of WrestleMania. “Feed me more.” The promo was nice & short.

Back to Rock with the cops. Rock says they’ve been there an hour. He’s gotta get in the ring. Rock tells them they’re not wearing the badges to protect and serve Vickie, but to protect and serve the people. Rock says you know what it gets when he comes out. He says the fans will be chanting his name. Cue the Rocky chant. Rock says it’s about the people. A cop says he has a ticket and his wife and kid are in the crowd. Then Vickie comes by and another cop says that as long as he’s out there he isn’t breaking any rules and they can’t arrest him. Vickie tells Rock Punk will be inside the ring addressing the people next. Vickie can lift the band if Rock apologizes. Rock says there’s 2 problems with that. He will get in the ring on his terms, not hers, and she still looks horrible tonight. Vickie storms off. Then Rock tells the cops that he has an idea. This was a decent bit. Rock will of course be in the people’s ring by the end of the show.

CM Punk & Paul Heyman come to the ring. Punk says that what he has he holds more dear to his heart than most people hold their families. This has been his life’s work & that for 428 days he has proven that he is the man. He’s worked half his life to get the most prestigious title that WWE has to offer. He will not allow Rock or anyone to take it from him. Rock is there to entertain, electrify, sing and tells jokes. Punk is there to hurt people and be champion. He will not allow Rock to become champion because he has made the belt prestigious. What’s prestigious to Rock is the most meaningless thing possible. The fans who chant for him. Rock’s proud to be people’s champion, almost as proud as Punk is to be a real champion. He’s looked Rock right in the eye and he sees why he’s proud of being the people’s champion. It’s because Rock knows he can’t be WWE Champion. Punk was forced to make a choice between hypocrytcial humility or arrogant honesty. Punk chose honesty while Rock foolishly chose the people. Punk says the title belongs to him and he has earned the right to be the man. In 6 days this is what Rock is on a collision course with. He tells Rock to enjoy being the people’s champ. He wants him to slap their hands. Then he says that the people don’t matter. The title is all that matters. In 6 days it doesn’t matter if he smells what The Rock is cooking. What the people can’t give Rock will remain around the waist of the WWE Champion, the best in the world, CM Punk. Punk holds the title over his head. This was a really good promo.

The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler in a beat the clock challenge. Dolph gets the pin in 10:56. This was a good back and forth match. Miz had Dolph in the figure 4 but then AJ got on the apron and distracted the referee. While that was happening, Big E dragged Dolph to the ropes. Then Dolph hit Miz with the Zig Zag for the win.

Time for Kane & Daniel Bryan’s anger management graduation ceremony. This is gonna be terrible.

Shelby is in the ring with his Genius get up. They got diplomas in the ring. Shelby says he’s so proud of Kane & Daniel. Now he’d like to introduce the first graduates of Shelby’s anger management program and the tag team champions. Out come Kane & Daniel Bryan in graduation gowns. Shelby wants to look at how far they’ve come. Kane was a maniacal mask wearing monster and Daniel was a tightly wound little man child, who would snap if anyone called him goat face or if anyone said that his beard looks like a hotel for rats. But now they’re calm and ready to graduate. Then he gives them both the caps & diplomas. Shelby says the valedictorian gets to talk about their feelings. Since he doesn’t give grades he asks them which 1 should be valedictorian? Kane says it should be Daniel. Daniel screams no. Daniel says it should be Kane. Then they both go back and forth about who should speak and do the same old bit. Shelby asks them if a hug would make him feel better. Shelby says how about everyone everywhere hugs at the same time. Kane asks what about Cole & Lawler. Cole & King hug. Then Daniel says what about Justin Roberts and Dr. Sampson. They hug. Daniel points out 3 guys in the crowed, then a guy with a yes t-shirt. Then Kane points out more fans. This painfully continues as Kane, Daniel & Shelby scream for all the fans to hug each other. Then the 3 of them group hug and jump up and down. This was so idiotic!! I’m really hoping that we’re finished with this angle! Why was this on the go home show for the rumble!? It had nothing to do with the rumble. I thought maybe Cody & Sandow would come out & give some build to the tag title match but nope. Not even that.

Divas Champion Kaitlyn vs. Alicia Fox. Kaitlyn gets the pin. This was ok. Tamina watched on a monitor backstage.

