Post by Simply Beautiful on Nov 27, 2006 2:29:06 GMT -5
OK, I ended up not being able to go to the show, but I watched it on PPV and figured, what the hell, why not start writing show reviews on the OOC Board?
SPOILERS BELOW
It started off with The Legends team of Ric Flair, Ron Simmons, Sgt. Slaughter, and Dusty Rhodes w/ Arn Anderson vs. The Spirit Squad. Simmons looked great, he hasn't really lost a step. I'm surprised Ross didn't mention a million times that he played college football for Florida State. He got eliminated, along with one of the Squad (I think Nicky) by countout after brief exchange, and Anderson got tossed for throwing Nicky into the ring post. Simmons dragged Nicky away by the hand to the backstage area, which was pretty funny. The 5th SS member jumped in for Nicky, and for some reason this was allowed. It got fairly confusing, and I wasn't all that interested. Slaughter went down next, after a "Johnny-Go-Round" kick that really, legitmately missed the mark completely. Johnny's toe nicked Slaughter's head, and Slaughter took it like he had a delayed pain reaction, probably because he didn't FEEL it lol. Anyways, Dusty eliminated one of the SS guys next, I forget who. It was Kenny, Johnny, and one of the three SS guys that don't have talent vs. Flair and Rhodes. Dusty went down next, eliminated by Kenny. I like Kenny a lot, I honestly do. He's just saddled with an uber-gay gimmick. Back to the match, Flair is down 3-1, but gets Kenny with an inside cradle. I accidentally hit the remote and missed the next elimination, so it must have happened rapid fire lol. It ended with I believe Jonny tapping out to the Figure 4. Afterwards the SS kicked the (BLEEP) outta Flair, pretty pointless segment. If WWE is breaking up the Squad, they're takin' their sweet time. I'm guessing it's headed towards Flair vs. Kenny at the Rumble, more likey than not New Year's Revolution. Hopefully that will end the Squad gimmick, and Kenny can fly solo.
Match Grade - 2/5
Next was a pretty damn good Chavo/Benoit match. The promo video before it was downright awesome, too. Set up the match perfectly, as I haven't been watching all that much SD recently and felt like I knew the whole storyline after the video. Anyways, to the match. Solid, technical wrestling. Very funny exchange b/w JBL and Cole; Cole said that Vickie "saved" Chavo from tapping out by putting his foot on the rope, and JBL said "You don't know that she shaved him, I think he would have escaped". Cole laughed and asked him if he said "shaved." JBL said no, I said Chavo! I'm bilingual." It doesn't sound funny now, but it did when JBL said it, believe me. Benoit won after Chavo powered out of an attempted Sharpshooter, sending Benoit into Vickie who was on the apron. Benoit turned around, looking upset, but Chavo rolled him up, getting a two count, Benoit kicked, coutered, and in one motion trapped him in the Crossface. Chavo tapped fairly quickly. After the match, Benoit celebrated. Nice match, good finish.
Match Grade - 3.5/5
Next was the Women's Championship match, Lita's final WWE match. Before the match, there was a interview segement with Edge and Lita in front of her locker room. After Lita left, Edge cut a promo for his match. As he spoke, Cryme Tyme (my favorite gimmick as of right now, just hilarious) snuck into her locker room and stole all of Lita's stuff.
The match itself was surprisingly (and refreshingly) good. Good wrestling, (mostly by Lita, who carried the match). Some funny commentary from the King, althought some of it was inappropriate. The fans really let Lita have it, starting up a "She's a crackwhore chant", which is pretty awful. After Lita dominated the match with a lot of offense, Mickie mounted a comeback, hitting a nice spinning kick but having her finisher blocked, to get laid out by Lita. Lots of near falls followed, as the divas kept countering with pinning combinations like roll-ups and inside cradles. The finish came after Mickie blocked a Lita DDT by hanging on the top rope and soon after hit her DDT for the W, sending Lita out of WWE a loser. After the match, Lita forced Lillian to tell the fans to give "the great Women's Champion of all-time" a round of applause, which got heavy boos. Lita got on the mike and ripped the crowd, but then Cryme Tyme came out and starting selling off her "unmentionables", which led to a funny segment with JBL buying Lita's panties. It quickly turned VERY inappropriate, though, when the pulled out a vibrator and sold that off. I was actually in shock, that Vince had the balls to do that, but then again, how can anything Vince does surprise anyone? Lita threw a tantrum after Cryme Tyme "gave away her box" which they had carried to the ring with them, and with that, she has offcially retired from the WWE. Not exactly the best way to go out, but I'm sure Vince wanted to humilate her as much as possible, even if it was in character.
