Nate Reviews Random Wrestling DVDs.

[Nate DaMac]

I've decided to go ahead and see if I am capable of doing a review. I've been reading a few of these lately and I've been overcome with the urge to see if I can do this in any way.

The only thing different about my reviews is that I will rarely review an actual PPV or TV Taping. I only own 2 and they suck ass. Instead, I shall be reviewing collaboration DVDs and selecting random discs to review. for example:


The Rise and Fall Of WCW Disc 3 Part 1

You read that right. I'm only doing the 3rd disc because in no way am I going to review a documentary(I would recommend checking it out though) and the second disc has more of the old school matches that I really can't do any justice reviewing as it just isn't my cup of tea. Deal with it. Also, I'm splitting into 2 parts as all of these matches safe for 1 or 2 are pretty long.

Monday Night Nitro April 29, 1996
World Heavyweight Championship

The Giant vs Ric Flair(c)

Giant's out first with Jimmy Hart and just looks so much better than he ever has in the WWE. With the exception of the trunks that leave his ass hanging out that is. Out next is Flair accompanied by Woman and Elizabeth. It's weird to see Flair without a forehead made of tissue paper.

Flair flirts with Debra McMichael on his way to the ring as she sits in the crowd. Her husband, the ever annoying Mongo, is not too happy about it.

Ric Flair's title still says Macho Man on it for some reason. Flair cowers around on the apron like the good heel he is. He comes in and tries a chop that has no effect. He bails to the outside. They say Giant is only 24 years old. Weird.

Body press slam from Giant as Heenan tries to insinuate that wrestlers make more money than NFL players. Sure, Bobby. We go to the outside as Flair is evading. Lot of just dicking around to start actually.

Thumb to the eyes from Flair followed by chops. No woos from the crowd though. Flair goes up top because that always works. Of course, Giant just tosses him. Chokeslam attempt is averted as Flair hangs onto the ropes and delivers the low blow. Flair takes something out of his knee pad and drills Giant in the face.

Figure 4 is applied and Giant just sits up and grabs him by the throat. Chokeslam ends it and we have a new champion.

Winner: The Giant

Not a whole lot here as Giant was still very green and basically getting by on size alone.

*1/2


Clash Of The Champions XXXIII August 15, 1996
WCW Cruiserweight Championship

Dean Malenko vs Rey Mysterio Jr.(c)

Malenko is out first. Remember when the challengers always came out first? Rey looks fucking tiny. Malenko jumps right on and delivers a snap release suplex. Rey is much faster here as his knees are still in tact.

Dropkick from Rey knocking Malenko off the apron then Rey does the baseball slide to the outside catching Malenko with his legs and hitting a head scissors. Nice. A lot of fast paced stuff here.

Malenko considers walking out but comes back and gets a drop toe hold for his deed. Malenko reverses the irish whip into an Alley Oop on the top rope. Looked pretty painful. Malenko gets a jumping brainbuster for 2. Nice.

I'm not going to try to call of this as it is too fast for my little brain. Rest hold as I'm sure they need a little breather. Wow, an aamzing sequence ensues when we return from a commercial break that I couldn't even try to describe. Malenko gets a leg lock as I guess we need another rest.

Fans are really starting to get behind Rey Rey now and he rolls to the ropes to break the hold. Malenko launches him in the air for a pretty good splat. Only gets 2 though and we have another chin lock. Malenko is on the outside now and Rey does a somersault into a senton. Rey tries a springboard Moonsault off the rail and almost botches it.

We're heading to the top as Dean gets him in a fireman's carry from the top. He jumps off and Rey lands stomach first right on his knee. Fucking ouch! Malenko gets the 3 but the ref realizes afterward that Rey's foot was on the rope. Rey rolls him up as he's bickering with the official and he retains the title.

Winner: Rey Mysterio Jr.

A lot of fun stuff here but the rest holds and the commercial break hurts it a little.

***

Fall Brawl September 15, 2996
War Games

I'm not sure of all of the participants, but it's NWO vs WCW and Sting's alliance is in question. I believe the way this works is 2 guys to start off in 2 rings with a cage(complete with a top) covering the whole thing for 5 minutes and then one man from either team (decided on a coin toss) comes in. After that, it's a rotating member of each team out every 2 minutes until we get all of the participants in. What I'm not sure of is what if someone gets pinned before everyone is out? Does the team lose? This is my first War Games match so please, bear with my ignorance.

Hall is out first accompanied by Ted Dibiase. Out Next is Arn Anderson with his glorious comb over. The crowd is split pretty evenly since the NWO was just so cool back in the day. Scott invites Arn into his ring and Arn obliges. Arn hammers away in the corner then slams him face first into the cage.

Scott takes control with a clothesline in the corner. A lot of Scott stomping and kicking right now. Arn takes control with a chop block as he focuses on the knee. Scott crawls to the other ring now and takes control with a right hand. They seem to just be killing time as these are the 2 least interesting guys in the match.

2 minutes remaining and my question is answered. All men must be in the ring before we can have a winner. Anderson locks in a sleeper and Hall is fading. 1 minute remaining. Double A Spinebuster and we're told that the NWO has won the coin test. Arn hooks a single leg Boston Crab as Kevin Nash is coming in.

Arn puts up a fight to start but the heels are too much. They're basically just beating the shit out of Arn and I suspect this trend will continue until the next man comes in. This cage looks like it wasn't put together very well.

Here's Luger, about 15 seconds too early, and he takes control. Running clotheslines for everybody! Seriously he does like 4 in a row. Now to change it up, he throws a flying forearm to each and drives Hall's face into the cage. Just a lot of punching going on until the next guy comes out.

Here comes Hogan. Also about 10 seconds early. What the fuck is the deal? Do they not know the time back there? This match is really boring to me as they seem to just be doing a bunch of kicking and they aren't in any hurry about it either. Now here's Flair and he's only 5 seconds early so I guess it's an improvement. He wants all 3 at once.

We get the dream match of Flair and Hogan and Flair is in control. He pulls out the foreign object and takes out Hogan and Nash while kicking Hall in the balls. Good tactic, I must say. Faces a firmly in control right now as were waiting on the NWO's surprise entrant. It's..... Sting? What the fuck is going on? Sting comes in and starts kicking the faces ass as the announcers say Sting has joined the NWO. There has to be a swerve somewhere.

Ok, judging how that Stinger Splash was fucking terrible, I'm thinking that Sting is a fake. Yep. I feel like an idiot, how did I not realize it was a fake? The real Sting comes in and just starts fucking everybody's shit up. Chops and Stinger Splashes for everyone. Sting asks if that's good enough for them as he bails.

The heels take control as the number game catches up with the faces. Hogan hits the Leg Drop on Luger while Hall, Nash, and Fake Sting fuck up Arn and Flair. Fake Sting hooks in a weak ass Scorpion Death Lock and Hogan gets a front face lock at he same time. It sounds cooler than it looks. I guess Luger gave up.

Winners: NWO

Not really my kind of match as it was way too much punchy kicky stuff and hardly no use of the cage. Also, no blade jobs which is weird since it's the 90s and Flair was in there.

**

Souled Out January 25, 1997
United States Championship
Ladder Match

Syxx vs Eddie Guerrero(c)

Eddie's the champion here but Syxx has the belt. I'm assuming he stole it, but luckily they booked this match fast enough that he couldn't hock it for coke. The NWO appears to have taken over this PPV since Eddie comes out to no music and a voice calling him "Mexican Jumping Bean." Well alright then.

We see some very average looking women as Syxx's AWFUL music starts. My God. Bischoff and DiBiase are on commentary, so this should be fair and balanced.

Nick Patrick looks like an 80s porn star as he attaches the belt to be lifted. We're underway and Eddie has the advantage. Not for long as Syxx starts in with the kicks. A lot of fast paced stuff to start out as Eddie hits a Tilt-A-Whirl Backbreaker and sends Syxx outside. Eddie leaps off the top onto Syxx outside in a decent looking spot.

We're back in the ring and Eddie's in control. He tries a Frankensteiner but Waltman pushes him off and hits a spinning heel kick from the middle rope. X with KB's favorite move the Bronco Buster as Syxx is in control now. Really decent back and forth stuff here right now. Eddie tries a suplex from the apron inside but X reverses it and takes it outside. That rarely looks safe.

I just realized I keep calling him X. Force of habit. Syxx finally gets a ladder and brings it down the ramp only to use it as a battering ram and drive Eddie into the ring. Nick Patrick helps Syxx get the ladder into the ring but Eddie grabs the foot at the last second and slingshots it into Syxx's face.

Eddie delivering some shots to the small of the back now. I'll probably just call the spots from here since the Ladder is involved. Ladder is in the corner as Syxx delivers an Irish whip in a spot that was probably amazing 14 years ago. Syxx with a Flap Jack and drops Eddie's knees right on the Ladder.

Ladder is in the middle of the ring and the title is clearly out of the reach. Syxx delivers a move called an Inverted Jump Sidekick by Bischoff which looked cool, but logically had to hurt him more than Eddie. He jumped up higher than the Ladder and kicked Eddie, who was really only about 2/3 of the way up. Both men going up again trading punches. Eddie gets knocked down and bumps off the rope into the Ladder sending Syxx crashing into the top rope.

Ladder is set back up in the middle of the ring and both guys are up again. Both men pull down the belt and neither let go until Eddie hits him in the face with the belt and knocks him off the Ladder.

Winner: Eddie Guerrero

A good match, but I think I've been too spoiled by the crazy shit that has been done with Ladders to truly enjoy this. This was 14 years ago, so I guess I should try to look at it that way.

***1/2



Uncensored March 16, 1997
United States Championship
No Disqualification

Dean Malenko vs Eddie Guerrero(c)

This should be good. These guys always tend to deliver. Dean's out first followed by Eddie. Not sure which one is heel or face as the crowd seems to be behind both guys. We get a shot of the crowd and I am baffled and what people used to dress like in the 90s. Was it really that bad?

Standard wrestling sequence starts us off and ends with Malenko in control. Dean proceeds stomp a mudhole in Guerrero in the corner and follows it with a Brainbuster like suplex. Dusty Rhodes makes me want to die.

Now Eddie is stomping a mudhole in Malenko in the corner and Dusty won't stop saying mudhole. Unlike Malenko, Eddie fails to walk it dry as Malenko launches him face first into the turnbuckle and follows it witha back body drop.

