WWE Breaking Point 2009 Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series that continues to be more inconsistent than an episode of Dynamite! It’s WWE Breaking Point 2009, a PPV built around the concept of quitting and submitting, think of TNA’s Lockdown PPV except instead of cages, we are going to have submission matches. What has happened since the last PPV? Undertaker returned and is looking to destroy CM Punk, John Cena continues to chase after Randy Orton for the WWE Championship and Legacy look to wipe out DX! Other championship matches include the unified tag team championships being defended and the United States Championship too! Without further ado, it’s time for a review!

 

(WWE Unified Tag Team Championship Match) Jeri-Show © vs Mark Henry & MVP

 

Still not happy about it but we have Chris Jericho slumming it in the tag team division after a fantastic start to early 2009 feuding with Steamboat & Mysterio, Jericho and Show defeated the likes of Legacy, Cryme Time and now they face MVP & Henry. Henry had a very fun on ECW, feuding with the likes of Matt Hardy and Tommy Dreamer but now Henry is a big smiling babyface which is usually when Henry is at his absolute worst.

 

MVP & Jericho to start, MVP has a victory over Jericho. Jericho is cautious of locking up with MVP who is throwing kicks. They lock-up and go to the corner, clean break from MVP. Jericho is not happy, shoving match before MVP tees off with right hands. Hip-toss into a cover for two, Henry smacks Jericho. To the buckle and shoulder thrusts from MVP, slap from Jericho after hiding behind the referee. MVP drop toeholds Jericho, swinging neck-breaker for two. Tag to Henry, Jericho rolls away and brings in Big Show. Two giants staring one another down, neither man can throw the other. Show suckers in Henry, big gut punches before Show tries a splash. Henry catches Show and throws him to the corner, whip to the opposite buckle.

 

Running corner splash by Henry, Henry almost nails the slam but Jericho interferes, Show drops onto Henry for two. Gut punches by Show, corner kicks and Jericho chokes Henry behind the referee’s back. Foot choke by Show, clubbing blows by Show. Tag to Jericho, kicks to the thigh. Henry shoves Jericho away but Jericho continues to attack, tag to Show. Show goes for an Irish whip and Henry answers back with a clothesline, both men are down. Tag to MVP, belly to belly and an elbow by MVP. MVP leaps over Jericho, flying clothesline and a face-buster. Ballin’ Elbow from MVP for two, Jericho is up and looks for The Walls but MVP counters using his leg-strength. MVP lands a big boot but Jericho had blind-tagged Show who cuts MVP in half with a spear.

 

Headbutt by Show, front chancery from Show. Clubbing blows from Show, tag to Jericho. Jericho kicks and shoves MVP, kicks to the ribs. Sleeper from Jericho but MVP fights out, Jericho cuts off MVP. To the corner, Jericho stomps and chokes MVP. Jericho looks for a hip-toss but MVP flips out and lands a massive DDT. Henry gets the hot-tag, clothesline. Jericho tries a middle rope crossbody but Henry counters with a gorilla press slam and a splash before Show makes the save. Show & MVP spill to the floor, Jericho gets hit with a body splash. Jericho places his foot on the ropes to survive, Irish whip and Jericho kicks Henry in the head. Code-breaker is countered with a huge shove, referee is with Jericho who is clutching his knees. Show lands the KO Punch from the apron and Jericho crawls into the cover for the win.

 

Crowd helps this one a lot because this is not my idea of a hot opening match at all, I still feel it is a waste of Jericho during this period but if they want to try and make the division feel important, you can’t go wrong but using one of the most over guys on the roster in that spot. MVP is surprisingly still very popular considering his career trajectory, I am shocked. That DDT spot was great too, didn’t think MVP could pull it off. Anyways, it’s fine and the crowd carries a match that would be at home on an episode of RAW.

 

(WWE United States Championship Match) Kofi Kingston © vs The Miz

 

We heard about this match through WWE mobile alerts, wow what great promotion for the championship match. Also this is the beginning of serious push Miz, the awful shorts are gone and Miz looks like an actual wrestler. We are in Montreal so Miz decides to speak French, his accent is quite poor (Maybe he wasn’t with Maryse yet).

