WWE Night of Champions 2009 Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another riveting edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that has been more baffling than seeing Okada leave NJPW! It’s time for Night of Champions 2009! Every championship is on the line, that could be a good thing and a bad thing depending on who is challenging for the championship. The two major championship matches are Randy Orton defending his WWE World Championship against Randy Orton & Triple H in a triple threat rematch from Wrestlemania 24. We also have Jeff Hardy challenging for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship held by CM Punk. Other notables matches include Dolph Ziggler challenging for Rey Mysterio’s Intercontinental Championship. A lot of interesting match-ups here so we shall see how this turns out for all those involved, have a feeling this could be very similar to the previous PPV.

 

(WWE Unified Tag Team Championship Match) Legacy vs Chris Jericho & Edge ©

So Edge is injured? What happened? Looked it up and it was a torn tendon which sucks for him so Jericho will have a mystery partner for this match. Who will it be? Well you will see that it is quite the partner, it is none other than The Big Show! So this is how Jeri-Show is formed which is cool, the uncool thing is that all these four men are heels so who are the fans and I meant to cheer for on this night?

 

Show to start with Rhodes, Rhodes dodges a chest slap. Doesn’t work the second time around, Show tosses Rhodes across the ring. Show gets hung-up by Rhodes, tag to Dibiase. Dibiase eats a shoulder block, gut punches before a tag to Jericho. Jericho kicks and elbows Dibiase, Dibiase meets the boot of Show. Show comes back in and nails a clothesline. Tag to Jericho, assisted splash for two. Dibiase rakes the eyes and tags in Rhodes, schoolboy by Jericho for two. Dibiase low-bridges Jericho who tried running the ropes, Rhodes distracts the referee. Rhodes sends Jericho into the ring apron, tag to Dibiase.

 

Rhodes & Dibiase land a clothesline and sweep combination for two, tag to Rhodes. Jericho is in trouble, Y2J chants are filling the arena. Rhodes slaps on a reverse chin-lock, Jericho tries a sunset flip but Rhodes holds onto the ropes and smashes Jericho across the face. Rhodes backs Jericho to the corner, Dibiase tees off with right hands and boots. Rhodes chokes Jericho behind the referee’s back, Jericho begins fighting back but Dibiase spears Jericho back to the challengers’ corner. Rhodes misses a corner splash, Jericho lands forearms. Whip to the buckle, Rhodes boots Jericho. Rhodes lands a diving moonsault for a close two, Jericho lands an enzuigiri.

 

Jericho cannot make the tag, inside cradle gets a two and Dibiase lands a clothesline. Jericho runs into a powerslam for two, Jericho lands right hands but Dibiase lands a nice cradle and kicks Jericho square in the eye. Dibiase misses a splash, Jericho wants the Walls but Dibiase throws off Jericho. Dream Street but Jericho shakes off Dibiase, roll into the Walls of Jericho. Rhodes is trying to interfere, Show is with the referee. Rhodes spikes Jericho with a DDT for a close two, Show tagged himself into the match as Jericho ran the ropes. Dibiase eats a massive spear with Rhodes making the save, Show tosses Rhodes to the apron. Rhodes skins the cat, dropkicks take Show to his knees. Jericho lands a Code-Breaker on Dibiase and Show lands The Colossal Clutch for the win.

 

Nothing special here, one of the more tame opening matches in recent PPV history. Also a little weird for the fans to be cheering for two heels like Jericho & Show. The tag team scene is a joke at this time and the idea that two top heels will be champions for the next few months when Jericho was doing the best work of his life prior to this is disappointing to say the least but yeah, two heel teams kicking off a PPV is not my ideal way to start the show. Sucks to see Edge is injured again too, hard times for The Rated R Superstar.

 

Winner: Jeri-Show over Legacy via Colossal Clutch!

 

(ECW World Heavyweight Championship Match) Tommy Dreamer © vs Christian

The birthplace of Extreme and one of their own is here tonight as Tommy Dreamer defends his ECW Championship against Captain Charisma, Dreamer had miraculously survived a scramble match and many situations where Dreamer was outgunned and outclassed. However, Christian was never pinned to lose his championship, Christian is juts a class above Tommy Dreamer. Can Dreamer survive Christian on this night?

 

Babyface vs Babyface, is Russo booking on this night? They lock-up, clean break from Christian but Dreamer slaps the challenger. Side headlock by Dreamer, shoulder block for two. Dreamer works the arm, Christian kips-up and sends Dreamer down. Side headlock by Christian, spinning heel kick for one. Whip to the buckle reversed by Dreamer, Dreamer blocks Christian’s corner kick and Dreamer nails his massive rope-hung neck-breaker. Christian elbows and smashes Dreamer in the face, diving reverse elbow. Dreamer is on the apron, Christian runs into a shoulder and Dreamer wants the suplex to the floor. Right hand by Christian and Dreamer eats the ring apron, baseball slide by Captain Charisma.

 

Springboard plancha misses for the challenger, Dreamer is on the apron and looking for his rolling senton. Dreamer nails it, two for the champion in the ring. Running powerslam for two, Dreamer climbs to the middle rope but Christian yanks down Dreamer. Snap-mare into a kick to the spine, Christian lands forearms and wants the Kill-Switch but Dreamer reverses, Dreamer wants a belly to back but Christian counters for the sleeper. Dreamer reverses it again by dropping his weight on Christian, Christian tries it again. Dreamer runs to the floor with Christian on his back, both men are down on the floor. In the ring, Dreamer is taking control.

 

Dreamer wants that ECW dropkick, crowd gives it to Dreamer. Christian eats it to the face, Dreamer DDT is countered but Dreamer lands the sky high for two. Pump-handle is countered into a falling reverse DDT by Christian for two, Christian lands a missile dropkick and climbs high again for a missile dropkick but Dreamer counters for a Texas Cloverleaf. Christian bridges out, Dreamer lands a catapult. Christian kicks backs and lands a diving sunset flip but they trade pins with neither man taking control. Christian lands his corner kick, missile dropkick and Dreamer is down. Christian calls for the finish, Dreamer is planted and this match is over.

 

Another fine match, the streak of super fun ECW Championship matches on PPV comes to an end but they have some decent chemistry here. I do love me some Christian, been great since returning to WWE and nobody is a better face for the brand that Christian. Crowd wasn’t too sure which way to go though with both men being babyfaces, hopefully that is not the case as we continue going through the card.

 

Winner: Christian over Dreamer via Kill-Switch!

 

(WWE United States Championship Match) Kofi Kingston © vs The Miz vs MVP vs Jack Swagger vs Primo vs Carlito

Well this is going to be a train-wreck, it is not an over the top battle royal but all six men in the ring at one time. Everyone attempts pins, Swagger & Miz start working together. Primo headbutts his way back into the match, Swagger eats an elbow and a diving hurricanrana. Swagger is late on a safe, looks bad. Swagger plants Primo with his Powerbomb, Carlito is dumped to the floor after a springboard attempt. MVP and Swagger are on the floor, Miz & Kofi are squaring off in the corner. MVP meets the barricade, Kofi spills to the floor with Miz. Carlito lands a springboard onto MVP, Kofi kicks and dropkicks Swagger. Boom Drop connects for two, Miz made the save. Miz lands a clothesline, corner clothesline on Swagger.

 

Obligatory tower of doom spot to pop the fans, Carlito tries to steal the win but it is not possible. MVP comes in with right hands before being shoved into the turnbuckle. Primo and Carlito square off briefly before crashing and burning, Swagger misses a corner clothesline. Kofi lands punches before being dropped by Swagger, Miz is sent to the floor by MVP. MVP crossbodies Swagger to the floor. Carlito and Kofi are in the ring, they are trading pins with Primo also in some nice spots. Carlito wants to team up with Primo, Swagger stops that.

 

Carlito and Primo are going to work together briefly, Swagger clotheslines the former tag team champions. Clothesline to Kofi too, MVP is waiting. Knee face-buster, Ballin-Elbow connects. Play-maker connects but Skull-Crushing Finale connects at the same time. Carlito lands a Back-Stabber on Primo, Kofi lands Trouble in Paradise on Carlito for the win.

 

Fun, lots of action going on throughout the match. Chaotic and sloppy in places but what do you expect? Six young guys flying around the ring trying to make shit work, Kofi is the most over so there is nobody more deserving of the championship at this time. Kofi is destined for bigger things when the time comes, good multi-man match again.

 

Winner: Kofi Kingston via Trouble in Paradise!

 

(WWE Women’s Championship Match) Michelle McCool © vs Melina

 

Michelle dropkicks Melina during her entrance, they had a match the previous month to very little fan reaction so hoping for a little more on this night. Melina is horribly mis-cast as a babyface though so we shall see, Melina lands kicks to the head of Michelle after a matrix-dodge, Michelle is trying to run away from Melina. Michelle begs for mercy, dropkick by Melina. Tilt-a-whirl into a kick, massive kick to the head. Melina misses a knee so Michelle knees Melina’s head into the barricade for a two. Melina and Michelle end up on the barricade, Michelle DDTs Melina into oblivion. That was actually quite a cool spot. Melina is dazed but avoids a baseball slide, Melina uses a head-scissors to smack Michelle into the ring apron. Diving face-buster from the challenger, Michelle lands a head kick in the ring. Melina drop toeholds Michelle, double knees to the spine. Spear to the corner, shoulder thrusts. Michelle is left in position for knees to the chest, spinning heel kick for two. Michelle lands a belly to belly suplex for two, Michelle is caught in the head-scissors again. Melina does a lou thesz press from the middle rope and Michelle reverses and folds her up for the win.

