Bruno Sammartino's wrestling topic

[quote name='Demolition Man']HOLY! SHIT!

Jeff Hardy just beat Triple H...... cleanly!
[/quote]

Quit playing games with my heart.
 
[quote name='Zen Davis']Quit playing games with my heart.[/QUOTE]

Except I'm not. Its 100% true.

Jeff Hardy pinned Triple H in the middle of the ring. Clean finish.
 
[quote name='cdeener']Damn, can we get a stream? I forgot about it, too. Or if not can you update us Demo Man?[/QUOTE]

I'll update the thread after each match. Khali vs Finlay right now.

Here's the PPV so far.

1) Mysterio def MVP via MVP disqualification. MVP retains the US Title. Good match outside the ending.
2) Big Manboobs V/Mark Henry def CM Punk/Kane. No idea since I went to the bathroom.
3) HBK def Kennedy. Great match.
4) Jeff Hardy def Triple H.
 
[quote name='Demolition Man']I'll update the thread after each match. Khali vs Finlay right now.[/QUOTE]

Thank you, sir. What happened before the Hardy vs. Triple H match?
 
Finlay def Khali. Match is what its worth... a timekiller.

Before the Jeff Hardy vs HHH match..... Orton cut a promo backstage saying he't not entertaining, he doesn't care if the crowd likes him, and that he will retain the WWE Title.

Orton vs Y2J coming up next.
 
I'm not doing half bad so far. 3/4 and wrong about one ending. Here were the predictions I made over at SA.

Randy Orton by pinfall
Edge by pinning Batista
Jeff Hardy by pinfall
CM Punk/Kane, CM Punk by submission on Big Daddy V
Shawn Michaels by pinfall
The Great Khali by DQ
Beth Phoenix by Pinfall
Rey Mysterio by Pinfall

- edit Shit, now 3/5 :cry:
 
Awesome news about...
Hardy beating Triple H. I'm not a huge fan of the Hardys but I'm happy to see Triple H being (apparently) willing to lose. However, after all these years, Jeff Hardy can't cut a promo.
 
[quote name='Foo228']lethal over angle was bigger than hardy over hhh, imo[/QUOTE]
The follow-up is key here - I hope WWE does a better job with this than TNA did with Lethal going over Angle, which led to Lethal losing to Daniels immediately, then looking like a jobber against Team 3D. The win over Angle ended up only meaning something that night, as TNA botched everything else after it.
 
Jeff beats Triple H, eh? Interesting. I expect Orton to retain over Hardy at RR, and then Hardy to end up in the MITB match (assuming they have another one) at WM 24.

I'd imagine Triple H is waiting until WM to get his title shot. Perhaps plans for Orton vs Triple H are back on for WM24, instead of HHH vs Batista.
 
Beth Phoenix def Mickie James to retain the WWE Women's title.

Edge vs Undertaker vs Batistia up next.

Taz just took over JBL's commentating spot for the main event.
 
[quote name='JaytheGamefan']The script for the 1/3/08 Impact has leaked -
http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=290231&da=y[/QUOTE]

Oh, Homicide, you minx!

I'm surprised that they have scripted lines instead of being given the opportunity to ad lib. Can't wrestling promotions realize that some guys need scripts, and others need bullet points - the latter being the potential breakout stars when they aren't saddled down with their lines?

Pretty legible all around - what's it mean to "powder"? Is that like the southern phrase "take a powder" - and thus refer to cowardly heels bailing out of the ring when confronted?
 
[quote name='Halo05']Yay for Mr. Perfect, Austin and Rock DVDs. Boo for Batista and Lashley sets.[/quote]

Why are they making a Lashley DVD? What has he done that was noteworthy? Honestly he hasn't even held a major title yet. Unless WWE is planning on giving him one in the next year, which would be awful. I'm sure that will be one of the shorter "how can Vince make a quick buck" dvds, but still seems kind of pointless to me.

The Batista one intrigues me, as the guy is near the end of his career age-wise. Although, I doubt I'd pick that up as Batista's in-ring ability leaves much to be desired.

Mr. Perfect should be interesting and solid Austin and Rock dvds are long overdue.

I'm probably passing on the Summerslam set as there's not as many memorable matches from those PPVs that aren't already on other sets I own. The Ladder Match between HBK and Razor Ramon comes to mind.

I'm interested in what the match list for the HITC dvd will be, as many of those HITC matches are on the Taker DVD. I'm sure there's a website with all the HITC matches listed... I think I'll go find that now.

EDIT: Wiki comes through yet again: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell_in_a_Cell
 
[quote name='Demolition Man']Final Armageddon match results......

New Champ....

EDGE WON!!! EDGE WON!!! EDGE WON!!!
[/QUOTE]

How the fuck is that a surprise when all they did was pass this title on to somebody until he was able to return from injury.
 
[quote name='cdeener']
How the fuck is that a surprise when all they did was pass this title on to somebody until he was able to return from injury.
[/QUOTE]

Almost anyone is better than Roidtistia as champ.
 
Who did Edge pin?

I'm assuming they're still planning on going ahead with Edge vs Taker at WM24 then.

So... RR:

Orton over Jeff Hardy
Jericho over JBL
Edge over Batista
HHH wins the rumble

Taker wins the match at No Way Out to get the SD title shot.