 

Lock-up, no clean break by Miz who lands a kick. Side headlock takedown by Miz, shoulder block before Kofi leapfrogs Miz. They trade counters before a rib kick by Kofi, corner punches by Kofi. European uppercut for two, jaw-breaker counter by Miz. Snap suplex by Miz, Kofi dodges a punch and lands two flying crossbodies and a dropkick for two. Kofi was on the top rope but Miz swept Kofi’s legs, Miz is in control now and drives his knee into the spine of Kofi. Kofi escapes but runs into a boot in the face, Miz mounts Kofi and lands rights & lefts. Boot for two, Kofi escapes a sleeper but runs into a flapjack. Two for the challenger, another knee to the spine and a kick to the face.

 

Rope choke by Miz, Kofi sends Miz to the floor. Kofi fakes a plancha but Miz sweeps the legs and Kofi’s head cracks off the apron. Two for Miz, Miz drives Kofi to the buckle and lands his corner clothesline. Miz lands a double axe handle for a close two. Kofi crawls to the corner with Miz continuing to wear down Kofi with stomps, Kofi manages to send Miz into the buckle but Miz gets right back in with stiff kicks to the spine and back area. Miz starts taking kicks from Kofi, both men attempt their finishers but Kofi connects with an SOS for two.

 

Kofi misses a clothesline, Miz lands Mizard of Oz for two. Miz runs into a boot from Kofi, Kofi lands a clothesline and misses his Boom Drop as Miz counters with a dropkick for two. Both men trade pin-falls, Kofi sends Miz to the buckle and almost sneaks it, Miz reverses but gets caught with a Russian leg-sweep and a Boom Drop. Two for Kofi, Kofi tries a diving crossbody but Miz rolls through for two. Flapjack into the buckle by Miz, schoolboy with a handful of tights for two, Miz loses his cool and starts smashing Kofi in the back of the head. Miz’s neckbreaker is stopped with a shove as Kofi unleashes Trouble in Paradise for the win!

 

Decent match, not sold on Miz who seems to just be discovering himself. Gear is much better though, I will give him that. Kofi is such a likeable and over babyface, Kofi deserves more than the US Championship and it’s only a matter of time before Kofi continues to rise the ranks of WWE. The mid-card is filled with young talent but they need to catch up with Kofi!

 

Winner: Kofi Kingston over Miz via Trouble in Paradise!

 

(Submission Count Anywhere Match) Legacy vs D-Generation X

 

Shawn Michaels returned to WWE to help his friend Triple H who could not beat Randy Orton for the WWE Championship, Triple H was always outnumbered so Hunter called his best friend and Michaels came back for Triple H and they were victorious in a fairly average Summerslam match with HBK stealing the show as per usual. Now the ring-rust will be more worn off so can HBK steal the show in this one? Let’s find out!

 

We start hot with DX jumping Legacy, right hands and chops galore. Flying forearm by HBK, this match is definitely interesting as nobody has an established submission finish out of these four men. Michaels is the closest with his modified figure four that he would use from time to time, Dibiase & Rhodes have their legs attacked with chop-blocks and shin-breakers by DX. Crowd-brawling from HBK, Dibiase and Triple H battle by the steel steps. All four men make it to the crowd, they make their way to the top of the arena near the concession stands, HBK and Rhodes are now in the crowd. Michaels chops away at Rhodes, Rhodes is nailing big right hands though. Michaels is shoved off the stands onto tables below. Michaels screams out in pain and the referee immediately calls out for help.

 

Triple H checks on Michaels who does not move, Triple H gets fired up and beats up Legacy. Triple H wanted a Pedigree on the stage but Legacy combine to thwart Triple H’s plan, Triple H back-drops Dibiase on the stage. Rhodes & Triple H are backstage now, Triple H is caught as Dibiase helps out Rhodes, right hands from Rhodes. Million Dollar Dream by Dibiase, Rhodes is kicked away by Triple H and Dibiase is rammed into a pillar. Dibiase is spinebustered into food, Triple H has a cross-face on Rhodes. Dibiase uses a cooler to stop Triple H, Dibiase tries to revive Rhodes who is clueless. Triple H appears to have been knocked out before Rhodes makes sure with a steel chair to the head.