Backstage Heyman tells Punk that he has a luxury sky box for him. Heyman tells Punk that he has personal message for The Rock. It won’t be a pipe bomb, but a “Paul bomb” and it’s dedicated to Punk.

Heyman is in the ring. He says that a lot of fans might not know this. He’s not only the voice of the voice of the voiceless but he’s also Punk’s friend and advisor. He says Punk’s promo from earlier went over the fans’ heads. So tonight he will also be Punk’s interpreter. So many fans think it’s a forgone conclusion Rock is leaving rumble WWE Champion, but he’s not. Vince is a tyrant and is desperate for anyone to beat Punk for the title and the flavor of the month is The Rock. In 6 days Rock is facing the longest reigning WWE Champion for the past 25 years. Then he says that The Rock, just like the people are stupid. Then Rock’s music hits and he comes out with the ticket the cop had (Then why not come out through the crowed?). Punk watches from the sky box and Rock looks up at him. Rock thanks the cops for the ticket. Heyman says that ticket doesn’t entitle him to…Rock tells Heyman to get out of the ring or he will slap the taste right out of his mouth. Heyman leaves the ring. Then Rock says Punk’s been WWE champion for 428 days. He knows how tough Punk is. Punk has earned the right to call himself the best in the world. It doesn’t change the fact that tonight is his last night on Raw WWE Champion. Rock says Punk’s obsessed with how proud he is to entertain the fans. The fact is Punk has a guy who will stand before him and rip his face off. Rock’s waited 10 years for this shot. Blood sweat and respect. Just like Martin Luther King had a dream, Rock has a dream to 1 more time be WWE Champion. If Punk saw into Rock’s soul then Punk knows that Rock promised to beat him for the title at the rumble. When that’s done, Sunday night, every fan around the world will be saying, “Free at Last.” “If ya smell what The Rock is cookin.” Then the lights go out and when they come back on The Shield are triple teaming Rock. Rock fights back but they get the upper hand. Then they give Rock the triple power bomb. Punk says that on top of the mountain there’s only room for 1 man. Then he says that you have to pay a price for freedom. He then says that when Rock wakes up from his dream the great 1 will realize that he just wasn’t great enough to beat the best in the world. Rock lies in the ring with his mouth bloodied while Punk holds the title over his head. This was really good. Heyman & Rock were both great on the mic as usual. I liked that they had The Shield come in and attack The Rock. I wasn’t expecting that. Punk’s promo about the great 1 not being great enough to beat the best in the world was a good line too!

They show a Martin Luther King video. This was classy.

Sheamus vs. Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett in a beat the clock challenge. The match goes to a draw. Dolph, Big E & AJ came out during the match; AJ got in the ring and distracted Sheamus. So Dolph wins the beat the clock challenge.

Vickie Guerrero is in the GM office. Dolph, Big E & AJ come in and Dolph brags that he gets to pick his spot in the rumble. Then he sings how wonderful AJ looks. Dolph says he might pick # 30. He might pick # 27, since that number has won 4 times. Then he says that he doesn’t need luck. Vickie then tells him that he only pick numbers 1 or 2. How can Vickie make that decision?

Punk & Heyman are backstage. Heyman says it’s time for The Rock to know his role and shut his mouth. Then the walk into Vince. Punk says he had nothing to do with The Shield. Vince says that if The Shield gets involved in the title match at the rumble, Vince will come up with some consequences. Heyman says The Shield hasn’t just interfered on Punk’s behalf. They’ve attacked Orton & Sheamus too. There’s no evidence against Punk. Vince says that if he finds any evidence (meaning if The Shield gets involved in the match on Punk’s behalf), then he will strip Punk of the WWE Title. Vince walks off & Heyman tells Punk that he warned him about Vince. This was decent.

World Champion Alberto Del Rio vs. Tensai. Del Rio gets the pin. This was a squash. Then Del Rio tells Big Show there will be a 10 count at the end of the last man standing match, but it won’t be Big Show counting, Del Rio will be. Then he and the fans count to 10 in Spanish.

Time to find who the next 2013 WWE Hall of Famer will be. It’s Bob Backlund. They show a video package highlighting his career. Backlund is also a very deserving first ballot Hall of Famer!

