Reviewing every WWE PPV in order from worst to best

[Leon TrotSky]

Honestly, when you take hindsight into account, I don't think the main of SummerSlam 17 holds up. A load of people liked it at the time partly because it said exciting things for the trajectories of Strowman and Samoa Joe, but nowadays we know that that potential was squandered in the end

 

[Skyefire]

That was one of the few times I wanted Reigns to win. I liked Joe but he wasn't ready to win the main event of Summerslam and become the face of WWE, Lesnar was a part-timer, and Strowman was still green. Jinder Mahal never should have been champion in the first place. I think I recall back then WWE was trying to attract the Indian audience. It would have been better if Orton was still champion and Nakamura beat him for the title. It would have been a more high profile match. But, between Vince seeing Jinder as a big muscular god and Nakamura's lack of English, Vince went with Jinder. The next PPV after this would see a rematch between The Bar and The Shield when Cesaro would display Toothless Aggression.

You say the next one is the first one of the pandemic era, meaning the first one to make this list? I find that surprising that all of the pandemic era shows are that high on the list considering some of the shit WWE pulled off during that period.

 

[Jarf]

That was one of the few times I wanted Reigns to win. I liked Joe but he wasn't ready to win the main event of Summerslam and become the face of WWE, Lesnar was a part-timer, and Strowman was still green. Jinder Mahal never should have been champion in the first place. I think I recall back then WWE was trying to attract the Indian audience. It would have been better if Orton was still champion and Nakamura beat him for the title. It would have been a more high profile match. But, between Vince seeing Jinder as a big muscular god and Nakamura's lack of English, Vince went with Jinder. The next PPV after this would see a rematch between The Bar and The Shield when Cesaro would display Toothless Aggression.

You say the next one is the first one of the pandemic era, meaning the first one to make this list? I find that surprising that all of the pandemic era shows are that high on the list considering some of the shit WWE pulled off during that period.

Yes, I just finished watching it and it reminded me of how much I hated the pandemic era. I'll have a review of it up at some point later today.

 

[Jarf]

Payback 2020

Match 1: United States Championship Match - Bobby Lashley def. Apollo Crews (c) (9:23)

Immediately, I’m reminded of how much I hated this time in WWE. Between the giant TV screens and the piped in crowd noise, this feels uncanny. This match was okay, but much like pretty much almost very match on the show, this follows the basic WWE formula. Heel wears down the babyface. Lashley uses his power to his advantage while Apollo uses his agility and speed. Lashley works over Apollo’s torso. Apollo brings the fight to Lashley. He hits 2 german suplexes, but Lashley puts back up after the first. Apollo ducks a clothesline and hits the second. That was the spot that stood out to me the most. What’s crazy about this match though, is that MVP and Shelton Benjamin were out there with Lashley and didn’t get involved once. Lashley actually won by himself! This truly is a historic day in wrestling history. The heel wins without cheating! Yeah, Lashley wins with the Hurt Lock and Apollo taps out. Apollo jumps Lashley after the match, but MVP and Shelton chase him out. Apollo says he’ll get that title back, which I don’t think he did.

My Rating: **1/2

Match 2: Big E. def. Sheamus (12:17)

With Kofi and Xavier out, WWE were pushing Big E. as a singles wrestler and I loved this. Never did I think he would win the World Title though, I didn’t think they saw him as a main eventer. This match was solid. Sheamus really beats the bricks off Big E. and Big E. dishes it back. Sheamus works over E’s legs and puts him in a Texas Cloverleaf which looked kinda gross. The finish to this match is cool, as Sheamus goes for the Brogue Kick, Big E. lifts him up on his shoulders, drops Sheamus with a sit-out powerbomb, and then finishes it with a Big Ending to win the match. Then after the match, E. goes up to Corey Graves and says “tell them I’m ready” which was awesome. Big E. was fucking ready!

My Rating: ***

Match 3: Matt Riddle def. King Corbin (10:57)

This match has 2 of my least favorite wrestlers in it, so that pretty much turns me off immediately. But still, I gotta watch it. This is the loudest a crowd has ever been for a Baron Corbin match by the way. I thought this match was boring, which goes without saying. But I will say it’s probably one of the better Corbin matches I’ve seen so… good I guess? Most of this match, Corbin beats on Riddle, but Riddle stays into by leaping on Corbin like a spider monkey. Riddle wins the match with a (insert name I’ve forgotten) it’s basically a whisper in the wind to a prone Corbin. Riddle goes backstage and gets jumped by Corbin.

My Rating: **3/4

Match 4: Women’s Tag Team Championship Match - Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler def. Bayley & Sasha Banks (c) (10:17)

WWE’s favorite storyline is in effect here. “CAN THEY CO-EXIST.” If anyone was watching Raw or SmackDown at the time, one, you’re a trooper and secondly, can you explain why this match was happening. This match was actually pretty good if I’m being honest. Sasha and Bayley looked good as the crafty champions while Shayna and… yes, even Nia, played the tough brutes. Nia and Shayna start getting into a rhythm and surprisingly don’t start falling apart at any point during the match. Sasha and Bayley back body drop Nia while Shayna comes in. The finish to this match to this match is extremely silly, but I can’t help but love it. Shayna puts Sasha in a Muta Lock, and while she’s doing that, Bayley goes for a clothesline, Shayna ducks and puts Bayley in the Kirifuda Clutch, then lays back on Sasha’s legs. Sasha tries to turn and attack Shayna, but Shayna uses Sasha’s arm to help choke out Bayley. Like I said, it’s stupid, but I loved it. Anyway, Bayley taps out and we have new tag champs. Turns out they could co-exist.

