Superstar Sleeze

World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry vs Randy Orton - Hell In A Cell 2012 Hell In A Cell Not nearly as good their Night of Champions match, but few matches are. Has there been any good Hell In A Cell matches at this PPV? Since there is no bloodletting, it is kinda just a normal match with an occasional cage shot. I will say they do use the cage better than most. Orton comes out the gate home. He shoves Henry into the cage twice. He hits a massive clothesline to knock Mark Henry off his feet. This was a good shine. The big angle development since Night of Champions a scant two weeks prior was that Orton hit the RKO on Smackdown so you know it is possible. What you are saying is that he has a chance. They play tug of war with each other arms by the ring post which was cool. Orton tries to jump on Mark Henry. Bad idea. Mark catches him and drives him into the post and the cage. So they did use the cage to transition to Mark Henry on offense. Save for Vader, Mark Henry is the best super heavyweight at offense. He does it completely differently than the big striking Vader. He is just pure power. Two great powerslams one is outside the ring. He hurls the steel steps at Orton. He friggin chucks it like nothing. Good thing Orton got out of the way. I love the little things like Orton trying to Irish Whip and Mark just whipping into the near buckles and squashing him with a splash. The repeated backbreakers and bearhug was great psychology from the big man. Henry goes for the Worlds Strongest Slam on the steps, but Orton climbs the cage and kicks Mark Henry in the head. Orton unloads, dropkick takes the big man off his feet. Hangmans DDT. RKO~! 1-2-NO! OH SHIT! Orton goes for the punt, caught, WORLDS STRONGEST SLAM! Orton you got your ass kicked. There was more dead space and this felt more routine than Night of Champions, but these two have great chemistry. ****

World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton vs Mark Henry - Night of Champions 2011 "WELCOME TO THE HALL OF PAIN" That post-match promo has to go down as one of the best championship victory promos of all time. It seems that Mark Henry coined the term "Hall of Pain" on the Smackdown before this show. I gotta check out that promo. Amazing match. Best Mark Henry match I have seen thus far. There are a couple different elements at work here. It is not just Mark's power and mass versus Orton's speed and guile. Mark Henry is the "Worlds Strongest Failure" according to Randy Orton. He is a career underachiever. How will he perform in the biggest match of his career. Henry shows off some of that power early but Orton goes for the legs. Orton can be uptempo when he wants to be. Garvin stomp by Orton focused on the legs. Mark ends up on the outside and rips the cover off the announce table. Show his inexperience. Orton has him rattled. Mark hits a big boot on Orton. I cant believe Mark can pick up his leg that high. Orton has one last gasp with the sleeper. Great idea. Mark backs him in he corner. Orton is on the top rope and one swing of that bear paw sends Orton crashing to the floor. Mark Henry in control is a beautiful thing. Mark Henry is just in a zone. One of the best super heavyweight, power heat segments. Stretching Orton's back across the ring post. Big bodyslam and that big ass splash. Orton is trying to fire up and Mark hits these huge headbutts. The entire Hall of Pain run built to this moment and Mark Henry was ready. However, this confidence turns to arrogance. Mark Henry starts to toy with the World Heavyweight Champion. I use that term to remind everyone this is the World Heavyweight Champion he is wrestling, Mark Henry is on the roll of a lifetime, but even he should not take the World Heavyweight Champion lightly. Orton starts to build some momentum. He has a great punch and European Uppercut. Henry stymies him with one of those big headbutts. Orton to the mat. Henry splash, but nobody is home. Here is the Champion's opening. He is rocking. I liked the rapid fire ten count punches in the corner with Henry on one knee. Orton hits some massive clotheslines but Orton cant get him off his feet. Standing dropkick knocks the big man down! We got a fight on our hands now, boys! Now we get to unique part of the match. Henry shoves Orton off when he goes for the Hangsman DDT and hits a heavy clothesline. Mark Henry hits the World Strongest Slam and Orton kicks out?!?! What's unique? This was not an act of finisher trading. This was a spot that was built to. Mark Henry had control let that control slip from his grasp by getting cocky and once he regained control he went for the kill, but Orton kicked out. This actually built to another segment instead of spot trading. By kicking out of the World Strongest Slam in this context, you truly believe Orton will win. In a typical wrestling match with this build, Orton is a 95% chance of winning. I think this one of the most effective red herrings they have ever produced. Having had his finish kicked out of, Mark Henry does the sensible thing and goes for a bigger bomb. The Vaderbomb. He eats feet. You feel that Orton finish stretch that will end up in victory. He kicks Mark Henry down to size. DDT. Hangsman DDT. Yep Orton has this one. He moves in for the kill and with one flick of his tree trunk like leg Mark Henry takes Orton's knee. Orton sells it like he has been shot in the leg. Orton's selljob is incredible. The way he is writhing in pain. Everything he tries to get up, he sort of collapses. He cant put any pressure on his leg. He uses Mark Henry to get up. Mark Henry is all business. Not a single shred of mercy. Orton defiant goes for the RKO and Henry throws him off. World's Strongest Slam. 1-2-3. WELCOME TO THE HALL OF PAIN! Amazing match. Early frustration from Mark Henry before settling into a groove. I loved how he earned that heat segment fighting through a sleeper and knocking Orotn off the top. He ruled that heat segment. I loved how he got cockier and cockier allowing Orton back in. Orton was terrific in this match. Good selling early, awesome fire late and the leg selling at the end was downright awesome. The kickout of the Worlds Strongest Slam is one of the best false finishes they have had in awhile. Like I said 95% of the time when a match is paced like that, the babyface goes over after kicking out of a heel's finish. Awesome curveball. Loved the finish with Mark injuring the leg, Orton's selling, the last ditch RKO attempt and then Mark Henry finishing the job. Badass. ****1/2

