Hello Humans and Non-Humans (Aliens? Predators?) this is another edition of the monthly column From the Boys in the Back. July (while still not over) has given us a lot... what those things are, I really don't know.. Love? Money? Happiness? Crippling Depression (sorry Cleveland) But I know what July brought me...
PPVs and a means to recaps and review said shows, so enough with this introduction and onto the recapapalooza
TNA Victory Road
July 11, 2010
TNA X-Division Championship Ultimate X/Submission Rules
Douglas Williams(c) vs Brian Kendrick
Result: Williams retains via Rear Naked Choke
The Low Down: I've said it once and I'll say it again... I LOVE Douglas Williams, I love the gimmick and i love what he is doing for this division. But this match is just a weird gimmick. Why have Brian Kendrick put over the fact that he could submit Williams, when it would make more sens to put over the idea that Kendrick can easily scale the Ultimate X. This will be a re-occurring theme for this PPV... odd booking ideas.
Brother Ray vs Brother Devon vs Jesse Neal
Result: Brother Ray def Neal via Bubba Bomb
Thoughts: Again, weird booking moves here. Before the match started Brother Ray locks Devon in his locker room preventing him from showing up. Which is odd, seeing as the triple Threat, in theory, couldn't have started if al 3 men weren't in the ring. As for this feud so far, it's okay, but I'm still thinking this kid (Neal) is just sinking. He has TONS of potential and it's being wasted on Team 3D, where's Jarrett?
TNA Knockouts Championship -Title vs Career
Madison Rayne (c) vs Angelina Love
Result: Love wins the title via DQ due to outside interference
Thoughts: Now, that result seems odd... again, weird booking. Now the rules were if any of the Beautiful People were to get involved in the match, Rayne would be automatically DQ'd and she would lose her title. A woman comes out dressed in full motorcycle gear, not confirmed as Velvet or Lacey, comes out and beats down Love. Which leads to the DQ... WHAT? I understand it's a DQ, but if the motorcycle girl is not Velvet or Lacey why should Love lose the title? It just seems odd. And seeing Rayne and the motorcycle woman teaming up, just makes even less sense. Why team up with the person that cost you your title?
The Knockouts... remember when they were awesome?
AJ Styles/Kazarian vs Samoa Joe/Rob Terry
If AJ/Kaz wins they will be in "Fortune"
Result: AJ/Kaz wins via Springboard 450 Splash to Rob Terry. AJ/Kaz first 2 members of Fortune.
Thoughts: You know as down as I am on much of TNA's talent... I can dig Kaz and Aj as the first members of The Four Horsemen Version 4.21 aka Fortune. The match itself, good back and forth tag action, anytime I get to see Samoa Joe, it can't go wrong... but.. odd booking moves AGAIN! Desmond Wolfe runs out to make the interference, but he's not in Fortune and I don't believe that he is in any actual running to be in the group.
Cage Match
Hernandez vs Matt Morgan
Results: Hernandez escapes through the door
Thoughts: Now, I have to get this off my chest, I don't like cage matches that have escape rules for this same reason. If Hernandez could of just harpooned through the door, Couldn't of Morgan found a way to get out of the cage quicker? And if these two hate each other SOOO much, why would they be trying to LEAVE the ring. The cage is used to stop heels from running away or outside interference (unless your Nexus) I say it every time I see him, I can't stand Matt Morgan. Kid is just... movesy, now I'm not saying he does MOVEZ, but he just does a little too much stuff, he flops way to wild. A big man should just really punch and slam, but Morgan just adds too much that isn't needed. And as Cage Matches go, not much happened, outside of the finish, the actually involved that cage.
Jay Lethal vs Ric Flair
Result: Lethal wins via Submission (Figure Four)
Thoughts: Lethal is the kind of guy that, if you followed him, you can see that he can go far, like real far in this company. His runs as Black Machismo and Black Ric Flair, you can see that he has a TON of charisma and can talk on the mic and his ring skills are pretty good too. Now, i think that this is a god rub ad for me on of the real bright points of this show. I think that this it eh beginning for a big year for Lethal in TNA. Flair... was doing Flair, does seeing him in the ring make me cringe? Yea, but I like that they didn't try to do TOO much in this match just simple stuff. Classic Flair spots and a match not marred by odd booking.
TNA Tag Team Championships
Beer Money Inc. vs Motor City Machine Guns
Result: Alex Shelley pins Robert Roode after a Neckbreaker/splash combo after match restarts.
