Tuesday 25 September 2012

WWE Night of Champions 2012 Review

WWE Night of Champions took place last Sunday from the TD Garden in Boston. With every title on the line, how much will the landscape of the WWE change? Let's take a look at the card.

Before I start my review, I would like to apologise for not being able to publish an article on my predictions. I have been so caught up with work that I never got a chance to publish it. The plus side is that it gives me a chance to focus on just watching reviewing and enjoying the show and not worrying on my predictions.

The YouTube pre-show match was a 16-man battle royal to determine who will face Antionio Cesario for the United States Championship later on in the evening. The participants were Brodus Clay, JTG, Ted DiBiase, The Prime Time Players (#Millions of Dollars), Zack Ryder, Primo, Epico, Justin Gabriel, Tyson Kidd, Heath Slater, Santino Marella, Michael McGillicutty, Drew McIntyre and Jinder Mahal. The match starts with everyone throwing Slater out of the ring. Brodus eliminates Epico, Jinder Mahal and Primo, then Tensai chucks Gabriel out of the ring onto those guys followed by him powerbombing Kidd out of the ring, which was cool to see. The Prime Time Players and McIntyre eliminate Brodus and the last five were the Prime Time Players, Santino, Tensai and Zack Ryder. Santino is eliminated by the Prime Time Players; Ryder eliminates O'Neill and Tensai eliminates Young. Ryder goes for the RoughRyder but is stopped by Tensai who tries to powerbomb Ryder out of the ring. However, Ryder holds on to the top rope and flips Tensai out of the ring to get the win. It was an enjoyable match and a good way to get people to buy the PPV
Winner: Zack Ryder

The PPV officially starts with the fatal 4-way match for the Intercontinental Championship between The Miz, Sin Cara, Rey Mysterio and Cody Rhodes.  Some of the highlights include an entertaining mini match between Rey and Cara before it was broke up by Miz; Mysterio rolling up Miz which was stopped by Cara rolling up Mysterio; Rhodes trying to take off Cara's mask off but is stopped by Mysterio. Cara tries to mask Rhodes but when Miz tries to powerbomb him, he puts the mask on Miz instead. Rhodes tries to hit the Cross Rhodes on Cara but Miz, blinded by the mask, grabs Rhodes and hits the Skull Crushing Finale to get the win and retain the Intercontinental Championship. I enjoyed the match and I really liked the ending.
Winner: The Miz

We next go backstage where Eve Torres is speaking to the Prime Time Players (#Millions of Dollars) where she is called over for an emergency. Kaitlyn has been attacked and she rolled over on her ankle. Eve demands that she gets medical attention

The next match was for the Tag Team Championship as Kane and Daniel Bryan challenged Kofi Kingston and R-Truth. Kane and Kingston start the match and the Champions start the match being dominant before Kane does a blind tag and clotheslines Truth. This gives Kane and Bryan the chance to run down Truth. Bryan and Kane work together before they start arguing and decide to hug it out. This gives Truth the chance to give Kingston the hot tag. Bryan applies the LeBell Yes No Lock on Kingston but it's broken up by Truth. Kane tags himself in and goes on the top turnbuckle. Kingston tries to hit Kane with a hurracarrana but is unable to do so because of Bryan holding onto Kane's leg. Kane and Bryan start to argue again and Bryan pushes Kane off the turnbuckle. Kane lands on top of Kingston, pinning him and getting the win, making him and Bryan the new Tag Team Champions. Afterwards, Bryan and Kane argue, with them  saying "I am the Tag Team Champions!" I enjoyed this match and I enoyed the comic element of it involving Bryan and Kane.
Winners: Kane and Daniel Bryan

