Friday, July 31, 2009

7/31/09 Smackdown

Shad Gaspard & JTG vs. Tyson Kidd & David Hart Smith: **1/2

Melina & Eve Torres vs. Michelle McCool & Layla: *1/4

Rey Mysterio & Finlay vs. Dolph Ziggler & Mike Knox: **3/4

The Great Khali vs. Charlie Haas: N/A

Jeff Hardy vs. John Morrison (World Heavyweight Title): ***1/2

Thursday, July 30, 2009

7/30/09 Impact

Hernandez vs. Samoa Joe: *1/2

AJ Styles vs. Matt Morgan: **1/4

ODB, Awesome Kong, & Tara vs. Angelina Love, Velvet Sky, & Madison Rayne: 1/2*

Doug Williams & Brutus Magnus vs. Brother Ray & Brother Devon (Tables; IWGP Tag Team Titles): **

Bobby Lashley & Mick Foley vs. Kurt Angle & Kevin Nash (Angle's World Title and Nash's Legends Title both on the line): *3/4

7/30/09 Superstars

John Morrison vs. Tyson Kidd: ***1/4

William Regal vs. Yoshi Tatsu: **

Randy Orton vs. Primo: *3/4
__________________________

WWE gives the fans another great show!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

7/28/09 ECW

Tyler Reks vs. Paul Burchill: **

Vladimir Kozlov vs. Bill Baine: DUD

Sheamus vs. Goldust: **1/4

Christian vs. Zack Ryder: ***1/4
________________________

Well done, WWE. Way to bounce back from that atrocious RAW.

Monday, July 27, 2009

7/27/09 RAW

Mark Henry vs. Carlito: 3/4*

Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, & Gail Kim vs. Beth Phoenix, Rosa Mendes, & Alicia Fox: *

Chris Masters vs. MVP: 1/2*

Kofi Kingston vs. The Brian Kendrick: DUD

Cody Rhodes vs. Triple H: *3/4

Hornswoggle vs. Chavo Guerrero (Chavo wrestles blindfolded): -***1/2

Evan Bourne vs. Jack Swagger: *1/2

John Cena vs. The Miz: 3/4*

Shad Gaspard & JTG vs. Chris Jericho & The Big Show: *1/4
_______________________

Very forgettable RAW. Aside from the entertaining skits involving Shaq, it was one of the least watchable shows WWE put on this year.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

7/26/09 Night of Champions

Chris Jericho & The Big Show vs. Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase (Unified Tag Team Titles): *1/2

Christian vs. Tommy Dreamer (ECW Title): **

Kofi Kingston vs. Jack Swagger vs. Carlito vs. The Miz vs. Primo vs. MVP (U.S. Title): ***

Michelle McCool vs. Melina (Women's Title): *1/2

Randy Orton vs. Triple H vs. John Cena (WWE Title): **1/2

Mickie James vs. Maryse (Divas Title): -*

Rey Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler (IC Title): **1/4

Jeff Hardy vs. CM Punk (World Heavyweight Title): ***3/4
______________________________________

Match of the Night: Jeff Hardy vs. CM Punk.

Trash of the Night: If purely by star rating, it was Mickie James vs. Maryse, although I was very ticked (to say the least) about the WWE Title finish.

Three stars: Hardy, Punk, and anyone in the U.S. Title match.

Analysis: This was an average PPV. Jericho likely could not have picked a worse tag partner to have a good match with, and the WWE Title match had one of the lamest finishes in quite some time. I'm still irked that we left talented stars like John Morrison and Shelton Benjamin off the show.

But hey, the Six-Pack Challenge was very fun to watch and the World Heavyweight Title match was a near-MOTY candidate.

