Reviewing every WWE PPV in order from worst to best

  • Welcome to "The New" Wrestling Smarks Forum!

    I see that you are not currently registered on our forum. It only takes a second, and you can even login with your Facebook! If you would like to register now, pease click here: Register

    Once registered please introduce yourself in our introduction thread which can be found here: Introduction Board


Jarf

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 8, 2023
Messages
474
Reaction score
733
Points
93
Age
26
Money in the Bank 2025

1000020536.jpg


Oof…

Match 1: Money in the Bank Ladder Match - Naomi def. Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss, Giulia, Roxanne Perez & Stephanie Vaquer (25:11)

1000020537.jpg


Alright, lets get this over with. I went into the women's Ladder Match with higher expectations than the men's. I thought this field kicked ass, but it was very underwhelming if I'm being honest. Here's an idea. How about not giving them so much time. Seriously, this is the one HHHism I have a problem with. More time doesn't equal better matches and this show pretty much proves it. This match has its moments but because its 25 minutes long, so much of it is set up. Set up for whatever the next spot is supposed to be. And it just really feels like a drag to watch. One of the few cool spots of the match happens early on when Rox hurricanranas Rhea onto a ladder. Roxi hits a nice springboard moonsault on Rhea laying on the ladder. Roxi and Giulia form a temporary alliance and bury Rhea under a bunch of ladders. But she later comes out from under them and grabs Rox, throws her into the barricade. A ladder gets set up in the ring, and another gets bridged between the the middle rope and the rungs of the standing ladder. And what is by far the best part of the match, Stephanie gives Rhea the Devil's Kiss on the ladder! Hell yeah brother! Another ladder is bridged on the other side of the ladder, and Alexa and Rox hit dueling Code Reds to Naomi and Steph on the ladders, that was sweet. Rhea and Alexa both take out Giulia and Rox and stare each other down. Buddy Matthews just smiling and nodding his head watching at home. Rhea and Alexa both end up climbing the ladder, and Naomi comes in, tips the ladder over, Rhea and Bliss end up hitting a ladder bridged in the corner. Naomi makes the climb and takes down the briefcase. In my opinion, the right choice. Giulia, Steph and Rox especially haven't been on the main roster very long, Alexa doesn't need it, Rhea sure as hell doesn't need it. Naomi though needed something after losing to Jade at Mania. So good choice for winner. Just wish the match wasn't so long.

My Rating: ***

Match 2: Intercontinental Championship Match - Dominik Mysterio (c) def. Octagon Jr. (4:55)

1000020632.png


An okay match but whereas the last match was too long, this one was too short. You seriously couldn't shave off a few minutes from both ladder matches for this one. Especially when it seems like you're trying to sell AAA to a casual audience. This match comes about because Octagon idolized Rey Mysterio as a kid. And that fact makes me feel old as hell because I idolized Rey Mysterio as a kid too. The bell rings and a minute into the match, Octagon has Dom stumbling. He pulls out a back corkscrew crossbody off the top rope, Octagon sends Dom outside with a tilt-a-whirl. And then hits a springboard moonsault to the outside. But they get back in the ring, Dom crotches Octagon on the top rope and ties the tails on his mask to the bottom rope before stomping a mudhole in his ass. Dom goes for 3 Amigos but only gets one suplex out of it. Octagon runs off the ropes and gets hit with a Michinoku Driver. Dom goes for a 619, but misses, Octagon hits a swinging fisherman neckbreaker, and heads to the top rope. But Liv Morgan gets on the apron and distracts him. Dom crotches Octagon on the top though and now hits the 619, goes up to hit a Frog Splash to the back for the win.

My Rating: **1/4

Match 3: Women's Intercontinental Championship Last Chance Match - Becky Lynch def. Lyra Valkyria (c) (15:20)

