Since I was born in 1987, I turned 31 this week.
Since 1987, Hogan slammed Andre. Warrior squashed Honky Tonk Man. The Mega Powers exploded.
Warrior beat Hogan. Savage got bit by a snake. Michaels turned on Jannetty. 1-2-3 Kid pinned Razor Ramon. Bret and Luger tied in the Rumble. Lawler kissed Bret’s foot. Michaels and Hart went 60 minutes. The Montreal Screwjob happened. Stone Cold won the title and The Rock turned heel. Chris Jericho debuted.
The Radicalz debuted. The Invasion happened. The SmackDown Six killed it. Evolution was formed. Benoit and Eddie won the titles. Eddie died. One Night Stand happened. Benoit died. Punk won the title. Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker happened. Daniel Bryan debuted.
Punk beat Cena at Money in the Bank. The Shield debuted. The Shield and Daniel Bryan ruled WWE. Daniel Bryan won the title and Seth Rollins turned on The Shield. Sasha vs. Bayley in Brooklyn happened. AJ Styles debuted and AJ Styles won the title. BRAAAAAUUUUNNNN. Daniel Bryan returned
Here’s to 31 more years of excellence from the worldwide leader in sports entertainment.
RAW (8/20/18)
Kind of a lame show at a point where this whole brand really needs a not lame show, but Roman/Balor was great and The Shield doing their thing again is cool.
RAW has got talent but stalling the show with an undercard nobody’s been given any reason to care about isn’t good – either try something interesting or just throw the cruiserweights out there. Dana and Apollo being a thing is not an interesting thing.
I do love seeing how many hoops WWE jumps through to get Roman Reigns out of Brooklyn alive – Braun at ringside at SummerSlam, “LET THE CRITICS CRITICIZE!,” giving Finn Balor his title shot, and finally The Shield reuniting to stop the Braun cash-in.
The Roman promo was alright. Starting the show with Baron Corbin vs. Bobby Lashley… not so much. I mean if you’re going to open the show with that in front of a crowd that’s probably going to cross their arms for it, at least try something other than a bunch of aimless action. The crazy Lashley bump to the floor was kind of notable I guess.
The hard sell by commentary on Lashley was cringey too, so bad that when Coach said Lashley is every bit the Universal Champ Roman is, Cole was audibly like, “Uh…”
Hey! The Bayley/Sasha vs. Riott Squad feud got a timeslot other than late in the third hour when everyone just wants to see Seth Rollins and go home! And the match, this time with Ember as Bayley and Sasha’s partner, was… pretty good! At least as far as RAW TV matches go. I did like how everybody randomly just went HARD at various points in the match – Bayley’s bump on the floor, Ember’s crazy tope, Logan throwing lariats. Nice finish too.
Hahahahahahahahaha they’re really building to Triple H vs. Undertaker in Australia.
Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler was a decent match up until the double DQ stuff. Dean looked all intense and angry, so that was nice. He’s back to selling like a broken man too, though I hope he’s actually healed now.
Wild last couple minutes with Drew and Seth getting involved leading to an epic Dirty Deeds. Screw The Revival, throw the tag straps on one of these teams and print some money.
“I DARE YOU! I DARE YOU TO HIT ME! WATCH WHAT HAPPENS.” Intense Drew McIntyre is Very Good.
Curt Hawkins kinda-sorta face turn vs. Elias was kind of great. Plus Elias threw an incredible knee in their match. Very acceptable use of TV time.
I am a 31-year-old white cisgender male and thought the entire Ronda Rousey RAW Women’s Title celebration was a complete pile of bullshit. The absolute LAMENESS of everyone standing and congratulating each other and trying to make Ronda a woman of the people and THE BELLAS just randomly on the apron – god damn, whatever happened to competition? Everything isn’t a milestone, people.
Unless this was the write-off of Steph as face of division, this was dumb stupid bullshit that ended with everyone hugging and it was dumb dumb dumb.
Two singles B-Team/Revival matches was absolutely not what this show needed. Dawson vs. Bo was the exact type of match to happen in front of a Wave. So was Axel vs. Dash.
Loved Roman Reigns vs. Finn Balor. These guys have great chemistry and are always at their best when they are presented in interesting situations and given some time to play. I guess that’s most guys, but these guys are even better at it. The crowd gave a shit and Roman wrestled like a heel and all of Balor’s pretty offense was crazy over, with every piece of Balor offense sold as a moment he desperately needed. Just LISTEN to Michael Cole sell the dropkick he hits, people. MAGIC.
I am a top-tier Roman Reigns Defender but his last six months have not been great. This was the Roman I know and love, and it’s because he got 15+ minutes to do his thing. Guy is THE ACE and and makes all his matches feel like big deals – I hope this shines through in the title reign.
Here he is adapting to the task at hand – playing heel on Finn Balor, the guy he’s wrestling because the company needs to ensure Reigns is seen as The Good Guy so they siphon some of the love on Balor over to him.
