Wednesday 31 August 2016

WWE Summerslam 2016 Review

WWE Summerslam took place on Sunday 22nd August at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. With 13 matches in the whole event, including the Kick Off Show, plus the crowning of a new Champion, how will the biggest event of the Summer fare? Let's take a look.

The first match on the Kick Off Show was The Vaudevillians, The Ascension and Breezango taking on The Usos, The Hype Bros and American Alpha. After a while in the match, Ryder gets worn down by his opponents before he tags in Jimmy Uso. In the end, American Alpha hits grand amplitude on Simon Gotch. However, Jimmy Uso in a dick move, tags in and hits a splash to get the win. This was aquite an entertaining match and it looks like they are teasing a heel turn by The Usos.
Winners: The Usos, The Hype Bros and American Alpha (1 for 1)

The next match is another tag team match with The Dudley Boyz taking on the team of Sami Zayn and Neville. Zayn and Neville showed some good teamwork before the Dudleys focus their attack on Neville. Bubba Ray misses a senton, which gives Neville the chance to tag in Zayn. A miscommunication by the Dudleys leads to Zayn hitting a Helluva kick to Bubba Ray, who then receives a red arrow by Neville. This was a fun match although it seemed a little short to me.
Winners: Sami Zayn and Neville (2 for 2)

The final match on the Kick Off Show was the first in a best of seven series between Cesaro and Sheamus. The match goes back and forth before Sheamus gets the advantage. Despite Cesaro mounting a comeback, Sheamus throws him into a turnbuckle then hit a brogue kick to get the win. It was a decent match but I don't know if I want to see them 6 more times.
Winner: Sheamus (3 for 3)

The first match of the event was Enzo Amore and Big Cass taking on Jeri-KO. During the match, Jeri-KO get to focus their attack on Enzo. He eventually gets the tag to Big Cass after avoiding a cannonball by Owens. Despite Big Cass making a comeback, Jeri-KO get the win after Owens pops up Enzo into a codebreaker by Jericho. I was surprised that Jeri-KO won but I enjoyed the match.
Winners: Jeri-KO (3 for 4)

The second match was for the Women's Championship as Charlotte gets her rematch against Sasha Banks. Charlotte gets the early advantage after dropping Sasha's back onto the ropes. Charlotte goes on to ficus on the lower back before Sasha reverses a top rope razor's edge into a frankensteiner. Sasha applies a Boston crab, hits a double knee to the floor and puts on the Banks statement but Charlotte manages to turn it into a pin to get the win. This was a good match but the ending came out of nowhere. Also, Charlotte was a bit careless in a few moves during the match. I was very surprised that Charlotte would regain the belt but, with Sasha having to take some time off to deal with niggling injuries, it was probably the right move.
Winner: Charlotte (3 for 5)

Next is Apollo Crews challenging Hollywood Miz for the Intercontinental Championship. Miz was dominant for most of the match, even though we got to see Crew's impressive athletic ability. Miz gets the win after avoiding an avalanche splash and hitting the skull crushing finale. A very short yet enjoyable match between the two.
Winner: The Miz (4 for 6)

Now one match that I was looking forward to watching: AJ Styles taking on John Cena. This match went back and forth with Styles hitting a torture rack into a spin out powerbomb; and Cena hitting a fucking code red. This was a great bit when Styles applies a calf killer and Cena reverses into a STF. Cena comes very close to winning it after hitting a super AA. However, Styles hit a Styles clash followed by a phenomenal forearm to get the win. I was convinced that Cena would win but I'm so happy that Styles won and I really enjoyed this match. Styles is going on to challenge for the WWE Championship at Backlash. As for Cena, hopefully this will be a chance to evolve his character that he has had for the last 12 fucking years.
Winner: AJ Styles (4 for7)

We now get Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson challenging Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods from The New Day (with Jon Stewart). Gallows and Anderson focus their attack on Kofi before Woods gets the hot tag. The end comes Gallows and Anderson hit the magic killer on Kofi. Jon Stewart, bizarrely comes in to check on Kofi. Gallows and Anderson go to attack Stewart however, Big E comes in to make the save, getting his team disqualified. This match wasn't great to be honest which is a shame as I quite like both teams.
Winners: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson (5 for 8)

