What's up everyone? This week will be a quick review of the big happenings on Raw, Smackdown, ROH, and NXT. Let's get to it already!
Raw Thoughts
- Braun Strowman's "heel" turn at the end of the show was really forced. If you think about it, Braun did nothing that Roman didn't do the week before. It was simply an "eye for an eye" reaction. The key is next week. Was this a temporary alliance between himself, McIntyre, and Ziggler? Or is this the Anti-Shield?
On a side note, I think Roman came off as much more sympathetic this week than he has in weeks past. I'm looking forward to that Hell in a Cell match (which I expect to close the show and cause the Cell to fall apart).
- I also enjoyed the Owens vs. Rollins match for what it was. I think the match has been done so many times for me that it becomes background noise. Still, they both did a great job putting things into the match to ramp up the audience's involvement (including a KO Stone Cold Stunner).
- Please. No. More. Baron. Corbin. Opening . Matches. I beg you. I can't take this anymore. Finn Balor is treated like garbage once again.
- The Revival beat The B-Team. Golf clap.
- I enjoyed the return of Trish Stratus and her interactions with Elias. Trish still has the power of the slap going. Trish vs. Alexa should be a fun past vs. present match.
Overall, Raw was a decent enough show. There have been much worse editions lately. This wasn't terrible by any stretch of the imagination.
SmackDown Live Thoughts
- The New Day is awesome. But KING BOOKAH!!!! That just put the first segment over the top. This week has been a great example of how to use nostalgia acts for effectiveness. Booker as an on-screen character is welcome every day of the week. Booker on commentary... well, he would be better than Coach at least.
- The Tag Team Triple Threat Match was just ok. The Colons coming back for this was weird. They can now go back into hiding. Cesaro is still criminally underused in my opinion. I'm not saying World Champion. But we need more Cesaro matches period.
- Jeff Hardy is going to do something terrible in that Hell in a Cell match. I hope to God that it isn't something on the top of the cage, but it's Jeff Hardy. There's a 80% chance we're getting something uncomfortably insane.
- SmackDown continues to be the best show for women's wrestling in terms of women being incorporated in not only their own division but most of the men's segments as well. Case in Point: We had 2 women's matches (1 of which was the main event). We also had two women's interview segments. We also had Lana as part of the Rusev Day segment. And we had Zelina, Brie, and Maryse involved in a great 15 minute segment with Bryan vs. Almas (and Miz's interference).
- Speaking of which, that was one hell of a match to get everyone excited for a possible PPV match down the road. Their styles seemed to mesh really well, and Almas has overcome any fear that he'd be pushed down the ladder since being called up. As for Daniel Bryan, I think he's feeling it again in terms of getting his character and in-ring performance back to his pre-retirement status.
Is it me or is Brie Bella so much more likeable without Nikki right next to her? And I'd argue the same thing for Nikki as well.
- No Shinsuke this week. But the show was so good creatively overall that him having a week off is not the worst idea.
- Samoa Joe continuing to push AJ's buttons by mentioning his wife and kids is Classic Heel 101. And it's being done to perfection. I know we shouldn't get 3 Hell in a Cell matches. But Joe vs. Styles may need to be the exception.
- The main event was just there to me again. I just don't get into Carmella as an in-ring performer (or a character for that matter). But the aftermath with Becky Lynch was awesome. They've taken the gas off of making Becky go after the audience. Instead, it's now Becky completely focused on getting revenge on Charlotte for costing her her moment at SummerSlam. They may end up turning Charlotte now out of all this with Charlotte saying that she is superior and that the fans turned or HER (which they actually have in truth).
Overall, this was a very good creative episode of SmackDown. We got a very good appetizer of a match with Almas vs. Bryan. Several of the big stories on the brand were advanced. And the worst parts of the show didn't overstay their welcome (IIconics in particular).
ROH Thoughts
- First, we have Christopher Daniels vs. Jay Briscoe. A fine opening match which ended with Mark Briscoe hitting Daniels with the steel chair for the DQ and the rest of SCU (SCU!!!!) running out to save Daniels.
