12-5-11 Raw results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the December 5, 2011 episode of Raw

The show starts with John Cena coming to the ring. He talks about being on Piper’s Pit last week and thanks him and then he mentions that all the fans tell Cena how they feel about him. He then says that Piper told him how he felt. He says that there is no show without the fans (someone tell Vince this). He then says that the fans can react however they want to him. He then mentions CM Punk beating Del Rio last week and the reaction that got. He then says that Punk needs a new number one contender and that Rock vs. Cena for the WWE Title would be great. Alberto Del Rio then comes out and says that the Title shot is his. Cena then mentions that Del Rio lost to Punk last week. Del Rio says that the fans don’t matter and then he talks about the stip Johnny Ace made last week that if Punk was intentionally DQ’d Del Rio would become Champion. He has the replay of Punk giving Del Rio the GTS into the exposed turnbuckle and says that Punk cheated. Vickie Guerrero then comes out and says that Dolph deserves a Title match. Dolph then says that he has the most entertaining matches on purpose. Cena then rags on Dolph calling himself “the showoff” and that he can replace the word show with the word jerk (I can’t believe they had that on here). Dolph says that he backs up what he says and Cena says that Dolph won’t give Zack Ryder a U.S. Title match. Dolph then says that he will get the next Title match. Then The Miz comes out and says talks about how he beat Cena at WrestleMania and that his Title reign was more than a month and that he took out both R-Truth and John Morrison and that he should be next in line for a WWE Title match. Johnny Ace then comes out and says that Miz, Del Rio & Dolph will be in singles action tonight and they will each face a Smackdown guy. He mentions that if they win then they will challenge Punk for the WWE Title at TLC. Then he mentions that there will be a live contract signing for the WWE Title match later. He tells Cena that he will have a special match later called the “Social Experiment.” Then he tells Miz that his match is first. Randy Orton’s music plays and he comes out. This was terrible. Cena cut his usual crappy promo and Johnny Ace was dull as usual.

Randy Orton vs. The Miz. Wade Barrett’s music plays and he comes out. Orton then chases Barrett to the back and Miz wins by count out. Miz will be in the TLC match. After the match Orton heads back to the ring and Barrett gets him from behind. This was ok for what it was. I figured they’d have Miz win and they’re continuing the Orton-Barrett feud, which is ok with me.

They have a video package about the WWE Network. This was meaningless.

Johnny Ace is texting AGAIN and Zack Ryder is there and Ace tells him that Dolph filed a complaint about his petition or whatever. Then John Cena comes in dressed as Zack Ryder and talks like an imbecile and Ace then says that tonight Cena will face Ryder because the fans want to see it. Then he tells Ryder that if he wins he will get a U.S. Title match. Then he tells Cena that if he wins he will qualify for the TLC WWE Title match. This was total crap!

David Otunga is backstage and tells Kevin Nash that he will face Triple H in a ladder match. Nash says he doesn’t do ladder matches. Otunga then says that there will be a sledgehammer hanging above the ring. Nash says he can deal with that. The Otunga tells him that he will be in action tonight. Nash asks if it will be Triple H. Otunga tells him it won’t be tonight. Nash walks off. This was awful too.

Daniel Bryan vs. Alberto Del Rio. Bryan comes out with his ribs taped and they show the cage with Mark Henry from last Tuesday. Del Rio wins by submission. This was short.  Del Rio will be in the TLC WWE Title match.

They start to show a “pin up strong” video package and then they show they kid in the classroom video for 1/2/12 and then they go back to Natalya & Beth. I’m not sure why they did this.

Kelly Kelly & Eve Torres (with Alicia Fox) vs. Natalya & Divas Champion Beth Phoenix. Kelly & Eve win when Kelly pins Beth. This was pointless too.

John Cena vs. Zack Ryder. Cena gets the pin. This was a decent match. They show Dolph & Vickie watching backstage. Cena will be in the Title match. After the match Ryder gets upset about losing.

They show Johnny Ace & David Otunga backstage and Cena comes in and tells Otunga to beat it. Then he tells Ace to listen to the people and he says that Zack Ryder deserves a U.S. Title match. Ace then says that he will have a second opportunity tonight if Cena gives up his spot in the WWE Title match at TLC. Cena says that he was fortunate enough to get his opportunity and that Ryder should get his chance now. Cena gives up his Title match. Then he asks who Ryder will face and Ace doesn’t know yet. This was idiotic too. This whole Johnny Ace being GM storyline has to end!

Zack Ryder is still in the ring and David Otunga tells Justin Roberts something and then Roberts that this will be a No DQ, no count out match. Mark Henry’s music plays and he comes out.

Zack Ryder vs. World Champion Mark Henry. Cena comes in and gives Mark Henry the AA and then he drags Ryder on top of Henry for the pin. This was mostly Henry dominating before Cena came in. I’m not sure why they had the World Champion lose.

Dolph, Jack Swagger & Vickie are backstage and Vickie says that Ace can’t overturn the referee’s decision. Vickie then says that she found out that Dolph will face Sheamus later. Swagger says that he will be at ringside and Dolph says that he doesn’t have to be. Then they bicker and Dolph says he’s just messing with him. He then tells Swagger that he still doesn’t want him at ringside. This was lame.

