Week in Wrestling - Monday, July 19, 2021
WWE Money in the Bank Review
Roman Reigns retained the Universal title. I thought the match was pretty good, but also rather by the book, as it followed the recent Reigns playbook with interference and ref bumps. I'm not a big fan of this happening so ofte, so it took the match down for me. But these guys clearly worked hard and had the crowd with them all the way, which is all that matters. Long match and Rollins interfering sets up an opponent for Edge, which they have been teasing on TV. I also thought the post match appearance by Cena was perfectly done, which I'll talk more about later.
Big E is the new Mr. Money in the Bank. This was without question the best Money in the Bank ladder match they have ever done, and I don't even think its close. This was perfect. Excellent workers, working so well together and performing at such a high level. Nobody phoned it in. Kevin Owens is nuts!! That bump he took through the ladder was so brutal, I hope he's ok. There were so many highlights that it would be impossible to recap everything here, but it was sensational. So glad that Big E won, and he was an excellent pick. Riddle, Ricochet, Rollins, everyone was great here. Whomever laid this one out deserves a lot of credit , but the workers busted their asses! Ricochet is such a star and I hope they continue the push he's been getting lately. The springboard flip dive to the outside was fantastic. They really featured each guy at different times and I loved how nobody left this match looking weak. A lot of great talent.
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Charlotte Flair captured the WWE title. I am extremely critical of the booking of Charlotte Flair. She is a star and a hell of a worker. But I think she wins matches that she doesn't need to win far too often, and many times at the detriment of other talent getting over or elevating. It far from her fault, as Vince is booking her to win these matches. But it happened here again. There was no reason for Charlotte to need to win this match. I get it, a match with Becky Lynch is what they have decided is the bigger draw, but don't cut Rhea legs from under her. This is her first time to get a run front of fans. Let her run with it and possibly lose it at Summerslam. I think she's worked hard enough to earn that right. This was a hell of a match and the drama was certainly there. Fans chanted for Becky, thinking she would make a run in, but it looks like they are saving her for TV. I thought these women busted their asses to put on a hell of a match.
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Bobby Lashely retained the WWE title. This was almost exactly what it should have been with Lashley dominating and getting an impressive victory here. Lashley is prepping for for some possible huge matches coming up and this may be his last defense. If it is, it was great way to cap his run on top. Kofi was over, but he is better suited as a tag team or mid card champion at this point in my opinion. I also liked the positioning of this match, as the heel was going over here and in the main event, but the Cena return at least was the big thing to send the crowd home happy.
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AJ and Omas retained the tag team titles. Going in everyone expected that Omas would do very little and get the win in the end. But surprisingly, they let the big fella work a little more than expected and the match was not bad at all. AJ and the Vikings worked extremely well together, and they had a good tag match. The crowd treats them as complete baby faces, because AJ is great and Omas is such a huge freak of nature, that its hard not to react to him. I think the plan is still for RK-Bro to get the next shot, which will lead to that team breaking up. Either way this was solid.
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Nikki Cross won the match, in a surprise I should've figured. Unlike the men's match which was loaded with great workers and multiple people who would've been great choices to win, the women's match was filled with many who had no business even being there. I know I took the booking of the women's division to task in last week's update, and many thought I was too hard. But I don't care, because this match was another example. These are not the 8 best women, who are not champions, that the company could offer. Some of these women had no business being in there. This was sloppy, clunky, telegraphed, and not very good. In the end, the Alexa Bliss crap just sours me on anything she is involved in, which is a shame, because Natty, Naomi, Asuka, and Liv had some good spots in there.
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The Uso's captured the WWE tag team titles (Smackdown) for the 7th time. This match was pretty good and one of the better preshow matches you will see. But the finish is baffling if you look at it from a real life perspectove. Sure, in storyline it makes ttal sense and I'm sure it was teh plan for awhile. But real life happened when Jimmy Uso went and got another DUI and was arrested a few weeks ago. Not only has he not missed a week of TV, but now he's been rewarded with another title win. Just doesn't feel right, especially since this is not a secret and they wink at the camera about it. If he wasn't so talented, and he wasn't in the Samoan family, of course they wouldn't be employed any longer. But he is. And that's just another example of why life isn't fair. I hope this guy gets his shit together because he clearly has people in his corner.