The United States Championship was on the line with Antonio Cesario being challenged by the winner of the Battle Royal earlier Zack Ryder. Cesario shows off his impressive strength, lifting Ryder off the floor and hitting a gut wrench suplex and later on lifting Ryder up in the air into an uppercut. Ryder gets to build some momentum after a facebuster. Ryder tries for the Broski Boot but Askana pulls Cesario out of the ring. Ryder chases after him back into the ring. This gives Cesario the opportunity to hit an uppercut followed by the Neutraliser to get the win and retain the United States Championship. This was a solid match by both guys.
Winner: Antonio Cesario

The only non-championship match was between Dolph Ziggler and Randy Orton. As always, it's fun to watch Ziggler wrestle. Orton hits a slingshot suplex to help him gain some momentum. Ziggler hits a few impressive moves including doing a headstand while having Orton in a headlock. What I found interesting was JBL, who was on commentary while Jerry Lawler is recovering, was critical of Ziggler showboating. I thought it was good commentary by JBL. Orton takes advantage of Ziggler being on the top turnbuckle and, despite Ziggler hitting a fameasser, he couldn't stop Orton. Orton puts Ziggler in the air and hit the RKO to get the win. This was a really good match but I'm worried for Ziggler. If Ziggler is going to be the next World Heavyweight Champion, they need to start making him stronger.
Winner: Randy Orton

The Divas Championship match was next as Layla was challenged by Eve Torres, who got the opportunity   by Booker T after Kaitlyn's attack earlier in the evening. The girls hit lots of counters with Eve really impressing me with her ability. Eve takes advantage of sportsmanship by Layla to get the advantage with Eve applying a leg scissors. Layla reverses a neckbreaker into a DDT, slowing Eve down. However, it was not enough as Eve hits Layla with a swinging neckbreaker to get the win and become the new Divas Champion. This was an entertaining contest, although I would have been nice if we saw the Kaitlyn/Layla match. As for the crowd, they weren't really into it although, after the way the WWE have been treating their Divas division over the years, can you blame them?
Winner: Eve Torres

After a brilliant segment involving Daniel Bryan, Kane, AJ and the anger management Dr Shelby, we get the World Heavyweight Championship with Alberto Del Rio challenging Sheamus. Just before the match started, Smackdown General Manager Booker T, who had the Brogue Kick banned, decides to reinstate the move after an investigation. Sheamus responds with Brogue Kicking David Otunga off the ring apron, who was there supporting Del Rio's announcer Ricardo "Virgil" Rodriguez. Del Rio gets the advantage after sending Sheamus into the Spanish announcer's table and starts to focus on the arm, shoulder and neck. Del Rio applies an armbar but then gets hit by an axehandle after going off the top turnbuckle. The match goes back and forth. Del Rio tries for the Cross Armbreaker but is countered by the White Noise. Del Rio does apply the Cross Armbreaker but Sheamus rolls out of it and tries for the Texas Cloverleaf but Del Rio gets out of it. Del Rio finally applies the Cross Armbreaker with Sheamus in the middle of the ring. Sheamus manages to reverse it into a powerbomb. Sheamus goes for the Brogue Kick but Del Rio again applies the Cross Armbreaker. Sheamus gets his foot under the bottom rope, forcing Del Rio to let it go. Sheamus then hits the Brogue Kick to get the win. It was a good match and it was probably the best one that they had in their rivalry. Hopefully, they can end it and Sheamus can fight with someone else.