Festive.
 
I wonder why Jericho just hasn't been over since his return. Is this because the fans are angry because his return was teased for so long?

This has to be the first ppv Umaga wasn't on in a long, long time too.
 
[quote name='Zenithian Legend']I wonder why Jericho just hasn't been over since his return. Is this because the fans are angry because his return was teased for so long?[/QUOTE]

His promos are a letdown, his new finisher terrible, and he hasn't really been featured in any but 2 (?) matches since his return, so he's been all promos, which, I'll repeat, he's been disappointing in. A grown man still saying "ass clown," for cryin' out loud.
 
[quote name='Zenithian Legend']I wonder why Jericho just hasn't been over since his return. Is this because the fans are angry because his return was teased for so long?

This has to be the first ppv Umaga wasn't on in a long, long time too.[/quote]

His promo style sucks for the casual fan.
 
WSB in Atlanta did a quick note story tonight about Benoit. From what I was able to catch the WWE turned down a request by the Benoit estate to donate $2M to Chris' 2 surviving children in recognition of his contribution to the sport. The last part of that sentence would have been in quotes except I don't remember the exact wording. Basically they were trying to make sure his kids are taken care of without WWE publicly acknowledging any shared responsibility. It looks like this will be headed to court. No link available yet.

[quote name='Demolition Man']HOLY! SHIT!

Jeff Hardy just beat Triple H...... cleanly!
[/quote]
That's probably his incentive to stay clean. HHH may have the best rehab program available in wrestling. Don't do
(non-performance enhancing)
drugs, get a title shot!

[quote name='Zen Davis']His promo style sucks for the casual fan.[/quote]
I watched his comeback just the other day and my first thought was "All of this time off and that's the best he comes up with?". When it's disappointing to long time fans, that's not a good sign.
 
[quote name='neocisco']WSB in Atlanta did a quick note story tonight about Benoit.[/quote]

The new Maxim has a 4-page article on Benoit, and another page listing the myriad of wrestlers that have died in the last X years before reaching the age of Y.
 
Let's be fair, here, though... Jericho himself has been a letdown, but they also completely mishandled it.

First, his arrival... they SHOW him and THEN hit the music? Giving JR and King at least a good 45 seconds to, with NO enthusiasm, babble about the 'only man it could be'.... that should have been a HUGE moment, but production dropped the ball.

He hasn't done anything. There was no build-up here. He arrives, and wants a match with Orton, to save us? Even though, mind you, the save us promos began BEFORE Orton had the title.

They NEVER... EVER (sorry, couldn't resist) should have put Jericho in the title picture right away. NEVER. Either way, it wasn't going to work. Jericho comes back and wins the title, Orton looks weak... which isn't a good thing for your top hell. Jericho comes back and loses the match... we all go... 'that was it?'.

And... the finisher. Hey, WWE, you know what would help? IF YOUR ANNOUNCERS GOT EXCITED ABOUT THE FINISHER. You can all hear it in your mind right now... JR screaming 'STUNNER, STUNNER!'... if they had even displayed 1/10 of that excitement when Jericho hit the move on Santino, it might have gone over. However, they kept calling it like normal, and actually sounded CONFUSED. Yet another 'debut' ruined.

Also, and here's an idea... in his first match back, someone that DOESN'T constantly lose needed to put him over. Think about how much more credibility he would've had going into Armageddon if HBK or HHH put him over.

And there, folks, is the problem. HHH wasn't high on Jericho coming back. Gee... Jericho's return was mishandled, and the guy HHH WANTED to push in his place suddenly gets put over AND gets a title match at one of the major PPVs. I don't like to think that HHH has that much power, but c'mon.

If they had wanted Jericho's return to work, it would have.


... and, for reference, I'm NOT taking any blame away from Jericho. His promos have been sub-par, so it's not as if he's blameless here. But, let's be fair... have his promos been a letdown? Sure... but yet we now have a man in the title picture who can barely speak at all, let alone well. Remember, folks, of all the people that HHH sees potential for main event status in, it's Jeff Hardy.

fuckING Jeff Hardy.

Then again, we've also pushed Bobby Lashley. So, where exactly did WWE forget that main event talent, first and foremost, needs to have PERSONALITY. Hogan, Savage, Piper, Austin, Undertaker, Rock, even HHH... all got over based on personality. Someone up in Titan Towers (still called that?) has gone batshit, and that's a fact.

I'll shut up now.
 
Here is Wade Keller's full review of the WWE Armageddon PPV for those who want a blow by blow account of what happened.

TORCH VIP EMAIL EXPRESS - WWE ARMAGEDDON PPV REPORT 12/16/07
By Wade Keller, Torch editor

KELLER'S WWE ARMAGEDDON PPV REPORT
DECEMBER 16, 2007
LIVE FROM PITTSBURGH, PA.

-Michael Cole and JBL introduced the show.