Thoughts: Personal feeling about the Guns aside... this team is hot in TNA. But man, another odd booking move... AGAIN! Why book the double pin fall? The crowd was getting hot toward the end and then TNA pretty much lets the wind out of the sails and the crowd can't really seem tog et back into it. And after seeing what happened on the following Impact, I'm not too sure if we want to see gimmick match after gimmick match. just do another normal Tag match and let there be a clean finish. A clean finish will further than an Ultimate X, Ladder, i Quit, Dusty Finish can ever go.
Kurt Angle vs D'Angelo Dinero
Result: Kurt Angle wins via Ankle Lock
Thoughts: Ummmmmm.... you blinked and it was over.
TNA World Heavyweight Championship
Rob Van Damn(c) vs Jeff Hardy vs Abyss vs Mr. Anderson
Result: RVD retains after Five Star Frog Splash to a, Pile-O-Dudes, and pins Mr. Anderson
Thoughts: MAAAAAAAAAANNNNNN! This crowd was absolutely dead for this one, and it got boring, if the crowd isn't feeling it, how are the people watching at home gonna get into it. Now, maybe it was the odd finish (... there might be a pattern here), but this crowd could of cared less that RVD retained. Match-wise it was okay, but nothing really to write home about. And that is kinda sad, seeing as this is the main event and nothing much happened. But RVD is past his prime, Abyss is just garbage, Anderson needs to be lead on a leash, and Hardy is just... Hardy.
Overall: Not a bad a show, it really was a good show, if you take out the odd booking. But the problem is, that same odd booking, pretty much messed up a lot of this cards, especially in the finishes. It's hard to recommend a match b/c the goo d matches have bad finishes and that okay matches are just that, okay. Nothing really went above the status quo. I say, give it a look, maybe you'll find something worth watching.
Verdict: Give it a Look
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WWE Money in the Bank
July 18, 2010
Money in the Bank Ladder Match (Smackdown)
Kofi Kingston vs Dolph Ziggler vs Drew McIntyre vs Matt Hardy vs Kane vs Christian vs Big Show vs Cody Rhodes
Result: Kane wins SD MitB
Thoughts: Start the show with the show-stopper! Now, the MitB are pretty much spotfests, there is no denying it, or ignoring it, so what makes this (and the RAW one) one of the better MitB matches is just those almost, had it moments. Those fingertips on the case moments that when a superstar is about to get the case and then... AWWWWW! *crash to the mat* The implementation of Big Show's Manly Man Epic Ladder was just great. Kofi's Boom Drop to McIntyre was the spot of the night. And let me say this the big men in both MitB matches were just studs in this matches. Doing great jobs at directing traffic and getting things moving and actually looking like viable threats. But congrats to Kane for winning money Bank as Jericho would put it.
WWE Divas Championship
Alicia Fox (c) vs Eve
Results: Fox retains via Axe Kick
Thoughts: You know, I like the placement of this match, use it as a cooldown for the first MitB match, and let me just say, I like Fox. I've said it a few times already, but I think that she can be a top notch taent in the WWE for the next few years. She is a tad stiff and works a bit too snug, but the more matches they do liek this, the bettter it goes. It was a simple premise, working over the back and it worked. The tilt-a-whirl backbreaker spot was a good spot. Eve is already there, I think her and Maryse can be this generation "Lita-Trish" rivalry, but we are seeing the WWE build up their Divas. The problem is, everything thinks that they are just hot chicks slapping each other and we've been getting some pretty entertaining matches lately... don't sleep on the Divas, people.
WWE Unified Tag Team Championships
The Hart Dynasty (c) vs The Usos
Results: Dynasty retains via Shaprshooter by DH Smith.
Thoughts: MAAAAAAANNNNN! If you thought the crowd for the TNA World Title was dead, this crowd is cold and the full rigor has set in already. It's SHOCKING how much the crowd doesn't really care for the The Harts, they pop, but outside of that initial pop, they just don't draw in the heat from the crowd. Them not getting a reaction sucks, the Usos had a very good showing. They hit some impressive stuff and they held up their end of the bargain. I know people want to blame the Usos for being too green, but how many matches have these two (The Dynasty) had? And how many time have they actually been entertaining? It's time to stop blaming everyone else and start looking in the mirror, DH Smith just doesn't have the fire of a Big man. I mean... Sharpshooter? Wha-wha-what? I say it every time these two have a match, when the big man is tagged in, you proceed to shoot your opponents out of cannons. That's like Sheamus getting the hot tag and instead of Polish (Irish) Hammers, he is doing arm drags... it doesn't fit.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Rey Mysterio vs Jack Swagger
Result: Rey retains via Hurricanrana
Thoughts: Is Jack Swagger reading the Kurt Angle playbook? because if he is... BURN IT! BURN IT NOW! This match is just... much. Like... too much. a lot of spots, and it just didn't make sense, Swagger has been put over as The All-American American American American American.... American. Why is he not trying to slow down Rey, he isn't he trying to wear down Rey, he is trying to match pace with Rey. Match wise, not bad, but just an odd outing from Swagger, seeing as he has been handing in some very impressive performances. Rey continues that even when his opponent is off, that he is always on...
