Fully Loaded 2000

July 23rd from Dallas, Texas.

Attendance: 16,504
Buys: 420,000

 WWF had a good run on PPV in 2000 until the previous months KOTR, will Fully Loaded rebound here or keep the down trend going?

Test & Albert, Trish Stratus Vs. Hardyz/Lita
 Albert has the upper hand Vs. Matt but when Test is in he is knocked off the top and Matt hits a leg drop. Lita tags in when Trish is in but she goes and tags Albert in. Poetry in motion and a double suplex to Albert then Hardyz and Lita suplex Test and Trish, crowd are on fiy-ah as the tops are removed. Albert does a double underhook suplex on Jeff, who fights out of a Pump Handle Slam when Test is in but Test is soon in control. Matt tags in after Test misses an elbow but he gets Pump Handle Slammed. Lita tornado DDTs Test then a crossbody to the outside on Albert, she gets 2 off a hurricanrana on Test but her momentum is stopped by an Albert cheapshot then Test Powerbombs her and Trish bulldogs her, weird watching Trish before she was good. Lita gets the 3 via moonsault at 13:11. PM - Trish whips Lita as T&A attack Hardyz, jeez sore losers much? ***1/2 - Damn good opener where something was always happening meaning it was never boring. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Edge tells Commissioner Foley that Christian has food poisoning.

Tazz Vs. Al Snow
 Al starts better until Tazz rakes the eyes, superkick by Snow. Tazz hits a Brooklyn Slam (I hate when people explain something which can come across as patronising but I shall explain anytime someone uses Hardcore's Alabama Slam I put there place in place of Alabama) out of the corner. Snow registers a 2 after a leg drop and moonsault from the top. Snow gets head, oi-oi, but
Tazz chop blocks him. Me tinks there's a boring chant, fans spirits may of been buoyed by that opener. Snow does his underhook headbutts but Tazz hits a suplex. Snow tries to roll to avoid Tazzmission but Tazz keeps it locked in and Al taps at 5:21. *1/2 - Short and inoffensive but on the flip it did feel HeAt level and not PPV worthy. I seem to remember Al wrestling at I think Unforgiven 2003 in a match to announce RAW or something but I can't think of any other PPV appearance after this bar a make up the Rumble numbers one. (Did he even have one of them?)

We hear Christian being sick then someone annoys HHH by sending Stephanie flowers, the card makes it sound like Angle did it .... for The Rock. (Longish time wrestling fans will get that reference, hard to believe was 16 years ago, but it would of made more sense had Rikishi sent the flowers, I swung for a homer and got a ball to the noggin)

European Title - Eddie Guerrero (c) (w/ Chyna) Vs. Perry Saturn (w/ Terri Runnels)

 You know when you buy something and get something with it that you don't necessarily want well that's how I think WWF felt with Saturn and to an extent Malenko when they got Benoit and Guerrero from WCW (Not even Dean's fantastic Backlash showing saved him, show me anyone not named Benoit and maybe Angle, though not 100% there based on 2000 Angle, who could take Scotty 2 Hotty to a **** match). Eduardo is in complete control including hitting a slingshot senton and a top rope hurricanrana. Saturn does hit a powerbomb but after a tornado DDT by Eddy the top of Saturn's head is cut. Eddie does a brainbuster and annoyingly Saturn is soon back up, at least sell for a little bit. Chyna and Saturn break the announce table, you may of heard about that in Jericho's book. Perry elbow drops Eddie's back for .... 3? Huh? at 8:10. ** - Meh, average, you get the message i'm sure. 

Christian is found pouring water into a toilet to simulate the sound of being sick, weird camera angle. Mick says the Tag Title match is on.

WWF Tag Titles - Edge/Christian (c) Vs. Acolytes 

 Cheap heat promo by the Champions, JFK would've killed himself had he spent five more minutes in Dallas. Bradshaw comes out and says about Edge and Christian cutting a cheap heat promo and then he goes and cuts a cheap yay for the local city promo, pot-kettle-black, though this may be Bradshaw's best promo though that's like saying you're Cleveland Browns best ever player (Without the initial JB or ON). Poetry in motion w/ a splash but Bradshaw catches Christian and hits a fallaway slam. Acolytes in control, Powerbomb to Edge as there's a 'USA' chant. Bradshaw is playing face-in-peril, E&C go for a double superplex but are pushed down. Faarooq in, Spinebusters and Clotheslines From Hells all round but the Acolytes win the match via DQ, but not the titles, as Edge uses a blatant belt shot at 5:28. *1/2 - I don't like Lame-O, as E&C would say, endings, kind of pointless really. (Doesn't that sum up the Acolytes perfectly though)

Backstage Angle attacks Takers knee with a wrench.

IC Title - Steel Cage - Val Venis (c) (w/ Trish) Vs. Rikishi

 Val tries to leave early but Rikishi throws him down. Val gets some shots in on the legs then throws Kishi into the cage but is soon being beat down in the corner but a low blow avoids the Stinkface then he sends Kishi about 1080' with a clothesline. Val is nearly out of the cage but Kishi pulls him back in. Val is cut from the cage. Samoan drop, running butt bump and a bonzai drop but  Val gets his foot on the rope. Rikishi goes to leave but Trish channels Terry Gordy to stop him. The Money Shit gets 2. Hereeeeee's Lita with a belt and she whips Trish, I half expect the ref to make it a tag match, 10 seconds to guess who it is. Val is down, taking the ref out, and we get the move of the PPV as Rikishi goes all Superfly and splashes Val off the cage, put a folk in Val he is done! Rikishi goes to leave but Tazz hits him with a camera and Val gets the 3 at 14:08. *** - I am tempted to go 1/2 more but that ending man, urgh. The first 14 minutes were good and fair does to Val showing nerves of steel taking that dive from Kishi. (Possibly does deserve that 1/2 even with the ending, when/if I re watch I shall have a think about it)

Harvey Whippleman takes HHH to Kurt's room where we hear a scuffle then Jericho comes out and HHH is shown laid out. Then in the ring Shane McMahon calls out The Rock, who agrees with Dallas that Shane's a pussy. Benoit is on the titantron and he's cut up Rocks clothes. Diving Headbutt to the Leopard Print, my gawd!

Mark Calaway Vs. Kurt Angle 

 Kurt is KOTR and Bikerman is coasting since '99. Angle trashed Calaway's bike and attacked the knee on SMACKDOWN! and earlier tonight, will Mark sell it? Calaway rides down during Angle's entrance and is in control from the off though there's been no bell yet. When they get in the ring Kurt gets in a couple of shits (I assume/hope that's a typo) but is soon big booted and suplexed. Wrench to the knee by Kurt, maybe now it'll be sold, but Calaway still has the advantage. Knee shots by Kurt as the crowd shouts 'Kurt Sucks' prompting Jerry to shout 'Kurt Does Not Suck' which makes JR chuckle. Kurt has *gasp* sustained offence. Chokeslam by Bikerman rendering Kurt's work pointless and to add insult to injury it's finished with a Last Ride at 7:34. * - Basically an extended squash which is something a man in Kurt's position shouldn't be put in. If the knee had been sold then maybe i'd of bumped it. (After 6 years Taker finally started trying and they had a corker at No Way Out 2006) (Wait i've already added comments? this is a directors cut of a directors cut i've gone all Blade Runner up in here!)

Last Man Standing - Triple-H Vs. Chris Jericho 

 The second of the triple main events, Tazz/Snow may of been the first one. Jericho has taped ribs, DDP should sue for gimmick infringement. Jericho is on top, hits his second rope dropkick and a spinning back elbow off the top. HHH sends Jericho ringside and hotshots his ribs on the barricade, this is followed by mid-section work by HHH which gets a thumbs up from me and probably a shake of the head from Bikerman. Usually a abdominal stretch gets a tut from me but it makes sense here, Jericho hip tosses out of it. HHH blocks the Lionsault by putting his knees up. Jericho does a crotch chop but Hunter is all oh no you didn't and does the Pedigree, Jericho is up at 9 as HHH lies across the tope rope. HHH gets shots in with a chair and tries a chair assisted Pedigree but is lowblowed. Jericho may of sent HHH's mind to JR Ewing's office with a chair shot that busts HHH bad. Jericho is on top, bulldog on the chair then HHH does his whipped over the top spot. They do a double TV monitor bit and are both up at 9. Jericho applies the Walls and doesn't break it when HHH makes the ropes, Walls to Stephanie now. HHH misses with a Sledgehammer shot and Jericho has it and gets HHH in the mid-section. They do a back suplex through the table which if I remember right was called on the fly due to Chyna breaking the other table earlier, the one they originally planned to use, HHH is up at 9 but Jericho is down for the count at 23:08. **** - Some people may not like the slow pacing, especially Hunters early offence, but I enjoyed the match as a whole.

WWF Title - The Rock (c) Vs. Chris Benoit (w/ Shane McMahon) 

 Benoit has one of Rock's torn shirts on. Benoit gets a cheap shot in as Shane causes a distraction but soon Rock is on top. Gutwrench gutbuster by Benoit as he is getting a foot in the match, when the challenger heads up top he is crotched and back superplexed back to ring level. Benoit registers 2 counts from a belt shot and a snap suplex but then runs into a powerslam which gets the Champion a 2 count. Shane gets involved a couple of times, he low bridges Rock to outside and later hits a couple of clotheslines at ringside after Rock applies a figure four after a leg whip. Not sure if Rock meant to powerbomb Chris and fell backwards or was actually going for a hotshot but that's what he does. Chris hits the Swan Dive for 2 then Rock blocks Chris' punches and hits his own then a Peoples Elbow only gets 2 after a spinebuster. Shane uses a chair to wipe out Earl Hebner then when he comes to Rock has the chair, Crossface to Benoit as Earl calls for the bell at 19:29 and awards Chris the Title via DQ due to him thinking Rock hit him with the chair but Commissioner Foley comes out and restarts the match, Rock has been busted open by Shane. Germans get Benoit 2 then he applies the Crossface but Rock gets a rope break, he tries for another but is Rock Bottomed for 3 at 2:39. ***1/2 - I enjoyed it even with the silly(ish) DQ stuff for the original ending to the match. I seem to remember Shane trying to unite HHH/Angle over the fact they hated Rock had the championship but that ploy failed to as Rock retained at SummerSlam. (He did try to get their focus on Rocky but the Angle/Steph stuff vetoed that heading into the 'Slam)

20 / 40 - .500 may seem average but rather than an average PPV where every match has the same score we have a PPV with some cracking matches and a few short duds, nothing is actively bad. I have read some observations that the veterans all beat the newcomers in the three main events but that's misleading really as giving Benoit the title would've been a mistake at this point in time so Rock kind of had to go over but in the mean time Benoit was given a respectful match he didn't look out of his depth at the main level, HHH didn't necessarily have to win the LMS match as Jericho did have more to gain but again Jericho looked HHH's equal before going down and lets not forget had an injury going in which almost saves face in a way however the Kurt/UT match/squash was unforgivable, not to be dramatic or anything, it's not just the fact Angle, the man who won KOTR last month and would be in the Title match the next month, lost it's the way he lost that was bad. The PPV delivers in four matches here - the last two matches, the IC and the opener based on these matches and the fact that the rest is short inoffensive stuff Fully Loaded 2000 gets a big thumbs up from me.