1000020633.png


Just like at Backlash, Becky and Lyra put on the best match of the night. But this fell under expectations set by that match in my opinion. Becky tries to attack Lyra as they're doing ring announcements, but Lyra thwarts that and tackles Becky, laying into her with elbows. Lyra goes for a kick through the ropes after Becky rolls to the outside, but Becky catches her foot and yanks to the floor, Lyra hits it hard, and this gives Becky the advantage even after the hot start Lyra got off to. Becky starts wearing Lyra down, Lyra fights back. This match doesn't quite have the same sizzle as their Backlash match. Lyra goes for a roundhouse kick, but her foot gets caught by Becky, who flips Lyra back on her chest. Becky goes to the top rope, Lyra meets her up there and hits a superplex and then a fisherman for a 2 count. Lyra tries for a moonsault, misses but lands on her feet, hits Becky with a heel kick, goes for Nightwing, but Becky counters, double underhooks into an armbar. But Lyra escapes and counters it into kind of a half crab, but putting her foot on the back of her neck as she does. Becky somehow makes it to the bottom rope, but Lyra follows her out. Lyra drapes Becky over the barricade and hits a legdrop to the back of her head. Lyra throws Becky back inside and goes up, but gets caught and powerbomb on the back of her head by Becky. After Lyra kicks out of that, Becky heads up, but gets met up there by Lyra, which turns out to be a mistake because then, Becky hits a Manhandle Slam from the 2nd rope and Lyra kicks out before rolling outside the ring. Becky goes out after her and throws Lyra into the post before hitting another Manhandle Slam out there. Becky gets back in the ring to break the count, but she picks Lyra back up on the outside and gets hit with a Nightwing. Both women make it back in the ring on a 9 count and the match continues. Both women start exchanging blows, Lyra picks Becky up for another Nightwing, but Becky escapes, rolls Lyra up from behind and they counter roll ups a few times before it ends with Becky winning the match. Part of the stipulation was that if Becky won, Lyra would have to raise her hand. And I don't like how they handled this. Lyra raises Becky's hand the first time, fine, whatever. She holds up her end of the deal, but then Becky demands Lyra hold up her hand on all four sides of the ring. And Lyra does it. She already did it the first time, she shouldn't do it again, at least thats the angle I would've run. And then Becky demands Lyra to put the belt around her waist. That definitely isn't the deal they made. As soon as Becky threw the belt at her, Lyra should've clocked her with it. But she does and then she hits Nightwing, which too late, you already complied with everything Becky said. Whatevs.

My Rating: ***1/2

Match 4: Money in the Bank Ladder Match - Seth Rollins def. LA Knight, Solo Sikoa, Penta, Andrade & El Grande Americano (33:35)

1000020540.jpg


Okay, I might need some help here because I really don't understand why so many like this match. Granted, it is better than the women's Ladder Match, but not by much. I'm starting to sound like a broken record here, but I did not need this to be over half an hour. Why was it so long?? Both Ladder Matches last year were so much shorter and they ruled! Stop booking long matches for the sake of doing long matches! Its pretty bad when the best part of the match is when the guys who aren't even in the match run in. The bell rings and the three babyfaces in the match gang up on Seth while El Grande leaves the ring. Solo tosses Seth outside and finds himself getting ganged up on by Knight, Penta & Andrade. Knight dropkicks a ladder back into Americano's face. Seth whips Andrade to the ropes, and he uses that as a chance to dive onto Solo, Knight and Americano. Penta sends Seth outside with a superkick and he climbs on the post, and dives on the field. Americano ambushes Penta and starts beating on people with a ladder. Poor Andrade gets it dropped on his dick. That sucks I bet. Not much to write home about the next several minutes. Americano hits kinda like a Dominator from a Razor's Edge on Seth on a ladder. Knight hits a Scorpion Death Drop to Solo on a ladder. One of the best spots of the match is when Seth is the only one in the ring, he goes up but Americano comes in and goes up the same side as Seth, pushes him head first down the other side and locks in an ankle lock on the ladder. Andrade and Penta run in and Andrade hits a sunset flip powerbomb to Americano while Penta hits a suplex into a ladder propped in the corner! This spot was awesome at least. The next spot is cool too, it just takes so much time to set up because they gotta kill time. Andrade bridges the ladder propped up between the ropes and the ladder in the middle of the ring. But it ends with Penta hitting a Mexican Destroyer on top of it. El Grande Americano brings out the fireball branded ladder and laid it on his shoulders and spun around with it. Another good spot. Americano climbs the ladder but gets knocked off with a headbutt by Penta. Seth goes up to stop him, but gets knocked off after Americano put the steel plate in his mask. I might be alone but I absolutely hated this next spot. Penta and LA Knight both look like idiots here. Penta is at the top of the ladder, he's just knocked Rollins off, there is no one to stop him from winning. Except LA Knight, who instead of stopping Penta goes, “why don't I catapult Americano into a ladder, I think I'm gonna do that.” So he catapults Americano into a ladder propped up against the ring post, Americano uses another ladder propped on the turnbuckles to swing onto the ladder in the middle of the ring and headbutts Penta off, Knight climbs up the ladder and backdrops Americano off the ladder. I can normally let ridiculous spots go but I'm sorry, all of that was stupid. Penta had the match won but because he's not supposed to win, he has to look dumb by not knowing how to unclip the briefcase. Anyway, next thing that happens, Seth Rollins calls Bron and Bronson out to the ring. Bron Breakker kills Americano with a Spear, we don't really get to see it because the camera guy missed it. Breakker tears Knight in half with a Spear, Bronson Tsunamis Andrade. Heyman points out Solo on the outside. The Bron(son)s begin to move on him, but then Jacob Fatu's music hits. He comes out with JC Mateo and the four big dudes fight it out. Bron Spears JC through the barricade while Fatu hits a pop-up samoan drop to Bronson and a suicide dive. Fatu helps Solo back in the ring, actually sets the ladder up for him. Solo doesn't get far up before his ankle gets grabbed by Fatu. He looks up at Solo and says “SOLO, I HATE YOU!” He yanks Solo off the ladder, superkick, moonsault off the top and then a uranagi through a bridged ladder outside. Fatu leaves and now everyone but Seth Rollins is down. Seth goes up, but LA Knight pulls him down, but it was just one last bit of resistance before Seth climbs and takes the briefcase. The match has its moments, but so much of it is setting up for the next spot. And I couldn't help noticing how long Americano, Andrade and Penta had to stay down. That whole ending felt like it took 10 minutes. They were out for so long. As for the winner? Can't say I'm excited about it but I'm willing to see where it goes.

