IYH 25: Judgment Day

- Rosemont, Illinois. October 18th 1998
- Attendance: 18,151
- Buyrate: 0.80 (Found online could be wrong)

 This review is off YouTube as it is one of the 1998 PPVs I don't have on DVD. At Breakdown Vince finally got the WWF Title off Austin as Taker and Kane both pinned him at the same time thus we have a vacant title but tonight Undertaker faces Kane for it with Austin as special ref, if he doesn't count a fall he will be fired. Also it's not a typo as yes the first Judgment Day was an October PPV.

Al Snow (w/ Head) vs. Marc Mero (w/ Jacqueline)
 These two also wrestled at IYH 13:Final Four, if I remember right that got **1/2. Fans dig Al or at least Head. Jeff Jarrett comes out and wants a piece of Al but then he leaves rendering that moot. Mero starts better then recoils when he's near head, Al gets 2 off a clothesline. Mero hits some boxing punches as Deadman looks on in the back making notes. Snow does some dodging then hits a DDT and a moonsault. Jacqueline distracts Al so Mero low blows him and gets 2 off a DDT. Al fires some moves off - underhook headbutts, enziguri and a sit out powerbomb but misses a moonsault. Meros hit his own offence since Snow missed the moonsault, speaking of missing he misses Marvelocity (Shooting Star Press) then Snow avoids TKO and hits Snow Plow for 3. **1/2 - Solid but unspectacular, I've always thought Snow was underrated as a wrestler.

We see Austin arriving on HeAT but The Stooges make him change in the refs locker room.

DOA/ Paul Ellering Vs. LOD 2000 (Animal/Hawk/Droz)
 Boring power match, Road Warriors never changed from 80s version really so didn't fit into the 90s WWF. It ends when one of DOA, there identical twins, is hit with Doomsday Device and Droz sneaks in for the pin annoying Hawk. *1/2

Light Heavyweight Title - Christian Vs. TAKA (c)
 Love Broods music. Trying to think of a Light Heavyweight Title Match on PPV between this and Backlash 2000 but I don't think there was one, actually I don't think this title was around much in '99. Quick start, TAKA lands on his feet from a german and heel kicks Christian, springboard crossbody to outside follows. Christian gets Superkicked but is all 'no biggie' and hits a reverse DDT. Chrstian fires off three suplexes, the 3 Goths? Nice springboard Asai moonsault by TAKA. Shoutout for Seinfeld's 'Puffy Shirt'. TAKA shouts 'Thats It' and he's right as Christian rolls through a Michinoku Driver for 3 and the Title. *** - Good little match, unlike the majority of WWF matches at this time so it stands out. Gillberg was next LH Champion I think. 

Val Venis (w/ Terri) Vs. Goldust
 Cant stand Terri. Dustin Runnels was almost like a prototype RTC, which funnily enough Val was a member, as he became preachy and dropped the Goldust gimmick, he wrestled the previous month as Dustin Runnels. Due to his 2013 return i'm fairly sure Goldust has the record for WWE returns. Goldust interrupts Vals 'Hello Ladies' schtick. Quick start with Val on top until he is dropped face first on the ring steps. Back in a hard irish whip then a clothesline gets Goldust a 2 count. Goldust misses a corner charge and falls ringside where Val resumes control, he is using shoulder based offence and I dig it. Val ends a mini Goldust fight back then targets the shoulder again. Russian legsweep by Val and i'm in shock as he didn't set it up with knees to the mid-section. Val gets caught up top and superplexed for 2. Terri's on the ropes after Goldust hits a bulldog so Goldie kicks Val square in the nuts for 3, i'd be down for 300 from that. *** - Good match, i'm enjoying this PPV as unlike early 98 cards we're getting a good midcard here.

Ken Shamrock, HHH brawl on HeAT in which HHH reinjured his knee.

European Title - -Pac (w/ Chyna) Vs. D'Lo Brown (c)
 D'Lo is billed from Milan, Italy. and is still rocking the chest protector. JR plugs Capital Carnage so I shall plug my review - https://july-dec-reviews.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/wwf-capital-carnage.html. D'Lo gains the upper hand after an even start. X-Pac's Bronco Buster is blocked with a good old boot to the nuts. Chinlock is applied and given X-Pac's neck history it's a rare time where chinlock is acceptable. Heel kick gets D'Lo a 2 count as does a running powerbomb. X-Pac almost comes through the camera when he misses a corner charge. Brown goes for a submission win with a texas cloverleaf. 'D'Lo sucks chant' Ref Bump! as D'Lo knocks Chioda out of the ring, here's .... Mark Henry. X-Pac kicks out of a belt shot to a pop. D'Lo comes off the top right into a X-Factor for the 3 count as X-Pac wins the gold. ***1/2 - A good fun match here between these two who had some good matches in '98. I am a fan of both.

Headbangers have words for Outlaws as Mosh says the're doing the J-O-B on the PPV.

WWF Tag Titles - NAO (c) Vs. Headbangers
 Headbangers attack as Road Dogg does his spiel. Road Dogg was hit by a boombox so JR plugs JVC. Headbangers isolate Road Dogg. A suplex on Thrasher stops the onslaught. Gunn tags in and cleans house. Billy is low bridged by Thrasher then bounced off the steps. Get a re-run now as Gunn is isolated ala Dogg from earlier, this match is getting more time than I agree with, Road Dogg hits Mosh with a boom box for the blatant DQ, which is my tactic when losing on WWE 13. *1/2 - Good strategy, I appreciate tag psychology, but boring execution. Went too long for my liking.

Michael Cole says Bearer has been in the locker rooms of both Kane and Undertaker but here's Mankind who cuts a promo as Mankind and Socko, to add to the insanity Cole holds the mic to Socko, who started the interview doing Shamrocks sayings in a high-pitched voice. SummerSlam, Breakdown and now this Mick was on a roll for PPV promos in 98.

IC Title - Ken Shamrock (c) Vs. Mankind
 Ken won the IC Title in a tourney after HHH was injured. Couple of Pat Patterson jokes from JR and King. Shamrock works the ankle early but now Mankind is fighting back. Ken of the late 90s would fit in well today with his MMA offence. Frankensteiner by Ken but soon he's in the Mandible Claw. Ken gets in punches from the mount. Chioda stops Mankind using a chair so Ken boots it in Foleys face then cracks him with it, no DQ then I guess. Ken does the HBK strategy and attacks the hand, why more didn't do that Vs. Foley is beyond me. Double Arm DDT but Mankind can't capitalize and then he rips his hair out. Mankind channels Cactus with the Cactus clothesline and Elbow but at ringside he is powerslammed and hits his leg on the steps. Finish is inventive and funny to me as Ken applies the Ankle Lock but rather than tap Mankind KOs himself with a Mandible Claw. ken's unhappy his Ankle Lock didn't get the win so he attacks the ref. *** - Finish was enjoyable to me and the match itself was okay.

Michael Cole tries to get a word with Vince but Bossman puts the kibosh on that.

The Rock Vs. Mark Henry 
 Henry reads a poem for Chyna pre-match, Pop for Rocky. Rock's on top from the get go including a suplex for 2. Henry takes control and gets 2 off an elbow drop. Leg drop gets another 2 as the match has really slowed. Rock fights back and a DDT gets a 2 count. People's Elbow brings D'Lo Brown out but he gets dropped. Henry splashes Rock for the 3 count, D'Lo was holding his feet. ** - Not much to it but i'm feeling generous.

WWF Title - S/ref is Stone Cold - Undertaker Vs. Kane 
 If Austin doesn't give us a new Champion he's fired. Takers theme is awesome. Deadman and Kane shake hands. Austin comes out last as he's the one that matters. Austin refuses to count when Deadman goes for a pin then fast counts when Kane does, speaking of Kane he is beaten around ringside until Taker misses a chairshot. I like their gimmicks but god these two bore me in matches together bar maybe Mani 14s. Taker was working the leg with kicks but Kane seemingly forgets or just plain ignores it now. Some boring chants as Taker resumes the leg work, I do like psychology but god it can be boring at times. They beat up Stone Cold. Chokeslam to Undertaker but here's Paul Bearer who hits Kane with the chair but he no sells so Undertaker hits Kane with it but Austin wont count the pin and instead Stunners Taker then hits him with the chair and counts both guys shoulders down and declares himself the winner. Post match Austin goes looking for Vince who appears above the entrance way and tells Austin he's fired. Think the next night had the 'Vince just pissed his pants' stuff. *1/2 Sheesh that sucked, fell to pre-96 Taker levels, and the PPV ends with no champion so people who ordered this 17 years ago wasted there money basically.

