soup23

I haven't heard many promos from Humperdink over time and he is someone clouded for me by his awful run as the Freebirds manager. This was decent enough with Dink calling out Bubba Douglas and him trying to assert himself that he is the superior athlete. Solie gives us a clip of Humperdink getting taken apart by Douglas and then we cut back to Dink who has indeed lost his cool.

Always fun seeing the guys trot out there in their jumpsuits and Baba giving a welcome to the fans for another year of AJPW action. A Korakuen tradition.

I guess this is a 4 way although Billy 2 Eagles and Mark Lawrence? Come out later on in the match. A plunder match of you hit me, I hit you. I checked out pretty quickly on this one and it was a slog to the finish. The announcer is the anti-Cornette in that he is too subdued and added no context as to why these guys were fighting and what the storyline was going in. All three pin Sawyer who bladed and then the match clips to another segment so I guess that is it. 1/2*

This is a cool look at these guys that are really young. This was worked like a young guys match. They threw a ton out there. Some looked good, some did not. Sky’s crossface submission was tight looking and overall I think the mat based submissions stuff worked better than the high flying exchanges. Both of these guys are individuals I don’t remember as ever being great at any point in their career so seeing them here in 2000 is a good basis of where they are at this point in their career. You can also tell both of these guys ran out of ideas around the 7 minute mark and were blown up and clinging for things to do after that. A double clothesline happens and the match cuts out to the next clip. I won’t give a rating because who knows how much was cut but this was a fun look in even if the action didn’t cohesively hold together to make a good match. NR

A good brawl that felt like a big match within the promotion at the time. Banderas on top can be plodding but he has good punches and kept me interested enough. However, things really stepped up when Apolo makes a comeback and hits Banderas with a chair on a dive. Banderas is busted open and the match from there has a frantic feeling of desperation. Apolo fires off some big powerbombs and picks up the win. A meat and potatoes Puerto Rico style match but a fun look in what was going on in the country in the year 2000. *** (6.2)

Jericho cuts a promo for the crowd beforehand and the crowd is jacked for him. Helping out on the NEVER EVERRRR part. This was worked like a Raw match between the two which isn’t a slight. Good work and energy, just only seven minutes of action. Unfortunately, the ref bumps are really starting to grate on me and we get another shoddy ref here as he has a cramp in his leg as soon as Jericho has Benoit tapping in the Walls of Jericho. A miraculous recovery occurs when Benoit locks on the crossface as the referee calls for the bell immediately. Enough with the evil ref trope of 2000. **1/4

When I hear Thunder and Lightning, I think about two contrasting guys that are speed and power not two same sized individuals that are dressed in all black and have masks on. The Windham brothers on top is pretty good and decent as they make frequent tags. Barry looks like he has gotten himself into more manageable shape as Turnbuckle was starting up. Big brawl ends the match with a bevy of run ins from guys I am unfamiliar with throwing the match out. *

The faces charge early and gain the advantage. Dundee still has great punches.When the match settles down, Dundee grabs Slick Rick’s cap and puts it on backwards which was amusing. Slash is working over Brown inside the ring. Big brawl erupts when the tag is made as the show is winding down. Referee ends up throwing the match out as they put in the hard sell to Lawler returning next week. It feels like both Memphis shows were biding time until that happened this week. *

Smothers cuts a scathing promo running down everything and then asks for Cade to come out. Cade runs to the ring and the match is on. Another announcer in Kelly that is taking some time to breath so therefore it sounds much better than OVW. Only about two minutes of action before Tracy gets pissed and pastes Cade with a chair shot on the head. The TWA crew runs Tracy off. Angle advancement here. ¾*