My Rating: ***1/4

Match 5: Keith Lee def. Randy Orton (6:40)

The trajectory that Keith Lee has been on since he debuted on WWE’s main roster. He’s been fumbled by 2 different wrestling companies and it’s genuinely irritating. They made Keith Lee look great here. Orton says he demands Keith Lee’s respect and then chops him 3 times. So Keith responds by double chopping Orton, sending him to the ground. Orton drops Keith on the announce table, but Keith later returns the favor by doing it to Orton. Keith tosses Randy back in the ring, but gets kicked and hit with a draping DDT as he tries to get back in. Orton goes for an RKO, but Keith escapes it, picks Orton up and hits a Spirit Bomb (sit-out powerbomb) to get his first main roster win and in only 6 minutes, it’s crazy… Vince. Tony. How did you fuck this up?

My Rating: **3/4

Match 6: The Mysterios def. Seth Rollins & Murphy (15:58)

We’re a week removed from Dominik’s first ever match in WWE, which was at SummerSlam. Yes, this show was only a week removed from SummerSlam. Very long, built up show this PPV was. Rey, Seth and Murphy all do a good job of working the match while Dominik shows promise in his second match. Mysterio, early in the match, tells Seth to get his punk ass in the ring. I love angry Rey Mysterio. Angry Rey is underrated. There’s some really cool double team work from Seth and Murphy. Seth slides Rey out of the ring, where Murphy is laying on the floor waiting with his knees up. Dominik tries a crossbody, but gets caught by both men. Murphy lifts Dom up so Seth can hit a falcon arrow from that position. The finish to this match was really cool, I thought. Seth tags Murphy in and tells him to kick Rey in the head. So Seth picks Rey up for a buckle bomb, but Rey reverses it into a hurricanrana and Murphy kicks Seth instead. Rey drop toe holds Murphy into the second rope, tags in Dominik, then slides under the bottom rope to sunset flip Seth into the barricade. Then Dom finishes the match with his dad’s finisher, the frog splash. The Mysterios triumph.

My Rating: ***3/4

Main Event: Universal Championship No Holds Barred Triple Threat Match - Roman Reigns def. “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt (c) & Braun Strowman (12:41)

Unimpressed. That pretty much sums up how I feel about this match. Now, when the match begins, Roman Reigns has yet to sign the contract to be in the match, so Braun jumps the Fiend when he’s in the ring and these have a bull fight for several minutes. But I wasn’t into it. Also, this match had the potential to have the same amount of chaotic goodness as the Fatal 4-Way from SummerSlam ‘17, but it wasn’t. Bray and Braun beat the shit out of each other for 10 minutes, and even explode the ring with a superplex, cause that spot hasn’t gotten old yet. Then Roman comes out with Heyman holding the contract. Roman finally signs the contract and goes to pin both guys, who kick out. He grabs a chair from outside and wails Braun with it. Before he turns to the Fiend, who gets up and puts the Mandible Claw on Roman, but one kick to the penis sends The Fiend out of the ring. Roman hits a Spear on Braun to win the title. And when this happened, I was expecting a lengthy title reign. Roman had just returned and turned heel in the process so I was expecting this title reign to be a long one… How long it would be, was unexpected.

My Rating: **1/2

Cagematch Rating: 5.62

My Rating: 4.5/10

It isn’t the worst show in the world, but ultimately it feels pointless. Why did they need to do this show? This show was made pretty much only to have one match, and they just had to fill time with different matches. Huge plus for not having any terrible matches on the show, but really, it’s hard to even give a shit. This show had a week difference from SummerSlam. They had one week to build this show up, so why should we care about it? And every match ranges from okay to good, but the only stand out match is the Mysterios match.

So we had our first event from the pandemic era, but next we’re about to get our first show from 2001. Can you believe it’s taken us this long to get to this year? It’ll also be the last Insurrextion show I have to watch.

 

[Skyefire]

Taken this long to get to 2001? Not surprised. It was a great year. Taken this long to get to pandemic era? Very surprised with some of the crap they did. Surprised this was the lowest rated of the pandemic era? Somewhat. I would also expect Extreme Rules to be near there.

 

[Jarf]

Insurrextion 2001

Okay, why did it take me so long to watch this show? Because 1, I honestly had no interest in watching it to begin with, but I also made the mistake of watching it when I was extremely tired, so I had to restart it, and I got interrupted mid-show so I had to restart it again. So I have seen the first 3 matches 3 times at this point.

The show opens with a backstage segment and Linda McMahon has made changes to the card apparently, but there’s no way they announced a card beforehand on Raw or SmackDown.

Match 1: Eddie Guerrero def. Grandmaster Sexay (4:30)

I believe this was Eddie’s last PPV match before they released him. It breaks my heart to see Eddie in, what is essentially just a filler match. Eddie jumps Grandmaster before the bell. He taunts the crowd and Brian. He hilariously tries to do one of Grandmaster’s dance moves and he cannot. He almost falls over. At the end of the match, Grandmaster runs at Eddie in the corner, but misses and his crotch hits the second turnbuckle, then Eddie rolls him up and gets his feet on the ropes to get the win.