21.5 / 45 - I actually enjoyed the undercard quite a bit it's just the main and NAO/Headbangers that really anchor this one down in terms of the score. Doesn't reach the lofty heights of Canadian Stampede but this is certainly one of the better IYH PPVs. THumbs up.

RAW 1000

 Not a PPV but I'm not creating a new folder for just one review that'd be car-azy.

 The 1000 edition of RAW, I'm reviewing two years late as I've only just seen it as it came with Top 100 RAW Moments DVD I bought, hmm if I name the shop will I get free DVDs for advertising? (Editors note - I have since forgotten the shop anyway but I assume it was HMV as I don't think I brought it second hand)

July 2012, St. Louis, Missouri

 Vinnie Mac welcomes us to Monday Night RAW or Tuesday Morning RAW if you're a fellow Brit, then brings out DX. HHH/HBK do 'comedy', you know I used to like the DX Army but the 06 and 09 DXs I have no time for and holy shizzle lucky for me HHH asks Shawn if there was more of them which brings out New Age Outlaws and X-Pac in a truck akin to the WCW Invasion. Billy and HBK discuss who should do the 'And if you're not down ....' schtick but neither of them do it in the end as Damian Sandow wanders out like a lamb to the slaughter Sweet Chin Music and Pedigree ends his night.

Sheamus/Rey/Sin Cara Vs. Ziggler/Jericho/Del Rio
 JR joins commentary goatee and all. Sheamus is WHC and Ziggler is the holder of the WHC MITB briefcase. Go to commercial straight away and when we're back Sin Cara is being isolated though he turned out that useless I'm surprised it's not a 5-on-1 beatdown. Apparently Jericho is second only to HHH with RAW matches as he has had 360, surprising for me as RAW had been going 6 years before his WWF debut and he had the Two Year hiatus after Summerslam '05. Hot tag to Sheamus who annoys me by not hitting a backbreaker properly so does it again thus drawing attention to the mistake. Ziggler cheapshots Jericho as they had a feud on leaving Jericho easy prey to the Brogue Kick and the 1,2,3. This match given time could've been good, wasted opportunity and JR you may as well of stayed at home son.

We see some Touts, Tout seems to have died a death these days (as akin to dying a life?), possibly because I didn't sign up for it. Charlie Sheen Skypes in, Skype seems to have died ...... Now we go backstage for a AJ and Layla segment which ends with a man in a hand costume as he's Mae Youngs hand all grown up, uhhhhh. No wonder non-fans find it easy to mock wrestling.

Brodus Clay Vs. Jack Swagger
 Neat surprise as Brodus reveals his corner man is Duuuuuude Love, I'll have the theme stuck in my head now, Dude is the joke of Micks 3 faces but arguably he had his best match as Dude. Jack Swagger got the jobber entrance which is apropos given that a suplex and splash ends it early, then just to rub it in Jack is hit with a tye-dyed Mandible Claw. (The Love Handle I believe when used as Dude Love)

Backstage now with HHH, Trish which I found a nice call back to the moment in 2000 where he teaches her the hammerlock and Steph walks in only this time DX walks in.

AJ Lee - Daniel Bryan Wedding
 Slick is the reverend and Bryan goes all Macho by entering to his theme. When AJ halts the wedding Slicks face made me chuckle it's like what i'd call B-Movie level. Vince McMahon comes out and reveals AJ is the new GM of RAW. Punk comes out to get his head in of course, when Bryan calls himself the greatest of all time Rock comes out, imagine the pop Stone Cold would've got, he says he will challenge for the WWE Title at The Royal Rumble, says Bryan is what would happen if a homeless man banged an oompa-loompa then Rock Bottoms him. I was bored by the end of it all to be honest.

 Intercontinental Title - Christian (c) Vs. The Miz
 Blow me there's a wrestling match on!! Bret Hart handled introductions. Lawler says his had his one and only Title Shot Vs. Miz on RAW, which is incorrect as he also faced him at Elimination Chamber in a surprisingly solid match given he was facing Miz of all people. Christian is on top but then we go to commercial and when we're back Miz is on top as he's targeting Chrisitans knee, he hurt it on a dive to ringside. They both get 2 counts of DDTs then Christian hurts his knee and Miz strikes with Skull Crushing Finale for the 3 and the title. ( I honestly forgot Christian was IC Champion at this time)

Charlie Sheen Skypes in again, if I remember rightly which is the memorys equivalent of a hit and hope, this was meant to lead to something at SummerSlam.

HHH is here (again) only this time he means business as he wants Lesnar to answer his challenge fort SummerSlam instead he gets Heyman who brings up HHHs kids so of course Steph has to show her face, uhhh. They goad Heyman into accepting on Brocks behalf. Lesnar in da house, he brawls with HHH but Hunter gets the better of him, in case you're wondering Lesnar won at SummerSlam.

 Clips of Austin/McMahon complete with talking heads, you'd think WWE didn't have any other feuds bar Austin/McMahon, move on people!

Santino, Hornswoggle bring out some new WWE teddy things, Foley would be proud of this plug.

Heath Slater Vs. _____
 In the weeks leading up to this Heath had been facing various legends (or "legends" in some cases), he lost to all bar Doink. He kind of looks like Joey Mercury in a ginger wig, he challenges any legend to a No DQ match, out comes Lita so I guess she's managing the legend we're awaiting Ha....Ha...Ha, Heath calls the time keeper Bell Man which should now be their official name. APA in da house! how long since we've seen APA Bradshaw? Heath backtracks but then all the legends come out that he's faced over the weeks and he ends up losing to Lita. Vader and 'Kishi are among the Legends and I met them in April also there is Animal who I'm meeting in November. (The Animal thang never came about as I didn't go Comic Con in the end but Duggan was probably on RAW and I met him this past April)

Sean Mooney interviews Daniel Bryan who fires back at Charlie Sheen.

Fozzie from the muppets not Jerichos band takes us through various catchphrases from WWEs past, big up the Funaki appearance 'INDEED!'.

Kane Vs. Nobody
 Kane comes out but before he does his turnbuckle fire he's interrupted by Jinder Mahal, Camacho, McIntyre, Hunico, Hawkins and Reks he says they haven't been given a chance on the previous 999 episodes, because they've been with WWE since 1993 then they go to beat up Kane but here's .... Undertaker cause you dont diss his brother. Undertaker and Kane casually clean house, man Deadman looked in pain.

Charlie Sheen is back and they hint at SummerSlam having Bryan/Sheen.

WWE Title - CM Punk (c) Vs. John Cena
 This is Cenas MITB cash-in, this is also the 53rd title defense in RAW history. Slow dull start. Cena wins a punch off, I hate them as in a real fight you wouldn't hit someone then stand waiting to get hit back. Cena avoids GTS by pushing Punk into the ref then AAs Punk and goes for the pin even though he's just KOd the ref. Big Show's here with a KO Punch to the top of Cenas head but there's no ref to count for Punk. Cena blocks GTS with STFU, uh the guy was out cold 10 seconds ago now he's moving around quick why cant he grasp psychology I just assume he cany be arsed to. Big Show attacks Cena for the DQ finish, so Cena becomes the first guy to fail a cash in but not the first to lose as that would be Damian Sandow last year. Big Show beats up Cena but Punk doesn't help but Rock comes out and beats on Show but wait Punk attacks Rock hitting the GTS and turning heel.

                                                                  End Scene

IYH 26: Rock Bottom

- December 13th, 1998.  Vancouver, B.C
- Attendance: 20,042.
- Buyrate: 0.78

- Michael Cole is on commentary as JR suffered a Bells Palsy attack the preceding week at WWF Capital Carnage.

