WWE Night Of Champions 2012 Predictions

Dolph Ziggler v. Randy Orton

It's something of a classic (or cliche) set up with both men having a pinfall victory over the other, the proverbial "rubber match" coming this Sunday. That being said, Orton's spinning his wheels and doesn't need a win here while Ziggler's still struggling to make his name a main event threat. I'm throwing WWE's usual logic to the side for this one, Ziggler NEEDS this.

On another note, it turns out that this match comes after Sheamus v. Del Rio, so this may be a World Title match as well if Ziggler cashes in and wins. Same logic applies though: Orton's preparing for another film and spinning his wheels on WWE TV. Hot-shotting the belt from Ziggler to "The Viper" would be a mistake.

Winner: Dolph Ziggler

Divas Championship

Layla (c) v. Kaitlyn

Since the botched ending to the battle royal, they've tried to show Kaitlyn suddenly emerging as a semi-powerful threat with tag victories over more experienced divas and an "upset" singles win over Beth Phoenix. Problem is, no one honestly seems to care about the Divas Title and a win over Phoenix doesn't mean much since she hasn't been a viable, visible threat in months. 

The one remotely interesting part about this (and that's not saying much) is Eve, who's been glad-handing all she can to seemingly get in on the match, so we could see it being made a triple threat at the last minute. If that's the case, either Kaitlyn or Eve would be a welcome change, as Layla's reign has been like her return: Uneventful.

Winner and NEW Divas Champion: Eve Torres

United States Championship

Antonio Cesaro (c) v. Winner of Battle Royal

 My original pick on 411Mania for the winner of the battle royal, Christian, was shown on Smackdown in an arm sling because of nerve damage from the Brogue Kick, so he's out.

That being said, if WWE's really getting behind Antonio, he needs to look dominant against a semi-serious opponent (Anyone BUT Santino) to look good in his first PPV title defense. Who better than a former United States Champion? You know it!

Cesaro's Opponent: Zack Ryder
Winner: Antonio Cesaro

Intercontinental Championship

Fatal Four-Way Match

The Miz (c) v. Rey Mysterio v. Cody Rhodes v. Sin Cara

 A multifaceted match (Ironic with Sin Cara in it) that has a number of interesting twists. Miz is looking to further establish his comeback and rise back into upper mid-card status. Cody is looking to regain the gold he "brought honor and prestige back to" in 2011.

What's really key here will be the interaction between Sin Cara and Mysterio. It's the first time they face off as foes and with their rumored match for Wrestlemania, it'll be interesting to see if WWE sets the wheels in motion for that match here.

In the meantime, neither of them really seem to be as serious in gunning for the belt as Rhodes is, and a heel-heel feud for the IC belt could be an interesting dichotomy with Cody and Miz's personalities.

Winner and NEW Intercontinental Champion: Cody Rhodes

WWE Tag Team Championship

Kofi Kingston & R-Truth (c) v. Team Friendship 

 A face team that has been stagnant as champions for the last few months versus probably the best sociopath, comedic team I've seen in recent memory. It may mean they get bumped down to the mid-cards, but Daniel and Kane have been the best, funniest thing in WWE for the last few weeks and not giving them the belts here would be a mistake. Do it for Dr. Shelby, do it for Anger Management, but most of all, do it for FRIENDSHIP, YES, YES, YES!

Winners and NEW WWE Tag Team Champions: Daniel Bryan and Kane (TEAM FRIENDSHIP!)


World Heavyweight Championship
Sheamus (c) v. Alberto Del Rio

The supposed wrinkle in this match is the banning of the Brogue Kick, but Sheamus has pretty much negated that by bringing out the Texas Cloverleaf (Four-leaf?) and has still been dominant, which isn't a problem, and under normal circumstances, I'd give Sheamus the win to finally put Del Rio away and bring this feud to a decisive end

However, WWE Management has become higher and higher on Ziggler to the point they're seriously considering having him cash in tonight. The only consequence Sheamus faces for using the Brogue Kick is being stripped of the title. What would stop him from nailing Del Rio with it if Alberto won?

Winner and NEW World Heavyweight Champion: Alberto Del Rio...One Brogue Kick and Cash-In later...DOLPH ZIGGLER.


WWE Championship
CM Punk (c) v. John Cena

WWE's seemingly tried everything to make this a sort of role reversal of last year's MITB from Chicago, the biggest reversal being that NOC is in Cena's backyard of Boston. My problem with this is that the crowd in Boston is just as split over Cena and Punk and snarky as the Chicago crowd, I can attest to that as a proud Massachusetts native. I'm definitely not 100% that ALL of Boston will want to see Cena cinch a hometown win.

That being said, these two haven't really lost a step on the mic going up towards this match, especially this Monday where Cena TORE into Punk and his crusade for his "respect." I have no doubt it will be another great match, but I'm not completely sold that Cena takes it here. If it goes on last, I see Punk retaining through some nefarious means to keep the feud going, possibly culminating at Survivor Series in some kind of stipulation match.

