Gearing up for MITB 2018

Seth Rollins vs. Elias for the Intercontinental Title.

WWE Payback 2016

I'm writing a little bit about the "pay per view" tonight, the fallout show from Wrestlemania 32, WWE Payback. 

Enzo & Cass v. The Vaudevillians 

Uh, I thought Enzo actually DIED, I ran to twitter since this is the replay and he apparently just had a concussion. Seriously, it looked like that match in which Rey Mysterio Jr. killed a man when Enzo's head snapped against the bottom rope and he was breathing funny. It scared the shit out of me. 

Kevin Owens vs. Sammy Zayn

Nice opening segment with Zayn and Owens' rivalry being replayed and how far they go back. My guy Owens begins the match dominating, big rally by Zayn. Huge clothesline on Owens. They have to let Owens go over clean here, right? Owens with some insane moves following near falls. Frog splash tribute to Eddie Guerrero, two cannon balls with Zayn sitting int he corner. Near fall off a Zayn counter with Owens going for his finisher. Owens counters with Sammy going for the tight-rope. Crowd was going nuts during the match with pops while both guys laid on the ground. Backdrop after exchanging blows on the apron. Insane move by Zayn outside the ring through the second ropes for a DDT. But Owens catches him with a kick inside the ring and the pop up powerbomb to finish it. 

The Miz vs. Cesaro (Intercontinental Title Match)

Owens stays down at ringside for commentary after pulling Byron Saxton into the ring after his win. Cesaro has the shoulder thing on, and Owens points out that he injured Cesaro's shoulder. 

Survivor Series 2015

This could have been my last Survivor Series. I guess it was mostly met with disappointment. I'll recap with some screens.

Kevin Owens and Dean Ambrose met with a match that most said should get high reviews. Of course, Owens lost. He's also sporting a new t-shirt. I thought Owens had a chance tonight; but with the turn of my head all hopes were lost. He's still in IC champ. But an angle with Owens as the corporate champion while he's hot would have fit much better than... well we'll get to that.

Dolph Ziggler came out channeling his inner Shawn Michaels with a new wardrobe. And he lost to Tyler Breeze. Ziggler is pretty much irrelevant these days. Oh, what could have been (yet again). 

The Wyatt Family match vs. Undertaker and Kane was next with disappointment number three on tap. I figured that Bray Wyatt had a chance to score a victory over the Undertaker and Kane because it was a tag match. But again, I gave WWE Creative a little too much credit. They have no imagination. 

Undertaker's entrance was of course; as epic as ever. As JBL said on the announce table "it's like watching Wyatt Earp walk into Tombstone". 

Let the record state that Bray Wyatt hit the Sister Abigail on Undertaker in this one with what I thought would be the win, but Kane jumped in and made the save. And then a double choke slam to the Wyatts and a Tombstone piledriver later, and Undertaker and Kane were the victors. 

The title match wasn't what everyone thought it would be. Reigns goes over clean on Ambrose in the middle of the ring. The confetti starts to fall and it's seemingly like Daniel Bryan winning the title, including HHH coming out to the ring and spoiling the party. 

At the end of the day, with Sheamus walking away with the belt, no one wins. A real fuck finish and once again I'm left feeling as I usually do with WWE pay per views. It had so much promise and potential and WWE just kind of went with the 'blah' from start to finish. 

Survivor Series Sunday

It's Survivor Series Sunday 2015, and ISIS rumored threats have people on edge for the event at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

This brings back a lot of memories. Survivor Series was always one of the big four events when I was a kid growing up. There are so many things that could go down tonight on the PPV that would be huge things. A Roman Reigns heel turn, Kevin Owens title win, Dean Ambrose heel turn, Kane turning on the Undertaker, Bray Wyatt getting a win over the Undertaker are just a few of them.

I will try to write a full recap after the event. For now, I take you back to the Hartford Civic Center 25 years ago where it all began for the Dead Man:

PPV in Review: SummerSlam 1991

Thanks to the WWE Network (and having an eight month old), I am burning through a lot of archived material in WWE's history. Leading up to SummerSlam 2015 in The Barclays Center in Brooklyn, I'm trying to watch every SummerSlam there ever was. Tonight I put on the 1991 SummerSlam Pay Per View, and I'm working my way through it.

