The 3-Count Review: Friday Night Smackdown 22/06/12

#1

There was a time when Friday Night Smackdown was, as John Laurinitus put it, "Destination TV" for hardcore wrestling fans. The 15-20 minute matches were plentiful. The meaningful angles were overarching and always present. Heel/ babyface turns were well thought out and effective. If your not too sure about which time frame I'm talking about here, go to my old blog and look up the article I wrote on John Morrison (http://hardcorefanssperspective.blogspot.com.au/2011/08/distinguishing-what-is-hot-hardcore.html ).

These days, Smackdown is a show that, if you miss it, you wouldn't of missed much. It's like WWE are convinced that the demographic that watch Smackdown on SyFy are a segmentation of the fan base that don't mean much. Am i over reacting? Well, look back on the matches and the storylines of Smackdown for the last few weeks. Now, tell me how many times:

- are matches contested on Smackdown (i.e Ziggler/Shaemus), then REPEATED on RAW for the USA network audience.

- are pivotal storyline developments played out on Smackdown that actually add to the overall narrative progression.

This week's Smackdown was a prime example of this. We saw a bunch of matches we had seen a million times before (ie Prime time players vs Usos), that were thrown together without any premise or purpose. On TNA this week, EVERY MATCH had a reason for existing. Here on Smackdown, im scratching my head wondering WHY Dolph Ziggler is wrestling Shaemus for the 1935332nd time seeing as though he has lost every time he has wrestled the World Heavyweight Champion! It's never explained by the commentators. It's not even expanded upon in a graphic or a video package. That being said, 2 of the matches this Friday were probably some of the best matches of the week (Kane/Bryan Ziggler/Sheamus). But thats not the point. In regards to storylines, we saw AJ screw up a finish for Daniel Bryan as the time keeper and we saw the Prime Time Players get into a brawl with Primo and Epico. Two "major" plot points in two hours. And no, i don't count Brodus Clay being beaten up  (and just BURIED) by Big Show as "significant". Furthermore, these are plot points that are so insignificant, you could easily afford seeing in a recap video on RAW. Thus, the habit of regarding Smackdown as a missable show emerges.

Pro-wrestling should be continually telling a LOGICAL (logical being the key word here) story inside the ring and outside the ring. Right now, Smackdown is coming across as a glorified version of WWE Superstars. Which is a shame, becuase i really miss the 2002 and 2009 eras when Smackdown was the show to watch.

#2

So with only 2 major storyline "progressions" and a handful of matches on Smackdown this week, what else is there to fill in the time you ask?  WWE comedy! No, not the 2006 WWE comedy, 2012 WWE comedy. This stuff is like nails on a chalk board.

In 2006, we had backstage comedy skits that were so over the top- maybe, at times, they were mature in nature- but were done with the right people who knew what they were doing. Who could ever forget William Regal dancing with Vince McMahon to Cryme Tyme's "Money Money Yeah Yeah" rap at the Survivor Series that year. In fact, my most fond memories when it comes to laughing at WWE involves the englishman and the Chairman. Back then, comedy felt improvised because the producers had faith that the performers involved could get the reaction they were after. Today, it's a different story.

Jokes in 2012 WWE are stereotyped and written in the most staged manner possible. Case in point: Yoshi Tatsu's claim to fame this week is being told by Vickie "don't you have some SUSHI to eat somewhere?" GET IT !? BECAUSE HE'S JAPANESE??? This was followed later in the show with Santino getting kissed by a "fan" in the middle of the ring. Thankfuly, Santino is good at what he does as he got a chuckle out of me with his facial expression, but i wasn't on the floor loosing it. Why is that?

Well, maybe it has to do with the scripts that are being produced these days. The jokes come off as so blatent and forced that it is hard for someone such as myself to find it funny. Comedy needs to be natural.

Maybe it has to do with the demographic these scripts are targeting. We all know that WWE is child friendly these days. But i guarentee, if i showed children Stone Cold Steve Austin interacting with any WWE superstar during his 2003 run and then imediately showed the segment involving the GREAT KAHLI dancing with Mick Foley, Stone Cold would get the biggest reaction.

Maybe i just answered my own question. Maybe it's the caliber of talent that is delivering the comedy. Stone Cold is long gone. WWE feels it necessary to keep Regal off TV. Santino is the last great comedian in the WWE (who could forget his "rivalry" with Stone Cold Steve Austin in 2005??). However, if you don't have a talented performer to work against, comedic segments can only be so funny.

This leaves Smackdown with an assortment of skits that :

- relies on unintelligent slapstick

- pokes fun at the Japanese fan base

- that insult the appearance and the lack of english of an Indian man who will be lucky if he is walking in 5   years.