We cut to the back for some reason as I guess there's some commotion. We see Hall, Nash, and Syxx standing over a body who seems to have fallen into a board or something. I guess it's Rick Steiner. We come back to see Malenko with a Single Leg Crab on Eddie. H elets go for the pin and gets a 2.

We go to the outside and Malenko grabs the belt. Back in the ring and Dean delivers a shot to the back but only gets a 2. Momentum reversal as Eddie hits the back body drop. Solid stuff with these guys. Malenko with the dropkick to the knee as the psychology comes into play. Makes a lot of sense. He follows up with a slingshot splash to the knee as well.

Side leg lock to further establish the leg work and the fans appear to be getting behind Malenko. Guerrero hooks in an STF that makes Cena's look terrible. We go to the outside as Eddie continues to focus on the knee. Figure 4 on the RIGHT LEG!! I'll be damned. Take some notes boys. Eddie's clearly using some heel tactics here as he's grabbing the ropes. No DQ so it doesn't matter though.

Eye gouge frees Malenko from the Figure 4 and he's really selling the knee. Malenko goes outside and catches a Baseball slide from Eddie. Eddie goes up top and leaps to Malenko, but he bails and Guerrero crashes into the railing. Back inside now and Malenko is working the shoulder. Eddie hits a Tilt-A-Whirl Backbreaker followed by a Powerbomb but he only gets 2.

Really good battle between these guys, but I don't get the need for the No DQ clause. Malenko hits a Powerslam then goes up top for... a Frog Splash? Nice. He covers but breaks his own 3 count? Well that was stupid.

Dean gets too cocky and now Guerrero is in control again. Eddie puts Malenko in The Texas Cloverleaf. Payback's a bitch. Syxx, the Cruiserweight Champion, comes down and steals the US Title. Eddie snatches him up by his greasy ass hair and drills him a couple of times but Malenko cracks Eddie in the head with Syxx's video camera for the 3 count.

Winner and new United States Champion: Dean Malenko

Very good match from these 2 as you would expect. The Syxx involvement kind of takes away from it, but overall, very fun to watch.

****1/2


Part 2 coming later today...

 

[Nate DaMac]

The Rise An Fall Of WCW Disc 3 Part 2

Now it's time to see if I can do this any better with a full night(day, whatever) of sleep as opposed to running on fumes like I was this morning.


SuperBrawl VIII February 22, 1998
WCW Cruiserweight Championship vs The Mask

Juventud Guerrera vs Chris Jericho(c)

Juvi's name looks like it's spelled wrong but I swear that's how it appears on my screen. This match would be the first on the disc that I actually remember seeing. This PPV was the second WCW one that we convinced my parents to order (Starcade being the first) so I may remember it fondly.

Juvi is out first and I forgot what his mask even looked like to begin with. Jericho is out next and Lord did I hate him when I was a kid. Looking back it's easier to see his genius but as an 8 year old, he was infuriating. He's rocking some knock off Pearl Jam music. He actually tears up a Jericho sign telling the fan not to patronize him. Lulz.

He even refuses to take the belt off and starts the match with it. Standard Cruiserweight stuff starts us off until Juvi kicks the belt into his gut. Jericho finally takes it off. More basic stuff as Jericho ends up on the apron and Juvi hits a springboard Hurricanrana to the outside. Juvi's aerial stuff seems a bit sloppy so far. Jericho plays Possum on the outside trying to get counted out until Juvi finally realizes what's going on and breaks it up.

We're back in the ring now and Jericho is in control. Juvi is on the apron and Jericho hits a springboard dropkick knocking him outside. Jericho says, "I can fly too!" into the camera. Jericho tries to use the steps as a springboard but Juvi catches him and drives him into the railing. We're back inside and Jericho hits a Tombstone Piledriver for 2. Knockdown and Jericho pins with the foot on the chest. Nice.

Announcers are really playing up the importance of the mask as Jericho starts to get frustrated and yep, there's the tantrum. Another cocky pin for 2 as Jericho is dominating right now. Juvi comeback amounts to nothing as Jericho lays him out with a clothesline.

Juvi sees some daylight as Jericho gets knocked from the turnbuckle and Juvi leaps on his shoulders to attempt a victory roll but Jericho counters in an Electric Chair Drop. Jericho going up top now but Juvi has him scouted and dropkicks him to the outside.

Juvi hits Air Juvi(Think Poetry In Motion only springboarding to the outside) in a nice spot. Back inside as Juvi hits the Juvi Driver and goes up top for a nice 450 Splash and gets the 3 count.

....... Or did he? Apparently Jericho grabbed the bottom rope so this match isn't over. Chop block from Jericho to finally start working on the knee. A couple of close pinfalls makethings interest as Juvi counters a Powerbomb into a DDT. Juvi sits Jericho on the top rope, goes to the apron, and hits a nice looking Springboard Hurricanrana, leading us into the standard back and forth pin attempts that the Cruiserweights are known for.

A Lionsault misses and Juvi tries.. something but it's reversed into a Liontamer, which is then reversed into a roll up. Only gets 2 though as Juvi tries another Hurricanrana but Jericho sees it coming(finally) and puts on the Liontamer for the Submission victory.

Winner: Chris Jericho

Post match Jericho berates Juvi demanding he remove the mask. He finally does to reveal that he was a slightly masculine looking woman. Go figure.

A lot of fun here between these guys, pretty much the same story as every Cruiserweight match in WCW around this time.

***1/2


SuperBrawl VIII February 22, 1988
WCW Tag Team Championship

The Outsiders vs The Steiner Brothers(c)

I think I remember the way this match goes down, but let's see. The Outsiders are out first accompanied by Dusty Rhodes who was one of the 4 Million people a part of the NWO at one point or another. Hall does his standard stuff on the mic before the Steiners come out. Here they are, accompanied by Ted DiBiase for some reason. Also, they have 2 sets of Tage Team Championships which I can't remember the story behind.

Scott Steiner just looks strange with black hair now. Rick starts us off which is weird to the announcers I guess. Rick starts us off against Hall. Hall throws his toothpick in Rick's face because he's a dick like that and Rick puts him on his back. Power struggle ensues as Rick is clearly the stronger man right now. Steiner line puts Hall on his ass and Rick follows up with a Belly To Belly Suplex. Rick does the 10 Count Punch in the corner then follows up with a NICE Overhead Belly To Belly. Rick sends both men to the outside and does his run around the ring and crawls under his brother doing their standard pose.

Now Scott Steiner looks at Hall, then looks at Nash and winks. He then proceeds to deliver a Double Axe Smash to the back of Rick's head and the crowd goes fucking nuts. Wow, everyone was wanting this to happen huh? Scott delivers a Double Underhook Suplex to his brother and punches Dibiase off the apron. Dusty even gets in on it, slamming DiBiase into the Ring Post.

Hall goes for the cover on Rick but in a pretty good false finish, Rick actually kicks out. Rick starts to mounta comeback in The Outsiders corner but it doesn't last long. Hall botches one attempt at getting him up for the Razor's Edge, but gets it on the second try for the 3 count.

Winner and new Tag Team Champions: The Outsiders

Nothing really worth rating here as it wasn't much of a match, more of an angle. But if it helps, it was a really good one. This was considered a pretty big deal since the Steiners were a staple as a Tag Team, but I'm pretty sure everyone saw it coming.

Bash At The Beach July 12, 1998

Diamond Dallas Page & Karl Malone vs Hulk Hogan & Dennis Rodman

Oh goody. I have no idea how this match even made it on the DVD. I actually have no recollection of this match but with Malone, Rodman, and Hogan being involved, the safe money is on under *1/2.

For some reason we don't see the entrances as Malone and DDP are already in the ring dancing around a whatnot while Hogan and Rodman cower around on the outside. Malone is definitely excited to be here, that's for sure. A lot of discussion over who starts and it's taking forever. Malone and Rodman are starting us off as apparently I did something terrible in a past life.

Rodman keeps bitching out and running to the ropes. This sucks. After 5 or 6 minutes of doing virtually nothing, Rodman tags in Hogan. The action REALLY starts to pick up as they trade flex poses. They finally lock up and Malone hooks in some weird variation of a headlock and body slams Hogan. Malone tags in DDP. Then Hogan tags in Rodman. We're almost 10minutes in and this is off to a shit start. Boring chant from the crowd and apparently no one cares because they still aren't doing shit.

Rodman and DDP exchange saliva now. Riveting. I'm really going to try to cut back on the play by play now because this is just lame. We're going into rest holds now because we just have to slow this action down. Rodman is fucking up pretty much every spot he has. Hogan is back in now and he has a wrist lock on Malone. Malone powers out and Hogan distracts by claiming his hair was pulled, allowing the cheap shot from Rodman. Hogan starts in on his standard heel offense now.

Rodman comes in with some weak elbow drops and the heels are in control. Hogan comes back in now with more standard heel stuff. Malone is doing ok as the face in peril I suppose. Rodman is back in now and falls. Again. He tags back out. Malone finally gets the tag to DDP as he leaps straight to the top turnbuckle and hits Hogan with a flying clothesline. DDP is definitely picking up the pace here. Rodman with a cheapshot and Hogan clothelines so, so much for that.

Christ, we still have 10 minutes left of this? Now DDP is the face in peril as the heels trade off with token offense. Crowd starts a DDP chant now as I assume they're just finding ways to entertain themselves by now. Hogan goes for the Leg Drop but DDP rolls out of the way and finally gets the hot tag to Malone.

Finally the crowd wakes up as Malone starts Body slamming everyone. Malone with a Big Boot to Hogan and tags in DDP. Diamond Cutters for each from DDP and Malone, but The Disciple comes in and gives a Stunner to DDP to give Hogan the pin. What the hell?

Winners: Hulk Hogan and Dennis Rodman

Post match, Malone gives The Disciple and the ref a Diamond Cutter each.

Good Lord this was terrible. I understand the reasoning for having 2 big stars come in for the ratings boost, but why on Earth would you give them 30 fucking minutes? This sucked, plain and simple.

- 1/2*

Halloween Havoc October 25, 1990
World Heavyweight Championship

Diamond Dallas Page vs Goldberg(c)

So this would be the infamous match between these 2. Apparently the PPV cut off just as the match was getting started and everyone was pissed. WCW had to refund an ass ton of money. I've heard before that this is Goldberg's best match, so let's see.

Page is out first doing a whole lot of running around to get the crowd worked up. Goldberg is out next with his usual entourage leading him to the entrance way. Boy was this man a fucking superstar. The crowd goes absolutely nuts. The bell rings and we are underway.