This will forever be remembered as the good old 'Match Made in Heaven/Match Made in Hell' SummerSlam.

I remember I didn't see this event live on pay per view when I was just eight years old. I do remember laying in bed listening to AM radio and the ballgame had just ended when sports talk came on the air and they were talking about the 'wedding' between Macho Man and Elizabeth going down. To me, this was ultra-cool and the big storyline of the night despite Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior tkaing on Sergeant Slaughter and a few of his Saddam Hussein-like goons from Saudi.

One thing I want to note about all these matches: in the old days these guys really did a great job of telling a story throughout the match. Even the mid-card guys. That's one big difference I notice from yesteryear to today's product. Maybe it's because all of this stuff was fresh then or seemed more magical because they were who I loved as a kid. But these matches were just kick ass.

The show began with a three man tag match: Power and Glory (Hercules Hernandez and Paul Roma) with The Warlord against Ricky The Dragon Steamboat, Texas Tornado Kerry Von Erich, and The British Bulldog. It was an okay little match with Steamboat cross body blocking Roma off the top rope for the win; but it's clear WWF wanted to involve these guys all in something but didn't know exactly where to place them. So they threw together the mixed tag match that we see so often today. It's just not a great match format. It did get me down a few Hercules rabbit holes on the internet. What a monster he was. He did seem overweight and out of shape in this footage, but still a massive man.

Obviously, the famed Bret Hart vs. Mr. Perfect Intercontinental Championship match was the one that probably stole the spotlight. Like Bret said in his book, this was like a Spy vs. Spy episode. Two of the best mat technicians ever face off to give us all a masterpiece forever, with vintage Bret winning the belt. I want to note that Perfect's manager at the time; "Coach" was a dipshit who added little to the program and was distracting at ringside constantly blowing his whistle. Perfect was great on the mic, so I'm not sure why the side act was needed. It just didn't fit.

Even Virgil; whom is a loathsome human being, had a great match with Ted Dibiase. Obviously the Million Dollar Man had a brilliant mind for the business. I don't think Virgil was much of a wrestler; but this pinnacle of his career was a decent and entertaining match. It's probably the one I watched most closely in the first half of the card and it held my interest. How about Roddy Piper out of nowhere going near-coitus the entire match for Virgil - whom he probably couldn't stand in real life. Pretty funny stuff looking back.

Big Bossman as we knew him was beginning a downslide in beating The Mountie, but these were two talented long-time grapplers who put on a nice match. Mountie is arrested in good fun after the match by law enforcement and carries on a multi-segment tantrum.

We got a Natural Disasters (awesome tag team of the past) vs. Bushwhackers (with Andre the Giant on crutches and looking like shit) match. This one went about like it should have. It is hard to believe the lovable Bushwhackers could hold their own with the Natural Disasters; and although they did for a little bit, there was no way they were going over on these two monsters. Even with Andre standing for most of the match in their corner. Andre was a circus elephant gate attraction by this point. What it must have been like for the kids in the front row down the aisle who got to tap the legend as the mammoth walked to the ring. For them to look back on it and say 'when I was six, I tapped Andre the Giant at Summerslam'. The Natural Disasters eventually got theirs against the Bushwhackers, and like I said before, as a kid you don't realize that the Bushwhackers had no damn chance. Watching it tonight, you understand the 'story' the writers were telling there.

It's not just the matches that were magical about these old pay per views; it's the characters and the promos cut in between the matches that allowed these characters to draw you in. You don't get that anymore, partly because the characters now are mostly real people and don't have the colorful features of the heroes of the past. They aren't larger than life anymore - both physically and on the mic. I'm not sure wrestling can ever create that again. In between matches you see promos from Perfect, The Legion of Doom, Dibiase, The Nasty Boys, Slaughter, Big Bossman, Macho Man and more. Just think about those talented promo guys I just listed.

The whole event seemed longer, it seemed like there were more matches. It seemed like such a special event. Today's PPV's seem so plastic, over in 10 minutes, disappointing. They end early.