SummerSlam 2000

August 27th, Raleigh, North Carolina
Attendance: 18,124
Buys: 570,000

I like the opera style opening video which focuses on the brilliant love triangle angle.

Right To Censor (Goodfather/Bull Buchanan/Stevie Richards) Vs. Too Cool
 Rikishi is accompanied by two ladies, I think they were some of Goodfather's Ho's, one of them is Victoria/Tara. Scotty has the better of Bull to start then combines Shawn Michaels and Michael Jackson, by doing a kip up and moonwalk also Michael Michaels would be an awesome name. Goodfather throws down the ladies, 'save the hoes' chant. Stevie powerbombs Sexay for 2 but he is soon crotched up top and superplexed. Rikishi in, to the crowds approval, and cleans house. II Cool each do a running corner butt bash but Bull hits a Scissors Kick before 'Kish can do the Stink Face. Scotty sets up for The Worm with a bulldog but during the Worm Stevie Superkicks him for the 3 count at 5:11. ** - Short but the crowd liked it so ** seems fair. 

Shane O'Mac is interviewed then runs when Steve Blackman appears. (Like me when a Blackman match comes on *cue laughter with thigh slapping* but I jest as I don't mind Blackman)

Road Dogg Vs. X-Pac 
My review starts with DX explodes until 2006 but I think they had another short run around Survivor Series time ( I may be getting mixed up with 1999 there because the only one I remember around SS 2000 time was Road Dogg being w/ K-Kwik), some reviews are ones I wrote a while ago but am only just typing up. X-Pac takes Road Dogg then spins on him but he responds by kicking X-Pac in the booty sending Pac ringside. X-Pac avoids a corner splash bu Dogg avoids the Bronco Buster. Pac gets 2 off a heel kick then they both hit signature moves as Pac hits Bronco Buster and Dogg does his dancing punches. X-Pac avoids Pump Handle Slam with a low blow and an X-Factor gets the 3 count at 4:40. Post match Road Dogg does an R Rated Pump Handle Slam. *1/2 - Not much time to do much which they didn't. Time frame of this review can be traced as it was done two days after X-Pac suffered his Bronco Buster injury.

IC Title - Eddie Guerrero/Chyna Vs. Val Venis (c)/Trish Stratus
 Title on the line in a tag match, why take a bad WCW concept? Val is IC Champion but if Trish loses the fall he loses the title. Val gets an early 2 on Eduardo. Chyna in and they hit Val with a double flapjack. Trish cheap shots Chyna allowing Val some offence until he misses an elbow and is DDTd. Eddie in with a 2 count off a springboard hurricanrana. Trish tags in with kicks on a downed Eddie but he catches her foot and tags in Chyna. Trish and Val go for a double clothesline on Chyna but Eddie pulls Val out of the ring and a military press slam to Trish gets Chyna the 3 count and Vals IC Title at 7:13. ** - Average as yet another match gets little time, i'd rather have less matches with more time than more matches with less time, I don't get why Val of all people was protected in this fashion.

Jerry Lawler Vs. Tazz
 Tazz was beating up jerkers and jobbers and now commentators, he's a baaaaaad man. Jerry is defending the honour of good ol' JR here, Tazz put JR in a car and smashed the window in thus injuring JRs eye. Tazz is out with a cowboy hat and stick like a blind man so Jerry pops him one. Scoop slam then fist drop by Jerry but Tazz responds with punches and kicks whilst  bad mouthing JR. Tazz heads up top?! but misses a swanton type move and is piledriven but no sells it, ridiculous even more than usual given a man with Tazz's neck, Ref Bump! Tazzmission is applied but JR gets up from his desk to a pop and hits Tazz with a jar of sweets or something and King gets the 3 count at 4:23. *1/2 - Yet another short match am I watching a RAW is WAR disguised as Summer Slam.

 Shane is again interviewed and again runs when Blackman appears.

Hardcore Title - Shane McMahon (c) Vs. Steve Blackman
 Steve was a no charisma karate dude but did find his niche in the Hardcore Division. Steve throws Shane a kendo stick but he throws it back. The chase is on as Shane bails, they fight in the crowd. Pump Kick off the barricade by Steve then some trashcan lid shots. Shane is placed in a trash can then Steve enters Tommy/Marky/Ringo mode and hits the can like drums. We get a bit like Judgment Day now as Test & Albert help Shane which gives him the advantage now it's 3-on-1 (Well as Albert's one it's still just kind of 2-on-1 *cymbal clash*). They fight to the entrance where Steve fights off T&A as Shane climbs the titantron which leads to one of my favorite falls as Shane is knocked off the top of the structure and falls like a dead weight through some equipment and Steve puts an exclamation point on it by hitting an elbow from halfway off the structure for the 3 count. *** - Boosted for the fall, my mate at the time had SummerSlam recorded off Sky Sports or whatever and to explain the fall to me he threw a wrestling figure down some stairs, that reminds me I once threw a BBB figure onto his roof, maybe WCW had annoyed me at the time, I wonder if it's still there? Another figure related story, I had a Konnan figure and he no longer figured in my plans so I 'killed him off' by having him take a Shawn Michaels Badd Blood style fall off a hamster cage.

2-Out Of-3 Falls - Chris Benoit Vs. Chris Jericho
 Did Benoit face anyone in 2000 or 2001 not named Chris or Kurt? Benoit is rocking the black tights as he means business. The 3 C's all fall through the ropes, Benoit and Chioda may of landed on their heads. Benoit hits a shoulder breaker, I thought he was going for the Tombstone for a moment. Jericho taps out to the Crossface at 3:14 (1-0), yes Benoit did a shoulder breaker so you could say he built to the Crossface but a Submission in 3:14 is weird. Benoit targets Jericho's shoulder. Germans are hit but Jericho rolls through one into the Walls Of Jericho and Benoit taps at 8:37 (1-1). They both get 2 counts, Benoit's coming off a full nelson suplex, is that ever seen outside of Japan? Top rope hurricanrana gets Jericho a 2 count. Benoit counters a roll up and gets a rope assisted 3 count at 13:19. *** - Booking held this one back, a 3 fall match going 13:19 is ridiculous, I didn't like the quick submissions or the cheap ending. Booking is meant to help not hinder talent, yet another thing taken from WCW tonight. (*** seems a tad tight, I shall watch again soon as these guys could do *** in their sleep)

WWF Tag Team Titles - TLC - Edge/Christian (c) Vs. Dudleyz Vs. Hardyz
 The first official TLC in WWE history as WM 16 was billed as Triangle Ladder. I shall list the big bumps in order as not much else happens. Hardyz powerbomb Bubba off a ladder. Christian is Bubba Bombed off a ladder, Jeff falls off a ladder that see-saws into Matt, a ting like that smashed Joey Mercury's face in 2006. Waaassssup off a ladder, 3D tough a table to Christian as Dudleyz are standing tall, they stack four tables ringside but when they re-enter the ring Edge beats them with a chair. Hardyz beat on Edge including Jeff doing his leapfrog over a ladder legdrop. Jeff ascends a bigger ladder at ringside, it seems level with the titles and it's at ringside, then Swantons himself through two tables as Bubba moves. Bubba goes up the ladder then straight back down as Edge and Christian tip the ladder sending Bubba flying through the four tables at ringside, I loved that when I was younger. E&C have a clear path to the titles until Lita comes out and tips them over. Matt heads up but is tipped off backwards through a table ringside, I personally wouldn't be able to that. Edge takes out Lita with a Spear ringside, she either does or very nearly bangs her head on a ladder. Jeff and D-Von are hanging from the belts then both come down, that was like the old show Gladiators. Edge and Christian climb the ladder and retain the Championships at 14:48. ****1/2 I am aghast at that time, they sure crammed a lot in. Entertaining car wreck, though I must say I do feel bad for enjoying this match what with the damage their bodies took. I think I prefer this to the Mania 17 effort. 

Stinkface Match - The Kat (w/ Al Snow) Vs. Terri Runnels (w/ Perry Saturn)
 This match is to let fans have a breather. Kat wins after she uses Head.

Acolytes are in WWF NY, better than them being in Raleigh.

Undertaker Vs. Kane
 Kane Chokeslammed Taker through the ring because he's a monster! Is this the first one on one between Biker Taker and Kane? Kane debuts new attire here, he may be a monster but he knows to change fashion with the times. This is less a wrestling match, ha, and more a fight as Deadman is going for Kanes mask. Taker attacks down the aisle, uses a chair then manages to tear the mask as part of it is hanging. Kane misses a shot with the steps so Taker throws them at him thus busting Kane. Punches by Kane but Taker spears him and goes for the mask again, he throws him down then shows he has the mask in his hands as Kane retreats up the aisle covering his face, he almost fell over Takers bike, it went 6:32. JR says there was no bell but there was, no countout result is made so I guess a no contest is official. When I was 10 I wore out the pause button on my VCR trying to see Kane's face. Call it **.

WWF Championship - The Rock (c) Vs. Triple-H V. Kurt Angle 
 HHH-Kurt-Stephanie were in a love triangle. Kurt says he gave Stephanie passion HHH never could. HHH beats on Angle and there's been no bell yet Rock hasn't come out. You know the older Don't Try This At Home stuff where it shows HHH and Angle on a table that breaks well this is where it happens and Angle is knocked loopy, here's Rocky. I wonder if Rock and HHH have to improvise for a bit or if Angle was to be KOd for a bit anyway. HHH hotshots Rock and punches Angle on the stretcher until Rock gets Hunter, he slingshots him into the SummerSlam set. Stephanie checks on Kurt then soon she accidentally hits HHH with the WWF Title, Rock grabs her but gets lowblowed. HHH gets his Sledgehammer and hits Rock in the ribs. Facebuster gets HHH 2 after he'd worked he midsection for a bit, HHH has been on top for a while but when he heads up top he is superplexed. Backstage Kurt tells Steph he'll help Hunter. Belly-to-belly gets Rock a 2 count. Kurt's here and gets Rock Pedigreed but he stops HHH's pin and goes for his own, Kurt may think he's back in Atlanta. Rock Bottom gets 2 as HHH pulls Rock out. Kurt gets the sledgehammer after Stephanie brings it in, HHH punches Stephanie and Angle hits him with the sledgehammer. People's Elbow to HHH gets Rock the 3 count at 20:10, not including the pre-bell stuff. *** - It was okay but there wasn't much to it maybe if Angle hadn't be hurt it would've been better. (WWF were lucky Rock/HHH were so used to each other, that could of been a disaster)

22.5 / 45 - Score is low due to the booking I think more than anything as the first bunch of matches were let down with the time allocation, an improvement could've been say take out King/Tazz and split the time between two matches or tape it onto the Jericho/Benoit match which would've no doubt made that better. I do like it though overall as it's a PPV I could easily watch in one go, maybe I'm a tiny bit biased as it's 2000 and I used to watch this on a loop as a kid but to be fair nothing was actively bad just as I say the timing of some matches. It has a good homestretch though from the Hardcore match to the end. Thumbs Up.

My review method - I write them in a book then type onto computer w/ a cup of coffee and Happy Days.