My Rating: ***

Main Event: Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso def. John Cena & Logan Paul (24:00)

1000020634.png


There was no reason for this match to happen if we're being entirely honest with ourselves. Cody pins Cena but somehow that doesn't make him next in line for a title shot? Jey Uso loses the World Title 2 days later which means his feud with Paul is pretty much over. So ultimately, it doesn't really matter who won this match. Great. This is a tough match to rate also. Because the first half of the match is very slow and very boring. Nothing to write home about, you could probably save yourself some time by just watching the last 10 minutes because thats when all the good stuff actually starts happening. The match starts with Cody and Cena, who tags out to Paul just to get cheap heat. And then he tags himself back in. So officially Cody and Cena start the match. Jey Uso comes in and he winds up getting the isolation treatment from Cena and Paul. And they just get heat on him for forever. And stupidly, the only reason Jey is even able to get to Cody is because Cena and Logan started arguing and having a shoving contest. Its very silly in my opinion. But man, once Cody gets that hot tag, the energy is dialed to 11. Cody manages to turn the tide, taking on both men by himself, Cody Cutter to Cena, suicide dive to Paul. Cody goes for a Cross Rhodes, but gets countered by Cena, who shoves him into a right hand from Logan. Cody stumbles into an AA by Cena. 1, 2. Pin is broken up by Jey. Logan goes for the buckshot lariat, but lands awkwardly which made me smile. Jey superkicks him, Cena gives him an AA. Cody drops Cena with a Cross Rhodes and covers him. Paul goes for a springboard splash, but Cody dodges and hits Cena instead. Paul gets dropped with a Spear from Jey. All four men are down. Logan and Cody exchange blows that ends with Logan hitting the Paulverizer. But instead of covering him, Logan points to a drone, signaling that he wants it to come to him. Logan climbs the top rope and I love this part. Logan holds the drone in his hand, so we have an up close view of him taking a superplex by Cody and then Jey splashing him a second later. Cena comes back inside, hits Jey with an AA and then one to Cody. Cena covers him and gets 2. Cena gets pissed now and throws Cody outside he takes apart an announce table and goes to AA Cody through the other, but Cody slides off, Jey hits a Spear from the other table. Jey is laid on the table which gives Logan a chance to hit a springboard moonsault through the announce table! Paul and Jey won't be getting up after that. As the referee is out there checking on them, Cena slides in with the WWE Title and hits Cody with it. Evil John Cena has done it again folks. But then, a man in a black hoodie runs into the ring and starts beating up Cena. And its R-Truth! Big pop for the Truth who lays Cena out with a bat! Cody drops Cena with another Cross Rhodes and pins him, 1, 2, 3. Cody picks up the win and gets nothing for it. So… Good for him. This match would be better if it wasn't for how long they got heat on Jey. I think 15 minutes would've been more ideal for this match.