Mark Henry vs Sheamus - Smackdown 8/26/11 Mark Henry won a battle royale to become the number one contender to the World Championship the Smackdown after Summerslam. He has a great interaction with Bret Hart at the beginning of the night talking about disrespect. He is so authoritative when he speaks. Nothing flashy, just to the point. Another good match outta these two. Great lock ups, I like Sheamus going for the knees early learning from Summerslam that just straight ahead firepower wont work. Mark Henry gets a big boot and splash in the corner to take control. Backbreaker, Sheamus takes the Bret Bump. It is all Mark Henry early. Sheamus gets a DDT out of a press slam. Sheamus is a great babyface comeback. Lots of fire and big moves. The barrage of axehandles, I liked the kneelifts to the head on the apron. The Battering Ram to get two was a great climax to this segment. Mark Henry powders. Sheamus tries to reach through the ropes and Mark Henry slings him through the ropes hard to the floor. Mark Henry is thinking Worlds Strongest Slam through the announce table by Sheamus throws him onto the announce table and throws a chair on him. Sheamus wins by countout. Mark Henry aint gonna be embarrassed. He is looking to get him some. Sheamus is always spoilin for a fight. Sheamus grabs the steps and chucks him at Henry but hits the post. Henry clobbers him from behind. WORLDS STRONGEST SLAM ON THE STEPS! The post-match angle was awesome. Another damn good outing from these two. Ill have to check to see if they have any matches while Mark is World Champ. ***1/2

Mark Henry vs Sheamus - Summerslam 2011 This is when I first noticed Mark Henry and Sheamus as something special. I like so many were swept up in the Summer of Punk Part Deux. The pipebomb promo piqued my interest and saved my wrestling fandom. Then I went to the RAW in Boston before Money In The Bank and the interactions among Cena, Punk and Vince led to the best promos I have ever seen live. 2011 was the only year were I bought two PPVs in the same calendar year: Money In The Bank and Summerslam. I was NOT watching Smackdown at the time. My brother and I didn't really care for either guy at the time, but by the end of the match we were sold and both of us were going crazy for the finish. My favorite type of match is two big uglies just going out there and clubberin' and tossin' each other around. This is exactly what this was. Mark Henry was on a roll. Inducting Big Show, Kane and Vladimir Kozlov into the Hall of Pain. Watch this match and notice how judicious Mark Henry is with leaving his feet. It makes those bumps mean something. Watch Sheamus' punches how they lose something in the heat segment. Watch the struggle. Sheamus is punching a brick wall basically. They are both fighting through each other's offense. Sheamus is able to take Mark Henry to one knee, but when he goes for the Irish Curse Backbreaker his reach is exceeding his grasp. Mark Henry just hurls him over the top rope. Mark Henry press slams Sheamus from the floor into the ring. That's power. Huge clothesline and Worlds Strongest Splash gets two. There is this insane spot. Sheamus is on the ropes like he is going to take a 619. Mark Henry comes crashing through with all his weight to the floor. To the floor. Booker gets in the best line ever, he just left a skid mark on that boy. Damn straight. Awesome spot from the big man. There is a "Lets Go Sheamus" chant. They really might have had something with him. Sheamus just does not have much behind the punches. Argentine backbreaker, Sheamus breaks the clasp, but takes the Bret Bump. Mark Henry goes for the Vaderbomb, but misses. See that's how you setup a heroic babyface comeback against a monster: missed moves! Axehandles from Sheamus rock Mark Henry and the flying one takes him off his feet to a big spot. Mark Henry gets how to be a monster. Sheamus is just all over Mark suffocating him with knees and forearms. Battering Ram! He wants the Brogue Kick. Miss. Henry is looking for the World Strongest Slam, but Sheamus evades. BROGUE KICK~! He kicks him straight out of the ring. Great bump by Mark. Sheamus follows him outside. That's unwise. Boy, you bout to get hurt. Worlds Strongest Slam to the post and then World Strongest Slam THROUGH THE BARRICADE! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! My brother and I lost it for that. That's when we knew Mark Henry was for real. Mark Henry wins by countout. Great use of the countout victory. Awesome power match with both exhibiting a strong grasp of babyface and heel psychology and awesome power moves. ****