John Cena comes to the ring. He says the fans are a lively bunch because they had a restful weekend. Traditionally Sunday has been a day to rest. Everyone enjoys Sundays. He talks to some kid and he says that the kid is beating him at vid games or whatever. His user name is skid marks 187. Then he goes to some chick. Her Sunday is probably reliving her Saturday. She probably goes to the gym, goes home and serf youtube and more irrelevant crap. Then he says he’s lived some other guy’s Sunday. Waking up at 1:30 and he talks about blow up dolls (Man this guy’s promos are absolutely horrendous). This Sunday is the Royal Rumble. If you win the rumble you got a golden ticket to the main event of WrestleMania. This Sunday history can be made and it will be an all out war. This Sunday all the fans’ eyes fall on the Royal Rumble. The world will find out what he already knows. This Sunday he will win the Royal Rumble. Then out comes Sheamus. He says Cena’s got it all wrong. He will win the rumble just like last year. Then out come The Primetime Players. Titus asks Sheamus what he is talking about. Then out comes Orton. He came out to tell everyone that they’re looking at the man who will win the rumble. Then out comes The Miz. He gives a few reallys and says he’s winning the rumble and will main event WrestleMania again. Then out come Kane & Daniel Bryan. Daniel mentions how everyone’s arguing over who will win the rumble. Kane mentions how childish that that is. Everyone knows he’s winning. Daniels says he’s winning. Then Cesaro comes out. He will dedicate winning the rumble to the U.S. Then out come 3MB. Heath asks if they think they’re winning the rumble. Drew says they’re delusional. Jinder says when of them will make history after winning the rumble. Slater asks what they think about that. Then the rest of the locker room comes out and a brawl starts in the ring. Guys get thrown over the top rope as the “pre rumble” continues and this ends the show. Cena’s promo was his typical Cena idiocy. I don’t know why he continues to cut these kinds of promos. I liked having all the other guys come out saying they will win (though Drew McIntyre calling them all delusional was ironic, since 3MB have no chance of winning). The pre rumble brawl at the end was good too.

I thought this was a decent show overall. I liked that they had the beat the clock challenge but having Dolph win and then having Vickie tell him that he can only pick numbers 1 or 2 was underwhelming. Orton-Cesaro was solid but I think having Cesaro lose cleanly to Orton is a mistake. Miz-Dolph was good and Sheamus-Barrett was too, but I wasn’t a fan of the match ending in a draw. Cena’s promo was the usual hokey nonsense we get from him. The brawl at the end was good. The Rock-Heyman-Punk segment was really good too. They did a good job with the final build to their match at the Rumble. I liked The Shield coming out and attacking Rock too. I’m glad Bob Backlund will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. Ryback-Slater, Ryder-Big Show & Del Rio-Tensai were all squashes. I’m not sure why the Ryback-Slater match wasn’t a beat the clock challenge since they’re both in the rumble too. Kaitlyn-Alicia Fox was ok. The Anger management graduation was totally meaningless. I thought Cody & Damien would come out but that didn’t happen. The backstage bit where Vince told Punk & Heyman that if The Shield got involved in the title match on Punk’s behalf he’d strip Punk of the title was decent too. The Vickie-Heyman promo at the start of the show was alright too and I thought the Heyman-Maddox bit in the back was ok. On the whole I thought this was a decent show.

1-18-13 Smackdown results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the January 18, 2013 episode of Smackdown