1 -- MVP vs. REY MYSTERIO -- U.S. Title match

Cole said there are a lot of people in the locker room and elsewhere who hopes Rey teaches MVP a lesson. JBL ranted about him citing his sources and not relying on hearsay. JBL said Rey isn't just the greatest high-flyer in WWE history, but he's the best in sports entertainment history. The term "sports entertainment" was coined by Vince McMahon to differentiate his product from other pro wrestling products in the 1980s, which include a lot of the companies whose libraries WWE has purchased in recent years. So what exactly is sports entertainment other than WWE? Were the other pro wrestling companies always sports entertainment, or do they become sports entertainment retroactively when WWE buys their libraries of footage? Rey took early control and the crowd was into it. A minute in, MVP bailed out and tried to call for a timeout. Rey dove over the ref and onto MVP on the floor. MVP soon took over and grounded Rey with matwork, primarily an armbar. Rey made a comeback, but landed awkwardly on his knee. He sold it as injured, but still managed to hit an Arabian moonsault for a two count. MVP fired back with hard clothesline at 7:00. Rey came back with a huracanrana for a near fall. MVP hit Rey with a big boot for a near fall. Rey came back with a 619 attempt. MVP moved and bailed out to ringside. Rey jumped onto the ring apron, then leaped off with a headscissors to send MVP to the floor. Rey returned to the ring to beat the countout, but MVP didn't rush and was counted out. Afterward, Rey dragged MVP back into the ring and gave him a 619.

WINNER: Mysterio via intentional countout in 10:00 so MVP retained the title.

STAR RATING: **1/4 -- Okay opener. Nothing memorable, but the crowd was into the near falls at the end. The finish was flat, but it fit the personality of MVP and "protected" Rey from doing a job.

-Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler were shown at ringside. They threw to a video of the Jeff Hardy vs. Triple H storyline. Todd Grisham then interviewed Hardy live. He asked if this is the biggest match of his career. He said of course it is because he's never been this close to a World TItle match. He said he respects, but doesn't fear Triple H. He said he's at a crossroads of his career and he's ready to rock on.

2 -- KANE & C.M. PUNK vs. BIG DADDY V & MARK HENRY (w/Matt Striker)

Joey Styles and Tazz took over on commentary. Styles said no TV is large enough to truly convey the mass of Henry and Daddy V. When Punk bounced of of Daddy V, Tazz said it was like runnin into a water tower. Striker kicked Punk at ringside. Back in the ring, BDV pressed Punk into the air then dropped him to the mat. At 5:00 Punk hot-tagged Kane. Kane tried to knock Henry down, but it took a top rope clothesline to do it. BDV blocked a Kane chokeslam attempt and powerbombed him to the mat. Punk interrupted the ref's pin count. The heels took turns methodically beating on Kane for a long three or four minutes. Kane finally hot-tagged Punk at 10:00. Punk hit BDV with two roundhouse kicks, two running knees in the corner, and another roundhouse kick. Kane and Punk doubled on Henry and threw him over the top rope to the floor. Striker jumped onto the ring apron. Punk kicked him, then springboarded into BDV's arms. BDV turned it into a Samoan drop for a clean pinfall. Punk clutched his ribs afterward.

WINNERS: BDV & Henry in 11:00.

STAR RATING: * -- What you'd expect from this. Not worse, but not better. Punk showed good energy and fire against the two massively larger opponents. Everyone put in an honest effort, but those middle minutes dragged.
-JBL and Cole talked about the World Title match later. Then backstage, Vickie Guerrero and Edge chatted backstage. Vickie told Edge that her pain and suffering with subside for at least a moment when she watches him win the title. Edge said her love gives him the strength of three men. She told him, "Be careful out there, sweetheart." Edge kissed her hand romantically. Vickie looked infatuated and in love.
3 -- MR. KENNEDY vs. SHAWN MICHAELS

This is pretty early in a PPV for Michaels to be wrestling, but this show is relatively loaded, but putting it ahead of the women's match, for instance, is more of a pacing issue than a statement of prestige or an attempt to elevate the Women's Title. Before the match, Kennedy said it doesn't matter if he likes him or impresses him, it only matters that he beats him. He declared that would happen in his signature third-person routine with the drop mic. Michaels worked over Kennedy's arm in the early minutes, At 4:00 Kennedy tackled Michaels to the floor, but Michaels stomped on Kennedy's hand on the steps at ringside and focused on his hand and arm back in the ring. They fought on the ring apron at 6:00. Kennedy threw Michaels back-first into the ringpost, knocking him to the floor. Ross pointed out that Michaels missed four years of ring action after back surgery. Kennedy favored his left arm as he took over the match, shoving his boot in Michaels's throat in the corner. Ross speculated that Kennedy's arm maybe broken, although Kennedy was using it enough between selling it to make it clear he had decent use of it. Kennedy got in sustained offense including a chinlock until 10:00 when Michaels made a comeback, catching a charging Kennedy with an elbow, then backdropping him over the top rope to the floor. Both men were slow to get up. Kennedy beat the ten count. Michaels knocked Kennedy down, then nipped up. He hit a top rope elbow, then showed great fire and signalled for his Sweet Chin Music at 12:00. He stomped the mat, but when he went for the kick, Kennedy ducked and schoolboyed Michaels for a believable near fall. Kennedy lifted Michaels, but himself slipped out and leveraged Kennedy's shoulder's down for a believable near fall. Kennedy catapulted Michaels face-first into the ringpost. Kennedy then lifted Michaels again and this time he delivered his finisher for a near fall. Kennedy went for a DDT, but Michaels held the top rope. Kennedy threw a left punch, then recoiled in pain. Michaels suddenly surprised him with a superkick for the three count. Ross said that was the best overall match he's seen Kennedy in.

