6-28-13 Smackdown results and thoughts

      Coverage and thoughts on the June 28, 2013 episode of Smackdown

At the start of the show the camera shows a piñata hanging above the ring that has Dolph Ziggler’s face on it. That will be part of Fiesta Del Rio later tonight. UGH!

They start this week’s show with a match. What a concept. Nope wait a minute. Before the match starts Sandow has something to say. In 1860 South Carolina was the first state to succeed from the Union. Sandow then says after being there for 1 day he suggest SC does so again. He says that South Carolina is like a third world country. “News flash. Y’all is not a word. It is pronounced you all. As in you all are a bunch of ignoramuses.” Then Sandow demands silence. Then he says after he defeats this ignoramus in the ring in a Dublin street fight they will rename this match after the man who dominated it. The Sandow street fight. You’re welcome. Good promo we usually get from Sandow.  

Sheamus vs. Damien Sandow in a Dublin street fight. Sheamus gets the pin. This was a good back & forth plunder match but using the Irish themed weapons (Green Kendo sticks, green bar stools, beer kegs & the Irish potato sack) was hokey.  

They show clips of the awesome Daniel Bryan-Randy Orton street fight from Raw.

Backstage we see Kane & Daniel Bryan comes in whistling. Kane tells Daniel that if he is there to brag about what happened on Raw Kane doesn’t wanna hear it. Kane does congratulate Daniel on his win over Orton. Kane says it was a great match & what an upset (uh oh). Daniel says that the only upset was that he didn’t get the job done the first time. Then Daniel says he was right, all along…then Kane shouts enough at him. Kane then says that he has a match with Orton tonight & Daniel is stressing him out. He tells Daniel to leave. Daniel chalks up that little outburst to nerves, but because he is Kane’s friend he will let it slide. Daniel then says that he didn’t need Kane’s assistance Monday but Kane need Daniel’s assistance Daniel will be on commentary just in case. Then Daniel hugs Kane, Kane gives him a pissed off look & Daniel walks out. This was good. These 2 really play well off each other.

Time for a video package on the Punk-Heyman promo from Raw.

Now it’s time for Miz TV. Miz & his guest Paul Heyman are already in the ring. Tonight Miz’s guest is at the heart of the Punk-Brock controversy & there’s a good reason for that. His guest is 1 of the most if not the most controversial figures in sports entertainment history. “Please welcome Paul Heyman.” Miz says that he’s known Heyman for years & Heyman always has an answer for everything. Miz is curious because Heyman said that he wants Punk & Brock as a tag team. Miz asks who they would face if they were. Heyman says he is not here to talk about his personal life. “Thank you. Next.” Miz asks Heyman if Renee Young wanted to have her personal life be mentioned last week. Miz asks Heyman if he would like to try to bully him like be bullied Renee. Heyman says that he is just an advocate. Miz is a former WWE Champion & former IC Champion. Miz mentions that he was IC Champion twice. Then Heyman asks how he as an advocate could bully an athlete like Miz. Heyman has nothing but respect for Miz. But Heyman does know somebody that does have the ability to bully Miz. Heyman brings out the Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel. Miz introduces them to each other. Miz says he thought this was gonna be a 1 on 1 interview but Heyman fooled him just like he fooled everyone into believing that he had nothing to do with Brock attacking Punk. Miz says that half the people believe Heyman. The other half, which Miz is a part of thinks that Heyman is lying. Miz then says that is no longer his problem. Miz’s problem right now is the fact that Curtis is on his set uninvited (Yeah cause that never happens). Heyman tells Miz that he invited Curtis. Heyman says that Axel is Heyman’s guest on Miz’s show. Unless of course now that Curtis is out there Miz is too intimidated to ask Heyman anymore questions. Miz then says that Heyman is like the walking version of Star Wars. He sounds like Yoda, smells like Chewbacca & looks like Juba the Hut. (That line was hokey). Then Miz says that Curtis is the WWE version of Luke Skywalker. Then Miz does his Darth Vader impression & tells Curtis, “Luke you’re not your father.” Heyman asks if there is a question in that. Miz has questions but not for Heyman. Miz has a question for Axel. What happens when Curtis Axel doesn’t fit the Paul Heyman picture? Especially when he loses his IC Title to him. Heyman tells Curtis that he doesn’t have to answer that. Curtis wants to wants to answer this. Then Axel asks Miz if he really thinks that he can take the IC Title off of him Axel is very possessive of the IC Title & he takes Miz’s threats very (then he takes belt off & throws it on the mat) very personally. Then Miz says let’s get really personal. How about Curtis defends his title against Miz right now. Heyman then says that his clients don’t fight for free & the Intercontinental Champion does not defend the title on an impromptu basis. Since Miz wants to get personal Cutis Axel got to the top this fast by not taking short cuts like Miz did. Curtis didn’t come into WWE off of a “Reality show” & he didn’t come up with shmucky catch phrases like, “I’m Curtis Axel and I’m…” Then Miz cuts Heyman off & says that Axel is going to lose the Intercontinental Title to him because he is The Miz & he is…then Curtis kicks Miz in the gut & then gives him a neck breaker. Curtis & Heyman go up the ramp & Curtis says the IC Title is his & he’s not losing it.  This was a solid segment. Heyman was great as usual here & I thought Miz & Curtis were decent too. It looks like we’ll be getting Miz vs. Curtis Axel for the Intercontinental Title at some point.

Natalya & AJ are in the ring for their match but before that can happen AJ’s music played again & Kaitlyn came out dressed as AJ. Kaitlyn talks like AJ. She mentions Daniel Bryan, CM Punk, Kane, Cena & Dolph. Kaitlyn says that AJ sure knows her way around the dating game. It’s also recently been brought to Kaitlyn’s attention that AJ dated the time keeper. There’re also some rumors circulating that AJ has had some very through physical examinations from the ringside physician. That’s not even the juiciest part. Kaitlyn heard the AJ was recently involved with South Carolina’s very own, Lillian Garcia. That was ok for what it was.

Natalya vs. Divas Champion AJ Lee. Natalya gets the pin. This wasn’t much. Kaitlyn skipped around like AJ. AJ got all distracted & pissed off. Then Natalya rolled up AJ for the pin. Then Kaitlyn comes in the ring & spears AJ.

Time for a Wyatt family vignette.

Backstage Teddy Long is in the GM office on his cell phone. He says that he’s getting ready to make a major announcement. Then in comes Vince (ah crap). Vince mentions that over on Raw they’ve announced a WWE title shot Money in the Bank ladder match & they’re calling the “all stars”. Vince is curious what Long has in store as far as the World Title shot Money in the Bank match goes. Long says that he could have easily done what Vickie did. That being pick all the top WWE super stars in 1 fell swoop (News flash Teddy, Stephanie made that match). Long wants to do something different & he knows Vince will agree with this. Long is thinking about the future of the company. Vince likes that. Long thought that he would think outside the box. Then Long tells Vince that between the 2 of them (Even though there is a camera right there & the fans can see this) this is something that Booker T has never done. Long wanted to give an opportunity to a future player. So Long has picked these super stars for the World Title shot Money in the Bank ladder match. Wade Barrett, Jack Swagger (That is if he doesn’t have to do any jail time), Antonio Cesaro, Fandango (I’m guessing he will be cleared to wrestle since they have him set for this match, though having a guy who got a concussion be in a ladder match is a very unnecessary risky idea to me), Dean Ambrose, Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow. Does Vince feel him on that? He sure does. Then Vince mentions that something that neither Booker nor Vickie would have thought of. Vince says that it’s something that even he wouldn’t have thought of. Vince likes the idea & then he tells long how to say Fandango’s name. Long says he’s got that but of course he says it wrong. This was a typical backstage Vince-GM segment. So we got all faces in 1 MITB match & all heels in the other.

Daniel Bryan comes out for commentary.

Kane vs. Randy Orton. Orton gets the pin. During the match Daniel stood on the announce table & lead the fans in a yes chant. Then he got off the table & started shouting no. Later in the match Kane was outside the ring & Daniel helped him back in. Then Orton gave Kane the RKO for the pin. This was a really enjoyable back & forth match. Then Daniel heads up the ramp with a grin on his face. Kane asks him what happened. Daniel says he is sorry. He was trying to help Kane out.

Justin Gabriel vs. Ryback. Ryback gets the pin. This was a short match. Gabriel got some offense in before Ryback gave him the marching muscle buster.

Then Chris Jericho’s music plays & he comes out. He asks Ryback if he is ok. Did Ryback hurt his leg or his knee? Jericho fakes crying during this. Then Jericho says that ever since Vickie made the match with Ryback & Y2J at the Money in the Bank PPV all Jericho’s heard about is how bad of a man, killer & destroyer Ryback is. Jericho knows that is true but he also knows that Ryback is a whiner, moaner, complainer, a butcher, a baker & a giant excuse maker. With the amount of sobbing that Ryback is doing right now his name should be “Cry back.” Ryback shouts that he’s injured. Then Jericho gets the fans to start chanting cry back. If Ryback wants to be out there & cry maybe Jericho will come over to where Ryback is & give him something to “cry back” about. Then Ryback slides back in the ring. Then Jericho hits the ring & they go at it. Jericho kicks Ryback’s injured leg a few times & Ryback falls to the mat. Then Jericho goes for the wall but Ryback bails & says that he should be WWE Champion. I wasn’t into this. Jericho’s promo was a bit on the corny side & Ryback has lost most of if not all of his momentum since they turned him heel. I’m not sure why they even this match for the PPV. The build just came out of no where.