My Rating: **

Match 2: The Radicalz (Dean Malenko & Perry Saturn) & Terri def. Hardcore, Crash & Molly Holly (5:37)

Terri says she couldn’t find any wrestling boots in the UK so she can’t wrestle… I thought they already had their own. Molly comes in, slaps Terri and gives her a swing. Terri stays off the apron until the end while the men go at it. Saturn and Bob botch around until Crash gets in and he has Perry down and pins him, but Terri comes in and tries to pull Crash off, so Molly runs in and tackles her. Hardcore and Malenko try to separate them while Saturn gives Crash a Fisherman to get the win.

My Rating: *1/2

Match 3: Bradshaw def. Big Show (3:20)

It was supposed to be Big Show vs Test, but Linda canceled that match because Big Show injured Test’s ribs on SmackDown. Big Show comes out anyway and says that Test has a bad case of “yellow-itis…” Yellow-itis… This is top notch writing here. He calls Test a coward and calls him out. And Test actually comes out, with taped ribs and tries to fight Big Show, but Big Show picks Test up for a sideslam. After hurting Test further, he tries to leave, but the APA’s music hits and Bradshaw comes down to fight Big Show. They get in the ring, a ref gets in and the bell rings and commentary says “Oh its a match.” They don’t say anything like “Linda McMahon has made this match official” to explain it. It’s just a match now. Big Show whoops Bradshaw’s ass for a couple minutes, before he goes back to beat up Test some more and toss him in the ring. He grabs a steel chair, but Test boots the chair back in his face, and Bradshaw hits a Clothesline From Hell to win the match.

My Rating: *1/4

Match 4: Fatal 4-Way Elimination Match - Edge & Christian def. The Dudley Boyz, The Hardy Boyz & X-Factor (X-Pac & Justin Credible) (13:20)

3 of the best tag teams in history and also X-Factor. There’s absolutely no stakes to this match, no number one contendership or anything. This match should’ve been pretty good, but it was alright. X-Factor is the first team eliminated, surprise, surprise. Matt hits a Twist of Fate on X-Pac, then a Swanton Bomb from Jeff. The Hardyz are taken out a second later after an Unprettier from Christian to Jeff. Then its down to E&C and The Dudleys. The match slows down after this as they gotta isolate D-Von. But Bubba eventually gets the tag and the match picks up again. Bubba tells D-Von to get the tables. They go outside to grab a table. Edge and Christian try baseball sliding, but the Dudleys lift the table up over them and hit them with it. How is that not a DQ? Then they drop the table and roll them back in. E&C both roll back outside and the ref tries to get them back in. But while he’s looking away, Rhyno runs in and GORES Bubba. Edge comes in to make the cover and E&C take the win. Rhyno goes back out to grab the table and sets it up. But before they can do anything, Spike Dudley runs in and single handedly saves his brothers from all 3 men! He shoves Rhyno into the corner. Christian hits Rhyno after Spike dodges, and Spike hits a Dudley Dog on Edge off them! The Dudleys toss Edge and Christian out before Bubba and D-Von hit a 3D on Rhyno through the table. Spike Dudley is the best member of the Dudley Boys and it’s not even close.

My Rating: **1/2

There is supposed to be a women’s battle royal after this, but Stevie Richards and Ivory come out and announce that Commissioner Regal allowed them to censor the battle royal. They call, Jacqueline, Trish and Lita out and I can’t remember why. All I remember is the aftermath where they all stripped Ivory down. Stevie tries to scold them but Trish talks in a… sexy voice? She sounded nervous If I’m being honest with you. Like she’s trying to seduce Stevie. She low blows Stevie and takes his pants off. Her and Jackie hold him down while Lita moonsaults him…. So that was a thing that I watched.

It’s actually kind of funny how we went from a humiliation kink to 2 of the best wrestlers in the world.

Match 5: 2 Out of 3 Falls Match - Chris Benoit def. Kurt Angle (14:23)

From a wrestling perspective, this is probably my favorite feud ever. These 2 never had a bad match together. This is after Benoit stole Angle’s gold medals on Raw. Angle comes out demanding to know where they are and Benoit tells him they’re in a “safe, warm place.” This is probably one of their weaker matches together, but considering that most of their matches together were bangers, that is not an insult. This is a very straight, good wrestling match that picks up in intensity as the match goes on. Benoit wins the first fall after 3 German Suplexes and a Diving Headbutt. Angle goes on the attack, trying to even the score. Towards the end of the match, Benoit hits 3 more Germans and goes for another Headbutt, but Angle dodges. Angle sends Benoit into the ropes, drop toe hold into an Ankle Lock, but Benoit reverses it into a Crossface. Angle escapes, but Benoit rolls Angle up in a small package to beat Kurt 2 straight falls. Clean sweep which was surprising! Benoit goes up the ramp, with a mic and lets Kurt know where exactly his gold medals are… He reaches into his pants (cue porno music) No, not that! He whips out Angle’s medals and I’m like “how’d he wrestle with those in his tights the whole time?”

My Rating: ***3/4

Match 6: Queen’s Cup Match - Chris Jericho def. William Regal (14:47)

I like whenever WWE comes up with these random ass trophies and acts like they’re prestigious. Not as good as the last match, but this was another solid bout, but the middle portion of it really brings it down because it’s Regal getting heat on Jericho. Both men nearly get dumped on their heads. Jericho hits a leg scissors off the top rope where Regal almost gets spiked. Jericho also almost gets spiked after Regal throws him overhead. Jericho hits all his shit and makes a comeback. He tries a Lionsault, but Regal gets his knees up and then picks Jericho up and drops him back down for a close 2 count. Regal tries to german Jericho, but Jericho reverses it and rolls forward through Regal’s legs, before he turns and grabs Regal’s legs to put him in the Walls of Jericho. Regal taps out and while Jericho celebrates, Regal jumps him and breaks the trophy over Jericho’s body.