Santino Marella vs. Kevin Nash. Nash gets the pin. This was a meaningless squash. Afterwards Nash gets the sledgehammer and hints at hitting Santino but he poses. This was idiotic.

They show CM Punk & Evan Bourne backstage.

Sheamus vs. U.S. Champion Dolph Ziggler. Sheamus gets the pin. Zack Ryder’s music played and he came out and that distracted Dolph. This was a decent match. Afterwards Ryder gets in the ring and gives Dolph the Rough Rider.

Time for the contract signing. Miz, Ricardo & Alberto are in the ring and then Johnny Ace comes out and says that he made John Cena vs. Mark Henry for next week. He talks more and then he introduces CM Punk and he comes out. Punk moves the table and says that the contract signing is cliché and that they always end with a brawl. He says there haven’t been a peaceful contract signing since Hogan-Andre at WrestleMania 3 and says that Ace is boring. Ace says that he is about excitement and that Punk will face Del Rio & Miz in a TLC match. WE KNEW THAT ALREADY!! Punk’s ok with that. Then Miz mentions how he took out Truth & Morrison. Punk then does a Cena like bit. Miz says that Morrison was released. Ace then wishes him the best in his future endeavors. UGH! Miz then talks about the TLC match and that he is the most must see WWE Champion and that he will take back what is his Sunday. Punk then rags on Miz and then Del Rio says that he is the best in the world. He mentions how he beat Punk for the WWE Title and will do the same on Sunday. Miz then says that he & Del Rio aren’t friends but they both agree that Punk will not walk out of TLC with the Title. Miz signs the contract. Then Del Rio does and then he tells Punk that will lose. Punk then signs the contract. Ace wishes all 3 good luck and is looking forward to this match. Then he asks photographer to come in and take a picture. Punk then says that this contract signing is boring and that if he wants something done right he has to do it himself. Then he throws the first punch, sets Ricardo up for a GTS but Del Rio attacks Punk. Miz then grabs Del Rio from behind and then Punk puts Del Rio through the table. Then he gives Miz the GTS. CM Punk then poses on the turnbuckle with the WWE Title and stares down Johnny Ace, who is on the stage. Punk holds up the Title to end the show. This was painful! The whole segment was the predictable contract signing that WWE always has. Punk mentioning that was the best part of this.

This show was really painful to watch! The only good part of the show was the Sheamus-Dolph match. The rest of it was lousy!

Blog number 100! 12-1-11 Impact results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the December 1, 2011 episode of Impact

The show starts with Sting coming to the ring and he talks about how the inmates have been running the asylum and asks Bobby Roode to come out. Roode comes out and isn’t impressed with Sting’s request and he tells Sting to hurry up. Sting tries to tell Roode that he is charge and Roode mentions that Sting should appreciate what Roode has done as World Champion and Sting says that there are consequences for what Roode has done. AJ Styles then comes out and Roode says that AJ has Sting fighting his battles for him. Then Jeff Hardy comes out he says that he & AJ respect Sting’s decision and Roode says screw Sting and his decision making. Sting then announces AJ vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Bobby Roode and Sting mentions that the Title will not be on the line. This was a decent opening segment. Why are they having a Non Title 3 Way with the Champion?

The show Karen Jarrett  and the Knockouts outside the arena from “earlier today” and that they disrespected her wishes and that they will wash the wrestler’s cars and that they better have their robes off and scrubbing. Madison then de-robes and tries to get the others to also. This was crappy. I’m getting really tired of this whole Karen rags on the Knockouts bit. This is getting old!

They show Jeff Hardy backstage mentioning that Roode attacked him and AJ last week and then Jeff Jarrett comes in and asks Hardy if he really deserves to be in the Impact Main Event. He says that doesn’t deserve to be in the Impact Zone and Hardy says this is his last shot and then Jarrett attacks him, throws him around a bit and Hardy fights back and Jarrett bails.

The show Eric Bischoff & Bull Ray backstage and Bischoff says that they no longer have any leverage and that the idea of his son becoming a star in this business while he’s in the business gets to him. Then he talks about how they gave Abyss the business and Ray mentions how he put him through a table and he got back up. Bischoff tells Ray to talk to him to try to get him back in Immortal. Ray says that he will talk to Scott Steiner and see if they can convince Abyss. This was really idiotic and made no logical sense at all! Then again when does TNA ever think of using logic?

More uselessness with the Knockouts! Who cares? ODB comes in and Karen says she has booked her in a street fight with Mickie James and if she hurts Mickie she will get a Knockouts Title match. Whatever, this was more idiocy.

Time for the FIRST match of the night. That’s right a half hour into the show and we have match number 1! Devon & Pope D’Angelo Dinero vs. Ink Inc vs. Mexican America for a World Tag Team Title match. Devon & Pope win when Devon pins Jessie Neal. This was a decent match. I thought it was too short, but it was ok.