Time for a Wyatt family vignette. They’re coming but they’ve been here all along. These vignettes have been really creepy in a cool way & I am looking forward to when they finally debut.

Christian & The Usos vs. The Shield. Christian & The Usos win when Christian pins Ambrose. This was a good match & I was surprised to see The Shield lose by pinfall.  The pinfall win did give The Usos & Christian credibility though. Afterwards The Usos Christian celebrate on the ramp while The Shield is in the ring pointing fingers at each other.

Time for Fiesta Del Rio. The ring is all set up & they got the mariachi band. Then Lillian introduces Ricardo. Ricardo starts to introduce the champion but notices the lack of reaction from the crowed. He tells them this is the World Champion & he thought they would have a lot more energy. Then Ricardo says that maybe if he spoke in their language they’d get it. Then he says, “How y’all doin’? I’m from South Carolina.”  Then he introduces Del Rio. The champ welcomes everyone to Fiesta Del Rio. Tonight he celebrates his win over Dolph at Payback. Tonight he celebrates the night that he regained ‘his” World Title. Then he says that he is also celebrating being a 4 time World Champion. He knows that none of the fans understood who Del Rio really was in the beginning so he asked WWE to turn on the closed caption because as the fans’ champion he will do things his way, not the fans’ way. Tonight Del Rio will only speak in Spanish. Then the fans chant USA. Del Rio knew that would happen. Then he talks in Spanish about his Fiesta. He also mentions Dolph cashing in his Money in the Bank case on him. Then Del Rio mentions that he beat Dolph at Payback to win back the title. The fans chant USA & he calls the American fans ignoramuses. Then he starts talking in English & says enough with pointing fingers. This is his Fiesta, his celebration. Let’s begin the games. Starting with the Piñata. Then Ricardo gives Del Rio the Piñata hitting stick. Del Rio takes his jacket off & then hits the piñata & it falls to the ring mat. Then Del Rio says that he wants the people to understand why he just did that. He bashed open the Piñata just like he bashed open Dolph’s brains at Payback. He will do the same at Money in the Bank just to remain the fans’ World Champion. Then Del Rio says that, “Little Ziggy” promised to ruin his Fiesta but where is he? Where is “Tiny Little Ziggy”? If Dolph has the cajones why doesn’t he come out & face Del Rio? Then Dolph’s music hits & he comes out. Dolph takes off his watch & jacket & then slowly heads down the ramp. Then Dolph gets in the ring. Del Rio swings at him but misses. Then Dolph takes him down & pounds away on Del Rio. Ricardo gets involved & Dolph throws him over the top rope to the outside. Then Del Rio roundhouse kicks Dolph & pounds away on him. Then he throws Dolph into the Fiesta table that’s in the ring. Then Dolph makes a comeback. Ricardo goes to the top rope but Dolph catches him & throws him off the top rope through the table. Then Dolph gives Del Rio the Zig Zag. Then Dolph shouts that he is the man around here & that the World Title belongs to him. Then Dolph gets a guitar, goes to hit Del Rio but Del Rio slides out of the ring. Then Dolph sees Ricardo getting up & then Dolph hits him in the head with the guitar. Then Dolph picks up the title, stands on the turnbuckle & screams that it should be his. Dolph then goes to the entrance way where the Mariachi band is standing. He puts on a Sombrero, picks up a guitar & the band plays as balloons fall from the ceiling. Dolph poses with a busted guitar as the balloons continue coming down to end the show. This was really corny. I don’t know why they have these Fiesta Del Rio segments.

I thought this was a decent show for the most part. Sheamus-Sandow was good but the using of Irish gimmicked weapons was hokey. The Fiesta Del Rio was corny. Dolph coming out & going after Del Rio & Ricardo was good but Dolph wearing the Sombrero was also hokey. Christian & The Usos vs. The Shield was good & having Christian get the clan pin gave him & The Usos credibility. I’m curious if they’ll have Christian-Dean Ambrose U.S. Title match at some point. The Long-Vince backstage bit was your typical Vince-GM segment. It was hokey & there wasn’t much to it. The backstage bit with Kane & Daniel Bryan was also good. Those 2 are very good together. The Kane-Orton match was enjoyable too. Daniel helping Kane into the ring, causing Kane to lose & then Daniel grinning about it was solid too. Natalya-AJ wasn’t much. This was all about Kaitlyn being dressed like AJ & getting back at her for Monday. Gabriel-Ryback was short & the Jericho promo afterwards was hokey. The Miz TV segment with Paul Heyman & Curtis Axel was solid too. So overall I thought this was a decent show.

6-27-13 Impact results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the June 27, 2013 episode of Impact

  

The show starts with Sting coming to the ring. He told Bully Ray the MEM would rise & grow. He promises what Ray experienced last week was only a touch of what’s to come. Then he brings out Kurt Angle. Angle says we’re looking at 2 MEM originals. The whole concept behind this was that each member had to be a former world champion. They fought for power & the title. They did what they wanted, when they wanted & no one could stop them. But now Aces & 8s seem to be the unstoppable ones. Because of Aces & 8s Sting will never get another world title match. Thanks to Aces & 8s Angle was screwed out of the BFG Series. Real family sticks together, this is the new & improved MEM. He & Sting are both Hall of Famers, but that doesn’t mean anything till they do 2 things. Destroy Aces & 8 & make sure Ray loses the world title. Tonight we will find out who the newest member of the family will be. I’m not into the MEM being back, but thankfully this promo was short.

Backstage Chris Sabin is walking and then Doc grabs him. He drags him into the back of a truck where Anderson & Ray are. Anderson & Doc hold Sabin against the wall. Ray tells Sabin to take it easy they just wanna wish him luck in his match. Ray hopes Sabin wins & then does the right thing afterwards. The right thing being not to cash in his X Title for a world title shot. Sabin’s a great X Division wrestler who does great X Division stuff but Ray is the world champion. Ray’s also a bad person & Sabin doesn’t want any part of him. Doc & Anderson let him go. Ray tells him to be careful of those knees. This was a decent backstage bit.

Time for a gut check video package on Adam Ohriner AKA The Big O. He’s a guy from Long Island & has only been in the business 2 years but will do whatever he has to do to get a TNA contract. This was good.

X Division Champion Chris Sabin vs. “Suicide” vs. Kenny King for the Title. Suicide wins when he pins Kenny while holding the rope to win the Title. This was a decent match but I thought the finish was kinda flat.

Then Hulk Hogan’s music hits & he comes out with TJ Perkins. Hulk says that Perkins has worked hard to put food on his family &Perkins is the real Suicide. But today someone jumped him & took the costume. Hulk wants to know who is under the mask right now. “Suicide” hops the guard rail & leaves through the crowed. This was a bit hokey. Ever since the Suicide character showed up it’s always been a “mystery” as to who the guy under the mask was. Now Hulk comes out with TJ Perkins & tells everyone he has always been Suicide. That makes no sense. Also if Hulk knew that wasn’t the “real” suicide & since the “fake” Suicide used the ropes to win why didn’t Hogan just say the win didn’t count? Then he could’ve said that that since TJ was supposed to be in the match, he was going to restart this & have TJ be the third guy in there with Sabin & Kenny. They also could’ve had TJ & Sabin go after the “fake” Suicide & pull his mask off!

Backstage Hulk says he’s giving the fake Suicide till the end of the night to reveal himself.

Time for a gut check video on Ryan Howe. He plays 27 instruments. He got into wrestling by playing at a wrestling show. Then he got in the ring & fell in love with it. Tonight is the most important match he’s had to date. Pro wrestling is about charisma & he has that. The TNA roster, fans & gut check judges will see it.

JB is in the ring to introduce the gut check guys. Ryan Howe comes out with a guitar as an electric guitar version of the National Anthem is played. Then out comes The Big O.

Adam Ohriner (The Big O) vs. Ryan Howe. Adam gets the pin. This was decent.

Backstage we see Angle & Sting. Sting say’s they’re gonna better off this time than last or whatever.

Backstage we TJ Perkins. Then Ray comes in. Ray says TJ is a good wrestler with all that stuff he does. Ray thinks he has a bright future. Then Ray asks if Angle & Sting put him up to this. Perkins says no. Then Ray asks him again. TJ says he’s been working on the chance of a life time and it was taken from him & it was real. Ray says there’s a lot going on with the MEM playing head games. TJ says he told him everything he knows. All TJ doesn’t know is who did it.  

Time for a video package recapping the Velvet-Mickie angle.

Before the next match Mickie says there’s a vicious side that’s changed Velvet. When Velvet was champion they were friends. Now Mickie is the champion & they aren’t friends but she will give Velvet 1 last chance to walk away. Mickie doesn’t wanna see Velvet get hurt. She tells Velvet to do the right thing & walk away. Then Velvet spears Mickie.

Velvet Sky vs. Knockouts Champion Mickie James for the Title. Mickie wins by submission. This match was good & I liked Mickie’s submission finisher.

Afterwards Christie asks Velvet what’s going through her head after all of this. Velvet cries & says she thought her knee was ok. She fought so hard to get the rematch & she’s heartbroken right now. Then her music plays as she walks out. This was good. Velvet did a really good job acting all heartbroken & feeling stressed out.

Backstage we see Angle & Sting again. Then Roode shows up. Roode heads to the ring as Angle & Sting watch. Roode was world champion. Will he be part of the new MEM?

Backstage Hulk asks the referee for the X Division Title match if there was anything different about Suicide. The referee didn’t see anything different. Hulk then tells the referee to find the guy & tell him he has to unmask by the end of the night or give up the title. This was lame. I have no idea why they’re doing this bit with the Suicide character.

