General Discussions > General Media

The Official Wrestling Thread (now with more news and stuff)

<< < (34/235) > >>

Arcademan:
ECW on SciFi Results: 3-24-09

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report. Condensed here to in-ring results...BTW there were only 2 matches, the last part of the show being the V.I.P. Lounge covering the MITB participants.

1 -- CARLITO (w/Primo Colon and Brie Bella) vs. JOHN MORRISON (w/The Miz and Nikki Bella)

Carlito took Morrison up top for a superplex early on, but Morrison nailed an enziguiri kick to take Carlito to the floor. Let's grab a break...already?

They finally returned from break with Carlito back-dropping Morrison to the mat before firing off a round of left arm lariats. Striker very subdued on commentary today. Carlito was in control, then Miz hopped on the ring apron to run interference with his lumberjack-quality flannel shirt. Subtle plug. M&M&B decided to high-tail it, but Teddy Long suddenly stepped out and said this match isn't ending like that. He don't play like that, playa. Long said he had it approved for WrestleMania 25 that the unified tag title match will be in a lumberjack match. Striker said that's a bonus AIG would be proud of. Suddenly, the lumberjacks stepped out to back up Miz & Morrison. A mass of mid-carders aligned around the ring. Suddenly, Carlito grabbed a hold and brought Morrison back into the ring. Morrison was tossed back into the ring, then Carlito surprised Morrison from behind with the backstabber for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Carlito in 10:00. Chance to get the jacks on TV for WrestleMania. The tag title situation continues to be one of the more intriguing aspects of the WrestleMania build-up to give ECW something - anything - to hang its hat on. (*)

2 -- ECW champion JACK SWAGGER & TYSON KIDD (w/Natalya) vs. EVAN BOURNE & TOMMY DREAMER

This should be pretty tight. Match started with Bourne vs. Kidd. There we go. Kidd backed away from Bourne to escape a leglock, then he landed a turnaround strike kick. Bourne avoided a leap frog and snapped off a dropkick that sent Kidd to the floor. Bourne teased a flying move, but Kidd hid behind Natalya, then sucker-punched Bourne. Nice heel move. Kidd tossed Bourne back into the ring, then Dreamer tagged in. He put Kidd in the Tree of Woe, but Swagger ran interference. Dreamer cleared Swagger from the apron, though, then nailed the Joey Lawrence "Woe" dropkick. Ah, Striker always good for an early '90s TV reference. Off to break with Dreamer and Bourne in control.

Back from break, Swagger was taking it to Dreamer, who was suddenly tied up in the ropes by Kidd to set up Swagger with a kick to the face. Nice heel tag combo. Crowd chanted, "Tommy, Tommy" as the heels tagged in and out to work over Dreamer. Announcers let us know Swagger is running the Chuck Norris Facts gimmick to show how impressive he is. Personal fave is Norris's tears cure cancer, but too bad he never cries. Heels continued their attack on Dreamer, who avoided a corner smash and nailed a neckbreaker. Dreamer crawled across the desert to Bourne, who accepted the hot tag as Kidd tagged in. Wham, here we go. Bourne snapped off a huracanrana, then nailed a back kick on Kidd and enziguiri on Swagger. Bourne went up top, knocked Kidd off, then came off the top with the Shooting Star Press for the pin and the win. Post-match: Bourne celebrated with Dreamer and a hot crowd as they replayed Bourne's SSP several times.

WINNERS: Bourne & Dreamer at 10:00. Bourne brings so much excitement to the ring that it's very exciting to watch him. He's got that "it" factor and then some, while the first match-up of Bourne vs. Kidd should set up a lengthy program on ECW depending on how the Draft goes next month. WWE provided a glimpse into the future with the young guns of Swagger, Kidd, and Bourne in the same match. Book that in a three-way title match at WrestleMania with ten minutes of PPV time and they have their official show-stealer. (**)

Arcademan:
TNA Impact! Results: 3-26-09

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Keller's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.