The main event was for the WWE Championship as CM Punk (with Paul Heyman) is challenged by John Cena. The match goes back and forth to begin with before Punk starts to get the momentum. Punk hurts Cena's left leg with an Indian deathlock. Punk continues to dominate the match although Cena does counter some moves. Cena tries the 5-knuckle shuffle but it's countered by Punk with a boot to the face. Punk goes to the outside and gets hit with a suicide dive by Cena, shocking Heyman who is watching by the announce table. Cena goes for the 5-knuckle shuffle again but it's countered by Punk applying the Anaconda Vice. Unfortunately, as Punk should know, Cena doesn't submit...ever. Cena gets out of it and applies the STF. Punk counters the STF with a Crossface and Cena powers out of it. Punk hits the Macho Man Elbow Drop but he only gets a 2 count. Punk goes for the GTS but it's countered into the STF, which Punk gets out of it by grabbing the bottom rope. Punk hits the GTS but Cena kicks out at 2. Cena hits the AA but Punk kicks out. Punk tries for a moonsault but completely misses. Punk hits the GTS again but Cena kicks out. Punk hits the Rock Bottom but Cena still kicks out. Cena hits the AA but Punk kicks out. Cena then hits Punk with a German suplex from the turnbuckle and pins Punk to win the match and become the new WWE Champion. However, the referee notices that both Punk's and Cena's shoulders were on the mat and decides that instead of restarting the match (like every other scenario), declares the match a draw, which means Punk is still the Champion. When I saw it, Cena's shoulders were down but I thought it was a botch. The match was awesome to watch and it seemed weird to end the match that way.
Winner: Draw therefore, CM Punk is still the WWE Champion

I really enjoyed Night of Champions. All the matches were fun to watch and I thought the Orton/Ziggler match and the main event were the highlights of the event. I'm torn about the ending as I thought it could have ended differently with Punk cheating to win or a double countout. I can see where WWE are going with it, prolonging the feud and protecting both guys. I feel that they don't always have to do that with Cena as he doesn't need protecting in that way. Despite that, I do look forward to see where they go from here.

Thursday 13 September 2012

TNA No Surrender 2012 Review

TNA No Surrender took place last Sunday at the Impact Zone in Orlando, Florida. How will the story involving Aces & 8s? And who will win the BFG Series? Let's take a look.

We open with the first semi-final in the BFG Series with Samoa Joe facing Jeff Hardy. Hardy injures his left arm and Joe has the momentum for a good portion of this match, doing moves such as doing a suicide dive. Hardy starts his comeback, doing lots of clotheslines. Hardy hits the whisper in the wind but that only gets a 2 count. Hardy then hits the twist of fate but Joe stops Hardy doing the swanton bomb. Joe tries the muscle buster but it's reversed into a roll up for a 2 count. Hardy applies an armbar, which Joe gets out of and attempts a pin. Hardy, however, counters it into another pin and gets the win. Well, I didn't see that coming. This was a good opening match and Hardy goes to the BFG Series Final.
Winner: Jeff Hardy                                                                                       Predictions: 0 for 1

The second semi-final is up next as James Storm takes on Bully Ray. Ray starts talking trash to Storm. Storm responds by spitting in Ray's face and this makes Ray go on a hissy fit before they lock up. Storm is completely dominant before Ray gets out the ring to regroup. Storm goes the Last Call but he hurts his leg putting it inbetween the ropes and this gives Ray the chance to assault Storm. Storm temporarily gets a reprieve after a top rope powerbomb. The action goes back and forth and Storm accidentally knocks down referee Earl Hebner. Ray hits a BubbaBomb and, after another referee comes in, gets a 2 count. Storm knocks out the other referee with the same move and then tries to revive Hebner. Ray attacks Storm and runs into Hebner and gets hit with the Last Call. Bobby Roode runs into the ring and hits Storm with a beer bottle and drags Ray on top of Storm. Hebner comes to and counts the pinfall to give Ray the win. I enjoyed the match and the ending but the match really didn't need THREE(!!) ref bumps. As for my predictions, I was hoping for a Joe/Storm final but we're getting Ray vs Hardy instead. It should be a good final regardless.
Winner: Bully Ray                                                                                         Predictions: 0 for 2