Winner: CM Punk

  


  

 

TNA No Surrender 2012: Predictions and Analysis

 

With the "Bound For Glory Series" winding down to its final four participants, Bully Ray, James Storm, Jeff Hardy, and Samoa Joe, one of these men will have to endure double duty on Sunday night; they will have to go through two tough opponents in order to become the Number One contender to Aries' World Title.

For Joe, it's about getting back to his glory days as TNA's top man and top destroyer, regaining the gold he once held years ago.

For Bully Ray, it's about cementing his status as the "Baddest Mofo" in TNA and legitimizing his livelihood as a singles competitor.

For Jeff Hardy, it's about redemption, the opportunity to prove that if he can become champion this time around, he will do TNA and wrestling itself proud as a more mature and capable person.

For Storm, it's about finding that spark again, the spark that made him TNA Heavyweight Champion in the first place, the spark that drove him against Bobby Roode when the title was taken from him, and the spark that drove him to come back and tear up the "Bound For Glory" Series.

X Division Championship:

Zema Ion (C) v. Sonjay Dutt

This one is a good example of a great-sounding match, but little to no build-up behind it. It was only announced recently on Impact Wrestling, but given Aces and Eights and the Bound For Glory Series have been the center points for the last few weeks, I can somewhat understand how this could fall by the wayside.

Anyway, Zema had a solid defense against Kenny King at the last PPV. Now, while King is a outstanding athlete and competitor inside the ring, he hasn't been in the X Division for long. Now, the returning Sonjay Dutt has major X-Division experience and is someone who can really legitimize Zema as its champion if Ion can pull off a victory here, and I believe he will.

Winner: Zema Ion

 

 RVD v. Magnus

Another match made with last-minute build-up when Magnus lambasted RVD, recently out of the Final Four after a loss to Bully Ray, over the notion that Van Dam can't make the jump on those competitive "hurdles" like he used to, inciting a violent reaction from the normally cool and collected Master of the Five-Star Frog Splash.

I can see this match is more or less a stepping stone for Magnus in terms of his slow-burning feud with Samoa Joe, but it's a  good one for him regardless. He's starting to establish himself in the singles division as a cocky, smarmy young competitor trying to undermine his more veteran opponents, saying they can't quite reach the big time like they used to. It's a touch cliche, but it's garnered the attentions of Joe and RVD. Magnus really would have to take the win here, otherwise his words would just be that, words.

Winner: Magnus

TNA Knockout Championship:

Miss Tessmacher (C) v. Tara

A teacher-student feud that hasn't exactly shown a whole lot of promise on Impact Wrestling in recent weeks, given how sloppy their non-title match was a couple of weeks back. For all intended purposes, it's shaping up to be a friendly rivalry, but more friendship that rivalry. No animosity, no hints of heel turns or one-upsmanship...people are either not going to know who to cheer for or just not care.

Tessmacher recently won the championship back from Madison Rayne and I frankly don't see her losing it this quickly to Tara. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see Rayne and/or Gail Kim interfere to cause a DQ and open up the possibility for a Triple Threat or Fatal Four Way for the Knockout Title at Bound For Glory.

Winner: Tara by DQ

Non-Title Fight:

Austin Aries (C) v. "The Big Guy" (Aces & Eights)

TNA has done a good job of putting Aries at the center of the company's feud with "Aces & Eights" because, of course, he's the champion, the top man in the company, and the right choice to lead it against invading forces like this.

Now. it's somewhat unclear as to whether this will be a regular match or one with Street Fight stipulations, but either way, Aries has shown recently that he can have just as nasty and violent a streak as any member of the Aces & Eights can. You can certainly expect some outside shenanigans in this match, but I expect Aries to eke out a close win here to maintain his momentum towards his eventual title match at Bound For Glory. Given the buildup, I also wouldn't be surprised if we get a good idea of who's behind the faction of Aces & Eights either Sunday or the following Thursday on Impact.

Winner: Austin Aries

TNA Tag Team Championship:

Daniels & Kazarian (C) v. AJ Styles & Kurt Angle

Hearing about this match honestly took me by surprise. Considering AJ's online comments before the show last night, I would've been expecting a stipulation match of sorts between him and Kazarian this Sunday, then have the tag title match at Bound For Glory. Don't get me wrong, this was an awesome match two months ago, but I just figured they would save a big money rematch for their big money PPV. Ah well, it'll be fun anyway.

The way I could see this one going is more less a month of revenge for Styles. He and Kurt could win the tag titles here, AJ comes out the following Impact and says winning the titles isn't enough: He wants to end this with Daniels, once and for all, possibly in a Ultimate X or Steel Cage match with their individual careers on the line. 

Over the next month, Daniels tries and avoid AJ at every turn, even ducking out of his tag title rematch, leaving Kazarian to the proverbial wolves. Either Kazarian tries to halt AJ himself and gets destroyed, or turns for real and leaves the selfish Daniels to AJ's mercies, culminating in what I'm sure will be another four or even five-star match to cap off their historic rivalry.