Surprisingly, Page appears to have the height advantage here. The intensity is here as DDP is bringing it tonight. Both men tumble out of the ring now and exhange words. Short lived as we're back inside now. Wow, Goldberg just did a backflip. Pretty good agility for a man that size. Goldberg takes control momentarily with a Cross Armbar. DDP stuns Goldberg for a minute with a Jaw Breaker but the power of Goldberg sends him outside.

Goldberg continues to maintain control until DDP hits the cutter on the top rope to put him down. DDP takes control and hits a Russian Leg Sweep but only gets 2. Rest hold for a few until Goldberg powers out with a move resembling The Cross Rhodes. Goldberg is dominating now. DDP hits a Head Scissors but Goldberg is right back with a standing Side Kick. Goldie goes for the Spear but DDP moves and Goldberg goes crashing into the ring post.

Not the most technical match ever but the excitement in the crowd is through the roof and these guys are busting their asses. DDP goes up top for a flying clothesline but only gets a 2 count. Goldberg reverses an Irish Whip and goes for a Hip Toss but Page hits the DDT. DDP signals for the Diamond Cutter but Goldberg kills him with a Spear. He doesn't get up right away though as he sells the shoulder.

He finally gets up and tries to go for the Jackhammer, but he can't get him up with his shoulder all banged up. He tries a second time but DDP goes over him and hits a Diamond Cutter out of nowhere. He can't get the pin however and both men are down. He finally crawls over for the pin but Goldberg kicks out. DDP goes for a Suplex but Goldberg reverse into a Jackhammer. 1-2-3 and it's over.

Winner: Goldberg

Post match we see a sign of mutual respect as Goldberg helps DDP up and Page holds up Goldie's hand in victory.

Pretty good match here with both guys pulling out all of the stops. DDP looked like a legit challenger to end the streak and Goldberg looked like a beast.

***3/4


Monday Night Nitro August 7, 2000
World Heavyweight Championship

Lance Storm vs Booker T(c)

This is the final match on the DVD. Storm is out first waving a Canadian Flag. He has 3 Championships already and I'm not sure which ones they are as he has renamed them to his liking. One is the US Title, which he cleverly renamed the Canadian Championship. Mike Awesome is on commentary I guess. Some fat chick is with him.

Lance gets on the mic and promises to fulfill his destiny as an all time Canadian great. Mark Madden is on commentary tonight so this match loses 2 stars no matter what happens. Booker comes out to interrupt the Canadian National Anthem. Now that wasn't polite. Booker looks odd with short hair after seeing the dreads for all these years.

We are underway with a decent wrestling sequence to start us off. Some douche is coming down with some Ham Sandwiches for Awesome's fatty, completely distracting from the match. Lance sends Booker outside and delivers a springboard splash to the outside. Back inside now and Booker takes control with a Suplex. Booker hits the Axe Kick and Mark Madden loses his shit over the Spinaroonie. Side Kick only gets 2.

Storm goes up top but Booker catches him in a Power slam. German Suplex attempt by Booker is reversed in a Single Leg Boston Crab I think he calls the Canadian Maple Leaf. Rope break after a few seconds but Storm hits a Super Kick. Spinebuster from Booker only gets 2 in a good false finish. Booker goes up for a Missile Dropkick but again, he only gets 2. Bookend attempt is averted, but only momentarily as he hits it for the win.

Winner: Booker T

Post match Jeff Jarrett comes in and attacks Booker. He ends up breaking the Canadian Flag over Booker's knee. Storm takes exception to this of course and sends him to the outside. Jarrett goes to hit him with the Guitar but hits Awesome's fat chick instead. Awesome chases him back into the ring but Booker catches him with a Bookend.

Meh. It wasn't bad but it didn't really have enough time to be something special. These guys have the ability to put on a fantastic match, but this was only about 7 minutes.

**1/4

Overall Grade: B-

That's right, I will grade the matches with stars and the overall disc with a letter grade. The wrestling was very good for the most part, but I was slightly disappointed with the match selection for this compilation. No Bret Hart, hardly any Sting, no Benoit(which I guess is to be expected.) The best matches were the ones highlighting the Cruiserweight division were the best with a couple of others right behind it.

Feel free to give feedback, I would like to do more of these but not if no one's going to read it. Until next time......

 

[Nate DaMac]

Edge: A Decade Of Decadence Disc 1 Part 1

So I will be only be covering the matches since quite frankly, there isn't much of a documentary to any of this anyway. Which is quite a disappointment because Edge is one of my all time favorite guys in the business. He's one of the few guys I have closely followed throughout their entire career, stemming back from his vignettes of him walking the streets and whatnot. I can't say I ever would have thought the dude would be a freaking 11 time World Champion.

Once again, due to the longevity of most of these matches, I'll be splitting this in 2 parts. Let's do this.

Breakdown September 27, 1998

Edge vs Owen Hart

This is Edge's first PPV singles match. I believe his PPV debut was in a forgettable mixed tag as Sable's partner againts Marc Mero and Jacqueline. the camera searches around for him in the crowd and I remember how awesome this was. Were in Canada so he gets a pretty good reaction for a rookie. Owen is out next to a much bigger reaction, though it's a bit more mixed than it used to be. We even get a nugget chant. Awesome.

I don't know what the story behind this match is. Standard wrestling sequence starts us off. Edge is much more agile here as his neck is still in tact and Owen is awesome as always. Monkey Flip out of the corner but Edge lands on his feet and nails him with a dropkick. Edge busts out a rana. Nice. Outside we go as Edge hits Owen with a baseball slide. Edge tries to dive from the apron but Owen catches him in a pretty sick sounding Powerslam.

Owen's working the back now. I assume it makes sense but I don't know what either man uses as a finisher. If Owen uses the Sharpshooter, it makes perfect sense. Lawler wants to know where Edge dresses before the match. Reasonable question I suppose. Owen has been in control for a few minutes now. Edge takes charger for about 2 seconds with a Springboard splash but Owen hits an Enziguri to stop that. Owen goes up top but Edge catches him and nails an Electric Chair drop in a move we don't see enough. Edge gets a near fall after the ddt. Back Body Drop by Owen but Edge flips out and hits a Northern Lights Suplex for 2. You feel the end is near as Edge sats up Owen on the top turnbuckle. Edge goes for a Superplex but Owen throws him down. Owen jumps as Edge puts his feet up, but Owen sees it and tries a Shrpshooter.

Edge kicks him into the ropes and gets a small package but Owen kicks out at 2 which was a great false finish. The fans are really eating this up right now. Edge hits a Spinning Heel Kick as an unidentified man with long blonde hair makes his way to ringside. Edge is staring at him asking what he's doing here. Owen rolls Edge up for the 3 count and that's it.

Winner: Owen Hart

Of course, the unidentified gentleman would go on the be Christian.

I believe this was the opener and for what it was, it was a very good match. Despite being a rookie Edge had a very good showing with an arsenal we don't see a whole lot of these days. Owen did a very good job of making Edge look like a credible opponent here which saddens me as we could have easily seen these 2 main event a Pay Per View in the future.

***


No Mercy October 17, 1999
Terri Invitational Tournament Ladder Match

New Brood(Hardy Boys) vs Edge & Christian

This is a Ladder Match for the managerial services of Terri Runnels. Why? Don't ask me. Unless she lets them run a train on her every now and then, I wouldn't bother. I think there's a 100,000 reward in this as well. Well that makes sense. This match would go on to change the landscape of Ladder matches for the next era. It wouldn't be quite as revolutionary as the TLC matches at Wrestlemania, but this was a stepping stone to get to that.

Edge and Christian are out first coming through the crowd. Next are the Hardys with Gangrel, who did nothing of note ever but gave us this awesome theme music to hear now and then. So that's something I guess. Hardys don't use it though which sucks. At the time, you never would have guessed that these guys would go on to be the mega stars they did as singles wrestlers. We start off with a little bickering and this match is underway.

A lot of brawling to start us off and Edge and Christian start up the tandem offense. Hardys take over and now they hit their standard stuff. They send Gangrel to get the Ladder but Tim White gives him the boot. Ladder finally comes into play as Christian and Jeff jock for position. Edge starts to go up but Matt topples the ladder. In a decent spot, Christian use the bottom of the Ladder to pin Jeff in the corner and Christian runs up and dropkicks him.

Jeff is going up but Christian follows and hits a reverse DDT off the Ladder. Now Matt is going up but Edge brings him down with a Powerbomb. Edge starts to go up but Jeff hits him with a dropkick from the top rope. This may seem like standard fare for Ladder Matches these day, but keep in mind this was 12 years ago. Christian is down and Matt sets up a Ladder near the corner. Jeff goes up to the top turnbuckle and does a leapfrog leg drop over the Ladder. The crowd has been into this thus far but that got em hooked. A couple of spots with someone climbing up and the other knocking him off with a ladder.

Matts down in the corner as Edge and Christian set up an open ladder in his crotch and each do a Baseball slide into each side. Ouch. 2 Ladders set up in the middle of the ring and Edge and Jeff go up until Edge hits a Downward Spiral on Jeff from the Ladder. Edge is going up now, but Matt catches him and hits a neckbreaker. Now Christian and Jeff are going up on opposite sides of the Ladder. Slugfest up top until Christian delivers a hip toss from pretty high up. Looks a lot cooler than it sounds. They do the spot that shattered Joey Mercury's face a few years later only Matt and Christian aren't ******ed and they protect themselves. Fans are eating this up now.

Both Ladders being set up with both teams on opposite sides. Cool spot with both Ladders toppling and all guys getting hung up on the top rope. Now Edge is setting up one Ladder in the middle of the ring while Jeff and Christian fight up top another one nearby. Edge knocks Matt off and he bumps the Ladder that Jeff and Christian are on sending Christian to the floor. Jeff, however, jumps onto Edge's ladder and knocks him off. He goes up top and gets the money, falling sickly to the ground afterward.

Winners: Hardy Boys

Post match in a nice moment, Edge and Christian are still in the ring and get a standing ovation. Really nice to see the fans showing respect for these guys.

This was an awesome match. I believe it was the first ever Tag Team Ladder match in the company's history, and it was the perfect match for such a milestone. The only thing that really takes away from this at all waould be the fucking insane shit we would see from these guys once the Dudleys get involved.