- We also get hype for a 30-Minute Ironman Match for the ROH World Championship in 2 weeks between Jay Lethal and Jonathan Gresham. That's going to be awesome!
- We then get Silas Young vs. Flip Gordon (who still can't get booked for All in). Another good TV match here between the two. Flip wins with a rollup. After the match, Flip tries to shake Silas' hand only for Bully Ray to low blow him once again from behind. (Seriously. Does nobody wear a cup?)
- Nice little promo by Kenny King as well describing why he'll continue to take advantage of situations like he did last week.
- I really liked the main event with Cody and The Young Bucks defeating The Kingdom for the ROH 6-Man Tag Team Championship. Really cool moments, involving a dive by Brandi Rhodes and a controversial ending that plays into The Kingdom's current storyline.
Overall, this was an excellent edition of ROH and may be my favorite edition of the show since I started watching full-time earlier this year. Check this out!
NXT Thoughts
- Johnny Failure... I mean, Johnny Jobber... I mean, Johnny Gargano came out in a crutch doing his "Woe is Me" song and dance. Regal came out asking him if he attacked Aleister Black a few weeks ago. Then Velveteen Dream came out accusing Gargano of being Johnny Failure (which, he is as a character. Just saying). Regal tells Dream to go back to his office and says Dream and Gargano will face off next week. Good opening segment that served many different storylines all at once.
- Lars Sullivan made his presence felt on his return by taking out EC3 in the backstage area and then his scheduled opponent in the ring. Good to see Lars back on TV.
- Keith Lee continues to be impressive. I never saw Lee prior to NXT, but I can now understand what the hype was when they first announced his arrival a few months back. I am basking in his glory.
- Good main event with The Undisputed Era (Roderick Strong and Adam Cole... BAY BAY!) beating Ricochet and Pete Dunne. You can throw any fo the Undisputed Era wrestlers in the ring, and you know you are going to get an awesome match. That's what makes them a great faction period.
Bottom Line: NXT did it again with a solid episode to help set up the next Takeover's storylines.
Overall, for the first time (I believe), I'm giving this week to Ring of Honor. For a solid hour of wrestling, I don't think you'll find a better show this week. After that, I'd go with SmackDown. Then, I'd go with NXT and Raw in that order.
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Podcast Recommendation for the Week:
This week, I'm giving it to Good Ol' J.R. Jim Ross and his Ross Report Podcast. This week, Jim Ross goes through his usual thoughts, picks his "slobberknocker" and "Pet-Coon Crazy" award winners, and reads viewer emails. But in addition to a second part of a Ric Flair interview discussing old stories, we also get the announcement of the #1 Wrestler on the PWI 500. And you get to hear that wrestler get the announcement for the first time. Cool stuff.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
<<Rewind<< Match of the Week
Kota Ibushi recently finished as the Overall Runner-Up and B Block Winner of the G1 Climax. But his biggest match prior to this year took place in 2015 when he faced Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship at Wrestle Kingdom IX. It was Ibushi's attempt to gain the respect of Nakamura and prove to the world that he deserved to be in the same league.
This is an excellent back and forth match with the King of Strong Style trying to play mind games with the more acrobatic aerial Ibushi. The match is well paced and feels like a main event level match. Nakamura and Ibushi's performance was a five-star classic with both men playing up to the moment so well. It's the little things like Ibushi doing Shinsuke's moves and Nakamura toying with Ibushi early on in the match. That stuff adds up to build the atmosphere.
If you haven't seen this match, check it out using the link below with commentary by Jim Ross and Matt Striker:
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x560s68
Next Week: How Ric Flair Became a 2x WWE Champion
_ _ _ _ _
That does it for this week's edition of UnWrest. Be sure to check back in Friday Night for my ALL IN Predictions. Then, Saturday Night, I'll be posting my thoughts on All In immediately after it goes off. Until next time, take care of yourselves. And spread some awesomeness.
