Monday 25 November 2013

WWE Survivor Series 2013 Preview

The twenty-seventh Survivor Series is taking place this evening at the TD Garden in Boston. It looks like it has an interesting card, so let's take a look.

The Kick Off Show match is between Kofi Kingston and The Miz. This is a tough one to call but I think, with Miz's recent heel turn, he'll get the win here.
Predicted Winner: The Miz

Our first Survivor Series elimination match is between the team of Cody Rhodes, Goldust, The Usos and Rey Mysterio taking on the team of The Shield and The Real Americans. I can see this going both ways but I'm going for The Shield and Real Americans to win here.
Predicted Winners: The Shield and The Real Americans

The second Survivor Series elimination match involves the Divas as the team of Natalya, The Bella Twins, JoJo, Eva Marie and The Funkadactyls take on the team of AJ Lee, Kaitlyn, Rosa Mendes, Aksana, Alicia Fox and Summer Rae. I don't know if I'm doing to enjoy this as whilst it does involve some talented Divas like Natalya, AJ and Summer Rae; it does have JoJo and Alicia Fox in it. As for my prediction, even though I don't want them to win, I think that the Total Divas team will win here.
Predicted Winners: Natalya, Bella Twins, JoJo, Eva Marie and The Funkadactyls

The Intercontinental Championship is on the line as Curtis Axel gets his rematch against Big E Langston. This could be a good match but I can't see them giving Axel the belt back. Therefore, Langston to win here.
Predicted Winner: Big E Langston

Eric Rowan and Luke Harper take on Daniel Bryan and CM Punk in a match that I'm really looking forward to watching. This is a very tough one to call as I can see both teams winning. I'm going for Bryan and Punk and I'm wondering if this could lead to a Tag Team Championship reign next year.
Predicted Winners: Daniel Bryan and CM Punk

The World Heavyweight Championship match is between Alberto Del Rio and John Cena. I don't really care for this match. I thought that Sandow might get another chance for the Championship but that seems to have been shitcanned. Anyway, can't see Del Rio winning it so Cena to retain here.
Predicted Winner: John Cena

The WWE Championship will be defended as Randy Orton is challenged by Big Show. Unfortunately, I'm finding it hard to get up for this match. I think that Orton will be Champion til Wrestlemania so I'm going for him to retain here.
Predicted Winner: Randy Orton

I won't get to watch this til at least next week so the review will be up then. I hope you guys enjoy the show.

Sunday 24 November 2013

TNA Bound for Glory 2013 Review

TNA's flagship event Bound for Glory took place on Sunday 20th October at the Viejas Arena in San Diego. Will he see the end of Aces and Eights after this event? Let's take a look.

The first match is an Ultimate X match for the X-Division Championship with Manik being challenged by Jeff Hardy, Austin Aries, Chris Sabin and Samoa Joe. I generally like Ultimate X matches as they are normally quite entertaining. As I expected, this match was a lot of fun to watch. You had Manik doing hurracarranas to everybody; Samoa Joe pulling Manik off the ropes into an inverted atomic drop; Jeff Hardy doing the twist of fate on Chris Sabin. The end comes when Sabin forces Velvet Sky into the ring to help him out. Jeff Hardy gets distracted and Sabin, taking a leaf out of Edge's manual "How to be the Ultimate Opportunist" (newly available for TNA wrestlers) runs up the ladder that was set up earlier and grabs the belt to become the new X-Division Champion. I found the ending to be quite interesting as it emphasised Sabin's heel run and the direction that they are going with it; using any means possible to win the match. I can see him probably using Velvet more to win matches for him, albeit inadvertantly.
Winner: Chris Sabin
Predictions: 0 for 1

Next we get the throughly enjoyable Bad Influence come out and demand they are added to the Tag Team Championship match. Unfortuantely, they are interrupted by Eric Young, who annoys the fuck out of me. Young tells them to leave and he's attacked by Bad Influence. Abyss then comes out and proceeds to destroy Daniels and Kazarian with black hole slams. This was a fun segment and it's nice to see Abyss.