****1/2



Wrestlemania 2000 April 2, 2000
Triangle Ladder Match For The WWE Tag Team Champioship

Hardy Boyz vs Dudley Boyz(c) vs Edge & Christian

You weren't cool unless you ended your name with a z apparently. This will be awesome. Edge & Christian come out through the crowd. They have turned heel by now I believe. Hardys come out next and Jeff goes under all 3 ladders set up because he's a moron. Out next are the Dudleys, also heel I believe.

Brawling to start us out as you'd expect. Just gonna call the big spots, so you know. Jeff sets up Bubba on a Ladder and goes for the 450, but Bubba moves and Jeff crashes into the Ladder. Fucking Brutal spot. Matt's on the ground with a Ladder on him as Edge rides a Ladder on top of him from the top rope. Christian goes up to the top of the ladder and jumps to the outside on Bubba and Matt in a pretty cool looking visual. Now Jeff is climbing up after the belts but Edge jumps off the top rope to Spear him off the Ladder.

Bubba ass punches Christian for some reason and we now have 3 Ladders set up in the middle of the ring. Bubba and Christian are both really high up there and Bubba hits a Diamond Cutter. Really cool looking spot actually. Ladder have been moved around now as there's basically one in each corner. Matt and Jeff each go to the top of one and Jeff hits a splash while Matt hits a Leg drop. Another sweet spot. Edge and Christian slug it out on the Ladder Matt jumped from while Edge sets up another Ladder right next to him. Another great spot as Edge and Christian double Suplex Devon off the damn ladder! Nice.

Crowd starts up a Tables chant. All 3 ladders set up now as Christian and Jeff are on one, Matt and Edge on another, and the Dudleys on the last. Jeff and Christian's gets pushed over and they miss the ropes completely missing the ropes falling outside. Bubba falls off his and knocks the rest down crotching Matt and Edge on the top rope. 3D on Edge now and the Dudleys are WAAY over despite being heels. Bubba bets out a table now and Devon gets one on the other side. 3 tables in the ring now, actually. 2 ladders set up in the middle and the Dudleys take the clearly reinforced table and bridge it across.

Bubba has Matt outside now with one table while Devon and Jeff pair off in the ring with another. Bubba sets up for a Powerbomb off the announce table while Devon sets up the splash off the ladder, but Jeff moves out of the way sending Devon through. Bubba, however, fucking bombs Matt through the table in a seriously painful looking spot. Later on, Jeff tries his barricade run spot but Bubba scouts it and throws a Ladder in his face. Bubba sets up the monster ladder in the entrance way and sets up a table right by it. Christian busts Bubba in the head with the ring bell and Jeff gets rid of him. In what is still one of the craziest fucking spots I have ever seen in my life, Jeff goes up to the top of the monster ladder and hits a Swanton Bomb through the table on Bubba in the entrance way. Fucking nutty bastard, this kid was. Still is, actually.

Back in the ring now, Christian and Matt go up top of the bridge set up earlier while Edge comes up behind Matt. to Just as Matt reaches up for the titles, Edge shoves him off through the table below and it fucking explodes in a million pieces. Edge and Christian get the belts and this is over.

Winners and new champions: Edge and Christian

This fucking ROCKED. That's the only way to describe this match in my eyes. These guys went out there and stole the whole god damn show. No matter how many times I see this, I'm in awe at the crazy shit these guys did out there.

***** and I don't care if you think I'm over rating it. This is one of my all time favorite matches.


SummerSlam August 19, 2001
WWE Intercontinental Championship

Edge vs Lance Storm(c)

This is during the Invasion angle with Storm representing the Alliance, and Edge representing the WWE. Storm is out first and he wants to be serious for a minute. He says there is no place for offbeat shenanigans in this business. He asks for no interruptions, so of course, Edge interrupts him. This was around the time where Edge was just starting to emerge as a singles star as he and Christian would be breaking up soon.

Good standard wrestling sequence starts us off until Edge hits a Flap Jack. Clothesline sends Storm outside. Not for long as we're back in now. Edge hits a nice Cross Body off the top rope. All Edge so far until Storm reverse a Suplex attempt and drops Edge on the top rope. Storm firmly in control now as a Front Suplex is only good for 2. Comeback by Edge is short lived as Storm puts him down again. Edge goes for a Crucifix but edge rolls through. Storm still staying firmly in control with the exception of short lived comeback attempts by Edge.

I understand the method of Storm's approach, but he's really slowing us down a bit too much here. Storm goes for a Springboard splash but Edge catches him in a Powerslam. Edge finally takes control here and a Edge-o-matic only gets 2. Crowd is really behind Edge here. Now Storm has Edge in a Single Leg Crab but he pulls himself up the ropes and hooks one of his own in. Ref bump signals in Christian who accidentally hits the Spear on Edge and get's Super Kicked gor his trouble.

Storm goes for the pin but only gets 2 in a nice false finish. Edge finally gets the Edgecution for the win.

Winner and new champion: Edge

Decent match, nothing much to speak of. You could really see the star in Edge starting to shine here though as the crowd just loved him.

**1/4


Survivor Series November 18, 2001
Championship Unification Match

Edge vs Test

This is a unification match between the IC and US Champions. Test is out first and he is our Intercontinental Champion. He still has the long hair here which I haven't seen in quite a while. Out next is Edge, the United States Champion. Crowd seems quite dead for some reason though. This is the last match of this particular post.

We're underway as Test shows off his strength advantage. Edge speeds things up which wakes the crowd up a bit. That doesn't last long as Test takes control again. We're outside now and Test drops Edge chest first on the barricade. He does it again now.

Back inside, and Test is hammering away until Edge hits a Hip toss sending Test outside. Baseball slide from Edge as he goes on the offensive. Back inside and Edge hits a Swinging Neckbreaker for 2. A Hotshot from Test puts him back in control and he starts the standard big man stuff. Rest spot now and the fans are getting behind Edge. Edge finally breaks free and hits a couple fast moves but Powerslam slows him down.

Decent little match but far too much punchy kicky stuff for my liking. Edge misses a Cross Body from the top and Test puts him up top for the Superplex. Edge attempts to reverse in to Sunset Flip but no dice. Test tries to come off the top rope but Edge catches him with a dropkick. Both men get up and Edge takes charge. Test goes for the Pump Handle but Edge reverse for the Edge-o-matic, Only gets 2 though. Test takes him down with a Spear off all things but Edge kicks out whhich fires up the crowd. Bith men try their finishers with Test nailing the Pump Handle but only gets 2 again. Powerbomb attempt by Test is reversed into a rana and Edge hits the Spear. Once again, it only hits 2. Edgecution attempt is reversed and Test goes for a Full Nelson slam, but Edge rolls through for the 3.

Winner: Edge

Decent match that really picked up in the end. Edge did a lot well in these days and Test was actually ok for a big man.

**7/8 Yeah I know, just didn't have the heart to give it 3.


Overall Rating: B- A few really good matches here with the gimmick matches being the stand outs. Basic fare in the 3 singles matches though, nothing special.

It does give you an idea of how a slow push can really help the fans get behind a guy. In no way was Edge rushed to the top and he fought through the ranks for years before he finally got a chance. The first part of this DVD really shows this.

Part 2 coming whenever the hell I feel like it.

 

[Nate DaMac]

Edge: A Decade Of Decadence Disc 1 Part 2

It took me nearly 2 weeks to get back to this, but here I am. This will be the second part of the DVD I was reviewing last time. Without further ado, let's get into it.

Sunday Night Heat March 3, 2002

Edge vs Mr. Perfect

I'm assuming this match is only here to show Edge going up against a legend. If this was Mr. Perfect about 12 years prior, I would cream in my Dickies to see this match. Should still be fun though.

Edge is out first to a decent ovation. You can barely hear Fink for some reason. Next is Mr. Perfect with the same damn music he's always had from the 80s. Decent wrestling sequence starts us off until Edge hits (kinda) a dropkick to send Perfect outside.

Back inside and Perfect is hitting his standard offense. Edge returns the favor and sends him nut first into the ring post. Perfect back in control now and he's doing that Abdominal Stretch thing where he grabs the ropes for leverage. But since this isn't 1987, the referee sees it and shuts it down. Edge comes back with a couple Atomic drops and an Edgecator. Only gets 2, like always.

Edge goes for a Spear but Perfect chucks the ref in his way to take the brunt of it. Perfect goes out for the chair but the ref calls a DQ when he gets back in the ring.

Winner: Edge

Post match Perfect tries to hit Edge with the chair but the Spear hits first.

Not really that much of a match here. Perfect was nearing the end at this point and could only do so much.

**

Judgment Day May 19, 2002
Hair vs Hair

Kurt Angle vs Edge

I loved this feud. The comedy, the wrestling, it was all just fantastic.

Angle is out first to some great heat, You Suck chant included. Edge is really hot at this point. He was really close to being a main event player, but a neck injury would set him back soon.

I keep forgetting to review as I'm having too much fun just watching. Angle is sent to the outside after some decent back and forth stuff. Baseball slide from Edge. Now we're back in the ring and Angle is in control. Angle gets tied up in the ropes and Edge Spears him. Edge charges again but Angle hits a BIG Overhead Belly To Belly sending Edge over the top.

Back in the ring and Angle is kicking ass. Chops are traded and Angle hits a Spinebuster. Don't recall seeing that from him a lot. Angle is just beating his ass now. DDT from Angle only gets 2. Chinlock now as I'm sure they need a little break. Edge tries to mount a comeback but he gets taken down by his hair. Suplex from Angle only gets 2.

Another rest spot here and we keep getting really far out camera angles. Edge finally starts to comeback and hits a decent Overhead Belly To Belly of his own.

Skipping some stuff here as Egde drops Angle over the top but Angle lands on the apron. No matter as Edge dropkicks is feet from under him. Cross Body over the top that Edge nearly botches but was effective nonetheless. Back in the ring and Edge goes up top. Angle tries to run up and hit a Belly Belly from the top but Edge shoves him off. He follows it with a BEAUTIFUL Missile Dropkick but it's only good for 2.

Angle goes for a German Suplex but Edge rolls through for 2. Edge is going up top now but this time Angle hits the Belly To Belly. Only gets 2 and the crowd is eating it up. Edge hits a Super Kick(really?) and hits a DDT out of the corner. Edge goes for a Spear and Angle ducks so Edge hits the ref. Angle hits a big German Suplex and goes outside for a chair. He goes for the shot but gets caught with a Spear... but of course, there's no ref.