Val Venis/Godfather Vs. Mark Henry/D-Lo Brown
Godfather gives his hoes to Val for the night. When stables breakup sometimes a team remains from it well D-Lo/Henry are that from Nation, Godfather was also a Nation member of course. Val spinebusters D-Lo. Vancouver dont like D-Lo. Ho Train hits Henry who responds with a powerslam. Sky High to Val but Godfather beaks the pin. PMS came out with D-Lo and now they're arguing with Hoes as Henry is double suplexed. Jacqueline pulls Vals trunks down allowing Henry 3 from a clothesline and splash at 5:56. ** - Average and also short so no time to build to much but what they did do wasn't bad.

We see Mankind attacking Rock on HeAt as if Rock cant compete tonight then Mankind will be given the WWF Title, smart tactic for a heel except Rock was the heel. This did irritate me as a guy like Mankind wouldn't revert to shortcuts as a face and why would a face try to win a title via forfeit add in the fact that a heel is going to be overcoming an injury to make and finish the match and you have backwards booking.

Headbangers Vs. Oddities (w/ Luna and Giant Silva)
Jesus. Kurrgan and Golga (John Tenta) are representing Oddities. This is a match saved for UK PPVs usually. Kurrgan no sells some slaps then misses a slow motion splash. According to Cole Kurrgan is 'methodically taking this match over' (Editors Note - that may be the greatest exaggeration since the Moon Landings).  Corner splash by Golga to both Headbangers. Double suplex by Headbangers after Kurrgan misses a middle rope splash, they also do a double team move that I think Team Angle used. The commentary isn't overdubbed but it sounds to me like it's from a game. Mosh splashes a standing Golga for 3 at 6:50. Postmatch The Headbangers argue with a fan, not in a heel way but it seems as if they really do want him ejected. *1/2 - At least they (or at least Kurrgan) tried a match. (They were useless but I did find the Oddities likeable)

Owen Hart Vs. Steve Blackman
Owen gets a Canadian pop. Owen attacks as Steve enters. Spinning kick by Blackman. For me Owen had the most trouble adjusting to the Attitude Era. Snap suplex then what I think is a bow and arrow by Steve. Owen hits his patented enziguri, as he was going for it you could tell Owen was telling Steve he was grabbing the wrong foot. 'US Sucks' chant. Owen goes ringside for a breather but gets baseball slided. Spinning heel kick and a top rope elbow both get Owen 2. Hart exposes a turnbuckle but is himself hit into it allowing Blackman to take control. Owen applies a dragon suplex but Steve knees out of it. Steve applies a Sharpshooter, he must've stored up 2 WWF logos. Owen walks off so Blackman wins at 10:28.** - Perfectly acceptable midcard match, at least bar the ending.

Vince enters Mankinds office which is a boiler room.

J.O.B Squad Vs. The Brood
JS is Al Snow, Bob Holly and Scorpio. I had a titantron that played about 12 WWF Themes but mine never played The Broods (I tweeted this and Road Dogg replied that it should've, yes the D-O-double G follows me, 14 mins of fame left) . Holly Falcon Arrows Edge. Inverted electric chair by Edge. Christian is double underhook slammed by Holly then beaten on by Scorpio who busts out a 360' leg drop. Wheelbarrow suplex by Snow to Gangrel. Brood now beat on Al, chinlock by Edge as mine and Vancouvers interest is waning. It ends when Snow hits Christian with Head allowing Scorpio to hit a kind of backflip leg drop, I had to rewind that post match but Christian hits Unprettiered for 3 at 8:50 ish. ** - Meh, I liked Scorpos move though.

Striptease Match - Jeff Jarrett (w/ Debra) Vs. Goldust
 If Goldust wins then Debra strips, if Jeff wins then Goldust strips. Counter each other but soon Goldust gets upper hand. Goldust rolls through a crossbody for 2 and Jeff gets 2 of his own off a neckbreaker. Fans chant Goldust. Curtain Call connects but the ref is distracted. The ref is distarcted again soon as Goldust hits Shattered Dreams to a pop. Debra hits Goldust with the Guitar leaving him easy prey for The Stroke at 8:00ish, Jarrett wins. But Commissioner Michaels is here and he reverses the decision to a DQ. As Debra strips he gives her money but The Blue Blazer comes out to cover her up, Jeff Jarrett had gone backstage after the 3 count as he assumed he'd won. **1/2 - Match was just okay, from these two perhaps it should've been better.

Production botch as Vince leaves Mankinds 'office' but wait there's Mankind and hated rival The Rock talking in the background .... Kayfabe is DEAD!!!!

WWF Tag Titles - NAO (c) Vs. Shamrock/Bossman
 Commissioner Michaels made NAO face Acolytes on HeAt. Ken is IC Champion. Pretty even match for a while, Ken goes the Ankle Lock on Dogg but Billy Gunn breaks it up. Fame Asser connects but not seen as a big deal, was it not his finished here then? Road Dogg is doing the usual NAO match routine as he plays face-in-peril. HBK, who is ringside for Corporation, trashtalks Dogg then kisses his head. Cant fault the tag psychology here due to Dogg being isolated. Dogg does fight back but then he's booted down. Gunn tags in but the ref didn't see it as the half hour beatdown of Road Dogg continues. Gunn tags in now and cleans house, he powerbombs Gunn to counter a dropkick but HBK pulls the ref out. It ends at 17:00 when Gunn goes to suplex Shamrock but HBK pulls his foot however Gunn rolls through for the 3 count, that didn't look smooth. *1/2 - I found it boring, 15mins of it was Dogg getting beaten up and Shamrock/Bossmans offence wasn't really fascinating. Why were all NAO matches seemingly 20 mins long?

Recap of Survivor Series where Rock was against Corporation in has quest for the WWF Title but really they were together all along and Mankind got screwed.  

WWF Title - The Rock (c) Vs. Mankind 
 Mankind tells Vince to tell the fans he never quit at Survivor Series, they rehashed Montreal. Rock sneak attacks Mankind but he's soon on top. Doesn't last long as now Rock is on top, 'Rocky Sucks' chants. Vince tells Mankind he'll be DQd if he does anything illegal. Mankind goes to jump off turnbuckle but Shane stops him allowing Rock to throw Foley off, soon Rock does his joining commentary spot but Mankind bounces him off announce table. DDT on a chair by Rock and Corporate Elbow gets 2. Clothesline and leg drop both get 2 for Mankind. Rock Bottom but there's no ref as mankind piledrivered him, Shane McMahon hits Rock with the belt by accident, that would be the reason Rock left Corporation at Backlash '99. They both get 2s from their DDT variations. Socko's here and Mandible Claw's applied .... Rock's out as Earl Hebner declares Mankind the winner but Vince McMahon says that whilst Mankind won the match he isn't Champion as Rock never said I Quit or tapped out. Mandible Claw to Vince. **1/2 - Match was fairly decent but I hate the ending to it. I didn't know Dusty Rhodes had booked this PPV. Mankind would win the WWF Title eventually on the RAW is WAR that aired January 4th.

 Buried Alive - Stone Cold Vs. Undertaker
 I bought this VHS as a kid due to a Buried Alive match. If Austin wins here tonight he's in the 99 Rumble. Fighting in the aisle way then the ring where Austin does his Thesz Press. Taker backdrops Austin to avoid a piledriver then they fight down to the grave which is by the entrance way. Wreath to the noggin! They go back to the ring now as there's lots of punching and walking. Chairshot and Chokeslam by Deadman as they're now headed to the grave again. Austin is in the grave but manages to recover as Taker is shoveling slowly. Stunner sends Taker into the grave but Austin walks off, Taker climbs out and hides from Austin but the grave explodes and here's .... Kane he Tombstones a shocked Deadman and puts him into the grave as Autin comes out in a digger and Taker is buried alive!! Match went 21:30. Earl Hebner and Austin drink a beer. **- They were hindered by the match type as you cant have dramatic near falls. Match was mainly punches etc. Dont think Kanes interference led to much as Takers next feud was opposite Vince McMahons Corporation though really they were together all along as Vince was revealed to be Takers Higher Power but i'm getting ahead of myself there. (Just noticed that that follows a similar thread to the Rock/Corporation stuff)

 16 / 40 - Most of the PPV was average whilst Headbangers/Oddities was bad and the Tag Titles match was boring. Mankind/Rock was okay until the finish so on that basis this PPV comes unrecommended. 