Raw Thoughts
- Braun Strowman's "heel" turn at the end of the show was really forced. If you think about it, Braun did nothing that Roman didn't do the week before. It was simply an "eye for an eye" reaction. The key is next week. Was this a temporary alliance between himself, McIntyre, and Ziggler? Or is this the Anti-Shield?
On a side note, I think Roman came off as much more sympathetic this week than he has in weeks past. I'm looking forward to that Hell in a Cell match (which I expect to close the show and cause the Cell to fall apart).
- I also enjoyed the Owens vs. Rollins match for what it was. I think the match has been done so many times for me that it becomes background noise. Still, they both did a great job putting things into the match to ramp up the audience's involvement (including a KO Stone Cold Stunner).
- Please. No. More. Baron. Corbin. Opening . Matches. I beg you. I can't take this anymore. Finn Balor is treated like garbage once again.
- The Revival beat The B-Team. Golf clap.
- I enjoyed the return of Trish Stratus and her interactions with Elias. Trish still has the power of the slap going. Trish vs. Alexa should be a fun past vs. present match.
Overall, Raw was a decent enough show. There have been much worse editions lately. This wasn't terrible by any stretch of the imagination.
SmackDown Live Thoughts
- The New Day is awesome. But KING BOOKAH!!!! That just put the first segment over the top. This week has been a great example of how to use nostalgia acts for effectiveness. Booker as an on-screen character is welcome every day of the week. Booker on commentary... well, he would be better than Coach at least.
- The Tag Team Triple Threat Match was just ok. The Colons coming back for this was weird. They can now go back into hiding. Cesaro is still criminally underused in my opinion. I'm not saying World Champion. But we need more Cesaro matches period.
- Jeff Hardy is going to do something terrible in that Hell in a Cell match. I hope to God that it isn't something on the top of the cage, but it's Jeff Hardy. There's a 80% chance we're getting something uncomfortably insane.
- SmackDown continues to be the best show for women's wrestling in terms of women being incorporated in not only their own division but most of the men's segments as well. Case in Point: We had 2 women's matches (1 of which was the main event). We also had two women's interview segments. We also had Lana as part of the Rusev Day segment. And we had Zelina, Brie, and Maryse involved in a great 15 minute segment with Bryan vs. Almas (and Miz's interference).
- Speaking of which, that was one hell of a match to get everyone excited for a possible PPV match down the road. Their styles seemed to mesh really well, and Almas has overcome any fear that he'd be pushed down the ladder since being called up. As for Daniel Bryan, I think he's feeling it again in terms of getting his character and in-ring performance back to his pre-retirement status.
Is it me or is Brie Bella so much more likeable without Nikki right next to her? And I'd argue the same thing for Nikki as well.
- No Shinsuke this week. But the show was so good creatively overall that him having a week off is not the worst idea.
- Samoa Joe continuing to push AJ's buttons by mentioning his wife and kids is Classic Heel 101. And it's being done to perfection. I know we shouldn't get 3 Hell in a Cell matches. But Joe vs. Styles may need to be the exception.
- The main event was just there to me again. I just don't get into Carmella as an in-ring performer (or a character for that matter). But the aftermath with Becky Lynch was awesome. They've taken the gas off of making Becky go after the audience. Instead, it's now Becky completely focused on getting revenge on Charlotte for costing her her moment at SummerSlam. They may end up turning Charlotte now out of all this with Charlotte saying that she is superior and that the fans turned or HER (which they actually have in truth).
Overall, this was a very good creative episode of SmackDown. We got a very good appetizer of a match with Almas vs. Bryan. Several of the big stories on the brand were advanced. And the worst parts of the show didn't overstay their welcome (IIconics in particular).
ROH Thoughts
- First, we have Christopher Daniels vs. Jay Briscoe. A fine opening match which ended with Mark Briscoe hitting Daniels with the steel chair for the DQ and the rest of SCU (SCU!!!!) running out to save Daniels.