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WWE NEWS
Rest in Peace Paul Orndorff
Just after we published last weeks update, sad news broke that WWE Hall of Famer Mr. Wonderful Paul Ordorff passed away. Orndorff was battling with neurological issues the last few years, amongst other health issues. When I was growing up, he was one of the biggest stars in the business and a top rival of Hulk Hogan during the mid to 80's. The two men had the top drawing feud in the history of the business, with the match at The Big Event in Toronto, drawing more than 75,000 fans. The match I have the best memories of was the cage match on Saturday Night's Main Event, where both men exited the cage at damn near the same time, setting up a huge controversial finish, which was groundbreaking at the time.
While Mr. Wonderful was a memorable performer who will be missed, it must be mentioned that he was included in the in several cases filed by a group of former wrestlers against WWE, who claimed that they had suffered neurological damage due to wrestling for the company. The cases were dismissed largely because its so hard to prove that WWE was solely responsible for these wrestlers being in this condition. Of course wrestling undoubtedly played a part in some of he brain trauma someone like Orndorff experienced, it can't be ignored that he also wrestled in multiple companies and played football. Orndorff was a college football star at the University of Tampa before being selected by the New Orleans Saints in the 1973 NFL draft, though he never played in the league. Overall, he had a great career, filled with memorable highlights and will be remembered fondly.
WWE Crowds are Back
I just have to say, after watching Smackdown and Money in the Bank, its so clear that the lack of fans being present has hurt the product so much more than even I realized. I think back to so many things that happened over the past year and wonder just how much more impressive they would've been if fans were allowed in buildings. People like Drew McIntyre, Roman Reigns, Kevin Owens, Bayley, the Street Profits, Sasha Banks, Bianca Belair, Riddle, Big E, and more had some of their best work in empty arenas. The product just feel so much more lively and newsworthy, when the crowd responds, good or bad, to what is happening.
Reigns vs. Cena
After the main event at Money in the Bank, John Cena made his return, facing off with the Universal champ Roman Reigns. The crowd was going crazy, as its Cena's first appearance since Wrestlemania in 2020. Also, fans have been speculating about a matchup between Babyface Cena and Heel Reigns for a year now, and this one really has potential. The plan has been reported to be that these two will main event Summerslam in Las Vegas, which will be a major main event. You can look at this in multiple way. Cena is still the biggest star, and none of the current talent is over enough to face Reigns for the stadium show. Or this is a dream match that has backstory worth telling here. This is not the first time the two have faced, but it is the first time while Reigns has been the top heel in the promotion. The dynamic and promos alone should be very interesting. I like it.
Who Should face Lashley Next?
As I said in my Money in the Bank review, I was very happy that they booked a dominant victory for Lashley over Kofi Kingston on Sunday night. The story they had been telling over the past month was that Lashley was not taking things seriously anymore and was too busy partying with the ladies and resting on his laurels. Then, he got pinned by Xavier Woods last week and it sent him over the top. He snapped and said that the time for playing around was over, and the killer Lashley was back. It was extremely effective. Destroying Kofi, was the perfect way to show he's locked in and hyper focused. Which should lead to his next match for Summerslam.
News broke last week that on RAW this Monday, Bill Goldberg would be returning. This led to a lot of speculation that he was coming back for a match with Lashley at Summerslam. I don't think this is the best use of Lashley. Sure, beating Goldberg would be another notch on the belt, but we've seen Brock, Braun and Drew all beat Goldberg. It's not really that rare at this point. And he definitely can't be losing to Goldberg, hell no! So why book it? Maybe its a smokescreen? Maybe there is something bigger they are still trying to book?
We've heard for months and Lashley even hinted at his desire for a showdown with Brock Lesnar. It just feels like a match that seems natural to book, but for multiple reason it has not happened. The biggest reason is Brock, the business man. You know Brock knows that there are natural matchups lined up for him that Vince would love to book, like Brock vs Lashley and Babyface Brock vs Heel Roman. And by knowing that, Brock, you have to assume Brock is driving an extremely hard bargain. He's a free agent, and unless Vince overpays him, which he's banking on, he will sit at home content. He has all the leverage. Plus, he's not coming in cheap and losing losing. If Brock is coming in and putting over Lashley, he's going to get the biggest payday of his career. That's just how much of a business man he is. It's not about wins and losses, its about his value. So this Goldberg match, is probably only because Brock was asking for more than they were willing to pay.
Despite possible matchups with the big returning stars Goldberg and Brock, to me, the natural and logical match to make is Big E cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Lashley. Instead of Big E carrying that case around for a year, its time to strike while the iron is hot, and announce to the world that he's challenging Lashley for Summerslam. It gets Big E off Smackdown and on RAW with the New Day, and he gets to finish the job that Kofi didn't. Big E is a homegrown, fairly young star who has been ready for awhile and there is no better time to put the belt on him than at Summerslam. The people love him, and as a babyface he can defend against a multitude of heels they have on the roster. Plus I think that he and Lashley will work well together as two hosses.