My Rating: ***1/4

Cagematch Rating: 6.24

My Rating: 5/10

Yeah, to be honest, I didn't like this one. I can't really say I had much fun watching it. The ladder matches were disappointing in my opinion. Only half of the main event was any good. And this show really suffers from the HHHism that a longer match is the same as a better match.
 

Jarf

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 8, 2023
Messages
474
Reaction score
733
Points
93
Age
26
Survivor Series 2005

1000020469.jpg


Match 1: Match 1 in the Best of 7 Series for the United States Championship - Booker T def. Chris Benoit (14:21)

1000020472.jpg


The night starts with a best of 7 Series. If you remember my Armageddon ‘05 review, Benoit ended being down 3 to nothing so of course Booker wins this match. Their Armageddon match is definitely better but I liked this one too. Benoit was fighting up for almost the entire match. There's a few times at the beginning where Booker has to roll outside but he gives Benoit a wicked axe kick. It looked it was gonna turn into a shoot a couple times. Booker wears Benoit down. Benoit eventually has to start making a comeback. He tries to put Booker in the Sharpshooter, but Booker counters into a small package. Booker does a pretty good job at avoiding Benoit's submissions all match, I don't think Benoit ever locks the Crossface or Sharpshooter on him. Benoit drops Booker with some german suplexes and heads up to the top rope. A distraction from Sharmell gives Booker time to meet Chris up there. Benoit knocks Booker off after multiple headbutts. And I don't mean, 3 or 4, I mean like 10. Benoit goes for the Diving Headbutt, but Booker moves out of the way and rolls Benoit in an Oklahoma Roll to win Match number 1 of 7. Sharmell grabs Booker's boot from the outside and holds it down so they act like its a cheatery finish, but I don't honestly see how that helps.

My Rating: ***1/2

Match 2: Women’s Championship Match - Trish Stratus (c) def. Melina (6:35)

1000020475.jpg


To be honest, not a bad match at all. They let Melina get quite a bit of offense on Trish in this match. That being said, Melina doesn't look terrible, but she still looks very green. Melina comes out with MNM and Trish comes out with Mickie James. Trish gets in the ring and double legs Melina immediately. Trish throws Melina to the outside, MNM go to help her up, but Trish dives on all 3 of them to the outside. Trish beats up Melina for a bit. But Melina first gets fucking mule kicked by Trish and then elbows her in the back. Melina goes outside to fight with Mickie. Joey Styles gets his “CAT FIGHT” line and its fucking funny because he does it quick. He says it fast as if he just wanted to get it in there. Tazz is doing commentary too and he's on a different level on this event in a funny way. Because Joey goes “on paper, Melina isn't as accomplished as Trish Stratus” and Tazz gets pissed about it. “Whats this On PaPeR? I'm sick of hearing of about this paper!” I couldn't stop laughing. Tazz is worked up about this over this “on paper” line. And Styles isn't even wrong anyway. But anyway, the ref gets distracted by Melina and Mickie fighting outside and MNM slide in, and go to hit the Snapshot on Trish, but the referee catches them in the act and send them to the back. Melina gets pissed about it and gets pissed the more and more Trish kicks out of her moves. Trish comes back and goes for Stratusfaction, but Melina counters by lifting Trish so she misses the top rope. Trish lands on the apron. Melina goes for a shoulder block, but Mickie pulls Trish out the way. Trish hits a kick to Melina's head and then a bulldog from the top rope to retain, much to the chagrin of Tazz who makes me laugh again later during the main event.