The Knockouts Championship is the first title to be defended as Miss Tessmacher is challenged by her best friend and mentor Tara. Taryn Terrell (formerly known to WWE fans as Tiffany) is the referee. The women start using arm manoeuvres and some acrobatic counters. Tempers flare as Tessmacher is not happy with some of the moves Tara was using. Tara hits a twit-a-whirl side slam for a 2 count. Tara tries for the Widow's Peak but it's reversed into a roll up for Tessmacher to get the win. Tessmacher and Tara shake hands but Tara storms off. This was an ok match but I'm worried for the Knockouts. Angelina Love, Winter and Velvet Sky have left the company recently and they seem to have no replacements as yet to challenge for the Knockouts Championship.
Winner: Miss Tessmacher                                                                               Predictions: 1 for 3

We go to a backstage segment where Hulk Hogan has Bobby Roode arrested (for some reason) and James Storm attacks him, resulting in them both getting arrested and escorted out of the building. This seems to make their match at Bound for Glory a lock.

Next we get Austin Aries (the best thing in TNA right now) comes out to face a member of Aces & 8s. The member (being called Armbreaker due to the fact that he seriously injured Aries' arm) takes his time coming out and Aries starts to beat the crap out of him. Aries tries to rip the Armbreaker's mask off but he throws Aries out of the ring. Armbreaker starts to be dominant. Armbreaker attempts a powerbomb but Aries manages to get talcum powder (from thin air apparently) and throw it into his face. Armbreaker tries to hit Aries with a steel chair but Aries hits the brainbuster and attempts to demask Armbreaker. This is stopped by the rest of Aces &8s, which prompts the TNA locker room to come out and clear the group out of the ring. Jeff Hardy is hurt in the process and Hogan decides to lock the building down and call the police (again!) As for the match, it was good. Shame it wasn't an official match. As for my predictions, even though it wasn't an official match and it ended in a no contest, I did make a prediction so I have to employ the Henry/Show Vengeance Rule and count the prediciton as a loss (damn!)
Winner: No Contest                                                                                        Predictions: 1 for 4

The X-Division is on the line as Zema Ion is challenged by Sonjay Dutt. Ion gets the advantage and focuses on Dutt's previously dislocated shoulder. During the match, what seems like half the Orlando Police Department arrive at the Impact Zone. Anyway, Dutt practically kicks Ion's head off and does a standing moonsault to get a 2 count. Ion hits a powerbomb then a shoulder bar but Dutt gets to the rope. Ion eventually gets the win by reversing a pin attempt into a reverse powerbomb. It was a good match with a lot of high-flying offence.
Winner: Zema Ion                                                                                           Predictions: 2 for 5

After we see Hulk Hogan speak to the Police and promote police brutality, we get Rob Van Dam take on Magnus. RVD attempts his move where he legdrops his opponent who is laying over the barrier but he misses and this gives Magnus the opportunity to get some momentum. Magnus applies a Texas Cloverleaf but RVD gets to the rope. He also hits an elbow drop from the top turnbuckle but that only gets a 2 count. RVD gets back the momentum with a spin kick then back to back clotheslines. Magnus goes for the Cloverleaf again but RVD powers out of it, kicks Magnus down then hits the 5-star frog splash to get the win. This was a fun match with good performances by both guys.
Winner: Rob Van Dam                                                                                     Predictions: 3 for 6

The final title match is for the Tag Team Championship as Christopher Daniels and Kazarian are challenged by AJ Styles and Kurt Angle. Angle and Styles are all over Daniels and Kazarian before Kazarian hits Styles with a monkey flip to give his team the advantage. Angle gets the hot tag and hits Kazarian with two German suplexes but Daniels stops the third and Kazarian hits a jumping DDT to give back the momentum to his team. Eventually Angle sends Kazarian flying across the ring from the top turnbuckle and this gives him the opportunity to tag in Styles and beat up Daniels. Angle tags himself in and splashes Daniels for 2. Angle angle slams both Kazarian and Daniels for a 2 count then applies the anklelock to Daniels. Styles tags in and gets in some good offence. Styles hits a springboard into a 450 splash but Kazarian unbelievably kicks out at 2. Angle clotheslines Daniels over the top rope, injuring his leg in the process. Daniels recovers and throws his appletini into Styles' face and this gives Kazarian the chance to roll up Styles for the win. I really enjoyed this match with a lot of amazing manoeuvres. Shame it ended by Daniels and Kazarian cheating.
Winners: Christopher Daniels and Kazarian                                                   Predictions: 3 for 7