 

Flat finish for a sadly flat match, would have liked to have seen the entrance spot build off, not sure why a heel would allow the babyface recover and get back into the ring. They could have played up the injury angle or at least have Michelle beat the piss out of her but nope, nothing to sink your teeth into for this match.

 

Winner: Michelle McCool over Melina via Roll-Up!

 

(WWE Championship Match) Randy Orton © vs John Cena vs Triple H

Cena had beaten Miz so it was time to be in the championship picture while Triple H had to put over Orton again so here we are with these two challenging for Orton’s championship.

 

The bell rings, Orton is on the floor. The challengers corner the champion, Orton has been defeated by simple mathematics, Triple H and Cena take turns clotheslining Orton. Orton is thrown to Triple H, right hands by Triple H in the corner. Orton sends Triple H to the buckle, boot by The Game. Orton eats a bulldog by Cena, Orton is pin-balled and leaves the ring. Orton knocks Cena off the apron into Triple H, Triple H is now down. In the ring, Cena hits shoulder blocks and his belly to back suplex. Five Knuckle Shuffle connects, AA is stopped as Triple H hurls Cena into the ring-post. Orton lands a clothesline on Triple H for two, Orton starts pounding on Triple H. Reverse chin-lock from Orton, Triple H escapes and starts firing off bombs. Powerslam by Orton, RKO is blocked. Triple H runs into an elbow, Triple H counters with a DDT. Cena climbs to the top rope, diving Kobashi-style leg drop on both men. Cena starts landing right hands, Orton drops Cena with his back-breaker. Orton stops the pedigree and sends Triple H tumbling to the floor. Orton wants a double DDT but Orton is back-dropped to the floor, the two babyfaces will now do battle inside of that ring.

 

Cena and Triple H are trading bombs, Triple H is winning the war. Cena ducks though, massive shoulder blocks. Triple H’s knee cuts off the belly to back suplex, Cena reverses an Irish whip and eats a face-buster but Cena answers with a Throwback. AA countered, Pedigree countered. STF countered, AA countered into a spine-buster. Pedigree connects middle of the ring, Orton pulls out Triple H. Orton starts pulling apart an announce table, Triple H low blows Orton. Pedigree is stopped by Cena, Cena tosses Orton to the crowd. Triple H is tripped and locked in the STF.

 

Orton is on his feet, right hands knock down Cena. Orton & Cena are trading bombs in the middle of the ring. Orton wins the war, Cena is kicked in the face. RKO is countered by Cena. Tower of doom between the main eventers? No Cena catapults Triple H into Orton on the top rope, Cena wants the STF but Triple H is caught in the submission. Orton wanted to Punt both, schoolboy by Cena for two. Orton clotheslines Cena down, all three men are down. Orton stomps all over the challenges, knee-drops from Orton. Triple H dodges the second, Cena chop-blocks the knee. Belly to back suplex by Cena, Triple H low-bridges Cena who falls to the floor. Triple H looks for a sharpshooter on Orton, Orton is in the middle of the ring.

 

STF and Sharpshooter applied at the same time, Orton taps but the referee has no way of telling who is the winner of the match. Here come Rhodes and Dibiase to attack both challengers, Orton is worn out. Rhodes talks to Orton, Cena catches Rhodes but Orton RKOs Cena when Rhodes was on his shoulders.

 

Quite good triple threat match here, some nice little spots sprinkled throughout the match. Starts off fun with babyfaces destroying Orton, then everyone has a nice face-off with some really good counters and false-finishes in there, the punt tease as well as the schoolboy stand out. Legacy coming out to have an impact is definitely wearing thin considering how many main events they have interfered in but fans love Orton at the moment, invested in everything he does, this one Orton’s peak as a character for sure. Orton escapes again and with Legacy by his side, is there anyone that can stop The Viper?

 

Winner: Randy Orton via RKO!

 

(WWE Divas Championship Match) Maryse © vs Mickie James

Nice to see this championship on PPV because well I cannot tell you that last time it appeared on PPV, it was definitely at least 4/5 months considering only the women’s championship made a return at the prior PPV. Maryse throws her jacket at Mickie to start, Maryse is in love with herself. They do lock-up though, strong lock-up from both women. Maryse hits an elbow and shoves Mickie, Maryse hides in the ropes. Maryse poses and hides in the ropes again, Mickie pulls the hair and rolls up Maryse for two. Maryse goes low with a kick and some forearms, Mickie slides through the legs and lands a snap-mare followed by a dropkick.

 

Mickie is whipped to the buckle, Mickie looks for her head-scissors but Maryse shoves her to the apron. Mickie attempts a springboard but Maryse kicks her right in the face. Mickie spills to the floor and is slow to recover, Maryse is on the attack now. Mickie is tossed into the mat, Maryse lands a knee to the nose for two. Camel clutch by Maryse, Maryse is sent to the floor. Maryse wanted to use a perfume but Mickie kicked Maryse down, the referee takes away the spray from Mickie. Mickie lands a Thesz Press, we are back in the ring now. Mickie wants to climb high, Maryse is in La La Land. Mickie misses hugely on the dive, Maryse covers for two. Right hands by Maryse, another camel clutch. Mickie fights out and sends Maryse’s face to the mat, running forearm. It is getting very sloppy out there, clotheslines by Mickie. Neck-breaker, two for the challenger.

 

Mickie looks to finish it now, Maryse is in the corner. Shoulder thrusts by Mickie, Maryse eats an elbow. Head-scissors takedown from the corner by Mickie, Maryse sends Mickie to the ropes. Schoolgirl for two, Maryse is not happy with the referee. Mickie wants a DDT but Maryse drags her off the top rope, Maryse’s DDT is countered. MickieDT and we have a new champion!

 

I feel so bad for these women because the crowd just simply do not care, they work an alright match. It’s a bit sloppy but it doesn’t deserve crickets, I wished they built up more of the story, I mean this is Mickie becoming the second woman to have won the women’s championship and divas’ championship but its like yeah whatever from the commentators and people are chanting we want puppies and the only reaction is for Maryse posing. All very weird and sad really.

 

Winner: Mickie James over Maryse via Mickie DDT!

 

(WWE Intercontinental Championship Match) Rey Mysterio © vs Dolph Ziggler W/ Maria

Pretty big leap here for Mr. Ziggler who was doing nothing as the year kicked off and was recently feuding with The Great Khali. Ziggler is in here with Mysterio which will be great for him, Ziggler has also been paired up with Maria which is a good thing for him too.

 

Ziggler dropkicks Mysterio, Mysterio has been caught by the youngster. Mysterio rolls-up Ziggler showing him that it’s just that easy, Ziggler looks determined. Lock-up, side headlock from Ziggler. Shoulder block by Ziggler for two, side headlock back on after nailing the shoulder block. Mysterio escapes and kicks Ziggler hard, Irish whip to the opposite buckle. Mysterio gets a buckle bomb after trying a hurricanrana, hard Irish whip to the corner. Standing handstand headlock from Ziggler, Mysterio is sent to the corner but counters with a head-scissors which sends Ziggler into the ring-post. Springboard seated senton into the springboard crossbody for two, Mysterio kicks Ziggler but walks into the powerslam for two.

 

Ziggler is sent to the floor, Mysterio is looking for a big move. Running seated senton off the apron, Mysterio is in the ring on Ziggler’s shoulders. Mysterio gets caught with a kick, Ziggler wants a tiger-bomb but Mysterio counters for a hurricanrana. Ziggler dodges the 619 and hurls Mysterio to the floor, Ziggler rips at the eyes but gets two. Ziggler continues punishing the neck of Mysterio, camel clutch from the challenger. Mysterio escapes but Ziggler cuts him off, Mysterio lands forearms before Ziggler switches to a full-nelson. Mysterio breaks free but sliding through the legs does not work as Ziggler has the full-nelson again, Mysterio counters for a pin-fall attempt but it doesn’t pay off. Ziggler tries a sunset flip but Mysterio rolls through and lands a massive kick.

 

Ziggler catches Mysterio with a jaw-breaker for two. Ziggler pummels Mysterio against the ropes, Ziggler eats a drop toe-hold into the buckle. Mysterio fights back into the match, a diving crossbody is caught by a dropkick for two. Mysterio has Ziggler on the top rope, Ziggler is fighting and fighting. Top rope gut-buster shades of Malenko for two,  Ziggler looks for a powerslam but Mysterio slips out. Enzuigiri into the 619, splash and this match is over.

 

Abrupt finish out of nowhere, definitely a step down from the Jericho vs Mysterio feud. Good showing for Dolph, big match and there were some good moments before him but as someone who was digging the previous feud, I felt this was a major step-down. I think they showed Maria like twice at ringside and we never saw her reaction again. Not one reaction of her seeing Ziggler almost winning or Mysterio winning the match, we see it after the match. Ziggler will get another chance and will grow as a performer and I would love to see that because the heels are not so hot on this roster apart from Punk and Orton and even then fans love Orton.

 

Winner: Rey Mysterio over Dolph Ziggler via 619!

 

(WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match) Jeff Hardy vs CM Punk ©

Punk stole Hardy’s WWE World Heavyweight Championship and Punk has continued to dodge Hardy, Punk “accidently” kicked the referee at The Bash, escaping with the championship which leads us to this match. I like how they mix their contrasting ideals into this match, Punk’s Straight-Edge philosophy against Hardy’s care-free and checkered past. Shockingly, this match once again headlines over Cena, has to make you wonder how much Hardy is shifting in terms of numbers.

 

Interestingly, Hardy is entering second in this match which makes me think we might have Hardy walking away with the championship. Could be wrong as I don’t see Hardy getting away with it but you never know, we kick things off and it’s a slow start with both men feeling one another out. Punk kicks Hardy’s leg over and over, Punk is in full dickhead mode here so this should be great. Punk out-wrestles Hardy with a smile on his face asking Hardy “What could you possibly do to me”?