Survivor Series 2005

November 27th from Detroit, Michigan
Attendance: 15,000
Buyrate: 400,000

Normally I type reviews into a book then do a shorter more cohesive review on Blogger however this one is being done straight onto a laptop, although I was a fan at the time I didn't watch this at the time, also Family Guy is on TV but its Season 1 and I don't care much for the older ones as I prefer the 'newer' Stewie. I don't really care for 2005 WWE nor Survivor Series itself that much so not really expecting much, though that could help the PPV as it has low expectations to overcome. I've had this for awhile on DVD but disc is scratched to hell and i've never been able to watch it but saw it yesterday for £2 so re-brought it. Survivor Series 2004 was a 50-50 show as RAWs positives were negated by the SMACKDOWN side of thing and 2006 was possibly the dullest PPV ever so how will 2005 hold up?

Opening video focuses on the three main matches mostly and the return of Undertaker who'd be gone one whole month!!

Best Of 7 - Match 1 - Booker-T (w/ Sharmell) Vs. Chris Benoit 
 Winner of the best of seven wins US Title. Pop for Benoit. Title held up after a double pin. Nothing of note to start. Booker beats on Booker in the corner then knocks him to ringside. Benoit has Booker down on the mat so he goes ringside. Side Kick by Book-A as he is taking control until Benoit blocks a suplex and hits his own, he gets some offence but Booker blocks a corner charge and has Benoit down with an armbar. Tazz is going on about Thanksgiving Food rather than calling the match. 'Lets Go Benoit' chant as he's in an abdominal stretch which he hip tosses out of Heel kick gets a 2 count. Just realised that I don't remember these Benoit tights. Nearly got a double pin finish again. Benoit avoids a suplex and hits a german but Booker avoids any more and hits a heel kick for another 2 count. Booker gets  2 after he counters a Sharpshooter. Benoit hits his three germans as crowd cheer, Benoit gets up first but Sharmell stops him hitting the diving headbutt allowing Booker to go up top but Benoit knocks him down but misses the subsequent Diving Headbutt, Booker rolls up a dazed Benoit as Sharmell helps Booker for the 3 count. Booker leads 1-0. If I remember right Match 7 featured Randy Orton as one of the participants, I'm guessing Booker, was injured. ** Disappointing, maybe they didn't want to have a blow away match so as not to upstage the six that would precede it, could've still done a decent match though, disappointing start. 

Vince McMahon wishes Eric Bischoff good luck after he says he did the same to Teddy, Eric says RAW will sweep SMACKDOWN! tonight and says he'll screw Cena tonight then Cena makes a gay
and says the N-Word to John Cena but as WWE recently said in relation to the Hogan incident, this was was okay as it was in character, idiots.

Womens Title - Melina (w/ MnM) Vs. Trish Stratus (c) (w/ Mickie James)
 Joey Styles and Tazz are calling this to add to the interpromotional feel to the match. Trish dives onto Melina and MnM at ringside. Handstand into a headscissors as Trish is on top until Melina gets a shot in in the corner allowing her some offence. Melina goes to the eyes after Trish chokes her, Mickie and Melina fight ringside then MnM attempt to Snapshot Trish but the ref stops them and sends them to the back, why not a DQ for Mickie James? Melina is still on top and has a surfboard style move applied. Stratusfaction is avoided. Trish does her handstand hurricanrana thing to Melina out of the corner then gets 2 off a spinebuster, Stratusfaction is again avoided but Trish goes all Rick Steiner hitting a bulldog, kind of, off the top for the 3 count. ** - Eh. RAW goes 1 up.

Last Man Standing - Triple-H Vs. Ric Flair
 Their match at Taboo Tuesday was easily the best of that show, earning Ric the name Mr. Taboo Tuesday as his Orton match in 2004 stole that show too. Good lord HHH has permitted Flair to come out last. Naitch is IC Champion but that's not on the line here. HHH attacks in the aisle, that explains the entrance. HHH undoes Flairs robe for him, every bad guy has a heart. HHH has a chair but naitch strikes first with a kendo stick as now they're in the crowd until Ric is backdropped back to ringside. HHH suplexes Flair into the ring then hits some elbows. Ringside Flair is bounced off the ringpost and busted open then HHH digs a screwdriver into the cut, Naitch is wearing a crimson mask, Onita would approve of HHHs actions. If I was drunk I'd be unsure of whether I was watching HHH or Greg Valentine. HHH has been on top for a bit now as Flair has only been to fire off a few chops, HHH is whipped into the steps making the last sentence irrelevant, but he can't capitalise due to exhaustion/blood loss. HHH tells Ric to stay down so Ric applies the testicular claw so HHH hits him with the mic. Pedigree on a table is countered as Ric backdrops HHH through a SAT table, there's three tables to choose from and they still destroy the work place of Hugo and crew, HHH beats the count. Back in ring HHH hits his facebuster.  Flair goes low to avoid Pedigree then hits HHH with a chair then bites him. Corner chops, punches and low blow by Flair as he's fighting back now with a nether regions based assault which to be fair is a good strategy in LMS match, I'd be down for 10,000. Naitch gets some shots in on HHHs leg which against HHH is a good strategy, Figure Four is applied and HHH taps but match obviously continues. HHH clotheslines Ric when he goes for a chop block then hits him with the ring steps but a second attempt is countered with a drop toe hold but HHH is up at 8. Pedigree has Naitch down for 8 then another Pedigree has Ric down for another 8 count,  Naitch flips the double bird and is Pedigreed for the third time but that doesn't get the job done so HHH hits him in the back with a Sledgehammer and Naitch is finally down for the count. *** - I dont always get into LMS matches as the counts can break up the flow of a match and I didn't like this as much as I hoped I would, wrestling needs to live in a realistic world within 
itself, suspension of disbelief, but Ric surviving three Pedigrees kind of seemed ridiculous to me, or at least book a young mid-carder who is on the ascension to survive three Pedigrees. I'm unsure what to give it but at this time *** seems fair based on expectations, maybe on another viewing I'll update it but for now ***.

Bret Harts DVD is plugged, have it, like it, not reviewed it. Move along.

Team SMACKDOWN! are talking backstage, Orton bigs down Batista who is injured and brings up his own recent Survivor Series history. JBL brown nosing Orton then dogging him in made me life.

Edge and Lita are here, Edge announces that soon we will see the debut of The Cutting Edge they note that Dmitri Young of the Detroit Tigers is in attendance, he says Tigers have no chance of winning the World Series and asks if it's a lack of talent or steroids, that must be an inside joke right? He insults the Pistons and i'm mad now. This is just a chance for Edge to get cheap heat on the city of Detroit a city I've never been but would love to as I support Pistons and am a casual Red Wings and Tigers fan (Now i'm a more than casual Red Wings fan and essentially a casual Pistons fan as my love of NBA has diminished and my love of NHL has grown so much it's my #1 sport, I still love my Tigers but man they're bad with little to no optimism where as the Wings aren't great but there's hope especially now Stevie Y is GM). Dmitri says Edge has no balls and bigs up Detroits Sports teams and points to all the Red Wings banners. Don't normally care for cheap heat segments like that but as Detroit were bigged up I loved it.

WWE Championship - S/Ref - Daivari - John Cena (c) Vs. Kurt Angle
 Daivari is associated with Angle. Cena's been Champion since WrestleMania 21. I was a fan of Cena early in his career, more in 2003/4 than here, as I was also in a White Guy acts Black phase, I would regularly blast out G-Unit for now it's more Art Garfunkel as I like Cena have outgrown that. Angle works the leg from the off. Loud duelling Lets Go Cena/Angle chant. Daivari stops Cena going ringside after Angle. Amazing how sloppy Cena is here, Daivari refuses to count Angles shoulders down then gets ready to ring the bell when Angle applies the Ankle Lock then when Cena reaches the rope Daivari kicks his hand away. Cena hits Daivari and goes to call for a DQ but Angle tells him not to. Cena knocks Angle into Daivari KOing the ref, belly-to-belly on the outside by Angle, a new ref is here. Crossnbody gets Cena a 2 count. Seems to be a Cena Sucks chant as Angle is on top of Cena, he has him in a variation of an STF. Cena does one of his no fatigue comebacks and DDTs Kurt, Cena hits 5 Knuckle shuffle after a slam then pumps up his Reeboks, thankfully he doesn't do that anymore, Angle takes out the ref and low blows Cena, Angle Slam gets 2 as a new ref is here. The challenger hits a superplex for another 2, a follow up moonsault misses but Cena cant hit the FU as Angle grabs the ref he then KOs him and brings Daivari back in, Charles Robinson comes down as Cena DDTs Daivari, Cena hits the FU and Charles Robinson, a SMACKDOWN! ref counts the 3 count. ** - The seemingly endless ref shenanigans derailed this match for me as anytime they would build momentum they'd do a ref bump, disappointing for an Angle match also Cena was sloppy and annoying with the inconsistent selling at times.

Eric Bischoff Vs. Teddy Long
 I met Bischoff in April. GM Vs. GM. Cole and Coach on commentary where Cole owns Coach. Teddy is jukin and jivin while avoiding Erics kicks but then Eric chokes Teddy when refs are distracted. Bischoff has Teddy down
with a sleeper but he hits Erc with his shoe to break it. Bischoff Spike to Teddy as Boogeymans music plays so Eric sends the ref up the aisle but Boogey's behind him and hits a Pumphandle Slam allowing Teddy to get 3.

Batista/Rey/Orton/JBL/Lashley Vs. HBK/Carlito/Masters/Show/Kane
 On the way to the ring they guys walk through wrestlers from their respective shows. This is the build that should've been used for Bragging Rights. Batista is WHC and Kane/Show are Tag Champions. I really like the way they built up to this match and showed that when thpught was put into it an brand rivalry could be done well. Eddie chant during Reys entrance. Carlito may have the shortest ever ring theme as it loops by the time he's on the apron. Tazz is going off on one especially during Masters entrance, has Tazz snapped? Orton slaps HBK who slaps him back. Even start with HBK/Orton, Masters in but Orton goes for his eyes. Lashley no sells a shoulder block then powerslams Lashley. Masterlock is avoided then Masters tags in Carlito he is soon Powerslammed which gets Lashley 2.  HBK is now in but Lashley dominates him to, Kane Chokeslams Lashley as he goes to hit a Dominator on HBK for 3 (4-5). Masters bench press gorilla slams Rey, he tags in Kane but Rey gets the better of him at least until he runs into a big boot. The announcers bickering is distracting from the match now. Kane is wearing Rey down with a bearhug, Rey bites free and tags in Batista. Kane hits Batistas taped ribs then knocks SMACKDOWN! off the apron, Spinebeuster gets 3 on Kane after Rey hits 619. (4-4) Show Chokeslams Batista but it only gets 2.  A double Chokeslam does get the 3 count though as the World Champion is gone early (3-4). Show takes out Orton and Rey but can't avoid Clothesline From Hell, 619 and then RKO and another Clothesline From Hell a seated senton from Rey does get 3 (3-3), I liked that they had to do all that to get him out. JBL hits a fallaway slam on the outside to HBK. The three Champions are now gone. JBL blind tags in and Clothesline From Hell eliminates Carlito, I liked the way they did that (3-2). HBK is still down from the fallaway slam so it's 3-on-1 for now. 619 to Masters then a springboard legdrop gets 3, the legdrop didn't hit smooth on Masters (3-1). This is like 2003s Survivor Series w/ HBK being down 3 to 1 and having Orton against him. Shawn does epic oversell on 610 then goes Epic again by Sweet Chin Musicing a springboarding Rey (2-1), Clothesline From Hell is avoided and Sweet Chin Music eliminates JBL (1-1). 2003 ended with Batista taking out HBK for Orton will that happen again? The commentator bickering has seemingly stopped did Vince interject on commentary? Shawn avoids RKO and Randy avoids Sweet Chin Music. We Want Taker chant, forearm, kip up by HBK, he fires off some moves and heads up top and hits the elbow. JBL is still ringside and distracts HBK and Orton gets 3 from RKO (1-0) as Orton keeps up his sole survivor run, the SMACKDOWN! crew come out to celebrate with Orton but he panics when Druids bring out a casket which is hit by lightening and Deadman comes out of the flaming casket which is fitting as at No Mercy the Ortons beat Taker in a Casket Match and set it a flame. Undertaker pounds the SMACKDOWN! guys in the ring and Tombstones Regal, I read that Matt Hardy slipped away before he got his beating by Deadman and thus was stiffed by JBL at Armageddon a month later as Taker felt dissed, hmm dissed maybe my white guy thinking he's black phase isn't over. ***1/2 - I do love multi-man tag matches and this was a pretty good one, I must again praise the build as my made RAW Vs. SMACKDOWN! seem compelling as they got the our show Vs. yours theme across well in the build up, did the match build anyone up? No which was a missed opportunity, say have Masters or Carlito get a big elimination or something but it was enjoyable in it's own right.