These issues can be fixed and adjusted. The question is, does WWE really see them as an issue?

#3

The biggest positive coming out of Smackdown this week is that we had 3 good to great matches that were paced beautifully and given plenty of time. My TNA impact review praised the show for being a wrestling-based spectacle that included 9 matches that, for the most part, came off as exciting and engaging ( http://wrestlingsweeklyropebreak.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/3-count-review-tna-impact-wrestling.html) . While i thought 10 minute time limit contests worked for the Bound for Glory series structure and Open Fight Night, in retrospect, i think 9 matches might have been a bit over the top. Smackdown made me re-think my original opinion.

Christian/Del Rio, Kane/Bryan and Ziggler/Shaemus made me appreciate something that TNA lacked this week: time for their matches. While Joe/Storm was fast paced and exhilierating, it only went for about 6 minutes and was over before i knew it. Kane/Bryan evoked the same emotions as Joe/Storm, but the finish felt much more satisfying and "well deserved". Why? Because more time was given to these performers so they could build the mach more complexly. Kane was worn down by Bryan and his submission arsenal. Everytime Kane showed some fire, Bryan cut him off with an arial move. This happened multiple times over 15+ minutes so that when Kane FINALLY got the advantage, the crowd couldnt wait for him to defeat Bryan.  it is important  for pro wrestlers to earn the reaction of the crowd and most professionals can do it in a 15-20minute time period.

This is not to disregard the great work on TNA this week. Far from it. But any wrestler would tell you they would love 20 minutes instead of 10 to give the audience more time to invest in the story they wish to present.


Match Results:

Match No. 1:

Ryback

def

Two Local "athletes" via pinfall (2 on 1 Handicap Match)

Rating: SQUASH

Comments:

If you have seen one Ryback squash, you have seen them all. He threw in a few variations to his suplexes and slams but nothing overly amazing. The biggest problem in this 'push' is that none of the top tier wrestlers are this light and this small (bar Rey Mysterio). So, how is this guy going to look impressive against guys like Cena and Orton? I guess time will tell, but the future looks very limited for big ol' Ryback.

The only thing to make note of was that the crowd were chanting along with Ryback. "Feed me More" seemed to be the chant of the match. However, due to Smackdown being taped, you have to wonder how many people were ACTUALLY chanting for this man.

Match No 2:

Alberto Del Rio

def

Intercontinental Champion Christain via submission

Rating: ** 1/4

Comments:

The first of 3 great matches on Smackdown. However, i think this one was the worst of the 3. I don't know what it was, but i just couldn't get into this as much as i thought. Del Rio's offense was a tad flat and i think they lost the crowd mid way through the match. Maybe this had something to do with the crowd not totally being into Christian as a babyface yet? Thankfully, they regained it for the finish as Christian produced a fantastic babyface comeback. Young wrestlers should analyze how well Christian sells his injuries throughout the contest. Smart pro-wrestling performance. The actual finish was again, a tad clunky as there was some confusion after Christian hit his pendulum kick in the corner. Regardless, a lot of false finishes kept the energy level high, with Del Rio eventually slapping on the Cross-Arm Breaker for the "W". This means that Del Rio has defeated BOTH the US Champ and IC Champ this week. If they have big plans for Del Rio, here's hoping that they continue this man's momentum. Rhodes attacking Christian post-match was fiery and good, but its hard to get into a guy who has been beaten and repeatedly buried every week. Sorry Cody. Blame it on WWE booking.

Match No. 3 (AJ as Special Time Keeper):

 Kane

def

Daniel Bryan via pinfall 

*Match of the Night*

 

Rating: ** 3/4

Comments: 

Wow. Who would of thought i would be becoming a massive fan of Kane's work. The in-ring rub of CM Punk and Bryan is doing wonders for the giant. I found this match great from start to finish. Bryan's ground and pound submission style put him over big time as a guy who is small, but someone who could take you down. Kane retaliated with some stiff offense that Bryan sold to a tee. Sure, there was a botch spot near the end, but they recovered in seconds and followed up with some great reversal sequences involving a SUPER STIFF kick to Kane's cranium. What truelly got me was the sequence that lead to Kane being trapped in the guillotine (one of Bryan's old finishers). From Chokeslam to Yes Lock, from Yes Lock to Chokeslam to Bryan's guillotine, i was on the edge of my seat. What made this sequence even better was that after Kane escaped this move, Bryan IMEDIATELY went to the Yes Lock. Smart wrestling here. Because Kane has only tapped once in his career, Bryan combined his two finishers together to provide the allusion to the audience that Kane might actually give it up (pity the announcers didn't pick up on this.) AJ's involvement was limited and when she did, it didn't trash the body of work in the ring. Sure, Bryan lost AGAIN due to AJ, but its hard to be angry when both Kane and Bryan put forward an unexpectedly AWESOME performance here on Friday Night Smackdown.