WWE RAW/ SMACKDOWN
Finn Balor Returns
Finn Balor made a surprise return on Friday night Smackdown, interrupting Sami Zayn. Finn hasn't been seen since he loss his NXT title match to Karion Kross, but I suspected that his stint in NXT was over. It's great to see Balor back on the main roster, as he's such a great talent that will definitely have some great talent t work with on Smackdown. This was a great call up and I hope he's kept away from losing for awhile.
I like this Feud
Sheamus returned last Monday, after being out with a broken nose. It looks like they began setting up a program between Sheamus and Damien Priest, which I think is a great idea. Priest working with Sheamus will go a long way in helping him develop further in the ring, and these two could have some great big guy matches. If I were booking, I'd pair them up at Summerslam and have Priest win the United States title. But then I also think Ricochet should be winning that title. Maybe a three-way? Good problem to have when you options.
NXT
So there has to be a match, Right?
Karion Kross successfully defended his NXT championship against Johnny Gargano last week on NXT. It was another clear cut win for Kross who they have booked like a monster as best they can, but this time they actually allowed him to choke out Samoa Joe to close the show. I have a wondered for awhile if they are actually building to a Kross vs Joe match, because we have heard conflicting reports about Joe's health and if he can still work. Well, they damn sure have been making viewers want to see him wrestle just about ever heel on the roster. So the question is, will Joe defeat Kross for the NXT title, sending Kross to the main roster. I hope so.
Hit Row Going Face?
After Santos Escobar's match against Dexter Lumus, Hit Row came out to face off with Legado del Fantasma. This was interesting to me because I love Hit Row, obviously, and its a clear change in direction to match them up with a heel faction. That tells me that this was a change made because they have been getting over and getting extremely popular. I just don't want them to be watered down or have any edge taken off of them because they are working as faces. Sure, logic says, if the crowd is cheering them, turn them. But the only way that works is if you keep having them do the things that made the crowd love them. You don't change to something the crowd didn't ask for. I'm crossing my fingers for my favorite act in wrestling.
ALL ELITE WRESTLING
That's How you Do it!
I was extremely happy watching last Wednesday Dynamite because the show featured many of the young talented guys who the company should be featuring. If you read this update every week, you know I love Sammy Guevara and think he should be in world title contention. The guy was super over and looked great in a featured singles match. That's how you feature a guy and showcase him. They really have some great young, almost homegrown talent that can be a cornerstone for the promotion. Push Sammy, not Jericho.
The main event featured Darby Allin with an impressive victory in the coffin match, which could be his new featured match. The guy is nuts, but he's over big with the crowd. That's what you want. Young guys who can go out there and put on great matches, but also popular enough to carry ratings and build the audience. What more can you ask for. The Sting rub has really helped Darby and he is easily the top young star of the company.
Another featured young star last week was the returning Ricky Starks, who defeated Brian Cage for the FTW title. Starks, the heel, was cheered far more than Cage, the babyface, but it gave the match so much more juice. A big part of that was the show took place in Starks home area, so he was over big. But you can't deny that Starks is a great talent on the mic and in the ring. It just feels like the guy is set to be a huge star for years to come.
Elite vs. Dark Order
We got more build for Omega vs Paige, with this time the Bucks joining in on the party. I'm sorry, I just can't get past Paige hanging with these Dorks, the Dark Order. They agreed to a 10 man tag between the two factions for some time in the future, and I couldn't be less excited. I'm sorry guys, this is not for me. Paige is teaming with a bunch of losers who literally suck and never win anything. I wish he went lone wolf on this one.
New Japan Pro Wrestling
ROH Best in the World Review
Bandido won the world title from Rush in the main event of the evening. I liked that they gave Bandido the title, as he's been raved about for the last few years, and chose to sign with ROH. But Rush go a lot here, beating the hell out of Bandido for most of the match and he kicked out of Bandido’s finisher instead of just taking it and losing clean. He also appeared to have his shoulder up when Bandido actually did score the pin, so we’ll see if that becomes part of the story going forward. I do wish they gave Bandido the big championship celebration to close the show as well. Very good match though.
Homicide and Chris Dickinson won the ROH Tag Titles in a pretty good match. Everyone involved worked very hard and took a lot of punishment. I was especially surprised to see Homicide taking some of the bumps that he did at this point in his career. The title change was good in terms of moving the tag titles to a Violence Unlimited.
