Sunday, June 17, 2012

No Way Out Results

Well I bit the bullet and ordered the PPV.  Not the best the WWE has ever done, but overall I thought it was better than the last PPV.  Some decent wrestling across the board.  No 5 star matches but a couple of solid showings.

PRE-SHOW MATCH BRODUS CLAY V DAVID OTUNGA
I did not get to see this match so I can't say anything about it other than Brodus picked up the win via CO, per LordsofPain.  No surprise here.
Predicted Winner: Brodus Clay  Predictions 1-0

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP SHEAMUS V DOLPH ZIGGLER
Very good match overall.  This one isn't going be a Meltzer 5 star match, but it delivered.  Any match with Ziggler involved is going to be solid.  Over the last few months I have been impressed with Sheamus.  He is improving at a drastic rate.  The Ziggler turn is soon to be in full force, as the crowd was probably 60-40 pro Ziggler.  His run with Vickie has ran its course, so it is time to move on to greener pastures for The Show Off.  As for the match, Sheamus picked up the win.
Predicted Winner: Sheamus Predictions 2-0

SANTINO MARELLA V RICARDO RODRIGUEZ - TUXEDO MATCH
This match served its purpose, Comedy and time filler.  The crowd chanted boring throughout parts of the match, but I honestly was not impressed with the crowd for most of the night.  Granted, there was little wrestling involved in this one, but not every match has to be a technical masterpiece.  Santino picked up the victory via the foot Cobra.
Predicted Winner; Santino Predictions 3-0

IC TITLE CHRISTIAN V CODY RHODES
IMO Match of the Night.  It wont make the list of Match of the Year Candidates, but it was a good "old school" wrestling match.  Both guys have good chemistry.  Christian continued his hot streak following his return with another victory over Cody.  It appears Cody is off to bigger and better things, I see the possibility of a MITB win for Mr Rhodes.
Predicted Winner: Christian Predictions 4-0

PRIMO/EPICO V THE USOS V TYSON KIDD/JUSTIN GABRIEL V PRIME TIME PLAYERS
This turned out to be a very nice showcase for the tag division.  It would have been nice to see the Kofi and Truth defend their titles tonight, but with Truths injury them not wrestling was understandable.  The PTPers (Titus and Darren Young) ended up winning the match after AW jumped ship and cost Primo and Epico the win.  There is a nice little storyline here developing and it was nice to see that they didn't just quit on the whole AW thing.
Predication N/A


DIVAS CHAMPIONSHIP LAYLA V BETH PHOENIX
The one positive of this match was that they actually gave the ladies time to have a real match.  The downfall was that I though Layla was terrible.  She botched a couple of spots and looked sloppy in others.  Beth couldn't even carry her through to a good match in this one.  Easily the worse match of the night.  Layla retained the title.
Predicted Winner: Beth Phoenix Predictions 4-1

SIN CARA V HUNICO
Another non-advertised match.  I thought their last match on Smackdown was better than this one.  Sin Cara picked up the win, but he got very little offense in.  Hunico did most of the damage, but Cara managed to get the win.
Predicted Winner: N/A


WWE CHAMPIONSHIP CM PUNK V KANE V DANIEL BRYAN
First off I want to start by saying that 95% of the time I dislike triple threat matches.  This was the 5% that I actually enjoyed one and thought that it worked.  All 3 guys worked really well together.  Although Kane was perceived as being the weakest link, he has a very good showing.  A couple of very enjoyable spots.  The ending of the match was also interesting.
If you read my pre-match prediction you know that I predicted Daniel Bryan to win with AJ helping him out.  Well I was wrong (I am glad I was wrong).  AJ did however factor in to the finish.  She ran to the ring and Kane knocked her down.  Which allowed Punk to get the win.  Kane then carried AJ to the back, while AJ looked back at Punk smiling.  I am interested to see where this is going.
I was also surprised the Bryan was nowhere to be found during the finish.
Predicted Winner: Daniel Bryan Predictions 4-2

RYBACK V ROB GRYMES AND DAN DELANEY
Do I honestly need to review this one?  We all know what happened.  However Ryback did continue to expand his move-set tonight.  He hit a splash from the second rope.  It is nice to see him slowly expanding things.
I am honestly digging this whole Ryback character.  With that said I think it is either time to give him a lower card superstar and not an indy jobber, or FEED HIM THREE!
Prediction: I actually predicted him to show up so I am counting this one. Predictions 5-2

JOHN CENA V BIG SHOW - STEEL CAGE
Not a technical clinic here, but it was a decent main event.  I enjoyed all of the victims of the Big Show coming back down and helping out Cena.  I loved how Brodus Clay was involved.  I am glad that they are furthering this whole Big Show/Brodus angle.  A match between the two of them is inevitable, I just hope they build it to a nice PPV payoff.
Cena picked up the win after escaping over the cage before Show could get out of door.  Following the match Mr McMahon fired Johnny Ace!
The landscape of Raw and Smackdown is going to change, and I think that is a good thing.  Over the past month or so we have had an overload of Big Johnny.
Prediction: John Cena Predictions 6-2

Overall a solid show.  Triple H made and appearance and challenged Brock Lesnar to a fight at SummerSlam.  We could be on the cusp of seeing some good things heading into the summer.

PREDICTIONS;
Overall I finished 6-2, which I consider a very good showing.  I very easily should have been 8-0.  I had a feeling Layla was going to retain the Divas title, but I was hoping for a Beth victory.
As far as the WWE Championship match I honestly thought it could go anyway.  I did not know what they were planning with the AJ angle and I knew that ultimately she held the cards as to how the match would finish.
So with tonights predictions I move to 23-9 in my WWE PPV prediction on the year!