We now get the WWE World Championship with Dolph Ziggler challenging Dean Ambrose. This match went back and forth with Ziggler hitting moves such as a fameasser and a zig zag. However, he couldn't put Ambrose away. In the end, Ziggler tries to do a top rope facebuster but Ambrose stops it and hits dirty deeds to get the win. This match wasn't bad and it was weird seeing Ambrose display some heelish behaviour even though he is technically Smackdown's top babyface.
Winner: Dean Ambrose (6 for 9)

Next is the 6-woman's tag match with Becky Lynch, Carmella and Naomi taking on Natalya, Alexa Bliss and the returning Nikki Bella.  Carmella gets worn down by her opponents before she manages to tag in Lynch. However, Nikki Bella gets the win after hitting a TKO on Carmella. The match wasn't anything special to be honest.
Winners: Natalya, Alexa Bliss and Nikki Bella (7 for 10)

Now a match that I'm really looking forward to: Seth Rollins vs Finn Balor for the WWE Universal Championship. This match starts at a fast pace before Rollins takes over. Balor gets hit with a brutal buckle bomb. sending him into the barrier and dislocating his shoulder. Balor manages to put it back in and recovers to make a comeback. Rollins comes close to winning it after a pedigree. However, in the end, Balor hits the coup de grace to become the inaugural WWE Universal Champion. It was a good match however, Balor's injury did hinder it as it limited his move set. Unfortunately, his reign lasts less than 24 hours as he has to vacate the title. It's a shame as he has been pushed so strongly since he was called up in the draft. Anyway, Balor will be back in 6 months so get well soon Finn.
Winner: Finn Balor (7 for 11)

The penultimate match is for the United States Championship as Roman Reigns challenges Rusev. Rusev attacks Reigns before the bell and it degenerates into a brawl and Rusev gets destroyed. The match never starts as a result. It would be nice to see Rusev beat reigns but I suppose they need want to make both guys look strong so it was probably the best decision.

The main event is Brock Lesnar taking on Randy Orton. Lesnar hit a few German suplexes before the fight goes to the outsdie where he chuck Orton through the Smackdown announce table. Orton responds with a RKO on the RAW announce table. Orton hits another RKO in the ring for 2 before Lesnar hits a F5 then proceeds to elbow the fuck out of Orton's head. Orton starts bleeding profusely and the match is stopped by the referee. Afterwards, Lesnar hits Shane McMahon with a F5 when he comes out to check on Orton.

I'm torn about the ending of this match. I get that you want to protray Lesnar as a monster. However, with the issue of concussions being very prominent in the media, it's probably not the wisest idea to show that level of brutality; especially in the PG era.
Winner: Brock Lesnar  (8 for 13)

I honestly thought that Summerslam was a mixed bag. Some of the matches were pretty good and a couple were disappointing. I thought that the order of matches seemed a bit weird and I don't think that having someone bleeding and knocked out is the best way to end the second biggest event of the year.

Sunday 21 August 2016

WWE Summerslam 2016 Preview

SummerSlam 2016.jpg 

WWE's biggest event of the summer takes place this evening at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. With the return of Brock Lesnar and the crowning of a new Champion, how will the event fare? Let's take a look. By the way, I'm trying a slightly new format so let me know what you think of it.

Cesaro vs Sheamus
This match on the Kick Off Show is match 3(?) of a best of seven series. I like both guys but I don't want to see them face each other 7 matches in a row. If I remember correctly, Cesaro is 2-0 so I'm going for Sheamus to win here.
Predicted Winner: Sheamus

 Sami Zayn and Neville vs The Dudley Boyz
 The other match on the Kick Off Show involves the criminally underused Sami Zayn. Despite that, I do wonder how the Zayn/Neville team will go so I think they will win here.
Predicted Winners: Sami Zayn and Neville

American Alpha, The Usos and The Hype Bros vs Breezango, The Asecension and The Vaudevillians
Fucking hell! This must be a long Kick Off Show. Except for The Ascension, I generally like these teams. I'm going for the Alpha/Uso/Hype combo to win.
Predicted Winners: American Alpha, The Usos and The Hype Bros

Carmella, Becky Lynch and Naomi vs Natalya, Alexa Bliss and TBD
Eva Marie decided to celebrate her promotion to the main roster by getting a wellness policy violation. Hopefully Bliss and Natalya will get Nia Jax from RAW to help out. If they do, I think they will win
Predicted Winners: Natalya, Alexa Bliss and TBD