Im being genuine: who carried who? I can infer because you are a wrestling fan posting a message board that you mean AJ carried Brock because AJ is 5' 9", 200 lbs and Brock being what 6' 3", near 300 lbs means that Brock cant wrestle. But nowhere in your review do you make it sound like Brock was not good. In what world was Brock being carried? Brock was a visceral force of devastation in the beginning. For AJ to have carried Brock in the beginning, that would mean you don't believe in Brock Lesnar's offense. Do you not believe in Brock Lesnar's offense? When AJ is making his comeback, are you telling me that Brock did not sell the leg well, that Brock did not sell disorientation well from the head rocking shots. Are you telling me that Brock Lesnar did not make you believe in AJ Styles? Brock is the best seller in this company by a country mile. No one sells the big moments of a match better than Brock. What will it take for Brock to get the credit he deserves? Oh I know: Shrink 6 inches and lose a 100 lbs. Gimme a break. Brock has a stronger grasp on pro wrestling psychology than any body on this roster besides AJ. Carry? I usually don't get worked up. But to say Brock was carried? CARRIED? You don't carry Brock Fucking Lesnar. Dude, it is nothing personal. I am sick and tired of the stigma super heavyweights face online. I am sick and tired of Brock Lesnar not getting the credit he deserves. You just happen to write that one post that broke the camel's back.

Mark Henry vs Bobby Howard - Smackdown 7/29/11 The second inductee of the Hall of Pain: Kane. As Mark Henry demolished Kane's knee in similar fashion as he did Big Show's at Money In the Bank in the Smackdown after MITB. Now nobody on the Smackdown roster wants to face the World's Strongest Man. Hence this dweeb (perfect word from Michael Cole) comes and gets fed to the lion. Mark Henry is ready to induct this chump into the Hall of Pain when Teddy Long (ex-manager and current GM of SD!) comes out to tell Mark that he cant wrestle anymore because he cant find anyone to fight the big man. Sheamus comes out to a huge pop. WHAT?!?! There is even a Sheamus chant. Wow! He actually had a chance. Damn. Mark Henry says he talks too much. They scuffle and Sheamus sends Mark Henry packing setting up their barnburner of a match at Summerslam 2011.

Mark Henry vs Big Show - Money In The Bank 2011 "You know nobody is going to look at me cross because I will break their face in" - Mark Henry Somebody's gonna get their ass kicked. Somebody's gonna get their wig split. Excellent super heavyweight match. Maybe the greatest super heavyweight clash of the titans match ever. I feel like I am missing something obvious. Apparently, Big Show beat the shit out of Mark Henry when he was venting over Alberto Del Rio. Mark Henry was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Well Mark Henry is nobody's victim. He gave Big Show the World's Strongest Slam through the announce table at the last PPV and put him through the Steel Cage Wall in a different match. Big Show comes out firing. Huge chops, rapid fire. Red hot start. Big Show with the FLYING shouldertackle, the big man leaves his feet! Mark Henry dropkicks the stairs into the Big Show's knee. Great knee work from Mark Henry. It was crazy watching Henry apply a single leg crab to the Big Show. You realize how gargantuan each man is. Big Show gets a flying shouldertackle from the ropes and then goes for the Chokeslam. Mark Henry hits the World's Strongest Slam. WOW! Kick out! Double WOW! Worlds Strongest Slam and then a pair of World Strongest Splashes! Post-match, Mark Henry inducts The Big Show into the Hall of Pain when he gives the Vadebomb to Big Show's injured leg jammed into a steel chair. Somebody gonna get their ass kicked. Both cut an intense pace, great knee work by Henry, awesome finish and just crazy watching two behemoth pick each other and kick ass. Big Show got his ass kicked. ***3/4

Rey Mysterio vs Mark Henry - Smackdown 4/29/11 Let the Hall of Pain BEGIN! The draft was the night previous on RAW and this marks the beginning of Mark Henry's renewed push. He steamrolled John Cena on RAW to make a statement but ultimately cost Smackdown getting John Cena as Cena was drafted back to RAW. This is Rey Rey's last match on Smackdown he gives a really good going away speech. Rey was without a doubt the heart & soul of Smackdown from 2002-2011. We will miss you Rey. Gone, but never forgotten. Mark Henry says the only sad thing is that Rey's farewell is Mark's debut. Rey kicks Mark Henry in the leg and The World's Strongest Man swats him away like a gnat. Rey powders. He get back in and runs into the brick wall known as Mark Henry. Mark stands on Rey. These two rule together. Rey does his belly slide, but he rolls through. He ends up shoving Henry into the stairs and the big man takes quite tumble. Back from break, Henry crotches Rey on the top and then just steamrolls him. Henry misses the big ass splash. Rey dials up 619 then Dashing Cody Rhodes with the MASK~! comes out and attacks Rey for the DQ. OMG I forgot how much I liked "disfigured" Cody gimmick that was his best run ever. I was actually live in Manchester for the Birth of "Dashing" Cody Rhodes. Great debut for Mark because he uses all his size and power, but never goes for any covers so Rey never kicks out. He uses none of his finishes the splash or the slam meaning they are not cheapened. Great restraint from Mark Henry while still showing off his power and Rey was a great ragdoll for the big man. Really good TV match. ***1/4