1 -- SUICIDE vs. KIYOSHI (w/No Limit) -- X Division Title match

Did Kiyoshi do more to earn a title shot than Foley? No explanation was offered how they come up with him as the no. 1 contender. (I suppose you could say Great Muta was an emerging star 20 years ago, just like Cactus Jack was 18 years ago.) It cheapens all other matches that are to determine who a top contender is if they appear to be arbitrarily given out. Why not make it non-title? Is anyone really going to tune out if Kiyoshi is pushed as needing to win this non-title match to earn a future title match? As soon as the bell rang, Tenay and West instantly began talking about Jarrett and Angle. Tenay asked West about Jenna from Survivor, too, as Kiyoshi and Suicide were doing their thing in the ring as a backdrop. Eventually West talked about No Limit's big win over the Motor City Machine Guns last week. Tenay said as a result of that win, No Limit is in line for another shot at the New Japan Wrestling Junior Tag Team Titles. Suicide won with the Suicide Solution.

WINNER: Suicide in 4:00.

STAR RATING: * -- There were some nice moves, but apparently none mattered as West and Tenay talked about anything but the moves in the ring. This was the definition for Booking 101 class of how to diminish a title into meaning nothing.

2 -- AWESOME KONG & RAISHA SAEED (w/Rhaka Khan) vs. THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE (w/Madison Rayne)

West said Sting won't fall for that false Foley apology ploy. Who are we rooting for in this feud? Doesn't matter. What matters is Sting, Foley, Angle, and Jarrett, the focus of the commentary. Tenay said Borash has more late-breaking news of the controversial celebrity involvement in the Lockdown match. Love finished Saeed with the Lights Out finisher.

WINNERS: The Beautiful People in 3:00.

STAR RATING: 1/2*

3 -- TEAM CAPTAIN GAUNTLET CAGE MATCH

Abyss entered first, then A.J. Styles. Tenay got sassy with West for the third time in the show. Abyss controlled most of the opening two minutes. Then Alex Shelley joined third. Shelley sprayed water in the eyes of Abyss and then kicked him as he headlocked Styles. He charged with an elbow into the corner on Abyss, then kicked him twice more. Abyss caught a charging Shelley and pressed and dropped him to slow his attack. Styles then dove off the ropes with a forearm at Abyss. Black Machismo came out fourth as Tenay and West argued. They cut to a break.

Back from the break, Matt Morgan ran to the ring. During the break, Chris Sabin joined the match. Styles staggered Morgan with a Pele Kick. Abyss then gave him a Black Hole Slam for the pin. That was a bit of a surprise. Homicide and Scott Steiner joined the match next. Then they cut to a break.

They showed that Homicide was eliminated during the break by Chris Sabin. Consequences Creed came out next and worked with Lethal. Lethal flipped onto both Gunns for a near fall at 18:00. Rhino entered next and went after Steiner. West and Tenay questioned that strategy, rather than going after Abyss or Styles who had been worn down longer. Next out was Jeff Jarrett. Angle attacked him from behind. West said Angle is a man of his word. Angle bashed Jarrett over the shoulder with a chair, then walked away with a grin. Tenay said Jarrett had been severely injured. Nice to see one chairshot being sold as a big deal. It looked like a big deal, so it's nice they're selling it as such. As medics tended to Jarrett, Nido from No Limit joined the match. He hit Creed with a top rope dropkick. Lethal pinned Shelley with the Lethal Combination finisher at 26:00.

When Angle's music played, he came out but rather than enter the match, he first took another shot at Jarrett at ringside. Then he entered the ring and immediately made Creed tapout to the anklelock. Tenay said director of security Hack Myers told him they're trying to stabilize Jarrett's shoulder. Angle then eliminated Sabin and then Lethal.

Angle eliminated Shane Sewell. Not sure when he entered. Next out was Sheik Abdul Bashir. Tenay said obviously someone cut Bashir down last week after Samoa Joe hung him upside down. West pushed Lockdown as the best PPV of the year because of the all-cage format and unpredictability of it all. Booker T entered next. He gave Styles a Bookend to get a quick pin on Styles at 34:00. Tenay said he was picking the bones since Styles had been in so long already. Booker trash-talked him afterward. Rhino surprised Booker with a Gore for the pin seconds later.

