Hello and welcome to another riveting edition of
Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet
that brings you more non-sensical dribble than a Hulk Hogan promo! It’s time
for WWE Judgement Day 2009, the big matches on this card are Big Show vs John
Cena with John Cena looking for revenge after Big Show chokeslammed Cena
through a stage light at Backlash and cost him his World Heavyweight
Championship. We also have Batista defending the honour of his friend and
mentor Triple H by battling Randy Orton for the WWE Championship. We have Chris
Jericho vs Rey Mysterio which should be a fantastic match and like I predicted,
Jeff Hardy will be challenging for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
against Edge in a mini-feud we saw only mere months ago. Let’s get on!
Umaga vs CM Punk
Umaga is back, Umaga cost Punk potentially the chance
to become WWE World Heavyweight Champion. We are in Chicago so Punk is over big
time, this is great because Punk felt so flat as a babyface the previous month.
Considering Umaga is returning for the first time on PPV, I imagine this can
only end one way for Punk which sucks because we are really feeding into that
loser trope for the money in the bank winner.
I am unfamiliar with this Umaga theme and gear, good
to see him back but also very sad considering Umaga will not make it to the end
of the year. The match starts with Umaga charging Punk, Punk peppers Umaga with
kicks and strikes. Umaga goes for power, a splash misses but a knee connects.
Punk tries a springboard and gets caught, devastating gunn-stinger from Umaga.
To the corner we go, Umaga begins to land massive punches in the corner. Punk
begins to fight back, Umaga cuts off Punk with a massive elbow. Stiff kick to
the spine, hard Irish whip to the buckle. Umaga begins landing big blows and a
shoulder claw to Punk, Punk reaches the ropes but Umaga drops all his weight on
the arm.
Punk is hurled into the ring-post, shoulder claw on
Punk. Punk uses kicks to try and break the hold but Umaga counters for another
hold. Punk decides to use more fists but Umaga continues to wear down Punk.
Knee across the throat for two, Umaga picks up steam and boots Punk off the
apron into the guardrail. Punk tries an apron sunset flip but Umaga is too
strong and hip splashes the soul out of Punk. Umaga decides to do it again and
Punk writhes around in pain.
Punk blocks with a boot, Punk wants a scoop slam but
Umaga crushes Punk as Umaga is just too heavy. Umaga decides to claw at the
shoulder of Punk, Punk fights his way out of the hold but an uppercut stops
Punk. Umaga goes to the middle rope, Punk dodges at the last second. Punk is
doing a great job showcasing the power of Umaga. Crowd is chanting loud for
Punk, forearms by Punk. Umaga shoves Punk away, Umaga runs at Punk but Punk
pulls down the ropes. Plancha by Punk, Punk lands big combination shots in the
ring. Heel kick by Punk, Umaga whips Punk to the corner. Punk blocks with a
boot, running knee and it’s bulldog time but no, Punk is sent to the corner.
Umaga lands a corner clothesline, Umaga misses his hip splash and Punk lands a
middle rope bulldog for two.
Umaga sends Punk to the apron, Punk counters with a
kick. Diving clothesline for two, Punk wanted a GTS but Umaga reverses for a
Samoan drop. Two for Umaga, Umaga calls for the Samoan Spike. Punk ducks and
lands a big kick to the head, make it three. GTS does not work as Punk’s back
gives out on him. Superkick, hip splash in the corner and a Samoan Spike for
the win.
Good opening match here, crowd plays a great part in
it by cheering on the hometown hero. Umaga has this great impact to all his big
moves, the Samoan drop, superkick and hip splash all look super vicious. Crowd
was into all the near-falls though for Punk and Punk sold well for the monster,
looking like he didn’t know where he was for the majority of the match.
Winner: Umaga over CM Punk via Samoan Spike!