If all of that is to happen, AJ and Angle will have to win here in what I expect to be the show-stealer of the night, and I'm certainly hoping that is the case.

Winners and NEW TNA Tag Team Champions: AJ & Angle

Bound For Glory Series Semifinal:

Samoa Joe v. Jeff Hardy

We saw this week on Impact that Hardy, even at this advanced point in his career, can still surprise his opponents, getting what many call an upset submission victory over the Samoan Submission Machine. It makes all the more the sense to have this rematch, as Joe will know what to expect this time, or will Hardy surprise him again with another unexpected tactic?

Joe has more or less dominated near the top of the leaderboard while Hardy's had to surge in recent weeks to climb his way into the Final Four. Now while Joe's also been having issues with Magnus in recent weeks, I don't believe the cocky Brit will make himself known until later and I'll explain why in my prediction for the Finals. 

Winner: Samoa Joe

Bound For Glory Series Semifinal:

"The Cowboy" James Storm v. Bully Ray

Now this match is one that has numerous possibilities and questions surrounding it, one being Ray's status with the company. If he remains with TNA, I would not be surprised to see him get pushed to facing Aries at Bound For Glory, as the two have shown to have remarkable chemistry in the ring and on the mic. 

Storm's been making big waves since his return a couple of months back, breaking Crimson's undefeated streak and surging to the top of the Bound For Glory leaderboard, never really losing that spot. A match with him and Aries could also be a show-stealer, but the big question on my mind in relation to Storm: Where's Roode? We haven't seen hide nor hair of Storm's former tag partner since his loss to Aries and loss of future title shots. I believe the question will be answered with Roode costing James his match with Bully, keeping "The Cowboy" away from "his" championship and reginiting the feud between the two former friends.

Winner: Bully Ray

Bound For Glory Series Final (Predicted):

Samoa Joe v. Bully Ray

Remember how I said Magnus would factor in against Joe later in the night? Well, I see Joe narrowing in on the victory here when Magnus comes out and distracts Joe, ultimately costing Joe the victory against Bully, so that Magnus can say Joe fell just short of his dream, just like Magnus did against Joe. 

In turn, this will set up a hot-blooded personal match between the two former partners for Bound For Glory, while Bully reaps the rewards and moves on to face Aries for the championship.

Winner and #1 Contender: Bully Ray

...and that's all I have to say about that!

The Big Show Makes A Big Point...Is Punk's Prominence At An End?

I'll get straight to the point on this one: While Big Show has certainly renewed his destructive, dominant ways within the ring, his statements on the mic often leave something to be desired; often, he'll sound like the bitter old worker who knows he's nearing the end of his rope and lashes out at the young, virile up-and-comer who's replacing him, in this circumstance John Cena, and that's actually a good role for Show at this point in his career: The long-suffering workhorse who's frankly tired of pulling the load, or from Show's view, the WWE fans.

The problem is that his statements are often illogical and even the older fans who rail against Cena find it hard to agree with him. Take his tirade of Cena shortly after "Over The Limit", saying the reason he joined Laurinaitis, the man who made the giant get on his knees and cried, was that all Cena did, after Show suffered for nothing but to get fired, was to make jokes and seemingly sweep it under the rug; that was only partly the case, as among the jokes at Laurinaitis's expense, Cena made it perfectly clear to "Johnny Ace" shortly after his firing of Show that he'd crossed a major line, but Show just seems to ignore that part.

However, this past Monday, Show was in the ring with a more solidly verbose opponent in CM Punk, who had no problem in pointing out the fallacies of Big Show's raging crusade, citing that regardless of all the mayhem and destruction he reeks in the ring, Show always ends up a hair short of his true goal. Punk notes that he's defended the WWE Title for over 200 days and has fended off challenger after challenger and garnered the respect of all WWE's fans, whereas all Big Show has, in Punk's words, is "an ironclad contract and the respect of no one."

Show, oddly enough, just laughs it off, saying he's never cared about the fans respecting him, and even feels like the fans don't respect themselves; he feels they are so fickle that when they're bored with a solid entertainer like Show or Punk, the fans stop caring about them and leave them in their wake. And here's the kicker  to that statement: Show essentially states if that you're in the WWE and not named John Cena, you're in for the long haul. Show warns Punk that the moment he loses the WWE Title, he'll become the butt of the joke like Big Show has, be shuffled off into the background and become just another "cog in the machine."

You could tell by the hesitation in Punk's voice that, for a moment, he wanted to agree with Show, because a lot of what Show said was what Punk argued about the year before; the "soul-crushing status quo", the business revolving around John Cena, stating he's the best in the business, something that ate away at Punk, made him snap, and made him cut loose on everything he hated about the WWE and its manipulations.