My Rating: ***1/4

Main Event: WWF Championship 2-on-1 Handicap Match - The Undertaker def. Steve Austin (c) & Triple H (17:12)

This ending is stupid. I’m not annoyed or angry. I’m amused. It’s actually funny to me how almost no thought at all went into this ending. So in order to win the WWF Title, Undertaker HAS to pin Stone Cold. He can’t do it by pinning Triple H. That in itself isn’t that stupid. It adds an interesting stipulation. This match was going alright actually. It was a nice brawl. I like that they didn’t try to make Undertaker look like superman. He gets his shots in, but Austin and Triple H make him work for the win the whole match. Anytime, Austin or Triple H was in trouble, the other would jump in to save them. Towards the end of the match, chaos ensues. There is a sweet spot where Triple H leaps at Taker from off screen and Undertaker catches him to hit… a weak chokeslam through the announce table. But great camera work on that spot. I’m not sure when it happened, but Undertaker’s ear gets busted and he looks like a badass with blood running down the side of his face. He Chokeslams Austin and doesn’t cover him in ages. It takes him a minute to cover Austin, just so Triple H can come in to stop the cover once he actually does cover. Undertaker sends Austin out of the ring. Vince McMahon comes down to the ring and he takes a better Chokeslam than either Austin or HHH in this match. Undertaker picks HHH up again to hit another Chokeslam… and covers him? What? Why? He pins Triple H and wins the match but because he doesn’t pin Austin, he doesn’t win the title! And to make it even worse, Austin runs in just a second after the 3 count to get Chokeslammed again! Undertaker beats all 3 men up with a chair and commentary is talking this up as if its the biggest win for anybody in history! Undertaker doesn’t win the title, he’s got blood running down the side of his face. If anything he looks like a loser here! He literally accomplished nothing this night! Undertaker… is a dumbass!

My Rating: **1/2

Cagematch Rating: 5.59

My Rating: 6/10

In conclusion… not a bad show. It just feels like an episode of Raw more than a PPV. I would say I had an okay time watching this show… but I don’t think it deserves anything more than a 6.

Next up will be a month before the boyhood dream came true. In Your House 6: Rage in a Cage.

 

[Jarf]

In Your House 6: Rage in a Cage

Match 1: Crybaby Match - Razor Ramon def. 1-2-3 Kid (12:01)

Now because WWF wanted their fans to immediately regret their purchase, they started the show off with a Crybaby Match. What’s a crybaby match? The loser has to wear a diaper… Yep, that’s it pretty much. The Kid and DiBiase bring a bottle and baby powder out with them. Seriously, if my PPV started with this kind of match, I’d already be trying to get my money back. This match was okay. It starts off hot enough as the Kid tries to brawl with Razor which was his first mistake. But the tide turns for the Kid after DiBiase throws baby powder into Razor’s eyes. Right in front of the referee who just allows it to go unpunished. The way this match is worked for the rest is odd. Like the Kid has a sleeper on Razor for forever. Razor picks The Kid up and dumps him on the top rope crotch first. But The Kid makes the cover on Razor after that. After a comeback from Razor, he hits a fallaway slam on The Kid from the top rope. DiBiase places the baby powder on the apron for the kid while he distracts the ref. The Kid gets some powder in his hand, but Razor kicks it up into the Kid’s face. Then Razor finishes the match with not one, but 2 Razor’s Edges. Razor pins The Kid. He feeds him the bottle and puts a diaper on his unconscious body… People actually liked this shit? I love stupid bullshit, but only when it’s clever… This is not funny.

My Rating: **1/2

Match 2: Hunter Hearst Helmsley def. Duke ‘The Dumpster’ Droese (9:38)

This was such an awful match to have to sit through. First of all, Hunter comes down to the ring with a hot valet, and with Jerry Lawler on commentary, he pretty much harrasses her the whole match. Asking her questions about the match so she can answer them awkwardly. Hunter works over Duke for the entire middle portion of the match. I feel like Duke gets his comeback in at the last minute. He stupidly throws his trash can and lid that he brought down the ring. And of course, the ref doesn’t just let him use it. But while the referee is getting rid of the can, Hunter hits Duke with the lid to get the win after 30 minu- wait, it was less than 10? Holy shit!

My Rating: *3/4

Match 3: Yokozuna def. British Bulldog via DQ (5:05)

Fresh off his face turn, Yokozuna gets in the ring with the Bulldog and makes him look like a punk ass. It’s fine for what it is, but it’s not good. Jim Cornette gets involved a few times, trying to distract Yoko. Yokozuna hits a Samoan Drop a few minutes in and is going to finish the job, when Cornette jumps inside and hits Yoko with his racket multiple times. None of which have any effect on Yoko. Yoko turns and has his eyes set on Jim, but Vader would make the save and together, him and Bulldog would bring Yoko down, and handcuff him to the rope. It takes an army of suits to come out and separate them from Yoko to get them to stop. Pretty meh if you ask me.

