Extreme Rules Review
Universal Title - Roman Reigns vs. The Demon
Roman Reigns retained the Universal title in what was to me a very entertaining main event extreme rules match. These guys beat the hell out of each other all over the arena and there were some really fun spots. The finish has been criticized greatly due to Balor falling from the top rope when it mysteriously broke in a "supernatural" spot. And pinned after a Roman spear. I thought it was different and fun and the follow-up will be key. Very good main, right guy won.
|
Smackdown Women's Title - Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair
Becky and Bianca had a very good match here with the crowd fully engaged and rooting for both women throughout the match. I really enjoyed the layout and thought both women were given time to shine. The finish was a DQ caused by the returning Sasha Banks who ran down and beat the hell out of both women. It was great to see Sasha, as she's been gone since she mysteriously was not at Summerslam and never spoken of again. This should set up a three way.
|
U.S Title - Damien Priest vs. Sheamus vs. Jeff Hardy
Damien Priest retained the United States title in a match where all three guys looked great. This match was super over with the live crowd, which made it one of the best and most lively matches on the show. Sheamus matches are always the most hard-hitting matches that resemble what I enjoy about NJPW string style, and this was no different.
|
Raw Women's Title - Charlotte vs. Alexa Bliss
Charlotte retained the RAW women's title in what wasn't a bad match at all with Alexa. I thought both women brought the intensity and the silliness was kept to a minimum. The crowd was into both women and while I get tired of Charlotte, she does deliver more often than not. I was happy she ripped that stupid doll to pieces and hope its gone for good.
|
SmackDown Tag Team Title - The Usos vs. The Street Profits
The Uso's retained the tag team titles once again, keeping the gold in the Bloodline. This was a very good tag team match, and I actually think its impossible for these four to have a bad match. Otis and Gable didn't tease that they are next in line.
|
The New Day vs. Bobby Lashley, AJ Styles & Omos
In what was a surprise match added to the show the night of, Big E pinned Bobby Lashley in this 6 man tag match that was fun and full of great action. These five work great together, and Omos stood there for the most part looking menacing. Good win for Big E.
|
WWE RAW/ SMACKDOWN
Sasha Banks is back
Sasha Banks ruined the title match between Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair at Summerslam and now looks to be back fully in the mix. The question is, with the draft, what show will she be on and who will she be programed with. Do they really want her on the same brand as Becky right now since they are both heels? Or will they put her with Charlotte. Where does Asuka fit into this. Clearly they are building up Shayna Baszler for something. There is a lot they can do with this women's division if they properly position a talent like Sasha who can work with so many different women on the roster and make them look better.
The Big E Era Has been Good
This past week's RAW featured two Big E vs. Bobby Lashley matches on the show, and both really were a pleasant watch. In the opening segment the two wrestled to a DQ when when Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander appeared and rejoined Lashley as the Hurt Business. This prompted Kofi and Xavier to come out and a hell of a brawl broke out, which was fun to see. I have basically been booking a feud with this two groups in my head for months, with Big E as the main guy to take down Lashley. So all of this is music to my ears and has been fun to watch. I just love seeing 6 black men be presented as main event talent and booked as the focal point of the promotion. Things like this keep me interested as a fan.
I was very happy to see the Hurt Business reunited, but this should have been teased over the last week. From the moment Lashley lost that title, Shelton and Cedric should've been approaching him backstage and telling him that this wouldn't have happened if he still had his brothers watching his back. Little teases here and there on every show, and Lashley getting pinned on three straight shows should have prompted him to need the backup of his brothers again. I liked seeing the Hurt Business, but the story could have been executed much better had there been some foresight and not these kneejerk reactions by Vince McMahon.
After Big E defeated Lashley in the cage, his celebration was interrupted by Drew McIntyre, who came out and pointed his sword at Big E. Drew lost a match to Lashley a few months ago where the stipulation is that Drew couldn't challenge for the title as long as Lashley was champion. Well, it makes sense that now that Lashley has had his rematch, Drew is wants a shot at the title. But is he really the #1 contender? We've seen him lose to Sheamus and Damien Priest. I think this could be a smoke screen and Drew could be getting drafted to Smackdown this Friday night. Or they could hold it off for one match between these two next Monday.
Goldberg Calls Out Lashley
Goldberg appeared on RAW via a satellite interview and threatened to kill Bobby Lashley for how he attacked his son at Summerslam. I liked this and it made the hate Goldberg has for Lashley feel real. These two will probably have their rematch on the Saudi Arabia show Crown Jewel, where it wouldn't shock me to see Goldberg get his win back since Lashley is no longer the unbeatable champion. Either way this was good.
ALL ELITE WRESTLING
Grand Slam Review
AEW held their largest event of the young companies history when it brought Dynamite and Rampage to the Arthur Ashe stadium in Queens, New York. Overall the show was good, but the main issue was the match order and length of the show. Whenever you are taping for TV, the show pacing and layout can always cause some fatigue issues, and the match order can have negative impact on the show. And this was no different. Because of the nature of the show where they booked as many matches with key names as possible, many of the matches were overshadowed and did not receive the level of heat they most definitely would have received had they been saved for a show where they were the main feature. But when you open the show in an attempt to capture the largest audience possible, with the most anticipated match, you run the risk of burning out the audience. That is pretty much what happened here.
