Not a PPV but I'm not creating a new folder for just one review that'd be car-azy.
The 1000 edition of RAW, I'm reviewing two years late as I've only just seen it as it came with Top 100 RAW Moments DVD I bought, hmm if I name the shop will I get free DVDs for advertising? (Editors note - I have since forgotten the shop anyway but I assume it was HMV as I don't think I brought it second hand)
July 2012, St. Louis, Missouri
Vinnie Mac welcomes us to Monday Night RAW or Tuesday Morning RAW if you're a fellow Brit, then brings out DX. HHH/HBK do 'comedy', you know I used to like the DX Army but the 06 and 09 DXs I have no time for and holy shizzle lucky for me HHH asks Shawn if there was more of them which brings out New Age Outlaws and X-Pac in a truck akin to the WCW Invasion. Billy and HBK discuss who should do the 'And if you're not down ....' schtick but neither of them do it in the end as Damian Sandow wanders out like a lamb to the slaughter Sweet Chin Music and Pedigree ends his night.
Sheamus/Rey/Sin Cara Vs. Ziggler/Jericho/Del Rio
JR joins commentary goatee and all. Sheamus is WHC and Ziggler is the holder of the WHC MITB briefcase. Go to commercial straight away and when we're back Sin Cara is being isolated though he turned out that useless I'm surprised it's not a 5-on-1 beatdown. Apparently Jericho is second only to HHH with RAW matches as he has had 360, surprising for me as RAW had been going 6 years before his WWF debut and he had the Two Year hiatus after Summerslam '05. Hot tag to Sheamus who annoys me by not hitting a backbreaker properly so does it again thus drawing attention to the mistake. Ziggler cheapshots Jericho as they had a feud on leaving Jericho easy prey to the Brogue Kick and the 1,2,3. This match given time could've been good, wasted opportunity and JR you may as well of stayed at home son.
We see some Touts, Tout seems to have died a death these days (as akin to dying a life?), possibly because I didn't sign up for it. Charlie Sheen Skypes in, Skype seems to have died ...... Now we go backstage for a AJ and Layla segment which ends with a man in a hand costume as he's Mae Youngs hand all grown up, uhhhhh. No wonder non-fans find it easy to mock wrestling.
Brodus Clay Vs. Jack Swagger
Neat surprise as Brodus reveals his corner man is Duuuuuude Love, I'll have the theme stuck in my head now, Dude is the joke of Micks 3 faces but arguably he had his best match as Dude. Jack Swagger got the jobber entrance which is apropos given that a suplex and splash ends it early, then just to rub it in Jack is hit with a tye-dyed Mandible Claw. (The Love Handle I believe when used as Dude Love)
Backstage now with HHH, Trish which I found a nice call back to the moment in 2000 where he teaches her the hammerlock and Steph walks in only this time DX walks in.
AJ Lee - Daniel Bryan Wedding
Slick is the reverend and Bryan goes all Macho by entering to his theme. When AJ halts the wedding Slicks face made me chuckle it's like what i'd call B-Movie level. Vince McMahon comes out and reveals AJ is the new GM of RAW. Punk comes out to get his head in of course, when Bryan calls himself the greatest of all time Rock comes out, imagine the pop Stone Cold would've got, he says he will challenge for the WWE Title at The Royal Rumble, says Bryan is what would happen if a homeless man banged an oompa-loompa then Rock Bottoms him. I was bored by the end of it all to be honest.
Intercontinental Title - Christian (c) Vs. The Miz
Blow me there's a wrestling match on!! Bret Hart handled introductions. Lawler says his had his one and only Title Shot Vs. Miz on RAW, which is incorrect as he also faced him at Elimination Chamber in a surprisingly solid match given he was facing Miz of all people. Christian is on top but then we go to commercial and when we're back Miz is on top as he's targeting Chrisitans knee, he hurt it on a dive to ringside. They both get 2 counts of DDTs then Christian hurts his knee and Miz strikes with Skull Crushing Finale for the 3 and the title. ( I honestly forgot Christian was IC Champion at this time)
Charlie Sheen Skypes in again, if I remember rightly which is the memorys equivalent of a hit and hope, this was meant to lead to something at SummerSlam.