I was pretty into Legion of Doom but didn't realize at the time that they had already passed their prime run in wrestling. I always thought Hawk was a physical marvel, even more so than the Ultimate Warrior and he's what drew me to the team. The Nasty Boys always put on great matches, and their gimmick worked. The match between these two teams was an all-out brawl like it should of been. Lots of power moves, quick spots, double teaming and a mess for the official to keep track of. Jimmy Hart at ringside with the Nasties. WWF/WWE needs to bring back the manager, but only if they can find guys who have the 'it' like Jimmy Hart did. It's something they need to look for and develop once again.

The LOD hit the Doomsday Device - awesome finisher as there ever was - and win the straps with the crowd exploding. Without a doubt this was their high-water mark in WWF.

This was obviously the first and only show where the Million Dollar Belt, IC Belt, and Tag Straps changed hands. Probably a good little wrestling trivia question there.

It's great to hear Gorilla Monsoon on the commentary at this event.

Irwin R. Schyster was awesome in promo work. You can't appreciate it as a kid. Was anyone better at pissing off a crowd quickly and getting heat? He was just getting started in his great gimmick as a tax man when he beat a tired Greg "The Hammer" Valentine who was a believable worthy opponent, but was starting to phase out as a WWF superstar.

And of course, the main event had more pizzaz than substance; with Warrior and Hogan beating Slaughter, Mustafa, and Adnan with Sid Justice as special guest referee.

This was when Warrior really was reaching a fever pitch with the fan base. It was his huge build just before his peak. He's wearing the colorful lime green deco similar to what I had his hasbro figure in with some patriotic stars on it. Hogan with some powder and a leg drop to end this one. It seemed like the greatest thing in the world when Hogan ended a pay per view with a victory and his music blaring. A happy ending. All was as it should be in my 1991 world when those things happened.

The show didn't end there with the wedding taking place, and Macho Man beginning his feud with Jake the Snake, another magical character who did not have a role in this pay per view as far as in ring.

RATING: 7.5/10

This was one of the classics to be sure that made this one of the great traditions in wrestling that it was. An all-time great IC Title match, and a roster dotted with as much talent as WWF ever had make it a strong pay per view showing. It wasn't a big ticket main event; but match quality throughout was great.

WWE Battleground 2015

PRE-SHOW: 

R-Truth vs. Wade Barrett

I wish that I cared about either of these guys. But excluding Big Show, on the main roster; there are no two guys I care less about. I can't believe Wade Barrett is still an act, even in his many different iterations over the years. I don't feel like anyone cares. I cared so much more about jobbers back in the 80's than I do Wade Barrett. And R-Truth yelling to kick off a show just makes me wonder if I should be doing something else. Nonetheless these two 'Kings' are wrestling and it's on my television. There's a commercial for the PPV itself and the WWE Network in the middle of the match. Things come back and these two are trading blows. Barrett gets a close two-count fall off some weird awkward sidewalk slam. Barrett goes for a royal bullhammer, Truth ducks it and rolls him up. Kick out on two count and then Barrett hits the bullhammer for the three count fall. Not sure what story was told there, or why anyone would care. I guess Barrett is still the King of WWE. 

Next is Paul Heyman answering questions from fans - this is okay. It kind of reminds me of stuff they did before the internet existed to soup up a PPV. Asked how many suplexes Lesner will deliver tonight. Always fun to watch that. It is neat to get a Brock Lesnar PPV match, it's become a spectacle. Last question, Heyman is asked what happens if Brock does lose to Seth Rollins. Heyman refuses to answer the question because Brock Lesnar doesn't deal in 'if's. Says Lesnar will take Rollins to Suplex City tonight and win the belt. And that segment is over. 

MAIN SHOW:

Sheamus vs. Randy Orton

With as much as I notice JBL pointing out that Sheamus' Money in the Bank contract 'virtually guarantees him to be WWE Champion', I fully expect him to cash in at some point and whiff. So a match commences between these two with nothing on the line. The crowd is behind Orton early. Orton hits the stunner for the win. Kind of a surprising result to have the briefcase holder lose cleanly like that but shows that Orton is always going to be strong and a drawing card. I like Orton. 