Match Grade: 2.5/5
Next was a pre-recorded interview with Cole and Batista. Cole kept asking him questions, but Batista didn't answer any, just staring at the ground. He had on a fairly gay leather jacket, by the way. At the end, he just said that he was leaving with the WHC.
Next was Team DX vs. Team Rated RKO. The intro was fun, as DX included the Hardy's and CM Punk in the in-ring intro. Rated RKO came out next, and before the match started, Triple H tried to get Kelly Kelly to take her top off. She was about to, but Knox flipped and shoved Triple H. The Game shoved back, and Knox turned right into Sweet Chin Music. Michaels pinned him, and Knox was eliminated in about 5 seconds. After, HBK walked over to Hunter and said "Who was that? Is he in the match?" And Hunter said "Yeah, he's some guy from ECW." It was pretty funny, I thought Knox would be making a quick exit, but not that quick. Good, flowing action, all the guys got involved. Nitro and Jeff went at it, but then CM Punk got tagged in. He got a LOT of cheers, the fans like him a lot. I do too, actually, I'd love to see them put the ECW title on him next week. It'll prolly go to Test though, and I'll have to throw up. Anyways, the teams started to brawl it out, and Punk caught Nitro in the confusion with an Ura-Nage and went immediately to the Anaconda. Nitro tapped, and he was gone, gone, gone. Next, the three remaining RKO members kicked the crap outta CM Punk for a bit, making quick tags and beating him down. The crowd started chant CM Punk's name, which I thought was just weird, but I loved it. WWE is gonna need guys like CM Punk to get over, because sooner rather than later guy's like Big Show, Kane, Benoit, Taker, and the like are going to be gone and will need replacements. Anyhey, the babyface comeback was stifled by an RKO, but Orton took a while to get the cover and HBK broke things up. Orton tags in Edge, Edge misses a spear, and CM tags in the Game! Hot Tag City! Triple H clears house, everyone brawls it out, somewhere in the madness Helms becomes the legal man, and he and Edge get wasted by a double plancha from HBK and Jeff. Helms rolls in, but gets taken down by a Twist of Fate from new legal man Matt Hardy. Jeff follows with the Swanton, and three seconds later it's 5 on 2. Everyone lined up in the ring, and Rated RKO bailed. The Hardys followed them out and brought them out to the ring, and after sending Randy back to the outside, HBK hit the Sweet Chin Music on Edge and eliminated him. 5 on 1. Randy tried to run again, but Matt, Jeff, and Punk brought him back to the ring. Sweet Chin Music and a Pedigree followed, and Team DX shut out Team Rated RKO to get the victory. Very good traditional SS match-up. Team DX celebrated, and the fans ate it up.
Match Grade: 3.5/5
Next, we have what was a GOOD First Blood match, with a spectacular promo video. I've always been a big mark for a well put-together promo video, and tonight was no exception with three great SD promo videos. After this, MVP approached Kennedy and said he forgave him for letting the Brothers of Destruction beat him up on SmackDown, and that he had his back in the First Blood match.