WWE US Champion Daniel Bryan vs Sheamus - WWE RAW 3/14/11 This was during my senior year of college and a total low point of my watching. I don't think watched as infrequently during 2011 since I had completely given up on the product in 2002. I just remember not giving a fuck at all about the build to Mania XXVII. I don't remember Bryan's run on RAW at all. Sheamus won King of the Ring late in 2010, which I vaguely remember. He is in the middle of a losing streak gimmick. Yep that will sure get him over. Gimme a break. Sheamus vows to quit if he doesn't win the US Championship. I thought they had a great, little TV match here. Bryan was a house afire early. Sheamus looked totally overwhelmed with Bryan coming at this speed from all angles. Sheamus slows him down during the break with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker then double axehandle. Some great power shots from Sheamus during the heat segment. They recreate the finish from last week with Sheamus taking a spill to the outside hurting his knee. He lost by countout last week. He goes for the Brogue Kick misses and Bryan applies the LeBell Lock, but Sheamus gets the ropes. Sheamus goes for Celtic Cross, but Bryan evades and gets a rollup. Good heat for that. Bryan chops him down with kicks, YES Kicks and then KICKS HIS HEAD OFF! 1-2-NO! He usually misses that. Great finish stretch. Bryan looks for missile dropkick...BROGUE KICK! HOLY SHIT! HE FUCKING WIPED HIM OUT! Awesome finish. Love these two great power vs speed match. Some great Bryan nearfalls before that awesome finish. Too bad both guys were kinda stalled out at this point. ***3/4

WWE US Champion Daniel Bryan vs WWE Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler - Bragging Rights 2010 No story here, Bragging Rights was a concept PPV to pit RAW vs Smackdown (what they have been doing with Survivor Series) and so they pair off the midcard champions. This has gotten significant praise over the years and I have never seen it before. How did Ziggler go from one of the best at pinning combinations (look at the cool amateur-inspired cradles) to one of the worst. I liked the amateur scrambles with Bryan winning each one (Zigs had a great ankle pick). Ziggler bails to outside and hides behind Vickie. Bryan hits a knee from the apron and then a big dropkick back in the ring. Loved the opening minutes and really thought this was on pace to be a classic. Bryan gets his head snapped on the ropes. The match kinda stalls out. Ziggler just isn't all that interesting on top. There is good stuff like the inverted bodyslam, the Mr. Perfect headsnap and one of the all time great explosive Fireman Carry takedowns, but lots of deadspace and chinlocks. Bryan provides his own hope spots and cutoffs. Bryan launches himself into the buckles on a missed dropkick. I feel like Bryan thinks his kicks are better than they are. They are not bad, but they aren't great either. He makes his comeback based on his kicks. Hits a good springboard dropkick. Ziggler gets his shoddy superkick well that hasn't changed. Ziggler was using the sleeper as his finish (which I liked) and he goes for that. They end up on the top and Bryan crotches Ziggler, but Ziggler shifts his weight on the superback suplex->1-2-NO, Bryans rolls through 1-2-NO and "This is awesome" chants start softly but pick up steam. Is this where it starts. the collide hard when both think cross body. Thought Ziggler sold that really well. They exchange shots on their knees, they are trying way too hard to make this epic. Series of rollups. This is like 90s workrate meets WWE spot-taunt-spot style. Ziggler gets fameasser, Bryan gets foot on ropes at the last second. Ziggler gets the sleeper, but Bryan eventually gets the ropes. Ziggler taunts Bryan and gets caught in the LeBell Lock to lose. Lots of protection for Ziggler getting the visual pin and forcing the rope break on the sleeper. This was a good workrate match with good drama down the stretch. Once they got out of the heat segment, it was pretty entertaining but not much in the way of narrative. ***1/2

