Sunday 29 October 2017

WWE TLC 2017 Review

WWE TLC 2017 took place last Sunday at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Recent medical issues has resulted in not only AJ Styles making a guest appearance; but Kurt Angle is taking part in his first WWE match in over 11 years. So, will the event live up to the recent hype? Let's take a look.

The match on the Kick Off Show was Sasha Banks taking on Alicia Foxx. Alicia tries to offer a handshake but Sasha responds with a dropkick. Even though Alicia gets the advantage for a little while, Sasha gets her to submit to the Banks Statement to get the win. The match was ok, I guess. Just nothing really special stood out for me.
Winner: Sasha Banks (1 for 1)

The first match of the event Emma taking on Asuka, making her main roster debut. Emma gains the momentum after sending Asuka to the outside and following up with a baseball slide. Asuka gets back into it and eventually gets Emma to submit to the Asuka Lock to get the win. This was an ok match and I was surprised that Emma got as much offence as she did.
Winner: Asuka (2 for 2)

The next match is The Brian Kendrick and Gentleman Jack Gallagher taking on Rich Swann and Cedric Alexander. Kendrick pulls Swann off the turnbuckle to the mat to give his team the advantage. Eventually Swann manages to tag in Alexander and they get the win after he hits Kendrick with a Lumbar Check. A fun match to watch.
Winners: Cedric Alexander and Rich Swann (2 for 3)

We now get our first Championship as Mickie James challenges Alexa Bliss for the RAW Women's Championship. Alexa focuses her attack on Mickie's left arm, but Mickie gets back into it with a hurracarrana. Alexa tries to win it with a Twisted Bliss but she misses. In the end, Alexa pulls Mickie head first into the turnbuckle then hits her with the DDT to get the win. This was a really good match and I hope we get a rematch between the two before we get the inevitable reign of Asuka.
Winner: Alexa Bliss (3 for 4)

Next is Enzo Amore challenging Kalisto for the Cruiserweight Championship. Enzo struggles at the beginning but he gets the momentum when he pulls Kalisto off the turnbuckle and his head bounces off the pad. Kalisto does get back into it. However, the end comes when Enzo tries to flee and he takes the ring apron with him when Kalisto drags him back. While the referee is putting that back, Enzo pokes Kalisto in the eye then hits the JawdonZo to get the win. This match was ok but the way that Enzo has been winning has been annoying. The Cruiserweight Division is built on fast pace and exciting moves. However, Enzo has won his last 2 Championships with a low blow and a poke in the eye. It feels like a big fuck you from WWE to me.
Winner: Enzo Amore (3 for 5)

We now get a match that everyone has been wanting to see for years: Demon Finn Balor taking on AJ Styles. The match goes back and forth with both guys exchanging kicks and punches. Balor kicks Styles out of the ring and follows that with an over the top suicide dive. Styles manages to apply the calf crusher but Balor gets out of it by continually bashing Styles' head against the mat. Balor comes close with the 1916 and Styles hits a beautiful springboard hurracarrana for 2. In the end, Balor hits the Coup de Grace to get the win. Afterwards, the two shake hands and do the Too Sweet sign.

This was a really good match and it's a leading contender for my match of the year. However, as soon as Bray Wyatt has recovered from his illness, we're back to the Demon vs Sister Abigail match. Honestly, who the fuck wants to see that?
Winner: Finn Balor (4 for 6)

The penultimate match is between Elias and Jason Jordan. This all started at the Kick Off Show when Elias interrupted a moment between Jordan and Kurt Angle to ask to perform a concert. Jordan didn't take too kindly to that and distrupted Elias' attempts at a concert by throwing food at him..? Don't forget, Jordan is technically a face. My main question beforehand was, who set this match up? Stephanie McMahon hasn't been seen in ages and Kurt's been too busy preparing for his match. Anyway, Jordan gets a questionable win after reversing a suplex into a small package and it looks like Elias got his shoulder up before the referee does the 3 count. I wasn't really a fan of this match mainly because I couldn't get myself into it.
Winner: Jason Jordan (N/A)