My Rating: **

Match 4: WWF Championship #1 Contenders Match - Shawn Michaels def. Owen Hart (15:57)

Most In Your House PPVs have that one match that save the show from being a total bust. This is that match and what else would you expect from these two. I loved the story going into it with Owen being the one who almost put Shawn Michaels into a retirement home. The only criticism I have is that this match didn’t feel like a bitter, blood feud like it should’ve. But still, this was a great match so I can’t complain. Shawn flies around the ring and throws Owen off early. But Owen takes control soon and works over Shawn’s back. Lawler mentions on commentary that Owen plans to kick Shawn in the head 3 times to finish him off permanently. That’s the story we’re working with. And every time Shawn makes even a slight comeback, Owen puts him back down. He gets the first kick in with a spinning heel kick, which sends Shawn out of the ring. Owen goes out to throw Shawn back in, but Shawn kicks him and gets on the apron. He dives off, but gets caught in a powerslam on the floor. Owen puts Shawn in the Sharpshooter inside, but Shawn eventually reaches the bottom rope. Owen gets a second kick in. Shawn catches Owen’s foot, but Owen hits an enziguri from there which sends Shawn stumbling out of the ring. The way Shawn sells it when he gets kicked is just great, it really makes me feel like he’s out on his feet. Owen tosses Shawn back in, but Shawn Michaels is not done and gets his comeback spot in. He knocks Cornette off the apron and attempts a superkick, but Owen ducks under it and tries to hit another enziguri, but Shawn ducks it this time and hits a Superkick on Owen to retain his WrestleMania Title Shot. This was a great wrestling match, just wish it felt a little more personal.

My Rating: ****

Main Event: WWF Championship Steel Cage Match - Bret Hart (c) def. Diesel (19:13)

Bret was almost always able to get a great match out of Diesel… this is one of those exceptions. I personally think Steel Cage Matches are overrated. Occasionally you get an absolutely amazing Cage Match, but most of the time, this is what you get. A match that drags on with them doing the same thing for the whole match. Admittedly, though, it’s a solid match and they did what they could with this stipulation. I think the only way to win this match is by escaping the cage because neither ever go for a pin or submission, but commentary doesn’t explain that so its kinda confusing. This cage is not that big, its the blue steel bar cage, and Diesel is able to reach the top of the cage from the mat. So that at least adds a cool element that it’ll make it harder for Bret to get out if Diesel can just reach him from the ground. I’d say it’s biggest weakness is that they just repeat spots the whole match. Bret actually tries leaving the cage every chance he gets, he doesn’t stay to beat on Diesel some more. He also works over Diesel’s knees. But that’s the formula they stick with the whole match. They don’t really do much other than that. The finish is pretty good though. Diesel is trying to crawl out of the door, but Undertaker rises out, through a hole in the ring and drags Diesel down under. And while that’s happening, Bret climbs out over the top and retain the title. So now its Bret vs Shawn at WrestleMania and this sets up Diesel vs Taker at Mania as well.

My Rating: ***1/4

Cagematch Rating: 5.63

My Rating: 4.5/10

A filler PPV. Just to waste time before WrestleMania. The first 3 matches are nothing special. Shawn and Owen gives it a higher rating than it probably deserves. Other than that match, I had pretty much no fun watching this show. No wonder nobody was watching at this point.

Up next is a show I used to watch all the time when I was a kid. I wonder how well it’ll age. Vengeance 2006.

 

[Leon TrotSky]

Vengeance 06 looks rough on paper... Kane vs. Kane. Old man Flair vs. Old man Foley. Umaga vs. Eugene. Old men DX burying the Spirit Squad in the main event

 

[Jarf]

Vengeance 2006

Match 1: Randy Orton def. Kurt Angle (12:55)

Kurt’s last PPV match before he leaves for TNA. Also they kept calling him ‘ECW’s’ Kurt Angle on commentary. Guys, he’s ECW’s Kurt Angle. Did you hear that he’s ECW’s Kurt Angle. For real, they wouldn’t stop saying it. Kurt had Orton outmatched for pretty much this entire match. Angle outwrestles and schools Orton in the beginning. He even hits a german suplex on the outside. But a poke to the eye gives Orton an advantage. This next portion isn’t so great because Orton sits on Angle, but once Kurt starts getting back into the match, it picks up again. Orton has to resort to cheating, so he takes the turnbuckle pad off in the corner, but Kurt picks him up from behind and hits EIGHT german suplexes. Kurt was the mayor of Suplex City before Brock ever was! Angle puts Orton in the Ankle Lock and Orton rolls forward, and Kurt hits the exposed turnbuckle and then 1 RKO later, Orton is the winner.

My Rating: ***1/2

Match 2: Umaga def. Eugene (1:42)

A squash match that is thankfully short. Eugene brings some ‘backup’ with him. Jim Duggan, Doink the Clown and Kamala. Not sure how that’s supposed to help him during the match. Umaga rips Eugene a new one and hits a Samoan Spike to win the match. Then he rips Duggan and Doink a new one. Kamala gets in and slaps his belly. Umaga wants to fight him but Estrada tells him to leave. I don’t think this match really warrants a rating since it’s a short squash.

Match 3: 2 Out of 3 Falls Match - Ric Flair def. Mick Foley (7:09)

This story revolves around how Flair called Foley a glorified stuntman in his book. I don’t know if this is true, but there was apparently some actual beef between them. Foley tries to outwrestle Flair, but it doesn’t work out for him and Flair outwrestles him. Funnily enough, Flair comes off the top rope and hurts his knee so Foley starts working over the knee. Foley pulls out a Mr. Socko that looks like Flair with the hair and a robe. But Flair… grabs Foley by the dick. That would get me to stop I guess. Foley tries to put Flair in the Figure 4, but Flair rolls Foley up in a small package to win the first fall. The match turns into a brawl and they fight outside the ring, which Foley has the upper hand in. Foley brings a trash can in the ring, but Flair picks Mick’s leg and puts him in the Figure 4. But Foley reaches for the trash can and hits Flair in the head and gets DQ’d in the 2nd fall. Foley then goes out to bring a barbed wire baseball bat inside and bloodies Flair with it. I thought this match was okay.