The show starts with Alberto Del Rio’s Fiesta celebrating his World Title win. They have the ring all decorated and the band is playing. Then Ricardo brings out the new World Champion Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio welcomes everyone to Fiesta Del Rio & says, “Let’s party San Antonio!” He says that he knows that he & the fans haven’t seen eye to eye over the years but they can all agree with him on this. They have to celebrate the fact that the fat jackass Big Show is no longer World Champion. Then out come Dolph Ziggler, Big E Langston & AJ Lee. Dolph says, “Did somebody say Fiesta?” AJ says that she & Big E love a good party and they’re gonna assume they’re invitation got lost some how. Del Rio asks what they’re doing there. This is his party, Ricardo’s party & the fan’s party. Dolph gets in the & says it’s funny Del Rio should say that. It’s funny that Del Rio thinks think that the fans are his friends. What’s even funnier is Del Rio thinks that he holds the World Title but he doesn’t. What Del Rio does have is a giant target on his head & Dolph is Mr. Money in the Bank. Dolph then says that Del Rio knows more than anyone what that contract means. It means that whenever Dolph sees fit to cash it in Del Rio will be saying adios to that World Title (Dolph has had many chances to cash but hasn’t). Del Rio asks Dolph if he really thinks that he can cash in on Del Rio. Dolph says that he will. Then Dolph says tells his associate Big E Langston, “Meet Alberto Del Rio & say hello to his little friend Ricardo.” Big E says to Ricardo, “Que Pasa little man?” Del Rio tells the 3 of them to get out of there right now. Dolph says they’ll go but maybe first Big E will drop Del Rio where he stands, Dolph cashes his MITB contract & he leaves with the World Title. Del Rio tells him to try it & let’s see what happens. Then out comes Big Show. Dolph says he doesn’t know how good Del Rio is with math but the champ is out numbered. Then out comes Sheamus. Sheamus calls Dolph, “Ziggles” (He stole that from John Morrison). Then he says he thought he would come out and help with this numbers situation Dolph was talking about. Sheamus then says that everyone knows that he can’t resist a Fiesta Del Rio (Even though he & Del Rio were feuding over the title when Sheamus was champion just a few months ago, but we’re supposed to forget that) especially when he has so many of his great friends right here. Sheamus tells “Bertie” that he’s not out there to crash his party. He knows they’ve had their differences in the past (Nice to know they mentioned that). Then Sheamus tells Del Rio they beat each other black and blew “Fella”. Sheamus then says that the last time he was there he even tried to steel Del Rio’s car (He actually did steel it). Then Sheamus says that he came out because he wanted to congratulate Del Rio on his epic victory over the giant last week. Sheamus then tells Del Rio that he has no doubt on his mind that Del Rio deserves to be World Champion. Sheamus then says that it would be an honor for him right now to be the first to shake Del Rio’s hand. They shake hands and then Sheamus says to go along with that he would also like to offer his services tonight as a bouncer for this Fiesta to make sure that none of these Muppets get involved in Del Rio’s party. Del Rio thanks Sheamus and then tells him this is a Fiesta. Del Rio doesn’t want anyone fighting. Sheamus says, “What really?” Then Del Rio says, “Maybe just a little bit.” Then Can you dig it Sucka hits & out comes GM Booker T. Booker says it ain’t goin down like this. Booker gets in the ring and says that tonight this is a Fiesta. Then Booker wants to be serious for a minute (What is he Lance Storm all of a sudden)? Booker tells Big Show that if he ever puts his hand on him again he will ruin Big Show’s day “Sucka.” Then Booker says that there will be a fight tonight. Big Show will team with Dolph (again) & they will face Sheamus & Del Rio. That match will be the tag team main event extravaganza. Then he asks Big Show, Dolph Langston & AJ to leave the Fiesta because they’re not invited. Big Show gets in Booker’s face for a bit and then the heels walk out. Then Booker asks the fans if they’re ready to party. Let’s kick this Fiesta Del Rio off right now. Del Rio tells the muchachos to play some music. They play some music and then Del Rio tells Booker to do a Spinnarooni. Booker does that and he & Booker hug. Then Sheamus is about to exit the ring but Del Rio has him come back in. Del Rio puts a sombrero in the middle of the ring & tells Sheamus to do the Mexican hat dance. Sheamus says that no one wants to see him do that (He is so right). He tells Del Rio that he has a reputation to keep. Del Rio says that they wanna see Sheamus, well pretty much act like a hokey baby face. Then Sheamus says this is a Fiesta & he dances with the Spanish dancer. This was way beyond idiotic! This was the typical “Smackdown starts off with a promo with 2 faces & 2 heels & then Booker makes a tag match for the main event” segment. The whole Fiesta bit was a complete waste of time. I don’t get why they’re having Sheamus & Del Rio team up when they were feuding over the World Title a few months ago, or why they’re having Dolph & Big Show team up again since they don’t like each other. This makes zero sense! That’s WWE for you!