Magnus vs. Bobby Roode in a BFG Series match. Magnus gets the pin for 7 more points. This was a really good back & forth match.

Backstage Ray & Doc walk into the locker room where we see Jessie, Robbie E, Chavo & Hernandez. He asks if any of them are Suicide. If any of them are they’re committing career suicide.

James Storm & Gunner are in the ring. He mentions that tag team wrestling is a science. He & Gunner don’t look like scientist, but he’s been a chemist because booze + girls = a good time. Whatever. One thing he’s learned being a 12 time tag champion is that you don’t have to like your partner. As long you watch each other’s backs you’re good to go. This is why Storm picked Gunner. Storm knows there’re a lot of tough guys back there. Then out come Robbie E, Jessie & Tara. Robbie says the champs really think they’re tough. Robbie says he & Jessie are the toughest guys in the locker room. E tells Storm that picking Gunner over him to be his partner was a big mistake. Now this train has already sailed down the road bro. In front of Gunner & Storm is the future of tag team wrestling, The Bro mans. Storm asks if they’re a thing now & says he heard Robbie say bromance. E says he said bro mans. Jessie says E said bro mans & they got a hot chick. Storm says Tara’s a butter face. Then Jessie takes swing but Gunner punches him to the mat. Robbie, Jessie & Tara leave. Storm tells Gunner he didn’t have to knock him out but he’s sorry about the Bro team’s luck. This was cheesy. Robbie E & Jessie are the next challengers for the tag team titles? Come on. The whole “Bro mans/bromance” back & forth was lame too.

Angle & Sting are backstage. Sting says that everyone wants to know who Suicide is. Angle says maybe they should talk to the mystery man. 

Samoa Joe vs. Ken Anderson in a BFG Series match. Joe wins by submission for 10 more points. This was a solid match. Doc & Knox came out during the match. Then Angle & Sting came out and went after Doc & Knox. Then Angle & Sting come in the ring & the hug Joe. So Joe is part of the new MEM. That’s not surprising since he was in the old 1 too.

Backstage Angle & Sting welcome Joe to the MEM. Joe says if they’re planning to find out who is running things in TNA he’s in.

Hulk Hogan comes to the ring. He says tonight was supposed to be about who is gonna put the X Title up for a world title shot on 7-18 but we got a mystery of who is under the suicide mask. Hulk tells “Suicide” to get on out there or he will take the title from him. Out comes “Suicide”. Hulk says he’s been around the block a few times. He gets that when chances come your way you turn in the gold and says the X Title isn’t about cheating. He wants the fake “Suicide” to unmask. Then out comes Bully Ray. Rays says for the first time in awhile he & “dad” are on the same page. Ray also wants to know who is in the Suicide costume. Ray says it doesn’t matter if the guy unmasks. What matters is what he decides to do about a world title match. “Suicide” won because Ray put the fear of himself in Sabin. “Ray says he’s a bad man tells “Suicide” to leave. Hulk’s tired of all the crap & he tells the guy to take the hood off. “Suicide” says that he was in darkness & has felt the pain. In life you’re given a choice to do the easy thing or the right thing. Ray comes out & asks the fans if they know who he is. The real question is does Ray know who he is? Ray should, because he’s a guy who has beaten Ray before. He unmasks & it’s Austin Aries. Aries says he is the guy who started option C. He is the guy who cashed in the X Title for a World Title match & he will do it again. This ends the show. This was a solid ending to the show. Hulk’s promo was decent but some of it felt like he was just rambling. Ray was good on the mic as always. Aries revealing himself to be “Suicide” was well done also.

I thought this was a mediocre show for the most part. I wasn’t really into the whole Suicide story throughout the night but Aries unmasking at the end was good. Magnus vs. Roode was good & Joe vs. Anderson was solid. Magnus is still in the lead in the BFG Series. The Velvet-Mickie match was good too & I liked Velvet’s post match promo. I wasn’t into the Gunner & Storm-Robbie E & Jessie segment. The whole “bro mans/bromance bit was idiotic. The 3 Way X Division match was decent but the finish came of flat to me. The Big O-Ryan Howe match was decent too but I’m not into Ryan’s rock star gimmick. I’m also not into the new Main Event Mafia either. It’s been done & it really didn’t work then. Overall I thought this was a mixed bag.  

6-24-13 Raw results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the June 24, 2013 episode of Raw

  The show starts with a Daniel Bryan coming to the ring. He says there are some people that have accused him of having a complex. He’s been hearing that for years. People question the fact that he’s a wrestler & think of him as an extra in The Hobbit. Daniel says that he’s not a Hobbit extra. Whether he teamed with Kane or was on NXT he has been called the “weak link.” Daniel says that those people are morons. He has gone toe to toe with Randy Orton twice. A weak link could’ve accepted the count out win on Smackdown but beating Orton by count out was satisfying enough for him. He won’t be satisfied till he beats Orton by pin or submission. Will he do that? Yes. He says that a few times & then out comes Randy Orton. Daniel’s glad Orton came out because there’s…Orton knocks the mic out of Daniels hand. He says that he came out to tell Daniel to his face to shut up & fight. Then they go at it. The referee holds them back & then calls for the bell. This was a solid opening segment.

Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan. Randy Orton wins by DQ. They brawl outside the ring & the referee calls for the bell. The brawl continues as referees come out to break it up. Break time. I wasn’t really into the quick non finish but the brawl these 2 had was really good.

Back from break & we see Vickie & Brad in the GM Office. Daniel comes in. He can’t believe that his match ended in a double DQ and says he wants a rematch with Orton because this ends tonight. Brad says the rematch won’t happen. Then Daniel tells Vickie to give him a rematch or he will want to face Brad. Vickie says Daniel’s got his rematch with Orton. Daniel leaves & Vickie laughs because Brad was all terrified. Then Vince comes in. He says some people don’t think that Daniel is a super star because of his size & actions (Huh) & that he is embarrassment. Vickie asks what Vince thinks. He will let her decide that for herself. Besides Daniel I wasn’t into this bit.

Sheamus & Christian vs. Damien Sandow & Cody Rhodes. Sheamus & Christian win when Sheamus pins Cody. This was a solid match but I don’t know why the Sheamus-Rhodes Scholars feud is still happening. Plus Sheamus got the clean pin!

Backstage we see CM Punk texting. Vickie shows up. Punk asks if she’s seen Heyman or Lesnar. She hasn’t but she is putting Punk in a match tonight. Punk looks zoned out & tells Vickie says excuse me & then Punk gets in Vickie’s face & shouts excuse me! Then he tells Vickie to let him know if Heyman or Lesnar show up.

Kaitlyn vs. Aksana. Kaitlyn gets the pin. This wasn’t much. Just seconds after the match starts Kaitlyn’s music plays. Then out comes AJ in a muscled up Kaitlyn costume. That distracted Kaitlyn & Aksana rolled her up for 2. Then Kaitlyn speared Aksana for the pin. Then AJ says she’s Kaitlyn. She says that Kaitlyn not only lost her Divas title to the great AJ Lee but she also lost her dignity. She was humiliated when she thought someone liked her & thought she had a secret admirer. Then out come Big E. He says it was him all along. She is the 1. He gives flowers & then AJ (pretending to be Kaitlyn) says that she has always wanted a guy with a voice as deep as hers & has legs that are as big as hers too. She says Kaitlyn will never win back the Divas title so for know she will be the butt of AJ’s jokes. Then Big E picks up AJ & they go to the back. This was solid. AJ was good here. She’s good at being at playing a heel.

Time for a Wyatt Family vignette.  

The have a video package focusing on the really awesome Mark Henry promo from last week.

Chris Jericho vs. World Champion Alberto Del Rio. Jericho wins by DQ when Ricardo comes in. Jericho had Del Rio in the walls & then Ricardo came in & hit Jericho with the bucket. Then Dolph comes in & pounds away on Del Rio. Jericho gives Ricardo a code breaker & Dolph gives Del Rio a Zig Zag. Then Jericho & Dolph have a stare down. Jericho goes to leave & then Dolph give him a Zig Zag too. This was a great back & forth match & I was ok with the DQ finish. I also liked Dolph coming & going after Del Rio. Then having him Zig Zag Jericho afterwards was good too.

Cut to Vickie & Brad. Vickie says she is canceling the Daniel-Orton match. Then HHH comes in. He heard Vickie thought about canceling the Daniel-Orton match tonight. Vickie agrees with what Vince said before. HHH doesn’t but it doesn’t matter what anyone backstage thinks, what matters is what the fans think. The fans want a Daniel-Orton match tonight. HHH wants Vickie to also give the fans the chants to pick what kinda match Daniel & Orton will have. HHH then says if she listens to him everything will be ok. Then he tells Brad he’s got a nice shirt & asks if it comes in a men’s size too. This was terrible! I’m really tired of having Vince, HHH & Stephanie constantly telling Vickie & Brad what to do & they all tell them something different! What is the point of having a GM if the McMahon family keeps attempting to influence what decision the GM will make!?

