1. MVP defeated Jeff Hardy by pinfall
This was a good opener that had some good effort in it. MVP looked a little slow at times, but he continues to improve.
Rating: 2.75
2. Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix defeated Kofi Kingston and Mickie James by pinfall to win the Intercontinental Championship and Womens Championship
This was a fun, Raw-type match. And I mean that in a good way.
Rating: 2
3. Matt Hardy defeated Mark Henry by disqualification
This was insulting to both the fans and the wrestlers involved.
Rating: 0
4. CM Punk defeated JBL by pinfall
Never in a million years would I have expected these two guys to have as good of chemistry as they showed they had in this match. Solid match.
Rating: 3
5. Triple H defeated Great Khali by pinfall
This could have been a lot worse, but also should have been shorter. Not much else to say.
Rating: .75
6. Batista defeated John Cena by pinfall
This was just a fun WWE main event. No other promotion seems to be able to pull off matches like this. Whether you like these guys or not, they put on a good show.
Rating: 4
7. Undertaker defeated Edge by pinfall
***Match of the Night***
This was a brutal match filled with the intensity one would expect in a Hell in a Cell match. Edge is a great performer who never gets old as a heel.
Rating: 4.25
Well, the final two matches were both great. The undercard was all pretty solid, with the exception of the worst booked match of the year (Henry/Hardy). Some people were a little hard on this show, but I think it definitely deserves a look. Good stuff.
Overall Rating: 81%
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
SummerSlam 1998
1. D-Lo Brown defeated Val Venis by disqualification
These guys gave a heck of an effort and definitely delivered on their opportunity. The silly finish hurt this a tad, but there is no denying the effort.
Rating: 3.25
2. The Oddities defeated Kaientai by pinfall
This may be the worst match I've ever seen. Wow.
Rating: 0
3. X-Pac defeated Jeff Jarrett by pinfall
This was another solid match between two guys who were fighting to make their way up the card.
Rating: 3
4. Edge and Sable defeated Marc Mero and Jaqueline by pinfall
This was decent, but tried to imitate the much more entertaining WrestleMania match a little too much. Still, not a bad match.
Rating: 1.75
5. Ken Shamrock defeated Owen Hart by submission
This was a neat idea, even if UFC wasn't too popular at this point. It's too bad they didn't do anymore of these (at least that I can remember).
Rating: 3
6. The New Age Outlaws defeated Mankind by pinfall to win the Tag Team Championships
This was a good effort by Foley, but ultimately too short to be anything special.
Rating: 2
7. Triple H defeated The Rock in a ladder match to win the Intercontinental Championship
***Match Of The Night ***
This was a star making performance for these two legends. The crowd was very into this match and for good reason. Great stuff.
Rating: 4
8. Steve Austin defeated Undertaker by pinfall
This was your typical brawling main event like only Austin can deliver. However, the ending was kind of out of nowhere, making the finish a little anticlimatic. This was a good main event otherwise.
Rating: 3.5
Well, this was an awesome show. If you take out the one horrible match, everything else was good to great. 5 of the 8 matches get a 3 or better, which automatically makes this show awesome.
Rating: 90%
These guys gave a heck of an effort and definitely delivered on their opportunity. The silly finish hurt this a tad, but there is no denying the effort.
Rating: 3.25
2. The Oddities defeated Kaientai by pinfall
This may be the worst match I've ever seen. Wow.
Rating: 0
3. X-Pac defeated Jeff Jarrett by pinfall
This was another solid match between two guys who were fighting to make their way up the card.
Rating: 3
4. Edge and Sable defeated Marc Mero and Jaqueline by pinfall
This was decent, but tried to imitate the much more entertaining WrestleMania match a little too much. Still, not a bad match.
Rating: 1.75
5. Ken Shamrock defeated Owen Hart by submission
This was a neat idea, even if UFC wasn't too popular at this point. It's too bad they didn't do anymore of these (at least that I can remember).