It's started to show again; in the last several months, Punk has put on some of the best wrestling matches and fights in his career, against Chris Jericho, Daniel Bryan, Kane, Mark Henry, the list goes on...and yet? He and the WWE Title take a passenger seat to John Cena and his personal vendettas with the Rock (justified, as Wrestlemania was in Miami, Rock's hometown), Brock Lesnar (Somewhat justified, as Extreme Rules was in Chicago, Punk's hometown, but Lesnar's WWE return was seemingly more prominent), Big Show (Not really justified), and John Laurinaitis (Not justifiable in the very least). Even the MITB PPV, Punk's shining moment of 2011, this year saw Punk's stellar match with Bryan pushed out of the final main event slot, with Cena's MITB win taking center stage.

Fans have even pointed out on social media sites like Twitter the ridiculous notion of Punk's WWE Championship matches not being in the main event, complaints Punk has tried to assuage  by telling them that he can "work first, work hurt, and can (out)work anybody."

Are those the words of a truly confident champion who feels solidly entrenched in the limelight of the WWE fans, or are they the words of a man who is 5 days away from possibly seeing the "soul-crushing status quo" reassert its dominance at his expense?

WWE Raw - 7/16/2012

We open the night with WWE Champion CM Punk coming out to the ring, coming off of a brutal No-DQ match with Daniel Bryan and holding on to his championship. Apparently, it doesn't get any easier, as he's advertised to face Big Show in a main event tonight, and the giant CANNOT be in a good mood after coming within a whisker of winning the Raw MITB.

Punk, even as a Straightedge, is excited to be in Las Vegas, as exactly one year ago, he dropped the initial "pipe bomb" that resonated throughout the WWE up to now and changed a lot within the company. He's proud that he's held the championship for 8 months, earned the respect of other wrestlers and the fans, and is looking forward to next week's 1000th episode celebration...that is, before the Big Show comes out.

Big Show rants about how he came within an inch of MITB and if he'd won, Punk wouldn't be thinking about next week as the champ, because Show would cash it in right now. Punk agrees, Show nearly won, but almost doesn't cut it, and sums up Show as someone who comes to the ring and destroys everything, but often comes up short. Show fires back and questions Punk on how he knows whether the fans truly respect him, as they turned on Show, what's to stop them from moving on from Punk to some new big-time star?

Show argues that it doesn't matter, telling Punk the WWE's always revolved around one man (likely a shot at Cena) and Punk's just another cog in the machine like Show. Punk simply states he is the WWE Champion and Show is nothing but a shell of a man that only gets by because he's a giant. Show simply notes that Cena has the case now, and if Show happens to knock out Punk in their match, not a lot could stop Cena from cashing in. He leaves Punk with this mocking "pipe bomb", as we go backstage to Kofi and R-Truth backstage, prepping for a title defense coming up next.

WWE Tag Team Championship

Kofi Kingston & R-Truth v. Prime Time Players

We have AW all over the mic calling PTP the greatest, yeah, the Colons would have something to say about that. Kofi starts off with Titus in a lock up, Titus powers him to the corner and delivers shots to the stomach and face of Kingston. Tag to Young, who kicks away at Kofi and bashes him on the turnbuckle, drawing the ref. Young yells at him to back off before a kick from Kofi, who tags Truth in, and dounle team Young. Truth dances and drops a leg. Tag to Kofi, who hits a quick cross body on Young and sends him to the outside. Titus tries to roll in, but gets dropkicked back out. Double baseball dropkick from the champs, then a crisp suicide dive from Kofi to the challengers on the outside before we go to break.

Back from the break, PTP has taken control during the break after D. Young knocked Kofi off the apron following a distraction by Titus. Young beats down on Kofi, who tries to make a tag to Truth, but gets dragged back to the PTP corner, where Titus is brought in to lay boots into him before locking in a bearhug. Kofi struggles, but manages to escape and makes the tag to Truth, who clears house, and AW is panicking, trying to distract Kofi, but only serves to distract Titus, who get the Trouble In Paradise, while Young, the legal man, gets the Little Jimmy from R-Truth for the 3 count.

Winners and STILL WWE Tag Team Champions: Kofi & R-Truth

Rating: ** (Young & Titus wern't bad, but Truth & Kofi pretty much led the match from the get-go and never really lost their step)

AJ tries to point out to Daniel Bryan that she called the match last night down the middle as best she could, and he tries to assure her he isn't upset about it...until Eve interrupts and tells them about a tag team rematch where she plans, with a mystery partner, to get revenge on AJ and Bryan. Hmm, who could it be...

Zack Ryder v. Alberto Del Rio

I'm not liking Ryder's chances here. High knees to the Long Island native, who's driven into the corner, but responds with a back elbow and a few right hands, before having his arm smashed by Del Rio. Ryder's sent to the outside and has his arm smashed into the ring steps, then the barrier. Ryder tries to kick Del Rio, but only angers him as he gets back into the ring, drives Ryder's arm into the ring post, and locks in the Cross Arm Breaker for the tap out.