Really good match-up good brawling from both guys. Taker hit a superplex early, which I don't think I've ever seen him do. Taker kept going after his ribs, trying to make him bleed internally. He did eventually, but on the outside, and the ref didn't see it. He spat up blood, but MVP came down and wiped it up with towel and cleaned Kennedy up. It looked like he was leading Kennedy back to the locker room, but instead threw him back into the ring so Taker could finish him off. As Taker and Kennedy fought it out, MVP came in with chair, gunning for Kennedy, but Kennedy ducked out and Taker got crushed, busting him wide open. The ref got up, saw the blood, and called for the bell, giving Kennedy the win. After the match, MVP bailed and Taker ripped Kennedy to shreds, hitting him with two of the hardest chair shots I've ever seen, and a Tombstone. Kennedy was left lying and bloody, but he won the match. Overall, it was good match, even if the finish was weak. The beat-down session afterwards was worth it, but the match was on the short side, and Taker did most of the heavy lifting so to speak. Still, plenty of action and some good spots (the superplex being the best one)
Match Grade - 3/5
Next was the final SS match. And boy, did it SUCK. Cena's team vs. Big Show's team. Umaga and Cena started off, and Umaga was very quickly eliminated by DQ for using a TV monitor to lay out Cena. That was the only way to do it though, bc being eliminated by pin or submission is out of the question for his character and countout makes him look stupid. Being DQ'ed just makes him appear...vicious lol. But 2 minutes in? Um, can I see more Umaga on my PPV please? I didn't pay to see MVP parade around in his stupid little costume, I wanna see UMAGA! lol I love it when the "monsters" WWE creates are believeable, so I'm a bit of an Umaga mark. Anyway, the matc goes on. Some back and forth action, RVD ends up eliminating MVP. Now, call me stupid, but don't MVP and Kane have heat? And they didn't even interact in this match. In fact, Kane was hardly IN the match! Lashley and Kane were like friggin props on the apron, the whole match was way too short and the main guys weren't really mixing it up. So, as I was saying, MVP gets knocked out via Froggie Splash, but Test storms in and nails RVD with a Yakuza kick as he gets up, eliminating him in the process. So it's 4-3, Team Cena. Now, the action gets a little nutty, shall we say. Sabu eliminates Test with a DDT...I guess the old Arabian Facebuster isn't good enough for Sabu anymore? Anyway, about 5 seconds after that, Big Show comes in and chokeslams Sabu after Sabu went for a springboard move. Pin, and Sabu is gonzo. 3-2, good guys. Next, Kane and Big Show face off. And I'm finally excited. They both goozle each other, but out of nowhere Little Bastard runs across the ring, distracting both Show and Kane. Finlay grabs the ol' shillelelahgh (I'm certain I spelled that wrong) blasts Kane, and Big Show takes his old partner out with the Showstopper (that IS what it's called, after all). All tied at 2. with all four men in the ring, and Show takes out Cena and Lashley with a double clothesline. The three of them are down, and Finlay tries to use Bastard like a battering ram. However, Lashley goes for a spear - botches it HORRIBLY, it looked like he just jumped by Finlay and slapped his belly - and covers Finlay. Cena went to F-U Little Bastard, but show put a stop to that. It ended up Show and Cena one-on-one, after several double team attempts couldn't keep Big Show down. Cena managed to get Show down, and the crowd was booing Cena to no end, even starting a "Cena Sucks" chant. Well...they aren't wrong. Show had Cena trapped in a goozle, but Lashley again hit a really weak looking glancing Spear and Big Show bounced off the ropes, right into an F-U from Cena. Bada boom, bada bing, three count and the good guys win it. Cena and Lashley ham it up, there were some boos mixed in but the fans popped well for Lashley when he climbed the turnbuckle and did his little pose.
Match Grade: 1.5/5 (I'm being nice, too)
Next is the Main Event. The WHC match between Batista and Champion King Booker. Another great promo video for the match.
Teddy Long came out first to declare that the title could change hands by DQ or Countout, since Booker had previously retained his title against Batista by losing by DQ.
Not a horrible match, even if it did really, really feel like Batista was walking out with belt no matter what. The fans kinda knew it too, they weren't really buzzing all that much. A few near falls, including Batista kicking out of the Book End, and hitting a Batista Bomb, only to have Booker grab the bottom rope. Sharmell tried to interfere by hitting Batista with the belt, but he took it from her and nailed King Booker with it. Cover, and Batista regains the World Heavyweight Championship. I hardly watched the match, it got boring in a hurry. I don't know why you would wanna take the belt off of Booker at this point, he's got a ton of heat and a great gimmick. People don't usually like to see faces defend the belt...they wanna see them going after it. That's why the whole damn world hates Cena when he's the champion, but quickly go back to cheering him (somewhat) when he's chasing after the belt or even -gasp- LOSES a title match. WWE has to be careful with Batista, because the fans could give a flying you know what that he even won the belt. Not only that, he actually CHEATED lol. Booker didn't even cheat in this match, but Batista wins with a dirty finish? I don't get it, but hey, Batista looks stupid with a shaved head so it's all good.