Rating: 3
6. The New Age Outlaws defeated Mankind by pinfall to win the Tag Team Championships
This was a good effort by Foley, but ultimately too short to be anything special.
Rating: 2
7. Triple H defeated The Rock in a ladder match to win the Intercontinental Championship
***Match Of The Night ***
This was a star making performance for these two legends. The crowd was very into this match and for good reason. Great stuff.
Rating: 4
8. Steve Austin defeated Undertaker by pinfall
This was your typical brawling main event like only Austin can deliver. However, the ending was kind of out of nowhere, making the finish a little anticlimatic. This was a good main event otherwise.
Rating: 3.5
Well, this was an awesome show. If you take out the one horrible match, everything else was good to great. 5 of the 8 matches get a 3 or better, which automatically makes this show awesome.
Rating: 90%
WrestleMania XIV
1. Legion Of Doom won a battle royal
Well this, like most battle royals, was pretty bad. They kept it short and it is best forgotten, except Sunny's outfit that is.
Rating: .25 (out of 5)
2. TAKA Michinoku defeated Aguila by pinfall
This was sort of an exhibition type match, where both guys showed off what they could do. Oddly enough, Aguila got more of the exciting offense in.
Rating: 2.5
3. Triple H defeated Owen Hart by pinfall
This was a solid little match where you could see flashes of Triple H becoming a main eventer.
Rating: 3.5
4. Marc Mero and Sable defeated Goldust and Luna by pinfall
This is a very underrated match. Sure, it's no technical classic, but the crowd was way into it and all 4 performers gave a great effort. This is what I'd consider a popcorn match.
Rating: 3.5
5. The Rock defeated Ken Shamrock by disqualification
I have no idea why these guys got shafted on time because they could have put a good match on. What was here, was solid.
Rating: 2.5
6. Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie defeated The New Age Outlaws to win the Tag Team Championships
This match has not aged well. It's still fun to see Funk and Foley in the same match, but this seems very tame.
Rating: 2.25
7. Undertaker defeated Kane by pinfall
This was actually quite a bit better than I remembered. It was a typical big man match, but a well thought out one.
Rating: 1.5
8. Steve Austin defeated Shawn Michaels by pinfall to win the WWF Championship
***Match Of The Night***
Wow, what a match. Especially once you find out how much pain Michaels was in, you appreciate this even more. A perfect ending to the year's biggest show.
Rating: 4.5
Well, this show is really the one that put WWF ahead of WCW. The show had a good pace to it and the main event more than delivered. Big thumbs up here.
Overall Rating: 85%
Well this, like most battle royals, was pretty bad. They kept it short and it is best forgotten, except Sunny's outfit that is.
Rating: .25 (out of 5)
2. TAKA Michinoku defeated Aguila by pinfall
This was sort of an exhibition type match, where both guys showed off what they could do. Oddly enough, Aguila got more of the exciting offense in.
Rating: 2.5
3. Triple H defeated Owen Hart by pinfall
This was a solid little match where you could see flashes of Triple H becoming a main eventer.
Rating: 3.5
4. Marc Mero and Sable defeated Goldust and Luna by pinfall
This is a very underrated match. Sure, it's no technical classic, but the crowd was way into it and all 4 performers gave a great effort. This is what I'd consider a popcorn match.
Rating: 3.5
5. The Rock defeated Ken Shamrock by disqualification
I have no idea why these guys got shafted on time because they could have put a good match on. What was here, was solid.
Rating: 2.5
6. Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie defeated The New Age Outlaws to win the Tag Team Championships
This match has not aged well. It's still fun to see Funk and Foley in the same match, but this seems very tame.
Rating: 2.25
7. Undertaker defeated Kane by pinfall
This was actually quite a bit better than I remembered. It was a typical big man match, but a well thought out one.
Rating: 1.5
8. Steve Austin defeated Shawn Michaels by pinfall to win the WWF Championship
***Match Of The Night***
Wow, what a match. Especially once you find out how much pain Michaels was in, you appreciate this even more. A perfect ending to the year's biggest show.