My Rating: **1/2

Match 3: Last Man Standing Match - Triple H def. Ric Flair (26:59)

1000020474.jpg


I find it so strange how this match is not brought up more for people's favorite Last Man Standing Match. Because I thought this was amazing. Fun fact, this was one of the first wrestling matches I ever watched. Because my parents bought me the DVD when I was 7 and I fucking loved it even back then. Triple H comes out first and attacks Flair in the aisle. The bell rings as HHH whips Flair's ass as he's wearing the robe. The two fight into the crowd, fight out there for a bit until HHH back drops Flair to ringside. Ric Flair's selling in this match is spectacular. Its surprising that he hates hardcore wrestling, because he is really fucking good at it. And he bled buckets in this match too. HHH grabs a screwdriver from a toolbox and digs it into the head of Flair. And as a kid, I thought that shit was legit so I thought HHH was vicious as fuck. The blood runs down Flair's chest, it runs into his hair. HHH paints his own body with it, he looks badass here. HHH throws Flair to the outside and hits a Spinebuster. Then he grabs a mic and tells Flair to “get up you old bastard” and then he says “stay down or I'm gonna put you down for good.” Very contradicting statements Hunter. HHH looks like he's gonna pick Flair up, but then Flair grabs HHH's junk and HHH is still holding the mic to his mouth and he fucking screams into it. HHH slams the mic into Flair's head to escape the ‘ol dick twist. HHH throws Flair on one of the announce tables and goes to Pedigree Flair onto it. But Flair counters and backdrops HHH through the spanish table. Triple H is back up at the count of 9. HHH knocks Flair with a facebuster to the knee. HHH heads outside and grabs a steel chair, he goes to Pedigree Flair onto it, but Flair hits HHH in the dick again. And this would not be the last time he does this in the match. But then Flair picks the chair up and swings into HHH's face. Flair bites him twice. Once in the forehead, the other on the back of his thigh. Flair punches HHH in the cock again in the corner. Like the amount of cock and ball offense on display is almost comedic, but also somehow doesn't take away from the match quality. Flair wraps HHH's legs around the ring post, swings his knees into it as well as pulling him into it. Several times. So that HHH takes more damage to the dick. Its hilarious that Flair is working the balls. But then he goes after HHH's knees. He wraps them around the post again and swings a chair at HHH's leg. Flair locks in the Figure Four on HHH for a while and Flair is free to pull on the ropes for leverage so thats what he does. Triple H stands back up on very trembley legs. HHH knocks Flair down with a clothesline and leaves to grab the steps. HHH slams them into Flair's bloody face. And Flair screams like its the most painful thing he's ever experienced. HHH tries it again but Flair drop toe holds him, and HHH's face hits the steps. When HHH stands back up, Flair sends him off the ropes, but HHH catches him bent down and Pedigrees him. Flair has to use the steps in the ring to pull himself up. HHH hits another Pedigree. Flair as he's pulling himself up, and flips HHH the bird, which sends HHH into a frenzy. Triple H beats him in the corner and pulls him out to hit a 3rd Pedigree. Is that it? No, its not. Flair very, very slowly stirs. The referee pronounced could've counted him out if he wanted, but now HHH is pissed. He goes out to grab a sledgehammer and slams in the back of Flair's head. Ric Flair is no longer moving, he's not even stirring. Triple H wins as the referee counts to 10. This match was so damn good. What I loved most though is the brutality by HHH. Over the years, I've gotten so tired of hearing people say “I'm gonna end his career.” Because we all know those words don't mean shit. But HHH beat Flair's ass like he meant it. I legitimately believe Flair could've hung it up after this match. Aside from the WrestleMania match with Shawn, this would've been a much better retirement match than any of the other 14 that Flair has had since then. They would've had to find a new IC Champ, but that might have added some prestige to it. Like, “this was the last title Ric Flair ever had.” But anyway, damn good match. Very much a forgotten classic.

My Rating: ****1/2

Match 4: WWE Championship Match with Daivari as Special Referee - John Cena (c) def. Kurt Angle (13:50)