 

Side headlock by Punk, shoulder block while flexing. Hardy cannot get going, both men tease finishing moves before Hardy lands clotheslines. To the corner, shoulder thrusts by Hardy. Hard Irish whip by Hardy, Punk tries a sunset flip for two. Punk gets into a reverse chin-lock, Hardy escapes but Punk dodges a crossbody which leaves Hardy on the floor. Punk misses a suicide dive, neck-breaker in the ring. Hardy wanted a Swanton but Punk rolls out, Hardy tries a dive to the floor but plants himself in the barricade. Hardy beats the ten-count with Punk looking irate at this, Punk switches tactics now with brutal shots to the kidneys.

 

Todd Grisham calling main events is wild to me, Punk sends Hardy to the corner hard. Bow & Arrow stretch from Punk, Hardy escapes but Punk stays in control. Forearms to the kidneys, Punk wants a superplex. Hardy reverses for his sit-out front suplex, the two are battling it out in the middle of the ring. Neck-breaker by Hardy, flying clotheslines. Inverted atomic drop and leg-drop to the groin followed by a low dropkick for two. Punk thwarts Whisper in the Wind, Punk smiles and measures Hardy. Running knee, leg drop is countered and Hardy lands a Whisper in The Wind for two. Sit-out suplex, Swanton Bomb misses for the challenger. Punk does not want the cover, underhook back-breaker by Punk into a Dragon Sleeper.

 

Punk calls for a GTS, Hardy is dazed. Kicks from Punk, Muay Thai strikes but Hardy ducks and nails a Twist of Fate. Swanton Bomb countered as Punk uses his knees, 1…2…. Punk cannot believe it as Hardy kicks out. Punk is on the apron, Punk wants to finish this match. Springboard does not work, Hardy wants the twist of fate but Punk counters for a GTS but Hardy kicks out of Punk’s big move. Punk is in utter disbelief, Punk accepts it and decides it is time to go to the extreme. Punk is grabbing his championship and walking away, Punk must believe that nobody can kick out of the GTS so the referee has somehow screwed him. Hardy does not share this belief, Hardy clubs Punk in the corner. Twist of Fate for the third time, Hardy climbs high. Swanton Bomb and this match is over!

 

Months of chasing from Jeff Hardy finally come to an end. After being screwed by Matt Hardy, after being screwed by Punk. Hardy finally gets his world championship, this is a shock to me as I thought Hardy never won it back after Punk became champion. So this is very cool to see, Hardy definitely deserved it because apart from Cena, I don’t think you could argue anyone is garnering that type of reaction. Punk was very good in this match, the facials and body language were great. Really felt like Punk was a slimy individual trying to destroy every child’s dream in that arena of having their hero Jeff Hardy winning the World Heavyweight Championship. The Twist of Fate counter into the GTS looked great, I imagine they might have some sort of gimmick match at Summerslam which could be a lot of fun. Solid main event that becomes better due to giving the fans what they want.

 

Winner: Jeff Hardy over CM Punk via Swanton Bomb!

 

That was WWE’s Night of Champions 2009, a mostly fun PPV from the WWE. The standard has definitely dropped from the first three PPVs post-Mania with the card being littered now with more mid-card feuds with less hype and interest but the matches for the most part deliver solid action. The two absolutely worst matches on the card are the women’s matches. Sadly, we are just in that period where nobody cares and it is used as a toilet break, they work hard but there’s nothing. Thought McCool’s finish was flat and made Melina look dumb which is hard to do considering the absolute lack psychology in their previous encounter but here Melina gets rolled up because she’s super flexible. No hint of cheating from Michelle, no heelish pull of the tights. Nothing. Mickie and Maryse is sloppy, looks really rough and it’s sad because I would consider Mickie the cornerstone of the whole women’s scene and the reaction was not good on this night.

 

The opening match with heels vs heels is so strange, Show & Jericho are bigger stars so the fans cheer for them but Jericho for the last year has been the most despised guy on the roster, why are we doing this? Why did they break up Carlito & Primo? We don’t even have a babyface tag team on the roster do we? Cryme Tyme? I am really struggling to name another team, that’s shockingly bad but anyways, they do heels vs heels and the fans are confused and it’s awkward. Things improve with Christian vs Dreamer but two babyfaces make it a difficult one for the fans again, unsure who to give their love to but they choose Christian and it’s the right choice who has been killing it with Swagger before Dreamer was inserted into the mix. Curious to see how much longer Christian can be kept away from a show like Smackdown or Raw.

 

The six-man is chaotic, it’s a little sloppy but when everyone is hitting moves, it’s great fun. WWE Championship triple threat is fun too, you have some really good spots and big reactions for the stars in the ring. The Legacy interference is getting a bit long in the tooth now, hoping for something else to shake things up on Raw. Mysterio vs Ziggler is fun, a good outing for the young up and comer but I needed a bit more after watching Jericho vs Mysterio. Finally, the main event is a pay off that fans have been waiting for since Extreme Rules, credit to Hardy getting to the finish line. Summerslam could mark a return to form for the PPVs of 2009, the start of the year was excellent in terms of quality but things became less fun as the year progressed, a big Four PPV is the perfect way to pick up momentum again but will it happen? Check in next time to see! Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!

WWE Extreme Rules 2009 Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series that is more blown-up than The Rock after a promo! It’s time for WWE Extreme Rules 2009! The main event is a rematch between Jeff Hardy and Edge in a TLC match, the match that made the two of them famous. It is clearly rematch city as we have John Cena vs The Big Show, Batista vs Randy Orton and CM Punk vs Umaga. The one night of the year that WWE goes extreme, I am happy with that! This should be a fun one but will there be any highlights on this night? Let’s find out!

 

(WWE United States Championship Fatal Four Way Match) Kofi Kingston © vs William Regal vs Matt Hardy vs MVP

So MVP lost the championship to Kingston on the previous RAW and has to get his rematch in a fatal four way? Sucks to be MVP, the tunnel is also gone so I mark this as the decline of poor MVP, soon it will be teaming with Mark Henry. Happy to see Regal back on PPV considering Regal was quite enjoyable as Intercontinental Champion. Matt Hardy is already out of the main event picture after losing to Jeff. Hardy & Regal will look to work together, not sure if MVP has transitioned to a fully-fledged babyface just yet but we shall see as it looks like it for now.

 

Regal shoves Hardy into the babyfaces, the babyfaces clean house. Hardy returns the favour, Hardy and MVP brawl on the floor. Kofi and Regal in the ring, Kofi planchas onto both Hardy & MVP. Regal eats a shoulder and a diving crossbody for two, MVP is back in now and lands a shoulder block. Something went wrong there but we continue, the show must go on as they say in the business. Kofi lands a high elbow after two leap-frogs, Regal comes in and knees Kofi. Regal pummels Kofi, Regal wants a superplex. Massive tower of doom spot, MVP wasn’t in position so things did not look great. Hardy tries stealing the pin but it does not work. Hardy lands a side effect on Regal for two, Hardy lands a scoop slam and climbs high. Diving leg drop connects for two, Twist of Fate is stopped by Kofi.

 

Kofi chops at Hardy, dropkick and flying clothesline, Kofi scoop slams Regal onto Hardy. Boom Drop on both men for a two, Regal is canned to the floor. Hardy sends Kofi to the corner, Kofi lands the Christian corner kick. MVP is kicked to the floor, Regal throws Kofi into Hardy. MVP lands a boot to Regal, belly to belly suplex on Kofi but Hardy makes the save. MVP & Hardy are brawling, MVP is winning that war. Knee to the face, Ballin’ Elbow but Regal makes the save. Exploder suplex by Regal, peppering shots in the corner. Knee Trembler to MVP. Exploder to Hardy, Regal throws Kofi to the ropes who rebounds with Trouble in Paradise for the win.

 

Solid opening match here, everyone gets a moment to shine and it’s balls to the wall from the get-go, everyone hitting big shots and fun spots. MVP shows some potential as a babyface here while Kofi seems to be super promising which is great to see from the WWE. Regal’s over-confidence leading to his KO was a nice spot too. Fans loved it and right man wins, good start!

 

Winner: Kofi Kingston over Everyone Else via Trouble in Paradise!

 

(WWE Intercontinental Championship No Holds Barred Match) Rey Mysterio © vs Chris Jericho

Jericho was beaten in a fantastic match at the prior PPV, that match was built around Jericho saying there is no way that Mysterio could hit him with The 619. Jericho would be proved wrong but Jericho says now that Mysterio’s mask will be ripped off. Another simple concept to follow for this match, no holds barred which probably doesn’t matter as I don’t think anyone will be drilling the other with piledrivers and such but this is going to be your basic no-DQ match.

 

Mysterio tackles Jericho to start, Mysterio kicks Jericho to the floor. Jericho meets the announce table and the tope of the table is thrown in his face. Mysterio hits a running dropkick, Jericho meets the barricade. Jericho recovers and elbows Mysterio, the champion meets the barricade. Jericho tries whipping Mysterio into the steel steps but Mysterio flips over the steps and dropkicks them into Jericho. Mysterio sends Jericho into the steel steps and lands an apron diving hurricanrana before nailing a slingshot leg drop in the ring for two. Jericho boots Mysterio in the ribs and uses the rope-hung guillotine. Two for the challenger, Jericho boots and chokes Mysterio in the corner.