But we all know why this match was amazing...
WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Rey Mysterio (c) vs Kane
Results: Kane wins title via Chokeslam followed by Tombstone
Thoughts: At a time where Kane has been FIRE hot on SD!, this might of been the perfect move. rey is looking to take time off and this is the way to take him off TV. I think SD! is now even stronger now with Kane ruling the kingdom.
WWE Women's Championship
Layla (c) vs Kelly Kelly
Result: Layla retains via Shenanigans
Thoughts: Now, this is the weaker of the two Diva matches on the card tonight. Kelly has a long way to glow and LayCool... as a gimmick, is fine, but as a wrestling unit, not so much. Now Layla has improved and so has Kelly. Kelly showed glimpses of, give her 2-3 years and she could be something, the crowd is behind her and she just scream babyface potential. Layla on the other hand... she tends to get sloppy and she would tighten up her game, she could be a force on Smackdown with McCool. And of course as par for WWE, no one really cared about this match, but it's okay, if it's just there to get ready for th enext match
Money in the Bank Ladder Match (RAW)
Randy Orton vs The Miz vs Mark Henry vs Edge vs Chris Jericho vs Ted DiBiase vs Evan Bourne vs John Morrison
Result: Miz wins RAW MitB
Thoughts: Not as spotty as SD!'s MitB match, as this match seemed to just flow better Morrison did have a good Ladder to Ladder Mouse-trap like sequence int he match, but in terms of OH MAI GAWD! And let me raise a glass to Mark Henry, man was on tonight. From just destroying people to taking the finisher bumps like a kings. Eating a Chuck Kick from JoMo a Codebreaker from Jericho and then a Spear from Edge and Henry actually bumped to make the spear look like it hurt instead of the typical running hug. Orton was also on tonight too. The RKO spots will seem kind of overboard, but they were timed right. The RKO catching Jericho off the ladder was all kinds of bad ass. But my moment, Evan Bourne almost winning the match, I stood up out of my chair when I saw this live on PPV and I was cheering. And that moment still stand after watching it again a few days later after the PPV aired. But the Miz sliding in the back door and winning it was just the cherry on the top.
And the after match promo... The Miz has arrived.
WWE Championship
Steel Cage Match
Sheamus (c) vs John Cena
Results: Sheamus escapes the cage and runs like he stole something
Thoughts: Now, we all kn ew Nexus was coming out, but.. it still made sens efor them to do it. For some reason they don't want Cena to win the title. As for the match, for a Cage Match... not much Cage, but a lot of match. For two men who have chemistry together, the never really showed the hatred and intensity against each other. It was a good match, but nothing happened until Nexus showed up. Though seeing Sheamus just bolt after hitting the ground was just amazing. And Good for Cena show showing intensity... after the match ended and destroying Tarver
Overall: Again a very solid show, some stuff fell flat, but The 2 MitB matches MORE than made up for it. I recommend you see this show and check out the two Ladder matches,, the title matches were good for wht they were, but the Ladder matches stole the show and I would be happy if the WWE brought this back for 2011, hell I'm even for taking it off the mania card to give it its own show.
Verdict: Worth a Look Smackdown and RAW Money in the Bank Ladder matches
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PPV Recaps are done, and not a bad month for PPVs, two strong showing some negatives, but nothing to deter you from enjoying the shows as for the Topic of the Month
TNA ECW...? LOLWHY~!?
Everyone has been talking about it, but I guess I should put my own special spin oin things. Now look, I'm 21 years old... When ECW was big, (98-00) So i was about 10 years old when ECW was hitting its stride. I was able to catch ECW when it came on like 1 in the morning and I watched it when it was on TNN, but as for a personal attachment, I had little to none, I thought RVD and Sabu was cool..
But I also liked the Power Rangers.
