Hello and welcome to another edition
of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the
internet that pays less than Paul Heyman Circa 2000! It’s Cyber Sunday 2008, it
is my vote, my voice and my choice (Feel like I am singing Disarm by The
Smashing Pumpkins). Anyways, the power is in our hands, we decide the matches
and the stipulations. Who will face Triple H for the WWE Championship? We do
not know! Who will be the special referee for Batista vs Chris Jericho? We do not
know! That is what adds to the drama, it could be anyone! Usually, this pay per
view disappoints as it is usually a filler event to the more serious pay per
views but let’s see what WWE come up with this time!
(No Holds Barred
Match) Rey Mysterio vs Kane
Mysterio and Kane had been feuding due
to Kane’s hatred of Mysterio and how the fans accept Mysterio and his mask.
Kane tried to take the mask of Mysterio but got disqualified in their last
encounter. Mysterio ducks Kane’s attacks and kicks at The Big Red Monster. Kane
lands a big knee to cut off Mysterio, Mysterio quickens the pace and
low-bridges Kane. Tope con hilo to the floor, Mysterio waffles Kane with a
kendo stick before grabbing a stop sign. Kane boots Mysterio down, Mysterio is
thrown into the ring-post sternum first. Kane dropkicks Mysterio into the
ring-post, Kane grabs a camera cable. Mysterio is choked with the cable before
being slammed into the ring-post, military press into the ring by Kane for two.
Mysterio reaches for the kendo stick,
Kane kicks Mysterio and kicks the stick away. Hard Irish whip to the corner,
scoop slam with a leg drop. Two for Kane, back-breaker with Kane stretching
Mysterio over his knee. Mysterio battles out of the hold, Kane boots down
Mysterio. Two for Kane again, Kane is getting frustrated now. Stretch hold from
Kane, Mysterio reaches the ropes and kicks Kane away. However, Kane smashes
Mysterio with a right hand, another back-breaker stretch from The Big Red
Monster. Mysterio digs at Kane’s eyes, massive kick to the face. Mysterio boots
away Kane, bulldog from Mysterio.
Enzuigiri from Mysterio, Kane is in
position for the 619. Kane lures in Mysterio who comes in charging, massive
clothesline from Kane. Kane grabs a steel chair, tossing it into the ring.
Mysterio dropkicks the chair into Kane’s face, tilt-a-whirl neck-breaker from
Mysterio. Mysterio has the chair, Arabian face-buster from Mysterio for two.
Mysterio tries for a crossbody but Kane catches the underdog with a massive
throat thrust. Kane has the steel steps in the ring, boot from Kane to
Mysterio. The Steel steps are in the corner, Mysterio slides out of the
powerslam. Chokeslam attempt for Kane, Mysterio slips out and drop toeholds
Kane into the steel steps. West Coast Pop from Mysterio for two, Mysterio was
so close!
Mysterio grabs the chair, to the ribs
goes the chair. Knee shots and one to the head, Kane is knocked into the ropes.
619 blocked again, chokeslam attempt but Mysterio counters for a hurricanrana,
619 and springboard splash from Mysterio for the win. Mysterio has beaten Kane
within a flash, Kane is fuming.
Good back and forth contest from these
two, they work in the weapons in a meaningful manner for sure. Mysterio used
the steel steps and the chair to setup big moments, the finishing sequence was
pretty too with Mysterio countering the chokeslam into a hurricanrana. Looks
beautiful every time I see it, enjoyed this as an opening match.
Winner: Rey
Mysterio over Kane via Splash!
(ECW World
Heavyweight Championship Match) Matt Hardy © vs Evan Bourne
Babyface vs babyface, side headlock
with Hardy taking down Bourne with ease. Dropkick from Bourne to remind Hardy
this will not be an easy task, loud Hardy chants. Snap-mare from Bourne into a
side headlock, Hardy breaks the hold for a key-lock. Slam to the mat, Hardy
looks for an easy pin-fall. Victory roll from Bourne for two, kick by Hardy.
Sunset flip from Bourne for two, Bourne blocks side effect for a roll-up. High
knee, kick to the face and a hurricanrana with Hardy looking dazed. Hardy
side-steps Bourne who lands on the apron, Hardy forearms Bourne to the floor.