- We also get hype for a 30-Minute Ironman Match for the ROH World Championship in 2 weeks between Jay Lethal and Jonathan Gresham. That's going to be awesome!
- We then get Silas Young vs. Flip Gordon (who still can't get booked for All in). Another good TV match here between the two. Flip wins with a rollup. After the match, Flip tries to shake Silas' hand only for Bully Ray to low blow him once again from behind. (Seriously. Does nobody wear a cup?)
- Nice little promo by Kenny King as well describing why he'll continue to take advantage of situations like he did last week.
- I really liked the main event with Cody and The Young Bucks defeating The Kingdom for the ROH 6-Man Tag Team Championship. Really cool moments, involving a dive by Brandi Rhodes and a controversial ending that plays into The Kingdom's current storyline.
Overall, this was an excellent edition of ROH and may be my favorite edition of the show since I started watching full-time earlier this year. Check this out!
NXT Thoughts
- Johnny Failure... I mean, Johnny Jobber... I mean, Johnny Gargano came out in a crutch doing his "Woe is Me" song and dance. Regal came out asking him if he attacked Aleister Black a few weeks ago. Then Velveteen Dream came out accusing Gargano of being Johnny Failure (which, he is as a character. Just saying). Regal tells Dream to go back to his office and says Dream and Gargano will face off next week. Good opening segment that served many different storylines all at once.
- Lars Sullivan made his presence felt on his return by taking out EC3 in the backstage area and then his scheduled opponent in the ring. Good to see Lars back on TV.
- Keith Lee continues to be impressive. I never saw Lee prior to NXT, but I can now understand what the hype was when they first announced his arrival a few months back. I am basking in his glory.
- Good main event with The Undisputed Era (Roderick Strong and Adam Cole... BAY BAY!) beating Ricochet and Pete Dunne. You can throw any fo the Undisputed Era wrestlers in the ring, and you know you are going to get an awesome match. That's what makes them a great faction period.
Bottom Line: NXT did it again with a solid episode to help set up the next Takeover's storylines.
Overall, for the first time (I believe), I'm giving this week to Ring of Honor. For a solid hour of wrestling, I don't think you'll find a better show this week. After that, I'd go with SmackDown. Then, I'd go with NXT and Raw in that order.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Podcast Recommendation for the Week:
This week, I'm giving it to Good Ol' J.R. Jim Ross and his Ross Report Podcast. This week, Jim Ross goes through his usual thoughts, picks his "slobberknocker" and "Pet-Coon Crazy" award winners, and reads viewer emails. But in addition to a second part of a Ric Flair interview discussing old stories, we also get the announcement of the #1 Wrestler on the PWI 500. And you get to hear that wrestler get the announcement for the first time. Cool stuff.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
<<Rewind<< Match of the Week
Kota Ibushi recently finished as the Overall Runner-Up and B Block Winner of the G1 Climax. But his biggest match prior to this year took place in 2015 when he faced Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship at Wrestle Kingdom IX. It was Ibushi's attempt to gain the respect of Nakamura and prove to the world that he deserved to be in the same league.
This is an excellent back and forth match with the King of Strong Style trying to play mind games with the more acrobatic aerial Ibushi. The match is well paced and feels like a main event level match. Nakamura and Ibushi's performance was a five-star classic with both men playing up to the moment so well. It's the little things like Ibushi doing Shinsuke's moves and Nakamura toying with Ibushi early on in the match. That stuff adds up to build the atmosphere.
If you haven't seen this match, check it out using the link below with commentary by Jim Ross and Matt Striker:
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x560s68
Next Week: How Ric Flair Became a 2x WWE Champion
_ _ _ _ _
That does it for this week's edition of UnWrest. Be sure to check back in Friday Night for my ALL IN Predictions. Then, Saturday Night, I'll be posting my thoughts on All In immediately after it goes off. Until next time, take care of yourselves. And spread some awesomeness.
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