(ECW World Heavyweight Championship Match)
Christian © vs Jack Swagger
This should be a good one, it is a rematch from the
previous pay per view and what I feel was the best match of Swagger’s career up
to that point. That is one hell of a n ugly championship though as many have
stated, would love to find someone who is a fan of the championship. Anyways,
we start with Swagger shooting on Christian but Christian dodges and slaps
Swagger. Swagger whips Christian to the floor, Christian makes Swagger give
chase. Back in the ring, Swagger lands a boot but Christian wriggles free from
the military press and almost lands the Kill-switch before Swagger goes to the
ropes. We start again with Swagger grabbing the ribs of Christian, waist-lock
with throws. Christian uses elbows to escape but a shoulder block by the
challenger stops Christian.
Christian takes the Bret buckle bump hard, Swagger
misses a clothesline and is low-bridged to the floor. Christian lands a massive
dropkick, springboard plancha by Christian. Christian is on the apron and gets
caught with a knee before Swagger lands a shoulder block which drops Christian
to the floor. Swagger presses Christian into the ring-post, Swagger lands knees
to the ribs of Christian. Body-scissors from Swagger, Swagger uses the ropes
for leverage. Swagger lands a massive kick to the ribs, Christian begins
fighting back with chops while selling the ribs. Swagger comes back with a
massive kitchen sink, two for the challenger.
Scoop slam from Swagger, Swagger Bomb is on the menu.
Christian blocks with knees to the face,
middle rope spinning elbow by the champion. Right hands but Christian is caught
by Swagger, Swagger runs Christian into the corner. Swagger tries again but
Christian counters for an Edge O Matic for two! Swagger sends Christian to the
corner, Christian lands his corner kick counter twice. Christian climbs high, diving
splash misses with Swagger trying for an Oklahoma roll. Two for Swagger,
Christian fights hard to avoid the Gut-Wrench Powerbomb. Swagger sends
Christian to the apron, Christian makes Swagger chase who continues to miss
before Swagger lands a massive Super belly to belly suplex off the top rope.
Close two for the challenger, Christian counters with a small package for two.
Both men land clotheslines with neither man in control now.
Swagger wants an electric chair drop, Christian fights
hand and kicks away Swagger. Diving sunset flip by Christian but Sefwagger
counters for a close two, Christian goes to the corner. Right hand but tornado
DDT is blocked, Swagger runs into an elbow and gets caught for the diving
reverse DDT. Close two for Christian! Swagger is rocked now, Christian senses
victory. Stun-gun by Swagger, schoolboy with a handful of tights but the
referee catches Swagger. Christian tries a Kill-Switch but Swagger reverses
with a suplex before trying for the powerbomb. Christian wriggles free and
pulls down the singlet of Swagger before rolling him up with an O’Connor roll
and a handful of tights to steal the win.
Another very solid match between these two, the
psychology is nice and simple. The ribs are injured early on so Swagger
destroys the ribs of Christian with Christian selling well. Christian steals
one from Swagger just like the previous PPV, Swagger tried to cheat first but
the veteran continues to have the number of the rookie. Not done often in
wrestling which is nice to see, I like how this storyline is playing out and
Swagger is growing on me while in there with Christian but considering how good
Christian is, I imagine I will enjoy whoever is in the ring with Captain
Charisma. Christian has filled that gap left by Matt Hardy in the ECW brand and
I would say he’s done an even better job in such a short amount of time.
Winner: Christian over Jack Swagger via Roll-Up!
Shelton Benjamin W/ Charlie Haas vs John Morrison
Very interesting match here because I know Benjamin
did well as The Gold Standard on Smackdown and I am not sure how Morrison
started to become a babyface but I swore it was when Miz & Morrison would
have went their separate ways but that’s not until the next Wrestlemania. So it
looks like babyface Morrison experiment has started early, this match starts
awesomely because Benjamin throws an exploder on Morrison to start the match.
Looks like Benjamin had been watching some AJPW before this match.
Shoulder block by Benjamin before Morrison shows his
agility and lands right hands, Irish whip but Benjamin powders not enjoying
being rocked by Morrison. Morrison fakes a dive before landing a 450,
absolutely ridiculous. Benjamin caught Morrison well, Morrison uses the ropes
on Benjamin. Haas distracts Morrison, Benjamin takes control and kicks Morrison
to the floor. Haas throws Morrison back in the ring, Benjamin places Morrison
in the tree of woe and smacks him around. Benjamin slaps on an abdominal
stretch, Morrison begins to fight back with rights and lefts before Benjamin
lands a huge elbow to the face. Benjamin measures Morrison and lands shot after
shot, Benjamin has his face rubbed into the mat.