Austin Aries comes out and says that he is the greatest guy who ever lived and that he is even greater than he thought he could be. He mentions that there’s no one left for him to face and that they should rename the X-Division “The A Double Division.” Kid Kash then comes out and Aries stealing the win at Turning Point. Then he mentions Aries walking out on him in the tag match last week. Aries reminds Kash that he is the X Division Champion and Kash says that he was the X Division Champion before Aries came to TNA. Aries places the Title on the mat between him & Kash and he says that if Kash shakes his hand he will get the chance to face him for the X Division Title. Kash then shakes Aries’ hand and then Kash punches him and Aries gets knocked out of the ring. Aries then says that Kash isn’t getting a Title match. This was a really good promo. Aries is great at playing the jerk heal and Kash cut a good promo too.

The show Gunner somewhere looking for Garrett Bischoff.

They show AJ Styles backstage talking about the 3 Way later. He says that he respects Jeff Hardy and Roode is at the bottom of the list.

Back to Gunner and he’s in a gym looking for Garrett and he kicks a few guys around. Then he gets in a ring and beats on some guy after he told Gunner to chill out. Gunner continues beating on everyone there screaming “where’s Garrett.” This was stupid.

Sting tells Jeff Jarrett that if he gets involved in the 3 Way later there will be consequences. Jarrett then talks about the March PPV and how Jeff Hardy was that night and he wants Hardy out of TNA. Sting warns him again about getting involved in the 3 Way. Jarrett says that he might not mind having to deal whatever consequence Sting has in mind. This was idiotic too. These backstage bits are really annoying!

More of the Knockouts washing cars.

Bully Ray & Scott Steiner talk about trying to get Abyss back in Immortal and Steiner says that Abyss would want a freaky girl. Steiner says that he has some freaks in the next room. This sucked! What is the point of this?

Time for match number 2. Yep 2 matches in an hour! Mickie James vs. ODB in a

Knockouts Street

Fight. Mickie gets the pin. This was good. They brawled all over the arena.

Mike Tenay & Taz interview James Storm, who is at “his home”. Kurt Angle comes in and gets a headset and asks Storm how it felt to have his head bashed in and Storm says that when he is cleared to wrestle Angle will know what it was like. They go back and forth and Storm says that he will be there next week and they will make their Final Resolution match official. This was pointless.

They show 2 unknown chicks who are about to fall into the “Abyss.”  Yes, pun intended!

They show a Bobby Roode video package with his friends and family saying that he’s not the same guy. This was idiotic.

They show Bobby Roode backstage saying that it doesn’t matter what his family thinks and he calls them users too. Then he says that AJ & Jeff Hardy having on him. This was ok.

Time for match number 3. an hour and a half into the show and there have only been 3 matches! Rob Van Dam vs. TV Champion Robbie E for the Title. Robbie E gets the pin. During the match Eric Young comes out and distracts the referee & Rob Terry. Christopher Daniels then comes in and lays out RVD and places Robbie E on top of him for the pin. This was a mixed bag. The match was ok for what it was but the run in from Eric Young was dumb and Daniels coming in was to be expected.

They show the 2 unknown chicks from before coming out of the “Abyss” and one of them asks, “What just happened?” Who cares?

The Knockouts are still in their bikinis washing cars. Tara & Angelina argue and all 6 brawl. Some of the wrestlers come in to watch and play peacekeeper and then Gail Kim sprays the Knockouts with the hose. This whole bit with the Knockouts was idiotic! Why do they have this crap on the show!?

Time for the main event. There were only 4 matches in 2 hours!! AJ Styles vs. Jeff Hardy vs. TNA World Champion Bobby Roode. Roode wins when he pins Hardy. This was a good match. Jeff Jarrett came out and pushed Hardy off the top and Roode got the pin. After the match Sting comes out and tells Jarrett that at Final Resolution he will face Jeff Hardy in a Steel Cage with escape the cage rules. He then says that if Jarrett wins then Hardy will leave TNA but if Hardy wins he becomes the number one contender for the World Title at Genesis. Karen Jarrett then comes out and Sting says that at Final Resolution she will be handcuffed to him. That ends the show.

This week’s show was terrible! There were only 4 matches in 2 hours. The main event was good, and I liked the Kash-Aries promo and the Mickie-ODB brawl was good too. The rest off the show was awful.

11-29-11 Live Smackdown results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the November 29, 2011 episode of Live Smackdown

The show starts with the host Mick Foley coming out in the Santa costume. He mentions that he is a Christmas fanatic and what better way to kick off the holiday season than to have a live Smackdown, “Right here in Charlotte, NC.” He then talks about the World Title match and calls Daniel Bryan, “Tiny Tim” and Henry “The Ghost of Christmas Fear” He then mentions that there will be a street fight and also a battle Royal with the winner getting a gift from “Santa.” Then he talks about Michael Cole saying that while he has to be on the show, his contract doesn’t say anything about how what Foley can have him dressed as. Cole then comes out in a Rudolph costume. He then brings out Booker T who is also dressed as Santa. Josh Matthews is dressed as an elf. Booker comes in the ring and Foley says that he doesn’t want to leave anyone out and that Booker can do a spinarooni. They play the Dreidel song and Booker does his Spinarooni. Booker then says that the holiday spirit is here and he can dig that sucka. Cody Rhodes then comes out and says that he no longer has the protective mask and is seeing things more clearly and that he sees a lowly announcer taking up his TV time. Booker then says that has no beef with Cody but he tells him not to think he can’t handle business in the ring. Booker was gonna tell him something and Cody says that Booker is lying and that he does have a beef with him probably because he won’t be able to call himself a champion again. Foley then says that Booker is a legend and a 5 time WCW Champion. Foley then announces Booker T vs. Cody Rhodes for later tonight. Cody says he is looking forward to it. Foley asks if Booker is cool with that and Booker says that he is. Foley then brings out the Divas who are in the usual Christmas get up. This was a weird segment. Cody cut a great promo, but the rest of it was dumb.