1000020471.jpg


Speaking of forgotten gems. This match is pretty good too. Doesn't come close to the match before it but I enjoyed this. Of course, there are some mamy ref bumps in this match, it very much feels like an attitude era main event. Kurt Angle was on a different level in 2005 by the way, the way he goes from being a goofball to a bloodthirsty maniac is insane. The video package they played before the match made him look like a bad dude. Daivari is the special ref assigned to make sure Kurt Angle wins. And they don't even try to hide that he's not gonna be impartial. He raises Kurt's hand before he even calls for the bell and Cena just nods and says “okay.” Its funny because even though Daivari is the guest ref, I'm pretty sure he spends most of the match taking a nap. A few minutes into the match, Cena hits a fisherman and pins Kurt, but Daivari stands still as a stature and doesn't count once. Cena stands up and walks over Angle, who grabs Cena's leg and puts on the Ankle Lock. Cena is in the hold for a while. After about a minute in the hold, Cena reaches the ropes, but Daivari kicks Cena's arm off. Cena kicks Angle off and gets up to hit a spinebuster. And without a beat, he stands up and bitch slaps Daivari. And I could not stop laughing. Then Daivari yells at him and motions to his ref shirt as if that means anything. And then Cena bitch slaps him again. So Daivari starts throwing a fit and almost DQ's Cena. But Kurt nearly tackles him to stop him from doing it. Kurt can't win the title on a DQ. Cena shoulder blocks Angle into Daivari, sending them both outside. Daivari falls asleep outside and the match continues. Angle pulls Cena outside and hits a belly to belly. Kurt calls for another referee to run out and another referee does. These two have a standard wrestling match for the next several minutes. Kurt starts to wear Cena down, but Cena is able to get back into the match with a DDT. They start trading shots back and forth, but Cena ducks a clothesline, hits 4 out of his 5 moves of doom, and as he goes for the 5th, Kurt clotheslines the referee and low blows Cena. Kurt motions for another referee to run out and as the new guy runs out, Angle drops Cena with an OLYMPIC SLAM! He hooks the leg and Cena kicks out. Angle lifts Cena onto the top rope and hits a suplex from there before pulling Cena in position for a moonsault. Guess what, Kurt Angle misses the moonsault. Cena stands up and lifts Angle up for the FU. But Angle grabs the referee and escapes, and takes Cena down with a clothesline. The referee tries to berate him, but Kurt grabs this man and hits a dirty uppercut on this man. He heads out and throws Daivari in the ring. Kurt sees a SmackDown referee on his way out and tries to send him back. Meanwhile, Cena DDTs Daivari in the ring and plays dead. There are striped shirts everywhere. Kurt sees everyone in the ring down and gets inside. Kurt goes to pick Cena up. Cena lifts Kurt and drops him with an AA for the 3 count. They definitely overbooked this match but I still think its enjoyable. But man, I think this was the point people started to turn on Cena. It had been 8 months into this reign and everyone loved Kurt. So this really did John no favors.

My Rating: ***1/2

Match 5: Theodore Long def. Eric Bischoff (5:18)

1000020473.jpg


I can only assume this match was happening because WWE wanted to make sure that people took away something to hate from this PPV. What other reason is there to book it? The match is this. Teddy Long avoids Bischoff's karate kicks until Palmer Canon (remember that guy?) gets on the apron for whatever reason. Bischoff takes his black belt and chokes Teddy from behind with it. Bischoff karate kicks Canon off the apron, who by the way, had to stay up there until Bischoff kicked him off, and Bischoff kinda forgot about that, so Canon is just standing on the apron, doing lots of odd hand motions, moving around like a weirdo. Thats pretty funny I'll admit, but its not intentionally funny. A lot of this match is just Bischoff choking Teddy. Until the Boogeyman's music hits and Bischoff sends both referees (oh yeah, theres two of them in this match, one for raw and one for SmackDown) The Boogeyman turns out to be behind Bischoff. Boogey hits Eric with a Pumphandle Slam, which, neither referee seems to care about or somehow didn't see it happen. Anyway, Teddy crawls to the cover and pins Bischoff to win this terrible match. They had this match after the WWE Title Match… huh.

My Rating: DUD

Main Event: Survivor Series Tag Team Elimination Match - Team SmackDown (Batista, Randy Orton, JBL, Rey Mysterio & Bobby Lashley) def. Team Raw (Shawn Michaels, Carlito, Chris Masters, Kane & Big Show) (23:28)