Rating: 4.5
Well, this show is really the one that put WWF ahead of WCW. The show had a good pace to it and the main event more than delivered. Big thumbs up here.
Overall Rating: 85%
Monday, December 8, 2008
Royal Rumble 1998
1. Vader defeated Goldust by pinfall
This was a solid match, but unspectacular. However, the Vader Bomb with Luna on his back was pretty sweet. I miss Vader.
Rating: 1.75 (out of 5)
2. Max Mini, Mosaic, and Nova defeated Battallion, El Torito, and Tarantula by pinfall
This was actually one of the better little people matches I've seen. The crowd could have cared less, however.
Rating: 1
3. The Rock defeated Ken Shamrock by disqualification
These two always had pretty good chemistry with one another. However, the screwy ending kind of ruins their effort.
Rating: 2.75
4. Legion Of Doom defeated New Age Outlaws by disqualification
This was more of a story than a match, but I have to say all 4 guys really gave a great effort, which I would have never expected. Two disqualifications on a major show is not really necessary.
Rating: 1.25
5. Steve Austin won the Royal Rumble
This is one of the weakest Rumbles in terms of star power. There are some good moments (Foley/Funk, Foley's three entrances, Austin's arrival), but not one of the best ever.
Rating: 2.75
6. Shawn Michaels defeated Undertaker by placing him in the casket
***Match Of The Night***
This was not as good as their other two matches, but it was still darn good. It was just the screwy booking that hurt this one. Michaels was bumping all over the place and it's no wonder why he retired shortly after.
Rating: 3.75
This is one of those shows that is entertaining, but far from great. Michaels put in a great effort, as did Austin, Rock, and Foley, but the booking was not on the mark.
Overall Rating: 65%
SummerSlam 1997
1. Mankind defeated Hunter Hearst Helmsley by escaping the cage
Real good opener, even if the crowd wasn't really into it until the end. These guys gave us an old-fashioned, blue bar cage match that they can be proud of. The door slam on Mick Foley's head was sickening. He is a sick man.
Rating: 3.75 (out of 5)
2. Goldust defeated Brian Pillman by pinfall
This was pretty standard stuff that was carried by two great characters. The botched ending gave this a bad aftertaste, however.
Rating: 1
3. Legion Of Doom defeated The Godwinns by pinfall
Good lord, was this bad. At this point, the Godwinns were beyond bad. It's amazing they had a job for as long as they did.
Rating: .25
4. The British Bulldog defeated Ken Shamrock by disqualification
Disappointing match, as Shamrock wasn't that good yet and Bulldog wasn't the guy to carry him to a good match.
Rating: .75
5. Los Boricuas defeated DOA by pinfall
Despite this feud going on forever, most people have erased it from memory. I can't blame them.
Rating: .25
6. Steve Austin defeated Owen Hart by pinfall to win the Intercontinental Championship
Man, this match was pretty darn good until the injury. Austin was so over, it was crazy and this injury managed to make him even bigger.
Rating: 3.5
7. Bret Hart defeated Undertaker by pinfall to win the WWF Championship
***Match Of The Night***
Unfortunately, this is the last pay-per-view that I have on DVD with Bret Hart on it. Bret was so effective as a heel in this match and the crowd ate it up. This was his last world title reign in the WWF and a very memorable one, to say the least.
Rating: 4
Well 3 out of 7 matches are very good, which automatically makes this a good show. However, the other 4 matches stink up the house, which disqualifies this show from classic status. Still, pretty solid stuff at a time where the WWF was gaining some serious momentum.
Overall Rating: 76%
Real good opener, even if the crowd wasn't really into it until the end. These guys gave us an old-fashioned, blue bar cage match that they can be proud of. The door slam on Mick Foley's head was sickening. He is a sick man.