Jerry Lawler, Brad Maddox & Vickie Guerrero are in the ring. They’re there to announce the launch of the new WWE video game. There’s some contest where the fans can come up with a cover for the video game. Vickie tries to cut King off & then King tells the fans how to go about designing the cover. Who cares? Then Vickie says in tonight’s rematch between Daniel & Orton she will let the fans pick what stip they want it to be. It can be a street fight, a lumber jack match or falls count anywhere. The fans loudly boo Vickie & she screams excuse me. Since she’s Raw's greatest (and technically only) managing supervisor she has decided on her cover for the new video game. On the Tron they show a pic of Vince, HHH & Stephanie. Then Brad says he came up with a cover too. His is a pic of himself, Cena & Punk. Then King has a drum roll for the reel cover. They lower a banner from the ring & the cover is a pic of The Rock. His music plays & King asks if Vickie can smell what Rock’s cooking. What the F was this!? I’ll tell ya what it was, AMAZINGLY STUPID!! Why tell the fans they can design their own cover for a dumb video game AND THEN SHOW US A COVER ALREADY MADE!? Also why’d they feel the need to have Vickie say that having the fans pick the stip for the Daniel-Orton match was her idea, when WE ALL SAW THAT HHH TOLD HER TO DO THAT IN THAT HORRIBLE BACKSTAGE BIT!? COME ON WWE!! QUIT INSULTING THE FAN’S INTELLIGENCE!!

Great Khali vs. Ryback. Ryback gets the pin. This wasn’t much but Ryback lifting up Khali for the marching muscle buster was impressive.

John Cena comes to the ring and is ALL SMILES AGAIN, & making jokes!! THIS GUY DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO SELL AT ALL!! HE GOT FLATTENED BY MARK HENRY LAST WEEK & NOW HE COMES OUT AND IS HIS USUAL SMILING, HOKEY SELF!? Anyway time for Cena’s (most likely dreadful) promo. He says the fans are a lively bunch. Fans know he’s carrying the WWE Title. Many have chased it but only 43 guys have held on to it. Weather you held it for years like Bruno or for 1 night like Rey Mysterio being WWE Champion places you in an elite fraternity among your peers. Some guys have done dastardly things over the years to get the belt. He mentions people trying to buy it & steel it. Then he says that some people have cracked under the pressure of the fans to chase for the title. Even Vince felt he needed to champion to justify his existence to the fans. Last week we all saw how low a guy will sink to chase for the belt. Last week Mark Henry disgraced his family & cheated the fans. Cena thought his speech was a disaster for everyone who has had to tell the fans they can’t do this again. Then Cena mentions Edge, HBK & Ric Flair. Major moments in WWE history & last week Henry made a mockery of all that. He realizes why. Henry’s been there for 17 years & maybe he realizes the door’s closing & that he won’t have a legacy till he has the WWE Title. Cena says that Henry will have to get through him. The best part of Henry’s speech last week when he said you have to earn the WWE Title. All Henry earned is the right for Cena to kick his teeth down his throat. Henry will sink to the lowest of lows but in 3 weeks he will find out what the world already knows. “Our time is now & THE CHAMP IS HERE!” This was 1 of Cena’s better promos. I liked that he put over the meaning of the title & him mentioning the low Henry sunk too was good.

Time for an RVD return video.

A fan comes to the ring with Tons of Funk, Naomi & Cameron

Brodus Clay & Tensai vs. The Usos vs. Drew McIntyre & Jinder Mahal in a number 1 contender for the tag titles match. The Usos win when Jay pins Tensai. Then The Shield shows up in the crowed. They have a stare down with The Usos. This was a short & decent match.

   

Paul Heyman comes to the ring. Then they reshow Lesnar giving Punk an F5 from last week. Then Heyman says for a week he’s been asked by everyone about Brock attacking Punk. Heyman has ignored Punk’s calls, e-mails, texts, etc because Heyman feels this should be discussed in front of the fans. Heyman says Punk will get his answers tonight. He & the fans await Punk’s presence. Out comes Punk. Punk says Heyman wants to air dirty laundry in public for the fans entertainment. Punk says before that he will tell everyone that despite Heyman’s reputation why he is a Heyman guy. He mentioned when he signed his first WWE contract & Johnny Ace was in charge at the time. Johnny had Punk go to developmental. At the time Heyman was in charge of developmental & Heyman was set up to flop. Punk wasn’t supposed to succeed because management didn’t like Punk. They told Vince to cut Punk lose because he is not what they look for. Heyman was told to never consider bringing Punk to Raw or Smackdown but Heyman refused to fire Punk. Heyman believed in Punk & was ECW was resurrected Punk was Heyman’s first draft pick. Now there’s 2 things Punk wants to say to Heyman. Punk’s coming for Brock. He doesn’t care if Brock is bigger or stronger because Brock isn’t better than Punk. Punk is the best wrestler on the planet & Heyman knows that better than anybody. He tells Heyman that he will bring the beast down. Then Punk says Heyman never did him wrong. Then Punk asks Heyman if Brock attacked him on his own or because Heyman told him too. Punk wants Heyman to tell him the truth, not to lie to him like he has to others. He wants Heyman to swear on his children if he had anything to do with Brock’s attack or not. Heyman says he never wanted it to be this way between them. Since Punk demands the truth & because Punk’s his best friend Heyman will tell him the truth. Heyman had no idea Brock would show up last week. The fans boo & he says that is the very same response he got from Vince, Stephanie & Ace when he told them Punk was the next top guy. Brock fulfilled his contractual obligations at Extreme Rules. The moment Punk said Brock needed Heyman’s help Punk picked a fight with Brock. It’s a fact this was bound to happen because of the long running jealousy between the 2. This is why he never mentioned a Punk-Brock tag team to Vince. Heyman kept Punk & Brock apart because of professional jealousy. Heyman says in 2006 their friendship came before business. Heyman admits his flaws but isn’t stupid. He will walk down that aisle with Punk 1 day. Not anytime soon because he gets Punk needs space right now. But he will walk to the ring with Punk the day that Punk headlines WrestleMania. Heyman loves Punk. Punk is his best friend & won’t screw up because Punk needs space. Heyman will never represent anyone against Punk. That includes Brock. In 05-06 everyone told Heyman to get rid of Punk. Now in 2013 the fans are telling Punk to get rid of him. Heyman’s fate is in punk’s hands, it is Punk’s move. Then Punk & Heyman stare at each other for a while. Punk wonders what he should do & the fans chant kick his ass. Then Punk tells Heyman he is sorry that he doubted him. Then they hug. This was a really awesome promo. Both Punk & Heyman were great on the mic as always & I liked that they mentioned how Punk’s WWE career began. There was a lot said here & it was hard to keep up with everything that they said. My apologies if I missed anything.

CM Punk vs. Darren Young. Punk wins by submission. This was a good match. Then Titus goes after Punk. Darren & Titus double team him. Then out comes Curtis Axel & he helps Punk out. Then Punk takes out Titus with a roundhouse kick & Axel makes quick work of Darren. Then Punk looks at Axel & Heyman says they’ll talk about it. Punk says something to Axel before Axel & Heyman leave.

Backstage Vickie leaves Brad a message saying this is the 10^th time she’s called him. Then Stephanie comes in. She mentions that Vickie hasn’t announces any participants for the WWE Title shot MITB ladder match. Vickie apologizes & says it’s been crazy. Stephanie says it’s ok & she will handle this. Thankfully this was short.

The Bella Twins are at ringside giving fans the newest addition of the WWE magazine.

Stephanie McMahon comes out on the stage. It’s the time of year where every WWE super star dreams of climbing the ladder, grabbing the case & getting an almost guaranteed title match. Since Vickie’s to busy, Stephanie will announce who is in the MITB ladder match. CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Sheamus, Randy Orton, Christian, Kane & returning to WWE for the first time in a few years Rob Van Dam.

Back to Vickie & Brad. Vickie asks why she didn’t think of what Stephanie came up with. Brad says he & Stephanie came up with it. Then Ryback comes in. He asks Vickie & Brad if they saw how easily he beat Khali before. Then he mentions that he pinned Cena in the lumber jack fall. Ryback tells Vickie to call off the Cena-Mark Henry match at MITB because he wants to face Cena at MITB. Then Jericho comes in. He mentions that he deserves better than to be attacked by 3 guys & then not be in the MITB match. He has been in more MITB matches than anybody & he deserves to be in this 1 too so that he can become a 7 time world champion. Ryback says he will eat Jericho alive. Brad says this isn’t the time or the place. Ryback & Jericho stare intently at each other. Then Vickie screams asking them who they think they are coming into her office & demanding what they want. Vickie then says that Jericho will face Ryback at Money in the Bank. This was lame. I’m tired of Vickie’s character, Ryback’s promo was weak & while Jericho was good here, this bit just didn’t work for me.

Backstage we see Punk & Heyman. Punk wants to know what the deal with Axel is. Heyman says Punk was getting double teamed. Punk says he doesn’t need anyone’s assistance. Heyman went to Vickie & next week The Prime time Players will face Curtis & Punk. Punk says Heyman is unbelievable. Punk will do this but doesn’t need Axel’s assistance. Then Punk tells Heyman to tell Brock that he’s coming for him & that he is going to win the MITB ladder match too. This was solid.

Mark Henry comes to the ring. He says he fooled us all. He saw all the Mark Henry signs. He heard them chanting his name. More than anything he saw the fans cry. He saw the fans in the front row with their signs. Because of his great performance he has been nominated for an academy award. He’s had Hollywood people reach out to him. That’s great but that’s not what he wants or deserves. People have been upset with Henry because he used his friends, family & other WWE super stars. He’s not going to apologize to anybody. People have been telling him his whole life how he should live. “Mark Henry you work hard. You go to that Olympics & win it for America.” What will happen at MITB is that a no good, dirty, lying, cheating, filthy, dirty Mark Henry will show up. The fans are all puppets & he tells them what to do. Last week he said he was coming home. He’s coming home WWE Champion. This was a good promo & a good follow up to last week.