Hardy rams Bourne off the buckle and lands a
vicious clothesline for two, Hardy tries a bulldog but Bourne runs Hardy into
the buckle. Cross-arm-breaker attempt from Bourne, Hardy attempts to block the
hold as we transition into the arm-wringer. Kicks into a standing moonsault
from Bourne for two, hammerlock from Bourne. Hardy clubs down Bourne, Bourne
answers with a kick to the head. Bourne is climbing high, Hardy rolls away from
the shooting star press. Plancha fake-out from Bourne, Hardy does not fall for
it and ties up Bourne in the ropes. Scoop slam on the floor by Hardy for two,
middle rope elbow drop to the back of the head for two.
Abdominal stretch from Hardy, extra
shots to the ribs of Bourne. Hardy grabs the leg for extra pressure, Bourne
fights back though with big right hands before a Hardy clothesline ends that
flurry. Stiff kick to the ribs, splash mountain bomb is countered with a
beautiful hurricanrana. Hardy looks to reassume control but Bourne kicks away
at Hardy, Hardy manages to counter for Side Effect, close two for Hardy. Second
Side Effect for another close two, frustration coming across Hardy’s face.
Middle rope axe handle goes wrong for Hardy as a spinning heel kick from Bourne
wipes out the champion.
Kicks from Bourne, moonsault out of
the corner for two. Elbow in the corner, high kick to the face for two. Meteora
from the top rope for two, high kick misses for Bourne as Hardy rolls-up the challenger
for two. Tilt-a-whirl arm-bar from Bourne, Bourne wants the shooting star
press. Hardy climbs up to the buckle, stopping Bourne. Bourne knocks down
Hardy, shooting star press misses for Bourne. Twist of Fate is countered for a
backslide, two for Bourne. Out of the pin-fall attempt, Hardy delivers a Twist
Of Fate for the win.
An awkward one for sure, Hardy had
pleaded on TV for a match with Henry but the fans have the power and we get a
babyface vs babyface match. Hardy uses his experience to play the dominant heel
in this one over Bourne, fans did not want to see Hardy brutalize and control
Bourne yet at the same time, Bourne was not familiar to this audience as it
seems so the two work hard and Hardy makes Bourne look like a credible
competitor but the fans were not buying into it so we had an awkward one to sit
through. Some interesting counters in there though, Bourne has massive potential.
Winner: Matt
Hardy over Evan Bourne via Twist Of Fate!
Cryme Tyme vs
John Morrison & The Miz
Cryme Tyme were mocked on The Dirtsheet,
I literally forgot they were still around. They seem to do nothing but manage
to stay employed, JTG and Morrison start. Trash-talking, elbows and headlocks
from both. Morrison whips JTG, JTG takes a knee and uppercuts Morrison.
Morrison tags Miz, Miz eats a dropkick before JTG tags Shad. Corner splash,
scoop slam for two. Another slam, tag to JTG. Shad Alabama slams JTG onto Miz
for two, Miz throat punches JTG. Tag to Morrison, big kicks to JTG. JTG blocks
the right hand and shoves Morrison to his corner. Tag to Shad, Shad elevates
JTG onto Morrison. Morrison and Miz are tossed to the floor, Shad military
presses JTG onto Morrison & Miz.
JTG and Shad making the most of this
rare pay per view appearance, Shad gets a two on Morrison in the ring. Morrison
backs Shad to the corner, Miz holds onto Shad. Morrison brings all his weight
down on Shad’s hamstring. Miz tags in and works the leg, tag to Morrison.
Morrison applies a single leg Boston crab, Shad shakes off Morrison. Morrison
tags Miz, Miz applies a heel hook. Miz is shook off, Shad tags JTG. Leaping
clothesline and neck-snap on Miz, Morrison is knocked to the floor. Slingblade
on Miz, Morrison distracts JTG who is on the top rope. Miz smacks JTG to the
floor, Miz covers JTG for two. Double gut-buster from Miz & Morrison,
Morrison chokes JTG on the middle rope.