Reigns Working Heel is very good – working a tight CHINLOCK, throwing Balor around like the pretty bullet boy he is, no-selling a chop and staring a hole through Balor. The stuff towards the end was tremendous with big action and both guys selling desperation. The Sling Blade followed by the Superman Punch near fall was awesome. Even all the Braun stuff was fine.
If you weren’t going to have Braun steamroll Brock at SummerSlam, then Shield coming out to steamroll Braun as he tried to steamroll Roman is a fun ending. Braun’s selling during the beatdown and the way they had to fight to get him down was so awesome.
SMACKDOWN (8/21/18)
Is #SmackDownAfterSummerslam going to become a thing? Because this was a great wrestling TV show.
The Miz and Maryse/Daniel Bryan and BRIE BELLA angle to start the show was legitimately the best thing on SmackDown since Miz was feuding with Dolph Ziggler. This had so much that I love about pro wrestling: a classic Miz promo, a “YOU’RE A COWARD” chant, and Brie Bella elbowing Miz in the head.
Miz is an all-time great promo guy because when you need him to deliver (AKA kicking off this angle and starting off the post-SummerSlam show hot) he over-delivers. He is a man, who transcends professional wrestling as we have always known it – love him as a human being, love seeing him getting his face punched.
Bryan’s “wannabe Hollywood star cosplaying as a professional wrestler” line was the kind of stuff they only pull out in extra special situations. Maryse adds so much to Miz’ act too – the “RETIRE.. AGAIN” delivery was perfect.
And I legit popped for Brie Bella’s music hitting, and not only that but her running down to the ring, seeing Maryse bail, and just nailing Miz. “MY WIFE’S GOT A SWEET PUNCH, DOESN’T SHE?” GOD DAMN RIGHT. This could be the greatest Mixed Tag Team Match of all time.
Jeff’s little weirdo bits are amazing.
Some people just kill time during commercial, heroes like Randy Orton do suplexes onto tables and signature spots. AND he got a chinlock in!
I feel like Randy Orton and Jeff Hardy worked a match where they were trying to show the brass that THEY should’ve wrestled at SummerSlam because they would’ve stole the show or something and they’re almost right but also have the obstacle of them being older men now.
Jeff Hardy of course still took a crazy bump from the top rope to the stairs on the outside. Then Orton did the EAR STRETCH spot and it was incredible. And then Jeff got DQ’d for stomping him in the balls. Alright. Very cool TV angle, and with the post-match stuff included it’s a heck of a match.
Jeff laughing post-Swanton in the crowd – sweet.
Gallows & Anderson seem to have that fabled Brad Armstrong syndrome where their reputation as the ultimate Brothers in the Back does not translate once the camera comes on. Their little bit tonight wasn’t amazing or anything, but use a close-up shot and some camera cuts and it ends up looking a lot better.
Peyton Royce vs. Naomi was probably the best Peyton has looked in-ring (and that’s what we judge the ladies by here at Happy Wrestling Land, in-ring skills and PROMOS) since she came to the main roster. I guess it was really the only showcase of her too. Not sure anyone got over though.
As with most People on the Internet, I can’t believe they are ACTUALLY going with a Becky Lynch heel run. BUT! I am endlessly interested in WWE throwing weird curveballs and trying to make them stick. BUT!!! While I am all for Becky giving this a go, fighting through the initial reactions, and nailing a run as a heel (I mean imagine her vs. Asuka!) – high optimism can lead to disappointment with World Wrestling Entertainment.
The sad thing is that what I really see happening is that once they leave a smarky city where the crowd is WAY into Becky and WAY not into Charlotte, most crowds will be generally confused about the presentation of her as WWE tries to mold around the initial reaction to it, and she’ll stop getting heat and then somebody high up will say she’s not over.
Great Becky promo regardless.
Was happy to see a rematch of the Rusev/Lana vs. Almas/Vega Empty Arena Match at the SummerSlam Kickoff. Have to say though – Bryan/Brie vs. Miz/Maryse happening during this probably doesn’t bode well for idea of Vince McMahon really caring about any of these guys.
The match was alright I guess. Lana & Rusev are cute together. Almas vs. Rusev towards the end was good too – loved Rusev’s thousand-yard stare sell off the spinning back elbow. Although – I do love the idea of Vega and Almas as business associate equals, but once Vega gets in the ring it does take away a bit of that credibility. Not a great match but a little better than last night.
Can you imagine if Vince McMahon still loved wrestling? We could have a United States of Nakamura stable with Nakamura building his own Cobra Kai crew and taking guys like Tye Dillinger and R-Truth under his wing.
The AJ Styles interview/Samoa Joe attack/Samoa Joe staring into the camera with a message to Wendy Styles thing was fantastic.
R-Truth having a recurring bit with Carmella is also fantastic.
The New Day vs. Bludgeon Brothers No DQ SmackDown Tag Team Title switch was good stuff, especially considering one of the participants is about to go under the knife for a torn bicep. There was a whole lot of brawling and a whole lot of New Day selling before the feel-good finish. The throw of the office chair was a highlight.
Why didn’t The Bludgeon Brothers try and use the mallets until the end though? It’s plot holes like this that leave me wanting.