Time for another Wyatt family vignette. They’re coming.

Jerry Lawler is in the ring. Time to find what stip the fans picked for the Daniel-Orton match. They picked street fight. Not that it matters since all the stips are pretty much the same anyway.

Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan in a street fight. Daniel wins by submission. This was a great back & forth match. Daniel leads the fans in the yes chant. Then Orton gets up, looks at Daniel & then shakes his hand. Daniel & the fans chant yes some more. Orton walks up the ramp as Daniel celebrates in the ring to end the show. Great match & a really good ending to this week’s Raw.

There was a lot of further storyline development here & I thought they did a good a job for the most part this week. Daniel’s promo at the start was solid & I liked that it lead right to the Daniel-Orton match. I wasn’t into the non finish though, but after they said it would be tonight’s main event I was ok with it. The Daniel-Orton match at the end was just great! Daniel is amazing & this is the most I’ve been interested in watching Orton since April 2004. Mark Henry’s promo was really good. I liked that he mentioned he was nominated for an academy award and then mentioning that everyone’s always told him how to live his life. The Punk-Heyman in ring promo was awesome too, Punk-Darren Young was good & I liked that Heyman had Curtis Axel come out & help Punk & Punk not wanting any part of Axel’s assistance. The backstage bits with Vickie & Brad were weak. I have no idea what the point of having a GM Team is if the Vince, HHH & Stephanie are going to keep telling them which McMahon to listen to. The Punk-Heyman backstage bit was solid also, Kaitlyn-Aksana wasn’t much but I thought AJ coming out in the Kaitlyn costume was good. Cena had 1 of his better promos this week. I like that he put over the prestige of the WWE Title. Having him come out & be all smiles like usual before that was idiotic, but the promo was good. The video game plugging segment was terrible, the less said about that the better. The 3 way tag match was decent too & I liked that The Shield stood in the crowed & had a stare down with The Usos. The Jericho-Ryback bit in Vickie’s office was weak. Ryback’s not the greatest promo & while Jericho was good here this bit just didn’t click. I liked the Wyatt family vignettes & I hope they debut soon. I liked the Jericho-Del Rio match too & the DQ ending made sense. I also like that Dolph came out, attacked Del Rio & then gave Jericho a Zig Zag as receipt for the code breaker Jericho gave him on Smackdown. Overall I thought this week’s show was good with furthering the storylines & there were some good to great matches too.

6-21-13 Smackdown results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the June 21, 2013 episode of Smackdown

The show starts with Daniel Bryan coming to the ring. He gets the mic & the fans chant yes. Then he says Monday night on Raw something happened to him that has never happened to him before. In his 13 years in this industry he has never had a match stopped due to injury. When the Dr. asked him if he could continue he said YES! Unfortunately the Dr. & more importantly the referee didn’t agree. Officially the company line is that they were concerned for his health so they stopped the match. Realistically they stopped that match because they think that Daniel is the weak link & that he’s not tough enough. That’s not the worst part of it. The worst offender in this whole thing is Randy Orton. The reshow the end of the Daniel-Orton match from Raw. Then Daniel says that instead of fighting to keep that match going, pleading with the Doctors & referees, or raging against the machine with Daniel side by side, instead of all that Orton picked Daniel up, patted him on the head like he’s his little brother, or worse, like he’s some sort of little dog. Daniel then says that Orton told ‘Little Daniel” not to worry. But in Orton’s eyes Daniel saw nothing but pity. Tonight Daniel doesn’t care what the Doctors or referees think & most importantly Daniel doesn’t care what Orton thinks. Daniel will prove that he is not the weak link. Will he beat Orton tonight? YES! Then he leads that fans in the yes chant and then Orton comes out. Orton tells “Dan” that he’s got it all wrong. The reason their match was stopped was because people were concerned for Daniel’s well being. Orton was concerned for Daniel’s well being too. Orton wanted to stop fighting Daniel but Daniel kept coming. Orton had no choice & that made him respect Daniel even more. Then Orton tells Daniel that the match was stopped because Daniel could no longer defend himself. Then Orton says that when he helped Daniel up it wasn’t because of pity, it was because of respect. Daniel tells Orton not to patronize him. He can look Orton in the eye right now & he doesn’t see an ounce of respect. All Daniel sees is pity because he knows that Orton thinks that Daniel is the weak link. Daniel mentions that Orton said it Monday. Tonight Daniel will prove how tough he is. He proved it last week when he beat The Shield. Daniel will take all this respect & is going to shove it down Orton’s throat. Orton says that Daniel is way out of line. If Daniel wants this that badly, fine. They fight tonight & Orton is gonna hurt him. Tonight when the referees stop their match Daniel won’t be walking out, he will be carried out. Then Orton tells Daniel to respect that. This was great. Both Daniel & Orton were awesome on the mic here. I like that they have Daniel being the paranoid guy, thinking everyone pities him & he isn’t the heel. I like that there’s no face vs. heel in this feud. Just a guy who thinks no one respects him. Daniel Bryan is amazing & this is the most I’ve been interested in watching Randy Orton in years.

Sheamus vs. Cody Rhodes. Sheamus wins by submission. This was a solid match. Then Damien Sandow comes in & pounds away on Sheamus. It looks like the Sheamus-Sandow feud is continuing. I’m not sure why since Sheamus beat him at the Payback Kickoff, but hopefully this rivalry will be booked better.

Time for a Wyatt family vignette. They’re coming.

Miz is on commentary.

Wade Barrett vs. Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel for the Title. Axel gets the pin. This was a solid match too. Then Miz gets in the ring and He & Axel stare each other down. Miz takes jacket & tie off but Axel & Heyman retreat.

They show a Mark Henry video package.

Time for a look back at the awesome Cena-Henry segment from Raw.

Natalya vs. Divas Champion AJ Lee. AJ wins by submission. This was a decent match. They showed Kaitlyn & Layla watching backstage & then Aksana comes by. She asks if this is the same AJ that beat Kaitlyn. Then Aksana calls Kaitlyn trash. Then as Aksana goes to leave Kaitlyn hits her in the back of the head with a bottle of water. Layla tells Kaitlyn Aksana’s not worth it. Then Kaitlyn dumps trash on Aksana. Then other Divas come in to break it up. This was a decent backstage bit. I like that they have Kaitlyn being the crazy 1 now.

Chris Jericho vs. Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio wins by DQ when Dolph comes in. Jericho was going for the walls & Del Rio countered it into the arm breaker. Then Jericho reversed that back into the walls. Then Ricardo got on the apron, Jericho threw him in the ring & locked Ricardo in the walls & Ricardo tapped. Then Dolph came out & attacked Del Rio & the referee called for the ball. Then Del Rio & Ricardo hop the guard rail & escape. In the ring Jericho is pissed at Ziggler for costing him the match. Then Jericho gives Dolph a code breaker. Then Del Rio & Ricardo go back in the ring. Referees come to hold Del Rio back. Ricardo holds up Dolph & Del Rio kicks him in the head. This was a good back & forth match but I wasn’t into Jericho flattening Dolph. I’m curious thought if Jericho will be feuding with Dolph too. Maybe even be in the title hunt.

Christian vs. Drew McIntyre. Christian gets the pin. This was mostly a squash.

Then Christian gets the mic & says that after 10 long months it feels good to be back on Smackdown & even better to be out there in front of all of his peeps. Everyone knows why he came back. For that 1 more match. Then The Shield’s music plays & they come out. This time through the entrance. They surround Christian and then they get in the ring & triple team him. Then the give him the triple power bomb.

Backstage Renee Young interviews Paul Heyman. She says that fans want to know why Lesnar attacked Punk & to what extent was Heyman involved? Heyman says there’s a lot of gossiping happening regarding Punk & Heyman. Heyman says that since she thinks it alright to talk about people’s personal lives maybe she would like to lead by example. He then asks Renee how her relationship with her dad is these days. Is it better than it was before? Has she talked to him in the past 2 years? Maybe Renee would like to discuss in public why her uncle had to rip her prom date out of the limo. That’s a matter of public record isn’t it? It’s not fun talking about your personal life on TV is it? CM Punk made it very clear that he is not Heyman’s client, they’re just best friends. Therefore anything that happens between Punk & Heyman is personal & Heyman isn’t going to air their dirty laundry on television. Maybe next time Renee interviews him she will be kind enough to ask him about Curtis Axel defending the Intercontinental title for the first time earlier in the show. Or did she not pay attention to that either? This was the usual good promo Heyman delivers.

Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton. Daniel wins by count out. Both guys were going at it outside the ring & Daniel got back in to beat the 10 count. Afterwards Daniel gets the mic. He’s not gonna take a count out victory. He tells the referee to restart the match right now. The referee tells him no & Daniel scream yes. Then Daniel & the fans chant yes as Orton watches in the corner. The fan continue chanting yes to end the show. This was a really good match & I thought Daniel’s reaction to winning by count out was good too. I also liked that Orton stood in the corner as Daniel & the fans chanted yes.

I thought this was good show this week. The Daniel-Orton promo at the start was great & their match at the end was good too. I also liked that Daniel wasn’t satisfied with a count out win & telling the referee to restart the match & going back & forth with yes-no bit. Orton’s reaction to the whole bit was good too. Paul Heyman was great on the mic as usual & Renee did a good job with the feeling uncomfortable reaction when Heyman was talking about her family. Christian-McIntyre was mostly a squash, Christian’s promo afterwards was solid & The Shield coming out was good also. Jericho-Del Rio was a good match too & Dolph going after Del Rio made sense. The only part that I wasn’t into was Jericho giving Dolph a code breaker. Maybe they’re going to have Jericho be in the Money in the Bank ladder match for the world title case. Natalya-AJ was decent & I liked the backstage bit where Kaitlyn & Aksana went at it. Kaitlyn is good at playing the frustrated/boarder line crazy person. Barrett-Axel was a solid match & I was ok with Miz getting in the ring afterwards only for Heyman & Axel to retreat. Sheamus-Cody was also a solid match & it looks like the Sheamus-Sandow feud isn’t done yet. Overall I enjoyed this week’s Smackdown.