HHH is here (again) only this time he means business as he wants Lesnar to answer his challenge fort SummerSlam instead he gets Heyman who brings up HHHs kids so of course Steph has to show her face, uhhh. They goad Heyman into accepting on Brocks behalf. Lesnar in da house, he brawls with HHH but Hunter gets the better of him, in case you're wondering Lesnar won at SummerSlam.
Clips of Austin/McMahon complete with talking heads, you'd think WWE didn't have any other feuds bar Austin/McMahon, move on people!
Santino, Hornswoggle bring out some new WWE teddy things, Foley would be proud of this plug.
Heath Slater Vs. _____
In the weeks leading up to this Heath had been facing various legends (or "legends" in some cases), he lost to all bar Doink. He kind of looks like Joey Mercury in a ginger wig, he challenges any legend to a No DQ match, out comes Lita so I guess she's managing the legend we're awaiting Ha....Ha...Ha, Heath calls the time keeper Bell Man which should now be their official name. APA in da house! how long since we've seen APA Bradshaw? Heath backtracks but then all the legends come out that he's faced over the weeks and he ends up losing to Lita. Vader and 'Kishi are among the Legends and I met them in April also there is Animal who I'm meeting in November. (The Animal thang never came about as I didn't go Comic Con in the end but Duggan was probably on RAW and I met him this past April)
Sean Mooney interviews Daniel Bryan who fires back at Charlie Sheen.
Fozzie from the muppets not Jerichos band takes us through various catchphrases from WWEs past, big up the Funaki appearance 'INDEED!'.
Kane Vs. Nobody
Kane comes out but before he does his turnbuckle fire he's interrupted by Jinder Mahal, Camacho, McIntyre, Hunico, Hawkins and Reks he says they haven't been given a chance on the previous 999 episodes, because they've been with WWE since 1993 then they go to beat up Kane but here's .... Undertaker cause you dont diss his brother. Undertaker and Kane casually clean house, man Deadman looked in pain.
Charlie Sheen is back and they hint at SummerSlam having Bryan/Sheen.
WWE Title - CM Punk (c) Vs. John Cena
This is Cenas MITB cash-in, this is also the 53rd title defense in RAW history. Slow dull start. Cena wins a punch off, I hate them as in a real fight you wouldn't hit someone then stand waiting to get hit back. Cena avoids GTS by pushing Punk into the ref then AAs Punk and goes for the pin even though he's just KOd the ref. Big Show's here with a KO Punch to the top of Cenas head but there's no ref to count for Punk. Cena blocks GTS with STFU, uh the guy was out cold 10 seconds ago now he's moving around quick why cant he grasp psychology I just assume he cany be arsed to. Big Show attacks Cena for the DQ finish, so Cena becomes the first guy to fail a cash in but not the first to lose as that would be Damian Sandow last year. Big Show beats up Cena but Punk doesn't help but Rock comes out and beats on Show but wait Punk attacks Rock hitting the GTS and turning heel.
End Scene
Tuesday 8 July 2014
Monday 10 March 2014
IYH 26: Rock Bottom
- December 13th, 1998. Vancouver, B.C
- Attendance: 20,042.
- Buyrate: 0.78
- Michael Cole is on commentary as JR suffered a Bells Palsy attack the preceding week at WWF Capital Carnage.
Val Venis/Godfather Vs. Mark Henry/D-Lo Brown
Godfather gives his hoes to Val for the night. When stables breakup sometimes a team remains from it well D-Lo/Henry are that from Nation, Godfather was also a Nation member of course. Val spinebusters D-Lo. Vancouver dont like D-Lo. Ho Train hits Henry who responds with a powerslam. Sky High to Val but Godfather beaks the pin. PMS came out with D-Lo and now they're arguing with Hoes as Henry is double suplexed. Jacqueline pulls Vals trunks down allowing Henry 3 from a clothesline and splash at 5:56. ** - Average and also short so no time to build to much but what they did do wasn't bad.