Overall rating: **1/4

7/25/09 ROH

Grizzly Redwood & Necro Butcher vs. Ernie Osiris & Jimmy Rave: *1/4

MsChif & Sara Del Rey vs. Daizee Haze & Nevaeh: *1/2

Tyler Black vs. Bryan Danielson: ****1/4

Friday, July 24, 2009

7/24/09 Smackdown

Jeff Hardy vs. Chris Jericho: ***1/2

The Great Khali vs. Mike Knox: DUD

Dolph Ziggler vs. Finlay: 3/4*

Eve Torres vs. Natalya: 1/2*

R-Truth vs. Charlie Haas: *1/4

Rey Mysterio vs. CM Punk: **1/2

Thursday, July 23, 2009

7/23/09 Impact

Homicide vs. Samoa Joe (X-Division Title): *

Kevin Nash vs. Amazing Red (Legends Title): DUD

Booker T & Scott Steiner vs. Rocco and Sal (Tag Team Titles): -1/2*

TNA Knockouts Battle Royal: 1/4*

Brutus Magnus, Doug Williams, Rob Terry, Kiyoshi, & Sheik Abdul Bashir vs. AJ Styles, Daniels, James Storm, Robert Roode, & Eric Young: *1/4

Kurt Angle vs. Mick Foley (Keys on a Pole): 1/2*
______________________________________

Terrible PPV. Terrible follow-up Impact. TNA fails.

7/23/09 Superstars

Christian vs. William Regal: **1/2

Evan Bourne vs. Jamie Noble: **

John Morrison vs. Kane: **3/4

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

7/21/09 ECW

Yoshi Tatsu vs. William Regal: **

Ezekiel Jackson vs. Mike Williams: DUD

Shelton Benjamin vs. Goldust: *3/4

Tyler Reks vs. Paul Burchill: **

7/20/09 RAW

Kofi Kingston, Primo, & MVP vs. Jack Swagger, Carlito, & The Big Show: **

Jerry Lawler vs. The Brian Kendrick: 1/2*

Mark Henry vs. Chris Jericho: *1/4

Hornswoggle vs. Chavo Guerrero (Sharp Dressed Man Tuxedo): -***

Rosa Mendes & Alicia Fox vs. Gail Kim & Kelly Kelly: 3/4*

John Cena & Triple H vs. Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, & Ted DiBiase: **1/2

Sunday, July 19, 2009

7/19/09 Victory Road

Angelina Love vs. Tara (Knockouts Title): *3/4

Matt Morgan vs. Daniels: *1/2

Abyss vs. Dr. Stevie (No DQ): **1/4

Brother Ray & Brother Devon vs. Doug Williams & Brutus Magnus (IWGP Tag Team Titles): **

Jenna Morasca vs. Sharmell: -***

Kevin Nash vs. AJ Styles (Legends Title): *1/4

Scott Steiner & Booker T vs. James Storm & Robert Roode (Tag Team Titles): *1/2

Samoa Joe vs. Sting: *1/2

Kurt Angle vs. Mick Foley (World Title): ***

7/18/09 ROH

Young Bucks vs. Bobby Fish & Silas Young: **1/4

Delirious vs. Brodie Lee: *1/2

Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards, & Chris Hero vs. KENTA, El Generico, & Kevin Steen: ***3/4

Friday, July 17, 2009

7/17/09 Smackdown

John Morrison vs. CM Punk: ***1/2

Kane vs. R-Truth: **1/4

Tyson Kidd, David Hart Smith, & Natalya vs. Shad Gaspard, JTG, & Eve Torres: *1/2

Jeff Hardy & Rey Mysterio vs. Chris Jericho & Dolph Ziggler: **3/4

7/16/09 Superstars

Shad Gaspard & JTG vs. Tyson Kidd & David Hart Smith: **1/4

Brie Bella vs. Katie Lea Burchill: -1/2*

The Big Show vs. Kofi Kingston: **

Thursday, July 16, 2009

7/16/09 Impact

Amazing Red vs. Samoa Joe: N/A

Suicide vs. Chris Sabin: **

Homicide vs. Suicide (X-Division Title): DUD

Sarita vs. Alissa Flash: **3/4

Kevin Nash, Scott Steiner, & Booker T vs. AJ Styles, Robert Roode, & James Storm (Elimination): **

Sting vs. Kurt Angle (Cage): *3/4

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

7/14/09 ECW

Shelton Benjamin vs. Christian: ***1/4

Yoshi Tatsu vs. Paul Burchill: *1/4

Zack Ryder vs. Goldust: *1/2

Sheamus vs. Roman Cornell: 1/2*

Vladimir Kozlov vs. Tommy Dreamer: *1/2

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

7/13/09 RAW

Maryse, Alicia Fox, & Rosa Mendes vs. Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, & Gail Kim: *1/4

