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TravJ1979

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  1. TravJ1979
    Finally. I just finished the second to last run through for 2000-2004 US. I've also finished up first viewing of US through 2007 and am about to begin what I just finished for the first half of the decade for 2005-2007. I hope to have all 2008/2009 footage available by then.
     
    I was able to eliminate 50 matches that made the initial cut through 2004. Most of these matches looked good to great while viewed in context of complete shows, but somehow either fell short when compared against other top matches from the same company or somehow were actually not good and slipped through the cracks.
     
    That sums up everything listed so no further review With one more cut to go, I'm down to 118 total matches for 00-04.
     
    Super Crazy v. Taijiri - Mexican Death Match - ECW on TNN 1.15.00
    Triple H v. Chris Benoit - Non-Title Match - WWE Smackdown 2.3.00
    HHH v. Chris Jericho - RAW 6.12.00
    HHH v. Rock v. Kurt Angle - RAW 6.26.00
    Chris Benoit v. The Rock - WWE Title - Fully Loaded 7.23.00
    Rey Mysterio Jr. v. Juventud Guerrera 9.19.00
    Booker T/Jeff Jarrett vs. Scott Steiner/Sting, Nitro 10.2 2000
    Chris Jericho v. X-Pac - Cage Match 10.22.00
    Sean O'Haire/Mark Jindrak v. Alex Wright/Disco Inferno v. Rey Mysterio Jr./Kidman - WCW Tag Titles 10.29.00
    Chris Jericho v. Kane 11.19.00
     
     
    C.W. Anderson v. Tommy Dreamer - I Quit Match 1.7.01
    Air Paris/AJ Styles v. Evan Karagias/Jamie Knoble 2.14.01
    Kurt Angle v. Chris Benoit - 30 Min Iron Man Submission 4.29.01 - Backlash
    HHH v. Kane - Chain Match 5.20.01 - Judgment Day
    Steve Austin/Kurt Angle/Chris Jericho/Kane/Undertaker v. Booker T/Rhyno/DDP/Dudley Boys - 7.22.01 - Invasion
    Rock v. Chris Jericho - WCW title - 10.21.01 - No Mercy
     
     
    Jeff Jarrett v. AJ Styles - NWA Title - 2.19.03 - TNA Weeky #32
    Jerry Lynn v Juventud Guerrera - 2.26.03 - TNA Weekly #33
    Steve Austin v. The Rock - 3.30.03 - WrestleMania XIX
    America's Most Wanted v. Christopher Daniels/Elix Skipper - # 1 Contender Match for NWA Tag Titles - 4,23,03 - TNA Weekly #41
    Jeff Jarrett v. Raven - NWA Title - 4.30.03 - TNA Weekly #42
    Frankie Kazarian v. Chris Sabin - X Division Non-Title Match - 6.25.03 - TNA Weekly #50
    Undertaker v. John Cena - 7.27.03 - Vengeance
    Undertaker v. Kurt Angle - WWE Title - 9.4.03 - Smackdown
    Rey Mysterio Jr. v. Yoshihiro Tajiri - Cruiserweight Title - 9.4.03 - Smackdown
    Rey Mysterio Jr. v. Yoshihiro Tajiri - Cruiserweight Title - 10.19.03 - No Mercy
    Kurt Angle v. John Cena - 10.19.03 - No Mercy
    Brock Lesnar v. Undertaker - WWE Title - 10.19.03 - No Mercy
    Dudleys/HBK/Booker T/RVD v. Chris Jericho/Christian/Randy Orton/Mark Henry/Scott Steiner - Elimination Match 11.16.03 - Survivor Series
    Brock Lesnar v. Rey Mysterio Jr. - WWE Title - 12.11.03 - Smackdown
    Triple H v. Shawn Michaels - World Title - 12.29.03 - Raw
     
     
    Chris Sabin v. Christopher Daniels v. Low-Ki v. Michael Shane - Ultimate X.2 X Divison Title - 1.7.04 - TNA Weekly #75
    Bryan Danielson/Samoa Joe v. Briscoe Bros. - ROH Tag Titles - 1.10.04 - ROH Battle Lines are Drawn
    CM Punk v. John Walters - Pure Wrestling Title Tournament Round 1 - 2.14.04 - ROH 2nd Anniversary Show
    Doug Williams v. Chris Sabin - Pure Wrestling Title Tournament Round 1 - 2.14.04 - ROH 2nd Anniversary Show
    AJ Styles v. CM Punk - Pure Title - Steamboat Ref - 3.13.04 - ROH At Our Best
    Eddy Guerrero v. Kurt Angle - WWE Title - 3.14.04 - WrestleMania 20
    Eddy Guerrero v. Rey Mysterio - WWE Title - 3.18.04 - Smackdown
    Triple H/Randy Orton/Batista/Ric Flair v. Shelton Benjamin/Chris Benoit/Mick Foley/Shawn Michaels - 4.12.04 - Raw
    Triple H/Randy Orton/Batista v. Shelton Benjamin/Edge/Tajiri - 5.3.04 - Raw
    Shawn Michaels v. Chris Benoit - World Title - 5.3.04 - Raw
    Petey Williams v. Hector Garza v. Chris Sabin - World X Cup: Ultimate X Match - 5.26.04 (5/12 - 5/19) - TNA Weekly #95
    Homicide v. Samoa Joe - ROH World Title - 5.22.04 - ROH Generation Next
    Samoa Joe v. Mark Briscoe v. Homicide v. Austin Aries v. Colt Cabana v. Bryan Danielson - 6.24.04 - ROH Survival of the Fittest
    Eddy Guerrero v. Kurt Angle - 8.15.04 - SummerSlam
    Samoa Joe v. Doug Williams - ROH World Title - 9.11.04 - ROH Glory By Honor III
    Homicide/Rocky Romero v. Jack Evans/Roderick Strong - 10.16.04 - ROH Joe v. Punk II
    Alex Shelley v. Jimmy Jacobs - I Quit Match - 10.16.04 - ROH Joe v. Punk II
    Low Ki v. Austin Aries - 12.4.04 - ROH All-Star Extravaganza
    Bryan Danielson v. Low Ki - 12.26.04 - ROH Final Battle
     
  2. TravJ1979

    2000-2009 DONE!

    By TravJ1979,

    Finally! I have first-run watched the entire decade and I'm so glad, because 2009 was a difficult thing to watch. So with that said, I'm going to end/suspend this blog and do my final run through (which will be much more fun/easy as it is only a limited subset of matches) and probably post my "results" in the main forum.
     
    The blog didn't really help as much as I thought it would as it really became a hassle to remember to update it when I have excel files and assorted information here on my PC that I can update and reference without much effort.
     
    So to recap ... End of Blog ... and I hope my final picks stirs a good discussion/debate in the main forum.
  3. TravJ1979
    So I finished the year of PPV's/big shows (with the exception of ROH as I am completely burned out with that promotion) and about about 60% through TV which I'll be finishing up this month. The plan from here is going to be:
     
    Get a Top 10 for both WWE and TNA from the re-watch pile for 2008.
    TV and PPV for TNA/WWE 2009
    ROH 2008
    ROH 2009
    Top 10's/year for WCW, ECW (00-01), WWE, TNA, and ROH
    Try and hammer out a Top 20 for Other US
     
    Who knows after that. I'm going to eventually get a Top 25/decade for each company and maybe a Top 100 for the decade encompassing all US. At this point, with the footage being hard for me to come by, I'll just be working on Lucha/Europe/Japan as I can or as it comes to me.
     
    WWE NO MERCY 2008
     
    Mark Henry v. Matt Hardy - ECW Title
     
    Pretty good match. Matt works on the left knee during the match which played into the end when Mark went for World Strongest Slam and Hardy punches the knee and hits the twist of fate for the pin.
     
    HHH doing his too cool for school act with Jeff Hardy during an interview
     
    Beth Phoenix v. Candice Michelle - Women's Title
     
    Beth retains in an okay women's match.
     
    Kane promo.
     
    Kane v. Rey Mysterio - If Rey loses, he has to unmask.
     
    A little too long for my tastes, but nothing really wrong with it. Kane gets DQ'ed for using a chair as Mysterio came off the top rope to the outside with a dive.
     
    Wow. A really long segment that really didn't end with any substance. MVP wants to see Vickie, but Show says no. So he goes to the ring saying how great he is and mad because he doesn't get enough PPV time. This brings out Randy Orton saying he's better. This brings out Legacy who punks Orton who leaves. Then they punk MVP and he goes to leave but CM Punk and Kofi come out and say lets go three on three. They run down and pause allowing MVP to get beat down for a few seconds before they go in and clean house. This is where the segment ends. Pretty much a waste of time.
     
     
    Batista v. JBL - # 1 Contender for World Title
     
    Batista pretty much dominates a short match. JBL gets on the mic after the match and thanks congress and the fans for the bailout and allowing him to keep his money. Cryme Tyme on the TitanTron, takes JBl's limo and all the Divas, plus Sgt. Slaughter out on the town.
     
    Undertaker/Big Show/Vickie Guerrero recap package
     
    Big Show v. Undertaker
     
     
    Back and forth power moves until Show wins via KO after an exposed turnbuckle shot along with three knockout right hands. Taker sells it all the way to the back.
     
    Hardy/HHH video package
     
    Jeff Hardy v. HHH - WWE Title
     
    Really good match. A re-watch
     
    Arn kisses HHH's ass, Vladimir Koslov gets in HHH's face. Jericho/HBK feud recap video package.
     
    Chris Jericho v. Shawn Michaels - Ladder Match, World Title
     
    Very good match.
     
    TNA BOUND FOR GLORY 2008
     
    Sonjay Dutt, Curry Man, Jay Lethal, Jimmy Rave, Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Johnny Devine, Petey Williams, Shark Boy, Super Eric - Steel Asylum match for # 1 contender to X Title
     
    Another cluster fuck just like the last match of this type. However, I'd say this one was a little better because of a spot where Shelley tries for a sliced bread # 2 that gets countered into a running Canadian destroyer and the finish with Jay Lethal beating on Dutt with punches as Dutt hangs upside down from the cage top. Also, Johnny Devine nearly kills Jimmy Rave with a botched Jay Driller ("Devine Intervention")
     
    Cornette/Foley love fest, Beautiful People want blue M&M's and hate Foley's wardrobe. Traci Brooks is the special referee for the next match as Cornette made her "Knockout Law" a few weeks ago.
     
    Beautiful People/Cute Kip v. ODB/Rhaka Khan/Rhyno - Knockout Bimbo Brawl
     
    Goofy match, but it was kept short. Khan looked bad.
     
    So there's been two matches so far and 16 wrestlers have been used along with a special referee. Consequences Creed interview
     
    Consequences Creed v. Sheik Abdul Bashir - X Title Match
     
    Bashir wins after holding the ropes after a roll up. Okay match.
     
    Foley telling JB about his HITC match, Kong and Saed come in and say Kong isn't in a good mood. Mick name drops JR, The Rock and Yurple the Clown during this short segment.
     
    Sit down interview with Taylor Wilde, Roxxi about the match coming up next between them and Kong.
     
    Taylor Wilde v. Awesome Kong v. Roxxi - Knockout's Title Match
     
    Taylor retains by pinning Roxxi with a German suplex with a bridge. Decent match.
     
    Another Foley segment with AJ, then Team 3-D. I'm tired of Foley already here in TNA. Cornette comes back allowing Foley to get ready to be the enforcer in the Jarrett/Angle match.
     
    Matt Morgan/Abyss v. LAX v. Team 3-D v. Beer Money - Monster's Ball Match w/ Mongo McMichael as special referee - TNA Tag Titles
     
    Holy shit. I didn't think it was possible for Mongo to be a worse referee than he was a wrestler. Just awful. He took a lot away from the match. Terrible to start, but picked up a bit at the end, however not enough to save it. Enjoyable at times, but Mongo killed it for me. Also, Morgan almost killed Homicide with some sort of botched head scissors into a gonzo bomb. Beer Money retain after pinning Hernandez who was just 3-D'd through a table tacks.
     
    Booker T v. AJ Styles v. Christian Cage
     
    One of the better triple threat matches I've seen in a while. A re-watch. Booker wins after an axe kick on Christian.
     
    Angle/Jarrett feud recap. Angle says for Jarrett to tell his girls daddy isn't coming home after the PPV. Yeah, good thing to say when the girls mom died. Angle, Jarrett interviews.
     
    Kurt Angle v. Jeff Jarrett - Grudge Match, Mick Foley special enforcer
     
    Both guys worked hard enough for me to give it a re-watch, but what a shitty finish. Jarrett wins after a guitar shot that was preceded be a bunch of bullshit.
     
    Sting/Samoa Joe video package
     
    Samoa Joe v. Sting - TNA World Title Match
     
    Who would have thought Kevin Nash could ruin a match? Everyone? You'd be right. God dammit. Sting wins after Nash hits Joe with the bat and a Scorpion Death Drop. Terrible finish which is par for the course with this company. The match itself was very good. I usually don't like brawling in the crowd, which this match did almost 50% of the match, but it worked here. Joe took an insane bump on the concrete stairs and dominated most of the match until the aforementioned shit finish. A re-watch.
     
     
    WWE Cyber Sunday 2008
     
    Rey Mysterio v. Kane - No Holds Barred (voted over Falls Count Anywhere and 2/3 Falls)
     
    Drawn out match but I liked the finishing sequence Rey wins with 619 and splash.
     
    First four Divas show off their costumes and ask for a vote. Jericho asks Legacy to take out Batista, they say no. Teddy Long and assistant Tiffany out to announce winner of ECW title shot against Matt Hardy.
     