I like King mugging for the camera and as a heel more than his generic Mr. Personality persona in MPPW. This is the semifinal of the tag tournament. Like I just mentioned, King is ahead of Onyx and Lee is probably ahead of Terry Knight but this match doesn’t get enough time and Cornette can’t take one fucking breath on commentary so overall it feels more frantic and annoying instead of exciting. Dinsmore doing the executioner slam was a good move to turn the momentum their way. They take a break with Damaja being worked over. Back from break, and Cornette starts yelling a mile a minute the microsecond the show comes back on air. I think we hear Leviathan’s name for the first time being mentioned. Hot tag made to Dinsmore and he is a good hot tag with well executed punches, back body drops and knocking the cronies for the Blondes off ringside. Rip Rogers is up on the apron and the referee gets pushed into Rogers. Here come the run ins. Again, at least the arrest was a little different instead of the usual nonstop run ins. After a Conway loaded glove shot, Lee hits a springboard elbow and they advance to the finals. SHUT THE FUCK UP JIM CORNETTE. *1/2

It was fun to see Kash in a different environment but I think it is time to pull the plug on Golden as a worker. He seems like someone that could put it together but I was higher than most on the AJ Styles match and only had those as good. He was worst here not being able to react to Kash’s speed in any way. The back and forth of the match as a result felt sloppy and the match ended in a lame DQ that featured a decent pull apart but also didn’t have a lot of juice overall. *1/4

Relly cool video on Shank to metal music showing clips of him beating up people including a match on the ground outside surrounded by a cage. Shank as the tattooed freak teaming with Shank is a nice contrast. Shank and Lazz have a good shine sequence. A rough moment where Knight takes over on offense in two awkward moves in a row including a weird big knee. Getz and Prazak on commentary discuss which station ECW will end up on throwing out CSPAN2 as a landing spot. Lazz is a good FIP timing little bits of hope spots before he goes back down again. Onyx hits a swantom and powerslam throughout this match and the announcers keep talking about his improvement. A great line where they give credit to Jeff G Bailey for training Onyx but they say he doesn’t take credit, only cash. The commentary does help Wildside a good bit from a presentation standpoint. Inside the ropes, what we are seeing here is either on the level or below the OVW guys but with the interference being placed better and the commentators not screaming non stop, it is easier to digest. Right as I type that we have a weird bit during the hot tag where we cut to the outside and a police officer pulls up with accusations from Bailey for stealing Onyx’s belt. Lazz invites being cuffed by the officer. Bailey has some choice words for Lazz. Onyx interferes and the cop pounces him off. Lazz and Shank get taken out. *3/4

Nice to see Aja in the lucha ring and Lady Apache had some fun sequences including the one leading to the finish. Overall though, this again felt rush and more of a showcase than a sustainable match that is trying to tell a story. For AAA’s 2nd or 3rd biggest show of the year, the offerings we got didn’t make it look too promising. *1/4

The ring gets a big reveal and pop as this is the first six sided ring I can think of in wrestling history. The action is short and mainly a backdrop for the main event. We get some good dives but Octagoncito gets fouled allowing the tecnicos to win. Afterwards, Abismo Negro comes down to get clarification. I wish we would have seen something with more gravity for the minis. Instead, this was even less consequential as usual. *

Some three way spots to start out but I was really impressed with how the match progressed on the outside and we get an inspired brawl with triple juice. Both Joey and Joel are openly mocking TNN on commentary so you know the partnership is not log for this world. Referee gets bumped back inside which is disappointing but the cane shots were brutal which was a welcome change after the Nitro plunder shots. The Danny Daniels heel ref shtick was less impressive. Lynn goes to cradle him when Francine jumps on his back. Another cane shot from Credible and the That’s Incredible but HC Loc breaks up the Danny Daniels count. Lynn’s elimination was good with a superkick by Corino and another That’s Incredible to pin him. Back and forth between Credible and Corino is good but there is just too much bullshit between Dawn Marie, Jack Victory, Francine and the referees for it to reach a high level. Credible ends up stealing the pin which is deflating. The in ring action was good here and the tricks and distractions were not needed. ***1/4 (6.3)