Match Grade - 2/5
Show Grade - 3/5
Would have liked to see Chavo win the US belt, and I don't know why DX vs. Rated RKO was so one-sided. I also think Booker should have held on to the belt, at least til Armageddon or the Rumble.
Overall Thoughts on the Show and other WWE things
- The legends are all in pretty good shape, save for Dusty. But hey, he was always chubby, so give him a break.
- The Spirit Squad has got to GO. Break it off, give Kenny a clean slate and a fresh gimmick, and let it all roll from there.
- The bit with Cryme Tyme selling Lita's stuff was funny, but it got way out of line and was actually pretty offensive. A vibrator? There were KIDS there, Vince. That's disgusting.
- Chavo is a damn good heel. Vickie isn't that bad either. I like this whole storyline. I just hope that it doesn't suggest something like foul play in Eddie's death, even though it's only a storyline that is way, way out of line. If Vince goes for that, I really might never watch WWE again. Dance around the fact that Eddie is dead all you want, but don't go that far and I'd say the storylines they've done have still been in good taste.
- Why, oh why, has Tag Team wrestling gone to sh*t in the WWE? Kendrick and London are AWESOME. Get them in a feud, with, ah, I dunno, the Hardy Boyz? Think of how exciting (and GOOD) those matches would be. Jeff as IC champ is fun, but put that thing on Carlito, Masters, or Nitro and keep it there. I want to see at least SOME tag team wrestling, and I like London and Kendrick too. Also, there's no need for Rated RKO to be tag champs. Don't you think they're a bit beyond that? Unless DX is gonna challenge for them, maybe do an angle where they get stripped or something. Maybe lose to the Hardys, I dunno. Just, not Rated RKO as champs.
- All roads point to Umaga being the number one contender for the WWE title. It's a bit early to tell, but who else will challenge Cena? Edge and Orton are pre-occupied, guys like Masters and Nitro aren't ready, and Vince refuses to turn Cena heel because he creates too much merchandise cash. So, it looks like Umaga. I like Umaga, but not as the WWE Champ...not yet. I think moving Lashley to ECW was foolish...put him on Raw, he's a STUD. The fans love him, and you could perhaps have a transitional champ take the belt from Cena only to have Bobby come and win it at WM. Whatever the case, I know Cena is gonna be either defending or challenging for the WWE title at WrestleMania, and I think Batista will be doing the same for the WHC. The question is, who do they face? I would say based not on what I would do but on what I think WWE will do, you'll have Cena as a challenger after winning the Royal Rumble vs. either Randy Orton, Edge, or perhaps going to SmackDown? I hope the winner of the Rumble switches brands, that would be cool. And for the WHC match? Batista vs. Benoit...with Batista as a HEEL! Yea, right. Batista vs. Taker would be good. I want to see Taker' have one last title run before he goes down, and I think Vince might do just that. But hey, I'm usually wrong about what WWE is doing.
- The Cruiserweight Title is becoming a joke. How about get rid of it, or have Helms do something weird like defend it every now and then? I for one like Cruiserweight wrestling (the one thing I miss from WCW besides WarGames and the WWIII Battle Royale, I admit) and I like Helms, and Matt Hardy. But other then them, can you name any Cruiserweights on SD besides both of the current WWE Tag Champs? NOPE! That's a problem; if there's no division, and no one for the champion to face, then the belt loses it's meaning. The fans wouldn't spit on Helms if he were on fire, he blows major as a heel gimmick wise (he has none, actually). He's a solid wrestler, and so is Matt, but they need at least 3 or 4 more good cruisers, or it's time to pack their (BLEEP) up and get rid of the belt. Bring back the Euro title; or make a TV belt. Anything is better than a belt that's never even defended and that no one seems to care about who isn't a hardcore fan.
- ECW is getting treated like GARBAGE. They have a PPV next week, with NO UNDERCARD? What? Who the hell is gonna pay 40 bucks for one match? I LOVE the Elimination Chamber, it's my favorite specialty match, and I still am not going to buy the show. Use Dreamer! Use Sandman! Use Knox! Use the rest of your god damn roster, do SOMETHING! Sabu and Van Dam are the only actual ECW guys who don't get (BLEEP) on, most of the ECW originals get paid less than OVW talent. It makes me sick, it's like Vince set up ECW just to fail so he can keep rubbing it in Heyman's face. Some friend he is.