Match No.5:

 Zack Ryder

def

Heath Slater via pinfall

Rating: DUD

Comments:

To tell you the truth, before i could finish a tweet about the segment that lead to this match, Ryder had already pinned Slater. So unfortunately, all i caught was the Rough Ryder. I would imagine this would of been an acceptable match, but this dosn't change the fact thatWWE have a backwards way of pushing young talent. I don't get it. They bury Ryder every week but fans still cheer for him because the guy has charisma. Then, when it comes to his home town (Long Island), the crowd is chanting "We Want Ryder!" but they don't even have him live on RAW. WHY? Is he a bad ratings draw or something? They probably think that having him on Smackdown will keep fans happy. But if they think they 'repaired' Ryder after him not being on RAW in Long Island, they are dead wrong. Sure, he got a big reaction, but i can guarentee WWE will have him on Superstars next week. It will take more than a victory over Heath "Jobber" Slater to get the credibility he had back. Once again, a DAMN SHAME.

Match No. 6:

The Prime Time Players (w/ A.W)

def

The Usos via pinfall

Rating:  * 3/4

Comments:

I am liking the combination of AW and the Prime Time Players. I also have a feeling i am going to like AW in his role after all is said and done. Considering The Prime Time Players aren't the best in-ring workers, i think it is important that AW bring out the positives in the team. In this case, he helps expand upon Oniel and Young's charisma. His introduction of the team is annoying, but in a good way. His constant coach-like chatter during their matches can actually be heard via his headset and this makes the No. 1 contender's matches feel real and competitive. Combined this with the Uso's ring work and the match was ok. Usos are great but The Prime Time Players are still average in the ring. Time and more matches with teams like the Usos will help. But at the end of the day, AW was the highlight for me, while the in ring work was nothing overly exciting.

Match No. 7:

 World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus

def

Dolph Ziggler (w/ Vickie Guerrero)

Rating: **3/4

Comments:

The main event for Smackdown was a match we have seen SO many times before. This didn't mean it wasn't great, because it was. But the fact that i have seen Ziggler dropkick Sheamus in the face 6 weeks in a row makes this move and this match seem kind of boring. never thought i would say this, but its true. I was bored mid-way through this match. Repeating this match over and over also dosn't do wonders when it comes to pairing these two down line the line at PPVs or in another programs. This means it is going to be a LONG time untill this match is considered fresh in the eyes of fans. 

It also dosn't help that Sheamus BEAT ZIGGLER AGAIN! I seriously do not understand the logic behind this. You have Ziggler claim that he wants to be a singles wrestler a few weeks back. But you immediately put him up against guys that the company has no intention of jobbing. So, the end result is Ziggler loosing EVERY SINGLE MATCH SINCE BECOMING A SINGLES COMPETITOR (bar the 4-way match last week). How the hell is this talented athlete meant to get over as a legitimate main eventer? The guy has been with the WWE since 2007. I think he has "paid his dues" by now! Sure, Ziggler is the "show off". But what the HELL is he "showing off" when looses all the time? Yes, he's a good worker (maybe even a great worker), but there comes a time when your "great worker" needs to start WINNING regardless of who he is. There's no shame in having your heel actually back up his arogant claims once in a while. Thats the beauty of the arogant heel character: he's actually so good that it pains you as an audience member to accept it. THAT'S WHY YOU HATE HIM! The next thing we will have is Michael Cole telling us that Sheamus and Ziggler are "intertwined in one of the most competitive rivalies in recent memory" just like he did with Christain and Orton last year. Remember that one? where Christain won 1 of 6 matches with the viper over the World Heavyweight championship? Just ridiculous and frustrating "storytelling" that detracts the audience from the great matches these two always have.

After all this complaining, the match was definately one of the better these two have had. Great chain wrestling to start combined with an entertaining "feeling out process". The big transition of the match (Ziggler's Fame-Asser off the ring steps) was a great visual and definately got the fans interested if they wern't interested already. In fact, the crowd quickly became divided as the knowledgable fan base began chanting "Lets Go Ziggler". Ziggler's intensity in keeping Sheamus grounded was appreciated and Sheamus comeback was stiff and agressive. The finish was fantastic in the story it told: 2 wrestlers exhausted, trying to hit the other with everything they had. Like the Storm/Joe match, Sheamus' Brouge Kick finish came out of nowhere and looked absolutely FANTASTIC. The finish and sequences that lead to it enforced the incredible skill both Sheamus and Ziggler have in selling and conncecting with the audience. 