 12.5 / 25 - Bang on .500 but that's only thanks to the main and the LMS, the other three matches were pretty boring and not worth your time. The LMS was okay is slightly disappointing, I'm sure I really enjoyed their match at Taboo Tuesday which is why I had hopes for this one, I did enjoy the main but it doesn't really save the show from mediocrity as the show left no lasting impression on the WWE following this PPV.
Thumbs in the middle due to LMS/Main Event.

SummerSlam 2013

August 18th from LA, California.
Attendance: 14,166
Buys: 298,000

SummerSlam is my fave PPV and this one has potential as I have high hopes that Brock will bring the goods and tell a good story Vs. Punk and Bryan/Cena should be good.

Miz is put as we have a cold open then Fandango and Summer Rae come out and tango then we go to the opening video, will they get a PPV Pay Cheque for that?

National Anthem is sung by someone from Total Divas, JoJo I think?

Ring Of Fire- Kane Vs. Bray Wyatt
 I had two ideas coming in either they'd be eating vindaloos or throwing Johnny Cash records at each other turns out it's an Inferno Match where pinfalls and submissions count, rendering the stip moot. Wyatt's theme is like an acoustic Nirvana. Kane blocks a suplex then hits one of his own. Bray does hit a corner splash but is then clothesline and slid slammed as Kane is on top. Harper has a kendo stick but can't get it to Bray due to flames. Kane hits three Chokeslams then Harper and Rowan use a fire blanket on the fire and attack Kane then Bray hits Sister Abigail for the 3 count. *1/2
- The stip was rendered pointless by the ending kind of how cage matches are done to stop interference but nearly always have some, bad opening to the show.

Josh Matthews, Booker-T, Vickie Guerrero and Shawn Michaels are the superstar panel.

Damien Sandow Vs. Cody Rhodes 
 Damien is MITB, he won that by turning on Cody which makes him the bad guy even though they're every man for himself matches. As of writing he cashed that in about a fortnight ago and lost, unsure as to whether this'll lead to a face chase or nothing (turned out nothing). Front suplex gets Cody an early 2. Sandow is now on top and blocks Cross Rhodes, locks in a nice sharpshooter variation. Cody uses the Muscle Buster of all things then does a punch ala Goldust. Cody gets 2s by blocking a sunset flip then another from a disaster kick but does go one better getting the 3 count off of a Cross Rhodes, why do MITB winners seem to go on losing streaks surely they should be built up. *** - A sound and solid undercard match but it did seem shorter than I expected.

A video plays of Christians career.

World Heavyweight Title - Alberto Del Rio (c) Vs. Christian
 Christians title shot seems random hasn't he been injured since about 2011? I doth not dig title shots out of nowhere as they devalue the championship. ADR has a black eye which he got in a bar fight. ADR makes Lilian introduce him in Spanish. Even start until Christian gets the upperhand. Del Rio attacks as he has Christian in the tree-of-woe. ADR is working the arm/shoulder, I like when they do things like that which make sense due to ADRs Cross Arm Breaker finisher. Christian hits a splash to outside then back in hits 10 corner punches and gets 2 off a crossbody. Kill Switch is avoided and ADR hits a backstabber. Christian registers another 2 count off a top rope hurricanrana. ADR avoids a Spear with a dropkick but then is hit with a Spear but nice touch as Christian can't capitalize and Del Rio gets the win via his Cross Armbreaker. ***1/2 - Solid WHC match that drew the fans in, just two pros doing there thing.

Miz chats to Maria Menounos. Fandango and Summer Raw dance again.

Brie Bella Vs. Natalya
 Not much of note until Brie Bella and Eva Marie pull away the apron so Natalya takes a hard looking fall. Sharpshooter is countered. Calgary Slam leads to another Sharpshooter as Natalya wins. *1/2 - Too short to mean anything really, if Divas aren't given time then what can they do?

Ryback bullies some guy in the back, nothing screams heel more than pouring soup on a kitchen guy.

No DQ - Brock Lesnar (w/ Paul Heyman) Vs. CM Punk
 We see clips of Heyman and Punk bigging each other up, looks like it's from Punks DVD. Maybe it's the NCAA/UFC history or just his size alone but no-one brings intensity and the feeling that something good's going to go down than Brock Lesnar. The power advantage is used by Brock from the off. Punk has Lesnar down with kicks, he goes to follow up with steps shots but Brock just runs at him. Punk has Heyman until Lesnar makes the save. Brock just throws Punk over the announce table, I'm loving this so far. Lesnar does a double stomp which I imagine is akin to Mario stomping a Goombah. Brock has been on top 95% of the time and that continues as he catches Punk on a crossbody and hits a fallaway slam. Punk channels his inner Tyson and bites Lesnar, Punk hits some corner knees but Lesnar avoids a third however he can't hit the F5. Punk hits his top rope elbow, GTS and F5 are both avoided. Lesnar counters the GTS to a Kimura but Punk counters it to a triangle but Brock breaks that with a powerbomb, i'm so drawn into this one that I was worried that Brock was going to tap out, can't remember the last time that happened. Punk hits a Foley elbow, with a chair, onto Brock for a 2 count. Brock attempts an F5 but Punk grabs Heyman so Brock can't do it. GTS is hit but Heyman breaks the pin. F5 is countered with a DDT onto a chair but it only gets 2, Anaconda Vice is applied then soon after Punk has it locked in on Heyman so Brock whacks him with a chair then an F5 onto a chair gets Lesnar the 3 count, Lesnar wins!! ****1/2 - 
Not enjoyed a match this much in a long time, I knew I was drawn in when I was worried Lesnar was going to lose. Fun seeing Lesnar just toss Punk around like a rag doll. Brilliant.

Ziggler/Kaitlyn Vs. AJ Lee/Big E
 AJ is Divas Champion. Big belly-to-belly by Big E. Abdominal stretch is applied, wait quick I must dust off my old joke, no one's tapped out to that move since 1961. AJ gets 2 as Kaitlyn strolls into a heel kick. Couple of neckbreakers by AJ then she skips around. Ziggler in and he's all over Big E, like how all NFL teams not named Tennessee are all over Jacksonville. Big E almost snaps Dolph in half with a corner charge. AJ is speared on the outside then Big E goes for the Big Ending but gets Zig Zagged for the 3 count. **1/2 - Good little match where nothing was bad.

Fandango dances around Miz again so he drops him. We go to the Superstar panel where Daniel Bryan is picked as the winner, wasn't the Rumble ending once changed when the winner was rightly predicted on TV or radio or something? HBK thanks Brock/Punk for their match.

WWE Title - Special Ref/ HHH - John Cena (c) Vs. Daniel Bryan 
 That Champ Is Here is one of the worst I've ever laid eyes on. Cenas left elbow is taped and there's the obligatory 'You Can't Wrestle' chant. Cena has Bryan on the mat but he monkey flips free. They trade pinning predicaments. Bryan avoids the AA but is knocked into announce table then suplexed off the ring steps. Cena hits a powerbomb as JBL says Cena said 'let's forget wrestling and fight' who the hell busts out a powerbomb in a fight? Bryan fires off some of his kicks but Cena ducks the last one and springs up hitting some of his moves of doom, part of the reason I dislike Cena. Bryan now aims kicks at the elbow, which makes sense. Bryan gets 2 off a bridged german. Bryan locks in his
Yes Lock/Crippler Crossface but of course Cena breaks it. The AA gets the Champion 2. Superplex by D-Bry but he stays on the ropes and hits the Diving Headbutt for a 2 count. Cena blocks a top rope hurricanrana then seems to spike Bryan off the top, that was dangerous. STFU is countered to Yes Lock. Bryan wins a slap off then a Running Knee gets Bryan a 3 count and the WWE Championship. **** - Don't get me wrong it was very good but I wasn't feeling it like I was the Brock/Punk match from start to finish, but still it was good though don't get me wrong, arguably SummerSlams top main event. 

Second SummerSlam HHH has called down the middle, he does Yes signals as well, then Ortons music hits HHH Pedigrees Bryan and Orton cashes in his MITB to become the new Champion as The Corporation 2.0 is born.

20.5 / 35 - My favourite SummerSlam may be 1998 or 2000 but this is arguably the best ever ringwise. Lesnar/Punk was absolutely fantastic, and the best I've seen in awhile, the WWE Championship is a very rewarding match as well and the World Heavyweight Title match was a solid and good match as well to round things off, rest was okay bar the opener. Go back to the 2 hour IYH PPVs and remove the opener and Diva match from the card and we get a score of 17.5 / 25 which would've pushed this to best ever rating category.
Thumbs way up for the best non-WrestleMania in a while.

SummerSlam 1999

 Mankind returns to PPV for the first time since May thanks to Stone Cold. Taker is trying to unleash Big Shows killer instinct whilst trying to earn Tag Gold on the way and Billy Gunn's heel run comes to a stuttering finish so by jove it must be SummerSlam 1999. This is the last 1999 review for me in terms of what I own as I don't have SVDM, Backlash or Survivor Series. Opening video is about special refs.

Jesse Ventura tells HHH the rules but he says he'll break them anyway.