Hell In A Cell 2013

- A night of firsts here, my first live PPV review, first from a pub, first HIAC and first whilst drunk, unless I got really drunk and forgot I did one, would explain why two Canadian Stampedes are MIA. What's on tap you say, well there's Carling, Carls .... oh you mean from HIAC well Orton/Bryan finally get a definite winner, Cena returns, Rhodes Dynasty defend the Tag Titles and some other stuff.  Live from Miami, Florida, that's the PPV not me, it's HELL IN A CELL!

Opening video is people speaking about the Cell, Foley, HBK and Edge were definately there.

WWE Tag Titles - Rhodes Dynasty (c) Vs. The Usos Vs. The Shield
 Smart as this could be a hot opener. Cole says Biog Show is banned from the arena. Rey Mysterio is at the Spanish Announce Table, though it could be any kid under the mask. Goldust, Jimmy slap hands in a mutual face respect way. Shield (Rollins/Reigns) isolate Goldust near the start, DDT to Reigns stops the onslaught but he cant tag out as Shield take out Usos. Goldie is again isolated as Shield are going all Brainbusters tonight. Hot tag to Cody, moonsault on Rollins gets 2. An Uso flapjacks Rollins into a samoan drop for 2. Holy Shit Cody and Rollins are up top whilst everyone else is on outside and Cody superplexes Rollins onto the mon the outside that was immense. Reigns Spears an Uso the other Uso Superkicks Reigns. Cross Rhodes top Rollins gets 3, the Champions retain. **** - Great, hot opener here, smart booking/placement as the fans are now pumped up. Matches like this give me hope for the Tag Divison.   

HHH and HBK are talking backstage, in a bizarro version of Judgment Day 2000 (Though thankfully HHH isn't wearing HBKs JD 2000 shorts) and also Cena has a new app out which looks like Need For Speed.

Miz is in-ring he calls out Wyatts and here's Brays brothers/homies whatever but Kane returns to make the save, then as even Kane cant stand Miz he chokeslams him aswell. Imagine a Kane/Miz tag team in the mold of X-Pac/Kane. (Which was the Show-Miz team)

2K14 advert plays, this is the first I've heard of it.

Fandango/Summer Rae Vs. Khali/Natalya
 Barman asked who I thought will win this match, I gave a drunken nod towards Fandango and he seemed to think I was stupid, well ha! Fandango won. Khalis spped, well lack of, is immense he is the Bizarro Usain Bolt man. Match was basically nothing, mini pop from me when Natalya went all Kerry Von Erich with a discus punch. I missed the ending but via a replay I can tell you Summer got 3 off a roll up. *1/2 - Meh. My pub notes say - 'Women carried it, if don't agree blame the beer' well I don't agree and I blame the beer, schizo argument!

Josh Matthews, Dolph Ziggler, R-Truth and Kaitlyn or as I saw them - Robbie Savage, Booker-T, Ashley Tisdale and some annoying guy, talk about the PPV so far. It was like ESPN/Sportscenter.

US Title - Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Big E. Langston
 If this was the attitude era Langstons first name would be Will. Langston starts better and gets some quick 2s. Dean is getting a foot in the match now. Ambrose Recliner is applied but Big E. stands up and breaks it. E misses a Warrior style splash but gets 2 off a belly to belly, Big Es been cut. Dean walks off but E brings him back. Big E. spears Dean through the ropes ala Edge at 'Mania 22. Dean is counted out, booo. ** - Okay match, bad ending. I picture Big E. going on a title chase now, ending at TLC maybe.

There's a pop in the pub as the cell is lowered.

Hell In A Cell - CM Punk Vs. Ryback/Heyman
 Heyman enters on a cart, the driver may be drunk, Paul is lifted onto the Cell roof leaving Punk/Ryback one-on-one. Heyman is starting the match like Mankind but will his end the same way? 'Goldberg' chant, because that's not old. Punk is on top until he misses kendo shots and is rammed into the Cell. Punk is suplexed into the Cell three times as Ryback is on top. Ryback powerslams a springoarding Punk for 2, he goes for Shell Shocked but Punk avoids it. Kendo shots by Punk then an elbow from the top gets 2. At certain angles Ryback looks like Goldberg. Punk elbows Ryback through a table then a GTS gets 3. Post match Punk goes to the roof and batters Heyman with a kendo stick and GTSs him, that should draw a line under the feud. **1/2 - Match was meh, PPVs gone down since the opener. If the Punk/Heyman stuff continues then the post match stuff was pointless, but this being WWE i'm not sure what'll happen. What can Punk move onto from here? (He moved onto the unemployment line *cymbal clash* though fair dos for doing what he wants to do)

D-Bry is interviewed.

Los Matadores (w/ some bull) vs. Real Americans (w/ someone speaking bull)
 I heard 'Ole' and thought it was El Generico, I saw them and thought woah double Tito Santana then I saw the bull and thought Manatour! Real Americans, though one's European. Zeb does his usual right wing schtick. Matador 1 does Flair Flip, now he's being isolated. Cesaro rolls through a sunset flip and does 31 Giant Swings! Swagger Ankle Locks a Matador but it gets broken and when I next look up the match is over, Matadors win and it looked like a Double Team on Swagger. ** - Giant Swing alone earns it *. 

World Heavyweight Title - Alberto Del Rio (c) Vs. John Cena
 Cena had triceps surgery was meant to be out around 6 months but he's back within 2 and gets a Title Shot for nothing. They have a ready made story with the Cross Arm Breaker but it depends on Cena selling it, which is debatable (Really?). Champion out first irritates me. Slow start, bulldog gets Cena 2. STFU is avoided and a german gets Del Rio 2, I think he meant to bridge it but failed. Sandow is watching backstage. ADR comes off top but is dropkicked. Cena fights back with his usual offence but Del Rio avoids AA with a backcracker. Tornado DDT gets Cena 2. ADR gets 2 when he enziguris Cena up top. Cena rolls through a Cross Arm Breaker and applies STFU but Del Rio gets a rope break. Cross Arm Breaker is applied but of course Cena stands up and breaks it with a slam, AA gets 3. **1/2 - Loses a 1/2 due to Cena standing up in the CAB, I hated that. A bit better than I was thinking it'd be to be fair.

Survivor Series promo plays, it's the Wyatts.

Divas Title - AJ Lee (c) (w/ Tamina) Vs. Brie Bella (w/ Nikki)
 Annoying Bellas are face due to their relationships I guess. Nothing match really, it ends when Brie runs into Nikki and falls prey to the Black Widow, see what I did there albeit unintentionally. *1/2 - Match was a buffer really, as were quite a few I guess. Get fans calmed down for the main event.

PTP are playing a game called 2K14, no I've never heard of that one, Bob backlund dances with them, yes that happened and yes I loved it. Whacky Bob!

HHH and HBK are chatting again, who's conversations last for 2 hours in the same place?