WWE US Champion The Miz vs Daniel Bryan - WWE Night of Champions 2010 Who the hell is this Miz? Has he always been this good? Even though, I thought he was awesome in this match, there is something about Miz's personality that just does not inspire me to want to watch more Miz. Anyways that is my own personal hangup, this match ruled. Bryan goes for the LeBell Lock early. Miz powders. Michael Cole's Miz cheerleading and jeering of Daniel Bryan is actually pretty entertaining. Miz wrenches Bryan's arm against the ropes. He starts torturing Bryan's arm like he is Dick Murdoch reincarnated. I know that sounds like blasphemy, but it is the honest to God's truth. Miz killed it working on top. Bryan, who I call out all the time on blowing off selling, sells the arm magnificently and does so throughout the match. Miz's hammerlock slam. Who is this Miz? The way he stands over Miz with that tight armbar, he looks like a pro. He constantly goes back to the arm for cutoffs. Really, really great job! It is funny Miz sucks at all of other aspects of being heel: bumping, stooging, and cheating, but he is actually good at working a body part. Bryan's first comeback is just gangbusters. Insane suicide dive, missile dropkick and big kicks. He gets crotched on the top rope great way to transition to the home stretch. Miz again is great working the arm. Miz does the stupid thing of waiting for his opponent to get up to hit his finish, but this is a WWE systemic problem not a Miz problem. Bryan counters into a cradle. He goes for the LeBell Lock, but here comes the Varsity Villain on the apron. Miz runs into his own help. Huge pop for the nearfall cradle for Bryan. Bryan still selling the arm like a million bucks. Bryan sends Riley into the post and back in the ring, Miz snaps starts pounding Bryan with closed fists and the ref pulls him off, he goes back to work, but Bryan applies the LeBell Lock to win the match. Shockingly good match. Great arm work by Miz and equally great selling by Bryan, hot finish run with good nearfalls and climatic finish. The best part is the story of the Cinderella, Daniel Bryan making it to the big time and shutting up the big phony, The Miz. Good shit. ****1/4

Chris Jericho vs Daniel Bryan - NXT 2/23/10 Great idea for the main event of the inaugural episode NXT. A dream match for some smart marks, spotlights Daniel Bryan who is clearly the cream of the inaugural NXT competition and makes NXT feel big. Jericho is World Heavyweight Champion at the time of this match. The Bryan/Miz pairing is total genius and a great odd couple. I didn't remember this but Michael Cole is anti-Daniel Bryan right out of the gate this would ultimately lead to his heel turn. I love veteran vs rookie matches. But it doesn't really come off like that. It is a short workrate sprint. Jericho disrespects Bryan early. Bryan is red hot forcing Jericho into the corner. On the break, Jericho gets a cheapshot and then it is a barrage of dropkicks. I liked Jericho cutting off Bryan's hope spot with an enziguiri. Bryan does run at a million miles per hour comeback that is electric. He takes an insane bump. He comes barreling through the ropes at warp speed (Dean Ambrose take notes) and Jericho in midair turns into a belly to belly into the announce table. Insanely painful. Bryan immediately as a bruise. I will say in moments of legitimate pain you don't have to sell per se because we know you are fighting through legitimate pain. Yikes! Jericho catches him into the Walls, no Bryan gets a legbar. Jericho makes the ropes. Codebreaker->Liontamer->immediate tapout. Good showing from Bryan. He got to show his fire, had an insane memorable bump and looks good in a loss. More of an even workrate sprint rather than a narrative driven match. ***1/2

Daniel Bryan vs William Regal - WWE Superstars 11/10/11 To my knowledge this was Regal's last match in England of any appreciable length and one of his last handful of matches that went long (had two against Ambrose, one against Hero and then his classic retirement match against Cesaro). The crowd in Liverpool is very jacked for Regal in this match. Regal comes out to his Man's Man entrance theme which pops both him and Bryan. I thought this was a fun match. Honestly, I was expecting more. I think the beginning was just fun stuff to show off. It feels like Regal has lost step since 2009 when I last watch him. Checking out Cagematch.com, his 2010 is pretty barren besides some Christian matches in January of that year so Regal was definitely slowing down. They did some British chaining. The best part is when Bryan goes for a dropkick and Regal sidesteps. The teacher knows his student well. It is not just Regal that is a step slower, Bryan isn't hitting as hard as I would expect. When Regal makes his comeback, Bryan's kicks to the knee of Regal are pretty soft. Regal responds to the initial knee attacks with his half nelson suplex. They do have a pretty good European Uppercut exchange. Bryan goes back to the leg wrapping it around the post and then with a strong toehold. The holds looked better. Regal gets one last flurry before Bryan rocks him with a wicked kick to the skull. LeBell Lock and Regal immediately taps out. Damn straight. None of this will he or wont he bullshit. The drama should be in the struggle to apply the hold. Oddly disappointing, but also feel good that these two did get to wrestle in England as a sort of sendoff for one of the greats in the annals of pro wrestling. ***1/4

William Regal vs Goldust - Superstars 9/24/09 I am really excited I found a Youtube account that has all the Superstars episodes from 2009. Yep. This is a great 4 minute match. Built around trading awesome wristlocks. I love how Regal maintains wrist control while Goldust is firing away, Regal is selling so well especially verbally and then just when you think Regal is going to let got, he yanks Goldust down hard by the wrist. Goldust's comeback is awesome just full of energy and hard strikes. Bulldog and powerslam. Just as he is getting rolling, Zeke takes a cheapshot triggering the DQ. The Ruthless Roundtable beat him down until the motley crew of Christian, Tommy Dreamer and Yoshi Tatsu make the save. Shows Regal's great facial expressions and Goldust awesome fired up comebacks.