Boot from Miz behind the referee’s back,
more stomps and a running knee from Morrison for two. Miz tags in and batters
JTG before applying a chin-lock, JTG almost escapes but Miz tags Morrison. They
try their slingshot elbow and knee combination but JTG smashes Morrison to the
ground and stomps on Miz. Morrison tries stopping the tag but JTG tags in Shad.
Boots and flapjacks, a clothesline that turns Morrison inside and out. Morrison
is tossed to the corner, Morrison kicks out Shad’s knee. Schoolboy with feet on
the ropes, JTG pushes off Morrison’s feet. Shad spinebusters Morrison, Miz
makes the save. Miz and JTG brawl, the referee removes JTG. Miz kicks out Shad’s
leg, Morrison hits Moonlight Drive for the win.
Average, wonderfully average. Cryme
Tyme try so hard to get the crowd into this match but it is not happening, the
tag team division has been suffering for an awfully long time in the WWE. Felt
like Hardys vs MNM at ECW December to Dismember, felt like the match started
over multiple times with Shad and JTG making multiple hot-tags before being
shut down. Finish was fine, they look like they have plans for Morrison and
Miz, I do not see the point of doing anything with Cryme Tyme anyways so let us
see what the future holds.
Winners: Miz
& Morrison over Cryme Tyme via Moonlight Drive!
(WWE
Intercontinental Championship Match) Santino Marella © W/ Beth Phoenix vs The
Honky Tonk Man
The Honk-A-Meter was a fantastic idea
for Marella, Marella was a wonderful goofball heel who of course would think
that he is the greatest intercontinental champion since The Honky Tonk Man.
Shaquille O’Neal is in attendance tonight which is a wonderful cameo. Fitting
that Marella would face the very man who inspired his personal quest to become
the greatest intercontinental champion of all-time. Honky belittles Marella
before dancing, Honky challenges Marella to dance who dances for a bit. Massive
cheapshot from Marella, Honky and Marella lock-up.
Marella backs Honky to the corner,
Honky dodges Marella. Marella begs off, Honky grabs a side headlock and smashes
Marella in the face. Side headlock, shoulder block from Honky. Beth trips up
Honky, the referee disqualifies Marella. Marella gives out to Beth, Goldust
comes out because why not. Blocking the path of Marella, Piper comes down too
because he is The Hot Rod. Final Cut from Goldust, Piper nails lefts and an eye
poke. Shake, Rattle & Roll.
Yeah, do I really need to talk about that?
I thought it could have been great heat for Marella to beat Honky or at least you
know give us some kind of a competitive match. What they delivered was awful,
DUD!
Winner: Honky
Tonk Man over Santino Marella via DQ!
(Last Man
Standing Match) The Big Show vs The Undertaker
Big Show crushed Undertaker at No
Mercy, the most devastating right hand in the business. Show knocks people out
with The Knock-Out Punch and boy do I love when Big Show is allowed to be a big
nasty SOB who throws his weight around. We start with right hands from Taker,
Show is covering up but Taker is the best striker in the business. Show sends
Taker to the floor though, more big punches from both men. Headbutt from Show,
Taker is sent into the timekeeper’s area. Show looks for a chokeslam, stun-gun
from Taker. Chair to the head from Taker, Show retreats to the ring.
Corner clothesline by Taker, Show
reverses an Irish whip to the corner. Taker counters with a boot but runs right
into a clothesline from Show. Headbutt by Show, rights and lefts from Show.
Taker is down in the corner, headbutt floors The Deadman. Show lands a massive
leg drop, the referee begins counting. At 7, Taker rises to his feet. Show
boots Taker to the floor, more massive right hands. Taker is leaning against
the ring-post, Show misses a chair-shot. Taker boots Show and guillotines Show
by ramming Show throat-first into the ring-post with the chair on his throat.
At 8, Show manages to make it to this feet. Show is laying across the ring
apron, elbows by The Phenom.
Setting up the apron leg drop, Show
staggers around the ring as Taker stomps the left leg and tees off with rights
and lefts. Irish whip attempt by Taker but Show lands a massive lariat. At 8, Taker
is on his feet. Show stomps Taker against the ropes, Taker is staggering now.