1000020470.jpg


Considering how intense the Raw and SmackDown beef was since 2002, I'm surprised it took them this long to do a match like this. This was the first time they did it and back then, this was actually a cool idea because they hadn't beaten it into the damn ground yet. Speaking of tropes they beat into the ground, ya know what there wasn't in this match? In-team fighting. It is so nice to watch a Survivor Series Match for once where teammates aren't fighting each other. The match starts with Orton and Michaels, but pretty quickly Lashley gets in and starts wrecking shop. He manhandles Masters. He manhandles Carlito. He manhandles Michaels, all pretty easily. Lashley picks HBK up for the Dominator, but Kane goosles him from the apron and drops Lashley with a Chokeslam, Shawn covers him for the 3 count. Lashley is the first man eliminated. Rey gets in like a house of fire, but its quickly stopped by Kane. I'd say apart from this one bit, the match doesn't slow down. Rey escapes the grasp of Kane and tags in Batista, who has his torso all taped up. But Batista still manages to eliminate Kane after a Spinebuster following a 619 from Rey. Big Show gets in the ring and Chokeslams Batista, gets a 2 count. Team Raw distract the referee and behind his back, Big Show and the eliminated Kane double Chokeslam Batista. Big Show covers him and eliminates the World Heavyweight Champion. JBL comes in and goes for a Clothesline From Hell, but gets tossed aside easily by Big Show. Rey leaps in, gets caught by Show, who just throws Rey into the corner. Big Show goosles Randy on the apron, but Orton hangs Show on the top rope to escape. JBL clotheslines Big Show to hell, but Big Show stirs after that, JBL tags in Rey who hits a 619 to Show, who stumbles on his feet. Rey tags in Orton who rolls in like he's a spy or something and RKOs Big Show. Orton tags in JBL, who drops Show again with another Clothesline From Hell. And somehow after all that, Big Show is still moving and sits up slowly. JBL tags in Rey, who hits a West Coast Pop and eliminates Big Show. After that, the remaining members of Team Raw get in and a brawl ensues. JBL hits a fallaway slam to Shawn on the outside which knocks him out for several minutes, which makes me wonder why the fallaway slam wasn't a regular finisher for JBL. In the time Shawn is out cold, they eliminate Carlito & Masters, due to surprisingly good teamwork by JBL and Rey. Carlito catches Rey off a springboard moonsault in a powerslam position and transitions to a reverse DDT position. But JBL tagged himself in as Rey hit the ropes. JBL comes in and clotheslines the hell out of Carlito and takes him out. Masters comes in, but he's quickly eliminated after a 619 and a springboard legdrop to the back of the head. JBL goes and grabs HBK, to throw him back in the ring. HBK shows some signs of fight left. Rey drop toe holds him to the second rope and hits a 619. Rey springboards in and eats Shawn's boot to the chin! It looks super clean! Shawn falls into the cover and eliminates Rey. JBL runs in and tries to immediately Clothesline Shawn. But he ducks and drops JBL with a superkick and eliminates him too. And just like that, its down to HBK and Orton. The match doesn't go on too much longer. Orton gets in and goes for the RKO, but Shawn shoves him off, goes for a superkick, but Orton pulls himself back from it and rolls outside. Shawn follows him though and dives on him from inside. Shawn hits all the classics, flying forearm, elbow drop and then tunes up the band. JBL gets back in with a steel chair though. He takes a swing, and misses, taking another superkick. That little distraction gives Orton the opening to hit an RKO for the 3 count. SmackDown wins.

My Rating: ***3/4

After the match, every SmackDown jobber runs out to the ring to celebrate. A couple of them lift Orton onto their shoulders. They really give him the Bret Hart, WrestleMania 10 celebration. But the mood shifts as soon as we hear a gong. Orton starts to freak out. A bunch of hooded dudes drag this big casket out. Orton makes faces like he's taking the most burning shit he's ever taken. Lightning strikes the casket, setting it on fire. And after a very long pause, the casket busts open and out steps The Undertaker with a sick beard. Dude should've kept this look honestly. Undertaker marches down to the ring and starts beating everyone's ass. Orton and his dad high tail it out of there. Most people get out of the ring but those that don't, get beat by Taker. Taker finishes the attack with a Tombstone to William Regal. Undertaker stares down Randy Orton who's still watching from the aisle. I thought this ending was pretty cool. Some may ask why Undertaker didn't go after Randy. But I like to believe its because he wanted to wait and make Randy think about the next time they see each other. And this would lead to the great Hell in a Cell Match at Armageddon.

Cagematch Rating: 6.77

My Rating: 8.5/10

The only bad spot of the show is the GM Match. That match was so bad. Even worse than I remembered. Trish and Melina isn't anything to get excited about. I really like everything else on this show though. Good opener. Good WWE Title Match. Good main event, good ending. Classic Last Man Standing. That and this event is also oddly comedic at times. There was several parts of this that got a legit laugh out of me. Cena bitch slapping Daivari will never leave my brain again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sky and Chris