As a kid living in Atlanta, I was in WCW country I went to any Georgia Dome show I could and i even when to a few Power Plant tapings, I was starting to get into the WWF again, but if it didn't have Sting or Goldberg... why bother? Many years have past and over that time I've been watching many DVDs, YouTube clips of many different wrestling promotions and I'm convinced.. ECW... wasn't that great. It was a tremendous atmosphere, the fans were passionate, the wrestler cared, but as for the actual in ring product it was okay-ish. Now, I'm not saying bad, but I didn't see anything different, outside of the content, that as different then what was WWF RAW or Nitro was doing. When ECW came back I thought it was cool, but again, being young all I really wanted to see was intense bloodshed...
I didn't get it, but I got to see RVD and Raven, so I considered it okay.
We move on more into the future and the WWE is really cashing in on the ECW name, we have the insanely popular The Rise and Fall of ECW DVD, the Bloodsport DVD and of course, the Holy Grail of ECW tributes, ECW One Night Stand. In my eyes, ECW got the right sendoff. You had the great matches, you had memorable moments (Will we ever forget, 'MATT FRICKEN HARDY!'?) you had passionate fans you had everything ECW embodied in those glory years. Hell even One Night Stand 06 was a very great show. Yeah it was moreso WWE than ECw, but who is gonna forget John Cena walking into the Lion's Den of the Hammerstein? (It should be noted that after this performance I got off the Cena hate bandwagon)
The WWECW happened and then it ended.As much as well all want to yell at Vince for "Killing" ECW, ECW was already dead at this point it was just a name, One Night Stand 2005 was the end of the road (and if your care the Hardcore Homecoming Show is another good ECW tribute) So ECW had plenty of times to say it's final goodbyes, so I ask you now...
Why now?
It's 2010, TNA is looking to carve a niche for itself in the wrestling world and they go up and dig up the ECW guys, AGAIN, and try to sell you this HardCORE Justice (which still sounds like the name of a really bad porno). You have a ton of good things going for you and now your gonna put all of it on the back burner for ANOTHER ECW tribute? Listen, its over. Done. Finished. Stop. Resurrecting. The 90s.
Remember when I said that when I was a Kid I liked the Power Rangers? In no way, shape, or form do I want to see a Power Rangers reunion feature the original 4 (It would be five but the original Yellow Ranger passed away RIP, or it could be 5 if you count the original Green Ranger.) It would be cool for about a min. then when it hits me that a bunch of 30-40 year olds doing the same thing they did when they were in their early 20s... the reality hits you
They are past their prime.
And that is what I'm getting at with these ECW guys. now don't get me wrong ,can they still contribute to the company outside of the ring? Yes, oh hell yes. Dreamer and Al Snow would be a great road agents, Raven would be great if he controlled the book.
Also, why do this ECW thing, when you can't advertise ECW the name seeing as the WWE owns the rights to the name, and the footage.
You can't get Joey Styles, the voice of ECW, Heyman is riding the Brock Lesner money train, Mike Awesome has passed (RIP) so no epic with Masato Tanaka, no Guerrero (RIP), no Beniot (RIP), no Rey, Storm declined, Lynn just had back surgery... so what your basically selling me is ECW-Lite or Diet ECW.If your just gonna focus on the hardcore aspects of ECW, then that is gonna get old around the 3rd match. So what is HardCORE Justice gonna sell me on?
Nostalgia.
And when your selling a persona who isn't nostalgic for the old days (or has the One Night Stand DVDs 05,06 and the Rise and Fall DVD) then this thing will do nothing for me.
You have the WWE coming off a very good summer and thety are heading into Summerslam, another big PPV, and you pull out ECW, for who?
For any old ECW fans who didn't like the WWE or WCW didn't they move onto Ring of Honor? CZW? IWA: Mid South? Other companies that have the ECW-like vibe that you see in the American Indies. Or maybe they stopped liking Wrestling and went to MMA and the UFC. So are you gonna bring those fans back?
It's just weird to me folks, I know ECW holds a dear place in some people's hearts, but dont fall for it, just because it SAYS ECW, doesn't mean it IS ECW.
It's like Frozen Yogurt, yeah it looks like Ice Cream, taste a little bit like real Ice Cream.. but it's not Ice Cream... IT'S FUCKING FROZEN YOGURT!
Shameless Plugs TIME~!
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PPV Predicition Results will be Posted before the Predictions for the next PPV go up.
Until Next Month... remember: It's puts the lotion in the basket...