A great main event to an episode of Friday Night Smackdown that had a handful of good matches surrounded by missable and somewhat boring filler.

Thats all folks! Be sure to subscribe to the blog, comment and tell me what you thought about Smackdown this week. As always, be sure to follow me on Twitter ( @JoelysWrestling ) this coming Tuesday  for a live tweet-review of WWE RAW (Tuesday Morning: US and Tuesday Afternoon: Aust) After a disappointing week last week, can RAW rebound with a stellar show with only a few weeks untill WWE Money in the Bank? Here's hoping!

 

The 3-Count Review: TNA Impact Wrestling 21/06/12

               

# 1

 

So Austin Aries gets a World Heavyweight Championship (WHC) match with Bobby Roode at Destination X? Personally, i am VERY excited about this match and i hope these two have at least 2-3 bouts over the strap. Both guys are qualified and highly entertaining and my hope is that when they get into the ring, there is instant chemistry. Time will obviously tell on that one. But the good thing in this situation is that Aries/Roode is a FRESH main event: something we haven't seen before. That, combined with the skill of both guys makes Destination X a worth wild purchase if one is setting on the fence about it.

Ever since Aries arrived in TNA, i have been waiting for him to start competing on the main event stage. If you have only seen this man on TNA, you NEED to see his matches against guys like Samoa Joe in Ring of Honor . THEN you will understand why Joe and Aries' match at Slamiversary was so damn GOOD and why Aries is "the greatest man who ever lived." What's even better in this situation is that Aries is getting a WHC program that involves just himself and Roode fighting over the belt. No 3rd/4th party to water down the focus on Aries. No overwhelming drama involving Soap Opera themes. Just Aries, Roode, the WHC, and story about a man trying to prove to everyone that he deserves his spot at the top of TNA. Simple, effective and GREAT!

Although, i'm not too sure about Aries reasoning for vacating the championship. So...the X-title holder gets a chance to vacate the title in order to get a WHC match...but ONLY at Destination X next year?? I'm confused. How does that ensure that Aries leaves a "legacy" on the championship belt? Its not like the X title automatically grants the title holder a shot at the championship when ever he wants. I think this decision promotes the title as not prestigious in its own. Instead, it becomes a strap that you only have to hold around Destination X, so u can vacate it for a WHC. The fact that a hardcore fan like myself is thinking about to this degree means that the stipulation is too complicated. Unfortunately, this is something that TNA is known for.

In the meantime, Aries is getting a title shot and that is a good thing!

#2

This was the first Open Fight Night i've watched that actually made sense of it's concept...and i have the Bound For Glory Series (BFGS) to thank for it.

On this show, all matches (except for Gut Check and the Knockouts Championship) were determined by 1 guy coming out and challenging another for a match. By the rules of Open Fight Night, they had to accept. GREAT! The reasoning behind each choice was logical and generally well delivered. Robbie E was his geek/arrogant self and did an "open challenge" where Angle accepted and killed him. Magnus wanted AJ because he thought he was disgusting in regards to his "affair" with Dixie and thought he was distracted because of it. But the stand out this week was Samoa Joe. This guy was pissed off about Storm eliminating him last week in that gauntlet match and he wanted to make him tap out....GOLD! Joe's intensity made it hard for me to not be immediately drawn to this contest. Joe followed this promo with a logical wrestling match (which was the match of the night) that focused on hard strikes (that emphasized his pissed off attitude towards last week's loss) AND continual application of submissions (showing that Joe realized he was down 20pts and needed that 10 submission victory).

Although these matches were short, i didn't mind one bit. I think the 10-minute time limit for BFGS matches makes the action succinct and conveys the "unpredictable/urgent nature" of the contest. That is, what will each wrestler do to get the most points? will he go for a quick count out? will he need to get a submission due to the fact he is behind X amount of points? All in all, thumbs up for the BFGS this week!!!

#3

This was the week where "the big secret" involving AJ and Dixie was to be revealed. But unfortunately, after all the weeks of build up,  i don't think the pay off was as hot as it should of been.

On the plus side, TNA did a very good job building to the main event angle all show . The video package/segments were almost WWE-like quality in the story they told. If i was a casual fan I'm sure that i would of got the jist of the stoy and understood it immediately. This is a distant cry from the video packages of TNA's past where video packages went for 10 mins and you had NO IDEA what was going on by the end of them. Hell, they have done a tremendous job nearly every week concerning this storyline and TNA should be commended for this.