Headbutts from Show, Taker is continuing to battle back from the attacks of
Show. A knee cuts off Taker momentarily, headbutt by Show. Taker lands more
right hands, chokeslam attempt for Taker. Show grabs Taker’s throat, chokeslam
attempt is countered for a DDT from Taker. Show makes it up at 9, Show manages
to shake off Taker. Headbutt to Taker again, Show exposes a turnbuckle. Elbow
to Taker, Show lifts up Taker.
Taker slips out and shoves Show into
the buckle, leaping clothesline from The Deadman. Show makes it up at 9, Taker
tries a boot in the corner but Show dodges. Taker hits the exposed buckle and
tumbles to the floor, Taker is smashed off the steel steps. Show exposes the
announce table, Taker is waffled with the monitor. Taker is knocked into the
crowd, Show grabs a chair. Taker punches Show in the face and looks for a leg
drop but Show Chokeslams Taker through the announce table. Taker manages to get
up at 9, Taker has his fists raised ready to fight. Taker wallops Show and Show
is shaking it off, Show slaps around Taker.
Right hand from Taker, right hand from
Show. Slugfest, whip by Show. Show lowers his head, DDT from The Deadman. Taker
sits up, Old School but Show counters for a Chokeslam. Taker pulls himself
using the ropes at 9, Knock-Out Punch right to the face. Taker manages to sit up
at 9, Show is irate. Show has the chair, Taker is cracked with the chair in the
head. Show tries to pick up Taker but Taker locks in Hell’s Gate. Taker has
suckered in Show, Hell’s Gate has choked out Show. Taker is trying desperately trying
to pull himself up using the ropes, Taker makes it to his feet and defeats
Show.
I thoroughly enjoyed this match, I get
its slow pace and lack of manoeuvres might be a turn off for some people but I
do love two big bastards going at it and it is so believable. Show working the
body with those punches and the knock-out punch is just terrific, Show batters
Taker with such glee throughout the match. The finish is beautiful, Show
winding up for Taker’s head with that trusted Knock-Out Punch only to fall into
Hell’s Gate. Taker sells every attack from Show like death, Taker constantly
pulls himself up using the ropes before collapsing again to the floor, really
showing the deadly attacks of Show. We are tied one a piece between these two
and I am looking forward to that final match.
Winner: The
Undertaker over The Big Show via Being The Last Man Standing!
(WWE Championship
Match) Triple H © vs Jeff Hardy
Jeff Hardy’s second chance at becoming
a champion against The Game, the two did battle at No Mercy with Triple H
squeezing out a win over The Charismatic Enigma. Hardy pushed Triple H to his
limits, could Hardy upset Triple H on this night?
Lock-up, clean break from the
champion. Arm-wringer from Hardy, Triple H counters for a hammerlock but Hardy
counters with his own. Side headlock from Triple H, shoulder block from Triple
H. Hip-toss from Hardy, kick off from Triple H. Arm-drag into an arm-bar from
Hardy, Triple H shoves Hardy to the corner. Leap-over from Hardy, both men
attempt their finishers before a stalemate. Lock-up, side headlock from Triple
H. Arm-drags from Hardy into an arm-wringer. Triple H backs Hardy into the
corner, shoulder thrusts. Hardy escapes and tries for seemingly whisper in the
wind but Hardy is sent tumbling to the floor.
Triple H shoves Hardy into the
ring-post, make it double. Schoolboy for two, arm-bar from the champion. Hardy
fights back, corkscrew mule kick misses as Triple H dodges. Arm-bar from Triple
H, Hardy fights back again but lowers his head on an Irish whip. Face-buster
from Triple H, Triple H hits the ropes again but Hardy counters with a sling-blade
like manoeuvre. Leg drop to the gut and dropkick to the face from Hardy for
two, Triple H reverses an Irish whip. Hardy slips out of the spinebuster for a sit-out
front suplex for two. Corner clothesline from Hardy, Hardy attempts a corner
dropkick but Triple H lands a spinebuster for two.