The Divas are in the ring and Foley says that this is a missile toe match and that whoever climbs the poll will get to cash it in before Christmas.

Alicia Fox, AJ, Kaitlyn, Rosa Mendes, Aksana, Natalya, Tamina, Nikki Bella & Brie Bella in a Missile Toe on a Poll match. Brie Bella wins. This was fast. Foley says that the winner doesn’t get a Divas Title mach but a chance to kiss a superstar of their choice before Christmas. This was idiotic. I have no idea why they had this on here.

Justin Gabriel vs. Jinder Mahal. Before the match he does the heal ragging on the holidays bit and that all the fans are living a lie. Ted DiBiase, Jr. comes out with a Santa hat and bag and gives gifts to the fans. Gabriel then gets the pin. This was decent.

Mick Foley is backstage with The Usos and then Roddy Piper. Then he runs into Maxine & Hornswoggle. Dusty then comes in and after talking to Hornswoggle Dusty says there’re some weird people and Goldust comes in. Foley talks with the Usos and Piper talks to someone and then David Otunga comes in and says that Johnny Ace said that they should play public domain Christmas music. Then he says to shut down the party. Foley then says that since Otunga is on Smackdown he can book him in the street fight. Otunga asks who he will be facing and Foley tells him Randy Orton. This was the usual backstage holiday segment hokiness.

Matt Striker interviews Booker T and Booker says he doesn’t know what Cody’s problem is and then Cody comes from behind and attacks Booker hitting him with the Intercontinental Title.

WWE Tag Team Champion Kofi Kingston vs. Tyson Kidd. Kofi takes Cole’s Rudolph head piece off and puts it on himself and hits a High Cross Body for the pin. This was a solid match. Tyson is really talented and should be booked better.

They show Hornswoggle trying to get an ornament on a tree and Kaitlyn says he should  wish to be taller. Than they show Sheamus asking Teddy Long what the Battle Royal is for and Long says he doesn’t know. Aksana then comes in and hits on Teddy. She gets a missiletoe and “eats” it and then she and Teddy walk off. This was dumb too.

Randy Orton vs. David Otunga in a Miracle on

34^th Street

Fight. Wade Barrett comes out and kicks Orton and throws him in the ring. He then helps Otunga back in the ring and he got a near fall. Orton gets the pin. This was ok. Orton beat the crap out of Otunga for most of the match.

They show Mark Henry and Teddy Long backstage and Henry tells Long if it weren’t for him he wouldn’t be in a match and that he wouldn’t have a bad leg if it weren’t for Big Show. He then says that he will take care of Big Show. He then says that he will give Daniel Bryan the worst beating of his life. He then tells Long to get out of his face. Mark Henry cut another good monster heal promo.

Time for the “All I Want For Christmas” Battle Royal. * Sheamus eliminates Darren Young *Sheamus eliminates Jay Uso. * JTG is eliminated. *Zeke eliminates Curt Hawkins. * Sheamus eliminates Zeke. * Sheamus eliminates Johnny Curtis. * Kofi eliminates Jimmy Uso * Kofi is eliminated. * Yoshi Tatsu is eliminated. * Tyson eliminated Ted DiBiase, Jr. *Hornswoggle eliminates Tyson. * Jinder eliminates Gabriel. * Sheamus eliminates Titus. * Tyler Rex, Hunico, Heath Slater & Jinder Mahal attack Sheamus outside the ring and then they get Hornswoggle out from under the ring and throw him in. * Sheamus comes back in and Eliminates Rex. * Sheamus eliminates Hunico * Sheamus eliminates Jinder. * Sheamus eliminates Slater. * Sheamus & Hornswoggle are both on the apron after going over the top rope. Hornswoggle then pushes Sheamus off for the win. Winner – Hornswoggle. Afterwards Sheamus gets back in the ring and raises Hornswoggle’s hand and places him on his shoulder. This was goofy and the finish was dumb.

They show the Bella Twins with Ricardo, then Piper talking to Dusty about Cena. Then a guy in a Santa costume comes in and he asks Hornswoggle wants for Christmas and Sheamus says that Hornswoggle wants the ability to talk. Santa Foley says that he needs a holiday spirit Santa hug. He hugs him and then Hornswoggle talks and he and Vickie Guerrero go back and forth with the “excuse me” phrase. Foley then comes in asking where Hornswoggle learned to talk. Piper & Dusty walk off as they hear “Santa’s” voice. Foley then asks what he missed. This was kinda funny, but most of this was lame.

They show Daniel Bryan backstage and AJ comes by to wish him luck. Striker then comes in and Bryan talks about how he held the World Title last week and that tonight his dream will become reality. This was a good promo too. They have done a good job booking Daniel Bryan lately. I hope it continues.