Kofi Kingston vs. U.S. Champion Antonio Cesaro. Cesaro gets the pin. This was a solid match with a really impressive finish. Kofi was going to Irish Whip Cesaro into the opposite corner. Cesaro reversed that. Then Kofi jumped on the top rope and was going to give Cesaro a Rana but Cesaro turned into the Neutralizer and got the pin. These guys are really talented! They also showed Miz watching the match on a monitor backstage

They cut to Miz backstage and Primo, Epico & Rosa are there for some reason. They call Miz Ric Flair’s new side kick. Then they say really a few times. Miz sarcastically says how cleaver that was, using his reallys against him. Miz says this was the first time that they talked in over 2 years & that’s what they say. Rosa says they talk all the time. They were just talking about how much Miz has in common with Ric. It was a short conversation. Primo & Epico say that Flair was a great wrestler & Miz has catchphrases. Miz tells Epico to listen up, but he was talking to Primo. Miz asks who the other guy is. He’s Epico. Miz says that no one cares. He challenges 1 of them to a match tonight. It doesn’t matter which 1. Miz says they should leave it up to than he looks at Rosa and says, “Whatever it is you do.” This was pointless.

Great Khali vs. Tensai. Khali gets the pin. This was terrible but thankfully short. I don’t know why they Natalya with Khali.

Kane & Daniel Bryan are backstage. Daniel doesn’t get why Shelby thought it was a good idea to bring Cody & Sandow into their therapy session Monday on Raw. Then Kane says that speaking of things that aren’t a good idea, what’s with that thing on Cody’s face? Daniel says that some people just don’t get that their facial hair starts to look ridiculous. Kane says, “Tell me about it.” Daniel then asks Kane what he’s trying to say. Kane says nothing. Daniel tells him to say it. Then Kane says no & Daniel says yes. They scream that back & forth at each other for a bit. Then Randy Orton comes in. He’s curious if Kane & Daniel will act like 2^nd graders tonight or are they actually interested in delivering some pain to Cody, Sandow & Barrett. Kane says both & walks off. Then Daniel tells Orton that they’re not acting like they’re in second grade. They’re working through their anger issues. Daniel then says that’s something Orton knows a little bit about. Daniel says that he & Kane used to be a lot like Orton, but thanks to Shelby they’re in a better place now. Not only that, they are champions. Daniel asks Orton if he wants to be a champion again. Orton says that he does. Then he says that after he wins the Royal Rumble…Daniel cuts him off & says that tonight is not about the rumble. Orton has to take 1 step at a time. First they win the 6 man tag and then…GROUP HUG! Orton says that he is not much of a hugger. Daniel says that he isn’t yet. This was a decent bit. Kane & Daniel were comical here and I thought Orton played well off of Daniel. The group hug line from Daniel & Orton’s reaction to that was funny.

Randy Orton and WWE Tag Team Champions Kane & Daniel Bryan vs. Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett, Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow. Orton, Kane & Daniel win Orton pins Sandow. The match was solid but I’m not sure why they had Sandow job cleanly to Orton. Then Daniel extends his arms out to Orton for the group hug. Orton wants none of it. Then Orton turns to Kane and he extends out his arms too. Then they both hug Orton. Orton’s facial reaction to that was comical.

Time to recap The Rock concert from Monday that was followed by The Rock-CM Punk pull apart brawl.

The Miz vs. Primo. Miz wins by submission with the Figure 4. This was a solid match but I’m not a fan of Miz using the Figure 4. I’m really hoping that they don’t turn Miz into Flair, Jr. like TNA did with AJ Styles.

Kaitlyn, Layla & Alicia Fox are backstage. Alicia tells Kaitlyn that the Divas title looks good on her. The yap for a bit, Layla hold the belt for some reason. Then Kaitlyn says that she has to get to her match. She asks Layla to give her the belt back. Layla gives it back and then Booker T & Teddy Long come by. Booker wanted to congratulate Kaitlyn. He says that she rocked the city. “H Town.” Long congratulated Kaitlyn too. He’s also really happy that she made Eve quit after what she did to him. Long asks Booker what he’s laughing about. Kaitlyn says she has to get ready for her match. This was mostly a filler segment. I can see a Layla heel turn coming out of this since she held the belt for a bit. Besides that this bit was pointless.