 

Michaels stumbles towards the backstage area, the cocky duo start taking it to HBK. Scoop slam on the stage, Michaels is being smashed in the ribs by the duo. We are back in the ring now, the announcers have a serious tone in their voice while Michaels does what he does best and that is sell his ass off. Rhodes runs into a boot, Michaels avoids an elbow drop from Dibiase. Dibiase is canned to the floor, Rhodes avoids a chop and rolls into an ankle lock. Beautifully done, rope breaks do not matter so that’s frustrating for Michaels, Michaels kicks off Rhodes. Dibiase is elevated to the floor with a back body-drop, Sweet Chin Music by Michaels on Rhodes. We cut to the back, Triple H is stirring. Figure four leg-lock in the ring from Michaels, Rhodes is screaming out in pain. Dibiase makes the save, the numbers are too much for HBK.

 

Michaels avoids a spike piledriver, Dibiase is back-dropped once more. Michaels pulls himself up, Michaels measures for Sweet Chin Music but Rhodes pulls Michaels into the ring-post. Figure-four leg-lock using the ring-post, Michaels is caught from behind by Dibiase, a Million Dollar Dream and a figure four at the same time and Michaels is forced to tap, Legacy walk away with the win.

 

A much needed win for Legacy and a much needed change of pace, the last time we saw these two on PPV it was treated as a joke almost as DX were coming back and they had the comedy and the match was treated in that same vein which was so disappointing considering the amount of heat and story that was tied to this angle. Triple H had his family wiped out by Legacy, Batista, Vince, Shane and even his wife. The finish is quite creative and looks brutal, definitely looking forward to the rubber match between the two teams.

 

Winners: Legacy over D-X via Million Dollar Dream/Figure Four Leg-Lock Combination!

 

(Singapore Cane Match) Kane vs Great Khali

 

Well fuck I hope this is not a long one, Singapore canes are in each corner of the ring. Kane starts with right hands and boots, Khali stops Kane from using the cane. Khali lands a massive chest-chop, Irish whip to the buckle. They both grab canes, they use the canes like lightsabers before Khali over-powers Kane, Khali smacks Kane. Kane lands a low dropkick on the floor, Khali is smacked with the cane repeatedly. In the ring we go, Kane smashes Khali across the back. Khali is battered with the cane before Kane lands a low dropkick, Kane does a hammerlock with the cane, fans are bored of this.

 

Khali blocks the cane shot, Khali waffles Kane over and over. Clothesline by Khali, Khali wants the chop. The Chop connects, two as Kane powers out! Vise Grip is countered with cane shots to the head, Kane climbs to the top rope. Diving cane shot by Kane, Khali powers out at two. Kane measures for a Chokeslam, Khali’s brother interferes to attack Kane, Kane grabs Singh by the throat. Khali chops Kane to save his brother, Khali checks on his brother but Kane lands a White Russian Leg-sweep using the ropes to down Khali. Kane measures and connects with a Chokeslam. Mercifully, it is over.

 

Yeah it’s bad even though it’s brief. Two big guys going at it has to be balls to the wall and intense or it’s going to drag. Khali is massive and super limited, this was always going to be a disaster and the cane is not exactly a weapon that generates the same reaction as a table or a chair so what we have is two big guys moving around, hitting one another to limited reaction before a Chokeslam ends this awful affair.

 

Winner: Kane over Great Khali via Chokeslam!

 

(ECW World Heavyweight Championship Match) Christian © vs William Regal

 

Since returning to the WWE, Christian has been a fantastic addition to the roster having the best matches for the likes of Swagger, Finlay and more. Matt Hardy had done well as top babyface on ECW but Christian outshined him with such ease and grace. This match took place at Summerslam but ended in 8 seconds which saddened me as this was one match that would have been decent.

 

Before the match begins, Ezekiel Jackson and Kozlov are forced to leave the ringside area, Regal sells this with a simple expression on his face of “Well shit”. Perfect for the moment, Regal seems tense and they lock-up, aggressive lock-up with both men on the canvas and in the corners, forearms and slaps from both. Regal avoids the Killswitch, second lock-up with Christian working the arm, Regal tries a roll-through but Christian continues to counter and hold on, sunset flip for two. Right hand and dropkick by Christian for two, side headlock takedown by Christian. Regal sends Christian to the apron, Christian rams Regal off the buckle. Diving crossbody for two, the champion continues the right hands in the corner.