We see Mankind attacking Rock on HeAt as if Rock cant compete tonight then Mankind will be given the WWF Title, smart tactic for a heel except Rock was the heel. This did irritate me as a guy like Mankind wouldn't revert to shortcuts as a face and why would a face try to win a title via forfeit add in the fact that a heel is going to be overcoming an injury to make and finish the match and you have backwards booking.
Headbangers Vs. Oddities (w/ Luna and Giant Silva)
Jesus. Kurrgan and Golga (John Tenta) are representing Oddities. This is a match saved for UK PPVs usually. Kurrgan no sells some slaps then misses a slow motion splash. According to Cole Kurrgan is 'methodically taking this match over' (Editors Note - that may be the greatest exaggeration since the Moon Landings). Corner splash by Golga to both Headbangers. Double suplex by Headbangers after Kurrgan misses a middle rope splash, they also do a double team move that I think Team Angle used. The commentary isn't overdubbed but it sounds to me like it's from a game. Mosh splashes a standing Golga for 3 at 6:50. Postmatch The Headbangers argue with a fan, not in a heel way but it seems as if they really do want him ejected. *1/2 - At least they (or at least Kurrgan) tried a match. (They were useless but I did find the Oddities likeable)
Owen Hart Vs. Steve Blackman
Owen gets a Canadian pop. Owen attacks as Steve enters. Spinning kick by Blackman. For me Owen had the most trouble adjusting to the Attitude Era. Snap suplex then what I think is a bow and arrow by Steve. Owen hits his patented enziguri, as he was going for it you could tell Owen was telling Steve he was grabbing the wrong foot. 'US Sucks' chant. Owen goes ringside for a breather but gets baseball slided. Spinning heel kick and a top rope elbow both get Owen 2. Hart exposes a turnbuckle but is himself hit into it allowing Blackman to take control. Owen applies a dragon suplex but Steve knees out of it. Steve applies a Sharpshooter, he must've stored up 2 WWF logos. Owen walks off so Blackman wins at 10:28.** - Perfectly acceptable midcard match, at least bar the ending.
Vince enters Mankinds office which is a boiler room.
J.O.B Squad Vs. The Brood
JS is Al Snow, Bob Holly and Scorpio. I had a titantron that played about 12 WWF Themes but mine never played The Broods (I tweeted this and Road Dogg replied that it should've, yes the D-O-double G follows me, 14 mins of fame left) . Holly Falcon Arrows Edge. Inverted electric chair by Edge. Christian is double underhook slammed by Holly then beaten on by Scorpio who busts out a 360' leg drop. Wheelbarrow suplex by Snow to Gangrel. Brood now beat on Al, chinlock by Edge as mine and Vancouvers interest is waning. It ends when Snow hits Christian with Head allowing Scorpio to hit a kind of backflip leg drop, I had to rewind that post match but Christian hits Unprettiered for 3 at 8:50 ish. ** - Meh, I liked Scorpos move though.
Striptease Match - Jeff Jarrett (w/ Debra) Vs. Goldust
If Goldust wins then Debra strips, if Jeff wins then Goldust strips. Counter each other but soon Goldust gets upper hand. Goldust rolls through a crossbody for 2 and Jeff gets 2 of his own off a neckbreaker. Fans chant Goldust. Curtain Call connects but the ref is distracted. The ref is distarcted again soon as Goldust hits Shattered Dreams to a pop. Debra hits Goldust with the Guitar leaving him easy prey for The Stroke at 8:00ish, Jarrett wins. But Commissioner Michaels is here and he reverses the decision to a DQ. As Debra strips he gives her money but The Blue Blazer comes out to cover her up, Jeff Jarrett had gone backstage after the 3 count as he assumed he'd won. **1/2 - Match was just okay, from these two perhaps it should've been better.
Production botch as Vince leaves Mankinds 'office' but wait there's Mankind and hated rival The Rock talking in the background .... Kayfabe is DEAD!!!!