However, the pay off, as stated before, was weak and ineffective. It made sense, but i wasn't drawn to it the way i should of been. Firstly, the actor they had for the role of the 'victim' was TERRIBLE. There was no way i could believe this woman was addicted to alcohol and pills. She was so fake in her delivery that i was laughing at how bad it was. If i'm laughing, you can be sure that the casual fan base is laughing as well which is BAD! Main event storylines (or any stroylines) need to maintain your disbelief throughout, not encourage you to return to reality and judge the product. Secondly, where does this storyline go from here? Is that it? considering we have a Tag title match involving AJ, Daniels and Kaz, it seems as if it will continue. But i have no idea what there is to fight for now. Does AJ want to beat Daniels and Kaz up more for getting their facts wrong? If that's the case, it didn't help that AJ beat up Daniels and Kaz single handily after the secret was revealed. I just saw AJ easily destroy the former tag champs on his own. Ive seen justice being served. I don't need to see it again and i have less desire to see the Tag title match next week. 

For a second here, it seemed as though  TNA went back to its roots in this storyline continuation. But the last few weeks have instilled a new faith in the TNA product. So i will be a good wrestling fan and "wait and see" what happens.

Match Results:

Match No 1:

 Mr. Anderson

def

Daniels via pinfall for 7 BFGS pts

Rating: **

Comments:

This was the first of many solid to great wrestling matches on the show. Furthermore, the Open Fight Night element saw the show become wrestling heavy which is never a bad thing! With 9 matches on the show, maybe there was TOO much wrestling, but that's up for argument.

Anderson was a man renewed in this one. As most know, I think Anderson is man past his prime. He may have a lot of things he is dealing with backstage, but i can only judge what i see on TV. On the plus side, however, he provided a MUCH BETTER outing than last week. It may have been due to the fact that he was wrestling Daniels, one of the best grapplers of the 21st century. The match had a good pace to it, maybe attributed to the time limit and had a few interesting spots (such as Anderson's roll up on Daniels as he attempted the "Best Moonsault Ever"). A really fun match to start the show.

Match No. 2:

Kurt Angle

def

Robbie E via submission for 10 BFGS pts

Rating: SQUASH

Comments:

Not much to write about here. Both guys were acceptable in their role and Angle is a machine, even in a squash match with a jobber. I guess matches like this make me wish someone like Kaz was in the BFGS, but he is not and what we got here was predictable, but logical.

Match No. 3:

Magnus

def

AJ Styles via pinfall for 7 BFGS pts

Rating: ** 1/4

Comments:

Even though Magnus delivered a very average promo pre-match, the contest between himself and AJ was another solid wrestling battle. I like the look of Magnus and thinks he has 'it'. But as stated before, the promo did nothing to me which is odd as he has delivered many better promos than this (his UK promo is one of them). AJ was tremendous as usual but the match wasn't a spot fest involving the Phenomenal One. It actually highlighted Magnus a great deal, which is CRUCIAL in the BFGS. Guys such as Magnus, who have just come off a tag title run for example, need that extra push/rub from the established stars so they can be seen as credible in the eyes of fans. In winning, Magnus got some great, innovated offense in (that Fall-away slam into a Verticle Suplex was outstanding!) and sold AJ's offense just as good. Thumbs up all round here! 

Match No. 4 (Gut Check Challenge):

Tara

def

Taeler Hendrix via pinfall

Rating: - *

Comments:  

Matches such as this one make me think that TNA purposely go out on the indy circuit and look for the most green wrestlers out there. This was HORRIBLE! Even with Tara, a multi-year pro, in there.Where do i start? Her selling was atrocious. I felt as though she was avoiding running the ropes because she didn't know how. She performed the WORST gut-rench take down in North American professional wrestling history.  AND he facials were non-existent. If TNA expect fans to get behind her because in real life she battled cancer, you are DEAD WRONG. I don't want to see TNA hire a 'wrestler' like this woman because she defied the odds in real life. As great as that is, it is meaningless in the ring. I want to see TNA hire a new wrestler because he/she is capable in that ring, can deliver captivating promos and have an aura about them that is unique and identifiable. Unfortunately, this woman had NONE of these qualities. TNA, PLEASE give me some real wrestlers to judge, not a female wannabes. 

Match No. 5:

James Storm

def

Samoa Joe via pinfall for 7 BFGS pts

*Match of the Night*

Rating: **3/4

Comments:

What a great 8-10 mins of wrestling! If someone was to ask me to show them, using 1 segment of television, what wrestling was all about, i would be hard pressed to find another example such as this.

Storm is looking more and more like a star every week. His weight loss might have something to do with it but tonight, his entrance definitely had a 'superstar' feel to it. He sold well in regards to Joe's aggressive offense and Joe absolutely came off better than he entered. I especially liked how Joe kept trying for his reverse naked choke so that he could secure 10 valuable points. The finish came out of nowhere, but  this was fine as it added a Shawn Michael's "can happen at any time" aura to Storm's Last Call. However, I would like to see Storm establish another finishing move in this series. All the greats (Rock, Undertaker, Angle, Jericho etc) have more than one method of putting people away. The more moments a wrestler has in establishing possible finishes , there will exist more ways of building drama and anticipation in their matches. Bobby Roode developed the Crossface last year, and Storm shld work establishing something similar.