WWE No Way Out Predictions

In all honesty, I can't say I am really looking forward to this ppv.  I have ordered every WWE PPV since the beginning of the year, but I do not think I will order this one.  Right now the WWE just isn't offering stuff that is overly interesting to me.  I like some of the stuff going on, and there are a few guys that I really enjoy, but not enough for me to throw down the money to watch the show.

Here are my predictions for the show.  I have been on a pretty good role as of late so lets hope I can keep that going.

PRE SHOW MATCH - BRODUS CLAY V DAVID OTUNGA
Lets start by saying this one isn't going to be a wrestling clinic.  Clay is going to get the win, but I look for Otunga to give him a little bit of trouble.  This isn't going to be a squash, but just a step above that with Otunga getting in a little bit of offense.
PREDICTED WINNER: BRODUS CLAY


US TITLE - SANTINO MARELLA V RICARDO RODRIQUEZ in a TUXEDO MATCH
This could be a good comedy match to break the evening up a bit.  I really enjoy Santino.  The recent stuff between these two has been quality.  I look for it to end tonight with The Cobra striking for the win.
PREDICTED WINNER: SANTINO MARELLA


DIVAS CHAMPIONSHIP - LAYLA v BETH PHOENIX
I can honestly see this one going either way.  With as little time as the WWE puts into their Divas it is really hard to call.  I think it all depends on the Kharma effect.  When will she return and what are they going with her when she comes back?  I honestly think that will ultimately determine the winner.
PREDICTED WINNER: BETH PHOENIX


IC TITLE - CHRISTIAN v CODY RHODES
This is my pre-show pick for match of the night.  Christian has had all the momentum since returning, and I expect that to continue tonight.  Cody had a good run as IC champ, but I think bigger things may be in store for him.  I can see him entering the World Title picture shortly.
PREDICTED WINNER: CHRISTIAN


WWE TITLE - CM PUNK v KANE v DANIEL BRYAN
I am at a stalemate on this one.  At first I though Punk was a lock to keep the title, then I thought The American Dragon would get his run with the WWE strap, then within the last week I have honestly thought that Kane could win it after not giving him a shot early on.  The result of this match is totally contingent on how they play the AJ angle.  I am calling it that AJ costs Punk and Kane the match and ends up back with Daniel Bryan.  It was all a ploy.  However, I don't have any faith in the WWE's creative skills so who knows.
PREDICTED WINNER: DANIEL BRYAN


JOHN CENA V BIG SHOW
Not really in to this who story, but I guess I am interested in seeing how it plays out.  I can't see Cena losing and be "So Called Fired", we have been down that route before.  Plus if they are going to give him time off, I can't see him missing RAW 1000 or SummerSlam.  So I am saying either Cena wins or it goes to a No-Contest.
PREDICTED WINNER: JOHN CENA


I am also predicting that we could see an appearance from Ryback!
An outside chance of seeing Mr Sandow.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Slammiversary Highlights

First off, I want to start by saying that I was impressed with TNA's effort last night.  I can honestly say that it was a better PPV than the last few that the WWE has had to offer.  I am glad that I decided to order the show.  Hopefully they can carry on with the momentum that they have going and put together some quality TV heading into Destination X and ultimately Bound for Glory!

HIGHLIGHTS

*Austin Aries vs Samoa Joe for the X-Division Championship - Simply put, both guys brought it!  A Double continues to show that he is one of the best wrestlers in the world.  Every time we get to see him we are watching a Superstar being born.  He has the "It Factor".  Samoa Joe brought it like it was 2006.  I was glad to see him once again perform to his potential.  
The match was a great pick to start the show.  Aries and Joe set the standard for the night and most everyone lived up to that standard.  After winning the match, Aries said he was going for Main Event status and I believe he is more than ready.  I hope TNA has something in mind for him.
Joe looked to be back his old self.  I hope his performance last night show the TNA brass that he can still bring it.  I hope that they push him back to where he needs to be.  He doesn't have to be in the Main Event all the time, but he does need to be relevant.

*Kurt Angle and AJ Styles vs Daniels and Kazarian - All I can say about this match is WOW! Rarely does a tag match have a chance to be Match of the Year, but in this case the match has to be in consideration.  All 4 guys brought their A-game last night.  The match delivered from bell to bell.  Those of you who did not watch the PPV, you missed out on a classic.  I am giving this the Match of the Night award, but the Aries-Joe match is right there.

*Sting to the HOF - I know that many people are saying that TNA doesn't need a HOF yet, with that withstanding I think Sting was an excellent first choice.  Sting was the first true Superstar to jump to TNA and stay there.  He has had multiple offers to jump to the WWE and decided to stay.  Granted Jeff Jarrett and a few other belong in the first class, the announcement of Sting as the first member was a win for me.
The word going around is that no-one, other than a select few, knew who was getting the nod.  It honestly looked like Sting was surprised, which made the moment even better.

There were other good moments, but those are the three best moments of the night for me.

MOMENT TO FORGET
*Devon and Garrett Bischoff vs Robbie E and Robbie T - This match was doomed from the start.  Devon is the best wrestler of the bunch with Robbie E close behind.  Robbie T and Garrett are terrible. They have no business in the ring together.  The match could have been worse, but it was bad.

Overall the show was a very good one.  It honestly has me excited to see what TNA has in-store.  Lets all hope that they can keep it up!