Another stretch from Benjamin, another Morrison flurry
is cut off with a knee to the face by Benjamin. Sleeper from Benjamin, Morrison
is being worn down. The three rest-hold spots in a row is kind of killing my
vibe for this match, crowd is only coming into it in the third spot and even
then, it’s tepid and lukewarm. Morrison escapes and both men bang heads,
Morrison comes back with a dropkick and a clothesline, tilt-a-whirl Russian
leg-sweep. Two for Morrison, Benjamin avoids moonlight drive and lands a massive
inverted back-breaker for two. Benjamin lands right hands before Morrison lands
a massive calf kick, running knee to the face for two.
Benjamin is caught with a knee, springboard hurricanrana
does not work for Morrison as Benjamin counters for a powerbomb for two.
Pay-Dirt is countered, Morrison drop toeholds Benjamin into the buckle. Monkey
flip but Benjamin flips out of it, Haas is knocked off the apron by Morrison.
Benjamin misses a splash, springboard enzuigiri and a Starship Pain and it’s
over!
Thought this could have been a lot better, Morrison as
a babyface is a work in progress but the flashes are great, the 450 stands out
for sure. The rest-holds really slowed this down for me and sadly, Starship
Pain is rarely ever connecting with Morrison usually over-shooting but I see
the potential, Benjamin can be fun too though. Just felt they let me down with
this one, could be better.
Winner: John Morrison over Shelton Benjamin via
Starship Pain!
(WWE Intercontinental Championship Match) Rey
Mysterio © vs Chris Jericho
Rey Mysterio would win the Intercontinental
Championship at Wrestlemania 25, marking the retirement of JBL. Chris Jericho
would be having his best year in terms of in-ring work and character-work in
2008 and wished to continue his hot-streak in 2009. It began with a great match
with Ricky Steamboat and now Jericho looks to take the Intercontinental
Championship from fan favourite Rey Mysterio.
We begin with Jericho running into a drop toehold, the
match almost started with 619. Jericho looks a little hesitant to get in there
with Mysterio. Crowd is split, clearly appreciative of the work of Jericho.
They restart in the ring, Jericho lands elbows and a clothesline, Mysterio
fires off forearms before Jericho lands an elbow to the face. Mysterio is
tossed to the floor but rolls out of hurting himself, Jericho is too slow for
Mysterio. Baseball slide by Mysterio and a seated senton off the apron. Jericho
sends Mysterio into the barricade, Jericho shoves Mysterio into the ring.
Jericho gets kicked re-entering the ring, Mysterio lands a diving leg drop to
Jericho for a close two.
Forearms in the corner, Jericho reverses and sends
Mysterio to the apron. Mysterio wants a moonsault but Jericho shoves down
Mysterio, Mysterio is hobbling gingerly on the apron. Springboard dropkick by
Jericho, Mysterio hits the floor hard. Jericho drops Mysterio on the barricade,
Jericho slaps on a rest-hold in the middle of the ring. Mysterio fights back
but Jericho catches the foot, enzuigiri from Mysterio. Jericho is in position
for the 619, Jericho counters with a back-drop. Tilt-a-whirl back-breaker Ultimo
Dragon style from Jericho for a close two, Jericho uses a rope hung guillotine
for two. Jericho mocks Mysterio and kicks him in the face.
Jericho sets Mysterio up on the turnbuckle, Jericho
rips at the mask of Mysterio. Mysterio elbows off Jericho, diving seated senton
by Mysterio. Springboard crossbody for two, Mysterio eats a kick while Jericho
tries a sunset flip but Mysterio comes back with a kick to the side of the head
for two. Jericho whips Mysterio to the corner, elbow by Mysterio. Mysterio
wants a victory roll by Jericho has the Walls but its countered, Mysterio runs
into a tilt-a-whirl back-breaker for two. Jericho cannot land his modified
bulldog, head-scissors by Mysterio. Jericho avoids the 619, Mysterio wants a
springboard hurricanrana, Jericho almost lands the Walls. Head-scissors,
Mysterio looks for the 619. Jericho grabs the legs and applies The Walls of
Jericho in the middle of the ring.