6-20-13 Impact results and thoughts

 Coverage and thoughts on the June 20, 2013 episode of Impact

They start the show with an “earlier today” film of Sting (in a suit & without the paint) outside & walking into the arena.

Then they show a Bound for Glory Series video package. This was good.

The actual show starts with 10 of the 12 guys who are in the BFG Series in the ring. Then predictably Hulk’s music plays & he comes out brother (Do they have to start Impact with him every week?). Hulk welcomes everyone to the BFG Series kickoff. Tonight is also open fight night & the 10 guys in the ring have already qualified for the series. What he wants to do now is bring out the 2 guys who won the first 2 BFG Series. First he brings out Bobby Roode and then Jeff Hardy. Hulk says tonight is the kickoff & all 12 guys will have their first BFG Series match because it’s open fight night. The fans for some reason got to decide on the TNA website if Jeff or Roode should call out someone. Jeff won the poll. Hulk asks who Jeff’s calling out. Then Aries says he wants to be the guy Jeff calls out, but that won’t happen. Jeff might be the most popular guy in the company but Aries has his group of fans too that always chant his name. Then Daniels tells Jefferson that Jeff should call out Aries, or Park, but not to call out Francois of himself. If he did Jeff would start the series with the most demoralizing defeat of his career. Jeff says Roode made it personal last week & he’s calling Roode out. Then all 12 guys go at it. This was a solid segment to start the show. However, I thought last week Roode already said that he was calling Jeff out for tonight. Then they have a poll on the TNA website to see if Jeff or Roode will get to call out someone. That I didn’t care for. That said I thought Aries & Daniels cut good promos & the brawl was good too.

Ken Anderson comes to the ring. He says being that it is open fight night & the start of the BFG Series he gets to call somebody out. He calls out Joseph Park.

Joseph Park vs. Ken Anderson in a BFG Series match. Anderson gets the pin for 7 points. During the match Park had Anderson in the Boston Crab but Doc came out to distract the referee. Then Park was going to the top & Doc kicked Park in the back of the head. Then Anderson gave Park the Mic Check for the win. WINNER – Ken Anderson. This was a solid match.

Backstage Ken Anderson mentions that he won his match & tells Ray & Devon that he should be the next VP. Doc says he should the VP. He & Anderson argue. Ray says they don’t need to fight each other. Ray says they’ll the VP thing to a vote. Tonight however they have business that involves Ray’s “wife.” This was decent & short.

Jay Bradley is in the ring. The chip on his shoulder isn’t getting any smaller. The guy he’s calling out was world champion last summer. He calls out Austin Aries.

Jay Bradley vs. Austin Aries in a BFG Series match. Aries gets the pin for 7 points. This was a solid match too.

Backstage camera guy asks Sting what his agenda is. Sting says that he has a meeting. The mafia will rise & tonight it grows. Break time.

Back from break & Sting is talking to somebody. He says that motor bike gangs talk about brother hood and what beats that is a family. He asks whoever if he’s in. The guy shakes his hand.

Then Chavo gives Hernandez a pep talk for his upcoming match. Chavo says Hernandez is out there by himself tonight, no one has worked harder than Hernandez has & Chavo tells him to go get some points. This was ok. I feel a Chavo turn coming.

Hernandez comes to the ring. Out of all the people in this BFG Series there’s 1 loud mouth that really pisses him off. He calls out Daniels.

Hernandez vs. Christopher Daniels in a BFG Series match. Daniels gets the pin for 7 points. This was a decent match.

Backstage we see Brooke Hogan walking. I’m dreading her promo later!

Frankie Kazarian is in the ring. Everyone just saw the bad influence BFG Series domination. He’s calling out a guy Dixie thinks is the future of this company. He calls out Magnus.

Magnus vs. Frankie Kazarian in a BFG Series match. Magnus wins by submission for 10 points. This was a decent match too.

Backstage Hulk is on his cell. He says everything’s fine. Then Ray shows up behind him with a hammer. Hulk grabs him & tells him he’s a dead man. Hulk wants to do this right now. He tells Ray to take his best shot. Ray says he’s not the kinda guy who would hit somebody in the back of the head with a hammer. Ray’s her to talk to his “wife”. Hulk says Ray & Brooke are done. Ray asks Hulk why Brooke stopped Hulk from hitting Ray with the hammer. This was ok. Hulk was his usual self & Ray was good here.

Brooke Hogan comes to the ring (This is gonna be terrible). She says she’s so proud of the Knockouts division. She says the shows that are being talked about after Impact are all about the Knockouts. If the last few months are any indication of what’s to come, we’re gonna have a hot summer. There are some issues she would like to address & she has the Knockouts come out. Eric Young also comes out. Brooke says Mickie apparently needs a special introduction. Brooke introduces Mickie & she comes out to her music. Mickie thanks Brooke for letting her speak about the state of the Knockouts division. She’s proud to present the division on red carpets & music videos. Now she’s doing ads too. She tells Brooke that carrying the weight of the division on Mickie’s shoulders doesn’t hurt as much as Velvet’s knee. Brooke says this isn’t just about Mickie. Brooke has business to take care of. She asks if EY remembers the chat they had a year & a half ago. EY says he’s technically not a woman, but he’s the toughest dude standing in the ring. Then EY hands over the Knockouts Tag Titles and then says it’s national kissing day. Then he & ODB make out. Brooke says this division is about competition. Velvet’s been the heart & soul of the division. Brooke mentions that Velvet wants her rematch for the title. Then Mickie says the little pigeon is hurt and can’t fly this coup. Brooke spoke to Velvet’s Dr. and Mickie & Velvet can go at it next week. Gail says Brooke forgot about her. Gail wants what belongs to her now. Brooke says how awesome Gail’s match with Taryn at the PPV was. Then she tells Gail that she will face Taryn again, this time in a ladder match. This was mediocre. Brooke is awful on the mic. Mickie & Gail were good here though & I thought EY was comical here too. I’m also glad that they finally got rid of the knockouts tag titles!

Backstage Hulk tells Brooke she did a good job & now he wants her to leave. Brooke protests & Hulk says he doesn’t need anymore drama. Brooke gets in the limo & leaves. Hulk doesn’t need anymore drama? I also don’t need anymore Hogan family drama! This was a typical Hogan bit.

AJ Styles comes to the ring. He says it’s real simple. This isn’t about Aces & 8s, or TNA. This is about him. It’s about AJ becoming the next world champion. Not for the fame or glory but for the money. Everybody’s looking for a hero. If here’s learned 1 thing being in TNA the past 11 years it’s that this is no place for a hero. AJ is sick & tired of doing the right thing. He’s doing his own thing now. Then out comes Samoa Joe.

Samoa Joe vs. AJ Styles in a BFG Series match. The match goes to a draw. This was a really good back & forth match. Since this was a draw both guys got 2 points.

Backstage Ray is talking to Brooke on his cell. He asks why she would leave just because Hulk told her too. He wants to talk to her. Ray then tells Devon, Doc & Knox to make sure Brooke gets there.

Backstage Hulk is talking with Chris Sabin, Kenny King & Suicide. He says whoever the X Division Champion is after their match next week they have the chance to cash the belt in for a world title match on July 18. This was decent but I’m tired of the X Division matches being 3 ways.

Jeff Hardy vs. Bobby Roode in a BFG Series match. Jeff gets the pin for 7 points. This was a good match too.

Cut back to Sting & camera guy asks him if he’s done for the night. Sting says he has some business to take care of. Camera guy asks if he means family business. Sting says it is & that the night is still young.

So here are the BFG Series stats after the first week: Magnus has 10 points, Ken Anderson, Austin Aries, Christopher Daniels & Jeff Hardy all have 7 and AJ Styles & Samoa Joe have 2.

Bully Ray comes to the ring. He says the BFG Series is off & running. 12 guys are fighting each other for a shot at his world title. Next week 3 X Division guys will face each other & the winner will get a shot at his title. That makes 15 guys who are trying to take him out. Ray will do anything & everything to keep his title. Look at what he did to Hulk & Sting. The last thing anybody wants is to face him. Ray wants to call somebody out but he doesn’t want to fight. At the end of the day, Ray’s a lover not a fighter. He tells Brooke Hogan to come to the ring. After a bit he tells Brooke to come out again. Cue the old Main Event Mafia music & out comes Sting. Sting gets the mic & he realizes there are no lone wolves that will peal the corporate seal of Aces & 8s, so he went back to his family. Ray asks what Sting knows about family. Ray’s the guy Sting beat single handedly & because of that will never get another title match. Sting says that doesn’t mean he can’t get retribution on Ray tonight. Ray says Sting has nothing left in the tank. All Ray has to do is snap his fingers & his family comes out right now. Sting has his back to Ray & he takes his tie & jacket off. Ray says that he will snap his fingers & his guys will come out & break Sting’s neck. Ray tells them to come out but they don’t show up. Then Sting throws his shirt on Ray. Then backstage we see that Aces & 8s have been taken out. Then Sting punches Ray & then chases him up the ramp. Ray backs up & then out comes Kurt Angle. He gets Ray in the ankle lock. Ray taps as Sting screams I told ya. This ends the show. This was a solid closing segment. Both Ray & Sting were good on the mic here & I wasn’t surprised that Kurt Angle is part the New Main Event Mafia since he was in the original faction.