    Matt Hardy v. Evan Bourne (wins over Mark Henry and Finlay by a large margin) - ECW Title
     
    Bourne runs through his entire offense and Hardy eats it most of the match. Hardy wins after the Twist of Fate. Okay sprint.
     
    Four more Divas show off their costumes.
     
    Cryme Tyme v. Miz/Morrison (voted over Mickie/Noble v. Regal/Layla and Punk/Kingston v. Rhodes/DiBiase)
     
    Average PPV tag match. Miz/Morrison win after Morrison hits the Midnight Ride on Shad.
     
    Four more Divas show off their costumes. Khali turns down Jericho when he asks for help with Batista.
     
    Santino v. Honky Tonk Man (voted over Roddy Piper and Goldust)
     
    Santino's pre-match promo was better than anything after it. Match was 100% (bad) comedy and kind of depressing.
     
    Last four Divas show off their costumes. Show/Taker video package.
     
    Big Show v. Undertaker - Last Man Standing Match (voted over Knockout and I Quit matches)
     
    Vickie out and botched the result saying I Quit. Wonder if they meant to work the results, but they were the ones that messed up. Counterpoint to No Mercy match as it was nearly the exact same except Taker wins with the Hell's Gate Submission.
     
    Jericho tries to change Adamle's mind, but walks away when he gets a text. Mickie James (as Lara Croft) won the Diva's costume contest.
     
    Video package of HHH/Jeff Hardy/Vladimir Kozlov regarding next match.
     
    HHH v. Jeff Hardy (voted over Vladimir Kozlov and a Triple Threat Match with both) - WWE Title
     
    Not as good as their No Mercy match. Ending was abrupt. Finish was a pedigree in the middle. Commentary say it was off the top rope, but he just pulled him down from the top.
     
    Jericho/Batista video package
     
    Chris Jericho v. Batista - World Title (Steve Austin special referee - voted over Randy Orton and HBK)
     
    Very good match with a shit overbooked finish. A re-watch.
     
    TNA TURNING POINT 2008
     
    Theme for tonight is Millionaire's Club v. New Blo... err, Main Event Mafia v. TNA Originals.
     
    X Division Elimination Match (Order of Elimination determines Top 10 rankings in the Division)
    Participants: Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt, Volador Jr., Jimmy Rave, Petey Williams, Doug Williams, Homicide, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Eric Young, and Consequences Creed.
     
    Typical X sprints. Eric Young and Lethal are the last two with Young winning. Young cuts a promo about how they are young and like being wrestlers
     
    Some skit with Jarrett and Foley with sleeping kids in the background.
     
    Awesome Kong/Raisha Saed v. Taylor Wilde/Roxxi
     
    Good women's tag match.
     
    Jarrett talks to Main Event Mafia. Angle calls him a pussy and tells him to grow so "bawls!" and leaves. I'm sensing a show with a series of these all night.
     
    Sheik Abdul Bashir v. Rhyno - Grudge Match
     
    Nobody cared or paid attention to the match because ICP, Scott Hall, Corporal Robinson, etc. showed up at ringside. They weren't acknowledged even when Bashir pushed Corp and spit on them. Rhyno wins with the gore, but looked pissed walking to the back.
     
    MCMG's make fun of Mick Foley during his "pep talk."
     
    Motor City Machine Guns v. Beery Money, Inc. - TNA Tag Titles
     
    Good, entertaining match. A re-watch
     
    Booker T interview. Booker has regressed into some weird hood aristocrat hybrid speech. Kind of Harlem Heat Booker T meets King Booker. Weird.
     
    Booker T v. Christian Cage - Legends Title, If Christian Cage loses, he must join the Main Event Mafia
     
    Legends Title was introduced by Booker T and proclaimed himself first champion. Okay match, but well below last months Triple Threat. Booker wins after reversing a roll up and holding the tights. Stipulation says Cage has to join Main Event Mafia, but we'll see.
     
    Abyss interview and recap of Kurt/Abyss/Jarrett situation
     
    Abyss v. Kurt Angle - Falls Count Anywhere Match
     
    Okay match with Angle winning after knocking Abyss off scaffolding onto Spanish announce table. The ending was a bit too contrived even for pro wrestling.
     
    Samoa Joe interview/Joe v. Nash feud recap
     
    Samoa Joe v. Kevin Nash - Grudge Match
     
    Terrible match. Joe doesn't get pinned after two jack knife power bomb's and multiple shots to an exposed turnbuckle, but he gets pinned a minute after being hit with a low blow. I have a feeling MEM is going 4 and 0.
     
    Sting Interview. Sting/AJ feud recap
     
    Sting v. AJ Styles - TNA World Title
     
    Battle of the Bible Bangers was an okay match with a flat finish. Styles was on top of the match, but he had to hold off Angle and Booker T so Sting dodges the Pele kick and gets rolled up. MEM wins all of their matches and every one of them to come out and celebrate. Lame.
     
    WWE SURVIVOR SERIES 2008
     
    Jeff Hardy found unconscious at his hotel and may not show up.
     
    HBK/Great Khali/Cryme Tyme/Rey Mysterio v. JBL/Kane/Miz/MVP/Morrison - Traditional Survivor Series Match
     
    First five eliminations went pretty quick. Second five was slower paced and the match was okay, but nothing great. HBK, Rey, and Khali are the three survivors after HBK last eliminates Morrison with a super kick.
     
    HHH says he'll face Vladimir Koslov to a round of boos.
     
    Michelle McCool/Maryse/Victoria/Natalya/Maria v. Beth Phoenix/Mickie James/Jillian/Candice Michelle/Kelly Kelly - Traditional Survivor Series Match Raw v. Smackdown Divas
     
    Good Diva's Match. Guys were having a ton of fun on commentary.
     
    Matt Hardy talking about Jeff. Big Show/Undertaker video recap.
     
    Undertaker v. Big Show - Casket Match
     
    Taker wins a boring casket match. Hopefully, this is the end of the feud as these matches aren't fun to watch.
     
    Comedy with Bellas, Colon's, Charlie Haas, and Boogeyman dressed as Gobbledy Gooker. Orton says he didn't want to be on his Survivor Series Team, he and Cody get into it.
     
    Randy Orton/Cody Rhodes/Mark Henry/Steve Regal/Shelton Benjamin v. Batista/R-Truth/CM Punk/Kofi Kingston/Matt Hardy - Traditional Survivor Series Match
     
    Goes down to 4-on-1 with Batista all alone. Batista kills Shelton and Henry and almost Rhodes but Orton makes a blind tag and hits the RKO for the win. Decent match.
     
    Vladimir Koslov interview. JR says Jeff will not be competing before showing the Jeff/HHH video package.
     
    HHH v. Vladimir Koslov - WWE Title
     
    Okay, let me see if I can recap this so one can follow. First, The match sucked and the crowd was telling them so. Vickie Guerrero comes out after a pedigree and excitedly says "He's here!" Out comes Edge joining the match well, just because. Then out runs Jeff Hardy with a bandage on the back of his neck and attacks edge them smashes everyone with a chair, except Edge who spears him and then pins HHH. So Edge is champion still married to Vickie and happy with each other even after the years events and it seems as if he was the one who attacked Edge. First Class Shit.
     
    Jericho/Cena video recap
     
    Chris Jericho v. John Cena - World Title Match
     
    Good match. Cena regains the belt after an Attitude Adjustment. A re-watch.
     
    TNA FINAL RESOLUTION (DECEMBER EDITION) 2008
     
    Cute Kip, Sonjay Dutt, Jimmy Rave, Lance Hoyt, Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Homicide, Hernandez, BG James, Jay Lethal, Consequences Creed, Curry Man, and Shark Boy - Feast or Fired - 3 title shots, 1 pink slip
     
    Jay Lethal, Curry Man, Homicide, and Hernandez all get cases. Couple of cool spots, overall it was just okay. After a long, drawn out process Jay Lethal opens his case to reveal he gets a Tag Title shot. MCMG's pissed because Lethal grabbed the case from them at the last minute. Borash punks Shelley calling him an ass.
     
    Sharmell is pushed into the Beautiful People act for tonight and they give an incredibly long interview to talk about it. If they win, they get Booker T's locker room.
     
    Sharmell/Beautiful People v. ODB/Roxxi/Taylor Wilde
     
    Taylor reverses a cross body block by Angelina Love for the win. Okay match.
     
    Eric Young interview about X Title shot. MCMG's come in and get back at Borash. He tells them where Foley is.
     
    Eric Young v. Sheik Abdul Bashir - X Title Match
     
    Best thing on the show so far, but it was just okay. Young wins the belt and a ridiculous angle continues afterwards where the referee hulks up and attacks Bashir until Bashir bloodies him and leaves him laying. He tries to steal the belt, but Cornette and security get it back.
     
    Kong/Hemme video. Hemme gets trained by AJ Styles for the match.
     
    Awesome Kong v. Christy Hemme - Knockouts Title Match
     
    This match + segment was best thing on the show so far. I can't believe I'm saying this. Match was short and a DQ due to Kongtourage interference, but Hemme did a great job and the post fight was entertaining.
     
    Angle interview. Beer Money/Abyss and Morgan video
     
    Beer Money v. Abyss/Morgan - TNA Tag Title Match
     
    Your average tag match with Beer Money retaining after a brass knuckle shot on Abyss.
     
    Pretty funny exchange between Mick Foley and the MCMG's. Segment continues in the ring again with good stuff from the guns, this time directed towards Cornette. Suicide debuts and clears the guns from the ring. The a Rhyno interview. Then a Rhyno/Kurt video package.
     
    Kurt Angle v. Rhyno - Special Enforcer, Mick Foley. If Kurt wins he gets Jarrett at Genesis in January. If Rhyno wins, Kurt leaves TNA.
     
    Bland match. Al Snow of all people is brought in by Kurt to distract Mick Foley allowing Kurt to hit Rhyno with a chair/Angle slam for the win.
     
    Lauren backstage with a MEM interview. MEM/Frontline video recap.
     
    Sting/Booker T/Scott Steiner/Kevin Nash v. AJ Styles/Samoa Joe/Team 3-D - If TNA Frontline wins, AJ is World Champion. If MEM wins, Sting retains his World Title. - TNA World Title.
     
    I enjoyed when Sting/AJ and Joe/AJ were in, but Team 3-D provide zero entertainment value, Nash is old and brittle, Steiner provides unintentional comedy outside the ring and really nothing more and Booker T has phoned in 95% of his year in TNA thus far. Bad finish to an underwhelming match with a Nash low blow to Samoa Joe and Scorpion Death Drop from Sting for the pin.
     
    WWE ARMAGEDDON 2008
     
    Matt Hardy v. Vladimir Koslov - Non-Title Match (ECW)
     
    For Koslov being involved, this was okay. He wins with a choke slam/spine buster combination. He's still being billed as undefeated.
     
    Edge/Vickie/Chavo backstage. Vickie makes Chavo go get coffee and denies attacking Jeff Hardy last month. Hornswoggle is backstage hammering Eve (inflatable hammer) and Finlay tells him to stay backstage during his match as he wants him to be safe. IC champion Regal and Layla at ringside for next match.
     
    Rey Mysterio v. CM Punk - Final Match of Intercontinental Title # 1 Contender Tournament.
     
    Real fun match. A re-watch. Punk wins with brutal GTS.
     
    Emo Jeff Hardy promo. 20 minutes of JBL/HBK angle where HBK is broke and JBL hires him as an employee. Why this was on PPV and not Raw beats me. Orton/Manu/Rhodes interview regarding Orton v. Batista.
     
    Finlay v. Mark Henry - Belfast Brawl
     
    Really fun match with Henry doing strong man stuff. I enjoyed it. Finlay wins with shillelagh shot A re-watch.
     
    Divas X-mas party with BoogeyMan, Goldust, Santino, IRS, Jesse, Festus and assorted silliness. Kennedy says drink responsibly and to buy his DVD Behind Enemy Lines.
     
    Orton/Batista history video package.
     
    Randy Orton v. Batista
     
    Decent match, but it didn't quite get me to the point where I think it deserves a re-watch. Batista wins with the Batista bomb.
     
    Cena/Jericho feud recap.
     
    Mickie James/Kelly Kelly/Maria/Michelle McCool v. Maryse/Jillian/Victoria/Natalya - Santa's Little Helpers 8 Diva Tag Match
     
    Eye candy match. McCool blind tags in and hits the Styles clash for the win. Khali out wanting to kiss Divas (Kiss Cam), but nobody wants to. Out comes Mae Young and they make out.
     
    Another Cena/Jericho recap video.
     
    Chris Jericho v. John Cena - World Title Match
     
    Really good match. A re-watch. Cena retains with STFU.
     
    Triple Threat video recap.
     
    HHH v. Jeff Hardy v. Edge - WWE Title
     
    Cool that Hardy won the title, good match but not one that would hold up in a re-watch.
  4. TravJ1979
    TNA VICTORY ROAD 2008
     
    MCMG/Curry Man v. Ultimo Guerrero/Rey Bucanero/Averno v. Doug Williams/Alex Koslov/Tyson Dux v. Yossino/Puma/Milano Collection AT - 3rd Round of World X Cup.
     
    Great, fun match. Constant action and executed just like TNA wanted I'm sure. I definitely was entertained. If this was 12 TNA guys, it probably would have stunk, but having some vets in there from all over just made it awesome. Standings before was Mexico and TNA tied for 3. Team International and Team Japan both with 2. Standings going into final Ultimate X match is Team TNA 6, Japan 4, and Team Mexico and Team International tied with 3.
     
    Goofy "Cribs" segment with Booker T (since they are in Houston)
     
    Gail Kim v. Angelina Love - Grudge Match
     
    Love cost Kim a title match against Kong so here this match is. Pretty good women's match. Gail Kim wins with cross arm neck breaker. After the match the Beautiful People attack Kim, but she bails.
     