- One final thought; Ken Kennedy is going to be huge. You heard it here first. So is CM Punk.
There, I'm all done.
SPOILERS BELOW
It started off with The Legends team of Ric Flair, Ron Simmons, Sgt. Slaughter, and Dusty Rhodes w/ Arn Anderson vs. The Spirit Squad. Simmons looked great, he hasn't really lost a step. I'm surprised Ross didn't mention a million times that he played college football for Florida State. He got eliminated, along with one of the Squad (I think Nicky) by countout after brief exchange, and Anderson got tossed for throwing Nicky into the ring post. Simmons dragged Nicky away by the hand to the backstage area, which was pretty funny. The 5th SS member jumped in for Nicky, and for some reason this was allowed. It got fairly confusing, and I wasn't all that interested. Slaughter went down next, after a "Johnny-Go-Round" kick that really, legitmately missed the mark completely. Johnny's toe nicked Slaughter's head, and Slaughter took it like he had a delayed pain reaction, probably because he didn't FEEL it lol. Anyways, Dusty eliminated one of the SS guys next, I forget who. It was Kenny, Johnny, and one of the three SS guys that don't have talent vs. Flair and Rhodes. Dusty went down next, eliminated by Kenny. I like Kenny a lot, I honestly do. He's just saddled with an uber-gay gimmick. Back to the match, Flair is down 3-1, but gets Kenny with an inside cradle. I accidentally hit the remote and missed the next elimination, so it must have happened rapid fire lol. It ended with I believe Jonny tapping out to the Figure 4. Afterwards the SS kicked the (BLEEP) outta Flair, pretty pointless segment. If WWE is breaking up the Squad, they're takin' their sweet time. I'm guessing it's headed towards Flair vs. Kenny at the Rumble, more likey than not New Year's Revolution. Hopefully that will end the Squad gimmick, and Kenny can fly solo.
Match Grade - 2/5
Next was a pretty damn good Chavo/Benoit match. The promo video before it was downright awesome, too. Set up the match perfectly, as I haven't been watching all that much SD recently and felt like I knew the whole storyline after the video. Anyways, to the match. Solid, technical wrestling. Very funny exchange b/w JBL and Cole; Cole said that Vickie "saved" Chavo from tapping out by putting his foot on the rope, and JBL said "You don't know that she shaved him, I think he would have escaped". Cole laughed and asked him if he said "shaved." JBL said no, I said Chavo! I'm bilingual." It doesn't sound funny now, but it did when JBL said it, believe me. Benoit won after Chavo powered out of an attempted Sharpshooter, sending Benoit into Vickie who was on the apron. Benoit turned around, looking upset, but Chavo rolled him up, getting a two count, Benoit kicked, coutered, and in one motion trapped him in the Crossface. Chavo tapped fairly quickly. After the match, Benoit celebrated. Nice match, good finish.
Match Grade - 3.5/5
Next was the Women's Championship match, Lita's final WWE match. Before the match, there was a interview segement with Edge and Lita in front of her locker room. After Lita left, Edge cut a promo for his match. As he spoke, Cryme Tyme (my favorite gimmick as of right now, just hilarious) snuck into her locker room and stole all of Lita's stuff.
The match itself was surprisingly (and refreshingly) good. Good wrestling, (mostly by Lita, who carried the match). Some funny commentary from the King, althought some of it was inappropriate. The fans really let Lita have it, starting up a "She's a crackwhore chant", which is pretty awful. After Lita dominated the match with a lot of offense, Mickie mounted a comeback, hitting a nice spinning kick but having her finisher blocked, to get laid out by Lita. Lots of near falls followed, as the divas kept countering with pinning combinations like roll-ups and inside cradles. The finish came after Mickie blocked a Lita DDT by hanging on the top rope and soon after hit her DDT for the W, sending Lita out of WWE a loser. After the match, Lita forced Lillian to tell the fans to give "the great Women's Champion of all-time" a round of applause, which got heavy boos. Lita got on the mike and ripped the crowd, but then Cryme Tyme came out and starting selling off her "unmentionables", which led to a funny segment with JBL buying Lita's panties. It quickly turned VERY inappropriate, though, when the pulled out a vibrator and sold that off. I was actually in shock, that Vince had the balls to do that, but then again, how can anything Vince does surprise anyone? Lita threw a tantrum after Cryme Tyme "gave away her box" which they had carried to the ring with them, and with that, she has offcially retired from the WWE. Not exactly the best way to go out, but I'm sure Vince wanted to humilate her as much as possible, even if it was in character.