WINNER: Michaels in 15:00.

STAR RATING: ***1/2 -- Very good match. Not great, but very good, especially the final few minutes with near falls. The finish played nicely into the effects of Michaels working over Kennedy's arm in the first half of the match.
-Grisham interviewed Orton backstage. Orton called Y2J a virus. He said the only thing Jericho should be saving them from is empty promises. He said he doesn't care if the fans are entertained. "I don't care if all the fans tonight in this arena leave disappointed as long as I leave the WWE Champion," he said. Great line. That's what a heel should say. He said he has a number for him - RKO18. He said that's the number of World Championships his last three challengers have held - Cena, Triple H, and Michaels. "So Y2J, don't save us, spare us." He said he will face the greatest the industry has ever seen later.
4 -- TRIPLE H vs. JEFF HARDY -- For a World Title shot at Royal Rumble

Ross repeated that Hardy said he's not intimidated by Triple H. When Lawler doubted that statement, Ross seemed a bit moody when he snapped that he was only repeating what Hardy said earlier. Lawler told him, "Don't get hot." He said he was just looking into Hardy's eyes and it looked like he was whistling through a cemetery. Hardy offered a handshake. Hunter paused, looked serious, shook his hand, pulled him in tight, and then shoved him away. Hunter shoulder blocked Hardy to the mat in the opening seconds. Hunter flattened Hardy with a clothesline. Hardy caught a charging Hunter with an elbow, then two armdrags. Hunter bailed out to ringside. Hardy went for a slidekick, but Hunter sidestepped him. Hardy ran the railing, but slipped. Hunter nailed him with a clothesline. Good recovery. Back in the ring, Hardy went for a right. He paused for some reason, so Hunter slapped him hard. Hunter then shouted at him, "Fight me! Fight me! Come on, fight!" Hunter threw Hardy into the corner. They botched a whip out of the corner. Hunter kneed Hardy and then clarified the called spot. (Hardy has a rep for being forgetful and not liking a lot of spots planned out in a match ahead of time). Hardy took Hunter down, legdropped him between the legs, and hit a basement dropkick leading to a pin attempt. Hardy slapped Hunter. Hunter reacted like he was proud of Hardy's aggression. Hunter threw Hardy hard to the floor and pursued him immediately. He whipped Hardy into the steps at ringside, then threw him back into the ring. Hunter went on sustained ofenseuntil Hardy again caught him with an elbow as he charged into the ring. When Hardy went to the top rope, Hunter shoved him to the mat. They would have gone to a commercial at this point if it were Raw. The ref began to count Hardy down. Hunter applied an abdominal stretch for a couple minutes. Lawler said the match was so one-sided, he didn't know if Hardy had any fight left. Hunter stopped a Hardy comeback attempt with a hard clothesline and a two count. Hunter smiled after the kickout. Ross said he thought it was confidence in being in the driver's seat. Lawler astutely said he felt Hunter was proud of the resilience Hardy was showing. It's probably meant to convey both. Hardy hit a dropkick off the ropes. Hardy went for a swinging kick in the corner, but Hunter moved and covered Hardy for a near fall. Hardy hit a top rope crossbody at 15:00 for a two count followed by a Whisper in the Wind for another two count. Hunter fired right back with a DDT. Hardy countered and surprised Hunter with a leverage pin attempt for a near fall. A shocked Hunter threw Hardy into the corner and stomped away at him. Hardy again swing kicked Hunter in the corner with both feet to Hunter's chest. Hardy went for a Swanton, but Hunter moved. Hunter got a two count. Lawler said he couldn't believe Hardy kicked out. Hunter went for a Pedigree. Hardy kicked out and set up a DDT. Hunter countered with a spinebuster. Hunter played to the crowd and got cheered. He approached a knocked out Hardy and lifted him for a Pedigree. Hardy flipped out of it and leveraged Hunter to the mat with a bridge for a three count. Ross sold it big with an, "Oh my God, Jeff Hardy beat The Game!" Hardy jumped into the crowd to celebrate with the fans. Hunter nodded in acknowledgment that Hardy beat him fair and square and put up a great fight. He sold it really well, seeming like a good sport but still frustrated and let down.

WINNER: Hardy in 19:00.

STAR RATING: **** -- Excellent match. The match told a great story that totally fit the characters in the match. One of Hunter's better matches in a long time, too.

-The Great Khali yelled backstage. Runjin Singh interpreted his comments. Generic stuff regarding his match.

5 -- THE GREAT KHALI vs. FINLAY (w/Hornswoggle)

Khali overpowered Finlay early. At 2:00 Khali followed Finlay out to the floor. When Finlay stood on the ring apron, Khali stood on the floor and reached up and slapped is chest. Pretty amazing visual. Cole let it go by without comment, so JBL interjected how odd and amazing it was to see someone slapped someone from below like that. Khali caught Finlay with a wheelkick as Finlay ran the ropes, then he applied a nerve hold for several minutes. JBL said he never dreamed he'd see Finlay decimated like this. Khali untied a turnbuckle pad. As the ref retied the buckle, Singh moved toward Finlay. Finlay hit him and then grabbed his shillelagh. Khali caught Finlay with a choke before he could use the stick. As the ref got rid of the shillelagh, Hornswoggle ran in with another and popped Khai between the legs from behind with it. Khali went down and Finlay scored a three count.