We now get our main event: the team of Hollywood Miz, Cesaro, Sheamus, Demon Kane and Bruan Strowman taking on Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Kurt Angle.  First of all, I get that Angle was made a temporary member of the Shield but I would have preferred it if he came out to his music and the singlet. Highlights of the match include: Kane and Strowman being put through the announce tables; Angle doing a fuck load of German suplexes; Strowman sending Angle through a table with a running powerslam and Angle has to go to the back; Kane chokeslamming Strowman through the stage and dropping a row of chairs on top of him; and Strowman then getting murdered by getting put in the back of a bin lorry. It looks like The Shield are going to lose when Angle's music hit and he comes out, giving Cesaro and Sheamus Olympic Slams. After Rollins and Ambrose spear Kane into the timekeeper's area, Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale on Angle for 2. In the end, Miz did hit by all of his opponents' finishers followed by a triple power bomb and The Shield and Angle win.

This match was a mixed bag for me. The middle part of it got pretty boring and I feel that it was too long. Despite that, there were some fun spots and it was nice to see Angle wrestle in a WWE ring again.

I thought that TLC was quite a fun event, despite my criticisms. We got 2 really good matches and the return of a WWE Hall of Famer. Next is Survivor Series and it's something that I'm quite looking forward to seeing.

Sunday 22 October 2017

WWE TLC 2017 Preview

WWE TLC will be taking place tomorrow evening at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The card was looking pretty good but recent events have now made it fucking amazing. Why? Well, let's take a look and find out.

Sasha Banks vs Alicia Foxx
I can't see Alicia winning this but you never know.
Predicted Winner: Sasha Banks

Cedric Alexander and Rich Swann vs The Brian Kendrick and Gentleman Jack Gallagher
This should be an enjoyable contest and it's a tough one to call. I'm going for Kendrick and Gallagher to win.
Predicted Winners: The Brian Kendrick and Gentleman Jack Gallagher

Mickie James vs Alexa Bliss
RAW Women's Championship
A part of me feels that Mickie will win this. However, I think it's more likely that Alexa will win and drop the Title to Asuka.
Predicted Winner: Alexa Bliss

Enzo Amore vs Kalisto
WWE Cruiserweight Championship
This could be an enjoyable contest and I think that Kalisto will retain.
Predicted Winner: Kalisto

Asuka vs Emma
Bitch please. Asuka is winning this. Don't be fucking stupid.
Predicted Winner: Asuka

AJ Styles vs Finn Balor
Yes, you read that right. Due to medical issues with Bray Wyatt, we get to see a dream match and I can't remember the last time I was this excited for a match. This is tough but I'm going for Finn to win here.
Predicted Winner: Finn Balor

Brian Strowman, Kane, Cesaro, Sheamus and Hollywood Miz vs Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Kurt. Fucking. Angle
For the first time in over 11 years, RAW GM Kurt Angle will take part in a WWE match. Obviously they have to win, right?
Predicted Winners: Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Kurt Angle

Even though I'm looking forward to this, I won't get to see it live. I hope you guys enjoy the show.


Saturday 21 October 2017

WWE Hell in a Cell Review

WWE Hell in a Cell 2017 took place on Sunday 8th October at the Little Caesar's Arena in Detriot. Unfortunately, due to being on holiday, I didnt get time to write up my predictions. Sorry about that. Anyway, let's take a look at the show.

The match on the Kick Off was The Hype Bros taking on Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin (so, American Alpha 2.0?)Benjamin takes advantage of Ryder's offer of a handshake to hit him with a spine buster. Eventually,  Ryder manages to get the hot tag to Rawley. However, it was not enough as Benjamin amd Gable hit a neckbreaker/powerbomb combo on Ryder to get the win. This was quite a decent match and I feel that it's the beginning of the end for the Hype Bros.
Winners: Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin

The first match of the show was The Usos challenging The New Day in a Hell in a Cell match for the Smackdown Tag Team Championship. Highlights of the match include: The New Day practically using an orchestra on Jey Uso; The New Day trapping Jey in the corner of the Cell with kendo sticks; and The Usos handcuffing Woods against the ring post and beating the fuck out of him with kendo sticks. The Usos almost win it when they hit Big E with a double splash but Woods breaks up the pin. In the end, The Usos prevail after hitting Woods with a double splash and they are the new Smackdown Tag Team Champions.  This was an awesome match to watch amd it's a shame that it is the end of their rivalry. Hopefully,  they will find a way to have another match in the near future.
Winners:The Usos