Winner: Alberto Del Rio

Rating: *3/4 (Pretty much done to keep Del Rio strong-looking in the World Championship picture, as it appears Ryder's bit on Smackdown as GM was just a once-off with no outstanding effects)

Del Rio continues the arm breaker until...REY MYSTERIO hits the ring, to stomps from Del Rio, but Rey fires back with a hurricanrana into the ropes and a 619 for Del Rio, who retreats up the ramp as the returning Master of the 619 looks on.

Heath Slater's favorite Raw moment(s) are apparently getting his ass whopped by every returning Raw "legend." Sure, why not? Speaking of which, he faces another returning RAW legend. This outta be good...

IT'S RIKISHI! He looks a little paler since the last time I saw him, but still, the Master of the Stinkface is back!

Rikishi v. Heath Slater

Slap and a go-behind by a cocky Slater, who gets Savate kicked for his troubles. BACK DAT ASS UP, BOI! Stinkface, followed by a Rumpshaker from the second rope, and a 3 count.

Winner: Rikishi

Nice little moment with Rishish and his sons Jimmy and Jey Uso dancing along with him in the ring.

AJ & Daniel Bryan v. Eve & The Miz

AWWWESOMMMEEEE! I actually kind of like Miz's new do, it's a match for his movie-star attitude. Bryan and Miz lock up, headlock from Bryan, and Miz sends him into a corner, only to miss with a strike, and Bryan comes back with some of his own. Bryan gets pushed back and hit with a high knee from Miz, who responds with kicks of his own until Bryan retreats and AJ tags in, so Eve's in by default. Eve overpowers AJ, snapmares and kicks her for a 2 count. Eve with a rope choke on AJ, who rebounds with a few kicks and a shining wizard, but Miz distracts during the cover and gets a dropkick from AJ! A strange smile exchanged between Miz and AJ as he tries to come in the ring. Eve small packages AJ, only for Bryan to reverse it while the ref is busy with Miz, ref turns around and counts the three!

Winners: AJ & Daniel Bryan

Rating: **1/4 (Interesting storyline-wise, but a rushed match nonetheless)

After the match, Bryan talks intimately with AJ, admitting that the feud with Punk clouded his mind and last week he proposed for the sake of winning the WWE Title. Um, you were using her long before Punk, but far be it for me to question WWE's sense of continuity. Anyway, he tells her he loves her, which shocks AJ more than anything else as he actually seems earnest about it, and even King and Cole seem to be buying it. Bryan says he wants to do things for real, gets down on one

knee and proposes to AJ...who's frown turns upside down and says...YES! YES! YES! Seriously, they even do a couples' chant of YES! YES! YES! Wow.

Jack Swagger v. Ryback

Yeah, not the guy I'd try ending a losing streak against...and Swagger actually seems to realize this as he assaults Ryback through the ropes before the bell even rings, and nails him with a big gutwrench bomb! A couple of ankle locks, a Swagger Bomb, and a takedown get shrugged off by Ryback before he roars back with a clothesline, a "DAMN!" fine spinebuster, and THREE consecutive powerbombs! Swagger may have gotten dusted there, but he made things a little interesting and got some true swagger back in his step. Yes, it's a pun. Get used to it, I make a lot of them.
Winner: None (Match never started)

Vickie comes out to introduce the dapper-dressed World Title MITB Winner, Dolph Ziggler. In the ring, Ziggler recounts how the MITB is essentially a guaranteed title reign and that he doesn't plan on breaking that tradition by the end of the year. Before he can continue, JERICHO of all people comes out...interesting. Before he can even get a word out, Ziggler reminds him this is not about Jericho, but all about Ziggler himself, how he won his briefcase and Jericho didn't, or has ever won MITB for that matter. Jericho seems to agree so far with Ziggler. 

Dolph then asks, "When was the last time you won anything?"

Ooh, that struck a nerve, and Jericho looks pissed. Dolph's not done, verbally lacerating Jericho, questioning why he even bothered to come back to "save us" or show that he's the best in the world at what he does, because he's done neither up to this point. Dolph even wonders if perhaps Chris has lost his touch. He repeats this, consults Vickie about, then...CODEBREAKER by Jericho, who walks off steamed. Don't think he's quite lost it, Ziggles, but Dolph can only hold his chin and smirk as he knows he got the better of Jericho there. I know where they're going with this, and if there's anyone who can put Ziggler firmly in the main event spotlight, it's Jericho.

So we find out that Christian, out of him, Santino and Layla, will be defending his IC Title on the 1000th Raw. Depending on the opponent, should be interesting or a complete wipe.

Brodus Clay v. JTG

Seriously, JTG still has a job? Heh, guess the "spring cleaning" wasn't all that far-reaching. Anyway, JTG tries some token offense, going for Big Brodus' knee and seems to be gaining the edge on the Funkasaurus, but Brodus comes back with a big T-Bone suplex, headbutt, and splash for the 3 count.