 

Mysterio is whipped to the opposite buckle, Mysterio is on the apron and lands a shoulder but Jericho stops the moonsault by pushing the legs. This spot was used in the prior match but Jericho never went after the knee, will this change in this match. Jericho uses it as a set-up for a plancha but Mysterio kicks Jericho to the floor. Mysterio nails a 619 around the ring-post, diving crossbody finds the mark. In the ring, Mysterio lands a springboard leg drop for two. Irish whip by Jericho, head-scissors counter by Mysterio which is the set-up for the 619 but Jericho is up quickly and shoulder blocks the life out of Mysterio. Scoop slam escape by Mysterio, leg kicks and forearm shots. Mysterio wants a modified bulldog but rolls into the victory pin, two for Mysterio. Jericho rolls through for a close two, Jericho tries a sunset flip but Mysterio rolls through. However, Mysterio misses the dropkick as Jericho wants the Walls of Jericho.

 

Mysterio counters with a small package for two, a kick to the side of the head for two. Jericho answers back with a clothesline to gain control, Mysterio is sent flying to the floor on his belly. In the ring, Jericho spears the ring-post as Mysterio dodges, Mysterio lands a massive suicide dive with both men crashing to the mat. Springboard seated senton, head-scissors and a pop-up hurricanrana for two. Jericho tries a clothesline, drop toehold by Mysterio. Jericho counters though with a back-breaker that looks brutal, bigger reaction at Judgement Day but still a great spot for two. Mysterio fights back, pop-up hurricanrana countered for a powerbomb. Lionsault misses, 619 to the back of the head but Mysterio’s splash is countered with a Code-breaker! 1….2……. Mysterio kicks out!

 

Jericho grabs a chair, the first instance of the match stipulation being introduced. Mysterio dropkicks the chair into Jericho’s face, Mysterio grabs the chair and lands a leg-drop Sabu style for two. Jericho is dropped into the chair, Mysterio uses the chair for a pop-up hurricanrana but Jericho counters for a Walls of Jericho. Mysterio scrambles for the chair and cracks Jericho in the face with the chair. Jericho falls into perfect position for the 619, Mysterio runs up but Jericho rips off the mask in one smooth move and rolls-up Mysterio for the win.

 

Another match with these two that is very good, not as hot as the Judgement Day match and I don’t know if the stipulation was necessary for the match, I feel they could have gotten where they needed to without the help of the stipulation. Could have been nice to have Jericho go after the mask a bit more, Jericho did go after it in the previous match. Regardless, another solid match between these two, their counters and false-finishes are better than most in the company during this time. Great chemistry I cannot wait to see where they go next!

 

Winner: Chris Jericho over Rey Mysterio via Roll-Up!

 

(Strap Match) CM Punk vs Umaga

Rematch with a gimmick, I don’t think I have ever liked a strap match in my many years of watching wrestling as it always end in some sort of hokey bullshit where the heel is touching the strap just behind the babyface or vice-versa. Maybe I liked the one between Rock & HHH because that ended in pins but any with the touching corners stipulation sucked in my opinion.

 

Umaga starts by kicking and punching Punk, touching two corners before Punk nails a massive knee. Punk touches two corners before Umaga lands a Samoan drop. Umaga starts whipping Punk like a dog, Punk is dragged to the ring-post while Umaga tries pulling out Punk’s shoulder. Punk’s arm is bounced off the steel steps, Punk is suplexed onto the top rope and superkicked to the floor. Punk starts touching pads, Umaga gets two with ease. Punk lands an apron kick, springboard diving clothesline. Punk calls for The GTS, Umaga slips out and lands a spinning heel kick. Punk manages to nail his corner kick and his bulldog, Punk starts touching buckles. Punk touched three before Umaga landed his spinning uranage slam. Umaga touches three before Punk ties himself up in the ropes. Punk low-bridges Umaga, Punk begins touching buckles.

 

Punk reaches three before Umaga drags Punk across the ring, throat thrust by Umaga. Umaga is climbing to the top rope, Punk uses the strap to pull down Umaga. Punk is going to touch a fourth buckle but Umaga fights and fights, thinking that the spike will end this match but Umaga runs right into a GTS and Punk touches the buckle.

 

Yeah not as good as their previous match, the gimmick is a rough one and doesn’t make for a great match. Fans were alright, they did a good job of making it passable but I wouldn’t say Punk is near that main event scene in terms of popularity but you will see that Punk knew exactly what was needed to be done to make it to that next level.

 

Winner: CM Punk over Umaga via Touching All 4 Buckles!

 

(ECW World Heavyweight Championship Extreme Rules Match) Christian © vs Jack Swagger vs Tommy Dreamer

The fuck is Tommy Dreamer doing in there? What are those pants? An extreme rules match will definitely paper over the cracks in this one, this could be a fun spot-fest. Swagger wants the two babyfaces to fight, Swagger does not realize that he has no friends here. Christian starts off slapping Swagger, Swagger uses his array of suplexes to take him down. Christian is on the floor, Dreamer tries a DDT but Swagger throws another suplex. Christian & Dreamer decide to grab weapons, fans chant ECW. Swagger is demolished with both weapons. White Russian leg-sweep by Dreamer on Swagger, Christian saves his championship. Dreamer fights back with the cane and lands a pumphandle suplex with his cane. Swagger jumps Dreamer, Dreamer is bounced off the turnbuckle over and over. Swagger has a trash-can lid, Dreamer sends Swagger tumbling to the floor. Dreamer is on the apron with a trash-can, Dreamer uses the trash-can for a senton into both men.

 

Dreamer throws Swagger into the ring, more trash cans and canes. Dreamer is on the middle rope, diving shoulder block using the cane. Swagger is in the tree of woe, Christian trips up Dreamer. Christian lands the low dropkick before tossing Dreamer into Swagger. Two for Christian, Dramer fights back and looks for his DDT. Christian backs Dreamer into the corner, Swagger has the cane and drops Christian. Belly to belly suplex for two, gut-buster and military press by Swagger for two. Dreamer misses a middle rope elbow on Christian, Christian wanted a springboard plancha but Swagger takes out Christian with a trash can. More trash cans and canes are in the ring, Dreamer waffles Swagger in the ribs but Swagger counters for a nice belly to belly suplex.

 

Swagger makes a line of trash cans, Dreamer is in serious trouble here. Swagger wants a superplex, Christian comes in for the tower of doom spot. Massive powerbomb by Christian, Dreamer manages to kick out as does Swagger. Christian grabs a crutch, Swagger counters Christian. Both men tease their finishers, Swagger has Christian and drops him on the exposed turnbuckle. Dreamer smashes Swagger in the ribs with the crutch and drops Swagger with a Dreamer DDT for the win!

 

So they really don’t feed into the story that Dreamer would have ended his career if he lost, this is a big moment for Dreamer and his career could have ended if he didn’t win the match but Matthews and Striker do a piss-poor job of selling it. Great moment for Tommy who would be the guy who hired so many of your favourites during that RA era and was jobbed out to countless starts, Dreamer finally gets his moment in the sun. Surprised they didn’t bring out a table but Dreamer took so many big bumps in this one, wrestling like it was his last match. Another very solid representation of ECW on PPV, very good stuff!

 

Winner: Tommy Dreamer over Everyone Else via DDT!

 

(Hog Pen Match) Santina Marella vs Vickie Guerrero

Really? Fuck me let’s just get this over with. Chavo wrestlers instead of Vickie, both men are covered in mud. Vickie decides to come in and Santina is ready to slop her. Chavo makes the save but slops Vickie by mistake. Slop is on Chavo’s head, Santina throws down Vickie and wins the match and her crown. Her theme is Rico’s theme? Why not. Utter shite!

 

Winner: Santina Marella!

 

(WWE World Championship Steel Cage Match) Randy Orton © vs Batista

I had a feeling they would have a cage match, I was thinking to myself how can we save Batista from losing to Orton without making him look weak? A cage match never fails, Orton took out Flair prior to this match in quite an emotional moment. Really adds another layer to this match, let’s hope it lives up to the hype.

 

Orton tries to run immediately, Batista is in hot pursuit. Batista takes Orton to the corner, shoulder thrusts in the corner. Orton is against the cage, Batista spears Orton into the cage twice. The third time Orton dodges and Batista spears the cage, Batista thwarts Orton’s escape. Batista is kicked in the head, Orton tries escaping through the door. Right hand staggers Orton, corner clothesline by Batista. Corner clothesline and a powerslam but its blocked, Orton shoves Batista into the cage and lands his back-breaker. Orton tries crawling out the cage but Batista is too strong, Orton tastes the cage. All four sides of the cage, powerslam from The Animal for two. Orton lures Batista in, Batista meets the turnbuckle. Stomps in the corner, Batista reverses an Irish whip and lands a Spine-buster. Batista Bomb is countered as Orton elevates Batista into the cage wall. Orton dropkicks Batista off the cage wall, Orton thinks about escaping but decides he wants to kick Batista in the head. Orton tries to escape, Batista dodges the kick though and looks for the powerbomb. Batista Bomb but Orton is hanging on, Orton escapes but the RKO is countered. Orton is shoved into the cage and Batista lands The Batista Bomb!

 

Batista won the championship from Orton? You serious? This really happened? Just like that? Was somebody injured? Orton who had his reign fucked up by Triple H at Mania? Orton drops the championship to Batista just like that? I really am shocked, I didn’t think this happened at all. Well the storyline definitely had the drama it needed but I don’t think the match could live up to the angle. Totally shocked though. Cage match is a tough one in this era, Orton did try to scramble and Orton’s greed cost him which is solid stuff but I just felt it was a little underwhelming.

 

Winner: Batista over Randy Orton via Batista Bomb!

 

(Submission Match) John Cena vs Big Show

So this match was built around the idea of their previous match where Cena could not lock in the STF on Show as Show was simply too big to pull it off. Cena has already vanquished Show so not sure why we did not move onto the Miz feud but I guess we can squeeze another month out of these two.