Divas Champion Kaitlyn vs. Aksana. Kaitlyn gets the pin. This was ok.

They show a video package on Mick Foley’s career. This was good. Mick is without a doubt a well deserving first ballot Hall of Famer!

Time for promo from The Shield. Ambrose: Attention WWE Universe. Rollins: Attention Sheamus. Ambrose: Attention Randy Orton. Reigns: Attention Ryback. Rollins: We are the Shield. Ambrose: On January 14 The Shield crashed Mick Foley’s Hall of Fame announcement and not for nothing but on behalf of all the broken bodies and broken dreams he left in the wake of his Hall of Fame career. Rollins: We spoiled the celebration in the name of justice. Ambrose: Mick you may live denial for the rest of your life. You may deny responsibility for the example set for all the would be super stars, all those kids who sacrificed their bodies in the name of being hardcore. Reigns: Either way we hold you accountable. Rollins: Everyone is accountable. Ryback was held accountable. And now Ryback you want back what we took from you? Reigns: What’s done is done. You’ll never get it back. Rollins: Randy Orton (then he laughs). Ambrose: Randy there are 206 bones in the human body. There are 206 bones in your body. We broke 1. Reigns: We’re just getting started. Rollins: And Sheamus, you like to fight for fun hey Fella? Reigns: We fight for justice. Then they each say their names. Ambrose: All of you, you will believe. Rollins: Believe in The Shield. Reigns: BELIEVE IN THE SHIELD! This was a good promo.

Randy Orton is watching the monitor in his dressing room & then Sheamus comes in. Sheamus says, “Isn’t it funny how The Shield acts so tough when their hidden somewhere in the building where no one can find them?” Then Orton says he doesn’t really find The Shield that funny. He doesn’t think it’s funny how they injured his shoulder and they sure weren’t laughing Wednesday. Sheamus tells Orton that he is sorry that he’s sorry he wasn’t there to help him out Wednesday like he was Monday. Then Orton says that he doesn’t need Sheamus’ help. Sheamus then sarcastically says that Orton’s doing such a great job fighting off The Shield Monday on Raw from his back. Orton says that is why he likes Sheamus because he always has an answer for everything. Orton then says that what will be interesting is that in 2 weeks at the Royal Rumble, Orton needs this win & he’s gonna get it. While Sheamus might have an answer for everything Orton assures Sheamus that he will have no answer for him. This was a good bit. I thought the tension between the 2 here was well done. I still say they should team up with Ryback and face The Shield in a war games Elimination Chamber match, Sheamus & Orton can have more dissention and that can build to their match at WrestleMania.

World Champion Alberto Del Rio & Sheamus vs. Big Show & Dolph Ziggler. Del Rio & Sheamus win by count out when Big Show walked to the back after Del Rio dumped a bucket of water on him. This match was solid too. Also During the match Sheamus & Langston faced off outside the ring. The referee went out to the floor & kicked Langston out of ringside. Then AJ flipped, got in the ring & the referee kicked her out too. Afterwards the Fiesta continues as red, white & green balloons come down from the ceiling while Sheamus & Del Rio pose on the turnbuckles to end the show.

I thought this was a decent bag show overall. The Fiesta that started the show was idiotic and was the predictable “Segment to start the show that sets up a tag match” bit. Del Rio & Sheamus vs. Big Show & Dolph was solid though. Kofi-Cesaro was also a solid match and I was impressed with the finish. The Shield video was really good too. Lets hop WWE can keep their momentum going. The Sheamus-Orton bit backstage was good too. I liked how they began building the tension between the 2 for their match at WrestleMania. The Kaitlyn-Layla-Alicia-Booker-Long bit was pointless. They might turn Layla heel since she was holding the belt for a bit. The 6 man tag was good too. The group hug attempt from Kane & Daniel to Orton was comical. I liked Orton’s reaction. Kaitlyn-Aksana wasn’t much but it was ok. Khali-Tensai was lousy. Natalya should be booked in a better spot than where she is. The Miz backstage with Primo, Epico & Rosa was pointless. The Miz-Primo match was solid but I’m really hoping that they don’t turn Miz into Flair, Jr. like TNA did with AJ Styles. The Mick Foley video package was really well done too. So on the whole I thought this was a decent show this week.