Hell In A Cell - Special Ref - Shawn Michaels - Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton
 Will the Corporate Commissioner be reborn? Triple-H brings the belt out, D-Bry refuses HHHs hand shake. Early snap powerslam by Orton. D-Bry is knocked into the Cell then Orton follows up with ring steps shots. Back in Bryan hits kicks then dropkicks Orton to the outside and hits a suicide dive. Orton crotches Bryan around the ringpost then hits his Backbreaker variation. European uppercuts are traded in the ring, D-Bry is building momentum. Orton is hurricanraned off the top, divind headbutt gets 2. Orton gets a rope break to avoid a Yes Lock. Bryan tosses 10 chairs into the ring but it backfires as Orton superplexes him onto them for 2. HHH is here and exchanges wwords with HBK. Special Ref Bump! as Orton is pushed into HBK to avoid an RKO. HHH is in the Cell and checking on HHH when BOOM! Bryan hits a running knee but HBK Sweet Chin Musics Bryan and reluctantly counts 3 for Orton. Why Super Kick someone then not want to count them down? HBK isn;t with HHH/Orton though so no Corporate Commissioner role for HBK. ***1/2 - Match was pretty good, ending wasn't. Were they protecting Bryan or cutting his legs out from under him? There cant be much mileage in Orton/Bryan now so Bryan either needs to win or he's a babyface that failed in his quest. I suspect we'll get Bryan/HHH next. (We got fan outrage next and Bryan winning the straps at 'Mania)

19.5 / 40 - Bang on .500 and that seems right as one great match and one very good. Rest was meh to good but nothing was actively bad. Americans had to pay $60 or so I guess but in UK it was £15.00. Not a bad PPV but not a blow away one either call it a thumbs in the middle. (In retrospect I would say thumbs on their way down as nothing between opener and main were noteworthy and the ending at the time was groan inducing also I've knocked a point off so bang in the middle no longer makes sense however I do not delete my words of wisdom.)

Armageddon 1999

- Vinnie Mac main events his 2nd PPV of '99, not counting Royal Rumble, as he faces HHH in a Divorce Vs. Title Shot Match,  Big Show defends the WWF Title against the Big Bossman, the casket surfing feud if you will, Rock and Sock attempt to win Tag Gold as Kane and X-Pac get it on in a cage ....

 December  1999, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

 Opening video is dissapointing by WWF standards, it's not that it's bad it's just meh, also this is the inaugral Armageddon PPV and we dont have the awesome 'The End Is Here' theme.

8 Team Battle Royal
 Winner gets a shot at the Tag Belts at Royal Rumble, if you've read my review of said Rumble PPV, or even just watched it then you'll know who wins here, hint it's not the fans, not that they deserve much it's a crap crowd, wake up Florida, this is a theme throughout the night. Teams involved were - Dudleyz, Edge/Christian, Hardyz, Acolytes, Headbangers, Too Cool, Henry/Godfather, Mean Street Posse. MSP were switching members when one was eliminated, that reminds me it's the 1 man gone = team eliminated rule. JR says Headbangers are multiple time champions but i'm pretty confidant in saying that's wrong, I believe they held them once. Anyway the Acolytes win, fun fact as they tried a 94 Rumble style both go over with Matt Hardy and Bradshaw but clearly Bradshaw hit first. Faarooq got the win by launching Jeff Hardy from Florida to Puerto Rico, two months later he'd nearly launch him into an early grave with a botched Dominator. Don't Rate Battle Royals i'm sorry but that's just the way I am

Kurt Angle Vs. Steve Blackman
 One year later Angle would be defending the WWF Title in a 6 man Hell In A Cell. Blackman runs down and hits some kicks, punches etc. he heads up top but misses a headbutt, Benoit was probably watching thinking give it 6 weeks and i'll show you how it's done, son. Angle misses a moonsault and is placed in a bow and arrow. Crowd is quiet until they start a 'boring' chant. Angle is fighting back as Steve has been in control mainly, hits a double underhook suplex but fans think 'Angle Sucks' Bridged German gets Kurt the 3 count *starts dancing and singing on a circle*. ** - Kurt was not yet 'Wrestling God Kurt'. Kind of went too long for what they had, technically proficient but boring, the same words I use when describing Bret Hart. Steve wouldn't hit his niche until he entered the Hardcore Division.

Womens Title - Evening Gown Bath Match - Miss Kitty Vs. B.B Vs. Jacqueline vs. Ivory (c)
 Some people say WWF was degrading to women and watching this I see where they're coming from, obviously the ladies weren't forced into doing this stuff though of dressing in their bra and panties. This is remembered for one thing only as Kitty removed her top willingly revealing her boobs to the PPV audience, blurred out on DVD. Apparently she thought she was facing away from camera. Kitty won by the way.

 Kevin Kelly interviews Rikishi, what he says isn't important nor interesting, however lest me forget that a month earlier Kish attempted vehicular homicide when he ran down Austin. How can he carry on his dancing etc. knowing that Austin was going to find him a year or so later. #KayfabePat

Hollys Vs. Rikishi/Viscera
 I've always believed Rikishi ran down Austin as he knew teaming with Viscera was on the horizon, it'd make me attempt vehicular homicide. Nothing much happens highlights, if you can call them that, were Viscera legdropping Crash after backdropping Hardcore, 'Kish hitting a flapjack/Diamond Cutter combo on Crash then Rikishi Drivering him, I think that was Bam Bams 'Greeting From Asbury Park'. Viscera hits Rikishi with a spinning heel kick by accident and the Hollys get 3. * - Match and Crowd both sucked so they deserve each other.

European Title - Bulldog (c) Vs. Val Venis Vs. D-Lo Brown
 JR says D-Lo is only man to hold Euro-IC belts simultaneously, what's that someone's shouting 'Ain't I great?'. Wow just 2 months earlier Val beat Mankind at No Mercy now he's doing this. My question going in is -Will we get a Tower Of Doom spot. Tweet 'Yes' or 'No' to http://Twitter.com/PatrickJClough. D-Lo topes onto his opponents. At one point D-Lo and Bulldog form a coalition which I dub 'Churchill' after that annoying nodding dog. D-Lo goes for a springboard but slips on the ropes. Another botch as Val, D-Lo go to hip toss Bulldog but he lands on his neck, now did they not elevate him enough or did he time his jump wrong? D-Lo powerbombed Val but Bulldog pulled the ref out and blamed a fan. Sky High and Lo Down to Bulldog but Val Money Shots D-Lo and pins Bulldog instead for the European Belt. *1/2 - All I remember is the botches and my shock at no Tower Of Doom Spot.

 X-Pac says he can win by escape/pin whilst Kane can only win by pinfall. Escape rule annoys me in Cages as they should be a match where you just pulverise your opponent instead of simply climbing away.

Steel Cage - X-Pac Vs. Kane (w/ Tori)
 Kane/X-Pac were a team, from May at least cause they had a match at Over The Edge, until X-Pac turned on Kane in October/November, against the Dudleyz I believe, to rejoin DX. X-Pac mouths off with Tori so Kane climbs out of the cage and they fight around ringside. JR says Penis as Lawler is shocked. Speed Vs. Power basically as X-Pac ducks, punches and hits kicks and Kane does power moves like tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Outlaws cut the cage door open with bolt cutters and Billy slams it into Kane's head. Kane is X-Factored onto a chair then handcuffed to the Cage allowing X-Pac some free chair shots. Tori comes in but X-Pac spits at her and does the X-Factor, this infuriates Kane so he breaks the handcuffs. X-Pac heads up so Kane strolls ringside and puts X-Pac in the electric chair so his feet don't touch the floor and places him back in the ring. High point of the match, and PPV, as Kane hits a Clothesline off the top of the cage, a Tombstone is academic. **1/2 - Lacked intensity for a rivalry in a cage. It was okay but still easily the best match so far tonight.

IC Title - Chris Jericho Vs. Chyna (c) (w/ Miss Kitty)
 Jericho signed from WCW to much fan fare but was soon stuck in this feud, I've heard some complained about his style. I think he had an awkward style for WWF and didn't really click until a certain Canadian came over but you cant deny his popularity. Chyna does her usual silly looking forearms at least until she is front suplexed on the announce table. Back in Jericho jumps off the top into a low blow then Chyna goes all Great Muta and Andre on y'all by doing Handspring Elbow then being tied in the ropes, we get thumb psychology as Jericho dropkicks it, he'd hit it with a hammer on RAW is WAR. Chyna hits a slow hurricanrana to counter a powerbomb. jericho responds with a vertical suplex and a 2 count from a 'C'mon Baby!'. Bulldog, scoop slam and a gyration leads to a LionSault but Chyna gets her knees up. Jericho counters a Pedigree attempt into a backslide for 2. They do a 'Mind Games' as Chyna counters a back suplex to a crossbody, If you haven't' seen HBK/Mankind from IYH X: Mind Games then check it out. Jericho rolls through a roll up and applies the Walls for the submission victory. **1/2 - It was okay so earns **1/2, yes Chyna wasn't very good in the ring but at least she didn't phone it in. I hate wrestlers who do that when people have paid to see them wrestle. The Chyna/Y2J stuff didn't end here as soon they pinned each other on SMACKDOWN! and became co-champions.