Christian vs William Regal - WWECW 8/25/09 Christian defeated William Regal two nights previous at Summerslam in 8 seconds with the Killswitch. So Regal demands a rematch because he was not ready, Tiffany (remember her?!? I'll never forget her and Gail Kim tearing the house down in Boston in 2013 in their Last Woman Standing Match) comes out and order to a rematch but it will be non-title. Regal has to win this match to get a title shot. Terrific TV Match. They play off the Summerslam match with Christian going for the Killswitch early. Christian controls with a series of headlock takedowns. He gets his dropkick to the outside but thinks twice about following it up with Big Zeke & Kozlov out there. Good way to establish that their presence matters. Then they play off the Superstars match where Regal misses the running knee and Christian gets a sunset flip, which won him the previous match but here it is just a two count. Regal yanks Christian off the apron who takes a nasty bump. These two have some great exchanges. Regal hits some ferocious European Uppercuts. Christian teaches Regal the lesson you should never give your opponent the high ground when he makes him pay with a crossbody. Christian fires up. Some great punches punctuated by a big open hand slap. Christian with a pair of missile dropkicks gets two. Christian ends up on the outside and slaps the piss out of Kozlov. Christians gets in. He goes for the Killswitch but shoved into a big Russian headbutt as the ref is distracted by Zeke and Regal hits the running knee for the wiin. Loved the how they tied all the characters. Loved this match because every spot meant something in relation to their history or build to the finish. Two total pros. ***3/4

Sheamus vs Goldust - WWECW 8/25/09 Always a feud I wanted to check out because it is two of my all time favorites. I was not disappointed by this outing in the least bit. This is apparently the rubber as each hold a victory over the other. This is hard hitting, smashmouth and chaotic. I was expecting this out of Sheamus against Cena and Orton in early 2010 but it seems he was already sterilized by WWE. He was probably scared of taking the establishment out of the comfort zone. He was more comfortable with Goldust here just smacking the shit out of him. The thing with Sheamus is that he gives as good as he receives. When he slaps Sheamus, Goldust comes in and wrecks his shit with a clothesline to the back of the head. This was a great ass kicking match. That drop down slap Goldust does tagged Sheamus really good because you see that side of his face turn really red. Nice powerslam by Goldust. Sheamus rolls out the ring. The brawl is on outside the ring. Goldust just tackles him at one. Goldust was awesome in this. He was the one that made this feel like an out of control brawl while Sheamus delivered the hard hits. Great double countout to extend the feud. ***1/2

William Regal vs Christian - Superstars 7/23/09 WATERPROOF BLONDE! If you close your eyes...I forgot how much I loved Christian's entrance music. Context, William Regal moved to ECW where Christian had been since his return to WWE. Supposedly Christian's ECW run is an all-time great TV match run so I am excited to check it out. I thought this was a great, solid pro wrestling match between two vets. You have the gritty William Regal against the never say die babyface in Christian. Christian is a damn good bumper for a babyface. He eats cement on a plancha and then Regal just shoves him off the top rope to the floor. Both pretty intense bumps. Christian was also good at timing his hope spots to remind you that he was still there. Christian has a good dropkick which he showed when Regal was on the floor at the beginning and one from the middle rope. Strong finish run...Christian misses a top rope headbutt. Regal smartly goes for the pin, but only gets two. He hits his half nelson suplex, but only gets two. He goes for the running knee, but instead it is a sunset flip to give Christian the win. A fun little TV match where Christian gets in some big bumps, some good offense and picks up the win with a sunset flip and Regal gets to be nasty. ***1/2

WWE Intercontinental Champion William Regal vs CM Punk - RAW 1/19/09 NO DQ Not quite as gritty as their awesome 2008 RAW encounter but they make up for that with a big feel good win for CM Punk in front of his hometown crowd of Chicago. It is wrestled more straight. CM Punk gets a good shine in with all the kicks. He gets an armbar and Regal makes the ropes and he says he wont break, he will break his arm. Good use of No DQ stip. Back from break, Punk has Regal tangled in the ropes in a submission and Layla breaks it up. Layla not only did I forget about her, but I forgot she was Regal's valet. Regal uses the distraction to jump Punk and blasts his head against post, but CM Punk's nose does not run like a faucet. Regal is his usual nasty, gritty self but does not get as long on top. Punk is great in his comeback. Loved his open hand slaps, spinning back slap and those kicks. The running knee in the corner, bulldog, NO, Nasty Half Nelson throw by Regal lands Punk on his head. Great headbutts from Regal at one point. Regal goes for his running knee to the head, but Punk does Ole and hits a Go 2 Sleep to win the I-C Title in front of his hometown. Not as unique as their World Championship match on RAW in 2008 but this was a strong, hard hitting affair with a great ending. ***3/4