 

Regal avoids the tornado DDT by shoving Christian to the floor, nasty looking bump for the champion. The challenger takes control, Regal uses a wear down hold before they trade holds once more, Regal outsmarts Christian and lands a half-nelson suplex for the two. Romero Special from Regal, Christian elbows his way out of the hold. Springboard sunset flip is countered, knee by Regal to the face. Make it three for a two count, Regal slaps on a full-nelson. Modified Regal Plex for two, Regal slaps on another submission. Christian breaks free for a tornado DDT, two for the champion. Christian wants to finish this, Regal stops that with a forearm for two, Regal drags his elbow across Christian’s face. Christian gets up and fires back with right hands, Kill-Switch is countered for a brutal Regal-Plex.

 

Regal is beyond frustrated at this point, Regal mocks Christian. Christian eats forearm shivers, Christian is back on his feet somehow. Running forearm, middle rope spinning elbow. Elbow drop, scoop slam and a running forearm shiver for two. Middle rope missile dropkick, clothesline by Christian but Regal swats away the top rope missile dropkick and lands a senton for two. Knees and forearms by Regal, Christian lands knees to the head. Kill-Switch is countered but Regal misses a knee trembler and Christian nails The Kill-Switch for the win.

 

Super solid match here, Regal is vicious and his transitions are just a joy to watch, the Regal-Plex is absolutely disgusting looking and I love it, a proper fight between two people trying to get the advantage and the win. Regal was so good as is Christian and ECW is such a waste of both men but obviously politics did play a part in where both men would be on the card but a very good match in the middle of a PPV that sorely needs a bit of quality!

 

Winner: Christian over William Regal via Kill-Switch!

 

(WWE Championship I Quit Match) Randy Orton © vs John Cena

 

I have seen a lot of terrible finishes in my time but the Summerslam match between Cena and Orton was horrific, really made Cena look like a twat. So we have an I Quit match, Cena says he will never quit. The bell rings, they slowly walk towards the middle of the ring, Cena seems to be feeling out the crowd on this one, Orton does not take his eyes off Cena. Cena pushes Orton to the buckle, shoulder thrusts and a belly to belly suplex. Fisherman suplex by Cena, Orton sells in the strange ways he does during this era, Cena starts throwing major right hands. Orton avoids the flying shoulder tackle, Orton looks to take control and sends Cena into the announce table. Cena is smashed with a monitor to the head, Orton looks down at Cena who is not moving. Cena pulls himself up slowly to the apron, Orton wants that DDT. Cena is dropped with the apron DDT, Orton grabs a chair and places it in the middle of the ring. Orton wants a running RKO on the chair, Cena shoves off Orton. Shoulder blocks and spinning side-slam, Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena wants an AA, Orton counters to the apron, hot-shot sends Cena down. Cena is down, Orton starts thinking Punt but Cena ducks, STF is blocked as Orton rolls away. Steel steps to the face from Orton, Orton stomps Cena’s head into the steel steps.

 

Orton pulls something from under the ring, it’s handcuffs. Orton has the key wrapped around his neck, Orton stomps the life out of Cena. Cena is cuffed to the top rope, Orton pummels Cena who cannot move. Knees to the throat from Orton, Orton decks Cena with the microphone and uncuffs the challenger. Cena is tied to the ring-post, Orton starts punching the ribs of Cena who cannot defend himself. Cena is covered in water by Orton, Cena spits it back in the face of Orton. Orton decides to stop messing around and grabs the canes, Orton canes Cena in the ribs and head. Orton chokes Cena using the cane before Cena lands a massive low blow to stop Orton’s attack.

 

Orton cracks Cena with a chair, Orton handcuffs Cena to the bottom rope. A chair across the back from Orton, Cena refuses to give up. Orton is losing his mind. Cena avoids a chair-shot and back-drops Orton onto the floor, Cena has the key and uncuffs himself. Orton and Cena are cuffed together, Cena lands rights hands all around. Orton is bounced off the announce table, belly to back suplex and right hands from Cena. Orton prevents an AA and lands an RKO out of nothing, Orton wants the key. Orton spots the key but has to drag Cena towards the key, great camera work here. Cena is behind and pulling Orton, Orton is so close but Cena is too strong. Orton is caught in a STF using the handcuffs and Cena makes Orton utter the words I Quit.