WINNER: Finlay in 6:00.

STAR RATING: 1/2* -- Actually passable, not counting the three minute nerve hold in the middle. So, in other words, lousy. The finish was probably a crowd pleaser for those who didn't go to the concession stand or bathroom at the start.

-A Tribute to the Troops video aired.
-Lawler and Ross talked about WWE entertaining the troops. Lawler said it's probably the most important thing WWE does all year long. He said from talking to WWE wrestlers who were over there, it was probably the most emotional trip yet. Ross hyped the WWE Title match. A lengthy video recap aired.
6 -- RANDY ORTON vs. CHRIS JERICHO

Jericho got a decent reception, but nothing that stood out. It's obvious because part of his ring intro is playing to the crowd, so you tend to naturally look to see how they react, and they're mostly not. Orton came out second. Orton and Jericho began with a test of strength. Jericho took Orton down with an armdrag. Orton got right up and they circled mid-ring again. Orton outpowered Jericho on a collar and elbow. Jericho came back with another armdrag. Jericho lifted Orton and dropped him gut-first over the top rope. He followed with two kicks to the stomach. He held Orton on the mat for a second, but Orton maneuvered to his feet. Jericho reversed whipped Orton into the ropes, but Jericho caught Orton with a jump spin wheel kick. Orton rolled to the apron and then to the flor. As he pointed at his head to signal how smart he is, Jericho surprised him with a bodyblock off the top rope. Orton caught Jericho returning to the ring with a DDT attempt, but Jericho slipped out and attempted an early Walls of Jericho. Orton escaped and DDT'd Jericho leading to the first two count of the match at 4:00. They continued with back and forth action for several minutes. Orton superplexed Jericho for a two count. Ross referenced that this is a battle over a title that dates back to "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers. Jericho stopped Orton with an enzuigiri. Jericho followed with a Lionsault attempt, but Orton lifted his legs and caught Jericho in the gut. Orton came right back with an inverted backbreaker at 10:00. When Orton went for an RKO, Jericho escaped and hit a Lionsault for a two count. Jericho couldn't believe Orton kicked out. Orton knocked a charging Jericho over the top rope to the floor. They fought at ringside where Jericho threw Orton face-first into the ring apron. Jericho charged at Orton, but Orton side-stepped and threw Jericho into the Smackdown announce table. Jericho landed in JBL's lap. JBL looked to take exception to it, the first hint of their pending feud (first reported on two weeks ago in the PWTorch VIP Newsletter "WWE Newswire"). Back in the ring, Jericho flew off the top rope into the back of Orton's head with an elbow. Jericho stalked Orton as he got up and went for his Codebreaker finisher. Orton caught Jericho mid-air and threw him into the corner. Orton set up an Legend Kick, but Jericho avoided it and locked on the Walls of Jericho. The crowd popped for that. Orton crawled toward the bottom rope. Jericho dragged Orton back to the middle. The crowd really popped for that, standing and clapping. JBL entered the ring and kicked Jericho in the head. That prompted the ref to call for the DQ. Ross said a broadcaster had no business getting involved in a match of any kind, especially a WWE Title match. Ross wondered how Jericho would react to being on the verge of becoming WWE Champion and then having JBL take it away from him with one swift kick out of nowhere. After Orton left the ring with his belt, the camera zoomed in Jericho as he came to.

WINNER: Jericho via DQ in 15:00.

STAR RATING: ***1/4 -- Good match. The finish, which Bruce Mitchell and I called almost exactly in this weekend's VIP audio preview of the event, was the way to keep the belt on Orton, let Jericho save face (as a loss to a heel Orton this soon after his return would really be a momentum killer and establish him as a second-tier player right away), and helped transition into the JBL-Jericho feud.
-Jillian Hall interrupted Lillian Garcia's ring intro for the next match. She said her CD on iTunes is "blowing up." She said it's one of the hottest downloads in the entire world right now. She said the reviews are phenomenal. She said "shyguy3188" said, "Move over Mariah, Christina, there's a new diva in town." She said he was so right. As a holiday gift to the fans, she's going to perform one of her songs off the album right now. She sang "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Tazz said he wished her microphone would blow up. They showed fans plugging their ears in the ring. Lillian was laughing in the background.
7 -- "GLAMAZON" BETH PHOENIX vs. MICKIE JAMES -- Women's Title match

Glamazon dominated the opening minutes. Mickie came back at 4:00 and scored a two count. She hit a dropkick off the top rope for a near fall at 5:00. As Mckie setup a DDT, Glamazon shoved her aside and then kneed her in the chest followedby a fisherman's suplex for a clean, anti-climactic win. Lawler touted Mickie for taking Glamazon to the limit.

WINNER: Glamazon in 6:00 to retain the Women's Title.

STAR RATING: * - That finish really came out of nowhere, which isn't bad thing now and then, but it hurt this match.

-Tazz joined Cole in a reunion of their many years together on Smackdown. Tazz was filling in for JBL, who Cole said acted despicably and wouldn't be back out for the main event. They threw to a long video recap of the Smackdown World Title storyline.