Hollywood Miz vs Apollo Crews
WWE Intercontinental Championship
A tough one to call as I really want the Miz to win. However, I believe that Crews will win here.
Predicted Winner: Apollo Crews

Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens
Another tough one to call but I think that Enzo and Cass will win.
Predicted Winners: Enzo Amore and Big Cass

Rusev vs Roman Reigns
United States Championship
I feel sorry for Rusev.  Reigns has a total dick to him and Lana yet Mick Foley rewards him with a title shot. Hopefully Rusev will make Reigns his bitch.
Predicted Winner: Rusev

The New Day vs Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson
WWE Tag Team Championships
I like The New Day but they've been Champions for about a year. It might be time for a change.
Predicted Winners: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson

AJ Styles vs John Cena
I really want Styles to win here but I feel that Cena will win it instead.
Predicted Winner: John Cena


Sasha Banks vs Charlotte
WWE Women's Championship
I was quite surprised that Sasha win a few weeks ago. I cannot see the Championship going back to Charlotte so Sasha to win here.
Predicted Winner: Sasha Banks

Dean Ambrose vs Dolph Ziggler
WWE Championship
I'm looking forward to this one. I can't see Ziggler so Ambrose to retain here.
Predicted Winner: Dean Ambrose

Seth Rollins vs Finn Balor
WWE Universal Championship
This match is one that I'm really looking forward to. I'm a big fan of both guys and I would love to see Balor win it. However, I feel that Rollins will become the first ever Universal Champion.
Predicted Winner: Seth Rollins

Brock Lesnar vs Randy Orton
I don't know why but I'm not really bothered about this match. Despite that, I feel that Brock will win.
Predicted Winner: Brock Lesnar

I won't get to see the show until Tuesday or Wednesday. Until then I hope you guys enjoy the show.

The Cruiserweight Classic: Episode 6

The second round of the Cruiserweight Classic continues in this week's episodes. With 2 amazing matches last episode, how will the ones in this episode fare? Let's take a look.

Akira Tozowa (Japan) vs Jack Gallagher (England)
I was interested in this one as I enjoyed their 1st round matches. There was a great bit where Gallagher uses Tozowa's limbs to tie him up. Gallagher goes on to attack Tozowa's lower body. Tozowa does get back into it and gets the win after a bridging German suplex. I'm gutted that Gallagher lost but Tozowa winning is the right decision and he will face Gran Metalik in the quarter finals.

Noam Dar (Scotland) vs Hoho Lun (Hong Kong)
Dar uses moves such as a reverse Indian deathlock and, despite Lun's best efforts, he submits to a kneebar for Dar to get the win. The match wasn't bad but compared to the other matches that we've seen, it wasn't very good. However, my totally biased pick is through to the quarter finals.

The Brian Kendrick (USA) vs Tony Nese (USA)
It doesn't start well for Kendrick as Nese starts to knee the fuck out of him. Kendrick takes advantage of a missed moonsault and applies an armbar. Nese hits a brutal buckle bomb but in the end, he misses a 450 splash and Kendrick puts on the bully choke to get the win. Another good match by both guys.

This was another good episode. Dar vs Lun was an ok match but considering we had possible match of the year last episode, it was going to hard to top that. Next week, we get to see Zack Sabre Jr, so hopefully we will have 2 British wrestlers in the quarter finals.

Thursday 18 August 2016

The Cruiserweight Classic: Episode 5

The second round of the Cruiserweight Classic kicks off in this episode, which aired on Wednesday 10th August. Apologies for being a bit behind on this but I hope to catch up by Summerslam.

Tajiri (Japan) vs Gran Metalik (Mexico)
I was looking forward to this one as I could see both of these guys winning. The match went at a fast pace for most of it and it was so fun to watch. In a surprise win, Metalik manages to get the win after avoiding a buzzsaw kick to hit the Metalik driver. This match was awesome to watch and a great way to start the 2nd round.

Kota Ibushi (Japan) vs Cedric Alexander (USA)
This match went back and forth with some amazing high flying moves. Alexander gets the advantage after avoiding a moonsault then hitting one of his own. Ibishi gets back into it after a brutal dropkick. After some more back and forth, Alexander hits a brainbuster for 2 then immediately kicks him in the head and Ibushi kicks out at 2.9. Ibushi eventually gets the win after hitting a golden star powerbomb. This was another amazing match to watch and I thought that Alexander had won it a couple of times. Alas, it was not to be and Ibushi advances to the quarter finals.