Now we get the Tag Team Championship match with Gunner and James Storm being challenged by BroMans. This match was actually entertaining and with some good stuff from the BroMans. Storm almost wins it with a top rope elbow drop for a 2 count and Robbie E thought he won it when he reversed the eye of the storm into a DDT. In the end, BroMans win the match when Robbie E throws one of the Championship belts into the ring. The referee takes it back out and this gives BroMans the chance to hit the Bro Down to get the pinfall. I have to admit, very few people expected the BroMans to win this but I'm ok with that. It will be interesting to see what direction they go with it.
Winners: BroMans
Predictions: N/A

Now we get a segment in which Kurt Angle respectfully declines his induction into the Hall of Fame, saying he doesn't deserve it right now. It was interesting to see as I'm a big fan of Kurt Angle. I do agree with him that he doesn't deserve right now, only because he is still an active wrestler. I have nothing against the TNA Hall of Fame, it's just they're inducting active wrestlers and I think they should focus on guys who have now retired that wrestled for them at the beginning. Anyway, we'll wait and see if this develops into a storyline.

We get the a triple threat match for the Knockouts Championship next with Gail Kim and Brooke challenging ODB. I didn't know what to expect of this match and I enjoyed it. There was a bit where Gail Kim is about to corner splash ODB and Brooke shoulder tackled her out of the ring to a sickening thud. That happened quite early on in the match so I didn't think that Gail was out of it. We get a ref bump when he gets hit by an avalanche splash by ODB followed by a missile dropkick by Gail. Lei'd Tapa comes out and hits a big foot on ODB followed by a powerbomb on Brooke. Gail, who was half out of it after getting flattened by ODB a moment earlier, takes a leaf out of Edge's manual "How to be the Ultimate Opportunist (female edition)" and pins Brooke to win the match and become Knockouts Champion. It is then revealed that Lei'd Tapa has joined forces with Gail. I was surprised that Gail won the match but it seem set a feud between them and ODB, which could be good.
Winner: Gail Kim
Predictions: 0 for 2

Booby Roode taking on Kurt Angle has the potential to be a very good contest. It was a very technical contest to begin with; and Roode focusing on Angle's neck. Angle looked like when he reversed the crossface into an anklelock. Roode manages to reverse it back into the corssface. The end comes when Angle does a top rope Samoan drop, which leaves both guys down. The referee does a count and Roode gets up at the count of 9 and pins Angle to get the win. Afterwards, doctors check on Angle. I enjoyed the match, although I thought the ending seemed a little bit out of place. It was a surprise that Roode won in that way, and I hope it leads to more matches between the two.
Winner: Bobby Roode
Predictions: 0 for 3

We get a bonus match with Ethan Carter III facing random wrestler Norv Fernum. Yeah, this match doesn't last long as after a few minutes, EC3 hits the one percenter to get the win.Whilst this was a pointless which probably had no place in the biggest event of the year, I like EC3's character. I didn't really see much of him when he was Derrick Bateman in WWE, but he was probably lost in the shuffle. EC3 has the potential to be a star in TNA and I look forward to seeing what he can do.
Winner: Ethan Carter III
Predictions: N/A

The penultimate match is between Magnus and Sting. I'm not really a big fan of Magnus but it should be interesting to see what he can do in a match with Sting. I like the story that they told here with Magnus getting frustrated in the beginning; and both guys showing respect by holding the ropes for their opponent. Sting applies the scorpion death lock, which didn't look good and Magnus powers out of it quite easily. After a little bit of back and forth, Magnus applies the cloverleaf and Sting taps out to get the win. Afterwards, we get a very brief handshake between the two. I thought the match was quite good and it helped to make Magnus look like a contender.
Winner: Magnus
Predictions: 1 for 4

The main event is one that can have far-reaching consequences for TNA as AJ Styles challenges Bully Ray in a no-disqualification match for the TNA World Championship. This is a match that has a lot riding on it and I have to say, both competitors did really well in this match. You had Bully being methodical and mocking AJ. AJ makes a comeback and applies the calfkiller. Bully Ray gets saved almost immediately when Garrett "Future of the Business" Bischoff comes in and distracts AJ. Bully Ray takes to take advantage of this but fails. Mike Knox comes in later on and chokeslams AJ; but when Bully pins AJ, it only gets 2. There was a brutal bit when AJ tries a 450 splash to the outside but misses and crashes through the timekeeper's table. Bully then decides to expose the wooden boards under the padding of the ring. TNA President Dixie Carter comes out and helps out Bully by providing a chair. That backfires when AJ comes and hits a springboard clothesline followed by a springboard 450 splash. Dixie demands that referee Earl Hebner doesn't make the count. However, he defies her and makes the count which Bully kicks out at 2. Despite Aces and Eights and Dixie Carter helping Bully out, it turns out to be vain as AJ hits the spiral tap to get the victory and become the new TNA World Champion. Although I enjoyed the match, it felt that it could have been booked better. I thought that Aces and Eights came out a bit too early and it would have been nice to see Brooke help Bully out a little. As for Dixie, I enjoyed her role in this match, although I still find it weird that she is helping a group that she spent most of the year feuding with. I suppose the angle they're going for is that Dixie may not want Bully as Champion; but that is not as much as her not wanting AJ Styles being Champion, especially has he doesn't have a contract. It seems like they're going in the direction that WWE did with Punk in 2011. That's fine but they have a chance to take it in a different direction and I hope that they do.
Winner: AJ Styles
Predictions: 2 for 5