Winner: Brodus Clay

Rating: * (Same Brodus Match, Same Brodus Squash, next)

CM Punk v. The Big Show

Show goes for the big KO shot right away, but Punk ducks away from it and feints from a few of Big Show's jabs before taking a big headbutt. Open hand chop to Punk in the corner, who counters with some rights, but is silenced by an uppercut. Show steps on Punk's back, then drags him to the apron for more chops, sending Punk out to the floor. Show attempts to drive Punk into the steel post, but Punk floats over and drives Show's head off the post. He coaxes Show back into the ring before laying in some stiff kicks, about 5 or 6, before Show stops him cold with another headbutt. This has been a really good match so far, and Punk is Big Show as a monster very well.

Show chokes in the corner and charges,but Punk puts up a boot and goes to the second rope for an axe handle, only to be caught and slammed one-handed by the giant! A hard fist to Punk's hurt ribs, but Punk struggles back and locks in a sleeper. He has Show wavering for a bit before the big man sidewalk slams him. Show goes up for a Vader Bomb, but misses! Punk rallies with clotheslines, which don't faze the giant, and Show back body drops him before going for the WMD, but misses and Punk waylays him with a high roundhouse kick, then 2 more before Show stumbles to the corner, where Punk nails with 1...2...3 high knee strikes, but the bulldog is simply shrugged off by Show, who goes for a corner splash, misses, and falls down. Punk sees his chance, goes for the Macho Elbow Drop, and nails it! 1...2...Thr-KICKOUT!

Punk seems desperate and goes for a springboard, but gets caught and drilled with a chokeslam! Pin, 1...2...Punk gets his foot on the ropes, and Big Show is ticked! He backs Punk into a corner and keeps going after the bad ribs. The ref tries to warn Show, but gets knocked down for his troubles and calls for the DQ.

Winner: CM Punk via DQ

Rating: ***1/4 (Awesome TV Main Event; I wondered last night if a motivated Big Show would make a good opponent for Punk, and I was right. He was a major threat, and Punk sold it like he was that and more. DQ makes sense given what happens next...)

Show cocks his fist for the WMD, but Cena's music hits, and the MITB winner hits the ring, only for Show to leave it, like he said he'd do and let Cena "pick the bones." He even gets on the mic and insists that Cena take the chance only a fool would give up. Um, Show, are you new here? Cena's the PEOPLE'S FOOL, ya fool! Cena tells him as much, letting Punk know that he has a week to rest up, because Cena's cashing in at the 1000 episode of RAW! Cena's "big" announcement, then, concerning the MITB case...is smacking Show upside the head with it. Eh, alright. A familiar sight and staredown between Punk and Cena as we close out the show.

Overall Rating: *** (Surprising, but I smell a screwy finish to set Punk and Cena up for SummerSlam...or possibly three if we haven't seen the last of Daniel Bryan and his bride-to-be. Rest of the show was so-so, with the exception of Ziggler's phenomenal promo with Jericho, Rikishi's return, and a surprisingly competitive and physically entertaining main event. Pretty nice lead-in to the 1000th Raw.)

 

2012 WWE Money In The Bank Review

For me, the Money In The Bank PPV has ended up looking like this:  An unexpected victory, an expected, but surprisingly welcome return, two unexpected matches, two physically brutal championship brawls...and a unexpected victory I didn't like and looked like a lot of the crowd didn't want either.

WWE Tag Team Championship (Pre-show):

Kofi Kingston & R-Truth (c) v. Hunico & Camacho 

It was pretty much what I expected: A nice, little energetic match to get the crowd pumped for the PPV, so you know the champs were going to get the win, whether or not the titles were on the line. Nice quickness and surprising power spots by Hunico & Camacho, but the victory for "Boom Truth" was never really in doubt.

Winner(s): Kingston & Truth via pinfall, What's Up (8:24)

Rating: **

World Heavyweight Championship MITB Ladder Match:

Christian v. Santino v. Damien Sandow v. Sin Cara v. Tyson Kidd v. Tensai v. Dolph Ziggler v. Cody Rhodes

Well, two predictions for me didn't come true in this match: My guy to pick didn't win, and Sin Cara didn't go through another ladder. I have to be a stickler for detail, so 0-and-2 for me.

Anyway, it's safe to say this was really the only match that could start the PPV and keep the energy rolling from Boom Truth's pre-show tag team match. It was entertainingly high-risk, but there were also a few botches as well, including a particularly dangerous one where Sin Cara botched a top-rope C4 (Backflip Ura-nage Slam) and nearly drove Ziggler's head and neck into the mat. Scary moment there. Tensai looked dominant for some of the match, but the ladder gimmick doesn't really do a whole lot to hide his plodding offense, not to mention nearly drilling Santino the hard way with a powerbomb off the ladder.  Santino himself was fine for what he was; his offense was kept to a minimum and only brought out the Cobra for a short while. I did like the (probably) unintentional call back to William Regal and his fear of climbing the ladder when Santino couldn't either.