WWF Tag Titles - NAO (c) Vs. Shamrock/Bossman
Commissioner Michaels made NAO face Acolytes on HeAt. Ken is IC Champion. Pretty even match for a while, Ken goes the Ankle Lock on Dogg but Billy Gunn breaks it up. Fame Asser connects but not seen as a big deal, was it not his finished here then? Road Dogg is doing the usual NAO match routine as he plays face-in-peril. HBK, who is ringside for Corporation, trashtalks Dogg then kisses his head. Cant fault the tag psychology here due to Dogg being isolated. Dogg does fight back but then he's booted down. Gunn tags in but the ref didn't see it as the half hour beatdown of Road Dogg continues. Gunn tags in now and cleans house, he powerbombs Gunn to counter a dropkick but HBK pulls the ref out. It ends at 17:00 when Gunn goes to suplex Shamrock but HBK pulls his foot however Gunn rolls through for the 3 count, that didn't look smooth. *1/2 - I found it boring, 15mins of it was Dogg getting beaten up and Shamrock/Bossmans offence wasn't really fascinating. Why were all NAO matches seemingly 20 mins long?
Recap of Survivor Series where Rock was against Corporation in has quest for the WWF Title but really they were together all along and Mankind got screwed.
WWF Title - The Rock (c) Vs. Mankind
Mankind tells Vince to tell the fans he never quit at Survivor Series, they rehashed Montreal. Rock sneak attacks Mankind but he's soon on top. Doesn't last long as now Rock is on top, 'Rocky Sucks' chants. Vince tells Mankind he'll be DQd if he does anything illegal. Mankind goes to jump off turnbuckle but Shane stops him allowing Rock to throw Foley off, soon Rock does his joining commentary spot but Mankind bounces him off announce table. DDT on a chair by Rock and Corporate Elbow gets 2. Clothesline and leg drop both get 2 for Mankind. Rock Bottom but there's no ref as mankind piledrivered him, Shane McMahon hits Rock with the belt by accident, that would be the reason Rock left Corporation at Backlash '99. They both get 2s from their DDT variations. Socko's here and Mandible Claw's applied .... Rock's out as Earl Hebner declares Mankind the winner but Vince McMahon says that whilst Mankind won the match he isn't Champion as Rock never said I Quit or tapped out. Mandible Claw to Vince. **1/2 - Match was fairly decent but I hate the ending to it. I didn't know Dusty Rhodes had booked this PPV. Mankind would win the WWF Title eventually on the RAW is WAR that aired January 4th.
Buried Alive - Stone Cold Vs. Undertaker
I bought this VHS as a kid due to a Buried Alive match. If Austin wins here tonight he's in the 99 Rumble. Fighting in the aisle way then the ring where Austin does his Thesz Press. Taker backdrops Austin to avoid a piledriver then they fight down to the grave which is by the entrance way. Wreath to the noggin! They go back to the ring now as there's lots of punching and walking. Chairshot and Chokeslam by Deadman as they're now headed to the grave again. Austin is in the grave but manages to recover as Taker is shoveling slowly. Stunner sends Taker into the grave but Austin walks off, Taker climbs out and hides from Austin but the grave explodes and here's .... Kane he Tombstones a shocked Deadman and puts him into the grave as Autin comes out in a digger and Taker is buried alive!! Match went 21:30. Earl Hebner and Austin drink a beer. **- They were hindered by the match type as you cant have dramatic near falls. Match was mainly punches etc. Dont think Kanes interference led to much as Takers next feud was opposite Vince McMahons Corporation though really they were together all along as Vince was revealed to be Takers Higher Power but i'm getting ahead of myself there. (Just noticed that that follows a similar thread to the Rock/Corporation stuff)
16 / 40 - Most of the PPV was average whilst Headbangers/Oddities was bad and the Tag Titles match was boring. Mankind/Rock was okay until the finish so on that basis this PPV comes unrecommended.
- Attendance: 20,042.
- Buyrate: 0.78
- Michael Cole is on commentary as JR suffered a Bells Palsy attack the preceding week at WWF Capital Carnage.