 

Can Cena do the impossible? Cena is throwing kicks which is not his strongpoint at all, Show lands a clothesline within seconds. Show wants his camel clutch, Cena is too quick and tries an STF but it is not going to work. Show is too fresh, Show continues to try and box but Cena goes for legs. Gut shots by Cena, Show lands a massive side-kick to floor Cena. Show works the ribs, headbutt to the corner. Show lands a massive splash, Cena avoids the splash but the bulldog doesn’t work like Judgement Day. Cena splats on the mat and spills to the floor, Show lands headbutt after headbutt against the ropes. Cena is trying to fight back, big rights and lefts but the shoulder block does not work with Show knocking Cena back with ease. Show is going for a full-nelson on Cena, interesting choice.

 

Cena attempts to escape, Show headbutts Cena in the back. To the buckle, Show eats a boot and Cena slaps on a sleeper. Alley Oop Bomb from Show, Show drops his hips on Cena who is in dire straits now. Chest slap by Show, massive suplex by Show. Show steps on Cena’s ribs once more, Show is delighted with himself. Show uses the middle rope to choke Cena, Show misses his Vader bomb with Cena rolling out of the way. Cena tries a slam but Show falls on top, Show clamps on a head & arm choke here. Show clearly watching the UFC, Cena uses his knees to escape the hold. Cena is grabbed by the throat, Show cannot nail the Chokeslam so Show decides to toss Cena to the floor.

 

Show picks up Cena, gut-buster hold into the steel steps. Show clamps on an abdominal stretch in the middle of the ring. Cena escapes the hold and counters a Chokeslam into a DDT. Cena stops the selling and looks for the STF, Show rolls to his side and kicks Cena to the floor. Show picks up Cena to the apron, Cena teases going for his leg drop but Cena dives into a bearhug. Cena rakes the eyes and lands the throwback, Cena calls for the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Show is staggered but the AA puts down Show. Cena is trying again for the STF, one elbow from Show ends Cena’s flurry.

 

Show lands the Knockout Punch! Cena rolls to the floor, Cole makes mention of Cena not being able to answer the count? What? It is a submission match, you cannot have a DQ or a count-out in that surely? It’s the one night where there are no rules Cole! Show picks up Cena but Cena shoves Show into the ring-post, Cena sees Show slowly crawling into the ring. Cena lands his diving leg drop, Cena decides to use the ropes to tie Show up. Cena uses the ropes and applies the stiffest STF I have ever seen from Cena. Show cannot move and Show decides to tap out!

 

Same problems with this as their previous match. You either buy into Show’s slow but brutal offence or you find it dull and tedious, Cena’s lack of selling can also impact how much you enjoy the match but the finish was clever and the fans continue to react huge to Cena every time Cena is in the ring. Wish I could see a little more from Cena and maybe Show soften up Cena’s back for his big camel clutch finish but the continued attempts at the STF were good, built the drama for the eventual finish and that is the one time Cena locked in the STF where it looked good, it was tight and looked excruciating. Compare that to Cena applying that hold in any other match and it’s night and day.

 

Winner: John Cena over Big Show via STF!

 

(WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match) Edge © vs Jeff Hardy

Two men who made their mark on the business in this match, No Mercy 1999 was the first ever tag team ladder match and these two men made history. When you think of the TLC matches, the moment you always see is either Jeff’s massive Swanton or Edge’s spear to Jeff off the ladder. There is not a more fitting match for these two, it’s perfect that their feud ends with the match that started it all. I expect high-risk moves and awesome spots, their previous matches have been solid but not reached that next level. This is the second time they will main event over the WWE Championship, let’s hope that they live up to the hype on this night.

 

The bell rings, both men are tentative. Edge uses the hair and lands a knee in the corner, Hardy leaps over Edge and lands a clothesline. They go to the corner, Hardy is ramming Edge’s head off the buckle. Scoop slam, leg drop by Hardy. Edge answers with a knee, whip to the buckle. Corner Spear by Edge, Edge wants The Edgecution but Hardy answers with a beautiful sit-out front suplex. Hardy looks for ladders now, Hardy grabs a smaller ladder that is kicked into Hardy’s face as Edge lands a massive baseball slide.

 

Edge picks up the ladder and leans it against the ring, Hardy answers back with a clothesline. In the ring, Hardy lands clubbing blows. Edge is elevated onto the ladder that he set up, unfortunate for the champion. Hardy tries climbing to the gold but there is no time as Edge is back up, flapjack into the ladder from Edge. The spot went wrong but actually came out much better as a result, Edge decides to grab a new ladder. The ladder is placed in the corner of the ring, Edge wants the Irish whip. Hardy hits the ladder hard, Edge places the ladder in another corner. Edge is thinking Spear, Hardy leaps over Edge and Edge spears the ladder hard.

 

Hardy places the ladder in front of Edge’s face, slingshot dropkick by Hardy. Hardy tries a running dropkick but Edge moves out of the way, Hardy hurts his leg on that one. Hardy is placed in the middle of the ladder, Edge targets the leg and his back. Edge uses a sharpshooter while using the ladder which leaves Hardy screaming out in pain. Edge tosses Hardy to the floor, Hardy is on his feet though. The missile dropkick finds the mark as Edge crashes to the canvas, Hardy suplexes Edge onto an open ladder, Edge looks like that was seriously painful. Hardy pulls out the 15 foot ladder, a Twist of Fate from Hardy. Hardy cannot help himself though, Hardy wants that massive leg drop. Edge knows all about that spot. Hardy tips the ladder and looks to pull down the championship, Edge reacts and yanks down Hardy who sells his leg.

 

Edge is fighting a man with one leg now, things have improved dramatically for the champion. Hardy sends Edge into the ladder, Hardy climbs up and lands a Whisper In The Wind. Hardy lands a Cactus Jack clothesline to the floor, both men are down. Edge boots Hardy in the face, Edge bridges a ladder between the barricade and ring apron. Edge sends Hardy into the barricade before grabbing the steel steps, Hardy kicks down Edge. Hardy lands a cutter on the barricade, Hardy places Edge on the ladder bridge. Could Hardy be thinking shades of WM23? Hardy places a massive ladder next to Edge, Hardy is thinking someone insane here. Hardy does not see Edge is up, both men are battling on the ladder. This is very dangerous as there is nowhere to go and both men thud off the floor and through the ladder in an incredible spot. Watch the replay on that, Hardy smashes off the ground. Hardy immediately grabs his shoulder, shocked if Hardy did not destroy something there. Miraculously, Hardy is up as well as Edge. Hardy punches Edge into the referee, not sure what impact the referee bump could have but it happened. Edge wants to do what he has done in the past and Spear Hardy off the ladder but Hardy reverses for a massive Twist of Fate!

 

Hardy begins climbing towards the championship, Edge can hardly stand but Edge will not let go of Hardy. Both men are climbing now, Hardy is closer to the championship. Edge lands big shots, Hardy is knocked off the ladder but Edge grabs the legs of Edge, Edge is stuck in the ladder. Powerless to stop Hardy, Hardy pulls down the championship while Edge can do nothing but watch on in horror. It looks like the match is over but here comes Mr. Money In The Bank. The air has been sucked out of the arena with the crowd booing wildly, Punk is going to take it all away from Hardy. GTS in the middle of the ring, 1…2… Hardy kicks out! Punk is in shock at this turn of events, Hardy tries a small package but Punk kicks out. Punk has a scowl on his face, Punk makes no mistake this time. Massive head kick and a GTS later, Punk is your champion!

 

A great ladder match with an even more dramatic ending, Hardy and Edge earn their main event stripes in this one. They take some horrific looking bumps in this one, Hardy gets to do what Hardy does best: Big risks and great looking bumps. Both men use the ladder well throughout the match, they have callbacks to their previous encounters and you have that wonderful moment where Hardy takes everything away from Edge. It’s beautiful and fitting for Hardy, Hardy deserved it and you have Punk steal it like that. It’s disappointing that we would not see a decisive close to their rivalry but what a way to kick off their feud and what a way to turn Punk heel. Great main event!

 

Winner: Jeff Hardy over Edge via Retrieval of The Championship!

 

Winner: CM Punk over Jeff Hardy via GTS!

 

That was WWE’s Extreme Rules 2009, another very solid showing from WWE in 2009. We kick things off with an action packed fatal 4 way, everyone gets a moment to shine, it’s frantic and chaotic and leaves you wanting more. Not on the level of a TNA X-Division opening match but still a lot of fun from some grizzled veterans and young-guns looking to shine brightly on PPV. Jericho vs Mysterio is arguably my favourite feud in WWE during this time, they despise one another and the concept of their matches is straight-forward and laid out to you. It’s very engaging and the crowd is split which just adds to the whole thing. Great finish here, Jericho had spoken about unmasking Mysterio, it was his goal and to seal his record 9^th Intercontinental Championship, Jericho rips the mask off Mysterio while Mysterio is attempting The 619. Quality stuff here, cannot wait for the finale to this trilogy.

 

The triple threat ECW Championship match is a lot of fun too, it has no right to be but it delivers a lot of cool spots, shockingly from Dreamer who seems to be wrestling like it is his final match which is nice but the commentators here completely let me down as they fail to talk about Dreamer’s story throughout the match. Great moment for Dreamer, the match was a lot of fun and maybe it can lead to more interesting match-ups and Christian rising higher on the card because Christian deserves better. I worry for Swagger who was learning a lot from Christian, not sure he can maintain that momentum without Captain Charisma. I’d like to note that the women’s championship has not been seen on PPV for two months now, possibly three as I cannot remember if there was a match at Backlash but they really should have done something with Melina if they were taking the championship away from Beth who had been excellent since being paired with Santino.