    Sonjay Dutt v. Black Machismo - Grudge Match
     
    Feud over So Cal Val. Match was a backdrop for story as So Cal Val was main part of the segment with Dutt getting the win with feet on the ropes after a roll up.
     
    Beer Money interview talking about "the marks" with belts at ringside and doing typical heel schtick. Jackie says she isn't going out because the fans have belts.
     
    Beer Money v. LAX - Fan's revenge lumberjack strap match for tag titles
     
    Beer Money strapped LAX on impact! so this is why the stipulation. Fans won some sort of contest to be lumberjacks. They all are wearing LAX shirts. LAX retain in a simple match. Nothing special and the impact match between the two that started the feud was better.
     
    Booker T at his gym video.
     
    Awesome Kong v. Taylor Wilde - Knockout's Title
     
    Last week on impact, Taylor upset Kong for the belt after trying the 25K challenge for a few weeks. This is the rematch. Another good women's bout with Taylor retaining after a roll up after countering a series of Kong's moves. After the match, Saed attacks Taylor and throws her back to Kong. Abyss makes the save continuing his gimmick since returning of saving people in trouble. Saed tells Kong to leave, but the she gets a choke slam from Abyss.
     
    Another goofy Booker T video at his restaurant, Sharmell's.
     
    Naruki Doi v. Kaz v. Daivari v. Volador Jr. - Ultimate X, World X Cup Finals
     
    Everyone still in contention so winning team gets four points and World X Cup. Volador Jr. wins it for Team Mexico. Kaz did a crazy spot jumping off the top of the truss that holds the X ropes with a leg drop onto Daivari who was on the ropes near the center. Still, the opening match was better.
     
    Final goofy Booker video with him on the golf course.
     
    AJ Styles/Rhyno/Christian Cage v. Kurt Angle/Team 3-D - Fan's pick the stipulation
     
    Full Metal Mayhem was chosen. Basically a Street Fight. AJ and Kurt feuding over Karen Angle is the main angle going into this match. Typical brawl. Ends when Frank Trigg gets up from announce table and hits AJ with kendo stick. Then Angle grabs AJ and does Angle Slam off ladder onto table for the pin.
     
    Samoa Joe v. Booker T - TNA World Title
     
    Started slow, but picked up with both bleeding and Joe just destroying everything including Booker T. Nobody could stop him so Sting comes out, Joe says fuck off, Sting hits him with a bat. Sharmell counts three and her and Booker leave with the belt. I'll give it a re-watch.
     
    WWE GREAT AMERICAN BASH 2008
     
    Hawkins/Ryder v. Miz/Morrison v. Festus/Jesse v. Finlay/Hornswoggle - WWE Tag Titles
     
    Yes, this is your Smackdown/ECW tag division. It wasn't bad and okay for an opener. Ryder and Hawkins win the belts after pulling Jesse off the top rope and Hawkins pinning him.
     
    Matt Hardy v. Shelton Benjamin - US Title
     
    Good match with Shelton especially looking good even after having not been featured on PPV for months. Shelton wins the title with a power drive type DDT.
     
    CM Punk Interview/Recap of Edge/Vickie Wedding and Edge making out with Alicia Fox.
     
    Mark Henry v. Tommy Dreamer - ECW Title
     
    Henry retains after Delaney turns on Dreamer. Dreamer sucks so this match had no chance.
     
    Recap of Jericho/Michaels feud
     
    Chris Jericho v. Shawn Michaels - Grudge Match
     
    Ref stoppage. Jericho beats Michaels bloody. I'll give it a re-watch.
     
    Michelle McCool v. Natalya - To crown first Diva's Champion
     
    McCool wins with a heel hook in a fun Divas match.
     
    Recap of Batista/CM Punk feud
     
    CM Punk v. Batista - World Title
     
    Great match until fucking Kane had to run in for the DQ. Why couldn't this happen after the match. Ugh.
     
    JBL v. John Cena - NYC Parking Lot Brawl
     
    Recap of JBL attempting murder via vehicular homicide was shown. It's okay though. No arrests because dammit we have to have this match. Corny match that included setting a car on fire, jumper cables to the balls connected to a car battery and mean face forklift driving. JBL wins after pushing Cena off stage
    through car windshield.
     
    Yet another replay of HHH showing Edge with Alicia Fox.
     
    HHH v. Edge - WWE Title
     
    Lame match with lame ending. Vickie and Alicia get involved with Edge spearing Vickie and turns around into a pedigree.
     
    WWE SNME #36 7/28/08 - Aired 8/2
     
    Cena/Batista/Cryme Tyme v. Kane/Ted Dibiase/Cody Rhodes/JBL
     
    Typical TV match that the crowd got kind of hot for near the end. JBL pins JTG after lariat.
     
    Great Khali v. Jimmy Wang Yang
     
    Squash.
     
    Edge v. Jeff Hardy
     
    Surprisingly good match. I'll give it a re-watch.
     
    TNA Hard Justice 2008
     
    Rap performance by Filthee, Grandmaster Kaz and Melly Mel
     
    Consequences Creed v. Petey Williams - X Title
     
    Scott Steiner out with torn ACL so he's not a ringside. Went from fun opener, to great opener and other than the chair shot interference by Daivari it was very good. Definite re-watch.
     
    Beautiful People/Amazing Kong v. Gail Kim/ODB/Taylor Wilde - Traci Brooks special referee
     
    Good six woman tag. Taylor pins Angelina with a roll up
     
    Bad comedy with Team 3-D.
     
    LAX v. Beer Money - Tag Titles
     
    Timing was a bit off, but I'll give it a re-watch because it was a pretty good match. Beer Money wins the belts after Roode hits Homicide with a beer bottle during a Gringo Killer attempt.
     
    Jay Lethal v. Sonjay Dutt - Black Tie and Brawl match
     
    Basically they are chained together and winner is first to strip tuxedo off opponent or pin opponent. Show Jay's family in the crowd since they are in Jersey and next to his mom was none other than AJ Lee who I believe was his girlfriend at the time. Have to believe Cornette had a hand in this as Jay ties his chain to the ropes as Dutt gets connected by the referee. That was shades of Lawler/Idol. I enjoyed this as it was a tuxedo match done right (if there is such a thing). "Fire Russo" chants break out towards the end as it did probably go on a little too long. Nothing wrong with it IMO.
     
    Funny and weird Booker T promo. Calls Joe a "backyard, trailer park, wanna-be independent worker." He has the belt he stole from Joe at the last PPV and says he's the champion. Then makes weird faces after taking a drink of wine.
     
    Team 3-D v. Rhyno/Christian Cage - Jersey Street Fight
     
    I should mention they are putting video game scenes in everyone's entrance video as I guess this was around the time TNA's video game came out. Even with gimmicks and Christian and a good brawler like Rhyno, a good match alludes Team 3-D. Johnny Devine comes out and a beat down in the winners begins, but Abyss comes in to save the day as has been his gimmick for a couple of months.
     
    Recap of Angle/Styles feud
     
    Kurt Angle v. AJ Styles - Last Man Standing
     
    Great match and really good LMS style match. Kurt sold the finish really well. Styles wins with DDT off top rope.Styles attacks Kurt again as he was being put in the stretcher. As AJ is leaving, lights go out and Sting appears and death drops AJ on ramp. Nash asking what's up?
     
    Samoa Joe v. Booker T - Six Sides of Steel w/weapons, World Title
     
    Okay match. After Booker hits axe kick the lights go out. They come back on and Joe has a guitar which he smashes on Booker and gets the pin fall. I guess Jarrett is coming back soon. With all that shit about Sting he didn't have anything do to with the Main Event.
     
    WWE SUMMERSLAM 2008
     
    Jeff Hardy v. MVP
     
    MVP wins a good match after a kick to the head. A re-watch.
     
    Funny Santino Interview. Talking about Inter-gender tag match where both IC and Women's title on the line.
     
    Mickie James/Kofi Kingston v. Santino/Beth Phoenix - Inter-gender, Women's and IC Title Match
     
    Played mostly for comedy, but wasn't bad. Beth pinned Mickie with her finisher and now she is Women's champion and Santino is the IC Title holder.
     
    Incredible segment with HBK retirement announcement interrupted by Jericho. Jericho hits HBK's wife after HBK ducks.
     
    Mark Henry v. Matt Hardy - ECW Title
     
    20 second match as Atlas pulls Hardy out of ring during pin attempt for DQ after Hardy hits Twist of Fate on Henry. Jeff out to help his brother fight off Atlas/Henry.
     
    Punk/JBL feud recap
     
    CM Punk v. JBL - World Title
     
    Good match with Punk retaining after GTS.
     
    Khali/HHH package showing Khali getting # 1 contendership after winning battle royal and then clips of squeezing HHH's head.
     
    HHH v. Great Khali - WWE Title
     
    I think HHH did a good job here with Khali. Decent little match.
     
    Cena/Batista package
     
    John Cena v. Batista - First Time Ever
     
    Surprisingly good. I'll re-watch
     
    Undertaker/Edge recap for thousandth time.
     
    Undertaker v. Edge - Hell in a Cell
     
    Really good with a good finish. A re-watch
     
    WWE UNFORGIVEN 2008
     
    Matt Hardy v. Miz v. Mark Henry v. Chavo Guerrero v. Finlay - ECW Title Championship Scramble
     
    Hardy wins after being the last man to pin someone within the 20 alloted minutes. Decent.
     
    Ted DiBiase/Cody Rhodes v. Cryme Tyme - World Tag Titles
     
    Okay match. Nothing special. Rhodes/DiBiase retain after reversing a roll up. Manu debut during post match beat down of Cryme Tyme.
     
    Jericho/HBK feud recap
     
    Chris Jericho v. Shawn Michaels - Unsanctioned Match
     
    Not as good as the Bash match, but probably will re-watch to fairly determine best of the feud
     
    Randy Orton disses "Legacy"
     
    Jeff Hardy v. HHH v. Shelton Benjamin v. The Brian Kendrick v. MVP - WWE Title Championship Scramble
     
    A little better than the ECW scramble mostly due to the story of Hardy and HHH trading falls (mostly on Kendrick) to try and be the champion at the end. Pretty well executed. HHH retains with 1 second left.
     
    HBK interview playing non-believable tough guy. Also Orton punts CM Punk taking him out of the Scramble
     
    Maryse v. Michelle McCool - Divas Title
     
    Short, but impressive. Really Good. McCool retains after a Falcon Arrow type move.
     
    Long, drawn out segment with Vickie Guerrero berating Show until Taker comes out to put her in a coffin only to have Show beat down the Undertaker in a swerve and side with Vickie.
     
    Batista v. JBL v. Kane v. Rey Mysterio v. Chris Jericho - World Title Scramble Match
     
    Jericho was a replacement for CM Punk due to the punt kick Punk took from Orton earlier. He wins with a sneak pin on Kane after Batista had given him a spine buster and pinned him. Jericho laid on the ground for about 98% of the five minutes he was out there. This was like the others. Nothing special. I am
    definitely not a fan of this match type.
     
    TNA NO SURRENDER 2008
     
    Stizzing in the Hizzouse. Mentions respect, Bret Hart and says he needs to teach respect to the young boys. Way too long. Mike Tenay announcers Booker T isn't at the PPV due to the hurricane in the Texas area.
     
    Rock and Rave Infection/Christy Hemme v. Super Eric/Curry Man/Shark Boy
     
    Perfectly fine comedy match opener. Curry Man pins Hemme while laying on her to check to see if she's hurt after a "chummer" from Shark Boy.
     
    Awesome Kong v. ODB - Falls Count Anywhere Match
     
    What's the point of a falls count anywhere if you are going to do the pin inside the ring? Just make it No DQ. Kong wins after spearing ODB through a table. Not as good as it could have been.
     
    Christian Interview
     
    Team 3-D v. Abyss/Matt Morgan
     
    Bad match. I couldn't wait for it to end as it had no entertainment value at all. Dudley's hit Morgan with a chair and give it to Abyss for the tag team miscommunication that is Russo's staple.
     
    Petey Williams v. Consequences Creed v. Sheik Abdul Bashir - X title Match
     
    Bashir wins after he pins Creed after Williams hit Creed with the Canadian Destroyer and Bashir pulls Williams out of the ring. Best thing on the show so far, but that isn't saying much.
     
    Angelina Love v. Taylor Wilde - Knockout's Title Match
     
    Video package says Wilde is youngest Knockout's champion in TNA history. Yeah, third champion in the history of a title that is less than a year old. Kip James goes from "Megastar" to "Cute Kip." Bum. Rhyno is brought out by Wilde to even the odds. Okay match with Wilde retaining after a northern lights
    suplex.
     
    Jay Lethal v. Sonjay Dutt - Ladder of Love Match
     
    So yeah. Ring is above the ring. First to climb the ladder and grab the ring gets to have sex with So Cal val ("Whoever gets it, can have me") was Val's words. So she's pimping herself out to the winner of a ladder match. "Fire Russo!" No chants, but that was my sentiments. Decent match with a goofy premise. Of course Val turns on Lethal and Dutt gets the ring. Don West is pissed. Dutt and Val make out.
     
    Kurt Angle Interview
     
    LAX v. Beer Money - Tag Titles
     
    Beer Money retains after Jackie throws powder in Homicide's eyes allowing Roode to hit the payoff. Not one of their best matches. Jackie also took out Salinas in the bathroom earlier in the show so she wasn't out. (She quit to film a movie).
     