Match No. 7:

 

The Pope

def

Bully Ray via pinfall for 7 BFGS pts

Rating: *1/2

Comments: 

I found it hard to draw myself to this match. I used to be a big fan of The Pope when he was in WWE but ever since coming to TNA, i find hard to engage in anything he does. The exception was the Devon storyline in 2011, but that was VERY brief. Bully Ray's promo pre-match was good and logical as always, the in-ring work was just there and the finish was predictable having Abyss come out and distract Bully. I am getting to the point now where i need more to get into the Abyss/Bully storyline. Maybe another twist. Also, i wouldn't mind seeing Bully get a win under his belt. Isn't this amazing wrestler meant to be one of TNA's best heels? If so, lets have him be able to back his credibility!

Match No. 8:

    

TNA Knockouts Championship:

TNA Knockouts Champion Miss Tessmacher

def

Mickie James via pinfall to retain the Championship

Rating: **

Comments:

I never thought i'd say this but there was A LOT to like about this match. 

Even though i liked this match. I certainly didn't care for Brooke Hogan's segments leading up to the match. There is just something about her that's fake and unlikeable which is NOT GOOD when she is meant to be a full fledged babyface.

Although the segments stunk, the in-ring action told a great story and put over Tessmacher as champion. If i'm honest, i think most of this had to do with the greatness that is Mickie James. As Dave Meltzer pointed out a few weeks ago on www.wrestlingobserver.com , Mickie James has been slowly and subtly turning heel. The slower the turn, the more effective the heel run will be and Mickie ramped it up this week with her facials and in-ring aggressiveness. I especially loved the cheap forearms to the back of the head as Tessmacher was in the ropes. This, coupled with Earl Hebner's reaction to this was just great! To her credit, Tessmacher kept up with James and the clean win against the former Knockouts champion can do only good things for her brief career. I am interested to see where this goes next week.

Match No. 9:

Jeff Hardy

def

Rob Van Dam via pinfall for 7 BFGS pts

Rating: ** 1/4

Comments:

  

The wrestling portion of the show concluded with a very solid bout between two wrestlers that know each other so well. It's crazy to think that it was just the other day that watched RVD defeat Jeff Hardy for the WWE Hardcore Championship match at Invasion 2001. Now, 11 years later, these two are still delivering solid and fresh bouts to the fans. Even though RVD is getting slower in his old age, he and Jeff kept up a really good pace and kept the live crowd into the match. I  especially appreciated RVD's 450 as i don't think i've ever seen him attempt that move in his career. I wasn't completely excited when this match was announced, but by the end of it, i was glad i saw it so thumbs up!

Bound for Glory Leaderboard:

1st) James Storm    = 27pts

2nd) Kurt Angle       = 10pts

3rd) Mr. Anderson = 7pts

                 Magnus = 7pts

             Jeff Hardy = 7pts

              The Pope = 7pts

4th)           Daniels = 0pts

           Samoa Joe = 0pts

              AJ Styles = 0pts

              Robbie E = 0pts

       Rob Van Dam = 0pts

              Bully Ray = 0pts

 As always, be sure to follow me on Twitter ( @JoelysWrestling ) this coming Tuesday  for a live tweet-review of WWE RAW (Tuesday Morning: US and Tuesday Afternoon: Aust) After a disappointing week last week, can RAW rebound with a stellar show with only a few weeks untill WWE Money in the Bank? Here's hoping!

The 3-Count Review: Monday Night Raw 18/06/12

#1

The choice to have former- GMs step in until a "permanent" GM is found is an effective hook to get audiences to tune into Monday nights. It creates an acceptable level of mystique and intrigue to each show. That is, unless they promote the hell out of each one before Monday night. Case in point: i doubt one bit that promoting Mike Adamle will move the ratings needle if we heard about it on all 4 WWE shows. It will work like it did last night. We are in Long Island. The audience tunes in in the first hour to see whats gonna happen and BAM! Mick Foley gets announced as interim GM in the opening segment. GREAT! It looked like it might of worked considering the ratings spike from a 2.9 to a 3.4 this week.

Great seeing a much slimmer Foley interact with his home town crowd. My only criticism is that he was on the show for one segment. Mick is a funny guy and is known for some great backstage segments such as his series with Edge and Christian back in 2000. If the GM are effective personalities, lets enforce the importance of them by having them interact with the wrestlers just as much as Laurinaitis did throughout the show. Otherwise, a solid move by WWE.