Val Venis/Godfather Vs. Mark Henry/D-Lo Brown
Godfather gives his hoes to Val for the night. When stables breakup sometimes a team remains from it well D-Lo/Henry are that from Nation, Godfather was also a Nation member of course. Val spinebusters D-Lo. Vancouver dont like D-Lo. Ho Train hits Henry who responds with a powerslam. Sky High to Val but Godfather beaks the pin. PMS came out with D-Lo and now they're arguing with Hoes as Henry is double suplexed. Jacqueline pulls Vals trunks down allowing Henry 3 from a clothesline and splash at 5:56. ** - Average and also short so no time to build to much but what they did do wasn't bad.
We see Mankind attacking Rock on HeAt as if Rock cant compete tonight then Mankind will be given the WWF Title, smart tactic for a heel except Rock was the heel. This did irritate me as a guy like Mankind wouldn't revert to shortcuts as a face and why would a face try to win a title via forfeit add in the fact that a heel is going to be overcoming an injury to make and finish the match and you have backwards booking.
Headbangers Vs. Oddities (w/ Luna and Giant Silva)
Jesus. Kurrgan and Golga (John Tenta) are representing Oddities. This is a match saved for UK PPVs usually. Kurrgan no sells some slaps then misses a slow motion splash. According to Cole Kurrgan is 'methodically taking this match over' (Editors Note - that may be the greatest exaggeration since the Moon Landings). Corner splash by Golga to both Headbangers. Double suplex by Headbangers after Kurrgan misses a middle rope splash, they also do a double team move that I think Team Angle used. The commentary isn't overdubbed but it sounds to me like it's from a game. Mosh splashes a standing Golga for 3 at 6:50. Postmatch The Headbangers argue with a fan, not in a heel way but it seems as if they really do want him ejected. *1/2 - At least they (or at least Kurrgan) tried a match. (They were useless but I did find the Oddities likeable)
Owen Hart Vs. Steve Blackman
Owen gets a Canadian pop. Owen attacks as Steve enters. Spinning kick by Blackman. For me Owen had the most trouble adjusting to the Attitude Era. Snap suplex then what I think is a bow and arrow by Steve. Owen hits his patented enziguri, as he was going for it you could tell Owen was telling Steve he was grabbing the wrong foot. 'US Sucks' chant. Owen goes ringside for a breather but gets baseball slided. Spinning heel kick and a top rope elbow both get Owen 2. Hart exposes a turnbuckle but is himself hit into it allowing Blackman to take control. Owen applies a dragon suplex but Steve knees out of it. Steve applies a Sharpshooter, he must've stored up 2 WWF logos. Owen walks off so Blackman wins at 10:28.** - Perfectly acceptable midcard match, at least bar the ending.
Vince enters Mankinds office which is a boiler room.
J.O.B Squad Vs. The Brood
JS is Al Snow, Bob Holly and Scorpio. I had a titantron that played about 12 WWF Themes but mine never played The Broods (I tweeted this and Road Dogg replied that it should've, yes the D-O-double G follows me, 14 mins of fame left) . Holly Falcon Arrows Edge. Inverted electric chair by Edge. Christian is double underhook slammed by Holly then beaten on by Scorpio who busts out a 360' leg drop. Wheelbarrow suplex by Snow to Gangrel. Brood now beat on Al, chinlock by Edge as mine and Vancouvers interest is waning. It ends when Snow hits Christian with Head allowing Scorpio to hit a kind of backflip leg drop, I had to rewind that post match but Christian hits Unprettiered for 3 at 8:50 ish. ** - Meh, I liked Scorpos move though.
Striptease Match - Jeff Jarrett (w/ Debra) Vs. Goldust
If Goldust wins then Debra strips, if Jeff wins then Goldust strips. Counter each other but soon Goldust gets upper hand. Goldust rolls through a crossbody for 2 and Jeff gets 2 of his own off a neckbreaker. Fans chant Goldust. Curtain Call connects but the ref is distracted. The ref is distarcted again soon as Goldust hits Shattered Dreams to a pop. Debra hits Goldust with the Guitar leaving him easy prey for The Stroke at 8:00ish, Jarrett wins. But Commissioner Michaels is here and he reverses the decision to a DQ. As Debra strips he gives her money but The Blue Blazer comes out to cover her up, Jeff Jarrett had gone backstage after the 3 count as he assumed he'd won. **1/2 - Match was just okay, from these two perhaps it should've been better.