Mysterio is crawling with everything he has, Jericho
is applying the pressure. Mysterio is stuck in the middle of the ring, Mysterio
counters for a small package for two. Mysterio gets caught with a powerbomb,
two for Jericho. Kick to the ribs by Jericho, headbutt by Jericho. Jericho
sends Mysterio to the corner, Mysterio drop toeholds Jericho into the
ring-post, one 619 later and a springboard splash and Jericho is vanquished!
Easily the match of the night, two very popular
performers who are masters of their craft go in there and have the fans going
crazy with their counters and near-falls, tremendous entertaining match between
the two of them. Such a simple concept as well, Jericho told the fans there
will be no 619 on this night and they built the match around that, crowd exploded
with Mysterio landing the 619. Just awesome stuff, loved this match. No slow
movements, no wasted motion. Just really fun wrestling from two awesome
wrestlers, great stuff!
Winner: Rey Mysterio over Chris Jericho via
Splash!
(WWE World Championship Match) Randy Orton © vs
Batista
Batista would come back after Mania and help Triple H
& Shane Mcmahon battle Legacy. However, it was Batista that would cost
Triple H his precious WWE Championship and his absence due to the severe Punt
Kick delivered by Orton. These two battled at Armageddon with it seeming less
important than it should have been considering who was involved but that’s just
how things go sometimes. It did set us up perfectly for this match though as
Orton was bested by The Animal.
Batista has a massive cut on his head, Orton is
hesitant and methodical as always. Batista lands shoulder blocks and
clotheslines, suplex by Batista. Batista lands shoulder thrusts in the corner,
Orton suckers Batista in and sends Orton to the floor. Dropkick with Batista
tumbling to the floor, Orton belly to back suplexes Batista on the barricade.
Orton begins to stomp and knee the life out of Batista, massive knee across the
throat. Two for Orton, reverse chin-lock from the champion. Batista fights out
before the Orton back-breaker puts him down for two, Orton goes for his Garvin
stomp. Kick to the ribs from Orton, reverse chin-lock from Orton.
Belly to back suplex from Batista, Batista lands
shoulders before Orton lands a knee and hooks Batista for the DDT. Orton stalks
his prey, Orton wants the RKO. Orton decides to punt Big Dave but Batista cuts
Orton in half with a spear. Both men trading blows middle of the ring, Batista
wins the slugfest. Batista whips Orton to the corner, boot counter by Orton but
Batista picks up Orton and spinebusters him into the corner. Shoulder thrusts,
corner clotheslines and an Oklahoma powerslam for two. Orton runs from Batista,
Orton wants to be counted-out. Batista is like erm no don’t do that so Batista
goes after Orton. Orton kicks Batista and runs, Orton holds onto the ring-post
while Batista keeps swinging. In the ring, Batista takes Orton’s clotheslines
and rifles off his own big clothesline. Snap-mare by Batista and a big boot,
Orton rolls out again. Orton uses the ropes to take down the challenger, Orton
grabs a chair. Batista lands a big right hand, we are by the announce table.
Batista is climbing high, diving shoulder block for a
close two. Orton slides out and asks for his championship, Orton begins
running. Batista is in pursuit, the referee is not helping Batista here. Orton
still has the championship, Spine-Buster by Batista. The referee takes the
championship away from Orton, Batista Bomb is countered but the RKO is
countered too. Batista charges in and hits his shoulder off the ring-post.
Orton stalks Batista, Batista blocks the RKO but Orton slaps the referee and
costs Batista the chance to become champion.