Angle blocks a second Spear attempt with a hard kick to the face. Angle Slam is avoided and Edge hits another Spear. The ref finally comes to, but still it only gets 2. Edge goes for the Edgecution, but Angle escapes and hits an awesome Spear of his own. Angle Slam hits but it's only good for 2. Good Lord this is good. Ankle Lock is on but Edge gets out with an Enziguri. Ankle Lock is on again but Edge kicks him off and rolls him up for the 3 count.

Winner: Edge

Post match of course Angle isn't happy and starts whippin Edge's ass until Edge hits the Edgecution. He tries to cut his hair but Angle escapes. We skip ahead to a little later on in the night and Edge is still looking for Angle. Angle Pearl Harbors him with a tash can lid and beats his ass back to the stage.

He threatens to cut Edge's hair until Edge fights back. He puts him out with a Sleeper Hold and throws him in the Barber's chair. He shaves his head with clippers and I cringe as he starts in with the straight razor. I'm surprised he didn't fillet his head. Edge get's a "You're Bald" chant going.

This was awesome. This was 2 upper mid card guys going toe to toe with each other in a main event caliber match. It got a good amount of time and had the crowd into it the whole way through. It's matches like these that make the mid card these days look so bad in my eyes. The gap between the main event and the mid card has gotten to be pretty damn big.

****


Smackdown! May 30, 2002
Steel Cage Match

Kurt Angle vs Edge

Awesome. You can never go wrong with these guys. Angle comes out with the head gear holding his wig down. I miss the good old days of comedy. Edge is out next to a crazy reaction. He is so over here it isn't even funny. The Hart family is at ringside. Both men are in the cage and we're underway. This is a pinfall/submission/escape Cage match.

Good wrestling sequence to start us off. Standard back and forth offense until Edge throws Angle into the cage. Angle is on the apron between the ropes in the cage and Edge misses a Spear going shoulder first into the cage. Angle beats him down in the corner and hits a Suplex for 2. Front face lock from Angle until Edge gets out and hits a Belly to Belly. Angle stops an escape attempt from Edge but Edge kicks him off and hits a top rope clothesline for 2.

Angle hits the triple German suplex but Edge kicks out. Now were getting the Cage involved as Angle starts slamming Edge face first into the cage walls. Edge just pounds on him and now Edge is bleeding. Edge comes back with a catapult into the cage and follows it with the Edgecator but only gets 2. Standard ref bump and Angle follows it with a big German. Angle tries to climb out but Edge stops him and hits back body drop and Angle completely back flips. Nice.

Now Edge is climbing out but Angle stops him and hits a low blow. Angle then hits an Angle Slam off the top rope. Very pretty. Angle climbs out, but of course there is no ref so Hulk Hogan comes out and starts slamming Angle into the cage. Hogan throws Angle back in the cage and we're taking a break. But of course this a DVD so no we're not. We come back and Edge is control. Edge hits an Angle Slam but only gets 2.

Ankle gets in the Ankle Lock but Edge rolls through and snds him face first into the cage. Now Edge locks in the Ankle Lock but Angle counters. Angle starts to climb out but Edge catches him and slams his face into to the top of the cage. Angle falls but Hogan had opened the door making Angle rack himself. I felt that one. Edge pulls him back into the ring. Edge is perched on the top rope and Angle sees him. He goes for his Belly to Belly from the top rope but Edge catches him with a Spear for the 3 count.

Winner: Edge

Another fun match but it's a tv match so it doesn't quite measure up to the last one. I don't remember why Hogan was involved, but I'll allow it.

***

Smackdown! July 4, 2002
Tag Team Championship

Edge & Hollywood Hulk Hogan vs Billy & Chuck

It's the 4th of July, Hogan is a real American, Edge grew up idolizing Hogan, and Hogan has never been a Tag Team Champion before. That's essentially why this match is happening.

Edge is out first to a solid pop. Hogan is out next and of course, the fucking roof is blown off. He's actually using the "Real American" theme song which is a nice touch. Billy & Chuck are out next. They just wouldn't stop giving Billy Gunn opportunities no matter how hard he sucked.

Hogan and Chuck start us off. Hogan overpowers, flexes, and tells chuck to kiss his ass. Chuck hits several right hands and a scoop slam. Yeah, not expecting a lot here. Hogan comes back with his standard offense. Tag to Billy and they treat him like a Tennis Ball. Edge comes in now and Billy goes for a press slam but Edge counters with an Edgecator.

Double teaming from Billy & Chuck put them in control. Chuck actually hits a nice Belly to Belly for 2. Billy comes in and Edge is totally face in peril now. What did you expect Hogan to do it. Billy hits a Suplex for 2. Chuck is back in and continues the beat down on Edge. Edge tries to come back but Chuck tosses him over the top. Billy tries to hold him up for a kick from Rico, but ge moves and Rico kicks Billy instead. Billy hits a face buster to Edge from the apron to the stairs. Back inside and a cover from Chuck only gets 2. Billy tags in and gets a front face lock in.

Edge tries to power forward for a tag but Billy hits a Sunset flip to stop it. Chuck back in now and Edge finally puts him down to set up the hot tag. He he gets it and starts cleaning house. Big Boot to Billy but Chuck hits him with a Super Kick to stop the Leg Drop. They try to doube team but Hogan hits both with a clothesline. Edge tags in and takes them both down from the top rope.

Edge is thinking Spear but Rico hooks the foot. Hogan disposes of him on the outside. Spear hits Billy but Chuck makes the save. Hogan comes in and they double team Chuck now. They hit a tandem big boot and each hit a leg drop for the win.

Winners and new Tag Team Champions: Edge & Hulk Hogan

The crowd is going nuts. Edge is visibly stoked about this.

Not a great match, but it was basically just for nostalgic purposes. You know it's got to be nice for Edge to say that he once held the Tag Team Championship with Hulk Hogan. I'm sure this meant a lot to him.

**


Unforgiven September 22, 2002

Edge vs Eddie Guerrero

This should be good. Eddie and his sweet mullet are out first. Edge is out and he's still crazy over if you were wondering. They're saying that Edge suffered a mild concussion last week. Eddie leaves the ring and tries a roll up while Edge is busy with the ref. Standard fast paced stuff starts us off as you would expect with these guys.

Eddie takes control in the corner until Edge hits a Powerslam for 2. Suplex from Edge still only good for 2. Edge taking charge until Eddie hits a sweet Tornado DDT out of the corner. Eddie in control with a submission I couldn't even begin to describe. It focuses on the head though so it's perfect. Edge finally kicks his way out but Eddie hits a back body drop for 2. Front face lock now as the Psychology is firmly in place.

Edge starts to comeback but scratch that as a backelbow puts him back down. Eddie is putting all of the focus on Edge's head. Edge swings wildly and actually catches Eddie with a right to the jaw from his knees. That's something I would like to see more often. Edge charges into the corner but no one's home. Eddie goes nuts on Edge's head. This has been pretty much all Eddie so far. Edge sees life as he hits a Swinging Neckbreaker.

Both men are finally up and Edge is finally on top. Edge hits a face plant but only gets 2. Eddie goes for a Suplex but Edge hits the Edgecator in a move I'm growing sick of. Eddie goes for a Hurricanranna but Edge counters into a sit out Powerbomb for 2. Eddie goes for a Victory Roll but Edge tosses him off into the top turnbuckle. Spear attempt is averted but Edge still manages to hit the Edgecution. It only gets 2, however as Eddie gets his foot on the bottom rope.

Edge is going up top now for a Missile Dropkick but Eddie rolls out of the way. Eddie removes the turnbuckle pad but it backfires as Edge Spears him into it. Edge puts him up for a Superplex but Eddie slams him face first into the exposed steel and hits a sunset flip into a Powerbomb for the 3 count. They try to sell it as Eddie hooking the tights, but since Edge is still laid out in the ring, I don't think it matters.

Winner: Eddie Guererro

Really good match here which is what I expected. I never appreciated the psychology of wrestling until KB's reviews got me to really look for it and trust me, it was here. The whole focus was on Edge's head and everything right down to the finish stayed true to it.

***1/2

I put the overall grade in the first part by mistake, but still, solid B-.

Until next time, I'm Nate DaMac. Providing you with the reviews that you don't care about.

 

[Nate DaMac]

WWE Royal Rumble 2011

That's right, changed my mind and decided to do an actual PPV. Just started getting into downloading PPVs recently and this was an easy one to get. This is also a first as I have never actually seen this before reviewing so there is no time for me to set my opinion in stone beforehand. Lets' get to it.

World Heavyweight Championship

Edge(c) vs Dolph Ziggler

How fitting. I go from a DVD set to a PPV yet I'm still reviewing an Edge match. Edge is out to a very good pop. Ah yes, the Spear has been deemed illegal for this match because Vickie's a cunt. Speak of the devil, here she is. She's here to tell us what I already told you. God, this ladie draws the heat like none other. Ziggles is looking super Orange tonight. Cole verbally blowing Vickie and Ziggles as usual.

Punchy kicky stuff to start us off. Gutbuster from Edge only gets 2. Matt Stryker is fucking irritating. To the outside and Ziggler meets the barricade. Back in the ring and Ziggles hits a hanging neckbreacker from the middle rope. Basic heel offense from Ziggler now as I really hope this picks up soon. Here's a chinlock, in case anyone needs a bathroom break. Edge starts to mount a comeback as he reverse a Sunset Flip into a catapult for 2. Ziggler striking to get back in control.

Another chinlock(yawn) and I'm really bored right now. Could just be my mood so take it for what it's worth. Edge on the apron as Ziggler knocks him into the barricade. Apparently I'm not alone as the crowd seems fairly bored as well. Now they're starting to get behind Edge as we're in another damn chinlock. Both men have the same idea for a cross body and of course we get the 10 count tease. Please quicken the pace now. Edge finally gets things going with a couple of running clotheslines and a facebuster for 2. Ziggles goes for a Fameasser but Edge counters into a sitout powerbomb but only gets 2 in a decent false finish.

Edge going up top but Dolph stops him and tries a Superplex. No dice though and Edge hits a cross body but Dolph rolls through for 2. Nice. Great standing dropkick form Dolph gets 2 and I feel the end is near. Zig Zag is blocked and Edge locks in the Edgecator(I don't remember the real name and neither do the announcers) but Dolph gets to the ropes. Ziggler hits the Fameasser but only gets 2 and the crowd livens up a bit.