    AJ Styles v. Frank Trigg - MMA Style Match
     
    Trigg with a heel promo straight out of 1985. "We Want Wresting" and "Fire Russo" chants erupt during the first round. (Three, 5 minute rounds with a one minute rest in between.) "This is bullshit" chant as the second round begins. Early in the round AJ gives unintentional low blow and the match is ruled a no contest. AJ has a puffy right eye. AJ grabs a cane and beats down Trigg and calls him a faggot. (Trigg had hit AJ with a cane on impact.)
     
    Samoa Joe Interview
     
    Samoa Joe v. Christian Cage v. Kurt Angle v. x - TNA World Title
     
    Okay match, dead crowd, lousy finish. Christian working hard in front of the Canadian crowd. Jarrett comes down and hits Angle with guitar. Muscle Buster by Joe, Jarrett throws referee back in for the pin fall.
  5. TravJ1979

    Thoughts on TNA

    By TravJ1979,

    There is a thread on the main board asking if TNA is the worst promotion in history. The thread was started six years ago and I never commented on it. I figured I would post my thoughts here to avoid accusations of trolling because my opinion may not be a popular one.
     
    TNA is not the worst promotion in history. In fact, I believe it is better than the sacred cow known as the original ECW.
     
    I've watched 154 of TNA's PPV's and all Impacts so I feel confident in this statement. Granted, I haven't watched any 2010-current TNA and I've heard the stories, but just based on 2002-2008 period I feel good about this comparison. Just a few highlights of how I came to my conclusion.
     
     
    Business End
     
    Time in business: ECW = 10 years (February 1992-January 2001) // TNA = 11 years + (June 2002-Current) == Advantage: TNA
     
    National television exposure: ECW = 14 months on TNN (August 1999-October 2000) // TNA = Approaching 8 years on the same network (Spike) (September 2005 - Current) == Advantage TNA
     
    PPV Buy rates: It's hard to find definitive information here, but it looks like ECW averaged 85-100,000 buys per PPV while TNA is in the mid 20k's. == Advantage: ECW
     
    Live Attendance: TNA averaged around 900-1000 during the Asylum and Impact Zone PPV's which were almost exclusively free tickets. However, When they took PPV's out of the Impact Zone they drew 3 to 6,000. ECW is almost identical to those numbers and their arena shows sold tickets more than giving away, but I don't think they drew that much on PPV's. For the sake of argument I'll give this one to ECW as well. Advantage == ECW
     
    So on the Business end I'd say they are tied. When it comes to talent, it's a no contest.
     
    Content
     
    Tag Teams
     
    The Top Five Tag Teams in ECW History (Arguably and in no order): Dudleys, Eliminators, Public Enemy, The Gangstas, Pitbulls
     
    Those ten individuals are almost exclusively terrible workers. I'd give Ted Petty distinction as the best.
     
    Five Tag Teams from TNA that are better (by far IMO): AMW, LAX, MCMG, Beer Money, XXX.
     
    Singles
     
    Same thing here. In ECW, I'd say the top ten were Sabu, Sandman, Raven, Tommy Dreamer, Shane Douglas, Taz, Justin Credible, RVD, Jerry Lynn, Rhyno
     
    Sandman and Tommy Dreamer may be candidates for the worst wrestler ever IMO. I really have no problem with the others, but to say any are super workers would be a stretch.
     
    For TNA: Jeff Jarrett, AJ Styles, Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, Christian, Sting, Abyss, James Storm, Bobby Roode
     
    Only Jerry Lynn would be able to compete (and mostly exceed) with this list in terms of talented worker. Most of the guys below this level in TNA would already be on the ECW list such as Raven, Rhyno and RVD.
     
    Story
     
    ECW has a major advantage here as when they were at their peak (late 1994 to Barely Legal 1997) wrestling for the big two were old, stale and cartoonish angles and characters being showcased. Paul Heyman was at the right place and right time being able to showcase the NJPW Musketeers, the Luchadores and mix popular music with cutting edge gimmicks. Given the talent above he truly made chicken shit into chicken salad. I will give them the innovation edge, but coming a decade later sure does help there.
     
    For TNA, they've had their share of absolute shit, but once they got Spike and ran monthly PPV's up until what I've seen it really has not been that bad. Sure, bad stuff is on the shows and there hardly are any outstanding matches but the same can be said for ECW especially if you take away matches from the guys passing through for short stays (Benoit, Malenko, Guerrero, Rey, Juvi and Psicosis). the advantage here is that TNA is consistently average with flashes of greatness while throughout ECW history is hit and miss for the entire decade.
     
    So for overall talent and entertainment value TNA is victorious. While it may not be by much, TNA is/was a better promotion than ECW at least during the same time period.
     
  6. TravJ1979
    TNA Lockdown 2008
     
    Black Machismo, Curry Man, Sonjay Dutt, Johnny Devine, Consequences Creed, Shark Boy - X Title
     
    Pin or submission until last two with winner having to escape the cage. Dutt and Shark Boy go out early. Creed looked good before being eliminated. Devine stole Jay Briscoe's Jay Driller calling it the Devine intervention to pin Curry Man. Lethal retains with goofy finish. Nothing special
     
    Frank Trigg gives his analysis on main event. Says Angle wins.
     
    Queen of the Cage Match - Hemme, Salinas, Jackie, Traci, Love, Sky, Khan, Roxxi
     
    All women brawl outside cage and first two inside go for pinfall or submission to win title of Queen of the Cage and # 1 contender. Brawling portion quick and painless as Angelina Love and Roxxi make it in the cage. The Beautiful People have been feuding with Roxxi so this was no surprise. Roxxi wins an okay match with Voodoo drop/Barbie Crusher.
     
    Kip James - BG James
     
    Kip hit Bullet with a crutch, turns on BG so here is the grudge match. Quick win for BG. Doesn't look like the feud is gonna be over going by the way it ended. Typical back and forth with them getting all their stuff in. Well, Kip faked reconcile and hits BG with clothesline.
     
    Joe and Angle promos hyping the main event.
     
    Six Team Tag Rock and Rave Infection, Kaz/Young, Rellik/Black Reign, MCMG, LAX, Petey/Scotty
     
    So the last team not handcuffed is the winner. So we had a match with all the X guys, then all the Knockouts and here all the Tag Teams. Way to get everyone on the card. One of the dumbest match premises I've ever seen. Huge cluster fuck. Super Eric has been on two PPV's and I'm already over it. Just terrible.
     
    Interview with Joe's dad and brothers.
     
    Kong/Raisha saed v. ODB/Gail Kim
     
    Best match of the card so far. Just well done and good effort by all four.
     
    Karen Angle interview - she supports Kurt even though they separated a month ago.
     
    Roode/Banks v. Booker T/Sharmell
     
    Hype package airs. Another pretty short match in this feud. It was good while Booker and Roode where in which was about 95% of the match. Sharmell pins Payton Banks after she gives Roode a low blow. Too short. Roode berates Payton for the loss.
     
    Marcus Davis interviewed talking about his training Joe.
     
    Lethal Lockdown is next. Cage match with weapons hanging from a roof-like structure.
     
    Team Tomko (Dudleys, Tomko, AJ Styles, Storm) v. Team Cage (Cage, Nash, Morgan, Sting, Rhyno)
     
    Two start and a new entrant every 2 minutes after the starting five minute period. Similar to War Games. Again too many people in the ring. Big spot where AJ and Christian climb a ladder that is on top of the cage and go through a table also on top of the cage. Not sure why they had Rhyno pin Storm in the finish as they are a mid-card feud and the main event feud was involved.
     
    Joe/Angle recap of their history together before the main event. Karen at ringside.
     
    Joe vs. Angle - TNA World Title v. Joe's career.
     
    Before the match, Kurt tells security to remove Karen from her ringside seat and she's pissed. As for the match, it was the best TNA match of the year so far mainly because it had a clear purpose and was built well and seemed like a huge deal. Kurt was barefoot in trunks ala UFC and the match was worked differently than their previous matches which helped since this was their fifth singles match on PPV in a year and a half. I really enjoyed this and definite re-watch.
     
     
    BACKLASH 2008
     
    MVP - Matt Hardy US Title
     
    Good match. Matt wins after twist of fate. These two have been feuding for over 5 months and this didn't seem like the end.
     
    Chavo - Kane - ECW Title
     
    Kane one after catching his neck during a frog splash attempt followed by a chokeslam. Bam Neely is Chavo's bodyguard and they worked over Kane's knee on TV which was Chavo's focus here.
     
    Big Show - Great Khali
     
    Better than it had a right to be. Short and interesting.
     
    HBK - Batista
     
    Douche bag Dave mad cause HBK retired Ric. Jericho instigating the situation and both men attack him on separate occasions so he is the special referee. Good match with arm work from HBK and then he faked a knee injury to hit super kick on Batista for the win. Jericho called it fair.
     
    12 Diva Tag
     
    Beth Phoenix/Natalya/Melina/Jillian/Layla/Victoria v. Mickie James/Maria/Ashley/Michelle McCool/Cherry/Kelly Kelly
     
    Mickie beat Phoenix for the belt after Mania and it was called an "upset."
     
    2 minutes of action - 12 woman brawl outside - 2 minutes of action - teams trade off one-on-one moves ending with phoenix dropping Ashley for the pin.
     
    Undertaker v. Edge - WrestleMania rematch
     
    Since WrestleMania, Undertaker has been having brutal matches set up by Vickie while her and Edge were going to the spa and having sex. Undertaker coming in hurt after spine buster from Batista on edge of steel steps. Really good match and good companion match to the WrestleMania bout. A re-watch for sure. Edge does a stretcher job after being in Taker's hold for awhile with suspicious looking blood coming from his nose/mouth.
     
    JBL v. Orton v. Cena v. HHH - Elimination Four Way for WWE Title
     
    Back and forth action between all four typical of this type of match. About 10 minutes in JBL tapes to Cena's STFU and then Orton kicks Cena in the head directly after the elimination and pins him. This left HHH and Orton for the final 20 minutes. Triple H wins the belt in a match that was nothing special, but nothing wrong with it.
     
    SACRIFICE 2008
     
    Hype video for Kurt Angle v. Joe v. Scott Steiner for title, then the PPV comes on and Kurt pulls out due to injuries. Steiner arrives with Petey, Rhaka and Rick Steiner + Kevin Nash. Joe arrived and was told of both developments and didn't seem happy.
     
    Deuce's Wild Tag Tournament Quarterfinal for vacant titles: Dudleys v. Storm/Sting
     
    So titles were stripped after Young/Kaz won them, but Styles complained it was Super Eric that got the pin and not Eric Young and Eric Young wouldn't admit he is Super Eric, they were held up. Illogical? Yes. Gimmick of tournament are established teams mixed with wild card teams "deuces wild, get it?" Anyway, here Sting wrestled the Dudley's while Storm drank beer on the apron. Finally Dudley's just walked away while Sting through Storm through a table allowing Dudley's the win.
     
    Trigg talking about how Kurt is hurt.
     
    2nd Quarterfinal: Robert Roode/Booker T v. Rhyno/Christian Cage
     
    ...and you thought random draws were worked. Standard, short match that Rhyno wins with the spear on Roode. Tournaments like this always run short.
    Booker T turns on Rhyno/Christian after match.
     
    Scott steiner wants Nash to help him and in return give him a title shot.
     
    Kip James has a tiger in his intro video now. He is now a megastar.
     
    3rd Quarterfinal: Kip James/Matt Morgan v. LAX
     
    No Salinas = bullshit. Hector Guerrero out with LAX. Quick match with LAX going over. Kip stinks and Morgan not much better.
     
    Angle runs out during AJ interview and yells at him asking if he is seeing Karen Angle. AJ says no and then decides not to answer after Kurt asks him again.
     
    Final Quarterfinal: AJ Styles/Super Eric v. BG James/Awesome Kong
     
    Played for comedy and won by Styles/Eric team after Styles blows the finish, but recovers with a small package on James after James had Kong slammed onto him.
     
    TNA adds yet another gimmick match with the "TerrorDome" This will determine the # 1 contender for Petey Williams' X Title and involves: Chris Sabin, Consequences Creed, Curry Man, Sonjay Dutt, Jay Lethal, Jimmy Rave, Johnny Devine, Kaz, Alex Shelley, and Shark Boy.
     
    Thunderdome (with guys noted above)
     
    Cornette out before the match to say winner also takes Kurt's place in the Main Event tonight. Kaz wins it after pulling Devine off the top of the Dome onto the other eight guys. So Kaz goes from feuding with Black Reign and Rellick in the mid-card to #1 contender for the X belt and Main Eventer. As for the match, it was just a spot fest inside a cage. Cool moves though.
     
    Semi-Final Deuce's Wild Tournament match: Dudley's v. Christian/Rhyno
     
    While this was the best match of the tournament so far, it's not saying much. Dudley's work over the neck injuries of Rhyno/Cage after those Booker T chair shots from earlier. Finish came when Johnny Devine distracted the referee while Bubba hits Rhyno with the cane allowing D-Von get the pin.
     
    Semi-Final Deuce's Wild Tournament match: AJ Styles/Super Eric v. LAX
     
    Salinas out this time and I'm happy. Close to the first Styles/Super Eric match. This one had a crap finish while ref was distracted by Salinas (can't blame him) while Hector Guerrero flips the small package so Homicide is on top. Ref counts pin although AJ's shoulders weren't down. Dudley's v. LAX final.
     