#2

Brock Lesnar vs Triple H at Summerslam. I will tell you now, i am not hooked at all. Even after last night's stellar performance by Paul Heyman. As JR has said numerous times: Paul Heyman is a natural Heel because he is so easy to dislike and last night was a testament to that! Having Paul Heyman goad Triple H into hitting him after he decided not to was GOLD! great, simple professional wrestling television! The past part of this week's RAW.

So why is it that I'm not into this rivalry? Firstly, not having Brock Lesnar on TV is a big part of it. I know the backstage reasons why (i.e he has limited dates and he can only be using sparingly) and i understand the storyline mentality (i.e Lesnar is a Heel, he's hiding behind lawyers/Heyman, he's a 'quitter' etc). But i guarantee you,  keeping him off TV will only increase the positive reaction he will get when he finally returns. Definitely what you DON'T want from one of your biggest heels. I was there in Miami when Lesnar returned, and if he finally appears in front of a knowledgeable crowd (i.e NYC, Philly, Boston etc) hes going to get cheered like he did after WM 28 and the heel/babyface dynamic will be unbalanced.  Why will such a crowd cheer for him? Well, because most fans want to see what Lesnar does best: get in the ring and KILL fools like he did with Cena at Extreme Rules (if you haven't seen that match, i suggest you stop reading and go here right now to watch it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea7k7B7GjSA ).

Secondly, I can't stand, nor do i believe in this continual push of Lesnar being a 'Chicken Shit/Cowardly Heel'. WWE spent weeks pushing the fact that Lesnar is an ass kicker. This was accomplished via some amazing videos that i would consider some of WWE's best work to date ( such as this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTOLgBamCoo&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PLDE2789CA50F4C2D8). Watch that video and tell me, does that guy look like a pussy? Sure, he might be a business man in real life, but wrestling fans don't give a crap about that part of Brock Lesnar!! At this point in time, ANYONE could be in Brock Lesnar's position. Any Heel, be it Del Rio, Miz ANYONE! As a result, Lesnar doesn't come off as anything special. He's just another heel that is hiding behind PAUL HEYMAN OF ALL PEOPLE so that he doesn't have to fight HHH. PFT! AS IF! If they actually protected Lesnar and kept promoting him as a big deal, HHH vs Lesnar would be a money making match. No question. It will still probably spike a few more buys for Summerslam regardless, but the storyline should be Brock Lesnar, the animal ass kicker vs The Game HHH. NOT Lesnar the Coward who quits everything vs the ever successful "not a care in the world" Triple H. Early days i know, but right now, I'm not into this AT ALL.

# 3

Is WWE confused with the definition of 'heels' and 'babyfaces' in 2012? Seemed so on this show. I hate to say it but back in the day, these dynamics were followed to a tee. Also, if someone turned it was a massive deal and it was absolutely obvious. Look at the heel turn of HHH back in 1999 at Wrestlemania 15 for example. You had HHH, the leader of DX turn his back on his best friend X-Pac when it looked like DX was back together after Chyna re-joined the group earlier in the show. He pedigreed his friend on the grandest stage of them all, then spat on him. Fans got it immediately: this guy is a heel. Then the next night on RAW, he explains that he is better than DX and is after the money. Fans now have a reason to boo him (i.e he's a betrayer, he is greedy etc). It wasn't hard at all to make an impact with this kind of stuff. These days, WWE gives talent scripts that have heels do babyface things and vice versa AND have talent turn with little or NO explanation. If there is explanations given (such as with the latest Big Show turn) its illogical and VERY weak in execution.

This week we had many examples of this stuff. Firstly, we had "heel vs heel" in Swagger v Ziggler. So, as a fan I'm thinking "ok, looks like Ziggler is going babyface" considering his mini-push. The match involves him selling like a babyface all match (esp in that ankle lock spot), crowd gets behind him and he wins. BIG POP! But, instead of continuing this turn, he immediately grabs Vicki and kisses her passionately....what?!

Secondly, we get a video promo tell us that Chris Jericho is returning to RAW next week. The same Chris Jericho who beat to death babyface Randy Orton while screaming "I'M THE BEST IN THE WORLD AT EVERYTHING I DO!!!!" Whats Jericho doing in this video? making hundreds of thousands of fans smile and dance as he performs with his band Fozzy at a music festival....huh? Should we cheer for him when he gets back? if so, WHY?

Thirdly, Primo and Epico (a heel team) got screwed by AW at No Way Out so he could side with Young/Oniel (another heel team). All of a sudden on RAW, Epico/Primo (heels) fight Young/Oniel (heels) and are doing high flying moves and flying all over the place trying to get a pop out of the crowd, which they don't. Why? Because their turn was never explained!