Big Boot puts down Dolph and Edge considers the Spear but remembers the clause. Dolph tries the Sleeper but Edge breaks free and hits the Impaler DDT. Match should be over but Vickie interrupts the 3 count. Vickie slaps Edge and Ziggles tries to attack but Edge rolls him up for 2. More bickering until Kelly Kelly eliminates Vickie. Inside a distracted Edge gets hit with a Zig Zag but it only gets 2 and the crowd totally thought that was the finish. Well done.

Ziggler has the Sleeper locked in deep now. Edge gets to his feet and we have the ref bump. Jaw breaker gets Ziggler off his back and even the fans realize what the finish will be. Edge hits the Spear and plays possum until the ref gets up. Unprettier hits and a 3 count seals it.

Winner: Edge

I was bored as shit at the beginning but it really picked up toward the end. Ziggler needs a bit more work before he can be a true Main Event player in my opinion, but he's made strides in the past year.

**3/4

Wrestlemania promo with that fucking Written In The Stars song that makes me want to kill puppies.


We get a recap of the night the Miz cashed in MiTB in an awesome moment. Decent video package as we're covering Miz' rise to the top.

WWE Championship

Randy Orton vs The Miz(c)

Orton's out first so I had time to step out for a smoke. Perfect timing as Orton is just now getting to the ring. The WWE Championship has changed hands 3 times in Boston. Decent bit of info. Miz is out next and Cole is verbally blowing him. I never knew Miz had the Edge ripoff trenchcoat. He has A-Ri with him by the way.

Randy beats Miz down in the corner and tosses him out of the ring to start us off. Almost a carbon copy of the previous match as we're already seeing the barricade getting involved. Orton is actually using some speed here. Orton catapults Miz into the bottom rope for 2. If you're wondering if Riley's going to get involved, he's wearing tights. So yeah. All Orton so far as he's just picking him apart. Of course there's Alex hitting the cutter on the top rope when the ref's back is turned.

Now Miz is taking control. Not for long of course and as I typed that Riley gets involved again pulling Miz out of the way of a charge. Miz does his turnbuckle clothesline spot for 2. 3 times now A-Ri has interrfered now. 3 times. Chinlock now and Orton has to be considering suing for gimmick infringement. Of course gets out but Miz catches him with a knee to his ribs. Apparently working the mid section sets up for the SKULL CRUSHING finale. Stryker, go away please.

Again Orton gets the upper hand until Miz hits a back elbow. Miz actually has some crowd support here which is weird. Reversal sequence ends with a back bodt drop for Orton. Miz hits a NICE Big Boot but only gets 2. Miz goes up top now but Orton catches him. Superplex hits and it's a beaut. Only 2 though, like always. Bob Orton made that move famous/ Not saying it's incorrect but it sounds weird.

Slugfest ensues but Orton takes advantage with his ending sequence. He goes for his suspended DDT but Orton counters and dumps him over the top. Back inside and a 2 count for Miz. Miz hits a Double Axe Handle from the top only gets 2 since this isn't 1976. Outside again and Orton tries a Powerbomb but Miz counters and catapults him into the ring post. Countout is teased but Orton beats it and hits the Thez Press. Clothesline, Clothesline, Powerslam, Stomp stomp stomp, knee drop and the end is near if you're wondering. Alex distracts the ref and Miz hits a backbreaker neckbreaker combo for 2.

RKO counter into an SCF which is also countered into an Angle Slam(?) Miz tries to leave but to no avail as Orton stops him. DDT from Miz only gets 2 while the announcers aren't paying attention. Suspension DDT hits for Orton and the RKO is imminent. The New Nexus is on the ramp now. The ref is distracted and A-Ri tries to capitalize but Orton LAUNCHES him onto the Nexus. Orton hits an RKO but CM Punk hits a GTS to give the win to The Miz.

Winner: The Miz

Probably the best outing for The Miz in any main event match. Once again, not a classic or anything worth going out of your way for, but decent nonetheless.

**1/4

I'm ignoring a lot of the backstage stuff as it doesn't matter at all. But if you're wondering, Rhodes can't make it tonight because his face is fucked up.


Diva's Championship
Handicap Match

Laycool vs Natalya(c)

Fuck me. I hate women wrestling and I forgot all about this match. Make it quick please. The Raw GM chimes in because we need this to be longer. He changes it to a Fatal 4way with the addition of Eve. Alrighty then. Everyone was expecting Kong, which would have been amazing, but this was such a letdown. I swear to God this better be fast.

Standard women stuff here(meaning it sucks) and Laycool is control. Natlaya is good at least. Laycool contemplates a face off now. SMELL THE BUYRATES!! Doesn't happen of course and sub par wrestling follows. Natalya locks in a double Sharpshooter on Layla and Eve for 2 seconds until Michelle breaks it up. More weak shit takes place. Natalya handles Laycool on her own now. If they made their Divas as good as Natalya, maybe the division wouldn't suck so much ass.

Eve hits a Moonsault on Layla while Michelle rolls up Natalya but the ref only sees Eve and theres the 3 count.

Winner: Eve

I'll give credit where credit's due, Natalya is good and that's it.

*

Backstage with DB and Gail Kim and DB is talking about winning the Rumble until the Bella ****s interrupt. Bullshit ensues.

Another Mania ad with that same damn song.

Now we get that sweet video package that breaks down the number of past Rumble matches. I've always loved this.


Royal Rumble Match

I'm slightly nervous about this as I've never tried to review a Rumble match. And here we go. Number 1 is... CM Punk. Number 2 is... Nevermind as The Corre is attacking Punk while he's alone. The New Nexus is down to make the save. The Raw GM chimes in. He kicks everyone but Punk out with threats of Disqualification. This would would have made sense if anything had panned out between these 2 groups. Daniel Bryan is number 2. Give these 2 a half hour to tear the fucking house down, I'd pay for that.

Stryker points out that the internet loves this match and he's absolutely right. Seriously, these 2 had 2 minutes and it was awesome. Number 3 is Justin Gabriel and he immediately goes for Punk. 450 attempt misses and DB eliminates him. Number 4 is Zack Ryder. I really love this guy. They hit some good offense on each other until Ryder goes out already. Too bad. Number 5 is William Regal and he have some awesome wrestlers in the ring right now.

Punk is just getting his ass kicked tonight. Regal and DB are trading some rough ass European Uppercuts. Then everyone starts kicking the shit out of everyone. Awesome. Number 6 is Ted Dibiase and crickets are silent. He comes in with some nice dropkicks though, so there's that. DB is just massacring Regal with kicks. Number 7 is John Morrison and the pace quickens. You have some amazing young talent in this. Morrison gets tossed but he catches the barricade and leaps to the fucking stairs. That was AWESOME. Regal was dumped out by DiBiase in the process.

Number 8 is Yoshi Tatsu and I totally forgot he existed. Not a lot going on here right now. Number 9 is Husky Harris. Apparently he's the youngest guy in the Rumble tonight. Of course he helps Punk and shields him from any offense. Number 10 is Chavo Guerrero. Did we really need to bump it to 40 people if we're just going to add more jobbers? Chavo actually looks decent hitting all kinds of suplexes on everyone. It's pretty cool actually. Number 11 is Mark Henry. Hopefully to get rid of some dead weight. There goes Chavo. Now there goes Yoshi. Number 12 is JTG and I'm officially bored.

Number 13 is Michael McGillicutty and the New Nexus has more of an advantage. Mike eliminates JTG. DiBiase gets dumped out by Mike and Husky. Number 14 is Chris Masters. He hits a nice Spinebuster on Mike and tries to use the Masterlock on Punk to eliminate in a cool spot but Mike makes the save. 15 is David Otunga as all but one the New Nexus is in now. Now Punk dumps out DB and Masters. There goes Morrison thanks to the entire Nexus and they all focus on Henry now. All 4 of them dump him out and it's all Nexus. 16 is Tyler Reks. He comes in and charges but the numbers are too much. There he goes. Just these 4 waiting in the ring for whoever is next.

Number 17 is Vladimir Kozlov and he gets mauled. Husky hits a big running Senton Splash and out goes Kozlov. 18 is R-Truth and once again, he gets mauled. Punk hits a running knee in the corner then proceeds to raise the roof and shout, "what's up?" Awesome. Truth is gone now. 19 is Great Khali and the gameplan has to change now. Even though they already took out Henry but oh well. Of course, Khali is in control. Husky is gone now. 20 is Mason Ryan. Of course he single handedly takes out Khali. Good. 21 is fucking BOOKER T. Awesome mark out moment right there. What a pop!! Book hits his offense on everyone and we get a good old fashioned Spinaroonie. Awesome. Just awesome.

It's all over though as Ryan tosses Book. 22 is John Cena and I guess this is where this bullshit stops. He comes in a house of fire and just kicks everyone's ass. Out goes Ryan followed shortly by Otunga and Mike. All down to Punk and Cena now. GTS is blocked and they're both down now. 23 is fucking Hornswoggle. Ugh. Back heel kick takes Swoggle down and I love Punk even more. AA eliminates Punk and we're down to Swoggle and Cena. Ok what the fuck. 24 is Tyson Kidd I have a bad feeling about this. OK the Head scissors from Horny made me laugh. And they mini AA made me laugh twice as hard. That was awesome.

25 is Heath Slater. Of course he's just fodder for Cena. I think Horny just hit a Stunner on him. Now they're doing a double 5 knuckle shuffle. OK now it's getting old. Tadpole Splash and Cena dumps Slater. 26 is Kofi Kingston. They're playing the mutual respect card so it takes a minute for them to go after each other. 27 is Jack Swagger. Swaggs comes in whipping ass with Vader Bombs for Kofi and Cena. Hornswoggle kneels and lets Kofi do a Boom Drop off his back.

Sheamus is 28 killing everyone which seems to be the calling card tonight. Then the big ol bully shoves Horny around. Sheamus puts him on top and Cena intervenes for a moment but Sheamus still kicks his head off. Horny is gone. 29 is Rey Mysterio. Rey comes in on fire but Sheamus takes the wind out from under him. Rey puts Swagger out now. 30 is Wade Barrett. Wade kicks some ass for a while until Rey kicks his knee out from under him.

Nice Bossman Slam puts Cena down. Kofi beats Barret down in the corner. 31 is Dolph Ziggler as apparently he's eligible to compete after he had a title match earlier. Basic false elimination teases to pass the time. 32 is fucking DIESEL to a massive fucking pop. Everyone just stops like, "what the fuck?"