WWE Tag Team Championship: New Day vs. Prime Time Players (c)

I remember when the tag match on a card would be the best match on the card back in the golden era. These two teams have a lot of flash in terms of costume, and New Day has an okay feel to it; but it's comprised of two guys who are a bit of a tired act. I am trying hard to care about the tag division again and a title match should be a big deal. I can't put my finger on why I don't care. Maybe It's because I was spoiled with Hart Foundation, Legion of Doom, Demolition, the Colossal Connection, the Natural Disasters, the British Bulldogs, the Killer Bees, Strike Force, and so on. Big Titus Young is kind of an impressive specimen and athletic talent. Kofi hits a near fall on him in the center of the ring. Business is picking up and that manager type guy for New Day is outside the ring yelling like a banshee really taking away from the action in the ring which isn't bad. He's really trying too hard. Titus O'Neill hits his finish off a quick tag and gets the 1-2-3 to retain the titles. Not bad but not compelling. Prime Time Players seem like they have a decent little following in the crowd. 

Fair amount of Divas build in between segments here. I really can't get into the Divas stuff either. The only difference in this and the tag circuit is I've never cared about it. I hear a fair amount of buzz about the three divas on screen, Charlotte, the NXT Divas Champ and of course Paige. I guess there's a triple threat Divas match coming tonight. 

But, alas; a match I do care about Bray Wyatt and Roman Reigns. Two of my favorites. 

Bray Wyatt vs. Roman Reigns

I don't really care which superstar wins this - I do want to see a clean win one way or another and/or a Roman Reigns heel turn. He has to do something to flip the switch. WWE isn't going to let Wyatt go over on him I don't think. That's what makes this match interesting is something has to give, then again the WWE has buried Wyatt over time. No reason to think they'll do anything different here. 

Wyatt is wearing the red pants and a shirt with all kinds of print on it. I miss the black shirt, white pants Wyatt look. Here comes Reigns through the crowd. He's been on a hell of a run the last several PPV's. Reigns looks to have more of a mean streak or stone cold mean look in his eyes tonight. Maybe just a coincidence. Slow pace to start, both guys trading a lot of blows and strikes. Good match starting to develop. Bray hits a flying tackle on Reigns. A couple big clotheslines on Wyatt from Reigns. A mention of Bray being crazy like 'The Moondogs" from back in another era. Reigns goes into the steps outside the ring, that's a bump. I think one of these guys needs to head through a table for a 'wow' moment on this PPV. Reigns eyes don't look quite as blue as he makes his big comeback. Awesome move by Wyatt as he was laying on the apron edge and Reigns went for his usual apron move. Wyatt hits that back slam move for the second time on the outside. "Using his body as a weapon" I hear them (JBL) call it. Two count in the ring. Another close fall after some nifty counters, this is a good match but the fans can feel the result. WWE needs to somehow let Wyatt go over clean here. Sister Abigail countered into Superman Punch, kick out on 2 and 1/2. Exciting 2 and 1/2 by Bray again off a wicked clothesline. I am into this match. It's good. Creepwalk by Bray Wyatt now, Sister Abigail countered with headbutts and clotheslines in the corner. Samoan drop with Wyatt elbowing him on the way down. The fans should be chanting this loudly, but they aren't because Reigns is invincible and they know the outcome. Action spills outside, Reigns into the barricade. He's grabbing a chair, Wyatt that is. Fans are booing. Reigns is throwing four chairs into the ring. Some hooded guy attacks Reigns, powerbomb onto the apron, and then Sister Abigail for 1-2-3.

The hooded man is Luke Harper. He looks to be back in the family. I was pretty happy with that match and WWE did a good job not doing the predictable thing. 

Divas Triple Thread Match: Snuka, Sasha Banks, and someone vs. Charlotte, Paige, and someone, vs. the Bellas and someone

Ah man, I just can't care. Even Stone Cold Steve Austin has been commenting on these Divas matches being the best match on the card. Some N-X-T chants in the crowd which is cool. The bet part about a Divas match in the past, is you know they can't go more than 8 or 9 minutes. The scary part is now that they're acting like it's some breath-taking wrestling; it might go a lot more than that tonight. Even if they're bumping it's like; it's women and it's not that cool to watch. I guess Charlotte is Ric Flair's daughter. Sasha Banks is built like a brick shithouse. Charlotte has the figured eight locked in, a version of her daddy's hold and gets the submission. Charlotte Flair is awful to look at. Paige and Becky? also get to celebrate in the win. I am celebrating that it's done. Just as I suspected, it probably took twenty minutes. I didn't watch closely but that Snuka chick who probably has a dong didn't get in the ring. I always thought she would be a divas force. 