Daniel Bryan vs. World Champion Mark Henry in a Steel Cage match for the Title. Henry gets the pin to retain the Title. This was a good match.

I thought this show was a mixed bag on the whole. The holiday segments were idiotic. The main event of course was the best part of the show. I enjoyed that Battle Royal too and Kofi & Tyson had a good match. The Foley segments were lame. There were some funny bits in there, but most of it was dumb. Overall I thought the show was a mixed bag.

11-28-11 Raw results and thoughts

  Coverage and thoughts on the November 28, 2011 episode of Raw

The show starts with Roddy Piper coming out for the Piper’s Pit. Piper asks how a guy who never won the WWE Championship, never the biggest guy become a Hall of Famer. He says it was because of energy from the fans. He mentions that when the fans cheered him he did good things and when they booed him he did rotten things. He mentions that is was the fan’s energy that kept him going. He then says there’s a guy now who he’s not sure has the fan’s energy and he John Cena comes out to a mixed reaction. Piper does a word association with the fans. He mentions Austin, the fans cheer. Then Bret Hart, most cheered. Then The Rock, that got cheered. Finally he mentions Cena and he got the usual reaction and there was a “Cena” chant. Piper says he’s trying to help him out and before Cena can speak he lets the fans react. Piper says that when the fans were yelling to Rock to rock bottom Cena and after he did the fans became unglued. Cena says he’s been dealing with this his whole career. He says that he is loyal to his fans and he also knows that he can’t please everybody. He says that that is what makes WWE special because the fans can do what they want. Piper says Cena is the face of WWE and that the booing is getting louder and that Cena’s losing it and says that if he doesn’t start telling people what he thinks of them he will be the loser of the biggest WrestleMania in history. Cena says that Piper is going overboard and then mentions his reaction at WrestleMania 22, his MITB match with Punk and ECW One Night Stand. He says that the fans were excited to see The Rock and Rock had a great night. Cena then mentions that he met some fans before the show and mentions that the soldiers are having fun watching the show. Then he hands Piper something and he says that he believes in himself no matter how the fans react to him. Piper says that he came along way to have him on Piper’s Pit and that he is proud of Cena because when he passed the torch to Cena, he raised the bar (I’m not sure about that). Piper then gives him his Hall of Fame ring and calls Cena a future Hall of Famer. Then he mentions that he has to tell the fans what he thinks of them or he will lose at WrestleMania (which makes no sense at all) and then he slaps him and asks him if he feels the energy. Cena shakes Piper’s hand and walks out to the same mixed reaction. This was awful! It really felt like they were trying to tell the people who aren’t Cena fans to start cheering for him. This felt really forced.

They show John Morrison & Alex Riley talking backstage. Both of course were Miz’s partner.

 John Morrison vs. The Miz in a Falls Count Anywhere Match. Miz comes out and attacks Morrison’s leg with a pipe before the match starts. Referees and medics help Morrison up and he gets in the ring and the match starts. Miz wins when the referee stops the match after Morrison was unconscious on the stage after the Skull Crushing Finale. This was ok. It was mostly Miz clobbering Morrison. Afterwards the medics put Morrison on a stretcher and Miz gets in the ring with a mic as they take Morrison to the back. Miz then says that last week it was R-Truth and this week it was Morrison. He then says that we’ll see who it will be next week and that he is the only kind of star that can make this kind of impact/statement and that he can because he is awesome. This was a good heal promo from Miz. This has to be how they’re writing Morrison off the storylines since he’s leaving the company.  

Kelly Kelly & Alicia Fox vs. The Bella Twins. Beth Phoenix & Natalya come out and jog around the ring and then back up the stage. Kelly & Alicia win when Alicia gets the pin. This was quick and meaningless.

They show Johnny Ace backstage on his phone telling Brodus Clay he will see him next Monday. David Otunga then comes in and asks when he’s bring in Brodus and Ace says he’s going to keep putting it off to get Brodus angry. Del Rio comes in and they go back and forth and Del Rio says Survivor Series was a set back. CM Punk then comes in and rags on Ace calls Del Rio boring. Then he mentions that when he searched for Otunga Jennifer Hudson came up. Punk then says that the WWE Title isn’t going anywhere. Otunga then says that Punk will try to get himself DQ’d and Ace mentions that if he does he will lose the Title. This was idiotic too. Punk was the only good part of this segment.

Wade Barrett comes out to do commentary.

Randy Orton vs. U.S. Champion Dolph Ziggler. Before the match they show a Dolph promo saying that he admits that he’s a show off. He mentions how he took CM Punk to the limit last week and will beat Randy Orton tonight. Dolph gets the pin. This was a good back and forth match.