 

Batista vs Orton shocked me, I sound like a broken record at this point but I cannot believe Orton loses the championship between his feud with Cena. I thought those two would feud after Orton beat Batista and Cena finished whatever they were planning with Miz but nope, Batista avenges not only Triple H but Ric Flair by winning the championship from Orton. I felt the desperation from Orton to escape and hold onto the championship but it felt like this was tame. The last match felt like a set-up for this one but this wasn’t high-stakes and it was one finisher reversal and then bam, Batista Bomb and it’s over. I expected more for Batista winning the championship but maybe Batista knew this was temporary and the title would be back in the hands of The Viper soon after this match. Cena vs Show will be a good match to you if you enjoy Show being dominant and can push aside Cena’s abandonment of selling once we hit the finishing stretch, Cena does a good job showcasing Show’s strength. Show comes off as a massively evil individual who wants to break every bone in Cena’s body but they never really play up the submission aspect. We have one full-nelson and an abdominal stretch but Show could use and has more devastating holds than that, Show didn’t even clamp on his camel clutch back-breaker move. If there was ever a time to use it, it would be in the submission match! Standard Cena affair with Cena coming out on top with a creative finish and his best looking STF, your feelings on it will be decided on how you feel about him during this era. The main event is high-stakes drama, you have the perfect story. The match that made them both famous, the match that Jeff Hardy dives off crazy things in which the fans love, the match that Edge always wins. Brutal looking spots, callbacks to previous encounters and then, it happens. Jeff does the unthinkable and beats Edge, everyone is so happy that finally Jeff is back on top, Jeff can have a long reign as champion. However, fate had other plans and out comes CM Punk who hadn’t been getting the best babyface reactions as of late, who was clearly number 2 when it came to babyfaces behind Jeff. Punk comes in and ruins everyone’s night, can Hardy build himself up one more time? Soul-crushing drama right here but it makes for great television! Another very easy PPV from WWE to sit through, people may be turning off and the buy-rates are down but they are delivering the goods during 2009. Can they keep it up? Guess we will find out down the line, thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!

WWE Backlash 2009 Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that continues to decline in popularity more than your favourite Youtuber from 2006! It is time for WWE’s Backlash 2009! We have a six man-tag match for the WWE Championship? Legacy will be taking on Triple H, Batista & Shane Mcmahon. We also have Edge vs John Cena for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in a Last Man Standing Match. Jeff Hardy will take on Matt Hardy in an I Quit Match and Chris Jericho will take on Ricky Steamboat! That’s not all of the card but the big matches, I have mentioned before but this was the time where I started to fall off the WWE so a lot of this era will be new to me which is both terrifying and exciting considering how many categorize this era as horrific. Let’s get it on!

 

(ECW World Haevyweight Championship) Jack Swagger © vs Christian

So what is striking me at the moment is that each show does not have their commentators for their respective brand matches, We have JR, Jerry The King Lawler and Michael Cole which is quite the team for sure, I am guessing JR would have been with Mick Foley on Smackdown? Maybe Foley is in TNA by this point. Anyways, Christian is here and everyone loves Captain Charisma, they mention a contract signing which is just wonderful to hear.

 

Swagger shoots for the legs and takes the front chancery, some nice wrestling rolls from the champion. Christian is back in the corner, clean break from Swagger but a slap rocks the champion. Christian nails a very nice spinning heel kick and a middle rope elbow for two. Side headlock from Christian, Swagger answers with a shoulder block. Make it two, military press to the floor by Swagger. Back in the ring, Swagger lands a knee and clamps on a body-scissors. More rolls with a gut-wrench like hold, Swagger does not want to let go of the waist-lock. Christian tries his corner dodge into the kick but Swagger catches the legs and smashes Christian into the mat.

 

Swagger has a great bearhug, Swagger tries pinning off the bearhug which looks cool. Swagger continues squeezing, crowd fires up for babyface Christian who lands haymakers. Swagger goes for the military press, Christian slips out but Swagger counters with a beautiful gut-buster. Another waist-lock on the mat, would like to see some variety from the big man but it fits his amateur wrestling background. Swagger whips Christian to the buckle, the dodge works for Christian this time. A knee to the ribs cuts off Christian, Swagger’s running splash misses as Christian puts up his knees. Christian cannot nail the tornado DDT but a diving sunset flip gets two, Swagger goes low and scoops up Christian for a slam.

 

Both men are feeling it now, both men are down. Gut-wrench is blocked by Christian who holds onto the legs, Swagger is persistent but has to change plan. Christian is lifted to the corner, Christian kicks away Swagger and nails his tornado DDT. Two count for Christian, Swagger lands a great belly to belly out of nowhere. Swagger gets caught and sent to the floor off an arm-drag, Christian is almost suplexed into the barricade. Elbows by Christian, Swagger is dumped into the ring. Christian is slowly climbing the top rope, back-drop by Swagger and Swagger Bomb connects for a close two. Christian slaps Swagger, Swagger looks for an Oklahoma Slam but Christian slides out for an O’Connor roll, two for Christian. Oklahoma Stampede connects for a close two.

 

Swagger is frustrated now, Swagger needs to stay composed. Swagger is exposing the turnbuckle, Christian exposes the turnbuckle on his side. Swagger runs right into the exposed turnbuckle, Killswitch and Christian is your new ECW World Heavyweight Champion!

 

Christian is often considered underrated and that is on full display here as Christian puts together a match that plays to Swagger’s strengths. Swagger gets to toss around Christian, great work on the ribs of Christian and the way they got to the big moves in the match was great, some really nice creativity from Christian. Christian never looked dominant, always playing to Swagger’s power, building all his crowd reactions from close pin-falls before a very satisfying finish with Swagger getting caught for his attempts of cheating, really great opening match.

 

Winner: Christian over Jack Swagger via Kill-Switch!

 

Ricky The Dragon Steamboat vs Chris Jericho

At Wrestlemania, Steamboat was unbelievably good. Too good for his age so WWE said fuck it let’s have him in there with Jericho again. Steamboat being Jericho’s idol adds so much to the match.

 

They lock-up and Steamboat trips Jericho, Jericho scrambles to the ropes. Jericho shoves Steamboat, Steamboat shows his speed and frustrates Jericho, baseball slide and a plancha from The Dragon. Chop by Steamboat and deep motherfucking arm-drags boy, Jericho screams out in pain. Steamboat works the arm but Jericho elbows his way out, shoulder block by Jericho. Deep arm-drag into an arm-bar from The Dragon, some joint manipulation from Steamboat. Forearms from Jericho, chop by Steamboat. Shoulder block, Steamboat skins the cat but Jericho clotheslines Steamboat to the floor. Springboard dropkick by Jericho, belly to back suplex and stiff kicks to the spine. Jericho calls Steamboat washed up, Jericho applies a modified cobra clutch.

 

Steamboat escapes but Jericho clotheslines him down, Jericho has a side headlock. Belly to back by Steamboat but Jericho holds onto the headlock, Steamboat throws forearms but Jericho sends Steamboat to the buckle. Steamboat avoids the bulldog and Jericho is caught on the top rope, Steamboat works the lower back of Jericho. Belly to back from the middle rope seems like the plan for Steamboat, Jericho fights hard but Steamboat is persistent and super belly to back suplex. Jericho is selling it like death, 1…2… Jericho kicks out at the last second. We have a slug-fest, Irish whip by Steamboat and chops for two. Steamboat runs into a corner elbow, Steamboat counters for a powerslam, two for Steamboat.

 

Chops again, Irish whip but Steamboat ducks the head. Kick to the head and an enzuigiri for two, modified bulldog. Jericho went for the lionsault but Steamboat has Jericho on his shoulders, Steamboat gets caught though as Jericho rolls through for the Walls of Jericho. Steamboat escapes the hold and applies the figure four in the ugliest manner possible. Steamboat back-drops Jericho into the ring as both men were on the apron, Jericho tries a splash and headbutts the ring-post, Diving Crossbody by Steamboat for a very close two. Irish whip to the buckle by Jericho, Steamboat kicks away Jericho. Steamboat dives into the Code-breaker, 1…2… Steamboat places his foot on the bottom rope.

 

Jericho is irate with this call, Jericho argues with the official. Jericho slaps Steamboat, back-breaker is countered for a small package for two. Jericho trips up Steamboat in the middle of the ring and Steamboat has to tap this time around, Jericho refuses to break the hold to add emphasis to his point.

 

Considering Steamboat’s age, this is a very good match. Jericho is obviously a huge fan of Steamboat so you know Jericho is going to bump like crazy but this is not a one-sided affair, Steamboat uses all his expertise in this one and the near-falls are tremendous throughout the match. Love the crossbody and the small packages, fantastic send-off for The Dragon. Jericho was able to take a terrible angle and have a fantastic match with Steamboat.

 

Winner: Chris Jericho over Ricky Steamboat via Walls of Jericho!

 

Kane vs CM Punk

Kane holds grudges, Kane does not like CM Punk. Punk uses his speed to pepper Kane with kicks, Kane shakes that off. Punk cannot escape this time, knees and throat thrusts by Kane. Irish whip to the buckle, Punk attacks Kane with his knees. Minoro Suzuki style arm-bar spot by Punk, Punk drops his knees on the arm. Forearms by Punk, Kane shoves away Punk. Punk lands a dropkick, Punk tries a plancha but Kane grabs Punk by the neck. Punk uses the ropes to avoid being slammed and lands an apron diving clothesline, key-lock from Punk. Kane sends Punk into the ring-post, Kane dropkicks Punk into the ring-post. Punk is shoved into the ring-post, Kane slaps on a body-scissors. Punk uses elbows to escape the hold but Kane drills Punk with a clothesline, Kane lands a kick and a throat thrust before a back-breaker stretch. Punk escapes the hold again, Punk is looking to take away Kane’s chokeslam arm. Punk does his variation of the tarantula spot, Punk lands a springboard clothesline. Kane avoids the running knee/bulldog combo with a massive boot to the face.