European/IC Title - Jeff Jarrett (w/ Debra) Vs. D'Lo Brown (c)
 Debra leaves pre-match at Jarretts orders but D'Lo brings her back. D'Lo has both belts making him the first Eurocontinental Champion I believe (Jarrett and Angle are the only two I can think of that also did this). Hiptoss, forearm and powerslam as D'Lo is dominant. D'Lo Sky Highs a leaping D'Lo for a 2 count. Jarrett is now getting some offence at least until he is snake eyed when doing corner punches. D'Lo hits a running powerbomb, tilt-a-whirl slam and leg drop for a 2 count. Mark Henry comes out and disarms a guitar wielding Jarrett but swerves on D'Lo hitting him with the guitar and the ref counts 3 whilst conveniently ignoring the debris in the ring. On RAW the next night Jeff gave Mark Henry the European Title for his help here. (And he'd drop it back to D'Lo at Unforgiven)
**1/2 - It was okay, which is to be expected from these two, but could've done with more time.

Tag Team Turmoil - No.1 Contendership
Edge/Christian Vs. Hardyz (w/Gangrel)
 Hardyz are known as New Brood, props for imagination. Christian hits a splash poetry in motion on Matt then E&C hit a double hiptoss. Springboard moonsault gets Jeff 2 as Christian is being isolated. Swanton connects but Edge breaks the pin. Double reverse DDT allows Christian to tag Edge. Nice bit as Jeff runs the barricade so Edge runs the opposite one and Spears him mid-air. Christian elbows Matt for 3.
Edge/Christian Vs. Mideon/Viscera
 Not much happens then heel miscommunication leads to Edge Spearing Mideon for the 3 count.
Edge/Christian Vs. Droz/Albert
 Albert hits a nice torture rack neckbreaker. Downward Spiral gets 3 on Albert.
Edge/Christian Vs. Acolytes
 Bradshaw gets 2 off a powerbomb out of the corner. Edge has been isolated and pounded for awhile now. Spinebuster gets 2 with an arrogant cover. Edge hits a DDT and finally tags out. Clothesline From Hell to Christian ends E&Cs night.
Acolytes Vs. Holly's
 Crash is dominated. Holly's push each other then Hardcore is double shoulderblocked. Holly's soon fight again then Faarooq hits a Spinebuster for the 3 count and a Tag Title shot, I for some reason neglected to note which Holly got pinned though I assume Crash.
** - I did individual ratings for the matches and got 9 / 25 so I feel **'s fair overall though largely due to Hardyz/Edge & Christian as the rest weren't much cop.

Road Dogg comes out to challenge the winner of Snow/Bossman but he's interrupted by Jericho, thus making his debut appearance on PPV. Y2J rambles on
for what feels like a good half hour, Road Doggs response is simple and to the point 'Shut Up Bitch'


Hardcore Title - Al Snow Vs. Bossman
 Al Snow hides atop the entranceway and crossbodys Bossman. Road Dogg takes a mic and does commentary on the move, a novel concept. Usual Hardcore match stuff, Bossman uses a dog carrier as we're meant to believe Als dog Pepper was in there. Snow avoid the vending machine of doo. They go outside, be cool if KG shows up, they fight over the road outside a cafe. A man gets in the way as Teddy Long shouts get out of the way, of course Teddy Long of the 00s would've booked him as a Tag Partner of one of the participants. They're in a bar and get a Head chant. Soap to Bossmans eyes, then Snow smashes a bottle over Bossman. Snow moonsaults off the bar putting Bossman through a table. In a pool hall now where Road Dogg hits Bossman with his nightstick, Snow uses snookerballs into Bossmans own for the 3 count. ** - Generic 
WWF Hardcore match though I did love these as a kid now I don't really care for them as much as I did.

Ventura tells Mankind he can do what he wants but the pinfall must happen in the ring then Mankind asks Jesse a politics question.

Womens Title - Ivory (c) Vs. Tori
 Tori runs to the ring and a powerslam gets an early 2. Spinning elbow gets Ivory 2. Tori registers another 2 after a couple of suplexes and a dropkick. Powerbomb style german or something by Tori, that was nice whatever it was. Sunset flip by Tori then they do it again but this time Ivory sits on Tori for 3, something doesn't seem right to me.
*1/2 - The move by Tori but that was about it.

Rock decides to interview Michael Cole then himself. Now we see Billy Gunn with someone under a cover.

Lions Den - Steve Blackman Vs. Ken Shamrock
 I would call Ken Mr. SummerSlam gimmick after this and last year but I can't remember SummerSlam 1997, was he in the dog food match with Bulldog? Lions Den is akin
to the UFC Octagon but with weapons scattered around the top. Blackman has nunchaku in his pants, not a euphemism, and gets a couple shots on Ken. Blackman is soon thrown into the cage and a kick to the head has him down. Nice as Ken jumps onto the cage and hits a shoulderblock, then a back suplex. Steve does fire back with a DDT but he is powerslammed. Nagasaki assault by Steve, people who don't know older british wrestling may not get that word play to be fair. Ken ducks a kick then hits a belly-to-belly and gets in some kendo shots the last of which KOs Steve allowing Ken to climb out of the cage and get the W. ** - I wonder if Ken would fit into today's wrestling with his MMA style, or at least a younger than today's Ken Ken, I could picture him in say ROH. I read an interview recently where Ken said he'd come back but HHH doesn't want him there. I think I am right in my 
thinking that this is Kens last WWF PPV appearance, I can't picture him when I think of Unforgiven and certainly none after that.

No DQ - Love Her Or Leave Her - Shane McMahon Vs. Test
 Test was dating Stephanie but Shane didn't dig that so here we are. If Test wins then Shane accepts their relationship and gets over it whilst if Shane wins then Test/Steph must
split up. Shane did have a crew, the Mean Street Posse, but Test took them out one-by-one in the lead up, they're sat in the front row on a sofa tonight, going by Posse attire they
should be christened Greenwich 5-0. Shane is 2-0 on PPV in 99 so far, Test is 1-1?, I've got WrestleMania and I assume he was in Union/Ministry match at OTE unless he had night off.
Test tries to throw Shane into the corner but puts him short. Fighting in the crowd until Shane clotheslines Test back ringside. Shane is thrown into the Posse then Test KOs the three
of them so they attack him. Mailbox to the bonce. A picture of Shane, Posee is smashed over Tests head for a 2 count. Shane misses a corkscrew. Test gets a 2 count off a Powerbomb.
Ref bump as Chioda is booted, his head snaps off the bottom rope I'll be surprised if he's not hurt, why a ref bump in No DQ I cannot fathom. Shane debuts his elbow through announce
table bit. Heel Miscommunication as Pete hits Shane with a sign then The Stooges, Patterson and Brsico, come out to a pop and beat up Pete and Rodney, Joey Abs gets a chair
booted in his face. Pump Handle Slam and Big Elbow get Test the 3 count. ***1/2 - Overbooked to the hilt but that helped with a non-worker and relatively inexperienced Test, at least 
in a high card position. They worked their tails off and made this better than it had any right to be. Test's biggest year was 99 but was also wasted by the end as the Test/HHH/Steph was 
put aside and Vince placed in Tests place which is fair enough if at least done later, for me Test/HHH should've been the Armageddon match as you could of had the same ending and 
the sympathy for Test after Steph turned on him could have put him in a upper-mid card position for 2000 but that's fantasy booking. RIP Test.

WWF Tag Titles - X-Pac/Kane (c) Vs. Undertaker/Big Show (w/ Bearer)
 Kane and X-Pac were a fave tag team of mine, their two-pack is one of the first wrestling figures I purchased from Woolworths, RIP Woolys. Undertaker was trying to unlock
Shows killer instinct whist in the other corner X-Pac had made Kane 'human' with feelings. I feel I should note that around this time we were subjected to one of the worst RAW
promos ever when Undertaker goes on about him and Show going to the desert to unlock his killer instinct, was awful. Okay, okay the Kane/X-Pac theme mash up works now let
me remove my producer hat and put my review one back on. X-Pac crossbodys Taker for an early 2. Kane pummels his brother and X-Pac gets some digs in. Ha ha Taker tries to
chokeslam X-Pac on the outside but Kane lifts him out of his hand. Big Show comes in after Kane is DDTd and chokes Kane, aaahhhh KOTR 99 flashbacks quick pour water into
my eyes!!!! Powerslam gets Show 2. X-Pac and Taker are in now and one of them gets 2 off a heel kick, quick guess which one. Show gets shots in on X-Pac at ringside then throws
him back in over the top. In the ring X-Pac bites Show to break a bearhug so Show slams him. Kane beats on the challengers, Bronco Buster to Show but he responds with a
Chokeslam which only gets 2 due to a nonchalant pin attempt which annoys Deadman who tags himself in and Tombstones X-Pac for the 3 count and the belt. *** - I enjoyed it, loud 
crowd at times which helps. Surprisingly Undertaker had his working boots on tonight which undoubtedly helped the match. At the next PPV NAO were tag champions but I don't 
remember them beating UT/Show so there was I assume a real short reign for someone in between part of me thinks it was Acolytes but part of me thinks Rock & Sock due to the tag 
team buried alive or whatever it was, on SMACKDOWN! as Taker would shortly be gone from the WWF till May or 2004 if you ignore the American Badass era. 

Kiss My Ass Match - The Rock Vs. Billy Gunn
 Billy brings out an overweight lady and says Rock will kiss her ass after he loses tonight. Gunn attacks Rock as he enters, 'Rocky' chant. Rock has the upperhand as they fight by the
entrance way but back ringside he is whipped into the steps. By announce table Rock places Kings crown on Gunns head and hits him but Gunn responds with a ring bell shot and is
in control as they re-enter the ring. Corner splash by Gunn then Rock explodes out of the corner with a clothesline, Floatover DDT. Rock Bottom is avoided and Gunn hits a FameAsser,
Gunn calls the woman into the ring but it backfires as Rock rubs his face in her ass, Rock Bottom and Peoples Elbow get Rock 3 and sends Gunn back to the Tag Division. You know
I can't remember the reason given on TV for the sudden Outlaw reunion. **1/2 - It was okay for what it was and what it was was a Billy Gunn match. This was the end, or mercy killing, 
of the attempted heel push of Gunn stemming from the DX/Outlaw split going back at least May as I remember Gunn/Dogg at OTE. 

WWF Title - S/Ref Jesse Ventura - Stone Cold (c) Vs. HHH Vs. Mankind
 Okay deep breath - Chyna beat HHH and Taker in a triple threat to earn a WWF Title shot here then she successfully defended that shot Vs. HHH however she then lost to Mankind
who was making his return since being out since May. Shane McMahon made HHH/Mankind but that ended in a draw. by double pin. Jesse is special ref as the event is in Minn, he
also reffed at Summerslam 1988. Big pop for Austin, he has that stupid smoking skull belt. Early teamwork by Austin, Mankind but it ends when Mankind hugs then goes for a handshake so Austin punches him. Fighting in the aisle way, Chyna throws Mankind into the ringpost. HHH uses a chair on Austins knee then Jesse asks the crowd if HHH used a chair. Chyna is ejected after she breaks a Mandible Claw on HHH. Unlikely team up now as HHH and Mankind stomp Austin then HHH applies a spinning toe hold as Mankind leg drops him. We get the fighting in the crowd which I think was written into every performers contract in 99 as a requirement. Austin slingshots HHH into Mankind to avoid a Pedigree. Stunner to Mankind but HHH breaks the pin with a chair then hits Mankind with it but Jesse refuses to count the pin as a chair was used, kind of call back to earlier in the show. Shane McMahon comes out but is Stunnered and Ventura throws him out of the ring 'that's for your old man you little bastard'. Sockos here, you know i'm surprised Mick never dressed him in sports gear as Mick loved a cheap pop, double Mandible Claw. Challengers are noggin knockered, Stunner to HHH, Mankind is thrown into turnbuckle. Austin gets Pedigreed but Mankind hits HHH and Double Arm DDTs Austin for the 3, yes people Austin lost clean!!!! Post match HHH attacks Austins knee with a chair and he didn't wrestle again until No Mercy if I remember right. On the RAW following this PPV HHH won the WWF Title, you see Austin refused to put over HHH but didn't mind Mankind getting a caretaker reign of one day, what a guy, this may be a rumour but I firmly believe it. ****- Enjoyed this more than I remembered for the first time around, I think in 2000 on VHS. 