Michael Cole is in the ring to interview Daniel Bryan. Cole talks about the cage match tomorrow night. Bryan says that he earned the Title match by winning the 4 way. He says that everyone knows that Michael Cole is by far the worst announcer in WWE. He says that he hopes he earned Cole’s respect and Cole calls him a liar because he mentioned that he would cash in the case at WrestleMania. He then rags on Daniel AGAIN and they show the clip from Smackdown and Cole continues rambling. Cole then says that he found it funny that Bryan’s dreams were shattered. Then he says if he was the Smackdown GM he would strip him of the MITB case and suspend him and he says he hopes Mark Henry tears him apart. Daniel says that his plans changed when Henry tried to end his career and the case doesn’t guarantee anything and that he had an opportunity and he took it. Then he mentions that he has another opportunity tomorrow night and that being the World Champion means more to him than main eventing WrestleMania. Mark Henry then comes out and tells Daniel that he should be ashamed and so should Teddy Long for letting the match happen. Then he mentions the cage match and that Bryan can’t beat him. Bryan goes up the ramp and kicks Henry in the leg and walks to the back and says that he will see Henry tomorrow night. This was a mixed bag promo. Bryan & Henry cut good promos but Cole was his usual painful self.

Zack Ryder vs. Jack Swagger. Ryder gets the pin. This was a decent but short match.

Mick Foley comes out in a Santa costume. He then talks about tomorrow night’s Smackdown with a corny version of The Night Before Christmas. This was pointless.

CM Punk is backstage and Josh Mathews asks him how he feels about losing the Title if he gets DQ’d. Punk says that Johnny Ace is dealing from the bottom of the deck and he says that he can kiss his bottom. This was decent.

WWE Champion CM Punk vs. Alberto Del Rio for the Title. Punk gets the pin to retain the Title. This was a real good back and forth match. After the match Punk gives Ricardo the GTS. Punk poses with the WWE Title to end the show.

I thought that this was a decent show on the whole. The opener with Cena & Piper was idiotic and the Mick Foley bit was pointless. Daniel Bryan & Mark Henry did a good job plugging tomorrow night’s title match, I thought Miz cut a great promo too. The Orton-Dolph match was great and the main event was fun also. Overall I thought this show was decent.

11-25-11 Smackdown results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the November 25, 2011 episode of Smackdown

The show starts with Mark Henry coming to the ring on a crutch and he cuts a promo saying that he will fight through his leg injury. Big Show then comes out and tells Henry that he broke his leg just Henry broke Show’s in July. Henry calls Show the World’s largest loser and then Big Show Knocks him out with a KO punch. Daniel Bryan then comes out and cashes in the Money in the Bank case and pins Henry to win the World Title. However, Teddy Long comes out and mentions that Mark Henry wasn’t cleared to wrestle and Long gives the Title back to Henry. He then gives Daniel back his Money in the Bank case saying that he technically never cashed it in. Then he sets up a 4 Way match, Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Cody Rhodes and the winner will get a World Title on the live Smackdown this Tuesday. This was a real fun way to start the show.

Justin Gabriel vs. Hunico. Hunico gets the pin. This was a good back and forth match.

Kaitlyn & AJ vs. Natalya & Divas Champion Beth Phoenix. Alicia Fox is on commentary. Natalya & Beth win when Natalya makes AJ tap. This was fast. Beth never even tagged in. After the match Kaitlyn then looks disgusted and walks out and then Beth says it’s cry time for AJ. Natalya gives her the Sharpshooter and Alicia comes in and the heals walk out.

Teddy Long is on his phone in his office and Aksana comes in for the usual bit but then Mark Henry came in. Henry is upset that he has to defend the World Title next week. Long then says that next week’s Title match will be a Steel Cage match.

Thy show Zack Ryder and Sheamus backstage talking about how they will be teaming up tonight to face Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger. Then they do some comedy stuff.

Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger & Vickie Guerrero are in the ring and Vickie wants the fans to stand up and applaud Dolph Ziggler for winning 2 matches at Survivor Series. Dolph then heals the fans.

Sheamus & Zack Ryder vs. U.S. Champion Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger. Sheamus & Ryder win when Ryder pins Dolph. This was a good back and forth match.

They show Daniel Bryan & AJ backstage and Bryan talks about how great it was to hold the World Title only to have it taken. AJ then mentions that he has the MITB case and the 4 Way later. Wade Barrett then comes in says that Bryan won’t win tonight. Bryan then tells Barrett has never been champion either. Then he tells Barrett that he won’t be intimidated by Mark Henry or him. AJ wishes him good luck and says she to see the doc to get herself checked out.

Ted DiBiase, Jr. vs. Heath Slater. Before the match Jinder Mahal shows up on the Tron and says that Ted turned his back on his wealthy family. Ted eventually gets the pin. This was a solid match. I guess they’re setting up a Ted-Mahal rivalry.

Matt Striker interviews Cody Rhodes backstage and talks about throwing water at Booker T. Monday. Then he mentions that he will win the 4 Way. This was a good promo.

Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes in a Number One Contender 4 Way. Bryan wins when he makes Cody tap. This was a really good match. After the match Cody beats down Bryan and Orton makes the save and that end the show.

I liked the show overall. Smackdown usually is fun to watch. The opening segment was really good and I liked the Sheamus & Ryder-Dolph & Swagger match and the 4 Way was fun too. This was a real enjoyable show on the whole.