    Knockouts Makeover Match (Gail Kim, Roxxi, Christy Hemme, Salinas, ODB, Beautiful People, Traci Brooks, Rhaka Khan, Jackie)
     
    This starts as a 10-woman battle royal with the final two then participating in a ladder match. The winner of that is the # 1 contender's to Kong's Knockout's Title. The woman who loses the ladder match portion gets their head shaved. Well, except Gail Kim who gained immunity from that so if she comes in second (she won't) whomever was the last person to be eliminated during the battle royal will get their head shaved. Salinas is the first out. Boo. This is an over-the-top battle royal, but she was eliminated after going through the ropes. Either her or TNA's fuck up or she didn't want to go over the top. This part went by quickly with one elimination after another. Rhaka Khan just kept adjusting her hot pants, but the announcers made her out as a threat who was holding her own. Ladder match portion was good as well as brutal with some pretty hard falls onto the ladder. Roxxi bleeding from the head. The ending was predictable, but well booked. Since Angelina Love was the last one eliminated from the Battle Royal and Gail Kim and Roxxi were the final two, she would get her hair shaved if Roxxi won. So with the help of Velvet Sky, both of whom have been feuding with Roxxi, she cost her the match. This kept her hair safe and caused Roxxi to get the haircut. By result, Gail Kim is the # 1 contender. After the match Gail Kim tries to get Angelina in the chair but Beautiful People fight her and Roxxi off. Crowd erupts in "Fire Russo" and "Bullshit" chants as Roxxi gets shaved bald. Skull and forehead bloody and gashed from the brutal bumps in the ladder match. All the babyface women out for support.
     
    Joe punks "Sam Elliott" aka Kevin Nash saying he'll drop him if he shows up at ringside during the main.
     
    Billy Corgan was shown in crowd earlier and now "Saving Abel" Nobody knows or cares.
     
    Finals of Tag Team Tournament: LAX v. Dudley's
     
    Looked as though Dudley's were going to win via the same method as last time, but Hector Guerrero cut off Johnny Devine and came off the top rope to the outside with a double-stomp, dropkick hybrid type move onto Devine who was on a table. Homicide pinned D-von after a border toss/frog splash combination from LAX. LAX new champs for first time in over a year.
     
    Slammiversary is going to be in Memphis, TN. Eric Young will be looking for Elvis. Hi, Russo.
     
    Samoa Joe v. Kaz v. Scott Steiner - TNA World Title Match
     
    Pretty good match, but nothing I need to revisit going forward. I did like it though. Joe retains after a muscle buster on Steiner. For all the interviews and hype, neither Nash or Rick Steiner even showed up in front of the live crowd. Angle wasn't either and barely seen except opening interview where he announced he was out of the show and when he shoved AJ asking about Karen.
     
    Judgment Day 2008
     
    JBL v. Cena
     
    JBL blames Cena for his last PPV loss. JBL beats down Cena pretty much the entire match working over the arm and ribs. However, he loses when Cena counters a second short-arm clothesline into the FU.
     
    Miz/Morrison make fun of CM Punk and Kane on the Dirtsheet
     
    Kane/CM Punk v. Miz/Morrison - WWE Tag Title Match
     
    Okay match between the two teams that ended when Morrison pinned Punk following a spinning neck breaker.
     
    Recap of HBK/Jericho feud. Y2J calls HBK's knee injury stunt at Backlash B.S., but Michael's insists he's hurt. After they tag against Miz/Morrison, Y2J thinks HBK is actually hurt and offers to call of their Judgment Day match. HBK out limping, but tells Jericho he isn't hurt. Jericho isn't buying it until HBK superkicks Y2J proving Jericho right all along.
     
    HBK v. Jericho
     
    Great Match. Definite re-watch.
     
    Mickie James went out with Cena after Raw - JBL interrupts her interview and bullies Todd Grisham.
     
    Mickie James v. Beth Phoenix v. Melina - Triple Threat for Women's Title
     
    Pretty good women's match with Mickie retaining after DDT on Melina. Cool spot where Beth Phoenix has an over-the-shoulder back breaker on both women at the same time.
     
    Batista tells HBK he's gonna hurt him at a time and place of his choosing for faking the knee injury. One of Michael's eyes was looking at the other which was looking at Batista with fear.
     
    Undertaker v. Edge - World Title
     
    Title is vacant because Taker was stripped by Vickie for hurting and not letting loose of Edge on his choke finisher at Backlash. She also banned the finisher going forward. On Smackdown, Vickie organizes a convoluted qualifying matches leading to a battle royal series with the winner facing Taker at Judgment Day. Batista wins, but Vickie comes out saying just at that moment Edge had been medically cleared to compete so he runs in and spears Batista off the apron for the win. Not near as good as the previous matches between the two. The ending sucked as Edge was counted out and Taker announced new champion until Vickie came out and said title can't change hands via CO even when vacant. In response, Taker tomb stoned Edge. Title still vacant.
     
    Randy Orton Promo. MVP out saying it's B.S. that he isn't on the card. Matt Hardy out and says he already proved he can beat him, but he knows someone else that wants to prove it. This leads to:
     
    Jeff Hardy v. MVP
     
    Best Jeff Hardy match I've seen in a while mostly due to MVP. A re-watch.
     
    HHH v. Randy Orton - Steel Cage for WWE Title
     
    Average. HHH retains after chair shot and pedigree.
     
     
    ONE NIGHT STAND 2008
     
    Umaga v. Jeff Hardy - Falls Count Anywhere
     
    Fun opener with the brawling all over the place. Cool spot where Hardy rode down the rail of a set of stairs for a body block onto Umaga. Finish came when Umaga got kicked off a semi truck while half way up a ladder attached to the back and then Hardy doing a Swanton off the top of the truck. Cool visual helping you to think they landed on concrete, but after the pin you could see shots of the crash pad in the background.
     
    Foley with Stretcher match 101
     
    Big Show v. John Morrison v. Chavo Guerrero v. CM Punk v. Tommy Dreamer
     
    This is a Singapore Cane Match with four canes, one hanging from a pole in each corner. There is also a trash can full of canes on the outside. Winner of the match gets a shot at the ECW champion at the next PPV, Night of Champions. Just a typical cane match with tons of brutal shots. Notables include Chavo hitting ringside spectator, Shaun Merriman of the Chargers with a cane after Punk moves, only for Punk to hand Merriman a cane when he recovers to hit Chavo. Punk and Merriman then embrace which is funny because they would have a little twitter war a year or so later when Merriman unsuccessfully hits on Divas and Punk calls him out for being a douche. Anyway, second was Show split open hard way on ring steps. He still wins after caning and chokeslamming Dreamer.
     
    Promo for Vince's One Million Dollar giveaway deal during the summer.
     
    John Cena v. JBL - First Blood Match
     
    Bad match. So far this year these two have the same match. JBL beats Cena for the whole match and then Cena wins out of nowhere. Here, Cena was caught in the ropes ala Andre the Giant and JBL had a bullwhip. Before he could use it Cena kicked JBL, escaped from the ropes and got him in the STFU with a chain around the throat causing JBL to spit up blood and lose.
     
    Melina v. Beth Phoenix - I Quit Match
     
    One of the best women matches of the year and definitely best so far in WWE. Phoenix wins after Melina quits from being almost bent in two.
     
    Cena with Mickie James talking about submitting each other. Adamle comes out of the bathroom and does lame comedy. I guess this is about the time the WWE wrote him off as a joke.
     
    HBK v. Batista - Stretcher Match
     
    This was okay I guess, but was disappointing. Batista had HBK beat a couple of times only for Jericho to come out and try and will HBK up and tell him he's better than this. One of these was when Michaels was near the crossing line for the stretcher. Batista responds with a spine buster on the steel steps. Before a Batista Bomb, Batista told Shawn, "I don't love you. I am not sorry." as a play on what HBK said to Flair at WrestleMania.
     
    HHH v. Orton - Last Man Standing for WWE Title
     
    Recap video of the feud.
     
    One of the worst Last Man Standing matches I've ever seen. No heat, No hatred, just very weak all around. Orton did suffer a legit broken collarbone so that may be the reason.
     
    Recap of Edge v. Undertaker seven month feud.
     
    Edge v. Undertaker - TLC Match - Vacant World Title/Taker's career.
     
    What you would expect from a TLC match. This also had tons of interference from Ryder, Hawkins, Bam Neely, and Chavo Guerrero. Finish came when Edge pushed Taker off the ladder and he fell outside the ring onto four tables. Predictable finish. Edge wins vacant title and Taker is gone from WWE "for life" Of course he is.
     
    SLAMMIVERSARY 2008
     
    Petey Williams v. Kaz - X Title
     
    Really good match with some innovative stuff I've never seen. Petey retains with the Canadian Destroyer.
     
    Steiner beats down Kaz after the match mad because Kaz gets a World Title shot Thursday on Impact and because he is not on the card tonight. Abyss makes his return and lays out him, Petey and Rhaka Khan.
     
    Eric Young says he found Elvis and he reserved a seat for him in the front row.
     
    ODB/Roxxi/Gail Kim v. Beautiful People/Moose
     
    Second good match in a row. The majority of good TNA matches this year have been from the Knockouts. ODB pins Moose after a running power slam.
     
    Rhyno Interview. Dudleys v. LAX hype video
     
    Dudleys v. LAX - Tag Titles
     
    Well, with the Dudleys involved it looks like the good match streak of this PPV is about to come to an end. I was right. Typical match with LAX retaining after Homicide schoolboys Bubba.
     
    Bobby Roode Interview
     
    Awesome Kong v. ? - Knockouts Title, $25,000 challenge continues.
     
    Serena Deeb and Josie/Sojourner Bolt were the two plants chosen and both got squashed quickly even though Josie got a little bit of offense in. Eric Young out to introduce "Elvis" who I'm sure was a local Indy guy. Anyway, you guessed it, Kong Awesome bombs him and so ends the bad comedy.
     
    Christian Interview
     
    So Cal Val / Jay Lethal wedding
     
    Groomsmen include Jake Roberts, George Steele, Koko Ware, and Kamala. This goes like every other wrestling wedding as best man Sonjay Dutt interrupts and declares his love for Val. He and Jay get into it until Koko and Kamala take out Dutt. Jake throws in the snake and Kamala bails.
     
    Booker T Interview talks about signing with TNA and having a locker room smelling like elephant urine and changing the "equilibrium" of TNA. Way to build the main event, Booker.
     
    AJ Styles v. Kurt Angle - Grudge Match over Karen Angle
     
    Great match with AJ winning after a Styles Clash when Karen distracts Kurt.
     
    Samoa Joe Interview and King of the Mountain Hype Package
     
    Samoa Joe v. Christian v. Rhyno v. Roode v. Booker T - King of the Mountain Match/World Title
     
    Kevin Nash is "Special Enforcer." Good match and one of the better KOTM matches. Joe retains which marks the first time the champion retains in this type of match.
     
     
    Night of Champions 2008
     
     
    Miz/Morrison v. Finlay/Hornswaggle - WWE Tag Titles
     
    Okay, so this isn't going to win any awards, but it was entertaining. Miz/Morrison were the perfect opponents for a match like this as they were great foils for Hornswaggles offense. I enjoyed it. Morrison pins Hornswaggle after pulling him off the top rope during his tadpole splash attempt.
     
    Matt Hardy v. Chavo Guerrero - US Title
     
    What's with these matches where the heel dominates and the face hits his finisher and wins? That is what happened here in a nothing match with Hardy retaining with the twist of fate.
     
    Recap of Vince having the Raw set fall on top of him during the million dollar giveaway
     
    Mark Henry v. Kane v. Big Show - Triple Threat for ECW World Title
    Okay match with the big guys working hard. Henry wins with a splash on Kane after Kane had given show a suplex for the first title change of the night.
     
    Cody Rhodes/Hardcore Holly v. Ted DiBiase/Mystery Partner - World Tag Titles
     
    DiBiase comes to the ring by himself saying his partner is late. Rhodes goes to start the match, but DiBiase wants Holly. Holly is tagged in and Rhodes gives him a DDT and is announced as DiBiase's partner. A Million Dollar Dream and Russian leg Sweep later and Rhodes/DiBiase are the new champs.
     
    JBL Interview
     
    Chris Jericho v. Mystery Opponent - WWE Intercontinental Title
     
    Kofi Kingston is the opponent making his PPV debut. Decent match with Jericho about to retain with the Walls until he was distracted by HBK and Kofi hits trouble in paradise to win title. HBK overacts with his "eye injury" and Jericho punches him in the face after the match.
     
    Edge/Vickie/Alicia Fox wedding planning and Main Event talk
     
    Preview of Vince/Cena Gillette commercial
     
    Mickie James v. Katie Lea Burchill - Women's Title
     
    Good women's match with Mickie retaining with a DDT.
     
    Edge v. Batista - World Title
     
    Bland match capped off by a finish of ref punching, interference, crooked referee, belt shot madness. Edge retains after that belt shot.
     
    John Cena v. HHH - WWE Title
     
    Best of the show. Re-watch.
  7. TravJ1979
    Final Resolution 2008 (January Edition)
     
    Only thing notable about the opener is the reveal of Salinas as the "thug" attacking Christy Hemme. I have an unhealthy love for Shelley Martinez.
     
    Silliness throughout the show for the drinking championship between Young and Storm. Was what it was.
     
    The rest of the show up to the main event was skippable stuff with the exception of Gail Kim v. Kong which was the best match on the show.Notable angle stuff was Sharmell getting a "broken jaw" from a shot from Roode and Nash walking out on Joe during the tag title match.
     
    I will mention MCMG/Lethal v. Dudleys/Devine only for the stupid shit. The Dudley's suck, but did have a fun spot here trying to lift each other up to get the belt. Oh yeah, and Johnny Devine died three times. First, fell off top of the ladder that was in the ring through two side-by-side tables on the outside that didn't break. Second, he was on Bubba's shoulders and took a reverse hurrancanrana and landed on his head. Finally, pulled off the X ropes by the MCMG's and lands on his head.
     
    Angle v. Cage for the title was best thing on show other than Women's match. AJ aligns with Angle and Karen is hot. Not much else.
     