23 / 45 - This is actually a pretty solid SummerSlam and one that I think flies under the radar. It's remembered as a one match show generally, the Test/Shane match, but for me the 
main event and the tag title match are good rewarding matches as well, the rest ranged from fair to poor but overall I'd say give this shot and like a PPV should it gets better as it 
goes up the card and peaks at the finish. 
Thumbs Up.

Break Down: IYH

- The 24th IYH event.

- September 27th, 1998 from Hamilton, Ontario
- Attendance: 17,405
- Buyrate/Buys: 0.86 (315,256 buys)

- Opening video is about Austin/Vince.

Edge Vs. Owen Hart
 Calgary Vs. Toronto. Wrist locks are traded then Edge lands on his feet from a monkey flip and dropkicks Owen. Edge on top until he jumps into a powerslam. Owen gets 2 off a belly-to-belly. Victory roll and counter gets both guys a 2 count. Owen is caught up top allowing Edge to hit an inverted electric chair. Edge avoids the Sharpshooter but is distracted by a guy at ringside, he who would be known as Christian, and Owen pins Edge at 9:15ish. *** - Enjoyable solid opener which was a boost for Edge as despite the loss he was given a fair amount of offence despite being a WWF 'Rookie'.

Too Much Vs. Al Snow/Too Cold Scorpio
 ''Head' chant, as you may know Too Much are better known as Too Cool. Fallaway Pump Handle Slam by Scott(y) as JR drops his first King/Brian hint. Al does his underhook headbutts. Al does a chair assisted poetry in motion to Too Much then TCS goes to but slips in doing so and barely makes contact. Brian takes out TCS with a suplex on the outside and TCS is now playing face-in-peril. Al hits Too Much and TCS with Head and the ref seems to forget who's legal. Al beats Scott with the Snow Plow at 9ish. ** 

Undertaker says he and Kane have come to an understanding.

Marc Mero (w/ Jacqueline) Vs. Droz
 Mero bails ringside after Droz turns the tables. Quick but nothing of note really happening. Powerslam by Droz but Jacqueline puts Mero's foot on the ropes. Jacqueline gets her nose in again hitting Droz with a heel allowing Mero to hit Marvelocity for the 3 at 5:17ish. ** The quick pace was appreciated as I hate matches which have multiple chin locks to waste time.

Vader Vs. Bradshaw
 Anything goes, Vaders last WWF PPV appearance. Bradshaw is mainly on top for the first part, he punches the ring post at one point allowing Vader to fight back.  Match is mainly stiff punches and clotheslines. Vader Bomb gets a 2 count. Bradshaw wins with a neckbreaker. ** - Vader was a monster in Japan, WCW and at one time a headliner in the Federation so this should've been a stature enhancer for Bradshaw but it wasn't, Vader didn't seem to care about the match. The fact one of these guys went on to hold the WWE Title for nearly a year and it isn't Vader is amazing.

D-Lo Brown Vs. Gangrel
 D-Lo lost the Euro gold on the RAW prior to X-Pac. Double underhook suplex followed by a couple of elbows gets Gangrel a 2 count. D-Lo busts out the head bobble. Running powerbomb gets D-Lo a 2 count, do people do that move anymore? Trash talk by Mr. Brown, recently caught Reservoir Dogs for the first time and I think it's cracked My Top 7,  and Gangrel fights back. JR mentions Capital Carnage here's my review (http://july-dec-reviews.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/wwf-capital-carnage.html). Gangrel goes to hotshot D-Lo but he doesn't hit the ropes right. Lawler points out a fan in a Hulkamania shirt and says its proof how far behind the times Canada is, I respect that burn. Mark Henry interferes and D-Lo finishes it with Sky High, 8:05. *1/2

We see Undertaker and Kane attacking Ken Shamrock, The Rock and Mankind on RAW is WAR.

Steel (Blue) Cage - No. 1 Contendership - The Rock Vs. Ken Shamrock Vs. Mankind
 All three cut promos pre-match, Mankind's being the best, he buries the People's Elbow. Rock gets a pop. Mankind tries to sneak out as Rock and Ken fight. The match does a two fight one sells deal. Double abdominal stretch. We almost get Rock 'n' Sock a year early but Rock turns on Mankind. Ken almost gets out the door but he is beaten down to cheers and again it ends when Rock turns on Mankind. Rock is beaten down by Mankind and Ken to boos. Crowd pop wild for a move I don't think i've seen since a Double Peoples Elbow, Hamilton loves Rocky. Rock Bottom on Mankind for 2, I was hoping for a double Rock bottom, Mankind breaks am Ankle Lock on Rock. Mankind heads to the top of the cage but misses his elbow drop as Rock moves. Mankind hits Ken with a chair then goes to climb out but Rock takes the smart route and simply pins Ken as Mankind climbs down, Rock wins. ***1/2 - Crowd loved Rock. Constant movement in an enjoyable match, two months later Rock would win the WWF Title though not with fan approval.

Val Venis Vs. Dustin Runnels
 Dustin was doing a preacher gimmick, Val was a X-Rated movie star and one of his movies starred Dustins wife Terri. Spinebuster by Val but Dustin fires back with a facebuster and powerbomb. Val does his knees into a russian legsweep bit. Dustin eventually stops Vals onslaught hitting a DDT for 2. Both are up top and Val dumps Dustin to ringside. Val ends up getting the win via The Money Shot. ** - Match was just okay but unfortunately the crowd didn't rise to the occasion. The Goldust gimmick would be brought back soon after.

Jeff Jarrett/Southern Justice Vs. X-Pac/NAO
 NAO are Tag Champions and X-Pac holds the European Title. Faces clear the ring. Road Dogg as he did in NAO tags plays face-in-peril. X-Pac in and he does well until he is slammed down by Mark Canterbury. Dennis Knight aka Mideon gets 2 on X-Pac as Mr. Pac is now face-in-peril. Jarrett applies a sleeper but X-Pacs arm doesn't fall on the third ref check. Billy Gunn in and he cleans house, X-Pac Broncos Jarrett who responds by hitting X-Pac with a guitar. Fame Asser to Knight ends it. ** - Had what I like in terms of tag psychology but wasn't particularly engaging. Adequate if forgettable filler. 

WWF Title - Stone Cold (c) Vs. Undertaker Vs. Kane
 Taker and Kane are not aloud to pin or submit the other, basically this is a handicap match thinly disguised as a three way. Austin attacks with a chair during Takers entrance. Kane is taken out early with a Stunner giving us Taker/Austin for a bit. Austin has used divide and conquer strategy so far. The Stooges, with Slaughter, come out and watch as the Brother's are in control. Nothing much beyond punches but things do finally get interesting when Kane stops UT pinning Austin after a chair shot then they do it the other way around. Austin and Kane attack Deadman, these two would have an alliance if you can call it that later in the year as well when they dumped Bearer down a manhole. Match ends when UT and Kane both Chokeslam Austin then do a double pin and the belt is vacant. Vince is driven away whilst taunting Austin with the belt. * - The match really dragged due to it being boring and to add insult to injury there's no clear winner, no clear winner the next month either (http://july-dec-reviews.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/iyh-25-judgment-day.html)as only at Survivor Series (http://july-dec-reviews.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/survivor-series-1998.html) did we get a WWF Champion. 

19 / 45  - Most of the undercard was average but by 1998 standards that's pretty good. The two best matches were Owen/Edge and the Cage 3-Way though the main does end the show on a sour note. Fans were loving Rocky tonight.  Thumbs in the Middle.

Survivor Series 1992

- November 25th, 1992 from Richmond Township, Ohio
Attendance:17,500
Buyrate: 1.4

Slick rambles on about something.

High Energy Vs. Headshrinkers (w/ Afa)
 Vince McMahon and Bobby Heenan on commentary. High Energy are Owen Hart and Koko B. Ware whilst Fatu and Samu are the others, Fatu is better known as Rikishi. Koko stomps Fatus bare feet but the tide turns when Afa gets a cheapshot in. Owen tries to get a 'Koko' chant going I respond by shouting pops, my non-Brit brethren may not get that reference as I am unsure if Coco Pops are a worldwide brand. Vulcan Death Grip to Koko. Face-In-Peril is tonight being played by Mr. Koko B. Ware as he is hit with a thrust kick and a headbutt. Owen gets the tag but also takes the loss from a Fatu top rope splash. - ** Had the tag psychology which I always approve of, fun little opener but nothing more.

Bossman cuts a promo, Nailz responds, if you haven't seen Nailz he resembles the brother from My Name Is Earl and I think his head may explode during his promo then Bossman responds to Nails promo.

Nightstick On A Pole Match - Bossman Vs. Nailz
 I think Nailz is a criminal who Bossman put away. Nailz goes for the nightstick early but is stopped. Bossman is thrown off the top a la Flair when he goes for the stick. Chinlock applied but Bossman fights out then misses a splash. Bossman gets the stick to a pop and lamps Nailz but 10 seconds later he's okay and has the nightstick but Bossman ducks one of the shots and hits Bossman Slam for the 3 count. *1/2

Interview block time as Tatanka tells Alfred Hayes that he will take back what's his from Rick Martel. Okerlund is with Naitch and Razor as we are shown Perfects face turn on Heenan and Flair, Warrior was meant to team with Randy but left so Perfect had to do a quick turn. I liked the Flair, Razor promo.

'The Model' Rick Martel Vs. Tatanka
 Name drop time I met Tatanka at Wales Comic Con 2014 also Foam Tomahawks for the win! Back body drop and two dropkicks sends Martel ringside. Tatanka is hot shotted and choked by Rick but soon suplexes out of a front facelock. Doink The Clown comes down the aisle making animal balloons. Neckbreaker gets Martel 2 then he applies another front facelock. He's Tatankaring up, hip toss countered to a backslide gets him 2. Brain chop, scoop slam, brain chop from the top then a samoan drop gets Tatanka the 3 count. *1/2 - At least it makes sense story wise in that the wronged face gets his revenge as Tatanka gets his eagle feather back. 

Sean Mooney is with Perfect and Savage.