Triple H whips Hardy to the corner, Hardy
tries a middle rope crossbody but the champion counters for a crossface. Triple
H sees Hardy crawling close to the ropes so Hardy is dragged back to the middle
of the ring. Crossface reapplied, Hardy counters the hold for a pin-fall for a
close two. The Game stomps Hardy to the floor, Hardy reverses an Irish whip and
the champion meets the steel steps. Hardy uses the steps to nail Poetry in
Motion on Triple H, both men are down on the floor. Whisper in The Wind, make
it double. 1….2… Triple H kicks out! Rope assisted dropkick in the corner, two
for Hardy. Twist of Fate is countered, Triple H shoves off Hardy. Pedigree
attempt, Hardy sweeps the legs and jacknife covers The Game for two.
Sleeper from Triple H to cut off the
challenger, Hardy escapes and nails The Twist of Fate. 1…2.. Triple H manages
to kick out! Hardy climbs to the top rope, Swanton Bomb from Hardy. Hardy
decides one is not enough, Swanton Bomb number two does not go to plan. Triple
H blocks with his knees and both men are now down. Pedigree is countered for a
corkscrew mule kick, plancha from Hardy. Hardy tosses Triple H back in the
ring, another swanton attempt but Triple H crotches Hardy and lands the
Pedigree for the win.
They work hard like they did at No
Mercy, Triple H has definitively beaten Hardy now with the Pedigree. Interesting
considering what we know the future holds but I thought they did put together
an interesting match on this occasion. There do a rehash of last month with
Hardy acknowledging how good The Game is while The Game acknowledging that
Hardy is so close to climbing to the top of the mountain. I cannot think of
much more to say though, it was good but I had also seen this match last month
with a relatively similar layout.
Winner: Triple H
over Jeff Hardy via Pedigree!
(WWE World
Heavyweight Championship Match) Chris Jericho © vs Batista (Stone Cold Steve
Austin Special Guest Referee)
Jericho had freed himself of Shawn
Michaels, a feud that had spanned for months on Raw. Jericho was doing some of
the best character work in his life but now, Jericho must face The Animal.
Batista has been on a warpath since the summer, defeating John Cena and winning
a number one contender’s match. The deck is stacked against Y2J though as
nobody is willing to help Jericho weasel his way out of the match and the
special guest referee is none other than The Texas Rattlesnake. However, Randy
Orton is more than miffed at this choice from the WWE Nation.
The bell rings, Jericho is still
talking trash with Austin. Not a wise choice with The Animal in the background.
Jericho slaps Batista, Batista spears Jericho to the corner, shoulder thrusts
from Batista. Irish whip by Batista, Jericho holds onto the ropes and decides
to leave. Jericho continues walking away, Austin asks for the microphone.
Austin says that if Jericho gets disqualified or counted out, Jericho loses his
championship. Jericho is worried and rushes back to the ring, clothesline by
Batista. Hard Irish whip and slap from Batista, high elbow and suplex for two.
Batista rams Jericho into the buckle, elbows from Batista. Hip-toss from
Batista, Jericho manages to throw the challenger to the floor.
Baseball slide from Jericho, Batista
tries entering the ring and Jericho ties up Batista in the ropes. Batista’s
left leg is a target for the champion, Jericho makes no mistake in attacking
the leg. Jericho wrenches the leg, more kicks to the knee. Chop block from the
champion, slaps from Jericho. Bad idea, Batista smashes Jericho in the face. Right
hands by Batista, Irish whip but Jericho ducks the clothesline and dropkicks
the knee. Back to the knee goes the champion, numerous kicks to the hamstring
and calf.
Batista knocks away Jericho with his
good leg before Jericho slaps on a sleeper, Batista backs Jericho to the
corner. Drop toehold from Jericho cuts off The Animal, ten punches in the
corner attempt from Jericho. Batista counters, looking for the powerbomb but Jericho
rolls through for a two count. More kicks to the leg from Jericho, Batista uses
his good leg for a massive big boot. Batista fires back with right hands, a
corner clothesline and a running powerslam. Batista Bomb attempt but Jericho
attacks the leg and has The Walls of Jericho locked in, Batista manages to
crawl to the ropes. Jericho does not release so Austin forces Jericho to
release the hold.