World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk vs William Regal - RAW 7/28/08 Wow! I loved this. Some context, Punk won his first World Championship about a month or so ago by cashing in his Money In The Bank on RAW which I remember was a hot angle. Punk was the first of the New Wave since the Cena push. I do recall Regal getting pushed pretty hard, pretty randomly earlier in 2008 but he was suspended for a Wellness Violation. I am a big, big Regal fan always have been. Regal is clearly wrestling this like he is still being pushed but we would see by next week that would not be the case. This match has what so many WWF/E matches have lacked over the years: struggle. Honest to goodness, struggle. It was not about highspots. It was about two dudes trying to pin or submit their opponent. It was lo-fi and gritty. CM Punk excels in these situation. I remember good match with Ambrose at the end of 2013. The chaining was very hard fought. Regal blasts CM Punk's head up against the post and Punk's nose bleeding profusely like a faucet for the rest of the match. I wonder if his piercing got ripped out. The way Regal manhandled Punk was great. He was really yanking him around. Hard shots and nasty holds. Punk got in an excellent flurry. He was whacking Regal. I liked how Regal blocked one kick but Punk just kept coming and then connected with the kick. The Half Nelson Suplex by Regal was awesome. Then Punk hits Go 2 Sleep. This was fucking fun and nasty. Really good short TV sprint. ****

While AJ was absolutely amazing w/ his performance last night, I thought Brock completely matched him as well. His selling was perfect. Amen! BROCK ruled just as hard as AJ!

Lovin' the love! All ya all can be on team any day. My only regret was not being in Houston to watch my two favorite wrestlers of this millennium tear the house down.

Matt D you loveable critic you fucking nailed it. It is a combination of taking out the base and you using headshots to disorient the Beast. Great selling by Lesnar on both fronts make this. Everything becomes opened up because AJ has a strategy and Lesnar is selling. Loved this match. *****

***** Absolutely amazing match! Microstatistics cmon brutha, I need more to understand your criticism. WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar vs WWE Champion AJ Styles - Survivor Series 2017 Honestly was looking at plane tickets to Houston to see this match in person. For my money the two best American wrestlers of this millennium and the idea of them locking it up was so tantalizing. I was scared that Brock give his most recent efforts and this would not be as good as it could be. THANK GOD I WAS WRONG! Brock absolutely brutalizes AJ at the start. AJ does his best to try to die for our pleasure. Those bumps he was taking were insane. He took a corner shouldertackle over the top rope! Once I saw that, I knew we were in for a treat. AJ was throwing himself into every gnarly bump. It was absolute decimation. I was loving it because it was AJ at his bumping best and Brock at his most violent. Cocky Brock is always great loved the trash talking. The way he was ducking those punches and then grabbed the leg and just leveled him. Loved it all. That High Knee in the corner was amazing. Then he misses it. I was like it is on like Donkey Kong. Styles attacking the legs, going for the DDT. It was the perfect AJ strategy. Head rock to disorient, take on the knees to unbalance the Beast. You couldn't have done it better, AJ. I loved how chaotic and uncooperative this was at time. It was raw and organic. The Pele Kick to the kneeling Brock was nasty. That's type of shit AJ had to do to stay in this match. The Pele Kick has been used throughout AJ's career as his way to setup his big finish offense because it comes out of nowhere and disorients by rocking your head. This is the key to all of AJ's strategy. Then Brock becomes desperate. He is overzealous and goes flying over the top. AJ does something so simple but often overlooked. He just SHOVE Brock into the steel steps hurting his leg. Genius. Now he takes his already awesome strategy and mixes in the Punk strategy of 2013 by going aerial. Using the springboard and the steps to make his offense that much more impactful. Beatuiful, beautiful Springboard 450. I would be remiss to mention how damn good is Brock Lesnar at selling. Holy shit! His legs, disorientation. Awesome! The Calf Crusher felt huge. I loved the violent way he repeatedly bounced AJ's head off the mat. Springboard forearm gets AJ one last nearfall. Then you know what will happen AJ goes for it again, catch and F-5!!! Perfect. Simply perfect. Sweet, sweet demolition as violent Brock has the greatest bumper of our generation to make it look amazing. They have strong transition to bring AJ back into. Then AJ's strategy of combining leg attacks and head shots is gripping and watch the gradualism. Brock is selling more and more and AJ is gaining more and more momentum. It doesn't happen all at once. The finish run from AJ is immaculate. The ultimate finish is perfect. DREAMS DO COME TRUE! ALL THE STARS!!! *****