8 -- BATISTA vs. EDGE vs. UNDERTAKER -- World Title match

The champ, Batista, came out first. Then Edge. And finally Undertaker. Taker and Batista fought over who could get to Edge first. It led to them fighting in the early minutes, which Edge happily watched for a while. Edge moved in eventually, knocked Taker off the ring apron, but then took a charge from Batista. Batista hit Edge with a clothesline in the corner followed by shoulder drives to his gut. Edge came back with a drop toe hold of Batista face-first into the iddle turnbuckle. When he set up an early spear, Batista met him with a front kick and then a running powerslam. Taker yanked Batista out of the ring before the three count. Taker then set up Edge for a gullotine legdrop off the ring apron. Batista stopped Taker, though, with a running clothesline. Edge had control of Batista for a minute until Taker recovered and reentered the ring. Cole said Taker was waiting for his chance at revenge against Edge. Taker gave Edge a snake eyes and a big boot at 6:00 leading to a two count. Taker walked the top rope and came off with a forearm. He set up a Last Ride, but Batista speared Taker. Tazz described it aptly as a car wreck of a move. Batista threw Edge to the floor, then moved in on Taker. Taker turned it into a triangle choke. Edge rang the bell. Taker released the hold. The ref let Taker know he didn't signal for the end of the match. Edge crawled at ringside to avoid being seen. As Taker walked toward the ref angrily, Edge entered the ring and speared him. Edge then speared Batista and scored a near fall. Edge brought two chairs into the ring. Batista upkicked one of them into Edge's face. Taker knocked Edge to the floor. When Taker turned around, Batista nailed him with a clothesline. Batista climbed to the top rope. Taker ran into the ropes to knock Batista off balance. Taker then superplexed Batista to the mat. Taker walked the top rope again, but when he leaped off, Batista caught him and slammed him to the mat. Edge entered the ring. Batista speared hi, then turned back to Taker. Taker drove Batista into the corner. Cole and Tazz acted confused because there were two Edges lying at ringside. Taker chokeslammed Batista in the ring, meanwhile. Taker did the throat-slice indication. The fake Edge leaped off the top rope. Taker caught him and chokeslammed him hard to the mat. Batista set up a Batista Bomb, but Taker escaped and gave Batista a snake eyes. As Taker bounced off the ropes at Batista, Batista met him with a clothesline for a two count. The fake Edge lay in the corner face-down not moving. Taker reversed Batista into a piledriver. The real Edge entered the ring and hit Taker with a chair as he went for the cover, then he covered Batista and scored a three count. There were actually two other fake Edges who crawled up the ramp as Edge celebrated. Undertaker looked on in confusion at the site of three Edges.

WINNER: Edge in 13:00.

STAR RATING: **3/4 -- Disappointing match in that it seemed they had ten more minutes in them without overstaying their welcome, as it was good while it lasted. The finish was a fun conversation-stirrer, although WWE has to watch it with the non-clean, cute finishes in World Title matches that they're selling PPVs with. It's made worse by the fact that the show ended at 20 minutes to the top of the hour, shorter than usual.
 
[quote name='Zenithian Legend']I wonder why Jericho just hasn't been over since his return. Is this because the fans are angry because his return was teased for so long? [/QUOTE]

I think it's a mixture of him being rusty/coming back with a stagnated character, the fact he's been gone so long, the fact they pushed him so hard and that they pulled the trigger too soon on him.

2 years is a long time to be gone for somebody who isn't a major WWF attitude star/80s star. There are alot of new fans who missed him and even more people who didn't see him during his WCW run. It's also a long time to be out of the ring.

Instead of their stupid/useless SAVE_US promos, they should have been running Jericho promos mixed with classic moments and had him on the road doing house shows to work off his ring rust.

Bringing him back as a surprise entrant for Money In The Back at Wrestlemania would have been much better option. That would have given him time to do a fued with Santito before going for the title.

They also should have brought him back as a heel because face Jericho has always sucked.
 
...and Raw lacks heels outside of Orton and Umaga at the top - Kennedy was on the cusp, and has been, but hasn't won enough (any?) high profile matches to put him up there. Jericho would have been a sorely needed addition to the heel roster.

But now he's feuding with an announcer, and we all saw how that worked for Taz. :lol:
 
[quote name='Sporadic']I think it's a mixture of him being rusty/coming back with a stagnated character, the fact he's been gone so long, the fact they pushed him so hard and that they pulled the trigger too soon on him.

2 years is a long time to be gone for somebody who isn't a major WWF attitude star/80s star. There are alot of new fans who missed him and even more people who didn't see him during his WCW run. It's also a long time to be out of the ring.

Instead of their stupid/useless SAVE_US promos, they should have been running Jericho promos mixed with classic moments and had him on the road doing house shows to work off his ring rust.

Bringing him back as a surprise entrant for Money In The Back at Wrestlemania would have been much better option. That would have given him time to do a fued with Santito before going for the title.