Long Foley promo to start saying he is taking over the investigation for Stone Cold. Then we get Benoit and Angle out for promos. Again, good job by these two in holding their own and creating variety in this starting promo motif of WWF at the time. Both are feuding with each other but have to team up against the unlikely duo of Rock and HHH. Rock cuts a promo backstage stating that he doesn’t need HHH to be his friend just to be there for the tag. The match itself is really good and given 10 minutes. I loved the interaction and roles all four had throughout the match. HHH has been selling his ribs well and is a good face that has built up some sympathy. Rock clapping along with him on the apron helps get that message across. A fun moment after the hot tag on the outside where HHH and Rock get into a pissing contest on who can slam their opponent into the table the hardest. Finish worked for me too. Rock has a chair and goes to hit Angle when Steph grabs it from him. Angle then hits the Olympic Slam and gets the pin on the champion in his hometown of Pittsburgh. HHH and Rock look on pissed and behind them, Steph gives Kurt a tentative clap. ***1/4 (6.7)

This is the 2nd match of the best of 5 series and this is more like the bite sized cruiser matches that plagued Nitros at points instead of the longer stuff we got the week before between these two. Tony tells Tygress is a 10+ which is gross sounding and from the Madden playbook. Konnan gives a cool lucha libre lesson that involves Flair defending his title. Juvy hurts his leg on a monkey flip from Rey. Juvy calls for a timeout and the match is stopped which is disappointing after only 2 minutes. ½*

The shine sequence by York and Matthews at the beginning was fabulous which really surprised me. They were diving all over the place and got great impact on their dives lucha style which made them look hurtful as well as graceful. Carmichael and Divine look like Harris Brothers knock offs but they do a good job being bases and then taking over when it is their turn on top. Their working of York is basic with kicks, punches, low blows, etc but they make enough tags that it doesn’t drive everything to a complete halt. Matthews getting the hot tag was productive and they displayed the double team moves that again the heel faction was willing to take. Rana/elbow drop combo but the referee is actually competent as he doesn’t let York pin him since he isn’t legal. Heel ref sneaks in a belt shot but that only gets a two. That was a fun spot the in the glut of ref interaction of 2000, hasn’t been used enough. One of the heels gets a quickie pin on Matthews with their foot on the ropes and they escape with the win. Much like the Guido/Mamluke ECW tags, this tag knew its role and didn’t overstay its welcome making it a lot of fun and fitting to watch in any era. ***1/4 (6.4)

Crazy Max explodes! Fuji and SUWA have a pretty respectful opening but Taru goes right after CIMA and the fight is on. M2K is creeping around so keep that in mind. Fuji is worked over and a funny moment happens where they stretch him out for the nut kick from Taru but he realizes it and refuses. Sure enough after a few more minutes, M2K interferes and the fight is on with CIMA going into the crowd and them using the boards. The match gets thrown out for a DQ. This was a weird match that didn’t have much heat or energy at all. I get these guys are faction members but they could have been some juice inserted. Most disappointing Toryumon match of the year. **

Stone Cold opens things up with a state of the Austin address. He talks about the things that have changed and says he is there to raise hell and see who ran him over. Foley comes out as well. Foley says he is happy that Austin is back and wanting to kick ass but he is going to conduct the investigation. Benoit comes out too and demands a match with Rock tonight. Benoit doesn’t look overshadowed in the ring with these two which is impressive. Foley has a Monica Lewinsky joke which seems dated even in 2000. Foley announces Rock vs Benoit tonight. Angle’s music then fires up and he comes out. Angle whines and says he got screwed. Foley denies his motion. Angle then tells Austin how dare you. In their first interaction together in ring, they already have some great chemistry with each other and just feel like Austin is going to recoil and attack. Angle says he doesn’t consider Austin a winner and demands an apology from Austin. Austin says he does owe him an apology but that isn’t happening tonight. Stunners for Angle and Benoit end the segment. Rock gives a quick promo but a good one at how intense he is and calling out Benoit. Time for the match and Shane is joining Benoit so this union is back together for one night. Quick action right out of the gate as a huge Shane’s a pussy chant breaks out. Lawler plays it off that Shane will admit to being cat like in some respects. Shane interferes with a choke and they are really pushing a title change on commentary. Dragon screw and Sharpshooter from Rock early and Shane hits him with a right hand quickly to break things up. The Shane interference throughout the match is overwrought but so much heated and logical compared to the mess we saw on Nitro. Shane gets popped with a chair after Hebner punks him out. Steph runs down to check on Shane and HHH tells her to go to the back. JR is freaking out that a referee isn’t out there. Benoit runs into HHH from a Rock Irish whip and they go after each other. HHH puts Benoit neck over the top rope and right into a Rock Bottom for the count. HHH seems to be pretty steadily heading into face territory. Angle and Benoit come out and double team the Rock. HHH pulls Angle off and Angle is able to attack HHH and go after those battered ribs. The crowd does seem a bit perplexed. Steph slaps Angle and Benoit headbutts her. Holy shit what a big role for him and that was shocking. Angle seems stunned as the show goes off the air. A good reset after Unforgiven. **1/2