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Dragon Lee captured the ROH TV Title Tony Deppen in a fantastic action packed match. they started hot and never stopped! Please go out of your way to see this one. All action. They beat the hell out of each other, and this crowd should be ashamed of themselves for sitting on their hands through a lot of it. That sunset bomb was asking for a broken neck.
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Jonatan Gresham retained the Pure championship in an excellent match with Mike Bennett. This was a wrestling clinic by Gresham, who continues to show he's one of the best wrestlers in the world, legit. You know, I hate to say this, but I've thought for awhile that Gresham being constantly compared to Jay Lethal has diminished how people think of him. This man is an excellent worker who can do everything in the ring. Simply sensational. This was so fun to see.
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Brody King got a great win. I thought that this was perfect booking. It wasn't a squash, but it was an impressive victory where Lethal made King look like a monster. This was really good action but decisive. This is what I mean about a veteran putting a young star over, while getting some shine in. Brody King is a real player in ROH and I'll be interested to see what's next for him. Great showcase that tells me he championship aspirations, because Lethal ain't losing like that for nothing.
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Josh Woods picked up a great win here, and these two worked their asses off and beat the hell out of each other. This could've have easily gotten boring, but they put on a hell of a struggle and mixed in many big spots that popped the crowd throughout. Silas Young looks too damn old to be taking this kind of punishment. That german suplex through the tables off the apron was insane and I'm glad it was the finish.
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Shane Taylor Promotions retained the 6 man tag team titles. STP were over big time in Baltimore and this match had great heat. Dalton Castle is such a great character and really helped make this entertaining. Good work by all, but Shane Taylor is a star, and this group has some legs. I'm interested to see what the plan is for the 6man tag titles next. A few different ways they could go. Good stuff.
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EC3 got the win here, but it wasn't very impressive. This was really too bad, as I love Flip, and EC3 continues to disappoint. Truth is, he hasn't been the same since he left TNA. Maybe he should've never left, because it looks like WWE stole his confidence. Match was boring. Something I thought I would never be typing for a Flip Gordon match. This could've been laid out so much better to let Flip show off his high impact athletic move set, and EC3 overpower him in the end.
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The Briscoes won a pretty good tag team match here, which was a good win for them right down the road from their home in Delaware. I really love Brian Johnson's work on the mic and he really feels like he could be a big time talent with more time and a good push. I don't really know what more they can do with Briscoe's and they feel like they have been in ROH forever. Not saying everyone needs to leave, but they are so great that they should be featured on a larger stage.
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PCO and Danhausen got the win here. I still can't believe PCO is still going. I remember the weekend he got over big in New Orleans as more of a cult sensation deal, and never expected he'd springboard it into an extended 2nd run. TV match.
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Rey Horus got the win here in a very fun opener with the crowd into all the action. High spot match, which is always good to get the crowd engaged. Post match saw Flamita attack Horus, which means this ain't over.
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Impact Slammiversary Thoughts
Impact Wresting had their annual anniversary show, Slammiversary, on Saturday night and it was an interesting show. I won't go match by match because I wasn't invested much in the product, but here are some thoughts.
- Ultimate X was a crazy spot match that had some fun moments. I got a kick out of seeing Petey Williams still going strong, delivering Canadian Destroyers like none other.
- WWE just handed these guys all the scrubs they had no use further use for. WooWooWoo.
- Speaking of, why is Big Cass beating Eddie Edwards? Why? And he's still sloppy. Hated that chokeslam on the apron, as he probably really hurt Eddie. Those bumps take years off your career. then he followed it up by trying to break his legs with a botched spinning F-5. Get this guy out the ring, he sucks.
- I would have liked to see David Finley and Juice Robinson have a competitive match against a good opponent. You have them, why not feature them and get a great tag out the deal for your card.
- I really like Moose, but I think he's reached his ceiling with this company. Losing to Chris Sabin isn't the worst thing in the world, but I could think of many top guys who would never lose to Chris Sabin.
- The Good Brothers win.... yeahhhhh....
- I liked the surprise of Thunder Rosa and I thought the women worked well together. Also it was good to see Mickie James back in Impact. She really is one of the best vets in the business.
- Main event was everything you would expect from both guys, NUTS!!! Brawling, crazy bumps, interference, ref bumps, thumbtacks and the list goes on. Everything you expect from TNA.
The biggest news of the show came after the main event when Jay White made his way out and confronted Omega in the ring. Omega had Don Callis, Karl Anderson and DOC Gallows with him, tried to show a sign of solidarity by throwing up the Too Sweet hand sign. But before anything went down, my stream ended and I didn't see what else happened. Typical TNA. I'll try to find a replay and have an update next week.