The drama involving Orton trying to get disqualified
was a lot of fun, the fans were very split also in this match which is great
fun. This match also has an appearance from Ric Flair who I thought was gone to
TNA following Wrestlemania but it looks like Flair made quite a few appearances
in WWE before shipping off to TNA. Crowd is so happy to see Flair, finish
protects Batista which means we can have a rematch. I am happy when Batista is
screwed and not made to look like a moron, those moments were unfortunately
very rare when it came to Batista chasing King Booker & Edge but this
finish I do not mind too much. Card has picked up since Mysterio vs Jericho,
still good stuff!
Winner: Batista over Randy Orton via DQ!
Big Show vs John Cena
John Cena won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
at Wrestlemania 25 before losing it to Edge thanks to Big Show Chokeslamming
Cena through a stage light. The big story going into this one is Cena is not
100% and Miz has been calling out Cena for weeks on RAW. Big Show is also
trying to grow his hair back which I never saw and boy does it look ugly. Bell
rings and Show is smiling, Cena is tentative. Cena is on the defensive due to
not being 100%, Cena tried rolling away from Show. Cena did roll but grimaced
after, Cena is not in great condition here. Cena kicks away Show, Show is
unfazed. Show corners Cena, the kick does not work. Show lands a shot to those
injured ribs, Cena is immediately down. A second haymaker leaves Cena
rethinking his life.
Show mocks Cena, Cena is coughing and wheezing. Cena
begins to fight back, Show’s shoulder block drops Cena. Show steps on Cena, brutal
looking spot. Scoop slam by Show, Cena slips out and tries right hands but a
sidewalk slam puts down Cena for two. Headbutt by Show, Cena avoids a big boot.
Show plays possum and tosses Cena to the floor, Show lifts Cena into the
ring-post. Show wanted his submission move but Cena slides out but Show shoves
off Cena who cannot land the bulldog. Massive corner slap by Show, gut punch by
Show. Hard whip to the corner, Show catches Cena in a bearhug. Cena is fading
fast, headbutt to the spine by Show.
Show measures Cena, corner hip attack by Show. Two hip
attacks by Show, Cena is down on the mat. Show whips Cena hard across the ring,
Cena is down once more. Show takes Cena’s armband and tosses it aside, Show
misses a third splash. Cena throws rights and lefts, Cena hit a shoulder block
to the knee. Massive throwback from Cena, Five-Knuckle-Shuffle. Show gets up
and grabs Cena by the throat, Chokeslam is countered with a DDT. Cena wants the
STF but Show is massive, Show wriggles free and lands a clothesline. Show has
Cena in position parallel to the corner, Show wants a Vader Bomb. Cena somehow
survives, poor camera positioning does not really let us enjoy the kick-out.
Show is undeterred and wants to do it again in the opposite corner.
Show crashes to the mat, Cena has dodged. Cena cannot
nail the STF, Show kicks Cena to the apron. Cena lands a boot to the head from
the apron, Kobashi-style leg drop by Cena, Cena wants the STF again but Show
shakes him off. Show kicks Cena low, alley-oop bomb by Show. Show calls for the
KO Punch, Cena pulls himself up using the ropes. Drama builds, Show wants the
kill. Cena ducks and lifts up Show, AA in the middle of the ring and this match
is over!
I quite enjoyed this match between these two, Cena has
a lot more experience under his belt since the Wrestlemania XX encounter which
I don’t believe was anything special but here we have a match where Cena is
undoubtedly the man in WWE and the fans are all in on this match. Cena does a
good job early on selling the injuries, the selling kind of goes out the window
once Cena starts attempting the STF. It’s frustrating because Cena could milk
this so much more and have the fans at a fever pitch if built to correctly but
criticisms aside, the crowd goes nuts and when that AA hits, the fans lose
their minds. Kudos to Show also, Show came back and after doing some bullshit
on ECW, Show has worked Taker and Cena, not a bad pay-day for The World’s
Largest Athlete.
Winner: John Cena over Big Show via AA!
(WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match) Edge ©
vs Jeff Hardy
After a slight detour with brother Matt, Jeff Hardy is
right back where he should be: Main Event scene on Smackdown. Hardy was robbed
in many fans eyes with the chaotic main event scene switching back and forth in
early 2009 but with Cena firmly in position to chase Orton with Batista on RAW,
Smackdown is all about Edge & Jeff Hardy with the likes of CM Punk waiting
in the wings.