It was down to Bashir, Angle, Steiner, Rhino, and Abyss at this point. Yujiro entered next. Angle gave an Angle Slam to Bashir for the win after pretending to be his friend first. Next out was Eric Young. Steiner and Angle double slammed and double covered Abyss to eliminate him. Rhino pinned Yujiro after a Gore, but Angle surprised Rhino with an Angle Slam for the pin. That left Angle and Steiner alone. Angle laid down and let Steiner cover him, but at the two count, Angle kicked out. Steiner and Angle laughed. Steiner laid down and let Angle cover him, but Steiner kicked out at two. Hernandez was out next. He managed to hold his own and set up a Border Toss on Steiner. Angle broke it up and then gave him an Angle Slam for the pin at 41:00. Steiner's face was bleeding.

Jarrett walked out to rejoin the match. His shoulder was taped. He went after Steiner and Angle. Soon Angle and Steiner were able to work over Jarrett. Jarrett surprised Angle with a schoolboy for a near fall a minute later. He gave Steiner his Stroke finisher for the pin. Angle then went for an Angle Slam, but Jarrett avoided it and hit two clotheslines and set up a Pedigree. Angle flipped out of that and went into an Anklelock. Jarrett kicked out of it, then hit an enzuigiri. He followed up with the Stroke. Steiner stopped the ref from hitting the mat a third time. West said that was fair because Jarrett shouldn't have been in there anyway. Angle then gave Jarrett the Angle Slam for the pin.

As Angle celebrated, Samoa Joe walked out as the final entrant. West said that was the 21st person. Tenay said Joe's the 20th. Joe put a sleeper on Angle. Angle escaped and went for an Anklelock. Joe escaped, but Angle came back with an Angle slam. Angle celebrated. Joe leaping roundkicked him in the face, then set up a Muscle Buster for the pin.

WINNER: Joe in 45:00.

STAR RATING: ***1/4 -- Lots of good action and intricately booked for a TV match of this type. It sure established who the top guys were and who are there to flip around and bump around until their time comes.

Arcademan:
WWE Smackdown Results: 3-27-09

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.

(1) Christian & Shelton Benjamin & Kane & Finlay (w/Hornswoggle) beat U.S. champion MVP & Mark Henry & Kofi Kingston & Mark Henry (w/Tony Atlas) in 10:00. A mix of heels and faces in this version of the eight-man tag. As a result, there was some dissension in the ranks leading to commercial. After a break, MVP and Shelton picked up their feud and Jim Ross announced a U.S. Title re-match on next week's Smackdown. It came down to Kane and Punk and they battled until Kane caught Punk in mid-air with a chokeslam for the pin and the win with no one running interference to save Punk. Poor guy has been on a major league slide the past two months, including an IC Title loss. (*1/2)

(2) Big Show beat Jesse & Festus in 2:00. J&F were already in the ring out of the break, so you knew they were losing. Bell rang and Show ripped off a chop on Festus. WWE has apparently given up on the big man/small man combo, as Festus's entire drawing power as a big man was eliminated up against Show. Festus took a big right hand, then Show gave Jesse a chokeslam and a straight right hand for the KO and the win. Basic enhancement match to get over Show as a threat to the World Title at WrestleMania 25. (1/2*)

(3) Rey Mysterio beat Chavo Guerrero in 6:00. The WCW special opened with Rey pulling out his trademark aerial offense. Ross and Tazz talked about Rey vs. JBL for the IC Title at WrestleMania while Ross presented Rey as the babyface going into Houston. Some really good action in the first five minutes as the men exchanged control. Chavo tried an awkward frog splash, but Rey moved and set up Chavo for the 619. Rey then hit a top rope dive for the pin and the win. Strong match-up with good action. (**) Post-match: JBL suddenly stepped into the ring and smashed Rey with a big boot to the face. After making his point, JBL simply turned and left the ring. Ouch.

(4) Matt Hardy beat R-Truth in 3:00. Duke vs. Carolina started with the heel Hardy in control working over Truth. Ross talked about Jeff and Matt's father having to sit at home watching his two sons tear each other apart in Extreme Rules at WrestleMania. Nice pull on the emotional strings to encourage PPV buys. Hardy avoided the spinning fist, then Hardy avoided the axe kick later to set up the Twist of Fate for the pin and the win. Fine match to reinforce Hardy in control as a heel going into Mania. Everything on TV is pointed toward Mania and this was an effective use of Hardy. Not so much Truth. (*)