WWF Tag Titles - New Age Outlaws (c) Vs. Rock 'n' Sock Connection
 Crowd wake up for Rocky so much so that The Fink is drowned out. You know Randy Orton went through that 2 year phase of essentially doing nothing well Rock had that in late 99 as post King Of The Ring he had a Billy Gunn and a Bulldog feud then the Rock 'n' Sock stuff and also was on the verge of an Al Snow feud it's almost as if someone wanted to keep him from the top of the card. Rock attacks as Gunn is taking his shirt off now Gunn, Rock are fighting in crowd as Mankind blocks Road Doggs punches with a Mandible claw. Diamond Cutter gets Gunn 2. Outlaws have been on top of The Rock for abit, I like how he'd sell for people in fact him Vs. Rikishi was the only thing worth watching at Survivor Series 2000 for this very reason. Road Dogg goes for his Pump Handle Slam however Rock avoids but soon Outlaws are on top again, float over DDT by Rock and Mankind is in and beats on Outlaws, i'd hate to have to take his running corner knee as i'd be worried of just getting smacked and that would kill. Ref Bump! as Mankind accidentally punches him, piledriver to Road Dogg but there's no ref. Mandible Claw is applied but here's Al Snow and he clocks Foley with Head. Rock chases Al and beats him up at the entrance way. Ringbell shot and a piledriver both get 2 on Mankind. Hot tag to Rock who cleans house but Al Snow returns and hits him for the blatant DQ. ** - Match started to drag as it lasted longer than it needed to, maybe Als initial interference should've been the end, also I dont like long matches that end on DQs. I'd guess this was leading to Al doing something with Rock but that didn't transpire.

WWF Title - Big Show (c) Vs. Bossman
 Big Show was tricked into thinking has dad had died, he had cancer, but Bossman had just hired someone to say it. Anyway his dad did die and at the funeral Bossman drove away the casket and Big Show went 'Casket Surfing' that whole thing was hilarious. Was the WWF Title put in a bad feud so people's limelight wouldn't be stolen, kind of like Rocks feuds. This ended in 3 minutes as Show Chokeslammed Albert through S.A.T battered Bossman and chokeslammed him for 3. * 1/2 - Extra 1/2 as it was booked right, in that it was short. Feud was funny though to be fair.

No Holds Barred - Triple-H Vs. Vince McMahon
 Vince counted the 3 at Survivor Series when HHH lost his WWF Title but the best known part is HHH interrupting Test/Stephanies wedding to reveal he married Steph already, without her knowing. This should be Test Vs. HHH really but there you go. If Vince wins then the HHH/Steph marriage is over but if HHH wins he gets a WWF Title Shot. Steph is sat in the front row. Vince throws powder in HHHs eyes then throws some, probably stiff punches. They follow the 98/99 rules and fight in the crowd. Mankind comes out and brings some weapons for Vince to use. HHH punches Vince with a chain the bounces him off various things in the entrance way. Sick bit as HHH spins a turret hard into Vince's head. They fight backstage where HHH tries to run over Vince, Rumble 2000 would stop the attempted vehicular homicide count at 2 PPVs. Back in the arena now and they climb a structure, at the top HHH bangs Vinces head off it and he falls backwards, Vince falls exactly the same as Shane does at SummerSlam 2000 must be a McMahon thing. Vince is busted. HHH retrieves a mic and trashtalks Steph then drags a bloodied Vince over to her, Vince would do that to Ric Flair at Rumble 2002. Hunter gets his Sledgehammer but Vince lowblows him and corners HHH with the sledgehammer, Steph jumps into the ring as she wants to hit Hunter but she stalls and he grabs the Sledgehammer, two shots to Vince later and HHH gets 3. Post match Steph checks on Vince then smiles and hugs HHH, as much as Steph irritates me this was a great heel turn. *** - Pretty good effort considering it's Vince. Hunter would win the WWF Title on January 3rd off of Big Show.

16 / 40 - Nothing was really bad it's just some was uninteresting/boring (Angle/Blackman) or too short to mean anything (Big Show/Bossman). Thumbs in the middle as it's okay for an evening watch but when you break it down it's meh. Don't seek it out but don't ignore it either. (Editors Note - What sort of advice did I give there?)

WWF Capital Carnage

- December 6th, 1998. London, England.
- Attendance: 10,441.

- This was a UK only PPV, also took place 2 days after my 9th birthday.

Gangrel Vs. Al Snow
 Wristlocks and wristlocks by the pair, wahey almost a carbon copy of my fave botch as Snow is almost lowblowed on a leapfrog, Windham, Dr. Death being the original. Gangrel backdrops Snow onto the apron and he nearly slips, sloppy start here. Northern lights gets Snow a 2 count. Mo0onsault misses allowing Gangrel to get a 2 count from a double underhook suplex. Snow hits an unsmooth DDT but is missile dropkicked by Edge allowing Gangrel to pick up the win at 5:50. *1/2 - Short and sloppy kind of like Gangrel himself then, Har, Har, Har!!

Mankind talks about the Fatal 4 Way mainevent.

LOD (Animal and Droz) Vs. Headbangers
 Hawk attempted to kill himself or something by coming off the titantron so Droz is in with Animal tonight. Leapfrog exhibition by Droz. Leapfrog buttsplash by the 'Bangers. Animal's in with a double clothesline to the 'Bangers. Droz pushes Animal out of the ring when he's down but is himself rolled up for 3 at 3:18. Animal and Droz fight postmatch. *1/2 - Not much happened in the limited time they had, you can tell this is a UK only PPV, why are we always screwed?

Michael Cole interviews Undertaker, part of me hoped he'd put on a cockney accent, probably be better than Dick Van Dykes.

Val Venis Vs. Goldust
 Val made a 'movie' with Goldusts wife. Val attacks as Goldust takes his robe off. Rinside Val is bounced off the steps, back in Goldie hits a slingshot back suplex as he goes almost Tully Blanchard on us. Val does his midsection knees, side russian legsweep bit, then he busts out the grind. Bulldog gets Goldust a 2 count but Val then gets a couple of 2s off a spinebuster then a Fishermans Suplex. Shattered Dreams is set up but Val puts the ref in the way and rolls up Goldust for 3 at 5:30ish. Postmatch Goldust does hit Shattered Dreams, fans liked that move. **1/2 - Perfectly acceptable midcard match, I wouldn't of minded them having more time.

We see Vince giving a talk at Oxford, is that where he said they were thinking of giving Undertaker a wife? Then back live The Stooges, Shane and Vince cut a long promo. Patterson says HHH will face Jarrett not Rock as X-Pac is getting a WWF Title match. Shane says Vinnie jones may be a 'hard man' as he's Geroge Michaels boyfriend possibly. Vince says us Brits wish we were American, well I certainly do Vincent.

Edge Vs. Tiger Ali Singh
 This's Tigers 1st PPV appearance, (No, no I think he may of appeared at One Night Only in September 1997) I've seen most of the next few years PPVs and the only appearance I remember is in a segment on Survivor Series 2000 where he and Lo Down were refused entry. Edge basically dominates the match, the only offence I remember of Singhs prior to the ending is a thumb to the eye, JR more or less say Tigers dad was good but he sucks, Tiger powerslams Edge and gets a rope assisted 3 at 2:50. * - Edge was on top for 2:46 of that match, why did Tiger win?

Michael Cole chats in-ring with Vinnie Jones, haven't him and Stone Cold done a film together.

Christian/Sable vs. Marc Mero/Jacqueline
 Meros last WWF match but it's better known for another reason. This took place at SummerSlam with Edge not Christian. For me Christian was the oddjob member of The Brood. Mero tags out after he's dropkicked. Christian pulls Meros shorts down allowing Sable to get some shots in. Jackie refuses to tag in. SableBomb to Mero, now Sable's beating on Jackie, TKO gets 3 at 4:49. Postmatch - Jacqueline is on Tim Whites shoulders and Sable pulls her top off leaving Jackie fully exposed and topless for real as Lawler almost faints. ** - Short but what they did wasn't bad per se.