The rumble match was not one of my favourites but I am
hoping things will be a little different this time around, Edge grabs the arm
before Hardy reverses the hold. Edge kicks low and grabs a side head-lock, Hardy
shoves off Edge. Shoulder block by Edge, Hardy comes back with two deep
arm-drags. Hardy leap-frogs Edge and applies another arm-drag, Hardy drives his
knees into the arm. Crowd is very much in Hardy’s corner, Edge pushes Hardy to
the corner. Hardy counters an Irish whip with a corner head-scissors, another
arm-drag with Edge getting more and more desperate. Edge is elevated to the
apron, Hardy lands his mule-kick and lands a tope con hilo to the floor. Back
in the ring, Hardy looks for whisper in the wind but Edge dodges and Edge is
going to target the back now hopefully.
Hardy is slammed into the ring-post, Edge Spears Hardy
off the apron. Hardy crashes to the mat, Hardy crawls into the ring with Edge
dropping elbow after elbow to the spine. Edge chokes Hardy on the middle rope,
crossbody to the spine. Edge stretches Hardy in the middle of the ring, Edge
even uses his head for some leverage. Hardy escapes but Edge maintains control,
Hardy ducks a clothesline and lands a crossbody for two. Jaw-breaker by Hardy,
sit-out front suplex by Hardy. Diving crossbody misses by Hardy, Edge drags
Hardy to the middle of the ring for two. Hardy starts his comeback and lands
two flying forearms and a low leg-drop for two.
Hardy whips Edge to the buckle, Hardy slides under
Edge and trips the champion. Up high, the diving crossbody connects for a close
two. Hardy misses a dropkick as Edge hangs onto the ropes, Edge is kicked off
and caught in a small package for two. Edge wants an Impaler but Hardy drops
Edge low and applies a sharpshooter of all things. Twist of Fate by Hardy for
two, Hardy lands a corner clothesline and is thinking of his slingshot dropkick
but Edge looks for a powerbomb. Hardy slips out for a sunset flip for a close
two, Hardy is showing frustration. Hardy is climbing high, Edge is there to
meet the challenger. No Swanton just yet, Edge looks for a superplex.
Hardy battles back, sunset flip powerbomb for a close
two, Edge is in the opposite corner now. Hardy lands his dropkick but Edge
spills to the floor, Hardy starts messing with the announce table and
barricade, Hardy is thinking something dangerous as always. Hardy climbs onto
the barricade but Edge recovers and Spears Hardy onto the floor. Edge wants the
count-out victory, Hardy is in agony and the referee is at nine but Hardy makes
it into the ring. Edge is distraught at this turn of events, Edge measures but
misses a spear. Hardy lands a Twist of Fate in the ropes, slingshot leg drop
from Hardy for a close two as Edge uses the ropes. Whisper in the Wind from
Hardy for another two, they are on the floor now.
Hardy grabs the steel steps, Edge is on dream street.
Poetry in Motion using the steel steps, they spill into the crowd. Jeff is
climbing over the barricade, Matt Hardy emerges from the crowd and waffles Jeff
in the back of the head with his cast. 1….2.. Hardy kicks out! Could this be
Hardy’s night? Hardy cannot stand, Hardy is not in a good place. Edge measures
but Hardy avoids the spear. Edge spears the buckle, Hardy is looking for the
Swanton. Hardy cannot stand, Edge comes back to his feet and Edge lands a
massive Impaler to retain the championship!
Cool finish for sure, devastating impact and I am
guessing Edge never used it again because I can’t think of him ever hitting it
on any other occasion. Solid match between these two here, surprised they got
the main event slot ahead of Orton and Cena but I am not complaining.