(5) WWE tag team champions PRIMO & CARLITO COLON & BRIE BELLA beat World tag team champions MIZ & MORRISON & NIKKI BELLA in 3:00. Before the bell sounded, the twins had a verbal exchange before they were separated to opposite corners. Ross equated Miz & Morrison to the Midnight Express tag team because of how well they work as one unit. Twins broke out into a brawl, then Carlito slipped over Morrison in mid-air into the backstabber for the pin and the win. Nice finish, but very short match. Decent preview for the tag title unification match. (*1/2)

(6) Divas champion Maryse vs. Michelle McCool went to a No Contest in 4:00. The action moved to the floor twice during the match to get over the aggression between the rival divas. Suddenly, Gail Kim entered the ring up top and nailed a missile dropkick on McCool to make an emphatic return to WWE. Ross acknowledged her by name. Gail then grabbed the Divas Title and held it over the fallen competitors to signify she wants the belt. Crowd reaction was decent for someone who hasn't been on WWE TV in several years.

Arcademan:
WWE RAW Results: 3-30-09

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report. Condensed here to in-ring results only.

1 -- 18-DIVAS BATTLE ROYALE

Nine of the heel divas were already in the ring. Babyfaces ran through intros. ECW assistant Tiffany of all people scored the pin on Katie Lea. It's obvious WWE is more concerned about ring intros than actual in-ring action. Santino then showed up in a robe. He wants in the Miss WrestleMania match at WrestleMania, then he pulled out a man-kini. What happened to the bro or manzierre? Beth Phoenix continued the storyline that's well-beyond-played-out by being embarrassed by Santino's actions before the divas tackled him. Wonderful.

WINNERS: Team Tiffany in 2:00. (n/a)

2 -- CHRIS JERICHO vs. JERRY LAWLER

Bell sounded and they had a lock-up. Lawler shoved Jericho, then Jericho shoved Lawler. Lawler answered him with a big right hand, but that was virtually all of the offense for Lawler, who took a whopping until Jericho put him in the Walls of Jericho in center ring. Lawler quickly tapped.

Post-match: Jericho wasn't done and he re-entered the ring to pick up Lawler. Suddenly, Lawler sprung to life and punched Jericho in the face. Jericho took the mic and said he's already beaten Lawler and he doesn't need to get back in the ring. He said he won't apologize for what he does to the Legends at WrestleMania because Mickey Rourke started this mess and he'll watch his "friends" face their demise. He said he will humiliate and eradicate the Legends from wrestling forever.

WINNER: Jericho in 3:00. Odd booking of Lawler to take a decisive loss like that, but Lawler at least got some measure of revenge back. Cole can't even muster enough life for commentary on his co-partner's match. Jericho with a good promo for Mania, but nowhere near the level this program was at five weeks ago. Sadness. (*)

3 -- IC champion JBL vs. REY MYSTERIO -- non-title match

Rey tried to build momentum early, but JBL ran him over with a shoulderblock leading to commercial.

JBL knocked Rey to the floor out of the break. Back in the ring, Rey fired back on JBL with kicks to the face. He then hit a seated sentaun and an enziguiri kick. Rey wanted the 619, but JBL moved. Rey then kicked him to another set of ropes and nailed the 619 this time. Rey then hit the springboard splash on JBL for the win. JBL was shocked post-match.

WINNER: Rey in 6:00. Rey with a solid win to set up the IC Title match at Mania. I just do not agree with giving away any WM match on free TV six days beforehand. Doesn't make Mania seem special. That said, good use of Rey on TV to build excitement for Mania. (*1/2)

4 -- JOHN CENA vs. BIG SHOW

Cena went for a leaping shoulderblock at 2:00, but Show brick-walled him into a flat back bump on the mat. Impressive spot that looked even better on replay. Show tried to squash Cena in the corner, but Cena moved. He tried to build momentum, but Show tossed him high into the air to land a stomach-first on the mat. Show wanted the Vader Bomb out of the corner, but Cena moved and sprung up top for the leaping guillotine leg drop. Cena wanted the STFU, but Show kicked him away. Show then drop-kicked Cena off the apron to the floor going to break.

Back from break, Show was sitting on Cena's back with a modified Camel Clutch. Cena made his face turn purple as he tried to grit his way into a squat, but Show just sat on his back to cut Cena off. Show then wanted the chokeslam, but Cena countered into a DDT. Crowd popped as Cena tried to follow with the STFU, but Show's body is too huge. Show elbowed him in the face to escape, then he avoided an attempted FU and gave Cena a chokeslam. Show with the pin for a clean win on Cena. Wha?