 

Orton’s body language was fantastic throughout this, Orton’s peak character wise as a devious madman who took great pleasure in Cena’s pain. A lot of the match centered around those handcuffs, there could be an argument that it went a little long in that regard but what annoys me more is Cena’s complete lack of selling once breaking free from the cuffs. The highlights all show Orton torturing Cena in various ways so for Orton to Hulk Up with no effects was a little annoying, a common complaint about Cena during this time and Cena gaining revenge on Orton for torturing him was so brief. Orton’s demise at the end of his own weapon was satisfying but Orton gave up so quickly, I felt they could have teased out the drama a little more there but that’s just me.

 

Winner: John Cena over Randy Orton via Handcuff Assisted STF!

 

(WWE World Heavyweight Championship Submission Match) CM Punk © vs The Undertaker

 

CM Punk had beaten Jeff Hardy, Hardy was leaving WWE and WWE needed someone to fill that gap so The Deadman returns. Punk didn’t get a fair crack at being champion the first time around, Punk had traded the championship with Jeff Hardy so Punk deserves a long reign but we will see how it plays out. Punk’s cockiness is on full display as Punk wants to be the first man to ever tap out The Undertaker.

 

Punk seems to be pumped up, Punk powders instantly. Taker corners Punk but Punk is quicker, rights and kicks by the champion. Elbows and more, Taker is rocked. Taker grabs Punk by the throat and Punk is tossed to the floor, Taker hits a clothesline in the ring. Knees to the ribs and kicks by the challenger, Taker sends Punk to the floor. A right hand floors Punk, Punk uses a chair to get back into this one. Running knee in the corner, Taker avoids the bulldog. Taker lands shoulder thrusts but Punk counters Old School, right hands to the head. Punk wanted a superplex but Taker headbutts Punk down, Punk retaliates with a kick to the face. Superplex by Punk, kicks by Punk.

 

Taker is answering with right hands, corner clothesline. Snake eyes, running big boot. Leg drop, Punk stops a Chokeslam with a kick to the head, Punk walks into Hell’s Gate and Punk is tapping! Just like that it is over! However, Teddy Long comes out and says Hell’s Gate is banned as a submission, the match has to continue with Taker being jumped from behind. Punk lands knees but Taker lands a big boot, The Last Ride is countered and Punk lands a chop block. Anaconda Vise and the bell rings, Taker does not tap but it looks like we have a Montreal Screwjob in Montreal!

 

Beyond lame end to the PPV, turning Teddy Long momentarily heel? For what reason? A screwjob finish in Montreal again? How many callbacks can you make to the shit? Why put that as your main event? Because they hate Bret that much? Especially with Cena winning, why not main event with that?

 

Winner: CM Punk over The Undertaker via Screwjob!

 

That was WWE’s Breaking Point 2009, an underwhelming pay per view in many ways, pay per views based around concepts can be hit and miss, Lockdown from TNA can be very tiring as many of the matches are the same, hampered by the cage and struggling to incorporate the structure despite it being the selling point, I have a similar feeling here with matches based around submissions featuring wrestlers who don’t really have strong submissions in their repertoire. What was Orton going to pull out? What was Triple H going to use? So, the concept was a little weak for me and seeing submission matches coupled with an I Quit match left me feeling like a Lockdown PPV without the madness of a Lethal Lockdown to melt away the bad memories. Jericho & Show are wasted in the tag division, they were simply too good and over to be wasted like that, Show was a monster and Jericho was doing the best work of his career before this, feels like such a step back. They are pushing forward with The Miz, I respect it but it is a work in progress.

 

Legacy needed the win but the feud has lost a lot of its bite with the Summerslam match being treated in such a hokey oh look DX are back and they are clearly going to win way. Orton vs Cena was satisfying with the handcuff finish but so much of the match was literally the spot with handcuffs, Cena super recovers as usual here and we don’t get the struggle, overcoming the villainous Orton, it’s over before you know it. And a screwjob in Canada again? Bite me, don’t check this one out you aren’t missing much. Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!