     
     
    Royal Rumble 2008
     
    Flair v. MVP - Near falls to sell the career ending angle, sad to see Flair not being able to keep up and move like an old man.
     
    JBL v. Jericho - Cool video hype package. Good match with Blood! Enjoyed work on throat to continue beating - badly missed face smash to setup lionsault turned the crowd on them -- cheap chair shot DQ finish may keep it out of re watches -- post fight brawl was good
     
    Edge - Mysterio
    Rey won Beat the clock to get shot, Edge loves Vickie -- Ugh.
    decent enough match - MSG crowd boos Rey - Vickie interferences eats a 619 and edge hits spear as Rey springboards for the pin
     
    Filler Stuff:
     
    Flair in a towel and guys hugging him - HBK is a douche. Ashley wants Maria to pose for playboy, Santino out with cheap heat and fat oily naked guy in patriots gear. Adamle debut with the "Jeff Harvey"
     
    Hardy - Orton
    okay match - consistent with the night so far - RKO finish out of nowhere which I guess it is meant to be.
     
    Cool little Royal Rumble Match stat package played before the match -- Michael Buffer doing intros
     
    Rumble Match
    1st 3rd - cool opening sequence with HBK/Taker and comedy from Santino -- not much else as far as standout except Hornswoggle going under ring after coming in at 9
     
    2nd 3rd - Piper/Snuka in for nostalgia and Kane comes out at 20 and takes them out - nothing else noteworthy
     
    Final 3rd - Match followed the norm until Cena's entrance - one of my favorite Cena moments. The final stretch between him and HHH was the highlight of the match.
     
     
    Against All Odds 2008
     
    Cool opening package
     
    Styles/Tomko - Bullet/BG James
    BG cashing in feast or fired - match not offensive even given the participants
     
    Traci Brooks - Payton Banks
    Roode made the replacement and the reason for the match - nice to look at - okay match to boot.
     
    Steiner - Petey
    TNA getting a lot of mileage out of feast or fired. Steiner wins both cases and as a result wins X and World title shots. -
     
    Rhaka Khan debut as "Steiners freak" - just a match
     
    Storm - Young
    Silly premise, good match. probably best of both PPVs so far except Kong/Kim. Rhyno back to help Young win. Continuity!~
     
    Rhyno return after months away.
     
    Kong - ODB
    notch above a squash
     
    Abyss - Mesias
    Has to be held in Orlando cause Greenville commission wouldn't sign off on it. Probably a work so that didn't have to string up wire and ropes taking too much time. Great visual - but just your standard match of this type - nothing special
     
    Bobby Roode's promos on Booker/Sharmell are great
     
    Roode - Booker T
    Short, bad match with double count out after they all run down the tunnel and into the back
     
    Dudleys/Devine - MCMG/LEthal
    Stupid. If Dudleys win X division goes away - if X guys win Dudleys have to get under 275 -- so dumb - street fight. bad match - know its bad when best part was Bubba ray piledriving a blow up doll - as a result of win Lethal wins X title -- hopefully Guns can get away from being programmed with the black hole of talent Dudleys
     
    Angle - Cage with Joe as enforcer
    On par with their match last week - interference with Tomko turning on Christian to help angle retain
     
     
     
    No Way Out 2008
     
    Punk - Chavo
    okay match -- clips of Gulf of Mexico match, lol
     
    Elim Chamber # 1
    May be a contender for rewatch. I wasn't expecting much and the first half of the match was slow and nothing as bums Big Daddy V and Khali were in. They were smart to eliminate them early. Star of the match by far was Undertaker as he performed the three highlights of the match 1) MVP was on top of a pod and Taker through him over his shoulder with one hand and MVP took a hell of a bump 2) Taker choke slammed Finlay on the metal grate (which Cole called concrete) and 3) Taker was on Batista's shoulder out on the grate and he was torpedoing him into the chains but Taker pushed off and landed in the ring which in turn flipped Batista into his arms in the tombstone position for the win.
     
    Maria and Ashley at playboy mansion - Playboy or Santino for Maria
     
    Kennedy - Flair - Career threatening match again
    Pretty much same as MVP match with Flair getting killed until applying the figure four and getting the win
     
    Hornswoggle McMahon angle in full effect - Vince and Horny in cage on Raw tomorrow
     
    Vickie and Edge love each other - Rey wants title
     
    Rey - Edge
    Really short match - Rey has torn bicep -- hurt it during 619, pin after springboard into a spear
     
    Show returns and picks on injured Rey - calls out Mayweather and awesome angle to set up WM followed
     
    Cena - Orton
    Short match which was just pretty much an angle with Orton beating the pec and trying to get counted out etc, finally he bitch slaps the ref for a DQ - Cena leaves Orton laying -- end of match
     
    Raw Elim Chamber - Jericho - HBK - HHH - Umaga - JBL - Hardy
    Awesome match. Clear re watch.
     
     
    Destination X 2008
     
    LAX - Rock/Rave - MCMG's - 1 contender
    Fun and fast opener - Worked well and entertaining glad to see Guns away from Dudleys. Probably a re-watch.
     
    Petey - Lethal - X title
    Also a real fun match and on the re-watch list as well - pretty much same sentiments as last match
     
    Rellik/Black Reign - Kaz/Young
    Young scared of monsters. Stupid match with Young running away a lot only to come back as "Super Eric" and win. Black Reign and Rellik suck - feel bad for Kaz
     
    ODB - Kong - Kim
    awesome women's match with Kong retaining
     
    Main Event info - Cage "won" cage match on impact for man advantage in six man at PPV but disputed, awaiting Cornette decision - Styles worried about Karen -- Nash says he isn't gonna be lazy. Cornette upholds decision and Cage team keeps advantage
     
    Shitty promo by Rhyno
     
    Dudleys - Curry Man/Shark Boy
    Stone cold Shark Boy gimmick - Dudleys need to make 275 or fired due to last month and they did - BS
    This is a fish market street fight with a bunch of fish along the aisles - fucking stupid - all played for comedy which is where Dudleys belong cause they suck. This was a bad, but mostly inoffensive comedy match - Curry Man actually put a hostess cake on a fishing line and "caught" Bubba - lots of other silly stuff.
     
    Roode - Booker - winner has his lady to whip other girl with 10 lashes
    very short match - these two seem to not work long together - this was a strap match and Booker lost after getting hit with handcuffs. Traci got lashed 10 times by Payton, but I'm sure Traci had some extra padding on her top where she was getting whipped. Sharmell returns from a "broken jaw" to lash everyone from Roode, to Atlas security, to Penzer to Cornette.
     
    Rhyno - Storm - Elevation X
    Modern scaffold match - everyone putting over how high and dangerous it is "two stories!~" They aren't Dundee or Koko Ware but the match wasn't that bad and they did a good job with the limitations this match gives.
     
    Karen Angle has a huge announcement Thursday on impact apparently - AJ distraught as he hasn't seen her in 10 days.
     
    Styles/Tomko/Angle - Nash/Joe/Cage
    Angle not out for first five minutes -- match starts with 14 mins to go on PPV. Pretty good match - everyone did their stuff and Joe wins Lockdown title shot after choking out Tomko for the finish.
     
     
    WrestleMania 24 (2008)
     
    JBL - Finlay
    Turns out Hornswaggle is Finlays son. JBL killed him in a cage match last month. This Belfast Brawl was fun and the second JBL match of the year I liked. Really heated. A re-watcher as a low contender.
     
    Kim Kardashian is guest hostess -- no problem as this was back before the entire earth was tired of her.
     
    Money in the Bank (Morrison, Carlito, Punk, Shelton, Kennedy, MVP, Jericho)
    Watch you would expect from this type of match. They never hold up well, but it wasn't bad. Punk wins it.
     
    Hall of the Fame recap -- Comedy with Snoop, Santino, Festus, and Foley
     
    Umaga - Batista
    Battle for brand supremacy. I guess ECW didn't make the cut. Angle created for WrestleMania filler and that is exactly how the match came off.
     
    Recap of the pre-show battle royal for right to face Chavo for the ECW title. Kane won and the match is next.
     
    Chavo - Kane
    10 second squash
     
    WWE gets 50 wishes to Make-A-Wish kids and give them seats where it is impossible to see. Raven Symone introduces them. King loves Raven ... yeah he does.
     
    Flair - HBK Career Match
    Michaels did his best to make you forget it was 2008 Flair and not 1988 Flair. About the best you can ask for and Flair gave a good showing. Certainly not MOTY, but a good match with a WrestleMania moment ending. In hindsight, it would have been that much better if it was truly the ending and last match of Flair's career. As it is, still enjoyable 5 years later.
     
    Playboy Bunny Lumberjack Match between Maria/Ashley and Melina/Beth Phoenix
    Snoop Dogg is the master of ceremonies which means riding a golf cart to the ring and sitting in a big chair. Lights go out during the one match people are probably watching only for the visuals. King nails Santino after Santino pulls Maria's leg during a pin (and for stealing his sandwich in Raw I assume). Phoenix wins the match. I stand corrected. Snoop throws a clothesline on Santino
     
    HHH - Cena - Orton for WWE Title
    Felt like your by-the-numbers WWE Triple Threat, but it picked up a bit at the end and I really enjoyed the finish. Orton retains.
     
    Show - Mayweather
    Great hype video for the match. Fun from start to finish. This is Pro Wrestling.
     
    Undertaker - Edge
    Really good match to end a good show. We had a good brawl, emotional match, spectacle (Show/Floyd) and wrestling matches.
     
     
  8. TravJ1979
    I wanted to make a quick post to say that going over 2008 and 2009 is going to be a first time run with the material and I really am looking forward to it. The last PPV I ordered and watched was 2008's WrestleMania 24 and the last PPV's I watched in any fashion was a semi-reliable stream of WrestleMania 25 and then the top three matches from this year's Mania show.
     
    Beyond that and probably 2% of television I've seen nothing since WrestleMania 24. I did "come back" a few times, but they were all short lived:
     
    I came back for the 1/4/2010 TNA/WWE head to head, but tuned out by 1/5/2010
     
    I came back for the June 2010 Nexus destruction, but tuned back out when Danielson was released.
     
    I came back after the June 2011 "Punk Promo", but tuned back out by August 2011.
     
    I came back for the "It Begins" vignettes of December 2011/January 2012, but tuned back out by February 2012 not caring about "trolling Jericho"
     
    Right now, I love the Wyatt family vignettes, but I know none of that greatness will transfer over into the ring. Gimmicks like that don't do well out of their environment.
     
    So I'll probably stick to watching the "old stuff" and scan the message boards for the next thing causing a ruckus and go Youtube it.
     
    Enough ranting ... off to watch TNA Final Resolution 2008 (January edition ... yes TNA has two PPV's the same year with the same name, lol.)
     
     
     
  9. TravJ1979
    I finally acquired 2008 TNA and WWE PPV's to continue this project, and then I remembered I had three ROH shows I had to download and watch before I could. This post will cover those shows.
     
    Race To The Top Tournament Night 2- Edison, NJ 7/28/07
    Honor Nation- Boston, MA 10/5/07
    Unscripted III- Chicago Ridge, IL 12/1/07
     
     
     
    Race To The Top Tournament Night 2- Edison, NJ 7/28/07
     
    Having moved ahead in 2007 ROH, I knew that Claudio Castagnoli had won the tournament, but I still needed to watch the show in order to be the completest that I am. The tournament matches were nothing special although El Generico and Claudio, the two finalists had the best matches and ended the night with the best match of the entire show. I tabbed it as a keeper for the 3rd round of re-watches.
     
    The Six Man Mayhem match was forgettable.
     
    The $10,000 Tag Team Challenge match was a joke played for comedy, but the interview exchange to set up the teams with Danielson, Nigel and Becky Bayless was very entertaining.
     
     

    Honor Nation- Boston, MA 10/5/07
     
    The first three matches were typical ROH early show stuff with the three-way with Nigel, Generico and Hallowicked being the best of the three. Not a great match, but I did enjoy the spot were Nigel gave El Generico a European uppercut as he was attempting his "through-the-turnbuckle" tornado DDT which he then followed up with a Tower of London on the floor.
     
    I meant to mention this in my Race to the Top card overview, but Claudio Castagnoli had really become a great wrestler by this point. I'd peg his improvement to after his return from his aborted WWE signing and cut his hair. He's one of the guys I enjoy watching the most on 2007 ROH. On this show he wrestled Chris Hero and the match is what you would expect, but, for me, Larry Sweeney was the highlight. Such a great talker and fun guy to watch. Perhaps the best thing about Sweeney is he gets his heat the old fashioned way and doesn't have to resort to cussing or vulgar speech like a lot of the wrestlers. Sweeney's highlight here came while Hero and Claudio were brawling on the floor and as they were on the ground Hero picked up a prescription pill bottle he found on the floor and showed it to the referee saying "What's this?" to which Sweeney replied, "That came out of his tights! He's cheating! He's using anabolic steroids!" That was so great and impromptu. Amazing. By the way, it looks as though the bottle looked to a questionable looking couple in the front row.
     
    The rest of the card was solid with one great match between Danielson and Aries. This was the first match of the best of three series for a title shot. I've set it before, but these two have great chemistry with one another and almost always produces a good and different match (compared to their others).
     
    Necro and Jay Briscoe had a good brawl
    Age of the Fall squashed ROH school guys
    Vulture Squad with debuting member Jigsaw defeated the No Remorse Corps
    Morishima beat Steen in the Title Main
     
     

    Unscripted III- Chicago Ridge, IL 12/1/07
     
    This was originally scheduled to be the Trios Tournament, but bad whether forced the card to be slapped together. This was not a good show, but none of the wrestlers can be blamed for that.
     