Post-match: Edge snuck into the ring and stared down Show, then he tackled Cena and started beating the crap out of him. Show just stood back in the corner and sweated while watching. Another ref stormed the ring to pull Edge off Cena, who struggled to collect his breath as Edge had that "Edge look" in his eyes.

WINNER: Show in 11:00. Really good TV match with strong crowd involvement, but very odd to see Cena taking another TV loss. So weird when he used to never lose. Apparently this is punishment for his movie sucking at the box office. Show looked good in the ring thanks to WWE booking around his limited mobility and Cena creating a lot of movement. (**)

5 -- MITB BATTLE ROYAL

Henry tried to press-slam Finlay out of the ring, then Henry eventually just tossed him out. Hornswoggle was none too pleased, which allowed everyone else to toss out Henry from behind. Punk tried to eliminate Christian, then Kane tried to eliminate both of them. Kane then turned his attention to MVP and Shelton Benjamin to get rid of them simultaneously.

Final four: Punk (Mich. St.), Kane (UCONN), Christian (UNC), and Kofi Kingston (Villanova). Streeeetch. Kane tried to eliminate Christian, but the former TNA star held on to the top rope. In any event, Kofi was knocked out, then Kane press-slammed Punk onto Christian to eliminate both men and win the battle royal. Post-match: Kane grabbed a ladder and slid it into the ring. Kane then scaled the ladder and retrieved the MITB briefcase.

WINNER: Kane in 4:00. More focus on Kane as the dominant star heading into MITB. Probably means he won't win, but he's been built-up effectively with an eye on post-Mania for a potential main event program on Raw, Smackdown, or ECW depending on Draft. (*1/2)

Arcademan:
ECW on SciFi Results: 3-31-09

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report).

1 -- CHRISTIAN & FINLAY (w/Hornswoggle) vs. MARK HENRY & KANE

Kane grappled Christian around the neck early, but Christian fought him off and tagged out to Finlay. Back and forth exchange, then they cut to break.

They returned from break with Kane working over Finlay in the corner. Christian finally took a hot tag and wanted a cross-body on Henry, but Henry caught him in mid-air. Christian fought out, then Finlay and Christian executed a double-team dropkick on the big man from Silsbee, Texas. ChrisLay dumped Kane to the outside, then Christian wanted a top rope splash, but Henry caught him in mid-air for the World's Strongest Slam and the pin. Ouch.

Post-match: Henry pointed to the briefcase hanging above the ring. Kane, who won the MITB preview match on Monday, then joined Henry to gaze at the briefcase. Henry wasn't feeling that, so he clotheslined Kane to the mat so he could join Christian staring up at the lights.

WINNERS: Henry & Kane in 10:00. Fine match. Not a fan of Christian taking the loss without having enough offense to remain credible in the eyes of viewers when he's re-establishing a first impression, but WWE is obviously keeping the big men strong since they're not winning at MITB with an eye on post-Mania for the big men to be utilized in semi-to-main-event-level programs on Raw, Smackdown, ECW, or WGN. (*)

2 -- NIKKI BELLA (w/World tag team champions THE MIZ & JOHN MORRISON) vs. BRIE BELLA (w/WWE tag team champions PRIMO & CARLITO COLON)

Morrison was a little pre-occupied texting during the match. The boys started playing tag on the outside setting up a distraction in the ring where bad girl Nikki rolled up good girl Brie for the pin and the win. Brie was not pleased, so Miz made a sarcastic wipe-away-the-tears motion on the entrance ramp as Team Morrison celebrated victory. Morrison was still pre-occupied with himself to fit his character as the show closed.

WINNER: Nikki in 3:00. Just a standard, quick divas match advancing the tag title program leading to WrestleMania. (1/2*)

Okay, you read right...TWO MATCHES!!! Caldwell summed it up nicely:

--- Quote ---Overall thought: Perhaps if you've missed the entire WrestleMania build-up, you would have enjoyed this recap and diva show. Perhaps if you watch this on the DVR, you can set the record for fastest viewing of a wrestling show in history. If you sat through this live for an entire hour and make a living covering pro wrestling and have no way of fast-forwarding through live TV in real-time, then you're ready to pull your hair out.
--- End quote ---

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page