The Miz vs. Primo: *

Jack Swagger vs MVP: *1/2

Mark Henry vs. Chris Jericho: 1/2*

Hornswoggle vs. Chavo Guerrero (Chavo has one arm tied behind his back): -**

The Big Show vs. Evan Bourne: 3/4*

Triple H, John Cena, & Seth Green vs. Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, & Ted DiBiase: **

Monday, July 13, 2009

7/11/09 ROH

Brent Albright vs. Claudio Castagnoli (Flag): **

D-Lo Brown vs. Alex Payne: 1/2*

Erick Stevens, Jerry Lynn, & Kenny Omega vs. Austin Aries, Kenny King, & Rhett Titus: **3/4

Roderick Strong vs. Jay Briscoe: **3/4

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Benoit/Booker (WCW '98)

5/25/98 Chris Benoit vs. Booker T (WCW Monday Nitro): ***

5/27/98 Booker T vs. Chris Benoit (WCW Thunder): ***1/4

5/30/98 Chris Benoit vs. Booker T (WCW Saturday Night): **

6/1/98 Chris Benoit vs. Booker T (WCW Monday Nitro): **1/2

6/4/98 Booker T vs. Chris Benoit (WCW Thunder): ***1/4

6/8/98 Booker T vs. Chris Benoit (WCW Monday Nitro): ***3/4

6/11/98 Booker T vs. Chris Benoit (WCW Thunder): ***1/2

6/14/98 Booker T vs. Chris Benoit (WCW Great American Bash): ***3/4

Friday, July 10, 2009

7/10/09 Smackdown

Kane vs. Jeff Hardy: **1/2

Dolph Ziggler vs. John Morrison: **3/4

Melina & Eve Torres vs. Michelle McCool & Layla: *

The Great Khali vs. CM Punk: N/A

Tyson Kidd & David Hart Smith vs. JTG & Shad Gaspard: *1/2

Rey Mysterio vs. Chris Jericho: ***3/4

Dragon Gate Infinity #137

6/11/09: CIMA & Gamma vs. Ryo Saito & Genki Horiguchi: **3/4

6/11/09: Naruki Doi vs. Masato Yoshino (Open the Dream Gate Title): ***3/4

Thursday, July 9, 2009

7/9/09 Impact

Homicide vs. Doug Williams (Ladder): 1/2*

James Storm & Robert Roode vs. Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley: *1/2

Tara vs. Velvet Sky: 1/4*

Tara vs. Angelina Love (Knockouts Title): *

Daniels & AJ Styles vs. Matt Morgan & Kevin Nash: *1/2

Kurt Angle vs. Mick Foley vs. Jeff Jarrett: *3/4

7/9/09 Superstars

R-Truth vs. Ricky Ortiz: *1/2

Zack Ryder vs. Tyler Reks: *3/4

Hornswoggle vs. Chavo Guerrero (Chavo fights on his knees): -**

7/9/09 ECW

Nikki Bella vs. Katie Lea Burchill: -1/2*

Shelton Benjamin vs. Yoshi Tatsu: **1/2

Ezekiel Jackson vs. Jack Meridol: DUD

Christian vs. Vladimir Kozlov: *3/4

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

7/6/09 RAW

Edge & Chris Jericho vs. Primo & Carlito: *3/4

Maryse & Alicia Fox vs. Gail Kim & Mickie James: *1/4

Mark Henry vs. Cody Rhodes: DUD

Randy Orton vs. Ted DiBiase: **1/2

Evan Bourne vs. Kofi Kingston: *1/4

Triple H vs. John Cena: ***1/2

Monday, July 6, 2009

7/5/09 Live Event (Honolulu)

John Morrison vs. Shelton Benjamin: **1/4

Mark Henry vs. Evan Bourne: *1/2

The Great Khali vs. Dolph Ziggler: 1/2*

CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy (World Heavyweight Title): ***

Gail Kim & Melina vs. Michelle McCool & Alicia Fox: *3/4

Tommy Dreamer vs. Jack Swagger vs. Christian (ECW Title): *3/4

Rey Mysterio vs. Chris Jericho (IC Title): ***1/4
___________________________________

Loudest pop: Ricky Steamboat (he was the special guest referee for Mysterio/Jericho)

Biggest heat: Chris Jericho

Three stars: (1) Chris Jericho; (T2) Rey Mysterio and Ricky Steamboat

The #1 star was an easy call. Jericho was a master on the mic and his match with Mysterio was the best of the night. Apparently, someone in the crowd had held up a sign saying "Jericho is a mahu," which Jericho noticed. I have no idea if he really didn't know what a "mahu" is, or if he did know and said his lines to gain laughter, but either way it was classic.