Interesting to see the false finish teased with Matt costing Jeff the
championship, I thought the feud was all done after Backlash but it looks like
there might be one more twist to that tale. Regardless, a singles match with
Jeff Hardy lives and dies on the emotions of the crowd because Hardy is at his
best when there is a gimmick involved but if Jeff’s going to be a champion, he
has to deliver in the matches where there are no chairs, ladders or tables to
go through and I am still not sold on Jeff Hardy in that regard, that brings a
lot of pressure on Edge to keep it entertaining. Edge brings what he can to
this match but it just doesn’t enter great territory for me at any point, I
think a lot of fans bought Hardy winning after kicking out of Matt’s cast to
the back of the head. Overall, a solid main event to close the PPV but I think
both men can do better with gimmicks involved.
Winner: Edge over Jeff Hardy via Super
Edgecution/Impaler DDT!
So that was WWE’s Judgement Day 2009, a pretty good
pay per view from WWE. There are a lot of matches on this show that are easy to
sit through and fun to watch, the finishes leave it lacking and it feels very
much like a B level pay per view with none of the championships changing hands
but the in-ring action was a lot better than I was expecting from an era that is
considered a low point for the company. Not in terms of finance like the
difficult 1995 but many fans were leaving the product behind due to the change to
PG and the over-reliance on John Cena. Criticism aside, I was expecting due to
that influence to have a level of disdain for anything in this era but I must
say I am enjoying how things are progressing with WWE at the time.
Things kick off with Umaga vs CM Punk, there are criticisms
like always when it comes to the WWE formula: having a hometown hero beaten is
one I never liked. Another knock on the match would be again the trope of Mr.
Money In The Bank instantly becoming a loser, it hurts more when Kane is
nowhere near the title picture so last month feels like a waste and hurts more
knowing I don’t think we will be seeing Umaga for too much longer either. Those
criticisms aside, crowd is into Punk and that gives you a fun opener, some
spicy spots in here and an impactful finish. Things continue with Swagger and
Christian, very good stuff from ECW. Christian is better than Matt in that
veteran babyface role, he plays to the strengths of Swagger and the veteran
out-cheating the heel is not touched nearly enough in wrestling and Captain Charisma
is already winning over a WWE audience who may not be all that familiar with
him.
Benjamin vs Morrison should be that match where you
look and say: And that’s where they started their climb to the top but it’s
rather tame in most parts. Benjamin’s multiple rest holds don’t pay off with
the audience, Morrison is still figuring it out while Benjamin is much the same
as a heel, not reaching that next level needed to become a main eventer in the
company. Bright spots but flashes are not enough to make me speak kindly of
this match. The whole card picks up next with Mysterio vs Jericho. Easily the
match of the night built around Jericho saying there’s no way he will take the
619 and boy does it pay off when Jericho has his face rocked by Mysterio’s
boots. Great back and forth, crowd are very much into the match. Great false-finishes,
beautiful counters and the drama is turned up to 11. Tremendous match on this
night by these two!
Batista vs Orton has its moments of fun, Orton trying
to get disqualified and counted-out were good highlights, the shenanigans with
the championship and the chair also stood out to me. Batista nailing a diving
shoulder block is not something you see every day but this felt like they were
just killing time until their next encounter, I am happy that Batista was saved
from looking like a doofus considering how much of his run on Smackdown made
him look like an idiot and the crowd was invested in it but it was not the caliber
of match I would have wanted from an angry Animal who wanted to avenge his
mentor who was injured due to his mistake. Cena vs Show is quite good if not a
bit safe, Cena sells well in the opening moments. Really makes Show look like a
dominant monster and there is no way back for Cena, things go south as Cena mounts
a comeback, any semblance of selling is gone so Cena’s hopes of being one of my
favourites in the ring die quickly but listen to the crowd my man, they are
going bananas and everyone has a good time when Show is toppled. I would just
like more selling from Cena, more consistency is all I ask. As for the main
event, I am struggling to go all in on Jeff Hardy as top babyface due to the
fact that when I see him without a weapon, I feel he’s a bit naked. Some really
good near-falls here and a banger of a finish that Edge probably should have
pulled out more often in his career leave me satisfied with the main event. It’s
an easy show to get through especially when we hit Jericho vs Mysterio but
nothing tops that match, the rest of the main events feel safe and build-ups
for the next PPV. Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another
night!
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