205 LIVE (8/21/18)
OK show, like every 205 Live. Had an especially good main event.
Noam Dar vs. TJP was the WOOOOORST. They tried to have some technically proficient match but there is just nothing here to give a crap about. I like how when we last saw Noam Dar he was being a scuzzy creep and now he’s presented as just some swell guy who wants to beat TJP. Wale sums this whole thing up, in the finest bit of commentary to grace WWE in decades: “JTP or whatever his name is.”
That Gulak/Kendrick/Gallagher beatdown to rob us of Tozawa vs. Colin Delaney so Gulak could call out Cedric Alexander was at least somebody backstage trying something.
The Lucha House Party vs. Buddy/Tony Tornado tag was a trip. It was a spectacular spot-driven match that you don’t always see in WWE, and there were a lot of car crash sequences that were just incredible. Everybody brought it, but Murphy was the star, taking and countering all of Metalik and Dorado’s offense so well that you’d think he’s auditioning for Dragon Gate. I need to see Gran Metalik vs. Buddy Murphy at one point in my life.
The last half was just non-stop insanity with some wild sequences of professional wrestling. Murphy catching a tilt-a-whirl DDT and front suplexing Metalik > Nese springboard moonsault to Metalik > Lince Shooting Star Press on Nese > Buddy deadlifting and thrashing Lince down — WOWWWW!!! A SPIKE Spider German suplex by Nese > Metalik’s walk-the-ropes dropkick to Nese who’s in a tree of woe > Meteora by Buddy — WHOAAA!!! Lince’s dive into NOTHING and belly flopping on the floor > Metalik rana from the top to Nese off the apron onto Buddy — WHAT IN THE GOD DAMN!?!
And Metalik actually WON!!!
You’d hope there’s more like this. Alas – so temporary. Cherish it while it lasts.
NXT (8/22/18)
Post-NXT TakeOver’s are good as a rule, but this one was especially good with two great wrestling matches.
Bianca Belair vs. Deonna Purrazzo was a very cool TV match that showcased both really well. Belair got a tepid “I don’t know this theme music” reaction in Brooklyn, which made me realize the bubble I live in as I assumed everyone would just flip out for the GOAT. I am sure there were at least 100 people in the crowd freaking out when the hair whip hit and looking around all, “What? Just me? Really?”
Deonna is very good – it’s cool to see a women’s wrestler work this credible, confident technician gimmick. The bow is so simple and quality. The headstand out of the headscissors followed by the bow had me immediately in love. Belair meanwhile was just flipping around, dropping tilt-a-whirl gutbusters, and demanding respect more credibly than Hideo Itami ever has.
I felt a legitimate sexual sensation for the teases of Dunne/Ricochet vs. Undisputed Era and Dunne vs. Ricochet.
All hail Pete Dunne just casually having classic WWE U.K. title defenses. Guy got a messiah-esque pop and went all out with Zack Gibson in Brooklyn. A thing I have really grown to appreciate about Dunne is how he uses spots like a hand stomp as not some cute bullshit in the first 5 minutes, but as a revenge spot late in the match. He also used the finger break spot not to get an early pop, but to setup the finish.
The early stuff was just quality wrestling – wristlocks, selling, slaps, chops, and that move where they lock each other’s legs and do handstands then keep slapping each other. Gibson controlled most of it and Dunne as a fired up babyface who refuses to stay down is as good as Dunne the Shithead Heel. He’s like a little hobbit Batista – even does the sit-out powerbomb.
Loved the spot where Dunne was absorbing elbows and just cracked Gibson in the skull. Also loved the X-Plex into the armbar. Big time finish, with them doing the Cole/Ricochet backflip counter spot, this time out of the corner and Gibson opting for a straight penalty kick vs. the superkick. Dunne BITES THE ROPES to break Gibson’s armbar finish, then Gibson curb stomps him on the ropes and threatens to throw his gross mouthpiece into the crowd… until Dunne splits his fingers, hits the Bitter End and pins his ass. Wow.
MAIN EVENT (8/22/18)
I clicked Monday Night RAW on Hulu by mistake and got really excited when I thought Roman Reigns was opening up Main Event.
Nope. It was No Way Jose.
He and Mike Kanellis had a match and honestly, Mike Kanellis might be the only guy who tries on Main Event.
At some point, Rhyno vs. Mojo Rawley might have had some potential. Here it was just kind of a cold match. Finish was nice with Mojo just taking out Rhyno’s knee, running at him with a punch to the face, and lifting him with an ugly done sit-out Alabama Slam.
WWE TV Match of the Week: Completely torn between Roman Reigns vs. Finn Balor and Pete Dunne vs. Zack Gibson, two very different matches in very different atmospheres looking to accomplish two very different things.
WWE TV MVP of the Week: THE MIZ
This week, SmackDown had their best show in ages with some awesome post-SummerSlam angles. NXT and 205 Live brought it too. RAW meanwhile continued to struggle, even with a great last half hour. Good week of TV, even if RAW sucks.
RAW: 4/10
SmackDown: 8/10
205 Live: 7/10
NXT: 9/10