A "mahu," for those that don't know, is meant to describe a man that acts feminine. In fact, a few years ago, when Triple H came to Hawaii, he made reference to the Samoan word "fa'afafine," which has an equivalent meaning to "mahu."

The crowd was electric all night. There was a section of the Blaisdell (upper level behind the entrance curtain) that was sectioned off. Otherwise, it seemed to be a pretty full house, with several thousand people packed into the tiny arena.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Dragon Gate Infinity #136

6/7/09: Masato Yoshino, BxB Hulk & PAC vs. CIMA, Gamma, & KAGETORA (Open the Triangle Gate Titles): ****

6/7/09: Ryo Saito & Genki Horiguchi vs. Shingo Takagi & Dragon Kid (Open the Twin Gate Unified Tag Titles): ***3/4

Dragon Gate Infinity #135

5/29/09: Masato Yoshino vs. Gamma: ****1/4

5/31/09: Shingo Takagi vs. KAGETORA: **1/2

5/31/09: CIMA vs. Akira Tozawa (Open the Brave Gate Title): ****

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Edge injured at SD house show

Reports have surfaced confirming that Edge suffered a torn Achilles' heel during his match against Jeff Hardy at a live event in San Diego. The match was only about five minutes old, with just around a minute of actual wrestling, before Edge went down. The ref immediately stopped the match. This is certainly real, as Edge reportedly grabbed a microphone and said "Sorry" to the fans, something that a heel would not normally do in character.

Edge is expected to be out until next year.

Obviously, this should mean that the unified tag team titles will be going to another team in the near future, and sources indicate Legacy (Rhodes/DiBiase) are next in line.

Edge was already working while substantially banged up (which is why he was paired with Chris Jericho in the first place). This should free Jericho up to resume a singles feud with Mysterio or move on to another feud (John Morrison, perhaps?). Regardless, Edge's injury is a tremendous blow for the Smackdown roster.

So much for the Smackdown Six now. Ugh.

Friday, July 3, 2009

7/3/09 Smackdown

Finlay vs. Ricky Ortiz: 3/4*

Dolph Ziggler vs. R-Truth: *

Kane vs. Rey Mysterio: **1/2

Cryme Tyme vs. The Hart Dynasty: **

Melina & Maria vs. Michelle McCool & Layla: *1/4

Edge & Chris Jericho vs. Jeff Hardy & CM Punk: **3/4

Thursday, July 2, 2009

7/2/09 Superstars

Santino Marella vs. The Brian Kendrick: 3/4*

John Morrison vs. Charlie Haas: *1/2

Zack Ryder vs. Tyler Reks: *1/4

Edge vs. CM Punk: **
____________________________

What?! A Smackdown Six (2009) match that didn't get to three stars?! The world is ending!

7/2/09 Impact

Amazing Red vs. Cody Deaner: *3/4

Eric Young vs. Rhino: 1/2*

Awesome Kong & Tara vs. Angelina Love & Velvet Sky: *1/4

Booker T & Scott Steiner vs. Brother Ray & Brother Devon: **

Jethro Holliday vs. Jay Lethal: N/A

Kurt Angle & Samoa Joe vs. Jeff Jarrett & AJ Styles (Angle's World Title on the line): **3/4

6/27/09 ROH

Delirious vs. Jimmy Jacobs (Fight Without Honor): ***

Nick Jackson & Matt Jackson vs. Sal Rinauro & Brandon Day: *1/4

Brent Albright vs. Ernie Osiris: 1/2*

Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards vs Bryan Danielson & Tyler Black (Tag Team Titles): ***1/4