I enjoyed Bound for Glory. I'm not quite sure if it was their best PPV of the year but it was still pretty good. TNA has had a bad year, with losing revenue resulting in releasing a fair portion of their talent and the rumours of them being up for sale. I hope 2014 can be a better year and with the talent they have, it is possible. Hopefully, they can start to release some of the older guys and build up the younger talent. If they don't, I'm afriad that they will go the direction that WCW did and they will not end well.

Thursday 21 November 2013

WWE Battleground 2013 Review

The first ever WWE Battleground took place on Sunday 6th October in Buffalo, New York. Will we crown a new WWE Champion, which has been held in abeyance. Let's take a look.

The Kick-Off match was between Damien Sandow and Dolph Ziggler. I thought this was an interesting match to watch as both guys have been on losing streaks. Both guys are good technical wrestlers and I do like it when Ziggler does his ten elbow drops in a row. Sandow has something similar with his elbow of disdain. What I liked about this match was that it went back and forth, which is the kind of matches that I like. It looked like Ziggler won it after a fameasser and he eventually does when he takes advantage of Sandow injuring his knee to hit the Zig-Zag and get the pinfall. The last few Kick-Off matches have been fun to watch, which is necessary in order to get people to buy the Pay-Per-View. I don't quite get what they are doing with Sandow by booking him to lose on a regular basis. They did it with Bryan and Ziggler when they won their MITB briefcases and I find it annoying.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
Predictions: 0 for 1

The event starts with a Battleground Hardcore Rules match with Rob Van Dam challenging Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Championship. This was a match in which you can showcase RVD's skills as well as the brutal attitude that Del Rio has been displaying recently. It turned out to be quite a fun match. RVD looked like he was going to win it a few times and he needed Ricardo Rodriguez to get him out of the cross armbreaker by hitting Del Rio with his bucket.

It looked like it would be a short match with RVD doing a DDT, driving Del Rio's head into a steel chair. However, Del Rio kicked out then proceeded to destroy his opponent with the chair. RVD does show his hardcore expertise by using a ladder in his offence, including doing a split-leg moonsault, crashing Del Rio onto the ladder. However, using the ladder comes back to haunt RVD when he tries a rolling thunder but misses and lands on the ladder. Ricardo Rodriguez gets involved when he uses his bucket to stop RVD tapping out to the cross armbreaker. Rodriguez's actions turn out to be vain because Del Rio wins the match by putting RVD's arm through the chair and then applying the cross armbreaker to get the win. It wasn't a bad match and a decent to start the PPV.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
Predictions: 1 for 2

The next match was between the Real Americans and the team of The Great Khali and Santino Marella. Swagger and Cesaro dominate Santino for most of the match. Khali gets tagged in and does his basic offense and Cesaro gets the win after doing the giant swing on Khali. There's not really much to say about this match and the only real highlight was the swing by Cesaro.
Winners: The Real Americans
Predictions: N/A

The Intercontinental Championship was on the line as R-Truth challenges Curtis Axel. This was a match that didn't really grab my attention, which is a shame as it's a Championship match. The crowd didn't help when they started to chant “boring” near the end. Axel gets the win when he bounces Truth's head off the turnbuckle and then hits the hangman's facebuster. I feel sorry for Axel as even having Paul Heyman is not making me enjoy him much.
Winner: Curtis Axel
Predictions: 2 for 3

The next match was for the Divas Championship as Brie Bella challenges AJ Lee with her bodyguard Tamina Snuka. This was a match that I quite enjoyed, especially in the beginning when Brie almost slaps AJ into the following week. I enjoyed AJ's ring psychology, focusing on Brie's left arm in preparation for her finishing move The Black Widow. It turns out that AJ didn't need the move as Tamina starts attacking Nikki Bella. Brie goes over to check on her when AJ rolls Brie up to get the win. I'm a big fan of AJ and I'm slowly getting impressed by Brie's ability. It probably helps that her fiancee is possibly the best technical wrestler in the company but if it helps improve the Divas division, then I'm all for it.
Winner: AJ Lee
Predictions: 2 for 4