A big boot to Rey in case he forgot where he belongs when Nash is in the ring. He's just killing everyone. 33 is McIntyre and my spirit rises up due to hearing that music. He double teams Diesel with Sheamus and a huge "Let's Go Diesel" chant breaks out. 34 is Alex Riley and he gets bitch slapped as soon as he gets in. Barrett puts out Diesel. 35 is The Big Show and he and Nash meet eyes on the ramp. Smartly Sheamus and McIntyre wait for Show but to no avail. Show puts out Ziggler. Riley gets eliminated in what looks like a botch. 36 is Big Zeke and McIntyre gets dumped while he's on his way. Zeke dumps out Show. Zeke is ruling everyone right now.

37 is Santino to a decent pop. He goes after Zeke but he and Sheamus intimidate and Sheamus hits the Brogue Kick. They haven't acknowledged that Riley is out. 38 is Alberto Del Rio. He actually drives out. Lulz. 39 is Orton as ADR hasn't even made it to the ring. Orton beats Del Rio around the outside and throws him in. RKOs for everyone and tosses out Kofi. There goes Sheamus. They try an epic staredown with Orton and Cena but, no one cares.

40 is Kane. He takes care of business until Zeke puts him down. Kane ducks down and drops Zeke out. Rey puts out Kane then Barrett puts out Rey Rey. Del Rio has gotten zero offense so far. Orton and Cena try the staredown again but still, no one cares. Del Rio is beating down Cena until the AA comes out of nowhere. A-Ri distracts Cena and Miz hops in and dumps Cena for the elimination. Cena was the odds on favorite so that is huge. Your final 3 are Randy Orton, Alberto Del Rio, and Wade Barrett. Heels beatdown to start but Orton quickly takes control. There goes Barrett but shortly after goes Orton so Del Rio is your winner....

Or is he? Santino never was eliminated and he sneaks back in and hits a Cobra!! Santino celebrates and goes to throw ADR out but he counters and yes, Del Rio wins.

Winner: Alberto Del Rio

I hate this decision. I just don't find any appeal in Del Rio and I was really annoyed that he won this. I won't say that the match was bad because it was fairly entertaining, but the winner pissed me off. Honestly, it wouldn't have bothered me so much if ADR hadn't come in at 38 and got in virtually no offense, but I digress.

***


Overall Rating-C-

I'm sure there is a lot of people who disagree with me, so take my opinion with a grain of salt, but I just wasn't that into this PPV. I remember being quite pissed that I couldn't order it but being so happy that I didn't spend that 45 bucks after all. If you really want my opinion, it's a pass. But I'm sure there are better minded people that would tell you otherwise.

 

[Nate DaMac]

TNA Lockdown 2010

I'm bored. I want to watch some wrestling and this is the first download that finished.

We open with a decent video package, by TNA standards anyway. The whole card is Cage Matche, if you didn't know for some reason.

Hey, we're in St. Louis tonight, so there's a good step in the positive direction. Your main event is The Pope vs AJ Styles for the World Title. BREAKING NEWS: Williams can't make it, Syxx no showed.

RVD vs James Storm

The winner gets the man advantage in the Lethal Lockdown match later tonight. RVD is representing Team Hogan, James Storm is Team Flair. I like the way the black cages look. Storm was hesitant to get in, so RVD dropkicks the door into him. This is just an excuse to start on the outside apparently as Rob is just whipping him around the ring. RVD drapes him over the rail with a front suplex and climbs about a quater of the way up the cage and drops a leg on him. Storm swings the momentum by slamming Dam into the stairs and swigging off his beer. Finally in the ring and the match is officially under way. RVD is already bleeding.

Van Dam is stomping him into the corner for a bit. Irish whip to the other side and he racks him on the top rope. He goes up top and hits a kick while Storm is still racked. Only 2. RVD tries his Monkey Flip in the corner spot but catches turnbuckle as Storm scouted it. Chinlock now and RVD is really gushing it out. Dam starts to mount a comeback but he gets clotheslined over the top into the cage. Another chinlock and RVD is coming back again with a spinning heel kick. Both men are up and slugging it out. RVD takes him down with a couple of clotheslines and hits a split legged moonsault for 2.

Storm hits a Jawbreaker and spits Beer in Dam's face. He hits a DDT but only gets 2. Last Call is set up, but RVD hits his step over roundhouse. 5 Star Frog Splash and that's all she wrote.

Winner: Rob Van Dam

Pretty damn good opening match here. You can tell they're leaving the big stuff for later, but this was a fun way to get the crowd going. Good stuff.

**1/2

Christy Hemme is with Hogan backstage. He's upset about the recent shenanigans, and he's confident his team can tear the house down. He says more, but I can't be bothered with it.

X-Divison Xscape Match

Homicide vs Brian Kendrick vs Alex Shelley vs Chris Sabin

First man to escape goes on to join Kaz and Shannon Moore in The X-Division Title match. Homicide goes for the exit right away to no avail. Guns are working together so far but that won't last long I'm sure. They do their usual insanely fast double team work that's impossible to call. BK is already bleeding. Homicide and Kendrick are working
together for a minute now and are in firm control. MCMG are totally awesome, but they are a nightmare for a simple man like me to review. These guys are fucking fast. Kendrick and Shelley are fighting it out up top but Shelley is left in the Tree Of Woe position. Gringo(sp) Killer puts down Sabin and Homicide fakes out Kendrick, suggesting they go up top with Shelley but he runs and escapes with Kendrick giving chase.

Winner: Homicide

Meh. It was fun, but it was a bit too short to be as good as it should have. It was thrown together at the last minute and was very good for what it was.

**

We see a video recapping the Eric Young vs Kevin Nash feud. Yawn. They were trying really hard to give Young a push here, but it just didn't really work.

Eric Young vs Kevin Nash

Young is out first. He's from Canada, but no certain Province or anything, just Canada. Here is Nash and I refuse to call another man Big Sexy. Except for Big Sexy, of course. That was stupid.

Are we suppose to believe that EY has a chance here? Young utilizes his speed to start but not for long as Nash hits him with a couple of big knees. Young hits a good missile dropkick sending Nash between the apron and the cage. He hits a dropkick and a body splash. Back in the ring and Nash shoves the ref and hits a low blow. Really? Nash has to cheat to beat this peon? Nash just pounds him into the corner but EY isn't giving up yet. Nash is just beating the shit out of him and Young keeps asking for more.

Nash hits a chokeslam(?!) but doesn't go for the cover. Young starts to mount a comeback but a big boot puts him down. Nash sends Young face first into the cage a couple of times then the straps come down. Jackknife Powerbomb ends it.

Winner: Kevin Nash

Pretty lame here. They did the big man/little man story alright, but Nash really only hit 3 moves that weren't just punches and kicks.

*

Nash announces that he'll be taking Waltman's place against team 3D.

Video package hyping the Knockouts Championship match.

Knockouts Tag Team & Single Championships

The Beautiful People vs Angelina Love & Tara

This should be terrible. I despise women's wrestling. Title versus title usually always blows. TBF is accompanied by Lacey, so that's a plus. Their entrance is nothing short of amazing as usual. Tara's out next with the fucking spider. Now here's Angelina. Please make this quick. I hate it when we have tag rules in the cage. Front slam from Love on Rayne gets 2. Tar's now slapping Rayne around. Eye gouge frees her up and she tags in Sky. Tara is the only person here with a shred of talent, so that's a plus. Tara's playing the face in peril now. Sky does a "Scissor Stomp." Ok then.

Tara hits a scoop slam but misses a moonsault. Love gets a Lukewarm tag and cleans house. Tar tags herself in and hits a Widow's Peak but Sky breaks it up. Ref is distracted, Lacey sneaks in a shot with the belt to Tara and Rayne gets the pin for the Championship.

Winner: The Beautful People

Lame. Post match, Love is upset that Tara lost her title. But she keeps her cool. Tara apparently turns heel hitting her from behind and driving her into the cage.

1/2*

Jeremy is backstage with Team Flair. Flair is out of his fucking mind. AJ actually cuts a half decent promo.

X-Division Championship

Homicide vs Kaz vs Shannon Moore

Williams was the champion here, but he was stripped since he couldn't make it. Entrances are in the order I typed above. Moore and Kaz double team Homicide to start. He's on the apron between the cage and they're just trading shots, drilling him into the cage. Finally dissension between the faces as they trade off pin attempts. Moore attempts a backslide but Kaz flips out as Homicide hits Moore with a dropkick. Suplex on Kaz and he's raking the eyes.

Homicide hits a T-Bone on Moore and he's just going back and forth on em now. He does the three amigos spot bot Moore counters the second attempt. Moore puts Homicide up top and Kaz jumps up to join em. Double Superplex attempt is averted and Homicide hits a double Diamond Cutter off the top. Decent spot. He tries pinning each guy but to no avail. Kaz in control now as he pins both guys but only gets 2. They fuck up something and Kaz falls off the top rope. Corkscrew Moonsault from Moore only gets 2. Homicide in control again as he sets Moore up top. Moore shoves him off and Kaz joins him for a tightrope meeting. Kaz goes down and Moore hits a moonsault on Homicide for 2. Kaz gets Moore up for a Powerbomb and alley oops him into the cage then runs to the other side and bombs him into that cage.

Kaz and Homicide up top now and Kaz gets hip tossed down. Moore tries to cover but Homicide breaks it up. Moore tries something off the top but Homicide moves. Gringo Killer attempt is stopped by Kaz and he hits a reverse Tombstone on Homicide for the pin and the championship.

Winner: Kaz

Now that was fun. All 3 guys put a lot of effort into it and it showed. Kaz busted his as and deserved the win.

***1/2

Hemme is in the back with Pope. He yaps about something, I don't care.

Team 3D vs The Band

Team 3D brings a table with them and Bubba is on the mic. He wants the door left open so they aren't trapped in the cage. They want a Street Fight, meaning falls count anywhere. The Band actually comes out to the old Wolfpac music. Hall looks awful. Team 3D doesn't let them make it to the ring and the fight is on. Hall tries a Razor's Edge on Bubba but he gets backdropped on the ramp. We take it to the crowd now. Team 3D is firmly in control. Band is just getting their asses handed to them right now. They take it to ringside and The Band finally gets some offense in. They have Devon in the ring by his self and they're beating the hell out of him.

Ray tries to get in but Hall holds the cage door shut. All the while, Nash has Devon in the corner whipping his ass. They trade positions and Nash holds the door until Ray hits him with a chair and slams the door into his face. Now Ray is handling things on his own until Devon gets up and gets in on it. They hit the "What's up?" spot on Hall and Ray tells Devon to get the tables. They set the table up in the ring and they hit a 3D on Hall through it for the win.