Rating: 3.75 (out of 5)
2. Goldust defeated Brian Pillman by pinfall
This was pretty standard stuff that was carried by two great characters. The botched ending gave this a bad aftertaste, however.
Rating: 1
3. Legion Of Doom defeated The Godwinns by pinfall
Good lord, was this bad. At this point, the Godwinns were beyond bad. It's amazing they had a job for as long as they did.
Rating: .25
4. The British Bulldog defeated Ken Shamrock by disqualification
Disappointing match, as Shamrock wasn't that good yet and Bulldog wasn't the guy to carry him to a good match.
Rating: .75
5. Los Boricuas defeated DOA by pinfall
Despite this feud going on forever, most people have erased it from memory. I can't blame them.
Rating: .25
6. Steve Austin defeated Owen Hart by pinfall to win the Intercontinental Championship
Man, this match was pretty darn good until the injury. Austin was so over, it was crazy and this injury managed to make him even bigger.
Rating: 3.5
7. Bret Hart defeated Undertaker by pinfall to win the WWF Championship
***Match Of The Night***
Unfortunately, this is the last pay-per-view that I have on DVD with Bret Hart on it. Bret was so effective as a heel in this match and the crowd ate it up. This was his last world title reign in the WWF and a very memorable one, to say the least.
Rating: 4
Well 3 out of 7 matches are very good, which automatically makes this a good show. However, the other 4 matches stink up the house, which disqualifies this show from classic status. Still, pretty solid stuff at a time where the WWF was gaining some serious momentum.
Overall Rating: 76%
Friday, December 5, 2008
WrestleMania 13
1. The Headbangers defeated The Godwinns, The New Blackjacks, and Furnas and Lafon by pinfall
This was an absolutely dreadful opener. This was as sloppy as they come and the crowd wasn't very into it, which is never a good thing when it's the opening match.
Rating: .25
2. Rocky Maivia defeated The Sultan by pinfall
These two guys went on to bigger things (well, mostly The Rock), but this was not good. What a terrible start to your biggest show of the year.
Rating: .5
3. Hunter Hearst Helmsley defeated Goldust by pinfall
This was decent, but not as good as their Royal Rumble match. The ending was hot, making it seem better than it was.
Rating: 1.75
4. Owen Hart and British Bulldog and Vader and Mankind wrestled to a double countout
This show would have been a lot better if they would have just given the title to Vader or Mankind and had them fight the Undertaker. This is a rare heel vs. heel match that seemed to occur because they had nothing better for these guys to do, which is a shame.
Rating: 2.25
5. Bret Hart defeated Steve Austin by ref stoppage
***Match Of The Night***
This is, in my opinion, still the greatest match I've ever seen. The workrate is just phenomenal, the crowd was hot, and the finish is legendary. Rarely is a star made because of a loss, but Steve Austin defied the logic.
Rating: 5
6. Legion Of Doom and Ahmed Johnson defeated The Nation Of Domination by pinfall
This was fun for awhile, then outwore it's welcome. They all seemed to run out of ideas, with the exception of Faarooq. Another sloppy match.
Rating: 1.5
7. Undertaker defeated Sid by pinfall to win the WWF Championship
The crowd was not very into this match, which is rare for an Undertaker match. Really the only thing memorable during the match are the Bret Hart run-ins.
Rating: .5
Well, this would be the definition of a one match show. With this being WrestleMania, that is just not acceptable, even if that one match is my favorite match of all time. Fortunately, WWF would go on to have much better shows in the near future.
Overall Rating: 59%
This was an absolutely dreadful opener. This was as sloppy as they come and the crowd wasn't very into it, which is never a good thing when it's the opening match.
Rating: .25
2. Rocky Maivia defeated The Sultan by pinfall
These two guys went on to bigger things (well, mostly The Rock), but this was not good. What a terrible start to your biggest show of the year.
Rating: .5
3. Hunter Hearst Helmsley defeated Goldust by pinfall
This was decent, but not as good as their Royal Rumble match. The ending was hot, making it seem better than it was.