Christian is a stalwart and cornerstone of ladder matches and it really showed here, even busting out the Spear for a tribute to Edge from Wrestlemania X7, tackling Cody off the top of a ladder. Cody himself put in a remarkable performance as well, but Tyson Kidd shined even brighter, pulling off the spot of the night with a ladder-assisted, springboard sunset flip powerbomb off ANOTHER ladder. That was unbelievable.

At the end of the day, though, Dolph Ziggler takes the win and the briefcase. Although I'm surprised they're pushing him despite his current record against Sheamus, I'm intrigued to see how they plan to have Zig-Zag utilize the MITB brief case
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
Rating: ***

Miz's Return: I just like how they did his return and made it seem important that he'd been gone for two months. He comes out, even gets a small "Miz Is Awesome!" chant, is straight with the audience about where he's been, how he's been overlooked since Laurinaitis's reign (implied, but not said), and plans to do something about it for once by entering the Raw MITB and returning to his former glory as the WWE Champion. Short, simple, and to the point.

World Heavyweight Championship Match: 

Sheamus (c) v. Alberto Del Rio

First of all, it was a fine match, technically sound on either man's side, Alberto attacked the arm like we expected, and Sheamus fought through it and Ricardo to the best of his ability. It was a good, sound title match. 

My problem was this: The match and the championship never really seemed in doubt for Sheamus. Whatever fire, piss & vinegar Del Rio had going into the match seemingly went away for the most part as he wasn't as relentless going for and attacking the arm as I would've liked and didn't utilize Ricardo as much as I thought he would've. Whatever damage he'd done to Sheamus, attacking on the Raw metal stage and slamming a car hood into him, didn't really seem all that evident as Sheamus more or less shrugged off the damage to his arm and body except for a few minor cases where it affected his ability to hit substantial moves. Then all of a sudden, White Noise, Brogue Kick, boom, 1-2-3. Like I said, it wasn't a bad match, but something I would expect to find on SmackDown rather than a PPV. Heck, if WWE had traded this with the match Sheamus had with Jericho last Friday, I probably wouldn't have minded.

Winner: Sheamus via pinfall, Brogue Kick (14:27)

Rating: **3/4

Primo & Epico w/Rosa Mendes vs. The Primetime Players w/AW

A nice bonus match with some continuity from the past couple of weeks on Raw and Superstars, with Epico and Primo both picking up singles wins against Titus and Young. What I can do without, though, is AW's constant commentary. I get it, he's supposed to be a brash, cocky promoter backing big-money stars, but his voice just about killed any buzz the crowd had left over from the last two matches (which is only a step up from his days as a "talk show host", the crowd was dead for that and stayed dead). 

A surprisingly crisp match on the Colon's end, giving them a chance to show off some of their high-flying moves and give AW an idea on what he missed out on. The win for Primo & Epico surprises me, but in a good way, as they're a solid tag team that, if inserted into the tag title feud, can help cover up some of the green that Titus and Young have yet to shake off as a tag team.

Winner(s): Primo & Epico via pinfall, Roll-up (7:31)

Rating: **1/4

No DQ Match for the WWE Championship:

CM Punk (c) v. Daniel Bryan

(AJ as Special Referee)

I'm a little disappointed this didn't go on last, but considering the results of the Raw MITB match, I can understand the logical fallacy of the winner cashing in on the weakened winner of this match. I say that because it was just BRUTAL.

Punk and Bryan would start off, trading some nice, stiff blows, kicks, and strikes, taking to the outside and back in, where AJ would take a bump off the ropes and onto the floor, which I thought was a good idea, giving Bryan and Punk the chance to really let themselves loose on each other without AJ in the back of their minds. Steel steps, barricades, using a fan's chair for a clotheslines off the barricade, these two found so many different ways just to beat each other down. The kendo stick shots were especially sick, including the multiple ones Bryan delivered to Punk, ala his 24-chairshot salute to Kane on SmackDown. Not to mention how well these two know each other with the reversals, especially Bryan whipping out a hurricanrana to block the GTS, something I honestly didn't expect from him!

I even liked it once AJ returned and even helped with the brutality, laying a chair in the middle of the ring like, "I'm not your woman or his, get your own damn weapon!" She would even get in the way of both when when even she thought they were going too far with the brutality. You could also tell where Punk's and Bryan's mindsets were: Punk would seem more resigned when AJ didn't count a three, and Bryan was more ticked off when AJ wouldn't count a three. That was a little something that I liked. The cane-assisted Yes! Lock and Super Back Suplex through the table were awesome spots too, and another painfully hard-fought victory for Punk and my Match of the Night.

Winner: CM Punk via pinfall, Top Rope Back Superplex through a table (27:53)

Rating: ****1/4

Two-on-One Handicap Match:

Ryback v. Hawkins & Reks

Another minor, unannounced match with some actual continuity from Raw and a nice break from the WWE Title match. Typical plot: Neither member of a team can take down the new monster wrestler solo, so they get the "bright" idea to team up and take him down. Typical result: Slightly longer match, but same level of Ryback ass-whoop. Seriously, feed him more.