Match Grade: 2.5/5
Next was a pre-recorded interview with Cole and Batista. Cole kept asking him questions, but Batista didn't answer any, just staring at the ground. He had on a fairly gay leather jacket, by the way. At the end, he just said that he was leaving with the WHC.
Next was Team DX vs. Team Rated RKO. The intro was fun, as DX included the Hardy's and CM Punk in the in-ring intro. Rated RKO came out next, and before the match started, Triple H tried to get Kelly Kelly to take her top off. She was about to, but Knox flipped and shoved Triple H. The Game shoved back, and Knox turned right into Sweet Chin Music. Michaels pinned him, and Knox was eliminated in about 5 seconds. After, HBK walked over to Hunter and said "Who was that? Is he in the match?" And Hunter said "Yeah, he's some guy from ECW." It was pretty funny, I thought Knox would be making a quick exit, but not that quick. Good, flowing action, all the guys got involved. Nitro and Jeff went at it, but then CM Punk got tagged in. He got a LOT of cheers, the fans like him a lot. I do too, actually, I'd love to see them put the ECW title on him next week. It'll prolly go to Test though, and I'll have to throw up. Anyways, the teams started to brawl it out, and Punk caught Nitro in the confusion with an Ura-Nage and went immediately to the Anaconda. Nitro tapped, and he was gone, gone, gone. Next, the three remaining RKO members kicked the crap outta CM Punk for a bit, making quick tags and beating him down. The crowd started chant CM Punk's name, which I thought was just weird, but I loved it. WWE is gonna need guys like CM Punk to get over, because sooner rather than later guy's like Big Show, Kane, Benoit, Taker, and the like are going to be gone and will need replacements. Anyhey, the babyface comeback was stifled by an RKO, but Orton took a while to get the cover and HBK broke things up. Orton tags in Edge, Edge misses a spear, and CM tags in the Game! Hot Tag City! Triple H clears house, everyone brawls it out, somewhere in the madness Helms becomes the legal man, and he and Edge get wasted by a double plancha from HBK and Jeff. Helms rolls in, but gets taken down by a Twist of Fate from new legal man Matt Hardy. Jeff follows with the Swanton, and three seconds later it's 5 on 2. Everyone lined up in the ring, and Rated RKO bailed. The Hardys followed them out and brought them out to the ring, and after sending Randy back to the outside, HBK hit the Sweet Chin Music on Edge and eliminated him. 5 on 1. Randy tried to run again, but Matt, Jeff, and Punk brought him back to the ring. Sweet Chin Music and a Pedigree followed, and Team DX shut out Team Rated RKO to get the victory. Very good traditional SS match-up. Team DX celebrated, and the fans ate it up.
Match Grade: 3.5/5
Next, we have what was a GOOD First Blood match, with a spectacular promo video. I've always been a big mark for a well put-together promo video, and tonight was no exception with three great SD promo videos. After this, MVP approached Kennedy and said he forgave him for letting the Brothers of Destruction beat him up on SmackDown, and that he had his back in the First Blood match.