I thought this was a solid show for the most part. The opening segment was solid. I wasn’t into the whole, “fans can vote on the TNA website to see if Jeff or Roode get to call someone out” bit but I liked the brawl. The Sting-Ray promo at the end was good too. Both guys were good on the mic & having Kurt Angle be the first Main Event Mafia guy wasn’t surprising. The Hogan family dram however is beyond old. The backstage bit where Hulk told Brooke to leave the building was hokey. The Knockouts segment was a mixed bag. Brooke is awful but I thought Mickie & Gail were good here. EY was comical too & I’m also glad they got rid of the Knockouts Tag Titles. The backstage Aces & 8s bits were ok. Hernandez-Daniels & Magnus-Kazarian were both decent matches, Jay Bradley-Austin Aries & Joseph Park-Anderson matches were both solid and the Joe-AJ & Jeff-Roode matches were both good. The backstage bit where Hulk was with Sabin, Suicide & Kenny was decent too but I wish they’d ditch the 3 way X Division matches. I also liked AJ Styles’ pre match promo. Overall I thought this was a solid show.

6-17-13 Raw results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the June 17, 2013 episode of Raw

   The show starts with Ricardo Rodriguez & he introduces the now 2 time World Champion Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio asks the fans how their weekends were. He says that he’s heard people talking about the man of steel but why talk about that when you have a man of gold. He is the real Superman. Ricardo says he is your new world champion and then he says Del Rio’s name the same way he always does. Some of the fans are saying the way he won the title last night was controversial but so was the night Dolph cashed MITB in on him the night after Mania. That night he gave Dolph a fight but the fans cheered for Dolph. A coward who attacked an injured man. He should be offended & surprised but he’s not. He heard the reaction last night & every other night. He gave the fans everything & the fans never showed him the respect he deserves. Then he fought that ignorant pig Swagger, a guy who disrespected Mexicans & after that all Del Rio heard was USA. The fans don’t cheer for him but they cheer for a pig & a coward. That’s what America is all about, pigs & cowards. He fought for the fans for 5 months & he didn’t get anything. Last night he fought for himself & it got him the world title. He will show everyone why he is the best. He will give the fans a second chance to show him the respect he deserves. Then CM Punk’s music plays & he & Heyman come out. Punk says it feels like it’s been awhile. The last time they were in the ring together is when Punk beat him Survivor Series 2011 for the WWE Title & held it for 434 days. That isn’t why he’s out there. He’s out there because Del Rio said he was the best. Then the fans loudly chant CM Punk. Punk says there’s only 1 best in the world. Punk is out here to challenge Del Rio. Heyman says his clients don’t fight for free. Punk asks Heyman what he’s doing. Heyman says they never talked this over. Plus the title wouldn’t be on the line because Dolph is first in line for a title rematch & Punk’s banged up. Punk says Dolph should get a title match. Then he says that while Del Rio was stealing the world title from Dolph he was stealing the show in his match with Jericho. He again challenges Del Rio to a match tonight. Del Rio tells Punk he doesn’t want to do this. Punk says that he does. Del Rio tells Punk he is the world champion & Punk doesn’t want him. Punk then asks Ricardo if he wants to fight. Then out come Vickie Guerrero & Brad Maddox. Vickie says Del Rio doesn’t get to make that decision, she does. So tonight’s main event will be CM Punk vs. Alberto Del Rio. This was a good segment to start the show. Del Rio cut a good heel promo here. Punk was great with his face turn promo too & Heyman of course was good also.  

Backstage Paul Heyman apologizes to Punk for jumping the gun. Punk says Heyman almost cost him his match last night. Punk doesn’t need Heyman’s help to win matches. He’s not Brock or Curtis. He doesn’t want Paul at ringside tonight or ever again. He’s not Heyman’s client, but he is his friend & will always be a Heyman guy. This was a good backstage segment.

Wade Barrett is in the ring and then Vickie comes out again. She tells Wade that his IC Title rematch will have to wait because right now Wade is facing this man. Cue Christian’s music & he makes his return. That was a nice surprise.

Christian vs. Wade Barrett. Christian gets the pin. This was a solid match.

On the APP the fans can decide if Daniel vs. Orton will be No DQ, No count out or 2 out of 3 falls.

They show another Wyatt family vignette. This gimmick looks creepy cool.

Sheamus vs. Damien Sandow & Cody Rhodes. Sandow & Cody win when Sandow gets the pin. Sheamus was going to Brogue Kick Cody but then Sandow came in & rolled up Sheamus for the win. This was a decent match & I was surprised that they had Sandow & Cody win. Afterwards Sheamus gives Cody a Brogue Kick, reminding us that Cody doesn’t matter.

Backstage Vickie & Brad suck up to HHH. She says booking Punk-Del Rio was genius. HHH agrees. Then he says if Punk hadn’t confronted Del Rio what was going to be tonight’s main event. Then Vickie mentions that she brought back Christian. HHH then mentions that Christian has been cleared for a month & a half. Then HHH mentions RVD. Vickie & Brad both take credit for him being back. HHH says when he was on the phone with RVD Vickie & Brad weren’t. HHH then tells them that if The Shield gets involved in tonight’s show they need to be strong & make an example of The Shield. Then HHH tells Brad that putting 3MB on the show tonight was genius too. This was a mediocre backstage bit.

Then we see Daniel Bryan in the locker room & in comes Kane. Kane wants to talk. Daniel says if Kane came to say I told you so than forget it. Daniel says that Kane’s glad he & Orton didn’t win the tag titles. Tonight Daniel will beat Orton. Kane says maybe they should give Team hell no another shot. Daniel says the only team that matters to him is team DB. The only way he can prove himself if he takes care of this himself. He wants to be WWE Champion. Kane does too & he asks if they’re done as a team. Kane wishes Daniel luck. Daniel asks if Kane is wishing him luck because he thinks he is the weak link. This was good. These 2 really play well off of each other.

Earlier tonight Orton says it’s because of Daniel that they lost last night. Tonight he will show that Daniel is the weak link.

Randy Orton & Daniel Bryan come out for their match. Than Lawler gets the mic & it’s time to find out what stip the fans picked. This match will be no DQ (and no surprise).

Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton in a No DQ match. Orton got a Kendo stick out from under the ring, hit Daniel in the back & choked him with it. Later on a Dr. came out to check on Daniel after Orton threw him over the top & kicked him to the floor. Then the referee calls for the bell & Randy Orton wins by referee stoppage. WINNER – RANDY ORTON. Then Orton helps Daniel up & shakes his hand. Daniel then walks up the ramp looking frustrated. This was a good match but I thought the finish was a bit flat. I get that they didn’t wanna have either guy lose, but I wasn’t into the finish. I think if Daniel won it would have been better.

The new Divas Champion AJ Lee & Big E Langston come to the ring. AJ says this is what it feels like to have it all. Ziggy isn’t here because he isn’t cleared but will be back soon to share the spot light with the greatest divas champion ever. She’s always been the champion, but now she has proof. Last night she made Kaitlyn tap. She played mind games with Kaitlyn & crushed her spirit. AJ is a woman who gets what she wants. There’s not a woman anywhere who is as strong, brilliant & courageous as she is. If there is a woman back there who thinks she’s a fraction of the woman AJ is she dare whoever to come out. First no one comes out. AJ says that’s what I thought. Then out comes Stephanie McMahon. AJ asks if Stephanie is her to congratulate her. Stephanie says AJ is a true underdog. She congratulates AJ, but she doesn’t get why AJ is stereotyping that women are trying to tare each other down. What AJ did to Kaitlyn was degrading. It’s time AJ started acting like a champion. AJ says she should be think & acting more like Stephanie. Maybe she should marry a WWE super star. Stephanie says if AJ is so brilliant she would’ve expected something more original. AJ says what she did to Kaitlyn was original, months in the making & a master piece. Stephanie says that she’s a McMahon & no one is crazier than they are. She tells AJ to start acting like a champion. AJ says that Stephanie is disappointed because AJ is here only younger. Stephanie says AJ is Divas Champion but she can take that from her & she won’t have a job anymore. Then out come Kaitlyn & other divas. Kaitlyn says AJ won. Stephanie is giving Kaitlyn a bye but she tells her & the others divas not to interrupt her again. Then Stephanie walks to the back. Kaitlyn then says that AJ got inside her head & humiliated her. AJ played her like a puppet, broke her & now it’s Kaitlyn’s turn Then Kaitlyn gets in the ring & goes after AJ but then Big E drags AJ out of the ring & carries her up the ramp & AJ screams that Kaitlyn will never have the Divas Title ever. This was a mixed bag segment. AJ was really good with her heel promo but I wasn’t into Stephanie coming out & chewing out AJ. Kaitlyn’s promo was solid & I liked that she went after AJ. I also liked that AJ screamed that Kaitlyn will never have the title as Big E carried her up the ramp.

Kane vs. U.S. Champion Dean Ambrose for the Title. Kane wins by DQ when Rollins & Reigns come in. Then Kane grabs Rollins by the throat but Reigns spears him and then they give Kane the triple power bomb. I’m not sure why they had this match. It was too short to be much of anything & the DQ finishes in The Shield’s matches is getting old. Will Daniel, Orton or maybe both guys team up with Kane to face The Shield in a rematch? Hopefully we’ll find out soon what they’re doing.