United States Championship Match: Kevin Owens vs. John Cena (c)

These two have had two perfect matches so far with this one figuring to be the send off in what has been an incredible rivalry. You can almost make a DVD of this rivalry someday already if it has another couple chapters in it down the road. Kevin Owens whom I really like is wearing the 'KO' classic shirt. When Cena's music hits, Owens can be heard saying 'get out here John, we all know your act, we've seen it for ten years' and he re-states his desire to be a new champion. It would be great to see the belt change hands here clean. Cena getting his usual chorus of boos and cheers from the kiddos. JBL points out that Owens can give John Cena a losing record against him being one of the only guys in the last 10 years to do that just before the bell rings. The crowd is electric and popping. Owens' attire really is hideous, he's just an ass kicker. A brawler. Not writing as much about this match because I want to try to take it all in, and I'm looking for differences in this match and the first two. Owens hits a DDT on Cena that looks like it could have broken the Champ's neck. But he's up and doing the five moves of doom. Owens top rope flip senton bomb, but Cena gets the knees up. I can't believe Owens does top rope moves. That is the first thing that stood out to me about him, his versatility for a big man. Owens with the five moves of doom on Cena. This guy is over and has the feel that he's going to be for years. Five-knuckle shuffle for Owens, and then he goes for the STFU but Cena counters it into a faceplant and an STF. Owens crawls and makes the ropes.... no he doesn't. Here come the big power moves now. Kevin Owens' moveset in WWE2k16 is going to have a fair amount of Cena power moves in them. Incredible sunset flip by Cena into a two count and kick out. Cena headed for the top rope. Into a sitout powerbomb by Owens. These guys really counter eachother well which leads to great matches between them. That was a high-spot move. I missed it but Cena hit his finisher and Owens kicks out on two. Something has to give here, this has been another really nice match. Cena sits Owens on the top rope, here come the fireworks. Owens with that counter, badass side suplex and Cena out on 2 and 1/2. That's one of the moves that made me love Kevin Owens from the onset of watching him. He's yelling at the crowd or someone now. Pop-up powerbomb countered, but Owens hits a banzai kick and then an FU on Cena, and puts him on the STF in the middle of the ring! Cena crawling and clawing to the ropes. Cena sells it good but of course makes the ropes. Owens looks exhausted after holding the submission for so long. That was good storytelling in my opinion there. Best part of the match. Cena top rope DDT and kicks out with shoulder up. "THIS IS AWESOME" heard for the first time tonight. HUGE clothesline from Owens off a Cena springboard rope move. "Fight Owens Fight" chant starts faintly. I don't know what move that was but it looked like a perfect plex into a neck breaker. Owens just created a move - JBL notes with 'what the hell was that'. Cena kicks out on two. Amazing match, Owens kicks out of another finisher. Give Cena credit for allowing this and building Owens the monster. Cena HUGE clothesline. Owens hits the pop-up powerbomb, Cena kicks out on two. I don't want this match to ever end. Both guys beat up and brawling, this may be the best of the three matches between these guys. Owens up first, something is gonna happen. Grand finale time. "These two may fight all night" Lawler remarks. Cena up and going for the top rope FU. He hits the attitude adjustment off the top rope and OWENS kicks out! Cena a look of shock on his face. Owens is taking over the crowd and the WWE universe here. He has to win this match. Cena talking to the ref about the count. Owens small cradle, Cena kicks out and puts Owens into the STFU again. Owens taps, in a "classic". So tired of seeing Cena win. Good match. 

The Miz out for his filler time/Pipers Pit segment

/Tells St. Louis to shut up. He's probably still an act because he's decent on the mic.  Miz getting some heat, filling more time. Ryback is off with an injury. God I just know we are going to see Big Show tonight and it's going to suck. Miz mentions Big Show retirement, crowd cheers. Big Show's music just hit. At least he's in street clothes. Why is this segment on now? Big Show lays out Miz. At least that is over with. 