 

Punk stops Kane from flying with a massive kick, Punk uses the ropes to pick up Kane. Kane fights out of the GTS, Punk lands his running knee/bulldog combination for a close two. Punk’s springboard goes wrong as Kane lands a massive uppercut, two for Kane. Punk avoids the sidewalk slam and goes for a tilt-a-whirl Fujiwara arm-bar but Kane lands a massive sidewalk slam counter. Punk avoids a chokeslam with big kicks, muay thai like strikes but Kane counters it and drills Punk with a Chokeslam for the win.

 

Interesting to see the crowd be indifferent to Punk, Punk had a similar reaction at Wrestlemania so the heel turn that we all know is coming is definitely a welcome one. Having Kane win on the other hand I am not sure it helps at all, Punk as a delusional babyface might have been better than having the Money In The Bank winner lose right after Mania but you know Vince loves beating the champion like a drum after winning the big one. Anyways, I don’t think they have any sort of plan for Kane so it just strikes me as an odd choice. Their chemistry is not great either, some cool moments but the fans are sitting on their hands for most of it, I felt much the same way.

 

Winner: Kane over CM Punk via Chokeslam!

 

(I Quit Match) Matt Hardy vs Jeff Hardy

Matt defeated Jeff, Matt wants to erase Jeff from the WWE. Considering it has been implied that Matt tried to burn down Jeff’s house with Jeff inside of it, you can only go down from there.

 

The bell rings and both men are tentative, Jeff goes to work with massive right hands and stomps the life out of Matt. Jeff brings Matt to the corner, more stomps with Matt trying to get away. Jeff drops the leg-drop low and hits a low dropkick to his face. Matt scrambles to the floor, slingshot dropkick and plancha. Poetry in Motion against the barricade by Jeff, hot-shot by Jeff. Corner clothesline by Jeff, Hardy’s corner dropkick by The Charismatic Enigma. Leg-drop after leg-drop by Jeff but Matt refuses to quit, sleeper from Jeff. Matt has had no offence in this one at all, Matt is carrying all the weight of Jeff on his back but Matt manages to bounce Jeff’s head off the turnbuckle. Matt drops an elbow, forearms to the head.

 

Jeff wants a whisper in the wind but Matt manages to shove Jeff to the floor, Jeff sells his ankle from the fall. Fans are chanting for tables, this is not good. Matt begins working the ankle, Jeff’s right leg is sent into the ring-post again and again. Matt is looking for a figure four, Matt applies the figure four in the middle of the ring. Jeff does not give up but Matt continues kicking the leg of Jeff, another figure four from Matt. Jeff pushes and pushes, reversing the pressure. Matt rolls back and breaks the hold, some guy is wiped out by security or something as the fans do not care about the action in the ring at all. Jeff misses his mule kick and Matt applies a single leg Boston crab. Jeff refuses to submit, Matt places Jeff on the top rope. Jeff is placed in the tree of woe but refuses to submit so Matt wants a belly to back superplex, Jeff elbows away Matt and nails a Whisper In The Wind.

 

Both men are swinging wildly, Jeff lands his mule kick. Texas Cloverleaf from Jeff, shocking to see such a move from Jeff. Matt’s tapping but Matt will not say I Quit, Matt uses the ropes to shove off Jeff. Matt avoids the Twist of Fate but gets a leg-drop to the back of the head, Twist of Fate by Jeff. Jeff begins climbing high, Swanton Bomb connects. Jeff climbs high again, second Swanton Bomb. Jeff decides to pull out a table, the crowd are happy to see mister table. Matt is rolling around the ring, Matt rolls to the floor to avoid his fate of being put through the table. Matt almost landed a Twist of Fate but Jeff counters and drills Matt with his own Twist of Fate.

 

Matt is thrown in the ring and placed on the table, Matt is lying prone on the table not moving. Jeff decides to pull out some duct-tape, Jeff is tying Matt to the table. Matt has now been tied to the table, unable to move. Jeff has pulled out a ladder, it is not a twenty-foot ladder but a regular ladder. However, it is a nice callback to the missed leg-drop at Wrestlemania 25. Matt is begging but not saying I Quit, Matt tries appealing to Jeff’s emotions but Jeff does not want to hear that shit. Matt brings their mother into it, scumbag move from Matt. Matt quits, Jeff Hardy wins but Jeff decides to Leg-Drop Matt through the table.

 

I think the fans never wanted to see The Hardys fight one another, I think that is the fundamental problem of this feud, fans just wanted to see The Hardys together and Jeff get the bigger push. As for this match itself, the fans reaction throughout reflect this sentiment, it’s hard to believe they could be this quiet for a Jeff Hardy match considering Jeff was one of the most over people on the roster mere months ago. The leg-work was interesting from Jeff but this was just Jeff killing Matt for the last couple of minutes and Jeff is just not that great on offence, Jeff does not have killer moves in his arsenal. It’s the high-risk spots, the hope-spots that make Jeff Hardy so great. Jeff Hardy being in control and pulling off submissions is just not the Jeff Hardy people want to see. A Jeff Hardy I Quit match sounds like a dream match where Jeff would be putting his body through all sorts of shit to get the win but this really was a tame effort.

 

Winner: Jeff Hardy over Matt Hardy via I Quit!

 

(WWE Championship Six-Man Tag Match) Triple H ©/Batista/Shane Mcmahon vs Legacy

Batista is back! Batista had beaten Orton at Armageddon 2008 which was a huge match as it was the first time they had fought on PPV since both men’s dominant runs on their respective brands. The deck is stacked against Triple H and I have no idea how considering Randy Orton has zero leverage against The Mcmahons. The big problem on the babyface team is that they all want to kill Orton so can they co-exist and not get disqualified.

 

A strength of the match is that Batista, Shane and Triple H all have valid reasons for wanting to destroy Orton, another part that I should mention considering it kind of has flown under the radar is that Ted Dibiase Jr. and Cody Rhodes at their young ages have been a huge part of storylines on RAW. This is the first time we will see them in a big match on PPV together though, they worked well in a Rumble but that match was one of the worst rumbles I watched so who knows.

 

Triple H dives on Orton to begin, Shane & Batista hold off Dibiase & Rhodes. Triple H chases away Orton, Legacy are not happy with this change. Maybe they want to win the championship? Why are they risking being counted out? Batista and Rhodes start, Batista clotheslines and sends Rhodes into the corner, Cole states that if Rhodes or Dibiase win, Orton is champion? Excuse me? Whatever, Batista boots down Rhodes. Tag to Shane, Demolition Decapitation by Shane & Batista. Continued elbow drops by Shane, Shane works the arm and tag to Triple H. Triple H stomps the life out of Rhodes, hard Irish whip to the opposite buckle. Suck it by Triple H and another stomp, Rhodes manages to kick Triple H and tag Dibiase.

 

Dibiase eats a clothesline by Triple H, Shane & Triple H nail a Hart Attack. Shane throws elbows to the spine, tag to Batista. Batista ducks and lands a massive suplex, Batista gets caught though. Not for long, Batista lands a flying shoulder block. Spine-buster on Dibiase, Dibiase avoids the bomb. Dibiase and Batista are up the ramp, Rhodes distracts the referee. Here comes Orton and Batista is sent into the ring-post, Orton gets the hot-tag sort of I guess. Orton stomps the life out of Batista, Batista is isolated in Legacy’s corner. Orton & Dibiase choke the life out of Batista, Rhodes tags in Orton. Orton lands that rope-hung DDT with Triple H showing worry on his face, Triple H has been in this situation before with The Mcmahons at King of The Ring 2000. Tag to Dibiase, elbow drops from Dibiase. Batista fights in the corner but a drop toehold from Dibiase stops that attack, side headlock by Dibiase. Belly to back suplex counter by Batista, Orton gets the tag. Orton stands over Batista and begins stomping the ribs of The Animal. Knee across the face by Orton, reverse chin-lock by Orton. Elbows by Batista, Orton is whipped across the ropes and eats a Spear.

 

Rhodes comes in but Shane gets the tag, right hands from Mcmahon. Shane elbows Dibiase down, neck-breaker on Rhodes for two. Dibiase is with Shane, Shane takes down Rhodes & Dibiase. Shane is on the top rope, Diving Elbow Drop by Shane. Dibiase pulls out Shane, Orton is here and sends Shane over the steel steps. Orton gets the tag and pulls Shane onto the apron, suplex into the ring for two. Shane scrambles for a tag but Orton cuts that off, kicks to the ribs. Orton drags Shane to the corner, Dibiase comes in and nails a boot to the ribs. Shane is kicked to the floor, Dibiase comes to the floor and slams Shane off the ring apron. Two in the ring, Dibiase tags in Rhodes.

 

Rhodes gets a two, more kicks to the ribs. Shane fights back from his ribs, Rhodes holds Shane in a full-nelson. Orton measures and lands a boot to the ribs, standing dropkick by Orton. Two for Orton, tag to Dibiase. The ring has been cut in half well here by Legacy, really good tag team strategy. Diving foot stomp on Shane for two, reverse chin-lock. Shane fights back but Dibiase cuts off Shane again, tag to Rhodes. Rhodes kicks the head of Shane, nice knee-drop. Two for Rhodes, front chancery. Shane manages to back-drop Rhodes, Dibiase cuts off Shane again with an elbow drop. Fist Drop by Dibiase, Million Dollar Dream is countered with a DDT.