A good ladder match but this palled in comparison to most of the stipulation matches we have seen in the past year with these two teams. The reasoning of that was a combination of the peak happening in the middle portion with Edge’s spear off the ladder. In addition, this featured a lot of slow climbing that killed the flow. It was used to built up drama but felt like the guys trying to remember the next sequence. I didn’t think this was a particularly good performance for Edge and Christian. *** (6.2)

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Borash is out of commentary and holy shit is it annoying. Russo in NY Giants gear pulls a bat out and beats Booker down initially. I don’t know why Booker didn’t see that coming. MIA and Awesome are blocking the door. Some more fake bat shots. Russo is dominating which is absurd. Russo cuts off a patch of the roof of the cage and Sting has to repel down to prevent Russo from escaping. Lets think about this that the ENTIRE face roster is having to intervene to give Booker a chance against Vince Russo. Luger emerges and hands Russo the fakest lead pipe you have ever seen. That gives Vinny Roo the advantage again. The EMT’s come to check on Booker and one removes his cap to show Ric Flair complete with 1991 haircut and all. Flair applies the figure four and again Booker needs to be bailed out. The NBT’s all run out and we have a brawl on the outside of the cage to no reaction. Axe Kick, Spinarooni and the side kick for Booker. Russo is out and Booker decides to get on the mic as Goldberg’s music starts up. That freezes Booker in his tracks for some fucking reason. Goldberg goes into the cage but Scott Steiner slammed the door shut. Goldberg then spears Russo through the cage in one of the more contrived finishes you will ever see and they sign off the air. What a shit sandwich. DUD

Finish of a Jarrett match vs General Rection as he teams up with the Canadians. Sting makes the save with his baseball bat and clears the ring helping MIA. Lance calls out Sting and the match starts. This actually seems like a pretty interesting pairing on paper of two guys that never interacted much with each other given their longevity. Lance looks good on top of Sting with a springboard dropkick and a powerbomb. We also get some good reversals between the Scorpion and the Maple Leaf. Tony and Hudson have great calls giving Lance credit and Madden just squeals like a four year old. Sting breaks the hold and then gets in the fluke Scorpion for the pin. Hate seeing Lance lose and it should have brought about a long form PPV match. *3/4

Rikio steps up to Akiyama to start out and the crowd is living for it. Kobashi then gets in and interacts with his two best 2000 opponents: Akiyama and Takayama. Nothing groundbreaking but a good time. NOAH has already established Takayama as a bigger deal than Omori and rightfully so. Shiga challenges Kobashi and Kobashi snickers at that by giving him some blistering chops that echo around the building. Kikuchi of course gives no shit how big and bad anyone is as he challenges Akiyama and Takayama. He actually gains the advantage on Jun and tags out to young bull, Takeshi. Jun mocks his strikes by taking them and then putting Rikio on his ass with a knee. Tag to Takayama and holy shit does he deliver two kicks to the back that were loud as hell. These guys are beating the piss out of each other. Kikuchi is worked over again as we enter the final moments. Kikuchi fights free and tags in Kobashi to a huge pop and the fight is on. Half Nelson suplex to Akiyama and both men are down. After some more back and forth, Takayama and Rikio find themselves front and center and Takayama takes it out on Rikio again with some knee strikes to the stomach for the pin. I may be going a little bonkers for these six mans but I love them and they have such variety with everyone getting a chance to shine. **** (7.9)