My Rating: **3/4

Match 4: Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat Match - Johnny Nitro def. Shelton Benjamin (c) & Carlito (12:20)

Wow, what an underrated match here. This wasn’t a great match, but this was a lot of fun to watch. These 3 guys wanted to wow the crowd. The first big spot of the match was Carlito springboarding off the top rope onto Shelton and Nitro on the floor. Now that Carlito was a babyface, he could show how athletic he is because I don’t remember him being a flyer. For a lot of this match, you have 2 guys in the ring fighting waiting for the 3rd to come break the pin. But when all 3 get in the ring there is an awesome spot where Nitro gets hung upside down on the ropes, Carlito is on the top, and Shelton just leaps up on the top rope like it was easy and gets ready to superplex Carlito, but Nitro rises up and german suplexes Shelton off the top while Carlito crashes and burns with a superplex! Nitro gets sent out of the ring and Carlito hits Shelton with a backstabber and is going to go for the cover, but Nitro pulls him outside and pins Shelton himself. This match was a lot of fun to watch.

My Rating: ***3/4

Match 5: WWE Championship Match - Rob Van Dam (c) def. Edge (17:57)

RVD wins the WWE Title and doesn’t even get to main event. Kinda bullshit, not gonna lie. This was a great match. Van Dam uses them educated feet to kick around Edge, but a distraction from Lita and Edge hits a sunset flip powerbomb on the outside. Edge wears down RVD and works over his back. RVD hits a crossbody on Edge, who was standing on the apron, so they fall to the floor. Edge just brutalizes RVD with a powerbomb on the barricade. The match is pretty even for the second half and the match really picks up from here. The referee ends up getting bumped so Lita slides the title in the ring, but before Edge can use it, RVD spinning wheel kicks the title back into Edge’s face. RVD goes up for a Five Star, but Lita shakes the ropes and RVD collapses crotch first and then to the mat. Lita grabs a chair and holds it up in the corner. Edge tries to Spear RVD into it, but Van Dam dodges and Edge hits the chair head first. Edge falls back in the middle of the ring and RVD hits a Five Star Frog Splash to retain the title.

My Rating: ****

Match 6: Kane def. Kane (7:14)

Okay, so this last hour of the show is what brings it down. Starting with this snoozefest. For those who don’t know. This is the Kane that we all know taking on Luke Gallows dressed as 1998 Kane. Commentary tries to tell us that this imposter Kane has the same mannerisms of Kane… Which no. No he doesn’t. It’s nowhere near the same. While OG Kane seemed like a slow, methodical monster who liked taking his time with his victims, this imposter Kane is almost frantic. This match has one spot where Kane hits a suplex off the top rope. This match thankfully ends when actual Kane gets caught by Kane Gallows for one of the weakest chokeslams ever.

My Rating: 1/2*

Match 7: Extreme Lumberjack Match - John Cena def. Sabu (6:49)

The ring is surrounded by ECW and Raw wrestlers. This was actually a fun match between these 2. They toss each other outside early so the lumberjacks can beat them up. Sandman hits Cena with the cane at some point. Sabu gets tossed a chair and uses it well against Cena. Hitting a moonsault and a legdrop with the chair. But of course, Cena fights back, but gets sent back outside again. And when the ECW guys start ganging up on him, the Raw guys come over to even the odds. Cena sends Stevie Richards over the barricade with an FU. But Cena turns around into a chair thrown by Sabu. Somebody holds Cena so Sabu can throw another chair at Cena, which wraps around his head. The ECW guys bring out a table and set Cena on it. Sabu goes to dive on him, but after some Raw guys came over to get the ECW guys off Cena, Cena gets up and hits Sabu with the cane. Cena gets in and drops Sabu on the outside with an FU through the table. The Raw lumberjacks throw Sabu back in and this is the only problem I have with the match. Cena makes Sabu tap out to the STF… Sabu shouldn’t be tapping out for shit! Jesus H. Christ, what the fuck are you guys doing? No wonder ECW was dead on arrival.

My Rating: ***

Main Event: 5-on-2 Handicap Match - D-Generation X def. The Spirit Squad (17:54)

Yeah… really glad this match main evented over that RVD vs Edge match…. Guys, this match stunk. First of all, the Spirit Squad are green as hell, and that’s okay. They’re new. Which is why they shouldn’t be in any PPV main event at this point. They’re also the World Tag Team Champions, so DX jobbing them out the way they did makes your tag division look bad. Good job there. Yeah, DX basically treats the Spirit Squad like a joke… Which okay, fair. But the whole premise is that it’s 5-on-2 and they should have an easy advantage. But they don’t. Halfway through the match after DX have basically made them look bad, they hit Shawn with a chair behind the referee’s back. They isolate Shawn for a while until he eventually makes the tag to Triple H who cleans house. Him and Shawn knock down the Spirit Squad together. Triple H pedigrees Kenny while Shawn superkicks… who fucking knows and they cover them both together. Shawn superkicks 2 more members who run in while Triple H pedigrees the last. Then to add more insult to injury, they pick… Mitch? That’s what I’m going with. They pick Mitch to shove his face into Triple H’s ass. And if this had been in the middle of the show instead of at the end, I wouldn’t be nearly as irritated, but RVD and Edge deserved better than a middle of the show World Title Match.