And now it's about time for......

WWE World Championship Match: Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins (c)

Rollins' music hits first. He's coming out by himself without J&J. Something big could happen in this match. A heel turn, the authority. My money is on Dean Ambrose trying to cost Rollins the title and Lesnar loses because of it. Everyone has their eyes on this one from the IWC because of the Undertaker rumors. The Beast's music hits, and here he comes. No t-shirt, just ready to kick ass. Get your suplex city tally ready. Pyrotechnics go off as Michael Cole reminds us that Lesnar has not been pinned or submitted in over 2 and 1/2 years. I did not realize that. The last of the great managers is out behind him, with the last of his clientele; Paul Heyman. 

The suplex city count is on. Is it five? Six? Rollins tries to flee with the belt but Brock brings him back to the ring. It's been all one-sided. Rollins lands on his feet on a German suplex attempt and Rollins impressively kicks and hits the knee of Lesnar. It's impressive to see someone dish out punishment to Lesnar, that's why I like a Lesnar match. Lesnar counters the Pedigree into a possible F5 but it gets countered. Rollins is impressive in his own right. I really like Rollins. A couple swan dives into the barricade but Lesnar still into pursuit with suplex number seven. Suplex eight. Suplex nine. Suplex ten. Crowd an announcers counting. There's eleven. He bitch slaps Rollins hard. Suplex twelve. Rollins slaps Lesnar. Suplex thirteen. F5 on Rollins and the chime of the Undertaker. I shouldn't have read the spoilers. Undertaker is in the ring. He looks old as shit. Where did Rollins go? Ruins a good match. Choke slam, followed by Tombstone. Undertaker is so old he can't even barely get up. Tombstone number two after the throat cut. Heyman looks stunned. I think this kind of sucks. Brock looks finished off. No sign of the referee or Rollins. Now we get no finish to our match, but rather Undertaker's music is playing. This is so fucking dumb. Undertaker exits while ruining a guy who hasn't looked human for years. Some storytelling I guess. And the credits roll. Absolutely awful ending.

Money in the Bank 2015 Report

[Ring Posts] [Wrestling Inc.] [Cageside Seats]

I really had a good time at Money in the Bank last night at Nationwide Arena. I thought three of the matches were really good, with the title match and Kevin Owens/John Cena II kind of stealing the show. The show was kicked off with a 10-bell salute to Dusty Rhodes with the entire roster including Vince McMahon on stage before 'Common Man' came on. 

I can always say I was in the house when they bell-saluted Dusty Rhodes. I'm also forever a part of WWE history (I haven't found myself in the crowd yet on WWE Network) but I plan to try sometime hard. 

Here is the MITB briefcase that so many were carrying replicas of around Columbus prior to the event. This is of course just before the real show got underway. 

I don't understand Sheamus winning the Money in the Bank ladder match really at all. It was an okay match. I guess live, you really realize that it's a scripted match where all the guys lay hurt outside the ring and wait for their spot. I didn't enjoy it that much.

Kevin Owens and John Cena was another classic thriller. These two just work really well together. Owens and Cena each took I don't know how many damn finishers from eachother. You really don't even know what is a finisher anymore when you see a five star match like this. Absolutely a candidate for match of the year if the first tilt doesn't take it. And you had the classic Owens double cross at the end when Cena offered the handshake. 

There is no one more over right now in terms of crowd pop than Kevin Owens. 

This was the match I enjoyed most - mostly because I'm becoming a huge Seth Rollins fan - and these two put on one Hell of a show together. Prior to the match, I didn't realize that Rollins wanted to go at it on his own with out J&J Security, and HHH and Stephanie McMahon. HHH told Rollins to "show them". And show us he did. 

There were many high spots in this match. Rollins was thrown through a ladder. The action spilled into the crowd. Dozens of chairs were brought out. A television monitor. They went at it on the Spanish announce table. If you're old school like I am, they found a way to tell a story with their action and make it somewhat old school. 

In the end, Rollins fell dramatically with the belt almost simultaneous to Dean Ambrose. Still champion. I saw Rollins - the future of the company - retain the belt. Who knows how long it goes on. But I like this kid.