11-24-11 Thanksgiving Impact results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the November 24, 2011 Thanksgiving episode of Impact

The show starts with Kurt Angle comes to the ring and talks about James Storm saying that he didn’t attack Storm from behind, but that Storm never saw him coming. James Storm comes out. They have words and Storm says that he wants to fight Angle right now. Angle then tells Storm that there are others who want to fight him. Jeff Jarrett, Bully Ray & Christopher Daniels (when did he become part of Immortal?) come out and surround Storm. Angle tells him to hit him now that Storm’s out numbered. Storm then says he told his daughter that Angle was the guy who gave her dad a concussion. Storm then mentions that she wanted him to respond to Angle and then Storm punches him. Ray, Jarrett & Daniels then come in and all 4 beat down Storm and then AJ Styles, Ken Anderson & Rob Van Dam come out to even the odds. Security comes to break it up. While Storm was being helped up the ramp, Bobby Roode comes out and Storm laid Roode out. This was a good opening segment.

They show Eric Young riding outside the building with Rudy Charles and they get the Turkey costume out.

They show a Mexican America promo with Sting from last week, which led to them losing the Tag Titles to Matt Morgan & Crimson and then they show the end of the match. I don’t get this.

TNA World Tag Team Champions Matt Morgan & Crimson vs. Mexican America for the Titles. Morgan & Crimson win when Crimson pins Anarquia. This was a pointless squash.

They show Robbie E, Rob Terry, Eric Young and referee Rudy Charles backstage and Rudy is holding a turkey costume. Robbie E tells Young that he will not get another rematch for the TV Title. They go back and forth for a bit and then they set up a loser wears the turkey costume match. Young then mentions that if he doesn’t face Young then Sting will strip him of the TV Title. This was idiotic.

Karen Jarrett then comes out for a promo with Gail Kim, Madison Rayne & Traci Brooks and she tells Velvet, Tessmacher, Tara, Winter, & Angelina to come out. Then she mentions that they will be in a Lingerie match later tonight. This was dumb too.

They show Christie Hemme interviewing Tara, Velvet & Brooke about their match and they feel insulted that they’re placed in this kind of match. This was dull.

They show Gail Kim backstage saying how great Karen is and then Mickie James comes in and wants to talk to Gail. They do the “talking with the door not all the way shut and the camera is filming inside the door bit.” Mickie and Gail go back and forth and Mickie calls Gail a hypocrite and Gail attacks her. This was crap too.

Velvet Sky, Brooke Tessmacher & Tara vs. Madison Rayne, Winter & Angelina Love in a Lingerie match. Velvet, Tara & Brooke win when Velvet pins Madison. Mickie James who was injured from Gail Kim’s attack (though she didn’t look it) came out during the match and prevented Madison from cheating. This was ok.

They show the Knockouts backstage and Karen says that she will provide the gear they’ll be wearing next week. I’m tired of this!

Jeff Hardy’s music plays and someone in a hoodie and wearing a mask comes out. He takes the mask off and it’s Jeff Jarrett. Jarrett then rags on Hardy. Hardy then comes out and attacks him but then Bully Ray & Christopher Daniels come out and beat down Hardy. The A.J, Anderson & RVD come out and fight them off. Security came in to break It up. Hardy was helped to the back.

Eric Young vs. TV Champion Robbie E. in a Loser wears a turkey costume match. Before the match Eric Young brings out Rudy Charles. Young gets the pin. Robbie E. uses a weapon to win but Rudy Charles finds out and restarts the match and Young got the pin. After the match Young gets the mic and says that Robbie looks knocked out and they will need someone else to wear the turkey costume. They have Rob Terry put on the costume and then he chases young to the back. This was stupid.

They show Eric Young & Rudy Charles backstage and they talk about how they’re going to train for next years turkey match. Rudy’s riding a bike and he hits the back of a production truck. This was more goofiness.

AJ Styles, Ken Anderson, Jeff Hardy & Rob Van Dam vs. Christopher Daniels, Bully Ray, Jeff Jarrett & TNA World Champion Bobby Roode in an 8 Man Tag Team Elimination match. The faces win. AJ & Hardy were the survivors. James Storm & Kurt Angle were at ringside. The match started 3 on 3 because Hardy didn’t come out at the start because of the attack from earlier and Roode was doing commentary. *Roode comes into the match & pins Anderson * Roode then hit a low blow on AJ and was eliminated by DQ. * Daniels pins RVD while holding the tights after Angle shoved RVD off the top rope. * Storm & Angle brawl to the back. * AJ was on his own but then Jeff Hardy came out. * Hardy pins Daniels. * Hardy pins Jarrett. * AJ pins Ray. After the match Bobby Roode came back out and attacked both AJ & Hardy and he shouts in AJ’s face to end the show.

I thought that this was kind of a throw away for the most part. The opening promo with James Storm & Kurt Angle was good and the main event was fun too, but the rest of the show wasn’t memorable.

20 years of wrestling

20 Years of Wrestling. How it all began

I first became a wrestling fan 20 years ago this month. Hard to believe that it has been so long. I’ve seen much in the industry over the years and I thought I would write about how I became a fan 20 years ago when I was 9. It all began when my cousins started watching it and my mom had gotten them both the old red WCW talking belt. I was really into that and wanted one too and my parents got me one a short while later. How I really got into wrestling started on Thanksgiving 1991 (which was the day after the Survivor Series). My cousins had brought a book they had gotten for me that had the top stars at the time. They also brought their collection of the old Hasbro figures and I really fell in love those right away! Those were the best figures that I ever saw by far.