Really good match-up good brawling from both guys. Taker hit a superplex early, which I don't think I've ever seen him do. Taker kept going after his ribs, trying to make him bleed internally. He did eventually, but on the outside, and the ref didn't see it. He spat up blood, but MVP came down and wiped it up with towel and cleaned Kennedy up. It looked like he was leading Kennedy back to the locker room, but instead threw him back into the ring so Taker could finish him off. As Taker and Kennedy fought it out, MVP came in with chair, gunning for Kennedy, but Kennedy ducked out and Taker got crushed, busting him wide open. The ref got up, saw the blood, and called for the bell, giving Kennedy the win. After the match, MVP bailed and Taker ripped Kennedy to shreds, hitting him with two of the hardest chair shots I've ever seen, and a Tombstone. Kennedy was left lying and bloody, but he won the match. Overall, it was good match, even if the finish was weak. The beat-down session afterwards was worth it, but the match was on the short side, and Taker did most of the heavy lifting so to speak. Still, plenty of action and some good spots (the superplex being the best one)
Match Grade - 3/5
Next was the final SS match. And boy, did it SUCK. Cena's team vs. Big Show's team. Umaga and Cena started off, and Umaga was very quickly eliminated by DQ for using a TV monitor to lay out Cena. That was the only way to do it though, bc being eliminated by pin or submission is out of the question for his character and countout makes him look stupid. Being DQ'ed just makes him appear...vicious lol. But 2 minutes in? Um, can I see more Umaga on my PPV please? I didn't pay to see MVP parade around in his stupid little costume, I wanna see UMAGA! lol I love it when the "monsters" WWE creates are believeable, so I'm a bit of an Umaga mark. Anyway, the matc goes on. Some back and forth action, RVD ends up eliminating MVP. Now, call me stupid, but don't MVP and Kane have heat? And they didn't even interact in this match. In fact, Kane was hardly IN the match! Lashley and Kane were like friggin props on the apron, the whole match was way too short and the main guys weren't really mixing it up. So, as I was saying, MVP gets knocked out via Froggie Splash, but Test storms in and nails RVD with a Yakuza kick as he gets up, eliminating him in the process. So it's 4-3, Team Cena. Now, the action gets a little nutty, shall we say. Sabu eliminates Test with a DDT...I guess the old Arabian Facebuster isn't good enough for Sabu anymore? Anyway, about 5 seconds after that, Big Show comes in and chokeslams Sabu after Sabu went for a springboard move. Pin, and Sabu is gonzo. 3-2, good guys. Next, Kane and Big Show face off. And I'm finally excited. They both goozle each other, but out of nowhere Little Bastard runs across the ring, distracting both Show and Kane. Finlay grabs the ol' shillelelahgh (I'm certain I spelled that wrong) blasts Kane, and Big Show takes his old partner out with the Showstopper (that IS what it's called, after all). All tied at 2. with all four men in the ring, and Show takes out Cena and Lashley with a double clothesline. The three of them are down, and Finlay tries to use Bastard like a battering ram. However, Lashley goes for a spear - botches it HORRIBLY, it looked like he just jumped by Finlay and slapped his belly - and covers Finlay. Cena went to F-U Little Bastard, but show put a stop to that. It ended up Show and Cena one-on-one, after several double team attempts couldn't keep Big Show down. Cena managed to get Show down, and the crowd was booing Cena to no end, even starting a "Cena Sucks" chant. Well...they aren't wrong. Show had Cena trapped in a goozle, but Lashley again hit a really weak looking glancing Spear and Big Show bounced off the ropes, right into an F-U from Cena. Bada boom, bada bing, three count and the good guys win it. Cena and Lashley ham it up, there were some boos mixed in but the fans popped well for Lashley when he climbed the turnbuckle and did his little pose.
Match Grade: 1.5/5 (I'm being nice, too)
Next is the Main Event. The WHC match between Batista and Champion King Booker. Another great promo video for the match.
Teddy Long came out first to declare that the title could change hands by DQ or Countout, since Booker had previously retained his title against Batista by losing by DQ.
Not a horrible match, even if it did really, really feel like Batista was walking out with belt no matter what. The fans kinda knew it too, they weren't really buzzing all that much. A few near falls, including Batista kicking out of the Book End, and hitting a Batista Bomb, only to have Booker grab the bottom rope. Sharmell tried to interfere by hitting Batista with the belt, but he took it from her and nailed King Booker with it. Cover, and Batista regains the World Heavyweight Championship. I hardly watched the match, it got boring in a hurry. I don't know why you would wanna take the belt off of Booker at this point, he's got a ton of heat and a great gimmick. People don't usually like to see faces defend the belt...they wanna see them going after it. That's why the whole damn world hates Cena when he's the champion, but quickly go back to cheering him (somewhat) when he's chasing after the belt or even -gasp- LOSES a title match. WWE has to be careful with Batista, because the fans could give a flying you know what that he even won the belt. Not only that, he actually CHEATED lol. Booker didn't even cheat in this match, but Batista wins with a dirty finish? I don't get it, but hey, Batista looks stupid with a shaved head so it's all good.
Match Grade - 2/5
Show Grade - 3/5
Would have liked to see Chavo win the US belt, and I don't know why DX vs. Rated RKO was so one-sided. I also think Booker should have held on to the belt, at least til Armageddon or the Rumble.