Next is Rusev taking on Randy Orton. Rusev takes advantage after sending Orton into the barrier from the apron. However, Orton gets back into it and hits the RKO to get the win. To be honest, I found the match to be dull, nothing special. The match was ok, although I don't get
Winner: Randy Orton

We were supposed to have Baron Corbin challenging AJ Styles for the United States Championship. However, Tye Dillinger manages to get Daniel Bryan to make it a triple threat match instead. Styles and Dillinger team up on Corbin at the beginning before they turn on each other. Styles manages to put Dillinger in the calf crusher, but Corbin pulls him out of the ring. In the end, Styles hits Dillinger with the Phenomenal Forearm.  However, Corbin throws Styles out of the ring and pins Dillinger to become the new United States Champion. This was quite a good match and I was surprised that Corbin won. Whilst I'm not a big fan of the ending,  it does set up a match between Styles and Corbin.
Winner: Baron Corbin


We now get our 3rd Championship match as Charlotte Flair challenges Natalya for the Smackdown Women's Championship. After some back and forth, Natalya focuses her attack on Charlotte's left knee. Charlotte makes a comeback but Natalya manages to put on the Sharpshooter and Charlotte gets out of it. In the end, the match goes to the outside and Natalya goes "fuck it" and attacks Charlotte with a chair to get herself disqualified.  Even though I wasn't a fan of the ending, I thought it was a good match.
Winner: Charlotte

After a hilarious episode of the Fashion Files, we get Shinsuke Nakamura challenging Jinder Mahal for the WWE Championship, which isn't inside Hell in a Cell..? Seems a bit weird but anyway, Mahal sends Nakamura into the crowd to get the advantage then proceeds to grind him down. During the match, the Singh Brothers keep on interfering and the referee eventually sends them to the back. The end comes when Mahal avoids the Kinshasa and hits the Kahlass to get the win. Whilst it seemed weird seeing Mahal win clean, this was quite a good match.
Winner: Jinder Mahal

The penultimate match is Booby Roode taking on Dolph Ziggler. The match goes back and forth before Ziggler applies a sleeper. Roode gets out of it with a back suplex. In thebend, Roode gets the pin while holding the tights. Immediately after, Ziggler hits him with the Zig Zag. The match was ok, although I don't get what WWE are doing withRoode. THe obviously has a heel gimmick but he sometimes acts a face then cheats to win? Make up your mind.
Winner: Bobby Roode

The main event is between Shane McMahon and Kevin Owens inside Hell in a Cell that is also falls count anywhere..? Er, ok. Right off the bat, this match is 39 fucking minutes lomg. So to save time, I'm going to skip to near the end. Shane uses bolt cutters to get out of the cell and the match goes to the top. Eventually, Owens falls off the side of the cell amd goes through the Spanish announcers table. Instead of pinning Owens,  Shane decides to climb to the top and goes for the elbow. Suddenly, Sami Zayn comes in and pulls Owens away and Shane goes crashing through the Samckdown announcers table. While paramedics and referees tend to Shane, Zayn pulls Owens on top of him and he gets the win.

The match was good but it was far too long. I used to enjoy Shane during the Attitude Era as he was protrayed as an underdog who would cheat like fuck to win. Now, he's goimg toe to toe with Owens and AJ Styles. I do find that hard to believe. As for Zayn's hell turn, it was shocking and I didn't think it would happen but it might be what he needs. It's been looking good so far so I'm interested in it.
Winner: Kevin Owens

I thought that Hell in a Cell was a pretty good event. However, WWE have been booking endings to matches that I've not been a fan of. Hopefully that will end soon.

Friday 6 October 2017

WWE No Mercy 2017 Review

WWE No Mercy took place on Sunday 24th September at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The card looks pretty good with two really big matches. So, how will it go? Let's take a look.