Backstage Mark Henry is supposedly saying goodbye to the Primetime Players & Tamina Snuka.

Backstage we see The Shield. Then Vickie shows up & tells them she’s their boss. Ambrose asks what she’s gonna do? Have them take a time out. Ambrose then says that maybe Vickie should think about she’s doing before she does it. Vickie then says, “You’re” but then Vince comes in. He says The Shield remind him of himself because they have ruthless aggression. The Shield leaves. Then Vince tells Vickie & Brad he never like that Halloween masked wearing freak Kane. This was a mixed bag segment too. The Shield was good here & Vickie was decent but I don’t get why Vince came in & praised The Shield since they’ve been causing chaos since they arrived. I really hope to God that they don’t have Vince be the guy who brought The Shield in all along. That would really make The Shield look weak.

Time for another Wyatt family vignette. They’re coming.

Out comes Zeb Coulter. He talks about how the Government is spying on us & lying to us. Plus we have people illegally crossing the boarder. We’re at war & that can make for unusual alliances. To prove that Zeb isn’t prejudicial he will work with a guy who has honor, integrity & respect. This guy also speaks five languages. He brings out Antonio Cesaro. Cesaro says we the people. What is this? Now Cesaro is a “Coulter guy” too? I’m beyond tired of the Zeb Coulter character & now they have Cesaro being managed by him. I don’t get this.

William Regal vs. Antonio Cesaro. Cesaro gets the pin. This was a squash. Too bad, these 2 could’ve had a solid match. Then Zeb gives Cesaro a flag that says don’t trend on me on it. Then Cesaro puts it on top of Regal. Then Coulter & Cesaro say the pledge off allegiance. This storyline is beyond old!

John Cena comes to the ring all smiles like usual UGH! For some reason he says today is 1 day away from Tuesday (DUH)! The champ gets the usual mixed reaction but he is still all smiles. Then he says he loves this. Everyone here tonight loves WWE. There are folks out there who have their favorite super stars. Cena favorite is the fans because they have always been honest with him. There’s a group out there that doesn’t like him & he admires that honesty. There’s also a group that knows that every time he steps in the ring he goes to war for him & he’s going to speak to them. Cena had a “horrible” 2012 (Even though EVERYONE knows that he really didn’t) & asked the fans to hang in there. Then he mentions moments like the Royal Rumble & challengers like The Rock (Even though Cena was the challenger there), CM Punk & Ryback. Then he mentions that he beat Ryback & walked out the better man. Now he stands in the ring & proudly says the champ is here. Skeptics & critics will always be there but to those who hung in there he says thank you. Tonight Cena feels like he can handle any challenge. At MITB he will know who his next challenger is. He tells whoever might win the MITB match that if they think they’ll get him while he’s down, they’re wrong. The next person who gets the title will earn it. The champ is here. Then out comes Mark Henry. He’s in his suit but is holding a pair of wrestling boots. Mark says Cena can put his guard down & he shakes Cena’s hand. Henry wants to tell Cena & everyone something. Henry gets all choked up and the fans chant his name. Mark says he respects everybody that loves this business because he knows how hard it is. He was a seasoned veteran in 2002 when Cena came in & Cena’s doing an awesome job. The fans chant thank you Henry. Then they chant sexual chocolate. Then Henry says at the rate Cena’s going he will be the greatest WWE Champion of all time. If Henry has any regrets about his career, he’s been world champion, ECW Champion & the World’s strongest man. He’s had a lot of success but not the success that Cena has. Then Henry says that he is retiring from the active roster. Then the fans chant 1 more match. Henry says this 1 of the better crowds he’s been in front of for the last 5 years. Then Henry holds up the WWE Title & they fans give him a very well deserved round of applause. He then says the WWE Title is something you gotta earn. Henry got a chance to travel the world many times. He stands before everyone a proud man. He’s on the road close to 200 nights a year, and then he tells his wife she’ll see more of him than she wants to. He mentions that his son is a big wrestling fan. Then he mentions his daughter, who cries when he leaves home, he tells her he’s coming home. Then Cena raises Henry’s arm. Then Henry gives Cena the World’s strongest slam (I totally knew that was coming)! Then Henry screams to Cena that he’s got a lot left in the tank. Then Henry picks up the belt & throws it on Cena. Henry then leaves the ring as the fans loudly chant his name. Then Henry is on the stage & says that’s what he does. This was REALLY AWESOME!! Mark Henry is truly amazing both in the ring & on the mic. His hinting at retiring promo & getting all emotional was really well done & then having him give Cena the World’s strongest slam was great! The fans were totally on Henry’s side here! I really was hoping that Mark Henry would be the next guy to challenge Cena for the title & I’m so glad that he is!! I can’t say enough about how tremendous Mark Henry was here!!!

Backstage we see Mark Henry walking. Then Renee Young comes by looking for a comment. Henry says he had everybody fooled. The WWE Title is the only thing that he hasn’t held & he is challenging Cena for it right now. He has 2 boots because he will leave 1 of them in Cena’s rear end. Good short & intense promo. I really hope they put they put the title on him.

Chris Jericho vs. Heath Slater. Jericho gets the pin. This was a short, decent match. Then Jinder & Drew come in but Jericho makes quick work of them too.

Backstage Heyman tells Axel it’s his moment. Then Matt Striker comes in & mentions that Punk doesn’t want Heyman at ringside anymore. Heyman says that he is the best friend of the best in the world & best friends know when to give people space. Then Heyman says that fans should be talking about the IC Champion, a man who was born to be better than perfect. Decent backstage bit.

The Miz is on commentary.

Sin Cara vs. Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel. Curtis gets the pin. This was a decent match. I really wish they’d do away with Sin Cara’s lighting during his matches though. Then Axel taunts Miz.

Backstage Vince puts over Vickie & Brad. Then he says Mark Henry sucked him in & asks them what they’ll do about the Cena-Henry situation. Vickie says Cena will defend the title against Henry at MITB. Vince says it will happen. Then Stephanie comes in & says this show is a disaster. Then HHH comes in & tells Vickie that he told her to make an example of The Shield. HHH tells Vickie to listen to him. Then Vince tells Vickie to listen to him. Then Vince & HHH leave. Then Stephanie tells Vickie not to listen to either 1 of them. She says that Vickie knows who to listen to. This was terrible! This whole McMahon family soap opera is anything but entertaining! They have Vince praising Vickie & Brad and then they have Stephanie & HHH bash them? This whole thing with the McMahon family being at odds is beyond stupid!

Cut to CM Punk backstage. Heyman comes up to him. Everyone’s trying to stir things up but he won’t let it happen. Heyman thanks Punk & tells him he is the best in the world. Then they hug.

CM Punk vs. World Champion Alberto Del Rio. Punk wins by count out when Del Rio walks out. Then Dolph comes out & beats on Del Rio. Referees attempt pull him off & they all go to the back. The camera goes back to Punk. Then Brock Lesnar’s music hits & he comes out. He walks around the ring as Punk watches. Then Brock gets in the ring & asked for a mic. Brock & Punk have a stare down & then Brock gives Punk the F5. Brock stands at the bottom of the ramp as Punk lies in the ring to end the show. This was really well done too. The match was solid & I knew there wouldn’t be a clean finish. I liked having Dolph attack Del Rio from behind and then chasing him to the back. Brock coming out, having a stare down with Punk & then giving Punk the F5 was a really good way to start the build for their feud. Hopefully we’ll see Punk-Brock at SummerSlam.

This was a really enjoyable show for the most part. I liked the Punk-Del Rio promo at the start of the show. Both guys were good on the mic. The main event match was solid & it made sense not to have a clean finish. I liked that they had Dolph come out & go after Del Rio & Brock coming out and giving Punk an F5 was a good way to start the Punk-Brock “Battle of the Heyman guys” feud. Cena’s promo was ok for Cena & Mark Henry was awesome here. His hinting at retiring promo only to then give Cena the World’s strongest slam was really well booked. The Daniel-Orton match was good too but I didn’t care for the finish. I’m tired of the Zeb Coulter character & now having him manage Cesaro doesn’t really do anything for Cesaro. The Regal-Cesaro match was a squash & that was too bad because these 2 could have easily had a solid match. The whole McMahon family soap opera is beyond terrible. The backstage bit with Vince praising The Shield made no sense & I’m really hoping that Vince isn’t the guy who brought The Shield in to begin with. The Vickie-Brad-HHH-Vince-Stephanie backstage bit was also terrible. I’m not into this whole saga with the McMahon family being at odds & having them tell Vickie & Brad stuff that contradicts each other! AJ’s promo was really well done also. She has been doing a great job as a heel. I wasn’t into Stephanie coming out & repeatedly telling AJ to act like a champion, or getting in Kaitlyn’s face for cutting her off. I did think that Kaitlyn was good here too though. This is the most any program involving the Divas has had any meaning. It was also cool to see Christian back & I thought he & Wade Barrett had a solid match. Sin Cara-Curtis Axel was decent too but I wish they’d do away with Sin Cara’s lighting. I liked the Wyatt family vignettes too & really hope they’re booked well when the debut. Jericho-Slater was a decent but short match. I’m not sure why they had Kane vs. Ambrose here & the DQ finish was predictable. The backstage bit with Kane & Daniel was also good. They both have great chemistry. I’m not sure if they’ll have Kane, Daniel & Orton face The Shield again but we’ll see what they do. I did like that both Kane & Daniel said that they want to be WWE Champion too. Overall I thought this was a good show.