Now a match that I'm really looking forward to: Cody Rhodes and Goldust (along with Dusty Rhodes) take on Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns (with Dean Ambrose) with the Rhodes' careers on the line. This was undoubtedly the best match of the night. There were so many highlights: the Shield and The Rhodes having a stand off; Ambrose taunting Cody and Goldust; a moonsault by Cody on Rollins, followed later on by a disaster kick on Reigns. The end comes when Ambrose and Dusty get involved and Dusty gives him a bionic elbow. Meanwhile, Cody hits the Cross Rhodes on Rollins to get the win and get him and Goldust their jobs back. I predicted that the Shield would win here as I thought it would cement the dominance of the new corporation. However, I was glad that the Rhodes won and it really got the crowd invested in the match.
Winners: Cody Rhodes and Goldust
Predictions: 2 for 5

Kofi Kingston takes on Bray Wyatt in the next match. I thought this wasn't a bad match. Kofi uses his aerial ability to take it to Wyatt but Wyatt manages to slow him down and mocking Kofi. Wyatt does an impressive move when he reverses a cross body by Kofi into a powerslam; and Kofi gets back into it with a crucifix slam. Wyatt does a reverse crab walk, which freaks Kofi out and he gets the win when he counters the SOS into the Sister Abigail to get the 3 count. Afterwards, Rowan and Harper destroy Kofi. I like what they are doing with the Wyatts at the minute and I hope they stay that way.
Winner: Bray Wyatt
Predictions: 3 for 6

Now to a match that I'm interested in watching: CM Punk taking on Paul Heyman's new guy, Ryback. I'm loving Heyman more and more and I like what he was doing with Ryback, telling him to stand up to bullies. Punk uses his quickness to begin with before Ryback slows him down with big power moves. When Punk gets back into it, Heyman grabs a mic and starts to mock Punk. This gives Ryback the opportunity and hits a powerbomb for a 2 count. Despite Ryback's best efforts, it turns out not to be enough as Heyman tries to hit Punk with a kendo stick and the referee stops him. While he is speaking to Heyman, Punk hits Ryback with a low blow to get the win. I enjoyed the match but I thought that Punk winning with a low blow seemed like a bit of a dick move. I predicted Ryback to win here to emphasise his position as a Heyman guy. I'm not sure if Punk winning was the right decision, but I'm getting tired of this feud now and hopefully it ends soon.
Winner: CM Punk
Predictions: 3 for 7

Now, after a brief power outtage, the main event for the abeyant WWE Championship between Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton. This has the potential to be a very good match. Bryan is probably the best technical wrestler in the WWE since Bret Hart; and Orton, while he can be bland, does have the ability to show how good he is. The match goes back and forth, with Bryan wearing down Orton with some submission manoeuvres; and Orton hitting a few power moves. This was a nice bit when Orton tries to Bryan out of the ring; Bryan manages to hold on to the top rope and uses his legs to flip Orton to the outside. He then does a suicide dive to Orton. Later on, Orton decides to go hardcore when he tries to powerbomb Bryan through the Spanish announce table. However, Bryan gets out of it and sends Orton into the steel steps. Bryan looks like he is going to win it when he applies the Yes No Lock. However, Big Show comes in and drags the referee out of the ring then knocks out Bryan. Brad Maddox sends out referee Scott Armstrong to continue to referee the match. However, Show drags him out then knocks him out. Show then proceeds to knock Orton out, making sure that the match ends in a no contest. I really enjoyed the match and I quite liked the ending. I'm enjoying what Show is doing right now with him reluctantly doing the bidding of the authority. Whilst I'm slightly annoyed that the title is staying in abeyance, it does kind of make seanse and we can finally crown a new Champion at Hell in a Cell.
Winner: No Contest
Predictions: 3 for 8


I thought that the event wasn't that bad as the initial reactions from the comments on Twitter. I really enjoyed the main event and the match between the Rhodes and the Shield. However, there were a couple of matches that were not very good. WWE, for some reason, always have 2 PPVs in October; and it's hard to get excited for them when there's a couple of weeks inbetween. With Bound for Glory as well, it can be a bit exhausting. Despite that, I hope they stick with the Battleground theme and maybe increase the gap between that and Hell in a Cell.