IC Title - Ken Shamrock (c) (w/ Bossman) Vs. Steve Blackman
 Just in his face Blackman reminds me of Saturn. Ken is in control but his offence is boring and I normally like Ken. Steve starts fighting back until he is heelkicked. A front facelock by Ken seemingly lasts 10 minutes. Spinebuster into a jacknife cover by Blackman for 2. Steve attacks the Bossman who responds by hitting his ankle with a nightstick, Ankle Lock gets the Submission victory for Ken at 6:49. *1/2 - I  found it boring to be honest, Blackman wouldn't find his niche until 2000 when he entered the Hardcore Division. 

Michael Cole chats to The Corporate Champion who does Hogan, Austin, Flair and Bret Hart lines.

Jeff Jarrett (w/ Debra) Vs. Triple-H (w/ Chyna)
 Hunters first match since his SummerSlam encounter with Rock. Crowd like HHH. Shoulderblock, side headlock takedown by HHH and a spinebuster gets 2. Jeff is in control of the match now, Chyna goes over to stop Debra interfering. Harley Race knee as HHH is fighting back, Jeff avoids a Pedigree Facebuster, clothesline over the top by Hunter then he tells Debra to suck it and finishes Jeff with a Pedigree at 6:54ish. *1/2 - Maybe HHH had ringrust but either way they didn't have chemistry these two, Jeffs offence wasn't exactly edge of your seat stuff.

Austin talks to Cole then we see D-Lo in London.

WWF Tag Titles - NAO (c) Vs. D-Lo/Mark Henry
 Dogg shake, rattle 'n' rolls D-Lo so he bails, he bails again after Gunn presslams him. Henry calls for a test of strength but Gunn kicks him, now Henry has him in a bearhug. Double dropkick and hiptoss by the Outlaws. Road Dogg is Sky Highed then legdropped and spalshed by Henry so Gunn drags him to the corner so he can tag in. Henry powerslams Gunn as the former Nation members are on top, as I wrote that D-Lo got Fameassered. Piledriver gets 3 on D-Lo as Henry just looks on at 10:00. ** - What they did wasn't bad but was a bit boring but as I say not bad from a sloppy perspective ala the opener.

WWF Title - The Rock (c) Vs. X-Pac
 Rock won the WWF Title at Survivor Series after secretly working with the McMahons all along screwing Mankind in the final. X-Pac is European Champion, I always wanted that NFL style DX jersey. X-Pac almost beat Rock 2 weeks earlier until HBK became the 'Corporate' Commissioner. JR gets a shot in at WCW using older guys. X-Pac hits multiple kicks and tells Rock to suck it so he bails and goes to leave but HHH and Chyna scare him back to the ring. Bronco buster misses allowing Rock to get some kicks in. X-Pac is bounced off the announce table as they fight ringside, chinlock by Rock but it makes sense given Pacs neck history. Blatant lowblow by Rock as ref is distracted. A sign in the cowd just says 'Mo Chatra' he's a contributer to Powerslam. Corporate Elbow, complete with DX mocking suck its, hits on Pac. Rock blocks an X-Factor, tries for a Rock Bottom but gets lowblowed by Chyna. Ref Bump! as Earl is sandwiched by X-Pac. HHH hits Rock with the European Belt which gets X-Pac a 2 count. The fans are believing in X-Pac. Rock pushes Chyna at ringside so HHH attacks him drawing a lame DQ, crappy ending at 12:30ish. ***1/2 - I enjoyed it and I've boosted it aswell as they drew the fans in making them think X-Pac could've become the WWF Champion.

No DQ - Stone Cold Vs. Mankind Vs. Undertaker Vs. Kane
 Shane McMahon is guest ring announcer, Briscoe is special ref, Patterson is keeping time and Vince McMahon is special commentator. Bossman was set to be enforcer but Vinnie Jones comes down and pushes him out of the ring earning a red card from Gerry. Mankind and Kane fight before the other two enter. Taker Chokeslams Mankind, throws Kane out and goes for Austin in the aisle as Taker is attacking all 3 opponents. Paul Bearer hits Austin with his shoe. Mankind is now being choked by Undertaker with a cord but Kane chokes Taker and Austin chokes him, a choking conga. Old School is stopped by Kane who is now ping ponged between Mankind and Austin after which Mankind offers Steve a handshake but is flipped off instead. Brothers Of Destruction stomp as Austin as Socko makes his UK debut. Mankind stops Kane Tombstoning Austin on a chair leading to Kane being Stunnered but Briscoe asks Patterson if there's time left in the match so Austin drops him. Taker Chokeslams Austin then Kane. The finish comes when Stone Cold avoids a Tombstone and Stunners Kane as Earl Hebner counts the 3 at 16:09. Bossman gets Stunnered so Earl Hebner kicks him and drinks beers with Vinnie and Austin, talk about biased officiating, sheesh. *** - A pretty enjoyable fun Fatal 4 Way, I wanted more weapons or whatever as it was No DQ.

20 / 50 - Undercard was bad, hell 3 matches were *1/2 and one was *, mainly due to wrestlers not clicking or the matches simply being boring. Last 2 matches were pretty good. Watching it as a standalone show I kind of enjoyed it but that's probably nostalgia speaking. For a UK show it did feel important as you had DX Vs. Corporation which was the next thing for them after Nation feud. Thumbs down if you're not nostalgic for this PPV.

Armageddon 2000

- December 10th, 2000. Birmingham, Alabama.
- Attendance: 14,920.
- Buyrate: 1.15

- My first VHS review as I've 'borrowed' my sisters TV/Video combo whilst she's in school. Had to use a make shift stand though consisting of Comics, Star Wars Monopoly and a guitar. Not seen this PPV in awhile so cant remember the undercard quality though as 5 big names are in the main event then the undercard may be a little meh tonight.

We see Foley on HeAt saying that if anyone is seriously injured tonight then he'll resign.

Hardyz/Lita Vs. Eddy Guerrero/Perry Saturn/Dean Malenko
 Dean won a date with Lita by beating her but when they moved to the bedroom the Hardyz attacked, are they the faces? Elimination rules here folks and continuing the Survivor Series trend my match times will be out maybe by a second or 4 as I've broken my screen. Hardyz doubleteam Perry then Eddy. Crowd dont like Eduardo it must be said, then again this is Birmingham. Speaking of Eddy he's back suplexed by Matt then Swanton Bombed by Jeff for 3, (3-2). Poetry in motion to Dean but Perry blocks one on him and Death Valley Drivers Jeff out of the match (2-2). Terri grabs Matts foot allowing him to get Superkicked but a Twist Of Fate eliminatesSaturn (2-1). Lita spears Terri but Dean rolls up Matt for 3 (1-1). Tilt-a-whirl headscissors by Lita is followed by a moonsault for 2 but she is soon caught up top and superplexed, Dean gets the W with Texas Cloverleaf at 8:07ish. ** - Rushed but the crowd were into it and it wasn't necessarily a bad match to be fair.

Kurt Angle says he's beaten Bulgarians, Czechaslavakians and Turks so he's not worried about an eyebrow, a nose, a badass, a fatass and a redneck. Took him about a half hour to get to that.

European Title - William Regal (c) Vs. Hardcore Holly
 Willie Regal actually dropped the Euro Title to Hardcores cousin Crash 8 days earlier at Rebellion but won it back on RAW. Heel pre match promo is interrupted by Holly who gets a homestate pop. Holly gets 2 off a back suplex and Regal gets a 2 off a superplex. Lawler 'What's Alabamas slogan, 4 million people and 15 last names?'. Type of double underhook suplex, a dropkick then a top rope legdrop gets Holly another 2 count. Forearm shot by Holly, he has a metal plate in it but here's Raven and he DDTs Holly allowing Regal 3 at 4:59. *1/2 - Only 5 mins long and was inoffensive.