They also should have brought him back as a heel because face Jericho has always sucked.[/QUOTE]


I agree heel Jericho is 1000% better than face Jericho. That being said, this is by far the worst incarnation of face Jericho, every promo he gives (or every time he comes to the ring actually), he just looks way too happy to be there. Just because you're a face doesn't mean you need to smile 100% of the time. I'm not saying he should be a bad-ass face ala Austin, but he also shouldn't be happy-go-lucky ala The Rockers in 1989. Maybe somewhere in between, with a bit of comedy face thrown in there as well. Also, can we please drop the y2j name/gimmick/whatever it is. It's 2007 for crying out loud.

 
His comedy is just far too juvenile and poorly written. It's also the same style and phrases he has used since a decade ago. I respect his wrestling and his career, but what irks me the most about his return is that it seems he left Raw a few years ago, gave absolutely zero thought to wrestling in that time, and decided to come back without updating his character at all.

Old wine in new bottles, in other words. I didn't think he'd improve the overall program all that much, but I didn't think he'd fizzle so quickly, either. Lamentably, the sail set on him after his debut promo.
 
One major problem with Jericho as a face (or heel, but mainly as a face) is that when he cuts his cartoonish promos, it's impossible to take him seriously. Take his big return promo - he says he's here to SAVE US from Randy Orton, is he here to save us from this vile man who has attacked innocent bystanders, brutally assaulted anyone he wants to, and has ended the careers of legends simply because he could? Nope, he's here to save us from Orton's... boring personality. Hell of a hook for a main event.

One guy's in the match to win, and the other's in it to crack jokes... ugh. Jericho just sounds like a one-dimensional tool in his promos, a problem that also plagued Christian Cage until he was able to cut serious, "money" promos. Simply allowing Jericho to act serious (like how a human being would normally act when vying for a championship) would do wonders for him, instead of having him just act and look like a cartoon character.
 
Likely quite poorly compared to their '01 feud, or even their '03 one, as Austin's a shell of his former self physically and on the mic, while the Rock isn't the same athlete he was during their first feud - keep in mind that it's been nearly 5 years (doesn't seem like it) since Austin wrestled, and Rock's been out of action for 4.

To pay homage to Memphis Wrestling, which is seemingly dying once again, here's a 1976 Memphis wrestling special.
Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj8ZTdAAzFo
Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoIJy2Agn90

Also, here's a Dream Machine Memphis video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqLDLnaksB8
 
[quote name='mykevermin']Jeff Hardy vs Randy Orton at the Royal Rumble, huh?[/quote]

:whistle2:? Ugh, that's going to be a clusterfuck to build-up. Unless they do run-ins on each other, the build-up will suck. We all know Jeff Hardy sucks on the mic, so unless they have Orton do promos then Hardy attacking him, promoting the match will be crappy at best. Would've been better if Trips won & faced Orton, at least then a decent promo could be done(along with HHH saying Orton's gay).

As for the Jericho finish, guess they're setting up the feud early. I'm guessing they'll do something like King does & have JBL do commentary & wrestle during the show. But it would make better sense to have Tazz replace him for now, especially since they have ECW guys wrestling on SD.
 
[quote name='JaytheGamefan']Likely quite poorly compared to their '01 feud, or even their '03 one, as Austin's a shell of his former self physically and on the mic, while the Rock isn't the same athlete he was during their first feud - keep in mind that it's been nearly 5 years (doesn't seem like it) since Austin wrestled, and Rock's been out of action for 4.][/QUOTE

Jay, you can say that (and overall, I do agree with you).

Still, if you had another "Stone Cold" appearance, where he's in the ring with Vince (at the end of the show) and we all smell the classic stunner/beer finish, and after he stuns Vince, instead of his music, the Rock's music hits, and the Rock comes out and Rock Bottom's Austin. People's Elbow, and Austin is out.

Sorry, I think half the message board (at least) marks out, and this would be huge.

Now, I don't think the Rock can add 3 ratings points to Raw's ratings permanently, but I do think he could be in the best feud in a few years with almost anyone, if he wanted to come back for a program (though, I'd rather see him fight a younger guy than fight Austin).
 
If Rock came back the biggest draw I could imagine him working with right now is Cena. This is assuming Cena is turned heel...

of course the smarks would then cheer Cena because he finally turned heel and boo Rock because he took all that time off to make movies.
 
If Austin had a comeback match, I'd say put him against Orton. Maybe do Orton vs. Austin at Wrestlemania for the WWE Title (leaving the Smackdown title match to focus on current guys). Do a "grizzled vet trains hard to make a comeback" storyline with Austin, only to have him lose cleanly to Orton after a hard fought match. They could do a great buildup, and really put over Orton huge. I know there's plenty of Orton haters out there, but whatever, I think it would be cool!

And yeah, I realize they basically did the same thing with Foley and Orton, but they've already rehashed angles far more recent than that, so why not. :p
 
[quote name='Zenithian Legend']If Rock came back the biggest draw I could imagine him working with right now is Cena. This is assuming Cena is turned heel...

of course the smarks would then cheer Cena because he finally turned heel and boo Rock because he took all that time off to make movies.[/quote]
as much as i hate the rock for leaving, if he showed up and layed the smackdown on cena it would be intense. they should have a WM match eventually

rock: whoooooo in the blue hell are you?? IT DOESNT MATTER WHO YOU ARE!
 