This was an awesome episode involving a candidate for match of the year. Next week, we get to see Akira Tozowa vs Jack Gallagher and I hope that match will be just as good.

Thursday 11 August 2016

The Cruiserweight Classic: Episode 4

The fourth episode of the Cruiserweight Classic took place last week and we got to see the last few matches of the first round. We will get to see the other two British wrestlers have their matches plus two tag team partners will be facing each other. Let's take a look.

Rich Swann (USA) vs Jason Lee (Hong Kong)
I've seen Swann a couple of times in NXT and I've been quite impressed with him. Swann obviously had the support of the Full Sail crowd but Lee did some impressive martial arts moves. Swann gets the win after an awesome standing 450 splash. This was an entertaining match and I'm looking to seeing Swann again in the next round.

Noam Dar (Scotland) vs Gurv Sihra (India)
Being Scottish, I am going to be biased as fuck and hope that Dar wins here. Sihra, on the other hand, wanted to do better than his brother did. Dar gets the win after doing a fisherman suplex transitioning into a knee bar. This was a good match and Dar will face Hono Lun in the next round.

Jack Gallagher (England) vs Fabien Aichner (Italy)
I was interested in this one due to Gallagher's gimmick, which reminded me a little bit of William Regal. Aichenr, being 40lbs heavier, tried to use that and his pwer to his advantage. Aichner comes close after a  double springboard moonsault. However, Gallagher gets the win after hitting a brutal dropkick in the corner. Great win for Gallagher and this means that all the British wrestlers have advanced to the second round. It's a shame that Gallagher is going to get fucking destroyed by Akira Tozowa in the next round.

Johnny Gargano (USA) vs Tommaso Ciampa (USA)
Whilst there has been some really good matches in the first round, this was the one that I was the most hinterested in. Gargano and Ciampa are a tag team in NXT and their pre-match interview suggests that there will no love ost here. Ciampa proceeds to seriously brutalise his tag team partner. Gargano gets to retun some of the favour later on, but Ciampa hits a white noise on the apron to get a very close nearfall. He then hits a powerbomb into a back stabber but Gargano again kicks out. After a flurry of reversals, Gargano gets the win with a crucifix pin. Afterwards, in a touching moment, they hug and shake hands. This was definitely the match of the night just on the emotion alone but I feel that it would have been better if they faced each other later on in the tournament.

The first round is now over and I've really enjoyed it so far. I'm sure that the second round will continue in that vein, espcially with matches such as Gallagher vs Tozowa in the next episode.

Friday 5 August 2016

The Cruiserweight Classic: Episode 3

The third episode of the Cruiserweight Classic was shown on Wednesday 27th July. The first two episodes have been entertaining so far so let's hope it continues

Tyson Dux (Canada) vs Zack Saber Jr (England)
I was looking forward to this as we get to see the first Brit in the competition. It was a very slow paced match but I was impressed by the way Saber was getting out of holds. Saber get s the win after applying the uber platter. I was impressed by both guys and I'll be looking out for Saber if he's ever in my area.

Drew Gulak (USA) vs Harv Sihra  (India)
Gulak is a submission specialist but he looks like to employ a brutal offence as he hits Sihra with some hard hitting moves. Gulak gets Sihra to submit thanks to a dragon sleeper with body scissors. I enjoyed this match between the two and I'm looking forward to Gulak and Saber in the next round.

Anthony Bennett (USA) vs Tony Nese (USA)
This was an interesting one to watch as Bennett is almost 50lbs lighter than Nese, which is unusual to see such a large weight difference in a cruiserweight match. Nese proceeds to throw Bennett round like a rag doll; and he wins after hitting a pumphandle slam followed by a 450 splash. This was a good match tho, whilst understandable, the referee checking on Bennett after he got hit by the pumphandle slam did slow it down a bit.

Raul Mendoza (Mexico) vs The Brian Kendrick (USA)
This match was very fast paced to begin with before Kendrick gets the advantage. Mendoza gets back into it, after hitting an awesome corkscrew suicide dive. However, it was not enough as Kendrick gets him to submit to a bully choke to get the win. I really enjoyed this match and hopefully we will see Mendoza in a WWE ring again.

This was another good episode and the next episode will feature another Brit, Jack Gallagher, who looks interesting. Sorry for the delay with this episode. I hope to put up Episode 4 over the weekend.