My Rating: *1/2

Cagematch Rating: 5.64

My Rating: 8/10

So some aspects of this show aged well and some didn’t. I’d say the most irritating thing about it is that it feels disrespectful to Edge and Van Dam. Putting that garbage as the main event was a very poor choice. Other than that, I’d say this show was fine. Not all matches are that good, but this show had some very good matches on it and some that were pretty fun to watch. Even the Cena/Sabu match, I had fun watching apart from the finish.

I watched this show as a kid too, but I don’t remember liking it all that much. Survivor Series 2010.

 

[Skyefire]

The guy who's married to the boss' daughter gets the main event? Big surprise. He did seem to poke his way into the main event a lot in that decade. Though from 2006 until Cena's injury in 2007 this was the only PPV that a Raw match was the main event and John Cena was not involved. While this was the big reunion/return of D-X this match really belonged on Raw, not on PPV.

Ah, Imposter Kane. The man who made his debut on MAY 19TH! MAY 19TH!! MAY 19TH!! If you don't know, Kane kept hearing that date in his head (though everyone else could hear it, too) for weeks. Then finally on the dreaded day, the other Kane debuts. Oh, yeah, and May 19 was also the day the movie See No Evil, starring Kane, was released in theaters. Coincidence? I think not.

 

[Chris]

I've told this story plenty of times but I had a friend that lived next door to me, we met in 2006 when we both moved to that neighborhood around this angle. His favorite wrestler was Kane and had been forever (even tho kid was like 8, that shoulda been a red flag).

The real kicker...his birthday was May 19th. So that year he refused to celebrate his own birthday bc Kane hated the date so much

 

[Skyefire]

Oddly enough, Luke Gallows was, in a way, the reverse of Batista. Batista was the demonic Leviathan in Ohio Valley Wrestling, then went to WWE where he debuted as Deacon Batista. Gallows, on the other hand, was the "Freakin' Deacon" in OVW only to debut in WWE as a version of the demonic Kane.

 

[Jarf]

Survivor Series 2010

Merry Christmas everybody! And what better way to celebrate Christmas than with the Thanksgiving PPV.

Match 1: United States Championship Match - Daniel Bryan (c) def. Ted DiBiase (9:59)

This feels like a show of 2 halves. The first half is okay, while the second half kinda blows. The show starts off with a pretty good match. This was a pretty even match between the two. DiBiase lays on Bryan for a bit before Bryan fights back, and hits a suicide dive to the outside where he lands on his shoulder. Which looked brutal. But at least to my knowledge, he was fine. But Bryan sells it for the rest of the match. He makes 2 attempts to put the Lebell Lock on, but DiBiase escapes. He sends Bryan off the ropes and bounces off them as well to turn Bryan inside out with a Clothesline. The 2nd, DiBiase reverses it into a catapult into the corner. He rolls Bryan up from behind, but Bryan reverses it into a Lebell Lock and Ted taps within a few seconds. Pretty good way to start the show.

My Rating: ***1/2

Match 2: John Morrison def. Sheamus (11:15)

This looked like it was the start of a new push for Morrison. A push that sadly never went anywhere. After all, Sheamus had been given a mega push throughout the past year, so this was a huge upset at the time. Sheamus wears down Morrison and pretty much just beats the shit out of him early. But Morrison is able to stay in it with pure athleticism and high flying. Morrison is able to give himself an opening after Sheamus misses a Brogue Kick and Morrison hits an enziguri. Sheamus damages Morrison’s leg with makes Morrison walk with a limp. In the end, Sheamus misses another Brogue Kick, and his leg hangs over the top rope. Morrison bounces off the ropes to hit a kick to the face. Morrison finishes the job with a shining wizard to the face and pick up the surprise win.

My Rating: ***1/4

Match 3: Intercontinental Championship Match - Dolph Ziggler (c) def. Kaval (9:39)

Remember Kaval? No? Then how bout Low Ki? Yeah, that’s Kaval. I’m pretty sure he was gone shortly after this match. Kinda surprised it didn’t work out because he showed he’s really good here. And Dolph sold the hell out of his offense. Dolph lays on Kaval for a lot of the first half of the match. But Kaval completely turns the tide and Dolph finds himself on the ropes. Dolph spends the second half of the match getting kicked in the head a lot. Kaval hits a springboard moonsault onto a standing Dolph in the ring. Kaval runs at Dolph, and Dolph ducks and throws Kaval over his head. But Kaval lands on the top rope and leaps back to hit a kick to Dolph’s face. Dolph manages to escape with a win when Kaval tries a victory roll but Dolph continues to roll and pins Kaval’s shoulders to the mat. This was the best match of the evening.

My Rating: ***1/2

Match 4: Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Match - Rey Mysterio, Big Show, Kofi Kingston, Chris Masters & MVP def. Alberto Del Rio, Drew McIntyre, Jack Swagger, Cody Rhodes & Tyler Reks (18:10)

This was an okay match. It’s just kind of bland honestly. MVP, who is the hometown boy, gets to shine for a short bit. But he’s the first man eliminated from the match. He attempts a suplex on Drew from the apron, but Del Rio sweeps his legs out and Drew pins MVP on the mat. MVP is gone. Masters soon follows suit when he taps out to Del Rio’s armbreaker. Big Show gets in and says “why don’t you try that on me.” The way they take Del Rio out of this match is hilarious. He tags out to McIntyre forcefully, and he gloats to Big Show for whatever reason, and then gets knocked out. And then they just carry him out of the match. Cody Rhodes is next, and he was going through his dashing phase at the time so one slap to the face from Kofi sends him into a crazed tantrum. But it soon gets worse because Big Show knocks him out too and pins him. Swagger comes in and manages to get the ankle lock on Mysterio and even Big Show. Kofi eliminates Tyler Reks next, but he doesn’t last much longer as he tries to hit a Trouble in Paradise, but Swagger catches him in the ankle lock and forces him to tap out. Swagger is next eliminated after a 619 from Rey, and then Rey dives off Big Show’s shoulders for a splash to eliminate him. Leaving just McIntyre, who doesn’t last long, and is taken out after a 619 and a Chokeslam from Big Show.