Ric Flair/Razor Ramon Vs. Randy Savage/Mr. Perfect
 Perfects first PPV match since SummerSlam 1991. Henning's on top of the heels, Flair does Flair Flip where Randy then punches him. Savage is now being isolated as heels are wearing him down, we get the good old double team abdominal stretch and the good old classic heel no tag clap bit as Heenan claims if you're close enough you don't need to tag. Savage is bleeding. Heels have used about 100 heel tricks so far. Savage throws Naitch when he heads up top, will Naitch ever learn? Perfect tags in and ringside Flair hits Savage with a chair and Savage takes a slightly daft if funny bump from that, a lesser version of Halls Stunner bump from Mania 18. Perfect avoids the Razors Edge and gets 2 from Perfect-Plex. Ramon and Flair attack Perfect as ref calls for the bell and The Perfect Team gets the win via DQ. *** - Enjoyable and a good match however it falls into the same category as HBK/Perfect from SummerSlam '93 in that it doesn't reach my admittedly lofty expectations, though this is miles better than the SummerSlam '93 match.

Gene catches up with an angry Flair and Ramon.

Yokozuna Vs. Virgil 
 WWF equivalent of Goro Vs. Art Lean, Yoko would've been a great 80s fodder for Hulkamania. Just an orange match here, at one point Virgil goes to roll up Yoko who sits on him, that looked like it hurt. Bonzai Drop gets the 3 count. UNR as it's a SQUASH.

Sean Mooney is with Savage and Perfect.

Beverly Brothers/Money Inc. (w/ Jimmy Hart) Vs. Nasty Boys/Natural Disasters
 At the '91 Survivor Series the faces here were heel, Nastys teamed w/ Beverleys and Natural Disasters teamed w/ IRS, by the by in case you didn't know IRS is the dad of Bray Wyatt and Bo Dallas. First and only Survivor Series style match tonight and the all Tag format was phased out. Money Inc, are Tag Champions. IRS says the crowd don't pay their taxes this being Ohio they probably don't - Clough 579 - Ohio 0. Blake Beverly struts then Typhoon does it. The Disasters squash the Beverlys. Vince doesn't seem to know the name of Pump Handle Slam. Saggs plays face-in-peril and Blake Beverly gets 2 from a neckbreaker. Earthquake makes the tag and everyone starts fighting. Turns out we have the rule where when someone loses a fall their partner is gone too as Earthquake Splashes Blake for 3 (2-4) and Beau has to leave as well. I think IRS has only applied chinlock variations tonight. Typhoon, and thus Earthquake, is eliminated when Ted DiBiase trips Typhoon and IRS pins him (2-2) then as IRS celebrates Jerry Sags rolls him up for the 3 count as Nasty Boys are your survivors (0-2). *1/2 - Rather boring for my liking.

Alfred Hayes checks on Virgil who says he'll worn Bret about Yokozuna, foreshadowing WrestleMania are we? that last sentence in my head was spoken in Boyle's insinuating voice.

Casket Match - Undertaker (w/ Bearer) Vs. Kamala (w/ Wippleman and Kim Chee)
 We see Undertaker making a special casket for Kamala, the story is Kamala is afraid of caskets. UT no sells then does his rope walk, which for 1992 I believe should be known as new school or even pre-school. Kamala gets shots in which sends UT ringside. Back in Kamala hits three scoop slams but UT sits up after the first two then fails to on the last one and is splashed three times. Bearer is tripped on the apron and drops the urn but Kamala doesn't want it allowing Taker to hit him with it and pin him? After the 3 count Kamala is rolled into the casket then nails it shut, this is literally the final nail in the coffin of their feud. * The match was deadly .... deadly boring that is, uh recycling my own material, maybe I should retire. 

Shawn Michaels is with Sean Mooney and says that he beat Bulldog who had already beaten Bret at SummerSlam, says he'll beat Bret tonight.

Backstage Wippleman is shouting at Kim Chee then the casket is opened and Kamala is shaking.

WWF Title - Bret Hart (c) Vs. Shawn Michaels 
 We have Sherri's version of HBK's theme, HBK is IC Champion. Gene catches up with Bret pre-match. The champion is working the arm, Michaels applies a hammerlock but Bret uses momentum to send him ringside. Bret works the arm again after he gets 2 off a sunset flip, the psychology of Bret's matches, at least in WWF, were very good but he could be quite boring at times. Shawn registers a 2 count after Bret does his chest corner bump bit. There's been quite a few rest holds so far, Bret breaks out of a chinlock but runs into a dropkick. HBK applies another chinlock as I question weather I've put in WM 12 by mistake. Bret hits bulldog but misses an elbow/forearm and Shawn applies a front face lock. Side russian leg sweep and an elbow both get 2 counts as all we need for the Hitman checklist now is a backbreaker and Sharpshooter. Superplex gets the champion another 2 count. Ref is sandwiched in the corner. Sweet Chin Music, not yet what it would become, connects. HBK is tied in the ropes ala Andre but moves when Bret charges at him. Shawn jumps off the top but Bret blocks it and applies the Sharpshooter for the win. ***1/2 - The rest holds did annoy me as there was quite a few, did get better as it went on which I suppose all matches should do instead of getting a big pop early and a silent finish. Better than the 'Mania 12 match.

14 / 35 - The main event is good but the rest is pretty bad or boring or in the tag case disappointing. If the main was a *****er then yes have a ganders but can't recommend this PPV on one ***1/2 match. Thumbs down. 

Survivor Series 1998

- St. Louis, Missouri. November 15th 1998.
- Attendance: 21,779
- Buys: 478,000. (Found online as always could be debateable)

 Video is about people hoping to be Champion. Heading into this PPV Rock was building momentum as face but Vince had a problem with the people therefore he had a problem with the Peoples Champion. The thing going in is that Mankind is being handpicked and therefore given an easy ride in the Deadly Games tourney, also Taker/Kane go straight to the 1/4 finals.

1st Round - Mankind Vs. Duane Gill
 Some thought HBK would be Mankind's opponent here. Mankind is Hardcore Champion and wrestling in a tux to prove he's title material, I love things like that. Duane's pyro scares him. Double Arm DDT and Mankind wins with an amateur style pin. UNR as under 3 minutes.

Jacqueline attacked Sable on HeAt and Sable tells Kevin Kelly that she'll win tonight, you know I always thought WWE missed a trick by not saying Kevin was Kelly Kelly's dad.

1st Round - Jeff Jarrett Vs. Al Snow
 Winner faces Mankind. Springboard leg drop by Snow but soon Jeff's on top. Snow does Flair Flip then hits a clothesline but soon misses a top rope leg drop. Jarrett gets 2 off a dropkick. DDT gets Snow 2 after he counters a spinebuster. Al hits Jeff with Head for the 3 count. *1/2 - Not much time to do much but nothing was bad about it necessarily.

1st Round - Stone Cold Vs. Bossman
 JR asks if Bossman is here to win or injure Austin. Austin was fired at Judgment Day but Shane McMahon gave him a new 5 year deal, funnily enough 2003 would host his last match. Match starts ringside, Thesz Press and elbow gets a 2 count. A low blow gives Bossman some offence. Nightstick assault on Austin gets the DQ. *1/2 - Didn't do much, at one point we had a chinlock, which in review world is unforgivable in a match this short.

1st Round - X-Pac Vs. Steven Regal
 Steven's Mans Man theme is legendary. X-Pac is European Champion. Regal attacked X-Pac on RAW as he doesn't feel an American should be European Champion. Back suplex gets Pac an early 2 as do a few leg drops. Regal rolls through a roll up and catapults X-Pac across the ring. Gutwrench gets Regal a 2 count then X-Pac gets out of a headscissors on the mat and applies a cloverleaf variation, Minneapolis Cloverleaf maybe? Double underhook off the top gets Regal a 2 count. Real poor ending as they get counted out fighting ringside and Slaughter gets an overtime period however X-Pac walks out and Regal chases him. This gives Austin a bye. ** - Docked for stupid ending, this was best match so far but as this is 1998 and they actually *gasp* wrestled, wrestling in 1998?! The crowd didn't like it. St. Louis was an NWA hot bed at one time, how times change.

1st Round - Ken Shamrock Vs. Goldust
 Ken is IC Champion. JR notes that Ken has had tournament success - IC, KOTR and UFC. Ken has the advantage to start and ducks a clothesline but Goldust connects on another. Ken has been on top 95% of the time so far. ken avoids a powerbomb but is bulldogged not long after. Shattered Dreams is signalled but Jimmy Korderas blocks it. Ken leaps off the top for a hurricanrana which he hits but spikes himself, i'd be surprised if he's not hurt from that. Ankle Lock gets the win for Ken. **

1st Round - The Rock Vs. Bossman
 HHH was meant to have his big return here. Stooges come out to HHH's music doing crotch chops. Pop for Rock. Bossman replaces HHH and is pinned straight away by a Small Package. UNR

1/4 Final - Undertaker (w/ Paul Bearer) Vs. Kane
 Quarter Finals are now underway. Their match at Judgment Day the month prior got *1/2 from me, hopefully this does better. JR points out Kane debuted in this arena. They trade corner punches. Taker does his clothesline to outside but lands on his feet bit. Kane misses an elbow as Deadman sits up. Taker repeats his JD strategy of working the knee. Kane gets the first 2 on the board with a top rope clothesline. Undertaker gets the win via Tombstone. *1/2 - Same score as their Judgment Day match and yet again they can't top the 'Mania 14 match.

1/4 Final Match - Mankind Vs. Al Snow
 These two would be Tag Team Champions if I remember rightly. Mankind is still in his tux, winner faces Stone Cold. Snow starts the match better and sends Mankind through the ropes with a dropkick. A chair is put into play and neither is DQd, Snow hit Mankind with it and you'd think Vince would demand a DQ to help Mankind. Enziguri by Snow. Backstage it's revealed Vince put Socko on Head, which Mankind discovers after he suplexes Snow. he punches Head. Sitout powerbomb gets Al a 2 count. Double Arm DDT and Mandible Claw gets Mankind the win. ** - Match was meh but I enjoyed the story of Socko being hidden so Mankind would find it and beat Snow. 

1/4 Final - Ken Shamrock Vs. The Rock
 These two feuded for a lot of 1998. Winner gets the Deadman. Shamrock dodges a corner charge and gets some kicks in. Rock explodes out of the corner with a clothesline. Ken is on top of the match which had spilled ringside and is now in. Bossman in the house!!!!!!, well the arena. Ken applies the Ankle Lock but Rock gets a rope break. Floatover DDT and People's Elbow gets a 2 count. Bossman tosses his nightstick to Ken but Rock catches it and KOs Ken for the 3 count, man Bossman's been more help than hinderance to Rocky tonight. *** - Feeling generous after the rest of the card and to be fair this is the best match so far. 

Paul Bearer says the only Rock Deadman likes is the granite he writes his victims names on.

Womens Title - Sable Vs. Jacqueline (c) W/ Marc Mero)
 Shane McMahon is ref as Vince wanted to punish and demean him for rehiring Austin. Two notable things Sable Sable Bombs Mero and then Jacqueline suffers the same fate as Sable regains the Title. *1/2 - Didn't care for this at all but Mero's tash ruled, also let me go on record and say that for me Mero is under rated.