The match on the Kick Off Show was Elias taking on Apollo Crews. Elias struggles to deal with Apollo's athleticism before taking his legs out from under him. Despite Apollo mounting a comeback, Elias sends him into the turnbuckle then hits the Drift Away to get the win. The match was a lot slower than I expected him to be but it was still pretty decent.
Winner: Elias (1 for 1)

The first match of the show is for the Intercontinental Championship as Jason Jordan challenge Hollywood Miz. Jordan gets distracted by the Miztourage, giving Miz the chance to hit a dropkick and get the advantage. Jordan comes close a couple of times but in the end, Curtis Axel manages to get a cheap shot and Miz hits a Skull Crushing Finale to get the win. This was a decent match to start the show.
Winner: The Miz (2 for 2)

The next match is Finn Balor taking on Bray Wyatt. Wyatt attacks Balor from behind before the bell, ending with him slamming Balor onto the German announce table. Balor manages to recover and beats the crap out of Wyatt once the bell rings. Wyatt starts to get back into it and there was some back and forth. In the end, Balor hits the Coup de Grace to get the win. This match was pretty decent.
Winner: Finn Balor (2 for 3)

We now get the RAW Tag Team Championship as Cesaro and Sheamus challenge Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins. During the match, Ambrose gives Cesaro some impromptu dental surgery with a slingshot into the ring post. Cesaro and Sheamus beat down their opponents, getting frustrated with the referee when they can't get a 3 count. Sheamus hits White Noise on Ambrose followed by Cesaro powerbombing Rollins onto him from the top rope and that somehow gets a 2 count. In the end, Sheamus gets hit with the high knee by Rollins followed by Dirty Deeds by Ambrose and they retain the Championship. This was a really enjoyable match and extra kudos for Cesaro on continuing after getting his teeth knocked out.
Winners: Cesaro and Sheamus (3 for 4)

Next is a Fatal 5 Way match for the RAW Women's Championship.  Alexa Bliss has to deal with the challenges of Sasha Banks, Bayley, Emma and Nia Jax. Highlights of the match include: Nia destroying everyone, including doing a double Samoan drop on Sasha and Alexa; the women teaming up to powerbomb Nia; and Sasha putting Alexa in the Banks Statement. In the end, Alexa throws Bayley into Emma then hits Bayley with the DDT to get the win. Even though I was surprised that Bayley took the pin, this was a very entertaining match.
Winner: Alexa Bliss (4 for 5)

Now it's the first of the big matches as John Cena takes on Roman Reigns. Reigns completely dominates Cena to begin with. Cena tries to start a comeback a couple of times but Reigns shuts them down. Cena eventually gets to hit an AA but Reigns kicks out. Reigns goes on to kick out of 3 more AAs, including one from the top rope. In the end, Reigns hits a Superman punch followed by a spear to get the win. The match was pretty good although Reigns kicking out of 4 AAs did bug me.
Winner: Roman Reigns (5 for 6)

The penultimate match is for the Cruiserweight Championship as Enzo Amore challenges King Neville of the Cruiserweights. Amore does get a few hits in but Neville completely domi ates him. Neville misses a Phoenix splash. Neville sends Amore flying into the time keeper's area. Amore then grabs the belt and threatens to use it. When the referee takes it and goes to hand it back, Amore kicks Neville in the balls then pins him to get the win. What the actual fuck, WWE? At Summerslam, Amore was in a shark cage then gets his head kicked off by Big Cass. Now a month later, he's the Cruiserweight Champion?! Eventhough I'm rapidly souring on Amore, I'm interested to see how his heel turn will go with the cruiserweights. However, it would work better if you didn't have King Neville there.
Winner: Enzo Amore (5 for 7)

The main event is Bruan Strowman challenging Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship. Strowman hits a running powerslam early on for 2. Lesnar does go on to apply a Kimura and 5 consecutive German suplexes. Even though Strowman hit 2 more running powerslams, Lesnar hits a F5 to get the win. Even though it was short and annoying that Strowman lost after just one F5, it was a good match.

Except for the Cruiserweight match, I thought that No Mercy was a good event. However, there was one thing that bothered me. Two of the matches had one guy take mutliple finishers then goes on to hit their finisher once to get the win. Hopefully WWE will not do this all the time.