Dynamite opened up with Kenny Omega and Brian Danielson going to a 30 minute draw, in what was a fantastic wrestling match. These two went out there and had a classic on free TV, and it was sensational. The crowd was super hot and they were treated to a hard hitting affair that really deserved a winner in my opinion. Bryan really put his body on the line for this one, and held nothing back. I have seen better Bryan matches, but this was a great one. Omega never disappoints in the ring and the atmosphere and action made the draw easier to forgive. The rematch should happen on PPV, and the finish should be Danielson winning the title in my opinion.
This match simply could not follow the opener and it couldn't generate the heat that the build warranted. MJF is a great talker, but he's just not that great in the ring. Pillman is not smooth and he's not ready for singles action against a guy who can't carry him. This was rough in my opinion. And Pillman tapped. I didn't like the finish given how the match was built.
|
Cody is one of the most over pushed and overrated wrestlers in the company and has always been, but finally even this blind loyal audience is admitting it. He was boo'd out the building, and fans hate his wife too, although that's for various reasons, not all valid in my opinion. Malakai Black should have dominated him again and be moving on to greater opponents.
|
Well, maybe its just me, but when you have a crowd this size, and your a new company, maybe the person featured and highlighted should be the young superstar you're building and not the 60 year old veteran who is well past his prime. This was well wrestled because FTR is an excellent tag team, but again they were used as foder to get the 60 year old Sting over with the live crowd. WHY!?!?! We get it, Sting is a legend. But why does he need to be featured and highlighted over these young great talents. If Anything, Darby should've been the star.
|
This was a great example of why the match order sucked. I thought this match was dry and lacked any type of big match feel. I don't get the Ruby appeal, but clearly she a character that is not for a black man from Baltimore to connect with or get. Well, nobody on this show is really for someone like me to connect with, just scroll back up through the lineup. Britt is over, and there was no reason for her to be losing the title, especially to Ruby who isn't the right person at all to take the title. Baker even made her tap out, which was a surprise, as its quick to end the feud.
|
The show kicked off with CM Punks first match in years on TV, and to be honest, this was rough. The show was taped after Dynamite and you could feel it, as the crowd seemed tired and not as energetic as you would think for a Punk match. I want to like Hobbs as he's the only single black guy they seem to have any interest in on the roster, but honestly, this was rough and a chore. These tow had no connection and there was a lack of chemistry. Match was sloppy and the heat wasn't there. Disappointing.
|
Now this was a got damn barn burner. All action, super creative spots and hella fun. I think this was the second best match on the entire two night show and considering those involved, there shouldn't have even been a question if it would be. The crowd was hot, which tells you that if the action is hot, moves are exciting, and energy is elevated, the crowd will get into a match, no matter how long a show is. I love the Super Kliq as a unit and I do wonder if this will lead to the long awaited trios titles being introduced.
|
Man this match sucked. I really can't even act like I'm surprised. Just an overbooked mess featuring guys who are miscasts and out of place. At least Scorpio got the win but even that was due to shenanigans by Dan Lamabert, who was the focus of everything, overshadowing the Scorpio and Page. Post match something else, and really was one of the more heated things on the entire show, as American Top Team showed up with Junior Dos Santos, Andre Arlovski, Paige Van Zant, and Jorge Masvidal getting in the ring and getting physical with Jericho and Hager. Where the hell was the rest of the Inner Circle, I don't know. Masvidal kicking out Jericho was great.
|
In the very next match, here come Santana and Ortiz. Does that make any sense? Jericho and Hager got their asses beat, and they didn't even come out to help, but here they come in the very next segment. That sucked. This 8 man was good, very boom, boom, boom, getting the guys in and out with big spots. It was a good change of pace for the crowd, but at this point the show was getting deep into the night. I do wonder if the Lucha Brother should have been featured in a more high profile tag team title match or something on a show like this, because with so many matches and so many talents on the show, the champions should never be just part of the crew.
|
Like why was this even booked? Seriously. AEW is supposed to be the alternative to WWE. So why book two blondes who suck to wrestle this deep into the show, for no good reason. At this point I was over with this show and wanted to go to bed. Its almost midnight and these two are doing sloppy spots and using brass knucks, AGAIN!! Let's move on.
|
The main event was an all out sprint and brawl between four great brawlers. I enjoyed this one and whenever I can see Minoru Suzuki I am happy. I felt like the match was a bit rushed but for this style of match, it was perfectly timed, especially at this late hour. Homicide showing up at the end was a a choice, but it still was a good show.
|
NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING
G1 Climax 31 Schedule
Check out the full G-1 tournament lineups, which is underway in Japan and featured some very good to great matches already. Due to injury, Tetsuya Naito is out of the tournament, and all of his opponents in the listing below will be awarded a win by forfeit. Put these dates on your calendar and we'll check in periodically.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|