Afterwards I had gotten into wrestling immediately. I would watch the Superstars and Wrestling Challenge shows every weekend and always enjoyed them. I also remember the first big event I saw and that was the 1992 Royal Rumble. I remember watching that show and of course being only 9 I was a Hulkamaniac and was hoping he would win. When he was eliminated and Ric Flair won it all to become WWF Champion I was so devastated. Then came WrestleMania 8, which was the first WrestleMania I saw. I remember the Randy Savage-Ric Flair match for the WWF Title and cheering for the Macho Man. When he won the Title I was so happy and I also felt very relieved that he won. I used to worry like crazy all the time when a favorite would have a big match. I had watched many shows as the years went on, from Superstars and Challenge to Saturday Night’s Main Event, to Raw (I actually first started watching Raw regularly in 1996 because I didn’t have cable before then) to the Pay Per View Events (which a friend of my dad’s would tape for me and I would watch a few days later).

My grandfather was also a wrestling fan and I would watch a lot of the WWF shows from the 80s and the part of the early 90s from before I became a fan. I would rent the VHS of the shows from Blockbuster for a long time. I went to my first live show on July 1, 1992 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains and I was in the 10^th row and couldn’t see everything but I was just excited to be there. The main event of that show was a 6 man tag that saw Ultimate Warrior & Legion of Doom vs. Papa Shango and The Nasty Boys. I don’t remember much of the match but the Warrior & LOD won. That night was also the night that Bob Backlund returned after being retired for a number of years (of course I had no idea who he was then).

I collected a lot of the Hasbro figures and was at a lot of shows at the County Center in 93-94 and I saw most of the stars from then. My folks and I also got on camera, which was really awesome! I remember being at Monday Night Raw in the fall of 93 and I sat 3 rows behind the announcers table. The commentators were Vince and either Shawn Michaels or Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. Michaels did commentary with Vince for the first part of the taping and Heenan did the second part. That was the night that Gorilla Monsoon came out at the end of the show and dragged The Brain to the back of the building and kicked him and his belongings out the door. I was right behind the announce table and if I remember right, I was able to see what was going on by looking at the monitor.

Then I started watching WCW also in 1994 just before Hulk Hogan came in. When Hulk came in a lot of the other WWF stars at that time went there also and I watched them there. I remember the Monday Night Wars very well. I would flip back and forth between both Raw & Nitro, sometimes favoring one company over the other (usually in the early days it was WCW). I would also watch WCW Saturday Night at 6:05 and the Clash of the Champions events. There were a lot of great shows from WCW back then and I really enjoyed watching the cruiserweights the most. They always had the best matches on every show. I wasn’t a big fan of the nWo itself at the time, but looking back at it now that era for WCW was the peak of the company and it was very cool to watch.

I had heard about ECW when they had the ECW wrestlers come into WWF to help fight against the monster WCW and to help promote ECW’s first PPV (which I wasn’t aware of then). I didn’t get into ECW right away but one night in February of 99 my dad was flipping through the channels and saw one of my favorites, Sid Vicious on ECW and he taped it. I watched ECW for about a month and wasn’t really into it because it had that grittier atmosphere to it that I wasn’t used to.

I started watching ECW again when my dad once again saw them when they first started on TNN and mentioned that The Dudley Boys were there and were the Tag Champions. I came in right at the moment Raven came out through the crowd and giving the Dudleys DDTs. I had heard that Raven had left WCW and had gone back to ECW. I would watch ECW from September of 99 till it closed in 2001.

When ECW folded I was disappointed that the promotion that I was relatively new to closed up within a little over a year. Then of course 2 months later WCW was bought out by WWF and that whole event changed the face of the wrestling world. I remember I was graduating from High School when it happened and I would keep my teachers and classmates updated on what Vince had planned for WCW.

On September 26, 2002 I went to the Manhattan Center and saw a show from the short lived MLW, which was the first Indy show I had been to and also the first show I had been to since July 8, 1995. The show was tremendous! I saw a lot of new talent that I hadn’t seen before plus some of the old ECW guys and I was standing on the guardrail for most of the show. That night was the first time I actually got to meet a wrestler and that was The Sandman. He was signing autographs after the show and I got my picture taken with him. It was such a thrill to finally have met a wrestler.

Since then I have been to many shows over the years and I met a lot of wrestlers. I got their autographs and my picture taken with a lot of them too. I met guys like Roddy Piper, Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, AJ Styles and many others. I also got my picture taken with Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart at a show in Waterbury, CT on November 13, 2009. I waited in line for 2 hours, but it was all worth it! Getting to meet Bret was great! I also got the chance to get in the ring and have my picture taken, which was really exciting for me! Getting to actually be inside the ring was a dream come true for me!

I have had a lot of fun being a wrestling fan these last 20 years and I enjoy writing my recaps of the shows every week. As I write this I have never been to a PPV, but hope to get that chance someday. I hope you enjoyed reading about my 20 years of being a major wrestling fan as I have enjoyed taking the trip down memory lane.