    Sara Del Rey v. Lacey was the best thing until the semi-main as Aries/Black was short and nothing spectacular. The Six Man Mayhem was full of prelim guys, Hero/Claudio was same old stuff, Hangmen 3 won basically two squashes and then a no contest when they blooded and hung Delirious with a chain.
     
    Danielson v. Jacobs was the best thing on the show and a "re-watcher."
     
    The main six man tag was a good ending to an off the cuff show.
     
     
  10. TravJ1979

    Quick Update

    By TravJ1979,

    For anyone who may be keeping up with this blog, but mostly for my own records I wanted throw up a quick update.
     
    It seems I've hit a wall with this project, but I seem to be coming around and finishing up some lose ends.
     
    I've finished all of WWE TV (RAW, Smackdown, ECW, etc) for 2007 and about the first six months of TNA Impact!. So far I have seven TV matches picked as contender's for MOTY.
     
    I felt I needed a change of pace half way through Impact for 2007 so I went back to try and finalize 2000-2004 narrowing it down to the best of the best. I still haven't dove into Japan, Mexico or much of US Indy's for the first half of the decade due to difficulty acquiring footage for cheap, but for the major US promotions through the end of 2003, here is my current count:
     
    WWE 2000 - 2003: 20
     
    TNA 2002-2003: 10
     
    ROH 2002-2003: 9
     
    ECW 2000-2001: 5
     
    WCW 2000-2001: 10
     
    My plan going forward is to finish 2004, then try my best to find anything I may have missed between 2005-2007 including finishing up Impact for the year. After that I will either try to work on Japan/Mexico/US Indies for 2000-2004 or go ahead and finish out 2008-2009. Either of those are virtually brand new stuff for me as I haven't seen but a handful of matches since 2007 so it should be fun.
     
    I hope by the end of 2013 I will have Top 25 for each company for the decade and Top 10 per company, per year.
     
    Note: I am also keeping "second tier" level matches for use in case a poll comes up that requires more than 50 or so matches for a company. I also have a "third tier" that consists of stuff I eliminated through the second round of watching, but it is more for a "worth watching for some reason" type of record keeping.
     
     
  11. TravJ1979

    December 2007

    By TravJ1979,

    So I finally finished* 2007 PPV's and big shows. Now I'm finishing 2007 TV surprisingly quick.
     
    So my copy of ROH Unscripted III from 12.1.07 is unwatchable so I had to skip it for now and am actively looking for another source.
     
    TNA Turning Point 12.2.07
     
    Such a bad PPV. The tables match opener was terrible despite having MCMG's and Black Machismo involved. This just strengthened my case that Team 3-D does and has always sucked. Johnny Devine is right there with them.
     
    The Knockouts tag was sloppy, but short.
     
    Next was Eric Young v. James Storm. Now, due to the absolute absurdity of this angle (Young beat Storm in a drinking contest last PPV and got his "belt") I wanted to hate this. However, even though I started at about a -3, by the end I was thoroughly entertained. That is what a match should do and so that's why I've pegged it as a match to re-watch. Normally, I wouldn't expect it to hold up, but since this is TNA 2007 it may sneak through the next cut as well.
     
    The "Feast or Fired" match was a complete cluster fuck.
     
    I loved Gail Kim v. Amazing Kong, but strongly disliked the DQ even though it built to a rematch and made sense. I tabbed it for a re-watch in my women's category.
     
    OMG. The 10,000 thumbtack match may have been the worst thing on the PPV. Fat, useless Raven teaming with "You do thumbtacks every match so I'm numb to it" Abyss vs. Black Reign (Dustin Rhodes at his absolute worst) and Rellik (a/k/a Johnny The Bull). So, they fell in tacks.
     
    Booker T/Kaz v. Christian Cage/Robert Roode laid an egg.
     
    Angle/Tomko/Styles v. Nash/Samoa "I shootz~! now" Joe/ and Sco..... err, Eric Young. Hall no-showed. Joe tried to get fired on the mic which went way to long and was repetitive as fuck. They had a bad, short match.
     
    WWE Armageddon 12.16.07
     
    Really liked Rey Mysterio v. MVP, but this is during MVP's "Fuck it. I'll get counted out" phase which brought it down considerably.
     
    Big Daddy V/Mark Henry v. CM Punk/Kane - Big Daddy V pinned Punk. Focus was V using his fat to smash Punk
     
    HBK v. Kennedy - THE best match of KENNEDY's career by far. Miles above the Matt Hardy/Kennedy Smackdown match I recently saw. Very good.
     
    Jeff Hardy v. HHH - This was like the big brother trying to toughen up the little brother only for the little brother to come out on top. That's what happened here and HHH took the loss as a joke.
     
    Finlay v. Khali was awesome for the six or so minutes it lasted. If it would have went about five more minutes I may have noted it for a second look.
     
    Jericho's return to PPV v. Orton was good, but fell short of me noting for a second look due to finish.
     
    Beth Phoenix v. Mickie James was short and tolerable.
     
    Edge v. Undertaker v. Batista was nothing special with Hawkins and Ryder making their debuts as fake Edge's to help him win the strap.
     
    ROH Rising Above 12.28.07
     
    Typical ROH with most matches just being "there" with nothing to set them apart. The boring Delirious vs. Hangm3n feud, Claudio v. Hero feud both fit in that category.
     
    Just for the cool spots, Generico/Steen v. Age of the Fall v. Hangm3n v. Vulture Squad tag scramble was fun, but technically not "good."
     
    The Shimmer tag was good and I noted to rewatch it for the women's side of things for the decade.
     
    Davey Richards beating Erick Stevens with a Kimura after Stevens is distracted by Daniel Puder in the audience was a snooze fest as well.
     
    Briscoes v. No Remorse Corps 2/3 Falls was solid, but they've had better.
     
    Danielson v. Takeshi Morishima had their usual sub 10 minute DQ match. I'll have to watch all of these to see if they hold up to the big two.
     
    Finally was Nigel v. Austin for the belt. OUTSTANDING match and a strong contender for ROH MOTY.
     
    ROH Final Battle 2007
     
    The worst Final Battle since probably 2003.
     
    Three generic or squash matches (Vulture Squad v. Matt Cross/Bobby Fish, Claudio v. Larry Sweeney, and Rocky Romero v. Ernie Osiris)
     
    Two exciting matches while they lasted, but forgotten about when I turned the show off (Necro Butcher v. Jack Evans, Roderick Strong v. Erick Stevens)
     
    Two matches that should have been very good, but left me underwhelmed (Davey Richards v. Naomichi Marufuji, and Morishima v. Dragon v. Aries v. Hero)
     
    One match that made no fucking sense (hangm3n vs. delirious/steen/generico - tables legal) So, when are tables not legal? I'm not sure in the entire history of ROH I've ever seen a DQ due to the use of a table. I will say this match was crazy and fun to watch, just not over and over.
     
    Only one match made my cut which was the Briscoes v. Age of the Fall with the Briscoes FINALLY losing the straps.
     
  12. TravJ1979

    November 2007

    By TravJ1979,

    Glory By Honor VI: Night 1
     
    Out of the nine matches on the card, I found four to be standard for ROH. Nothing bad, nothing great, but everything was fine.
     
    The top of the class trophy match between Ernie Osiris and Mitch Franklin wasn't good, but I didn't expect more. The other below average was Hero v. McGuinness since Nigel was working hurt. I just think they shouldn't have had the match at all.
     
    The tag titles match (Briscoes v. No Remorse Corps), The Austin Aries v. Danielson match and the NOAH main event tag were great and worthy of a second look. Aries and Danielson have such great chemistry; they always put on a great showing. In its native setting, the NOAH tag would probably be average fair, but in the states with the ROHbots going crazy just made it fun. My favorite part of the match was when Misawa actually showed personality. He had KENTA in a headlock and motioned for the ref to check Morishima and he gave him an elbow to the nose and then gave the sssh motion to the crowd. I actually lol'ed.
     
     
    Glory By Honor VI: Night 2
     
    This was a loaded show with eleven matches and a lot of things happening. Two matches were squashes as Tyler Black and Austin Aries beat Alex Payne and Shane Hagadorn respectively. Aries disbanded his faction, the Resilience here saying he wants to concentrate on the ROH title.
     
    Another quick match was a one minute DQ between the Briscoes and Age of the Fall where the crowd was super pissed, but this was just a setup for a street fight main event which actually was disappointing especially compared to the brawls between the Briscoes and Steen/Generico.
     
    Chris Hero had two matches, a win over El Generico in the opener and a loss to Austin Aries. Both were disappointing. I'm not sure if I've seen a really good Chris Hero match yet. Two other standard ROH matches saw Hangmen 3 beat Steen and Delirious and the No Remorse Corps downing the Vulture Squad. One cool thing was the huge brawl/dive sequences here. I heard Gabe talk about after coming back from Vegas he had the idea of having this sequence like the fountains in Vegas, where each subsequent burst gets bigger and more spectacular.
     
    The GHC title match between KENTA and Misawa was okay, but I was a bit let down by it. It didn't make my cut of matches to rewatch. However Claudio v. Marufuji and Morishima v. Danielson did. Even though I didn't like the finish of the Danielson match, it was still super fun. Danielson is just an amazing wrestler.
     
     
    TNA GENESIS
     
    Abyss v. Black Reign in a shop of horrors match - SUCKED. Dustin as Black Reign is absolutely awful.
     
    MCMG v. Team 3-D - I hate Team 3-D as they may be the most successful terrible tag team in history. Nothing special.
    Gail Kim v. Angel Williams v. ODB v. Roxxi Leveaux - This wasn't good either, especially Angel Williams. I am looking forward to the Knockout division going forward though.
     
    Jay Lethal v. Sonjay Dutt - Okay match.
     
    Steiners v. Styles/Tomko - Tomko v. Rick Steiner? Ugh. Passable Match.
     
    Samoa Joe v. Robert Roode - Pretty good Match, probably this or the ladder match was Best on the card. Tracy Brooks, OMG.
     
    Kaz v. Christian - Ladder Match; Fight for the right Final - This was put on TNA's Best of 2007 DVD, but not sure it belongs. Cool, innovative spots, but a little too contrived, even for a ladder match.
     
    Angle/Nash v. Sting/Mystery Partner - Booker T was the mystery partner. Typical TNA tag main event.
    Nothing on the show worth a second look, IMO.
     
     
    WWE SURVIVOR SERIES
     
    Since Cena has been out with the injury, they've had two PPV's and both were really good. This was no different with three matches worth a second look (Punk v. Miz v. Morrison, HBK v. Orton, and Undertaker v. Batista HITC)
     
    The women's 10 man tag and Khali v. Hornswoggle were awful as one would expect. Cade/Murdoch v. Rhodes/Bob Holly was okay, but definitely nothing special. The Traditional Elimination Tag was good, but nothing memorable.
     
     
    ROH Reckless Abandon
     
    This seemed like a placeholder show. No big angles, nothing progressing and just one great match (Aries v. Strong Iron Man). Those guys wrestle each other so frequently it gets tiresome, but they work well and it's always going to be above average. The only thing notable story wise is the Vulture Squad pinning the Briscoes in the main event tag scramble to earn a title shot.
     
    I was looking forward to Danielson v. Necro Butcher, but was let down.
     
    All the other matches were typical ROH matches with nothing at all standing out.
  13. TravJ1979

    October 2007

    By TravJ1979,

    ROH Survival of the Fittest 10-19-2007
     
    This wasn't a bad show, but compared to the previous three Surivival of the Fittest shows, this was disappointing. The qualifying matches were full of debuting wrestlers such as Karl Anderson, TJ Perkins (debut outside of wrestling as Puma), Human Tornado, and Tony Kozina which, to me didn't make much sense being that it was a tournament designed to elevate full-time talent. None of the above really were impressive although none were outright awful either. The best qualifying match was ironically a match that disqualified both from advancing and that was a 20 minute draw between ROH Champion Nigel McGuinness and Bryan Danielson.
     
    Due to the Tornado/Kozina/Hagadorn match being a qualifier due to the aforementioned draw, the only non-Survival of the Fittest match was a street fight between the Briscoes and the Age of the Fall. Mark was suffering from a dislocated ankle from a motorcycle accident and that may have been the reason this was disappointing. Especially compared to the recent brawls between the Briscoes and Steen/Generico.
     
    Chris Hero took the Survival of the Fittest this year by pinning all five competitors within the match. Hero would sit on the stage and then sneak in for pins or to hit a quick finisher and pin and then slide out again. After the first two eliminations I saw what as going on which made the best part of the match (end with Claudio) not as exciting as it normally would have been. Not one of ROH's best efforts.
     
     
    ROH Chaos at the Cow Palace 10-21-2007
     
    This was a solid show and a step up from Survival of the Fittest. Both Roderick Strong v. Claudio for the FIP title and the Richards/Romero v. Perkins/Kozina matches were enjoyable in the under card.
     
    As far as the top of the card, the Age of the Fall beat the No Remorse Corps right after the latter won their tag match. I like the Age of the Fall gimmick and their debut, but honestly the matches haven't been great so far. Nigel retained the title against Jay Briscoe in a solid match, but stealing the show was the Bryan Danielson v. Austin Aries match. These two guys have such great chemistry in the ring and this was a second of a Best of three series to determine the No. One Contender.
     
     
    WWE Cyber Sunday 10-28-2007
     
    This was a good PPV. The lower matches (Kane v. MVP, Mr. Kennedy v. Jeff Hardy, and Michaels v. Orton) weren't "bad" just not that interesting or well worked in my opinion. I liked the CM Punk v. Miz match although I wouldn't say it was anything special. I should say I was surprised to be more accurate. There was a great use of the divas where they just briefly showed off their costumes in between matches and then showed the results of the fan votes at the end. I know some are good wrestlers, but I don't complain when they are used sparingly like this either.
     