The main event is the Final of the Bound for Glory Series as Bully Ray is supposed to face Jeff Hardy. Hardy's music plays but Hulk Hogan comes out instead and states, after discussing it with Bully Ray, that he will be postponing the match til Impact on Thursday. Hardy then decides to come out with his left shoulder bandaged and the match goes ahead. Hardy tries to fight with one arm but Ray focuses his attack on the injured shoulder, punching and stomping on it. Ray rips off some of the bandaging but Hardy starts a comeback with a twist of fate  followed by a Swanton Bomb, but Ray kicks out. Ray hits a Bubbabomb for a 2 count then a Bubba Cutter but Hardy kicks out at 2. Hardy hits another twist of fate but misses with the Swanton Bomb. Ray hits another Bubba Cutter for a 2 count. Hardy hits two twist of fates and tries for the Swanton but Ray stops him. Hardy pushes Ray from the top turnbuckle then hits the Swanton Bomb to win the match and the BFG Series. Even though it had a very slow start, I enjoyed the match. Out of the 4 semi-finalists I thought that Hardy had the least chance of winning. However, I think that the match between Hardy and Aries at Bound for Glory will be a really good match.
Winner: Jeff Hardy                                                                                            Predictions: N/A

Although there were some things I didn't like, I thought that it was a decent event by TNA. All preparations will now be on Bound for Glory on the 13th October. This is TNA's flagship event and they will be looking to put on a good show.

Sunday 9 September 2012

TNA No Surrender 2012 Preview

TNA No Surrender is taking place this evening at the Impact Zone in Orlando. What will happen with Aces and 8s and who will win the BFG Series? Let's look at the card.

Rob Van Dam will face Magnus in what could be an entertaining contest. I know that RVD is predictable but I still enjoy watching him and I think he will win this one.
Predicted Winner: Rob Van Dam

The X-Division Championship is on the line as Zema Ion is challenged by Sonjay Dutt. I personally feel that the X-Division has suffered slightly since Austin Aries (the best thing in TNA right now) has left the division. Despite that,I think this could be a good match and I believe that Ion will retain here.
Predicted Winner: Zema Ion

Christopher Daniels and Kazarian will defend their Tag Team Championships against AJ Styles and Kurt Angle. I don't really care about this feud anymore as it should have ended a long time ago. Anyway, hopefully Styles and Angle will win and end this feud as they deserve better than this.
Predicted Winners: AJ Styles and Kurt Angle

The Knockouts Championship will be defended as Miss Tessmacher is challenged by Tara. This could be a good match if given the right amount of time. I think that Tessmacher will retain here.
Predicted Winner: Miss Tessmacher

We now look at the BFG Series and one of the semi-finals is between Bully Ray and James Storm. This could be a good match and Storm was my pick to win the Series until Aries became World Champion. Now, I'm not so sure. I think that Storm will win this one and advance to the final.
Predicted Winner: James Storm

The second semi-final is between Samoa Joe and Jeff Hardy. This is a tough one to call as either one can win it. I'm going for Joe to win this and go on to win the BFG Series.
Predicted Winner: Samoa Joe

The main event will be Austin Aries (the best thing in TNA right now) taking on a member of Aces & 8s. We still don't know who's in the group but I think some of them will be revealed at this match. I think that Aces & 8s will win this, although I won't be surprised if it ends in a no contest.
Predicted Winner: Aces & 8s

I won't get to see the show until wednesday evening, so I'll publish my review later in the week. Until then, I hope you enjoy the show.