[quote name='BustaUppa']If Austin had a comeback match, I'd say put him against Orton. Maybe do Orton vs. Austin at Wrestlemania for the WWE Title (leaving the Smackdown title match to focus on current guys). Do a "grizzled vet trains hard to make a comeback" storyline with Austin, only to have him lose cleanly to Orton after a hard fought match. They could do a great buildup, and really put over Orton huge. I know there's plenty of Orton haters out there, but whatever, I think it would be cool!

And yeah, I realize they basically did the same thing with Foley and Orton, but they've already rehashed angles far more recent than that, so why not. :p[/QUOTE]

LOL at the thought of Austin putting over Orton. Good luck talking him into *that*. He won't even put someone over in the slightest in a non-wrestling role. His idea of putting someone over is having an interview segment with them where he gives them a SCS and drinks beer over their unconscious body. He's a complete self-indulgent bastard, and doesn't get any of the scrutiny that people like Triple H (who does deserve it, surely) get.
 
Austin's gotten quite a bit of flak for his '03 run of stunnering EVERYONE without anyone except Kane getting any kind of offense on him afterwards, although I haven't read anything about Austin being the reason behind that use of him.

Today's Observer site news update has more on the death of Memphis Wrestling - http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=21601

Basically, Corey Maclin says that the promotion isn't dead, it just isn't going to run new tapings, or have house shows, but classic Memphis tapes will be shown, and the promotion might continue at some point with a more cost-effective taped show instead of a live one. Hopefully the promotion doesn't die, as Memphis is the only city in the U.S. that cherishes its wrestling history, and wrestling is an institution there.

Thoughts on Armageddon - I loved Orton-Jericho way more than I thought I would - excellent match, as was HBK-Kennedy. HHH-Hardy was good, but Hardy's weak-looking offense hurt it, although it did fit into the story of him going easy on HHH until HHH told him to grow a set and fight him a like a man. MVP-Rey was really good, and I liked the corner-ropes exchange between them early on that led to the jump rana off the buckle by Rey.

Every match was at least good, which somewhat surprised me given how poor the Kane-V stuff has been in the ring, but their tag match was formatted perfectly, as was Finlay-Khali. If you'd have told me a year ago that Fit Finlay would be pinning Khali on PPV, I'd have called you nuts, but they did it smartly here by having Finlay cheat, keeping the idea of it being near-impossible to pin him clean alive. This show reminded me of Backlash, Judgment Day, and BFG in that it had no major lulls. The streak of dull WWE PPVs ended with this show.

I'm fine with what they did with the Majors, although the biggest problem I found was when Taker did the chokeslam to one of them, and apparently couldn't tell that the man he was looking at wasn't Edge, although I guess it could be argued that he was focusing on Batista and just did the move quickly to get Edge out of the match so he could go back to Big Dave. I don't mind them being Edge's lackeys, as they're doing jack shit now, and could work well in this role if given time. This reminds me a bit of when Jericho used Lenny Lane as his lackey, and then kicked him to the curb when needed.

Since Edge is a heel, he can either do that it'll work out just fine, or he can actually try and help them become tag champs like it implies on the WWE.com thing - either thing is fine by me, although I'd prefer the latter, as the tag division could use some shaking up, and maybe having the Majors as the Rated G tag team champions could do just that. Edge having his own sidekicks like Matt Hardy did in '03 should at least result in some good comedy bits.
 
[quote name='zzl365']I agree heel Jericho is 1000% better than face Jericho. That being said, this is by far the worst incarnation of face Jericho, every promo he gives (or every time he comes to the ring actually), he just looks way too happy to be there. Just because you're a face doesn't mean you need to smile 100% of the time. I'm not saying he should be a bad-ass face ala Austin, but he also shouldn't be happy-go-lucky ala The Rockers in 1989. Maybe somewhere in between, with a bit of comedy face thrown in there as well. Also, can we please drop the y2j name/gimmick/whatever it is. It's 2007 for crying out loud.

[/quote]
You make a good point.. one of the things that I feel seperates a great from a top-tier wrestler is their ability to modify and evolve their style along with the times. And I'm not really talking about using less risky moves because you're older, and more prone to injury... what I mean is, actually showing maturity with age. I guess the same argument can be applied to other forms of entertainment... Like Led Zeppelin. Everyone knows they're pretty much rock gods, and while I love their music, it never really changed much. They stuck to a formula that worked and became huge, but there's no evidence of musical maturity or evolution.

It's hard to think of a good example of a wrestler that's actually become this way. I'd say Christian Cage is one of the few I can think of. The way he went from being being heel to face to heel to face and actually has a different, more cunning, and wiser character each time shows just how great he is. I guess some other less obvious examples to me are Sting and the Undertaker. Also, Christian's relationship with AJ seems to pretty much reflect reality.. and I think AJ will be truly great one, not that he isn't now.
 
Can someone explain to me why HHH has beef with Jericho and why all of a sudden Jeff Hardy is getting a big push?
 
One of the main reasons Austin was pushed like that is because Vince is an Austin mark. Just like Vince is a mark for Cena.

Part of Rock's success can be attributed to Pat Patterson wanting to push Rock so heavily.

The only reason the Hardy's ever even got a shot on Raw after wrestling on Shotgun for so long was because Michael Hayes liked them, and then Triple H as well.
 
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