 

Crowd can feel it is time for that hot-tag! Triple H gets the tag, right hands to Orton. Shot after shot in the corner, Irish whip but the champion fires back with a clothesline. Face-buster, Dibiase and Rhodes tossed to the floor. Orton boots Triple H, spine-buster for two as Dibiase makes the save. In comes Batista who decks Dibiase, Batista is sent into the barricade. Triple H wants a Pedigree, Rhodes spikes Triple H with a DDT. Shane crossbodies Rhodes to the floor, Shane clotheslines Rhodes into the timekeeper’s area. Rhodes has a chair though damn it, Shane does not see it. Shane is waffled into the crowd, Batista is smacked with the chair too. Batista kicks Rhodes low, Orton’s RKO is blocked. Batista has the chair, Triple H stops his Pedigree to stop Batista using the chair. Triple H walks into an RKO, 1…2.. Triple H kicks out but one Punt Kick later, it’s over!

 

Well they botched the finish but that is not Orton’s fault, timekeeper messed up on this one. An interesting finish with Triple H trying to stop Batista making a mistake and Batista costing Triple H. I don’t have any memory of this time so the idea of Batista vs Triple H occurring is not something I think would happen at this time. Perhaps Triple H will be taking time off with The Punt Kick being the reason for that? The finish also reminds me that we could have just don’t this for Wrestlemania, why would Triple H need to hang on for one extra month? They do the stretcher gimmick so I am guessing Batista will want to avenge Triple H and be the big dumb babyface that keeps coming up short which is what Batista was to Edge and Booker T on Smackdown. Such a shame for Batista, the match here itself was not that great. The tag team work from Legacy was solid but it didn’t live up to the hype and when the crowd is cheering Orton and singing nah nah nah hey hey goodbye when a babyface is injured, we have made a mistake somewhere along the line.

 

Winners: Legacy over Team Triple H via Punt Kick!

 

(WWE World Heavyweight Championship Last Man Standing Match) John Cena © vs Edge

The idea of Cena on Smackdown is insane, it did not last very long but still the fact there was a period in 2009 where Cena was on the blue brand is pure madness. Video package does a great job of showcasing how much Edge hates John Cena. Cena is coming in hurt as Edge played a little con-chair-to on his head on Monday Night Raw, the bell rings with both men staring one another down. Intense lock-up which is good to see, Edge swings and misses. Cena whips Edge to the buckle, Edge avoids the bulldog. Edge is on the floor, Cena gives chase. Edge wanted a spear, Cena teased an AA. Both men are feeling one another out.

 

Side headlock by Edge, Cena shoves him off. Shoulder block by Edge who clubs down Cena. Irish whip reversed to the buckle, Cena lands a massive fisherman suplex on Edge. AA tease with Edge nailing an Edge-O-Matic. Cena sells his head, Edge is watching on and lands a vicious clothesline. Make it two, Edge seems surprised that Cena is popping up. The referee starts counting, Cena makes it up around the count of six. Cena fights back, Irish whip reversed by Edge and a beautiful spinning heel kick. Cena is up, flapjack by Edge. Sleeper by Edge, Cena scrambles to the ropes but Edge does not have to break the hold. Cena begins fading before backing Edge into the corner, Cena lets go briefly and clamps the hold back on with tenacity.

 

Cena fires back, shoulder blocks and a five knuckle shuffle is on the menu. Edge kicks Cena square in the head, sharpshooter from the challenger. Cena does not tap but struggles to get on his feet, Edge knocks Cena off the apron and onto the announce table. Cena makes it up at the count of seven, Edge starts messing with the steel steps. Edge takes a run-up, Cena dodges and Edge Spears the steel steps. Edge survives the ten count and sends Cena into the steel steps. Cena has enough in him again to rise before the ten count, Cena whips Edge into the steel steps this time. Edge makes the count, Cena decides to bring the steel steps into the ring. Cena manages to lift the steel steps into the ring but eats a big boot to the face.

 

Edge smashes the steel steps into Cena’s head, running dropkick with the steel steps kicked right into John Cena. Cena clutches his shoulder, I think the intent was his neck due to the con-chair-to but I am not sure Edge is really playing into that gameplan. Cena is against the ropes, Edge runs at Cena and is elevated to the floor. Cena picks up the steel steps, Edge is on the floor. Cena lawn-darts the steel steps at the head of Edge, Edge is wiped out at ringside. Back into the ring, Cena looks worn out already. Edge and Cena are trading bombs, both men are using the other to standup before both men collapse in the middle of the ring. Both men make the count around eight, Cena has Edge but both men counter one another. Third time is the charm? No it’s Edge who drills Cena with a belly to back suplex, Edge hates Cena so much that Edge is going to do a five-knuckle-shuffle. Edge tries it and Cena responds with a vicious STF. Edge survives the count, AA is blocked as Edge holds onto the ropes and Edge delivers a sickening Spear onto Cena. Edge is climbing to the top rope, Cena pulls himself up and looks for something big here. Cena has Edge on his shoulders, Super AA from Cena in the middle of the ring. Edge is moving, unbelievable from Edge. Motivated by pure hatred? Cena cannot believe it as Edge crawls towards Cena. Cena goes high, his top rope leg drop does not work as Edge Spears Cena in mid-air!

 

Edge clears the announce table, Edge wants to do something bad here. Cena avoids an impaler DDT and Cena AAs Edge into the crowd. Great spot that nobody would have predicted, all the plants did a great job of catching Edge’s body. Edge makes it up at nine, Edge will not be denied on this night. Edge and Cena are in the crowd among the fans, the cameras do their best to keep up with the madness. Edge & Cena go from one part of the arena to the next, Cena continues punching Edge. Bulldog onto the equipment by the stage, Edge is crushed at the moment, Cena has a tired look on his face. Edge survives and cracks Cena with a hard-hat, Edge nails Cena with an Impaler DDT on the stage. Edge is in shock, Edge looks backstage for something. Edge waffles Cena in the back, con-chair-to from Edge. Cena is up at the count of nine, Cena lifts up Edge for an AA but Big Show interferes and grabs Cena. Chokeslam through a stage light! It exploded and Edge makes the ten count while Cena does not move!

 

A brutal brawl between two men who hate one another, they waste no time in throwing out massive spots, Edge trying to choke out Cena was a great little moment because you could see how much Edge utterly hates Cena. Some big bumps here, the mid-air Spear and Super AA were huge spots, also the AA into the crowd came off great. They brawled everywhere and you could feel the hatred that the two had for one another, fantastic stuff here really. The finish is a shock and a perfect way to protect your golden goose with Edge not being able to put down Cena. A readymade feud with Big Show for Cena to continue with when he’s good and healthy again which is great. Sadly, the hot potato of the championship continues and it really hurts me here because Edge has done this throughout the years at this point. Edge took down Taker’s reign, Triple H’s reign as WWE Champion, Jeff Hardy’s reign and Cena’s previous reign. That’s three or four reigns with diminishing returns as things would just end up back with Edge. How am I meant to buy into Edge losing the championship and it meaning something when it continuously makes it way back to him before I even get to appreciate it leaving him?

 

Winner: Edge over John Cena via Survival of Ten-Count!

 

That was WWE’s Backlash 2009, a very solid PPV coming out of Wrestlemania. Could things be better? Of course they could but there are some positive developments here when we take a step back from this PPV, also some bad ones of course so let’s break it down. We kick things off with Christian vs Swagger, Christian leads Swagger to his best match on PPV and best match by this point. Night and day between this and the rumble match with Matt Hardy, Christian lets Swagger dominate throughout with various power moves and cool looking throws, Christian has flickers of hope and it all builds to a satisfying finish. Considering Christian was TNA World Champion, ECW was a disappointment for many but having someone like Christian as the top babyface is great for those on the roster because Christian will continue to make them shine throughout the year. Very good opening match, things take a turn with Punk vs Kane. Chemistry is just not great between the two, Punk’s offence is hit and miss while the crowd don’t seem too heavily invested in Mr. Money in The Bank. Kane is over like always but the good matches have been gone for a long time by this point, nothing to keep me invested here and like I mentioned, the trope of the money in the bank winner instantly becoming the biggest loser on the roster was never a good one in my book.

 

Steamboat vs Jericho is fun, Steamboat rolls back the years and gives a performance that shouldn’t be possible at his age. Jericho puts in the work too to make this a very exciting match, it is an extended version of their Wrestlemania match and we all wanted Steamboat to squeeze out the victory here. The Hardys I Quit Match is a step-down from The Mania match, the fans just do not want to see them fight and Jeff’s offence has always been one of his weaknesses so long sections of Jeff torturing Matt seem to just drag on and while the emotional manipulation from Matt is cool towards the end, it’s not going to save this match for me. Jeff actually seemed to be quite lenient for a guy who lost his dog and almost his life thanks to his brother. Not a great feud for someone who seemed to be on par with John Cena in terms of reaction from the audience only a few months ago. The six man tag for the WWE Championship corrects the wrong of Wrestlemania and adds an interesting element into the mix with Batista being the reason Triple H lost the championship. I don’t think it will be played into too much as Triple H was basically a babyface for the next two years but it adds to the probably Batista vs Orton feud. As for the action, Orton was getting a very strong response from the crowd and Legacy as a unit are a great watch because they just hammer everyone in their way. Again sympathy for the all-destroying and conquering Game is a difficult task especially when the crowd feels the wrong man won last year so the injury angle is not coming off great here, hoping Big Dave can get some good reactions. The main event is a good brawl between two men with very good chemistry, some awesome spots mixed in with some pretty great facials. Not a fan of the championship moving around so much but we have a good feud for Cena ready with Big Show and hopefully, we can have Jeff Hardy back on track against Edge. Another easy pay per view to watch, would love to have the tag team championships and other mid-card championships be featured but we are fresh off Mania so only the biggest matches will be getting time. Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!