Production botch as Vince leaves Mankinds 'office' but wait there's Mankind and hated rival The Rock talking in the background .... Kayfabe is DEAD!!!!
WWF Tag Titles - NAO (c) Vs. Shamrock/Bossman
Commissioner Michaels made NAO face Acolytes on HeAt. Ken is IC Champion. Pretty even match for a while, Ken goes the Ankle Lock on Dogg but Billy Gunn breaks it up. Fame Asser connects but not seen as a big deal, was it not his finished here then? Road Dogg is doing the usual NAO match routine as he plays face-in-peril. HBK, who is ringside for Corporation, trashtalks Dogg then kisses his head. Cant fault the tag psychology here due to Dogg being isolated. Dogg does fight back but then he's booted down. Gunn tags in but the ref didn't see it as the half hour beatdown of Road Dogg continues. Gunn tags in now and cleans house, he powerbombs Gunn to counter a dropkick but HBK pulls the ref out. It ends at 17:00 when Gunn goes to suplex Shamrock but HBK pulls his foot however Gunn rolls through for the 3 count, that didn't look smooth. *1/2 - I found it boring, 15mins of it was Dogg getting beaten up and Shamrock/Bossmans offence wasn't really fascinating. Why were all NAO matches seemingly 20 mins long?
Recap of Survivor Series where Rock was against Corporation in has quest for the WWF Title but really they were together all along and Mankind got screwed.
WWF Title - The Rock (c) Vs. Mankind
Mankind tells Vince to tell the fans he never quit at Survivor Series, they rehashed Montreal. Rock sneak attacks Mankind but he's soon on top. Doesn't last long as now Rock is on top, 'Rocky Sucks' chants. Vince tells Mankind he'll be DQd if he does anything illegal. Mankind goes to jump off turnbuckle but Shane stops him allowing Rock to throw Foley off, soon Rock does his joining commentary spot but Mankind bounces him off announce table. DDT on a chair by Rock and Corporate Elbow gets 2. Clothesline and leg drop both get 2 for Mankind. Rock Bottom but there's no ref as mankind piledrivered him, Shane McMahon hits Rock with the belt by accident, that would be the reason Rock left Corporation at Backlash '99. They both get 2s from their DDT variations. Socko's here and Mandible Claw's applied .... Rock's out as Earl Hebner declares Mankind the winner but Vince McMahon says that whilst Mankind won the match he isn't Champion as Rock never said I Quit or tapped out. Mandible Claw to Vince. **1/2 - Match was fairly decent but I hate the ending to it. I didn't know Dusty Rhodes had booked this PPV. Mankind would win the WWF Title eventually on the RAW is WAR that aired January 4th.
Buried Alive - Stone Cold Vs. Undertaker
I bought this VHS as a kid due to a Buried Alive match. If Austin wins here tonight he's in the 99 Rumble. Fighting in the aisle way then the ring where Austin does his Thesz Press. Taker backdrops Austin to avoid a piledriver then they fight down to the grave which is by the entrance way. Wreath to the noggin! They go back to the ring now as there's lots of punching and walking. Chairshot and Chokeslam by Deadman as they're now headed to the grave again. Austin is in the grave but manages to recover as Taker is shoveling slowly. Stunner sends Taker into the grave but Austin walks off, Taker climbs out and hides from Austin but the grave explodes and here's .... Kane he Tombstones a shocked Deadman and puts him into the grave as Autin comes out in a digger and Taker is buried alive!! Match went 21:30. Earl Hebner and Austin drink a beer. **- They were hindered by the match type as you cant have dramatic near falls. Match was mainly punches etc. Dont think Kanes interference led to much as Takers next feud was opposite Vince McMahons Corporation though really they were together all along as Vince was revealed to be Takers Higher Power but i'm getting ahead of myself there. (Just noticed that that follows a similar thread to the Rock/Corporation stuff)
16 / 40 - Most of the PPV was average whilst Headbangers/Oddities was bad and the Tag Titles match was boring. Mankind/Rock was okay until the finish so on that basis this PPV comes unrecommended.
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