Batista shoves away Jericho, massive
black hole slam for two. Jericho ducks a clothesline, crossbody attempt but
Batista counters for his powerbomb. However, Jericho wriggles free. Jericho is on the apron, stun-gun to Batista
and Jericho edges towards the top rope. Diving attack fails for Jericho as
Batista nails a clothesline, close two for Batista. Batista is measuring for
the spear, Jericho dodges last second. Batista hits the ring-post hard, Jericho
and Batista are on the apron climbing the buckle. Batista tosses off Jericho,
diving shoulder block from Batista for a close two.
Jericho counters the spinebuster for a
DDT, Batista is rolling his way to the corner. Batista hits Jericho with an
elbow, Batista shoulder blocks Austin by mistake. Codebreaker from Jericho,
Austin is down. Here comes Shawn Michaels, Michaels counts super slow for
Jericho due to his hatred for Jericho. Jericho and Michaels have words, Batista
Spears Jericho who was spooked by Michaels. Michaels tries to count the pin but
JBL comes out and Clotheslines Michaels on the floor. Jericho chop blocks
Batista, Jericho grabs the championship. Randy Orton runs down and wipes out Austin,
what is going on? Jericho waffles Batista with the championship, 1….2… Batista
manages to get his shoulder up and kick out!
Austin is up too, Stone Cold Stunner
to Orton which sends everyone into a frenzy. Jericho and Austin have words,
Jericho avoids the stunner but does not avoid the spinebuster. Batista Bomb for
the ages on Jericho in the middle of the ring, 1…2…3!
The deck was truly stacked against the
slimy Jericho on this night but Jericho delivered a very good performance in
the main event with Batista. The Special Guest Referee stipulation is hit and
miss with me, it almost always guarantees shenanigans and boy did this match
have that at the end. Austin down, Michaels comes out but we also have JBL and
Orton. The crowd lost their minds with each little moment, ramping up the drama
and excitement of the match ten fold. How was the match before that ending
though? Well, Jericho worked the leg and I was into it, Batista could not
deliver his power moves as he needed that leg as his foundation. Batista
struggled to put away Jericho because his power was taken away, definitely
could have heightened the drama more with a Walls of Jericho in there that made
you doubt whether Batista could hang on. When the walls were used, it felt too
early, I thought Jericho could have done more to build drama for that moment.
However, for a Cyber Sunday pay per view to end with a new champion with a redemption
story and as much excitement as it did, I am one happy customer.
Winner: Batista
over Chris Jericho via Batista Bomb!
That was WWE’s Cyber Sunday 2008, a
decent pay per view due to my low expectations coming into the event. While
they are fun gimmick matches on these shows, they tend to have little
importance on the grand scheme of things in WWE and the matches tend to be hit
and miss. We kick off with a continuation of Kane vs Mysterio, an interesting
angle for sure and a great match up due to the Mysterio vs Big Man factor. Mysterio
is super popular with the fans, flies around the ring and Kane keeps swatting
him down, weapons come into play which help keep the crowd coming with the
match until we have a great counter into the finish with Mysterio slaying The
Big Red Monster.
Things take a dip with Hardy vs
Bourne, nothing majorly wrong here with the two working hard but crowd did not
want to boo Hardy who had to dominate and dictate the pace due to being the veteran/champion
and the crowd seemed like they did not connect to the high-flying Bourne. Speculating
it was due to lack of exposure to ECW, regardless the match suffered from the
fans and their torn or disinterested perspective. The tag match between
Morrison & Miz & Cryme Tyme did little for me. I like Morrison &
Miz, I feel Cryme Tyme are hardly ever booked and the tag division is such a
non-factor in WWE that this match meant nothing. Undertaker vs Big Show was
hard-hitting with Taker doing his best to showcase The Big Show and how much of
a threat he is to The Deadman. I think with these two matches Taker has succeeded
with putting Show on the map, I like the brawling battles the two have and the
finish is satisfying with Show setting up for his trusty weapon only to fall
into Taker’s trap.
Triple H vs Jeff Hardy was good but
felt too similar to their previous match, the one positive I suppose you have
from it is Triple H can move past this now and they can start to rebuild Hardy
towards the main event scene that they desperately want him to attain. The main
event is so exciting in those final minutes, it makes the pay per view worth it
almost. Batista finally back on top of the mountain but Jericho’s reign is over
so quickly, what could possibly be next after Jericho’s hard work? Thanks for reading
and remember: There’s always another night!

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