    The top matches I felt were the Rey v. Finlay opener, HHH v. Umaga's street fight and the title match with Batista v. Undertaker. I think Taker and Batista also have great chemistry together as I've enjoyed all their matches together. HHH v. Umaga started slow, but turned out really well in the end.
     
    As a whole, October 2007 produced a handful of matches worthy of a second look going forward and maybe a contender or two for my "Best of" lists to come for the decade.
     
    Next Post: November 2007
  14. TravJ1979
    Notes on the last few matches from 2000 that didn't make final cuts.
     
    Triple H v. Chris Benoit - Non-Title Match - WWE Smackdown 2.3.00
     
    Cool that it is Benoit's first official match in the WWE, but this is short and nothing special compared to many other matches within the year.
     
    HHH v. Chris Jericho - RAW 6.12.00
     
    These two had better matches against one another within the year. It's heated and a fun pop with the temporary title change, but nothing "best of" about it.
     
    HHH v. Rock v. Kurt Angle - RAW 6.26.00
     
    Good Match. Nothing particularly wrong with it. Just didn't live up to other TV matches for the year.
     
    Chris Jericho v. X-Pac - Cage Match 10.22.00
     
    This was actually really good and one of the last cuts I made. Only negative I can say about it is that Jericho was clearly audible calling quite a few spots which took away from the impact of the bigger spots in the match.
     
    Chris Jericho v. Kane 11.19.00
     
    This was the best match of their late 2000 feud and had a super cool finish, but this is another that just missed the cut. I did get a good hardy laugh out of this when early on Jericho did a "Terri Power at Dream Rush-esque" dive on Kane.
     
    ***************************
     
    I finished up TNA Bound for Glory 2007. My thoughts:
     
    - Scott Steiner's infamous "Fat Asses!" promo on the Team 3-D
    - Horrid Monster's Ball match.
    - Official Creation of the Knockout's division with Gail Kim being first champ. Amazing Kong kills all.
    - Styles/Tomko win the tag belts from Team PacMan (Creed/Killings)
    - Sting wins the TNA World Title from Kurt when Nash/Karen's interference backfires.
  15. TravJ1979

    2000 Post: Part 2

    By TravJ1979,

    These are all matches from 2000 that were cut after all viewing for the promotions were completed and the reasons why.
     
    ECW
     
    Super Crazy v. Tajiri - Mexican Death Match - ECW on TNN 1.15.00
     
    I went over this in my last post.
     
    CW Anderson v. Tommy Dreamer - I Quit Match 1.7.01
     
    I know this was from the year 2001, but since ECW only ran three shows before going out of business, I went ahead and finished it up. This is actually the only match from 2001 ECW that I thought worthy of a second look. Watching it a second time around I came to the conclusion that I only like the finish. These two had a match at the 2000 ECW PPV that was pretty close to this one in quality, but fell short from making my first cut.
     
    Tommy Dreamer may be one of the worst wrestlers of all time. Actually him, Sandman, and New Jack may form the unholy trinity of completely awful professional wrestlers. I only bring it up as I think this match is his best singles match EVER. He had good tags, notably One Night Stand 2006, but a match loaded with gimmicks that includes brawling legend Mick Foley, all-time legend, Terry Funk and a Beulah/Lita cat fight could hide anyone's weaknesses I suppose.
     
    WCW
     
    Rey Mysterio Jr. v. Juventud Guerrera - THUNDER 9.19.00
     
    Nothing really bad about this match, but it is criminally short. It's roughly six minutes and doesn't pick up until half way through. Even though my entire scope of this project doesn't deviate outside of the decade I can't help but know that this was a phone in job for both guys. It was WCW in the year 2000 so I wouldn't expect anything more.
     
    Most memorable things about this match were a. Konnan dogging Disco Inferno on commentary the whole time and b. Some fan screaming at Rey and Juvi the entire match that "You'll never work for Vince!" Oops.
     
    Sean O'Haire/Mark Jindrak v. Alex Wright/Disco Inferno v. Rey Mysterio/Kidman - Halloween Havoc 10.29.00
     
    All things considered this was a fun match. Alex Wright and the Thrillers were working hard in the match, basically unaware that the company was headed down the drain. Disco was Disco and the most I got from him out of this match is Konnan once again on commentary giving him shit. He actually was pretty harsh on the Thrillers ("They need to refund their wrestling teacher because they suck!" and "Natural Born Cranberries") at the beginning, but seemed to change his tune a little bit by matches end. Rey was just biding his time and Kidman looked like he just woke up. Like I said at the open, this was a fun match and really picked up towards the end. There were just a few more matches I felt were ultimately better.
     
    WWE
     
    Chris Benoit v. The Rock - Fully Loaded 7.23.00
     
    I went over this one in my last post as well.
     
     
    .... I have about five more matches from WWE that I cut and will get to them in the final post covering 2000 America's.
  16. TravJ1979

    2000 Post: Part 1

    By TravJ1979,

    After I finalized my North American List for 2000, I thought it would be interesting to look in the Wrestling Observer and see if any matches Dave rated * * * * or higher were missing from my list. Here's what I found.
     
    HHH v. Mick Foley (WWE, 2/27, Hartford) ****1/2
     
    I am a Mick Foley fan, but as much as he fights against the label of "glorified stuntman" it seems that this decade is not something he'd like to reference as part of any kind of defense.
     
    Arguably, the best matches of Mick's 2000's career are:
    Rumble v. HHH
    Backlash '04 v. Orton
    SummerSlam '06 v. Flair
    WM 22 v. Edge
    One Night Stand '06 w/Edge v. Funk/Dreamer
     
    What do all of those have in common? Barbed wire, tacks, chair shots, blood...
     
    His wrestling matches:
    WM 16 Fatal Four-Way
    WM 20 w/ Rock v. Evolution
    Taboo Tuesday '05 v. Carlito
    ... more I'm sure I am forgetting.
     
    Then there is this match. This didn't even make it past the first cut/initial viewing. You and the crowd both know he's coming off the cage so anything else in the body of the match is boring and not leading to anything. Now maybe my viewpoint is skewed as watching this I knew this wasn't his last match so it's possible that thinking this was it may have made it more enjoyable. However, one big bump a match does not make.
     
     
    Rock v. Chris Benoit (WWE, 7/23, Dallas) ****1/4
     
    This match did make my initial cut, but upon second viewing, dropped off completely. This had way too much Shane McMahon, a pointless restart, and wasn't helped by being on one of WWE's best PPV's of the decade that included a much better Jericho v. HHH Last man Standing match.
     
    Rock v. Kurt Angle (WWE, 10/22, Albany) ****1/4
     
    This didn't make my initial cut either. I think this rating was because of Dave's fan boy perspective of Kurt since he won the title. Rock and Angle never worked well together IMO.
     
    Dudley Boys v. Hardy Boys v. Edge/Christian (WWE, 4/1, Anaheim) ****
     
    Didn't make my initial cut. SummerSlam's TLC was much better.
     
    Chris Benoit/HHH v. Rock/Chris Jericho (WWE, 4/24, Raliegh) ****
     
    A TV match with a hot crowd, but the work pales in comparison to other TV matches in the year.
     
    Dean Malenko v. Scotty Too Hotty (WWE, 4/30, Washington D.C.) ****
     
    Can anyone remember anything about this match other than the finish? I doubt it. Without the unique finish it's just Dean killing Scotty's leg for the whole body of the match only for Scotty to then hit the bulldog AND HOP ON THE SAME LEG THAT WAS WORKED OVER TO DO THE WORM! I usually don't gripe and take that smart mark approach, but this was something you couldn't ignore. I'd say * * * * if he went for the worm, dropped in pain and Dean applied the Texas Cloverleaf for the submission.
     
    Chris Benoit v. Chris Jericho (WWE, 5/21, Louisville) ****
     
    These guys wrestled a lot during the year and this was one of the lesser showings.
     
    Super Crazy v. Tajiri (ECW, 1/15 [1/21 air date], Philadelphia) ****
     
    I Love Tajiri; Especially in ECW 2000. The first part of this match with Tajiri killing crazy with kicks and dickhead bully tactics was great. My problems with this match is twofold. First, this was called a Mexican Death Match, but how is this different from every other ECW match, ever? No DQ, No CO, single pinfall wins it. So, the stipulation was pointless. My second, and biggest, problem is that once Super Crazy got on offense it was the same old shit. a bunch of moonsaults, go through the crowd, moonsault of bleachers, back to the ring and weak ending.
     
  17. TravJ1979
    As of today, I'm about 1/3 of the way through TNA's October 2007 PPV offering, Bound for Glory. Not much in the way of good so far and most of the focus has been on Karen and Kurt Angle's marriage. It doesn't do anything for me in terms of good matches, but man is Karen Angle one beautiful woman.
     
    In WWE land it's Cyber Sunday that is up next. John Cena had just been injured and so the title picture shifted to Randy Orton and Triple H. At No Mercy, HHH won the title from Orton (who was gifted the title minutes earlier) in the opening match. A pissed Vince made him then wrestle Umaga. He won. Then he was forced to main event in a last man standing match against Orton for the title. He lost.
     
    Beyond that, Beth Phoenix just won the women's title. I must admit I've been surprised by Candice Michelle matches as of late. None have been noted for me for inclusion in my best of list, but I have kept note of them for a possible "Best of Women's" matches for the decade.
     
    Not much else is noteworthy, unless a Batista v. Great Khali feud culminating in a Punjabi Prison match fits that description.
     
    And then there was ROH. Now, there are plenty of good matches in the promotion, but this promotion solidifies the booking philosophy that a show should build from the opener up to the main event. Here in ROH it's balls to the wall in every single match and each match is north of 20+ minutes and is really draining. I've found that the top two or three matches, as a general rule, are in contention for a second viewing with the early stuff just being "there."
     
    It hasn't helped that this year has been Gabe's "FACTIONS!" era. As of October 2007 no less than 6 factions have been created, most of who I care nothing about.
     
    Hangmen 3 (stylized Hangm3n): Brent Albright and BJ Whitmer (looking like Boomhower with his new look) led by Adam Pearce with man servant Hagadorn.
    Sweet -n- Sour Inc.: Larry Sweeney's one man (and one woman) faction of Chris Hero and Sara Del Rey (with stragglers Bobby Dempsey and Tank Toland)
    The Resilience: Erik Stevens, Matt Cross, and Austin Aries
    No Remorse Corps (or as Davey Richards says "corpse"): Davey Richards, Rocky Romero, and Roderick Strong
    Vulture Squad: Jack Evans with Ruckus and recently Jigsaw - hyped by Julius Smokes.
    Age of the Fall: Jimmy Jacobs, Tyler Black and Necro Butcher.
     
    I like Stevens, I Like Sweeney and Julius Smokes. Other than that, the factions are pretty boring. I LOVED Age of the falls debut with the blood dripping on Jacobs and the gimmick itself as he explained it was intriguing. I do wish they didn't have him wrestle throw away matches with ROH students between his knee surgery and the debut. I think the debut would have been stronger.
     
    Anyway, that's where I'm at now and my current thoughts. My next post will probably sum up the year 2000, at least stateside.
  18. TravJ1979

    Modus Operandi

    By TravJ1979,

    I've always wanted to do, or participate in a "Best of" something in regards to wrestling. The reason(s) I had not is due to lack of time, footage, knowledge, etc (excluding two 80's DVDVR projects I simply had to do). After realizing if I were to do something in that regard myself, then I wouldn't have to deal with any deadlines and could complete it at my own pace. This is what has brought me here, to the decade of the 2000's. I chose it for many reasons which include:
     
    * I've seen 80's and 90's done to death, but much in the way of this decade.
    * I stopped watching wrestling in 2007 altogether, and had seen almost nothing outside of WWE for the decade.
    * I had everything I needed (through 2007 as I have zero 2008 and 2009 stuff as of this writing) in terms of footage needed (TV, PPV, ROH STUFF)
     
    So now that I've established my reasons, let me explain my plain as I've laid it out.
     
    1. Starting with January 2000, watch all PPV's and big shows (ROH releases, SNME, etc) in sequential order.
    2. Make note of those matches I felt were worthy of consideration for at least a second viewing.
    3. At the end of each year, go back and watch the TV for all applicable promotions repeating # 2
    4. Continue this until I reach December 2007 (Since I do not have anything further as of now).
    5. After the initial run, go back and watch the noted matches a second or sometimes even a third time to further refine my list.
    6. Repeat # 5 in the same method as # 4.
     
    And so that is where I am now. I watched sequentially to August 2007 and became really burnt out on ROH since at times they ran four shows between TNA or WWE PPV's, but have since restarted and I am currently 1/3 the way through TNA Bound For Glory 2007 (October). During my burn out face, I skipped back to the year 2000 and completed it.
     
    There are a couple exceptions:
     
    * Japan and Mexico footage is largely unavailable to me so for those I "cheated" by scouring the internet for largely pimped matches and picked roughly the top 30 pimped matches per year with the intent of finding them online and reducing it down to 10. I have done this only for the year 2000 so far and was largely successful with Japan, but Mexico was very difficult to find on the video sites. I do plan to thoroughly go through them before project end.
     
    * Indies. Other than ROH, I haven't seen any indy matches from this decade since very early on through Wes Hatch's old East Coast Indy Remix tapes. I tried, like for Japan and Mexico, to find the most heavily pimped matches, but consensus seems more elusive here. Of course there is the Danielson v. Ki matches and King of the Indies 2001 -- but beyond that I'll again have to come up with something going forward.
     
     
    Now that the boring ramblings are out of the way, I expect to use this blog to document my progress, struggles, and thoughts as I wrap this up. I eventually plan to release my "results" for peer review, debate, or possible agreement.
     
    Enjoy!
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