Overall Thoughts on the Show and other WWE things
- The legends are all in pretty good shape, save for Dusty. But hey, he was always chubby, so give him a break.
- The Spirit Squad has got to GO. Break it off, give Kenny a clean slate and a fresh gimmick, and let it all roll from there.
- The bit with Cryme Tyme selling Lita's stuff was funny, but it got way out of line and was actually pretty offensive. A vibrator? There were KIDS there, Vince. That's disgusting.
- Chavo is a damn good heel. Vickie isn't that bad either. I like this whole storyline. I just hope that it doesn't suggest something like foul play in Eddie's death, even though it's only a storyline that is way, way out of line. If Vince goes for that, I really might never watch WWE again. Dance around the fact that Eddie is dead all you want, but don't go that far and I'd say the storylines they've done have still been in good taste.
- Why, oh why, has Tag Team wrestling gone to sh*t in the WWE? Kendrick and London are AWESOME. Get them in a feud, with, ah, I dunno, the Hardy Boyz? Think of how exciting (and GOOD) those matches would be. Jeff as IC champ is fun, but put that thing on Carlito, Masters, or Nitro and keep it there. I want to see at least SOME tag team wrestling, and I like London and Kendrick too. Also, there's no need for Rated RKO to be tag champs. Don't you think they're a bit beyond that? Unless DX is gonna challenge for them, maybe do an angle where they get stripped or something. Maybe lose to the Hardys, I dunno. Just, not Rated RKO as champs.
- All roads point to Umaga being the number one contender for the WWE title. It's a bit early to tell, but who else will challenge Cena? Edge and Orton are pre-occupied, guys like Masters and Nitro aren't ready, and Vince refuses to turn Cena heel because he creates too much merchandise cash. So, it looks like Umaga. I like Umaga, but not as the WWE Champ...not yet. I think moving Lashley to ECW was foolish...put him on Raw, he's a STUD. The fans love him, and you could perhaps have a transitional champ take the belt from Cena only to have Bobby come and win it at WM. Whatever the case, I know Cena is gonna be either defending or challenging for the WWE title at WrestleMania, and I think Batista will be doing the same for the WHC. The question is, who do they face? I would say based not on what I would do but on what I think WWE will do, you'll have Cena as a challenger after winning the Royal Rumble vs. either Randy Orton, Edge, or perhaps going to SmackDown? I hope the winner of the Rumble switches brands, that would be cool. And for the WHC match? Batista vs. Benoit...with Batista as a HEEL! Yea, right. Batista vs. Taker would be good. I want to see Taker' have one last title run before he goes down, and I think Vince might do just that. But hey, I'm usually wrong about what WWE is doing.
- The Cruiserweight Title is becoming a joke. How about get rid of it, or have Helms do something weird like defend it every now and then? I for one like Cruiserweight wrestling (the one thing I miss from WCW besides WarGames and the WWIII Battle Royale, I admit) and I like Helms, and Matt Hardy. But other then them, can you name any Cruiserweights on SD besides both of the current WWE Tag Champs? NOPE! That's a problem; if there's no division, and no one for the champion to face, then the belt loses it's meaning. The fans wouldn't spit on Helms if he were on fire, he blows major as a heel gimmick wise (he has none, actually). He's a solid wrestler, and so is Matt, but they need at least 3 or 4 more good cruisers, or it's time to pack their (BLEEP) up and get rid of the belt. Bring back the Euro title; or make a TV belt. Anything is better than a belt that's never even defended and that no one seems to care about who isn't a hardcore fan.
- ECW is getting treated like GARBAGE. They have a PPV next week, with NO UNDERCARD? What? Who the hell is gonna pay 40 bucks for one match? I LOVE the Elimination Chamber, it's my favorite specialty match, and I still am not going to buy the show. Use Dreamer! Use Sandman! Use Knox! Use the rest of your god damn roster, do SOMETHING! Sabu and Van Dam are the only actual ECW guys who don't get (BLEEP) on, most of the ECW originals get paid less than OVW talent. It makes me sick, it's like Vince set up ECW just to fail so he can keep rubbing it in Heyman's face. Some friend he is.
- One final thought; Ken Kennedy is going to be huge. You heard it here first. So is CM Punk.
There, I'm all done.