Monday 1 August 2016

WWE Battleground 2016 Review

WWE Battleground took place at the Verizon Center in Washington DC last Sunday. Battleground is normally not a great PPV; however, the card looks good here. Let's take a look.

The match on the Kick Off Show is The Usos taking on Brezzdango. In a short match, Brezzdango gets the win after Breeze stops a splash by Jimmy Uso. Breeze then puts Jimmy in a small package to get the win. It was a decent match but it felt that it was too short.
Winners: Breezdango (0 for 1)

The first match on the show was Charlotte and Dana Brooke taking on Sasha Banks and a mystery partner, who turns out to be Bayley. It looked like Cahrlotte and Dana would win it as they would shut down any momentum built up by Sasha and Bayley. After a back and forth match, sasha gets Charlotte to submit to the Banks Statement to get the win. This was an enjoyable match and it was so good to see Bayle make her main roster debut.
Winners: Sasha Banks and Bayley (1 for 2)

Next was The New Day facing The Wyatt Family. I was interested in this because of what was happening in The New Day. They were making jokes while Xavier Woods was taking it seriously and fearing the Wyatts. In the match, the Wyatts are dominant on Kofi before Big E gets the hot tag. In the end, Woods overcomes worries and takes on the Wyatts. However, he gets a Sister Abigail from Bray for the Wyatts to get the win. It was a good match but the brand split means that this feud will end too soon.
Winners: The Wyatt Family (2 for3)

Next is Zack Ryder challenging Rusev for the United States Championship. Ryder comes close to winning it after hitting a RoughRyder. However, Rusev manages to fold Ryder in half while applying the Accolade to get the win. Afterwards, Mojo Rawley comes out to stop Rusev continuing his assault on Ryder. This was a good match and it will be interesting to see how the Hype Bros do on Smackdown.
Winner: Rusev (3 for 4)


Now one match that I was looking forward to: Sami Zayn versus Kevin Owens. This match was as good as I expected it to be with one of the highlights being Zayn hitting Owens with a brainbuster on the apron. Owens goes on to survive 2 exploder suplexes before reversing a helluva kick to hit a pop up powerbomb for 2. In the end, Sami hit 2 exploder suplexes followed by 2 helluva kicks to get the win. This was probably the best match between the two of them. It's a shame that it's the end of this feud but with both guys on RAW, I suspect that it will be reignited at some point.
Winner: Sami Zayn (4 for 5)

The next match was Natalya taking on Becky Lynch. During the match, Natalya gets to focus on Becky's leg and, despite a brief fightback, gets the win with the sharpshooter. This was a goodmatc between the two. Shame it followed the Owesn/Zayn match.
Winner: Natalya (5 for 6)

We now get Darren Young challenging Hollywood Miz for the Intercontinental Championship. The match was going pretty well until it went off in a weird direction. Maryse slaps Backlund then tells Miz that she got hit by Backlund. Miz then pushes him to the floor and Young puts Miz in the cross faced chickenwing and the bell rings. I think it was a double disqualification tho I don't really get why.  It was a shitty ending to what is starting to become a good match.
Winner: None (5 for 7)

The next match was AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson taking on the team John Cena, Enzo Amore and Big Cass. The Club focus their attack before he gets the hot tag to Cena. After very close near falls, Cena hits Styles with an AA from the top rope to get the win. This was an entertaining match and I look forward to seeing The Club and Enzo and Cass fight each other on RAW.
Winners: John Cena, Enzo Amore and Big Cass (6 for 8)

After a special edition of Jericho's Highlight Reel featuring the return of Randy Orton, we get the main event that has been over 2 years in the making: Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns challenging Dean Ambrose for the WWE World Championship. Highlights of the match include: Ambrose diving from the announce tables into his opponents in the timekeeper's area; Reigns hitting them both with a Superman punch; and Rollins and Ambrose working together to powerbomb Reigns through the Spanish announce table.Rollins comes close to winning after hitting a superplex into a falcon arrow. In the end, Reigns hits Rollins with a spear. However, Ambrose immediately hits Reigns with Dirty Deeds to get the win. This match was so much fun to watch. It's a shame that we never get to see them in the same ring for the foreseeable future.
Winner: Dean Ambrose (7 for 9)

 I really enjoyed Battleground as there were some really good matches. It's a shame that most of the feuds that were started now have to end due to the draft. However, I'm looking forward to the future with guys like Finn Balor now on the main roster.