Winners: Team 3D

This had the star power and it kept the crowd into it, but the match just bored me to tears. It was pretty much a squash.

*1/2

I'm going to go ahead and cut this one short as I'm getting pretty tired, but I'll post part 2 later today.

 

[Nate DaMac]

TNA Lockdown 2010 Part 2

So later today turned into about 2 1/2 months, but here I am with the conclusion. On with the show.

We're getting a video package showing Anderson digging Angles Dog tags into his head and laying him over his fallen body which is some huge show of disrespect I guess. Anderson won a Ladder match to gain possession of the cage key, I don't know why that matters but I assume I'll figure it out.

Mr. Anderson vs Kurt Angle

Okay so the first person to walk out the door wins, so that's why the key matters. Anderson is out first doing his microphone bit. Man, what happened to this dude? He was awesome at this point but now he's just a whiny little bitch. Now here's Kurt doing nothing special. This really does have a big fight feel to it and if I'm not mistaken, this had a lot of praise last year.

Slugfest to start us off until Anderson dropkicks the knee and immediately goes for the door. Of course he's stopped by Angle but Anderson wraps the chain around his hand and drills Angle a bit. He goes right back to the door but Angle catches him with a back body drop. Off in the corner now and-- well I guess Anderson left the key in the padlock-- Angle is stomping the shit out of him. Irish whip sends Anderson into the ropes but he pulls up, Angle charges and gets backdropped into the cage. Angle's bleeding now and Anderson is pounding away. Wow, Anderson slamming him into the cage is coming off very graphic. Anderson comes off the top and he proves that he has an IQ over 5 because when Angle sticks his foot up, Anderson sees it. Ken goes for the door again but Angle stops him just to be thrown into the cage again. Piledriver attempt reversed by Angle and now he goes for the door.

Anderson stops him with an elbow but now he's bleeding as well. Anderson goes up top but takes a bit too long and of course, Angle runs up and tosses him off with a Belly to Belly. Now Ken has his ring tape strung out and he's choking Angle out, complete with a grapevine hold. Angle is starting to power out now and breaks free with a sweet back suplex. Both men are down and the ref iss counting for some reason. It's an escape only match but whatever. They're up and slugging it out, an exchange that Angle wins. Angle taking over now and hits a sweet overhead belly to belly. Angle Slam is reversed and Anderson hits the Green Bay Plunge. He goes for the Mic Check but Angle gets out and hits his multiple Germans. Six of them, to be more precise.

Now Angle is going for the door... or is he? Nope, he's going back to inflict more pain with the Ankle Lock. Anderson kicks him off and Angle runs right into a Mic Check. You can hear them talking to each other but you can't make out what they're saying. Anderson goes for the door and unlocks it but Angle hits an Angle Slam to stop him. Then he goes back and locks the door again. He flips him off and tosses the key into the crowd. Anderson is freaking out because, you know, he's trapped with in a cage with Kurt fucking Angle. He's trying to climb out but Angle hits a German off the top rope. Not the turnbuckle mind you, the fucking top rope. Sweet spot right there.

Angle positions him for a Moonsault but then he decides that it would be cooler if he did it from atop the cage. Fuck me running that was awesome and I'm surprised Anderson's head isn't mush. Seriously that was an awesome spot. Somehow he still unlocked the door and he's leaving now but Anderson gives him a double bird. Angle goes back after him but Anderson hits a low blow and a Mic Check. Anderson crawling out, but Angle gets him in the Ankle Lock, pulling him back in. Anderson rolls through and sends Angle head first into the cage. Anderson is trying to slide out feet first now but Angle has that chain and is choking him out with it. He takes him and spits on him, stomping on his nuts for good measure, and walks out for the win.

Winner: Kurt Angle

That was a pretty fucking sweet match. I fully expected Angle to carry it but to my surprise Anderson held his own. I guess that's what happens when you're not facing Sting and RVD every week.

****1/2

We're seeing a video package on Pope now. He's getting a World Title shot tonight. They're making it seem like a big deal and Pope has some intensity that has since dissipated. But I'm just not buying him being a legit challenger.

TNA World Heavyweight Championship
The Pope vs AJ Styles(c)

Pope is out first to a pretty lukewarm reaction. And here's AJ with Flair who gets a much bigger pop. Earl Hebner stops Flair and sends him to the back starting a shoving match between the 2. Borash gives us the big match introductions. Nice little chain wrestling sequence starts us off with AJ coming out on top. Pope starting to take control now and the crowd is ALIVE right now. AJ blocks the 10 count punch in the corner but Pope hits a clothesline anyway. Just a lot of back and forth offense to start us off and it's very solid. Pope charges but AJ side steps, sending Pope into the cage. AJ hits one of the most beautifully executed dropkicks I've ever seen and now he has him in a chinlock. Pope gets out but AJ tries to do... something but they botch it. No matter as AJ just drops him on his shoulder, Pope may be hurt for real. AJ focusing on the knee now so I think we have a Figure 4 in our future.

AJ goes for his springboard into an inverted DDT but Pope sidesteps and sends him into the cage hard. Pope follows up with a DDT but he's favoring hsi shoulder still. Pope firmly in control now as he gives him a strange looking back body drop. AJ goes for a Thez Press but Pope turns it into a Powerslam. AJ drives him into the turnbuckle and does some of Flair's mannerisms. AJ delivers a Flying Forearm from the top but only for 2. Both men up top now but Pope sends him flying and follows it with a flying headbutt for 2. Pope tries something from a firemen's carry position but AJ gets out and hits a Pele for 2. Backbreaker puts Pope down and an excellent 450 Splash gets only 2. He's going to the top of the cage now and goes for a cross body only to eat mat. Fuck me that had to sting. Pope only gets 2 from it though in a sweet false finish.

Pope goes for his Finisher but AJ moves. AJ takes a pin or something from the camera man and stabs Pope in the eye with it, following it with a clothesline. Styles Clash hits and were done here.

Winner: AJ Styles

Awesome match, actually. I never thought for a second Pope would win but they tried their damndest to make it seem plausible. Nicely executed.

***1/2

Eric Bischoff is here. Okay then.

Lethal Lockdown

Team Hogan:
Abyss, Rob Van Dam, Jeff Jarrett, Jeff Hardy

Team Flair:
Desmond Wolfe, James Storm, Robert Roode, Sting

Abyss is in first, followed by Roode. Slug fest starts us off until Roode kicks Abyss in the injured hip. He's focusing on that until Abyss hits him with a big boot. Abyss controls for a bit with his big man offense, including a big back body drop. He tries to drive Roode into the cage but Rodde breaks free. Roode tries to return the favor but no dice. Now Roode goes into the cage a couple times and I think he lost his blade. Roode comes back with a neckbreaker to take advantage and we get the 1 minute remaining announcement. No way this has been 4 minutes but okay. Roode stomps him in the corner and stands around and taunts.

Countdown to the next guy, which is RVD and his awful music. Somehow he's still bleeding from the beginning of the night. RVD takes over and hits a few punches in the corner. Then he whips into the opposite corner and hits his rolling Monkey Flip spot. Now here's the Rolling Thunder. He likes to roll, is the general idea here. Now he throws him into the cage and the countdown to the next guy begins. It's Desmond Wolfe with Chelsea. Roode low blows Van Dam allowing Wolfe to kick him into the cage and just like that the heels are in control. I suspect that this will be just be a beatdown for the next minute or so. Double Elbow sends RVD to the ground and Abyss eats cage.

Now here's Jeff Jarrett for team Hogan. Why he's taking time for his entrance while his team mates are getting their asses kicked I don't know but he comes in cleaning house. Jarrett tries a Hurricanrana but Roode powerbombs him and catapults him into the cage. Now here's Storm with a beer. This has been rather boring for the most part. It's just punches and kicks with an occasional toss into a cage. At least they're selling them well. Van Dam is bleeding pretty bad as Jarrett keeps slamming Roode.

Now here's Jeff Hardy who also takes his sweet ass time. Oh apparently Sting took him out in the back. I wonder if he showed up fucked up this time. The faces finally start to mount a comeback but I suspect that will stop when Sting gets out here. And here he is with the Baseball bat. Jarrett tries to meet him at the door but catches a bat in the gut, as does RVD and Abyss. The roof is slowly lowering now. Very slowly. There's some stuff going on in the ring but the lighting is screwing it up. The heels get the weapons and are just dominating right now. Trash Cans, Steel Pipes, Chairs, it's just a mess. Faces start to mount a comeback behind Jarrett but Sting halts that fairly quickly. Beer Money hits the DWI on RVD and Storm spears Jarrett through the door. They follow him out and whip his ass outside the ring. Abyss has tacks in the ring now and tries to chokeslam Sting but Wolfe stops him and Storm smashes a bottle on his head.

The heels celebrate until Jeff Hardy makes his way out swinging a Kendo Stick destroying Beer Money. In the ring Jarrett hits Wolfe from the top with a guitar and RVD hits a Five Star Frog Splash on him. Abyss chokeslams Sting into the tacks as Jeff goes atop the cage. Beer Money follows suit and gets their heads bashed around with trash can lids. Beer Money takes control and sets up a table on top of the cage. Roode holds Jeff up for Storm But Jeff gets free and hits a Twist of Fate on Roode. He sets Storm on the table as he sets a ladder up on the cage. He goes up and hits a splash which yeah, isn't all that dangerous but it has to be frightening to be up that high. Now here comes Flair for some reason.

He kicks Abyss in the nuts and tries to take the ring from him. Now here's Hogan to make the save while Flair bites Abyss' fingers. Hogan has him cornered with the bat but here's Bischoff now. The crowd wants Hogan to hit Bischoff of course. Bischoff convinces Hogan to drop the bat and pulls out Brass Knuckles. Then he throws them to Hogan so he can use them on Flair and of course, he's bleeding. He sends him into the cage a couple of times. Flair walks to the tacks and falls in them. This is ******ed. Out of nowhere Abyss hits a Black Hole Slam on Wolfe for the win.

Winners: Team Hogan

What a trainwreck. Seriously, an over booked, convoluted mess. There were a couple of cool spots but it was just garbage.

*3/4

Overall: B-

There was a great match, a couple of good matches, some meh matches, and a train wreck. Lots of ups and downs, but the good was enough to outweigh the trash in my opinion. A fun watch, but I suggest avoiding the main event. It was awful. But Anderson/Angle is must see and even Pope/AJ is solid.