Semi-Final - Mankind Vs. Stone Cold
 Austin removes Mankind's suit jacket, giving us the look that Mankind would use for the rest of his career until Cactus' rebirth in 2000. Vince McMahon is wheeled out. Austin starts the better then Mankind goes ringside to avoid the Stunner and gets assuring words from the Stooges. Austin hits a triple noggin knocker. Austin stomps a mudhole. Mankind gets a chair but it's booted back in his face. Double Arm DDT on said chair gets a 2 count. Stunner but Vince gets out of his wheelchair to KO Chioda. Mankind's dress pants are down and there's his brown tights. Mandible Claw is countered with a Stunner but Shane McMahon stops his count at 2 thus screwing Stone Cold and showing that he was with Vince all along. Gerald Brisco hits Austin with a chair for 3. Read in Foleys book that Bossman was meant to deliver the chair shot originally. ***`/1 2 - Well this surpassed Rock/Ken as MOTN so far, amazing what a lively crowd can do. One more piece of the Corporate puzzle was completed as well with Shane screwing Austin. 

Semi-Final - The Rock Vs. Undertaker
 I've seen a handful of Rock/Taker matches and they've not been very good as they don't seem to gel well. Rock starts quick but after a clothesline Taker is on top, this lasts for a bit bar the odd Rock move. Rock gets tied in ropes ala Andre then back drops Taker ringside where they fight through the crowd, one of the things I don't miss from Attitude Era. When they re-enter the ring Taker again takes control but misses a corner splash. Samoan drop, here's Bossman who Rock trash talks after he DDTs Taker. People's Elbow is stopped by Bossman and Taker shows his appreciation by dropping Bossman. Kane comes out and Chokeslams Rock thus making Taker lose via DQ. *1/2 - Not very good, these two just didn't click together in the ring.

WWF Tag Titles - NAO (c) Vs. D-Lo/Mark Henry Vs. Headbangers
 Three people in at any one time. D-Lo heel kicks Gunn but Mosh tries to steal the pin. Outlaws do a simultaneous 10 corner punch on the former Nation members. Dogg plays face-in-peril then goes ringside where Billy Gunn shows what a great partner he is by rolling Road Dogg back in the ring where he gets beaten on again. Mosh gets 2 on D-Lo by rolling through a powerbomb. Billy gets the tag and cleans house until he is Sky Highed. Gunn mercifully ends it by piledrivering Mosh. *1/2 - Pretty bad I must say. This PPV is almost on par with some of WCWs though the fact there was a ***er does hoist it above that level.

WWF Title - The Rock Vs. Mankind
 King says you'll get all of this PPV, a thinly veiled, if at all veiled, shot at WCW there. Fighting in the aisle and around ringside. Mankind applies a chinlock for a while as Vince and Shane come ringside. Fighting ringside again as Foley is kind of suplexed over the barricade then back dropped back over. Back in then ringside again due to Cactus Clothesline, Mankind tries to use ring steps but Rock blocks with a chair then Foley gets cracked over the bonce which gets Rock 2 when he rolls him back in the ring. Cactus Elbow connects as again they're ringside. Back in a chinlock is applied. Mankind leaps from the middle rope and crashes through announce table, which is more than can be said for his effort at 'Mania 16. Peoples Elbow gets a 2 count. Socko's here after a Double Arm DDT but a Rock Bottom eventually breaks it. Rock stares at McMahons then raises his eyebrow, Sharpshooter is applied as McMahon calls for the bell, St. Louis Screwjob. Rock becomes the Corporate Champion, which on a personal note is one of my fave personas. Vince states a hatred for Stone Cold bought them together, because everything of course has to revolve around Austin at the top of the card. Mankind says he didn't quit so Rock beats him down here comes Austin to clean house. ** - 95% was fought around ringside and I didn't like it as much as other Mankind/Rock encounters but at least we have Corporate Rock. The next PPV Rock Bottom featured Mankind/Rock again and had a worse ending than this one - http://july-dec-reviews.blogspot.com/2014/03/iyh-26-rock-bottom.html. 

23.5 / 60 - Not very good at all even with a couple of ***s. Ken/Rock was okay and Austin/Mankind was boosted by the crowd but by god the rest were pretty bad in general.All the pieces throughout the show make sense in the end as Bossman wasn't screwing up at all, and Kane would join Corporation now did he screw Taker to help Rock? Or was that due to him not liking Taker anyway? Thumbs down for Survivor Series 1998.

Survivor Series 1991

- November 27th, Detroit Michigan
- Attendance: 17,500

- Never seen this show which makes me exited to watch it, bought this and SS 92 in the Tagged Classics set.

We are shown the famous snake bite angle with Savage and Jake from Superstars. Then we see Jack Tunney booking the Savage/Jake match for 'This Tuesday In Texas', in fact T.T.I.T is mentioned throughout the show giving this Survivor Series almost a TV show feel as they push the next PPV.

Ted DiBiase/Mountie/Warlord/Flair (w/ Sherri) Vs. Bret Hart/Virgil/Roddy Piper/Bulldog
 Gorilla and Bobby Heenan handle announcing for the night. Heenan on Bulldog 'Million dollar body, 10 cents mind with Whoopi Goldberg hair'. Piper, who the fans are real hot for, kisses Sherri when she interferes and now Ted is taking a pasting from the faces. Bret misses a corner charge then trades near falls with Bret. Big heat for Naitch when he tags in but soon finds himself in trouble, Flair Flop. Bulldog has the heels down but then Flair attacks him after he slams Mountie and Bulldog is pinned (4-3). Piper applies Figure Four after Naitch misses a knee drop, Ted breaks it up as now Piper has been isolated. Virgil is in and attacked at ringside but Bret puts him back in so he doesn't get counted out. Warlord is eliminated via Bret Hart (3-3) after he comes off the top hitting him for the 3 count. We get a real lame ending, lame enough that I'm using the lame word that is lame, as they all start fighting and get DQd bar Flair who was outside the ring. 5 DQs in one go sheesh talk about a power trip. ***1/2 - The ending gives this match a ceiling it simply can not break and although I really enjoyed what we got and the crowd were hot I can't go over ***1/2 with that ending.

Bobby Heenan rings Mr. Perfect from the announce booth as we cut to Mean Gene who brings out Randy Savage to a pop and to try and pop the This Tuesday In Texas PPV, he says all he could hear was Liz crying and that's worse than anything Jake could do.

Col. Mustafa/Berzerker/Skinner/Hercules Vs. Duggan/Slaughter/Kerry Von Erich/Santana
 Tidbit time - I recently met Jim Duggan. Mustafa is Iron Shiek. 'USA' chant. Tito Santana hits a flying forearm sending Skinner ringside. Mustafa is clotheslined and pinned (3-4). 'USA' chant. Santana tags in despite the fact he's halfway down the apron and not in his corner. Fist drop kind of move eliminates Hercules (2-4) Tito is being isolated. Slaughter blind tags in and rolls up Skinner for 3 (1-4). Will the faces get the clean sweep? Of course as Duggan clothesline Berzerker for the clean sweep (0-4). *1/2 - Not very good but there was almost an innocent and enjoyable for kids feel to it which I guess fits the early 90s WWF, as a match based on my enjoyment though it didn't really do it for me as a kid though i'd of probably loved the characters.

Mean Gene talks to Jake who has the least threatening wooly jumper on i've ever seen, imagine Brock coming out these days in that! He says it's him not the snake people should be afraid of.
.
We see Flair and Taker attacking Hogan during the Funeral Parlour.

The Gravest Challenge - WWF Championship - Hulk Hogan (c) Vs. Undertaker (W/ Bearer)
 Pop for Hulk. Shoulder block by Deadman so Hulk bails ringside. If you've seen any Deadman match pre 1996 then you can probably guess how this is going. Hulk gets some shots in after Deadman misses an elbow, then he clotheslines him over the top but UT lands on his feet and is soon choking Hogan with a cord. Hulk fights back after UT had him in a chokehold for what felt like an eternity but UT hits his flying forearm. Tombstone is no sold, here's Naitch but Hulk hits him. Big Boot by Hulk but Bearer stops the leg drop. Flair places a chair in the ring and UT Tombstones Hulk on it for the 3 count and a 6 day title reign but the most interesting part is that UT got a pop for winning. *1/2 - Match was real basic as Hogan's schtick was getting old and Undertaker's matches were deadly .... deadly boring that is pre-Mick Foley. Their match was basically null and void at T.T.I.T as Hogan used ashes which led to the 92 Rumble where Flair won the vacant Championship.

Piper and Flair cut generally unintelligible promos then the six guys involved in the main event do as well.

Beverly Brothers/Nasty Boys Vs. Bushwhackers/Rockers
 Bobby on Rockers 'Laverne and Shirley'. Bushwhackers dominate the Beverleys and then the Nasties, it's BushwhackerMania! Marty joins in the Bushwhacker walk as heels regroup ringside. Knobbs eliminates Bushwhacker Luke with a top rope clothesline (4-3), everyone seems to of been eliminated with a top rope move tonight. Shawn gets a 2 off a crossbody on Saggs, T.T.I.T is pushed again it's almost as if Survivor Series was an irritation, a PPV they simply had to do to get to T.T.I.T. Marty plays face-in-peril then Super kicks a Beverly for 2. Butch is eliminated via a Spike Flapjack kind of move (4-2). Michaels is being worn down but eliminates a Beau of the Beverly Brothers via a a backslide (3-2). Sweet Chin Music, before it became the big move, to Knobbs at ringside. Marty plays face-in-peril again, Marty goes to slam Saggs but knocks him into Michaels who is then rolled up by Knobbs for the 3 count (3-1) and starts the dissention between the two as Michaels isn't happy with Jannetty. Marty is pinning Saggs but Knobbs turns it and Saggs pins Jannetty for the 3 count (3-0). ** - It was okay at best. We got the seeds for The Rockers split but the heat segments didn't always work in the match.

Typhoon/Earthquake/IRS Vs. Legion Of Doom/Big Bossman
 Forgot how great if slightly cheesy Bossman's theme was. Legion Of Doom get a pop as did Bossman, LOD are Tag Champions. Bobby on Detroit 'One thing I love most about Detroit, it has an airport and I get out of here in the morning'. Earthquake catches Animal and hits a backbreaker but misses a splash. Typhoon is pummelled in the corner. T.T.I.T is pushed again. IRS eliminates Bossman with a briefcase shot (3-2). Earthquake gets 2 off Animal from a belly-to-belly. Heel miscommunication as IRS hits Typhoon with the briefcase and Hawk pins him (2-2) then Earthquake leaves as he's annoyed with IRS. (1-2), there's a bit gone wrong as IRS and Hawk simply belly bounce each other. Hawk gets 3 from a top rope clothesline. *1/2 - Not a good end to a PPV fittingly that isn't very good as a whole. I get having an LOD win to send fans home happy but title match should've gone last as for the match itself it as stated wasn't very good, Hawk in particular seemed to be having an off night. 

Gene interviews Undertaker to end the show, I must say I laughed as Undertaker calls him Mr. Okerlund, nice to see this Deadman was raised with manners.

10 / 25 - Great opener bar the ending but the bottom falls out of this PPV from there, I actually though I was going to get my first single digiter here but it manages to avoid that milestone. The problem with reviewing PPVs is that I look at things from a workrate stand point predominantly which kind of takes away from matches which aren't very good but are enjoya based on characters involved. Thumbs down.