My Rating: **1/2

Match 5: Divas Championship 2-on-1 Handicap Match - Natalya def. LayCool (c) (3:41)

Not much to say about this. LayCool obviously has an advantage but it doesn’t take much time for Nattie to beat them. Nat tosses them around outside. She tosses Michelle back in the ring, drop toe holds Michelle into Layla who was trying to get back in the ring, then puts her in the Sharpshooter. Michelle taps out and we have a new champion. LayCool jumps Nattie after the match, but then, Mrs. Edge makes the save. Beth Phoenix returns from injury and rescues Nattie. Then the 2 hug after the match and Beth lifts Nat on her shoulders as she holds up the title.

My Rating: *

Match 6: World Heavyweight Championship Match - Kane (c) vs. Edge ended in a draw (12:41)

This is one of those storylines I think are stupid, but not enough to be annoyed by it. Edge abducted Paul Bearer and Kane just wants to know where he is. Edge wheels down a wheelchair to the ring to fuck with Kane. This match was boring as fuck though. It isn't the worst, but they just go through the motions til the finish. They don't do anything special. Kane tries to interrogate Edge. The whole match is very lame. Kane hits a Chokeslam on Edge, but Edge kicks out of it. The finish couldn't be lamer either. Edge hits the Spear and then collapses next to Kane instead of on top of him. He has one arm on Kane's torso but both of their shoulders are down. So the referee counts both of them out. They play Edge's music making you think he won. But instead. The referee hands the title to Kane and explains to Chimel that the match is a draw so Kane retains. Kane jumps Edge after the match, but Edge drop toe holds Kane into the steps before bringing over to the wheelchair. He sits him on it and slowly pushes it towards the barricade. Kane's body crashes through with near enough force to break it if it had been sturdy.

My Rating: **

Match 7: WWE Tag Team Championship Match - The Nexus (Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel) (c) def. Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov (5:09)

Just a filler match to kill time until the main event. Otunga, Axel and Husky Harris (RIP) come down with Slater and Gabriel. They isolate Kozlov, who powers up and makes the hot tag to Santino. Santino tables the turns. He whips out his cobra and uses it on Otunga who got on the apron. But Slater hits his finisher that I still don't know the name of and Nexus retains. And that's all the success they're gonna have tonight.

My Rating: *1/2

Main Event: WWE Championship Match with John Cena as Special Referee - Randy Orton (c) def. Wade Barrett (15:14)

I get what they trying to do here. John Cena has an ultimatum. Give the WWE Title to Wade Barrett and he can keep his job and get out of the Nexus. Or Orton retains and Cena is fired. Here's the thing… Randy Orton, the WWE Champion, feels like a third wheel in this equation. Let me repeat that… the WWE Champion is the third wheel. He didn't even appear at all in the show's opening package. That is ridiculous. If Punk felt he was disrespected as the champ in 2012, he should stand in Orton's shoes at this time. This was a better match than the one they had at Bragging Rights. But as you can expect, all the commentary can talk about is John Cena. Like… holy shit. And too many times does Wade Barrett argue with Cena about the count. Like could you have made this finish look any more obvious. Barrett hits Orton with a Wasteland and covers him, but Orton grabs onto the bottom rope. Cena stops the count and points it out. So once again, Barrett jacks his jaw to Cena and shoves him. And Cena very angrily vibrates his head and pushes Wade into an RKO from Orton. Cena counts 1, 2, and hesitates on 3, but he counts it nonetheless. Cena takes his ref shirt off as he and Orton make the Nexus look like bigger chumps than they already do. I'm not gonna rant… but they fumbled Nexus hard.

My Rating: **1/2

Then Cena goes around the crowd, slapping hands and hugging them. It's gonna be a long 0 days without seeing them again. This is now the 2nd time I've seen this angle, the first being with Austin at Judgment Day '98.

Cagematch Rating: 5.65

My Rating: 4/10

This show sucked so bad. The first 3 matches were solid, pretty good matches. But that's only a short piece of this show. The rest is just boring wrestling. Lame storylines. And once again burying the hottest thing they had going at the time. It actually felt like a chore to sit through this show.

Next though, I'm going to Hell or something. Hell in a Cell 2013.

 

[Skyefire]

One of the things I remember about this was The Miz cutting a promo at some point in the show trashing LeBron James and the Miami Heat since this was right when LeBron left Cleveland for Miami and Miz wasn't happy. He did something similar at Summerslam in Los Angeles taunting the LA fans about LeBron not choosing the Lakers.

 

[Jarf]

One of the things I remember about this was The Miz cutting a promo at some point in the show trashing LeBron James and the Miami Heat since this was right when LeBron left Cleveland for Miami and Miz wasn't happy. He did something similar at Summerslam in Los Angeles taunting the LA fans about LeBron not choosing the Lakers.

I know why they do it, but I'm so sick of the "your city sucks and so does the local sports team" promo. So overdone.