Finally, Big Show, the WWE's biggest heel, decides in the main event to abandon Laurinitus so he could get slaughtered by John Cena. This got big cheers from the crowd in Long Island. Why? Because we are wrestling fans at heart and we are used to seeing babyfaces NOT No. 1 heels do stuff like this.

WWE, a little consistency and explanation PLEASE!!

Match Results:

WWE Champion CM Punk and World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus 

def 

Kane and Daniel Bryan via pinfall on Bryan

Rating: ** 1/4

Comments:

Long, but effective tag match with 4 of the best and most reliable wrestlers in the company. Both babyfaces got cut off and each of their hope spots looked great. Punk's final hot tag was especially good with Bryan. Talk about their sequences being as smooth as silk!!AJ coming out was ok in my books because we had a long match to sink our teeth into (and ive got a soft spot for her, what can i say!). My only criticism was that if Bryan is going to get hit with both Champion's finisher moves, I don't want to see him regain consciousness 30 seconds later. Let's continue the selling after the match shall we? On a side note, was also great to hear Cole put over the fact that CM Punk is the 4th longest WWE Champion in the last 15 years. Stuff like that adds to the credibility to the title and makes it seem important that Punk has had it for so long.

Dolph Ziggler 

def 

Jack Swagger via pinfall

Rating: **

Comments: 

Even though it was WAY TOO SHORT, i loved what i saw here. Ziggler's early sell of his ankle after reversing Swagger's back suplex was a great spot. What was even better was that he continued to sell throughout the match. Little things like this make the final big spot (in this case, Swagger's ankle lock) mean a whole lot more and make the audience feel as though this big spot could be the finish. The biggest downside is that this match finished just as it was starting to get good. Swagger looses, which was so overly obvious it wasn't funny. Shame, he definitely has talent in that ring.

Alberto Del Rio (With Ricardo Rodreguies)

def 

United States Champion Santion Marella via Submission

Rating: 1/2 *

Comments:

At this point in the show, the wrestling took a nose dive. I could rant and rave about the fact that Santino, the US Champion has been beaten by Del Rio twice before like this, but whats the point? WWE have this infatuation with establishing an obvious hierarchy amongst the talent rosters of both shows. I understand that Del Rio needs to go over strong here after his injury, but are you telling me there was NO ONE that was lower than Santino that could of taken this beating??? What's even more annoying is that, Del Rio beats Santino for the 2nd time in a row, but won't demand a US title match. We know that the WHC is much more important than the US title, but having Del Rio not even acknowledge the US Title makes the Championship even more of a waste of time. Match was over in 90 seconds, but what was there was acceptable.

Primo and Epico (with Rosa Mendez) 

def 

 No. 1 Contenders "The Prime Time Players" (With AW) via count-out

Rating: *

Comments:

I hated this match with a passion. It wasn't the "paint-by-numbers" in-ring work this 4 guys put forward. It wasn't the illogical babyface turn of Primo and Epico. It was that count-out finish. Yes WWE, i get the angle that AW told them they didn't need to win because they are the No. 1 contenders to the Tag Titles. But cmon!! Darren Young and Titus Oneil are still very VERY green! They need all the help they can get to get over with the audience. In this case wins are extremely important. Having them give up on trying to beat two guys that are a little bit above them on the WWE totem pole makes them look SO weak. Are you telling me that WWE couldn't afford to have Primo and Epico loose one more time? Seriously ridiculous.

John Cena 

def 

John Lauintius and David Otunga via pinfall (2-on 1 Handicap Match)

Rating: *

Comments:

A nothing match. I guess there was nothing wrong with it, but Otunga wrestling is like watching paint dry. Just flat out boring! Cena was being Cena. Nothing to write home about here. The fans felt exactly the same as "WE WANT RYDER!" chants filled the arena in Long Island during the match. When i think about this match, i realized that there was such little heat for Laurintus' last appearance on RAW. Why? Because no wrestling fan on the face of this planet believes that "Big Johnny" will be gone forever. 3 FUs by Cena didn't change the fact that this was a very anti-climatic ending to a very flat edition of Monday Night RAW.

Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@JoelysWrestling) this Friday (Australian Time)  as i will be tweet-reviewing TNA Impact Wrestling! After last week, i am thoroughly looking forward to it!

Hey All!

For those expecting a NWO review, i was unable to get it on PPV. So, ill be posting only a RAW review on Tuesday night. Sorry everyone!!

BUT if you want to follow live event results as they happen, go to www.wrestlingobserver.com as Dave Meltzer is doing play-by-play as we speak!

Thanks and sorry for the inconvenience!