Rating: 1.75
4. Owen Hart and British Bulldog and Vader and Mankind wrestled to a double countout
This show would have been a lot better if they would have just given the title to Vader or Mankind and had them fight the Undertaker. This is a rare heel vs. heel match that seemed to occur because they had nothing better for these guys to do, which is a shame.
Rating: 2.25
5. Bret Hart defeated Steve Austin by ref stoppage
***Match Of The Night***
This is, in my opinion, still the greatest match I've ever seen. The workrate is just phenomenal, the crowd was hot, and the finish is legendary. Rarely is a star made because of a loss, but Steve Austin defied the logic.
Rating: 5
6. Legion Of Doom and Ahmed Johnson defeated The Nation Of Domination by pinfall
This was fun for awhile, then outwore it's welcome. They all seemed to run out of ideas, with the exception of Faarooq. Another sloppy match.
Rating: 1.5
7. Undertaker defeated Sid by pinfall to win the WWF Championship
The crowd was not very into this match, which is rare for an Undertaker match. Really the only thing memorable during the match are the Bret Hart run-ins.
Rating: .5
Well, this would be the definition of a one match show. With this being WrestleMania, that is just not acceptable, even if that one match is my favorite match of all time. Fortunately, WWF would go on to have much better shows in the near future.
Overall Rating: 59%
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
This Tuesday In Texas
1. Bret Hart defeated Skinner by submission
Skinner just got way too much offense in this match and it wasn't enjoyable offense. It's not a good sign when the Bret Hart match on the card isn't good.
Rating: 1 (out of 5)
2. Randy Savage defeated Jake Roberts by pinfall
This was a hot match, but way too short for a feud this big. Why not give them 15 minutes?
Rating: 1.25
3. British Bulldog defeated Warlord by pinfall
For some reason this match got over ten minutes and it was nowhere near as good as their WrestleMania match.
Rating: .5
4. Ted Dibiase and Repo Man defeated Tito Santana and Virgil by pinfall
***Match Of The Night***
This was a good old fashioned 1990's style tag team match. Tito was the man.
Rating: 2.5
5. Hulk Hogan defeated Undertaker by pinfall to win the WWF Championship
Hogan gets the belt back. Big surprise. I'm sorry, but I just can not stand Hulk Hogan.
Rating: .25
This may be the worst pay-per-view I've seen (yes, I've seen December To Dismember). We'll see when I get done with reviewing all of the shows, but this is definitely top 5 worst. Had they just removed maybe Warlord/Bulldog and replaced it with Piper/Flair (which was a dark match) and given Roberts/Savage more time, this would have been fine. No wonder this show bombed.
Overall Rating: 31%
Skinner just got way too much offense in this match and it wasn't enjoyable offense. It's not a good sign when the Bret Hart match on the card isn't good.
Rating: 1 (out of 5)
2. Randy Savage defeated Jake Roberts by pinfall
This was a hot match, but way too short for a feud this big. Why not give them 15 minutes?
Rating: 1.25
3. British Bulldog defeated Warlord by pinfall
For some reason this match got over ten minutes and it was nowhere near as good as their WrestleMania match.
Rating: .5
4. Ted Dibiase and Repo Man defeated Tito Santana and Virgil by pinfall
***Match Of The Night***
This was a good old fashioned 1990's style tag team match. Tito was the man.
Rating: 2.5
5. Hulk Hogan defeated Undertaker by pinfall to win the WWF Championship
Hogan gets the belt back. Big surprise. I'm sorry, but I just can not stand Hulk Hogan.
Rating: .25
This may be the worst pay-per-view I've seen (yes, I've seen December To Dismember). We'll see when I get done with reviewing all of the shows, but this is definitely top 5 worst. Had they just removed maybe Warlord/Bulldog and replaced it with Piper/Flair (which was a dark match) and given Roberts/Savage more time, this would have been fine. No wonder this show bombed.
Overall Rating: 31%
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