Shawn Michaels vs Rey Mysterio - Smackdown 1/29/10 This review got fucked up and my browser doesn't allow me to copy and paste so we are stuck this way. For some reason, I actually remember watching this Smackdown live. But don't know why I would watch it because I usually skipped Smackdown when I was in college because it was on Fridays. I remember this show because this is when HHH told CM Punk he is straight edge without considering himself straight edge, which is a position I sympathize with. I am technically straight edge as I don't drink or do drugs, but I don't identify as straight edge because I think it comes off as pretentious, which is what makes it a great pro wrestling gimmick. I don't have any recollection of this match even though it is awesome. Shawn Michaels turned Rey Mysterio's chest into raw hamburger meat with those nasty chops. This all came about because of the excellent Shawn Michaels is obsessed with beating Undertaker at WrestleMania angle. Undertaker was currently World Champion so Shawn made it his mission to win the Rumble to challenge Taker at Mania. One problem what if Rey beat Undertaker at the Rumble then he would face Rey Rey. So this led to a beef between Shawn and Rey at the start of the show. Shawn doesn't get a chance to be the bigger person in a match often so he takes advantage of it bullying Rey around with those nasty chops. Look at Rey's chest, nasty shade of purple and red. I liked the display of speed with Rey doing his belly slide to the floor but has already made back into the ring by the time Shawn goes for the baseball slide. Shawn does not get to play bully often but he does well. Big knee lift, when Rey gets a flurry he manhandles him and chops. When Rye tries to get a breather, he goes to the outside with a big chop. Rey gets an enziguiri with a great sell from Shawn. I love the headshot as the great equalizer. Head rockin is always good way to get back in the match. Shawn flying burrito. This leads to some good move trading. Shawn goes for reverse atomic drop and Rey gets a rana as a counter. Smart. West Coast Pop gets two! Rey has the momentum. Springboard, but caught in a seamless reverse atomic drop. Perfect! Rey eats knees on a springboard splash and Michaels hits the top rope elbow. I love how they are setting up these bombs. Sweet Chin Music, but no, Rey spinwheel kick. Shawn lands on the ropes and dial it up 619. Springboard PERFECT SWEET CHIN MUSIC! They are both out. Batista comes out because he is obsessed with the World Championship and kicking Rey's ass. The match is thrown out and HHH comes out and saves. Great sequence: Drop toehold into the ropes by Rey, misses 619, Shawn goes for Sweet Chin Music, but Rey holds onto ropes. I loved them both trying to pull the trigger on their finishes in the first half. Shows them trying to be two men looking for a win. Back from break, Rey works Shawn's leg like a champ and Shawn sells it like a million bucks. The nice thing about Shawn he is not so much bigger than Rey that this is still credible. Shawn goes back to those chops to break Rey's rhythm and sucker him into a slugfest, which leads to a neckbreaker, but Shawn is still selling. Great strategy. Back to the chest with those chops. Rey drop toehold again into the buckles. You cant give Rey space. Rey goes up top but gets caught. Great hope spot-cutoff sequence. Shawn is working heel really damn well. Shawn catches Rey but this time with his inverted figure-4 that is a cool take on the figure-4. Great idea to create some drama with submission. Shawn as a bully was great, Rey was his usual hope spot champ. Shawn sold the leg and the enziguiri well. I thought the finish run was something else, just really well-executed and perfect escalation. The way they set up the spots was so damn good. The Batista interference is a bummer, but this is a kickass match. ****

World Heavyweight Champion Undertaker vs Rey Mysterio - Royal Rumble 2010 Terrific David vs Goliath match! Reminds me how great both wrestlers are but especially the Undertaker. So much of this match hinges on him. How giving he is? Hoes does he set up Rey's offense? How does he respect the size differential but not make it a squash? I think Taker registered a perfect note. The way he tries to back Rey into corner with his gargantuan presence. The fear you feel for Rey Rey. The looming dread marching forth. Rey gets a flurry and then Taker just hurls him over the top rope to the floor. Treating him like a gnat. Great way to establish the size difference mattering. Rey switches up his strategy and want to use a springboard. Make sense. Taker punches him right out of the sky. Awesome! Loved the Rey rana counter to the chokeslam into the 619 attempt. Taker catches looking for a Tombstone and Rey busts up Taker's nose real good plenty of blood with some knees. Didn't Rey break Taker's orbital bone? Rey really has it out for the Deadman. Taker is always cutting Rey off with his power and his strikes. Again he sets up Rey's offense by using a missed move going for a big boot but posting himself. Allowing Rey to get in hope spots like a dropkick to the leg against post or the Asai Moonsault. This is a masterful performance by both men. Taker is just manhandling him, but again Rey dropkicks him on the Zombie Situp (why did no one else think of that???) and then the springboard splash. Great nearfall! Taker is bleeding profusely. I thought the finish was great with Rey avoiding the Last Ride. Hitting a 619, springboard dropkick to back for another 619 but when he goes for the West Coast Pop Taker catches and gives him a HUGE LAST RIDE! Absolute perfect David vs Goliath match by two of the greatest of all time. I am really glad I watched this. Forgot how damn good Undertaker was at this point. ****1/4