Chyna Vs. Val Venis (w/ Ivory)
 Gimmick pornography star Vs. real one here folks. Fighting in the aisle where Val is thrown into the ring steps. In ring Chyna does a corner beatdown then a DDT. Val fires back with his knees to the midsection leading to a russian leg sweep spot. Ivory gets cheapshots in at ringside, double underhook suplex gets Val 2. Chyna's fighting back with forearms, a clotheslien gets 2. Chyna runs into a powerslam but Val misses the Money Shot, but he gets 3 with a Fisherman Suplex after Ivory tripped Chyna at 5:00ish. *1/2 - Same as Regal/Holly to short to mean anything but was inoffensive.

Clips play of cactus setting the 2-by-4 on fire at No Way Out 2000.

We see Kevin Kelly earlier interviewing Deadman inside the Cell, this is intersepted with clips of Shawn Michaels and Maninds HIACs with Deadman. One mistake though as Taker gets the order of Foleys bumps mixed up.

Vinnie and the Stooges come out to waste more time, in the intro I mentioned how the undercard may suffer due to a 6 man main event well I was right as they're using more time on segments than matches, here he tells the fans to help him stop the Cell match happening tonight.

Kane was hugging people years before he met Bryan.

Last Man Standing - Chris Jericho Vs. Kane
 Kane won at Survivor Series so the coffee feud rolls on, is that as bad or worse than Edge/Bookers shampoo feud of '02? Match starts in the aisle then they go backstage but there's no camera guy following them so we only see the crowd. When we do rejoin the action we see a truck, wonder if we'll ever see that again? hey there's Mideon, can he claim for a PPV bonus based on that 2 second appearance. Back ringside where Jericho is powerslammed on the outside but is up at 5. Kane's been in control for a while but his offence isn't exactly aweinspiring, Jericho is compared to HBK by JR thus angering me. Jericho is hit with a top rope clothesline but is up at 6. Jesus that was a forceful one armed Chokeslam by Kane, maybe the absudity of the angle has just reached him, Jericho is up at 9 though I think the ref simply stopped counting so the match wouldn't end. Chairshots by Kane he attempts a Tombstone but is lowblowed. Missile dropkick, bulldog and a chair assisted Lionsault has Kane down for a 8 count. They're fighting down the entrance set where Jericho pushes some barrels onto Knae trapping him for the 10 count at 16:40ish. ** - Better than their Survivor Series match but that's not saying much at all really. These guys just didn't click together.

Coach talks to Commish Foley who says the match will go ahead, well I wish it'd hurry up as i'm sick of segments tonight.

Shawn Michaels gets an entrance at WWF New York, JR chats to him about Hell In A Cell, then another highlight is played as Mankind is Chokeslammed onto thumbtacks.

WWF Tag Titles - RTC (c) Vs. Dudleyz Vs. Edge & Christian Vs. RoadDogg/K-Kwik
 You know in sitcoms when they change an actor who plays a character and it's obvious it's another person but people in the show act as if nothings happened well that's how I feel about Billy Gunn and K-Kwik. RTC beat down D-Von. Dudleyz may of just used Total Elimination but I cant tell due to the camera angle. Road Dogg and Bubba Ray do dancing punched to Edge & Christian then punch each other. Thinking of a name for Road Dogg and K-Kwik, I thought of K-Dawg, isn't that Konnans nickname well that's funny as them 3 formed 3 Live Kru in TNA. Big 'we want tables' chant. K-Kwik has been beaten on by multiple people, is that a conspiracy or what? they've been working over his shoulder. Bubba's in and he cleans E&Cs clock but soon everybody's fighting. RTC, Kwik/Dogg are down at ringside. Doomsday Device to Edge, 3-Ds to RTC and Waaaaaaasup Drop to Christian as Dudleyz are on Fiy-ah until D-Von is DDTd by Stevie Richards on the outside and Bubba is Unprettiered for 3 by Christian at 10:00. *** - Fans have bumped the score for me, finally RTCs reign of lame is over, Woo-Hoo!

Hunter tells Steph that he will be WWF Champion, even if he did supposedly get crushed a few weeks earlier at Survivor Series. HHH is Wolverine!!

Intercontinental Title - 'The One' Billy Gunn (c) vs. Chris Benoit
 Armdrags by Gunn but soon he's in trouble as benoit is targeting his knee. JR, King keep going on about Billy Gunns earrings, will we see ear ring psychology by Benoit? The knee work is continued by Benoit leading to a Figure Four. Gunn goes for a corner splash, while he was limping so at least he's selling it, but he misses and is hit with rolling germans. Presslam, 'jackhammer', and FameAsser I guess the leg is healed then. Benoit gets the crossface but we have a ropebreak. Tilt-a-whirl goes wrong as JR tries to cover it with Gunns knee being hurt. Back suplex gets Benoit 2 but the Crossface does get the job done at 10:01. **1/2 - Almost a Flawless Victory to use MK talk. More enjoyable than you'd think given it's a Billy Gunn match, the obvious botch hurt the rating.

JR is shown speaking to Austin earlier in the day because this PPV needs more non in-ring stuff.

Womens Title - Ivory (c) Vs. Molly Holly Vs. Trish Stratus
 Ivory lets Molly beat down Trish. Double dropkick by Molly but her opponents respond with a double suplex. Sitout powerbomb by Molly but Ivory throws her out and pins Trish at 2:10ish. * - Meh, but I must say it's amazing how much Trish would improve over the next few years.

We're shown Mankind being thrown off the Cell then Kevin Kelly interviews Rocky.



WWF Title - Hell In A Cell - Angle (c) Vs. Rock Vs. HHH Vs. 'Taker Vs. Austin Vs. Rikishi
 Rikishi and HHH ran down Austin at Survivor Series 99 so at Survivor Series 2000 Austin dropped Hunter 3oft in a car, just a month ago yet HHH's here, Rikishi blamed Rock and Taker lost to Angle at the Survivor Series last month, did you keep up with that? Rikishi is the Paul Roma of this match, as he doesn't fit in here like Paul didn't fit Horsemen. Angle refuses to enter the Cell, Austin is out last, of course and fakes going in then grabs Kurt. They pair off as HHH/Austin, Rock/'Kishi and Taker/Angle then take turns fighting in the ring whilst the other 4 fight ringide. JR says 'Lloyds Of London are pretty stupid at times' Is that a shot at them insuring a certain wrestler? HHH is grated into the Cell cutting him then Austin drags him around all 4 walls. AngleSlam to Rock, Stunner to Angle and Chokeslam to Steve. Vince and The Stooges come to ringside with a truck thus stopping the match really for about 10 minutes as cameras focus on them and not in-ringstuff. The Cell door is pulled off but then Foley comes down attacks Stooges and scares away Vince. Everyone fights in and around the entrance set, which is primarily a load of cars but it's not really interesting, Austin is cut by going through a window and Rock is cut by a Pediggree on a car. HHH and Austin are the first up top, as Taker is cut by a Angle chair shot. Most of them are up top now, timekeeper throws a chair to Taker but the important part is when Taker throws/pushes Rikishi off the top onto the truck Vince brought out, seemingly this also deplteted Takers health bar as he doesn't appear again now. Rock, Austin start fighting in ring as a glimpse of Austin/Rock II at 'Mania. Rockbottom to Angle for 2, then Rock is Stunnered but HHH stops Austin pinning him allowing Angle to take the cheap win at 32:10ish. ***1/2 - The Vince stuff really broke he flow and to be honest it wasn't great anyway. It was appealing as you had 5 big names in there, but the Champion looked weakest as I cant rememeber him doing anything really. Not as good as some say but going by the recent Cell matches this is a good one. Lacked that certain something that made HBK/Taker great, sometimes Less Is More.

17 / 40 - Big hit ratingswise was Womens, European and Chyna/Val which was only cause they were short they weren't necessarily bad matches, that is the one flaw to my ratings plan and can be misleading. This PPV lives or dies by the Cell and i'd say it's a worth a look. Thumbs in the middle for this PPV as nothing is really bad but nothing is really, really good either.