Winner: Ryback via pinfall, Shell Shocked (4:20)

Rating: *1/2

6-Diva Tag Team Match:

Layla, Kaitlyn, and Tamina Snuka v. Beth Phoenix, Natalya, and Eve 

A surprisingly entertaining Divas bout with some quick, crisp offense between Layla, Beth, Natalya, and Tamina, with Eve and Kaitlyn picking up the catfight slack. Liked the little ending sequence as well, with Tamina's superkick leading into the Lay-Out for the three count on Beth. Might be something to the idea of Divas tag teams if they keep this up and sign more female wrestlers like Sara Del Rey...

Winner(s): Layla, Kaitlyn, and Tamina via pinfall, Lay-Out Neckbreaker (3:02)

Rating: *3/4

WWE Championship MITB Ladder Match:

Big Show v. John Cena v. Chris Jericho v. Kane v. The Miz

As you remember earlier in the night, Miz interjected himself into this match as a former WWE Champion. You figured he would've made more of a difference with the bravado he displayed earlier, but he ended more of a bit player, which I suppose is understandable as well given his sudden insertion into the match. Taking out Big Show at the beginning was the logical, sensible thing to do, and I always did enjoy a feat of strength from Cena, no exception here as he AA'd Show through an announce table and, along with the other competitors who'd been assaulted by Show, buried him in a cacophony of steel ladders, an amusingly brutal spot.

It was a better match than I'd given any of the men credit for. There were some nice spots, especially Kane getting double-suplexed on the ladder, then Cena dropping him on Miz and the ladder with an AA. There were moments where I thought Jericho or Big Show were going to take the briefcase, and my favorite funny moment is when Show recovers, climbs up the huge industrial ladder he set up, only to find Jericho, who has the biggest "Oh Crap!" look as he's frozen reaching for the briefcase. One WMD later, Jericho drops off the ladder like Wile E. Coyote off a cliff. Hilarious stuff.

At the end, it's Show and Cena vying for the case with everyone else knocked out, and Cena, using some savvy, not only blocks Show's WMD with the case, but waylays him with it, even breaking the latch and the case's handle in the process! Regardless, I felt like they went the safe route with Cena winning. I don't mind renewing the Punk-Cena rivalry for SummerSlam, but Jericho might've been a more interesting route to go with as far as what he would do with it and how long he'd wait.

Winner: John Cena (19:55)

Rating: ***3/4

 

WWE Money In The Bank 2012 Preview and Predictions

A Wrestlemania gimmick ladder match first introduced in 2005 by one "Don't call me Y2J" Chris Jericho, Money In The Bank has spanned 7 years, produced 10 winners, and resulted in 10 new champions. The briefcase is, as the saying goes, "as good as gold."

Tonight, the MITB pay-per-view takes an interesting twist; in the WWE Championship MITB match, we have 4 former champions in Kane, Jericho, Big Show, and John Cena vying for a shot at the case.

One of them will earn a guaranteed title match against either CM Punk or Daniel Bryan, both who seem just as immersed in the WWE Title as they are in AJ's tangled, crazy web of love. Will either man truly come out as champion, or are they both just two flies that have entered AJ's parlor?

Then we have the World Heavyweight Championship MITB, with only two former world champions, a cobra, a Hart-y competitor, a Far East beast, a masked luchador, a rookie with a veritable vernacular, and Cody Rhodes.

The winner will face either the pure Irish brute of a World Champion Sheamus or the man of wealth, class, and a renewed vigor and anger that has not been seen in some time, Alberto Del Rio.

 WWE.COM Pre-Show Match: WWE Tag Team Championship

Kofi Kingston & R-Truth (c) v. Hunico & Camacho

The Kingston-Truth team we can't seem to find a solid nickname for going up against the former Sin Cara Negro and his heavy Camacho. Putting aside the fact that the Prime Time Players's #1 contendership apparently doesn't mean they get the first shot, it should be an interesting bout as Hunico has shown remarkable progress in the ring as seen on WWE Superstars. However, O'Neil & Young are waiting in the wings, and this is more or less a match to get the crowd's engine running, so it's a no-brainer.

Winner: Kingston & Truth

 World Heavyweight Championship MITB Ladder Match

Tyson Kidd v. Christian v. Damien Sandow v. Santino v. Cody Rhodes v. Dolph Ziggler v. Tensai v. Sin Cara

Well, isn't this the eclectic bunch of Superstars: Two former world champions, two current mid-card champions, four men who've never been in MITB, and one man who'd rather try climbing a ladder than going through one again (We're looking at you, Sin Cara). Weeding out the non-winners isn't much of a problem here. 

Sandow's too fresh and new in the WWE that anyone would believe him to win MITB, let alone cash it in. Sin Cara's been fluctuating since returning from his "Wellness" vacay. Tensai's stock has all but plummeted since his loss to Cena earlier this year, and that's only been compounded by his recent loss to Tyson Kidd. 

Kidd himself is going all out to make an impact, but it may end up being a Shelton Benjamin-like impact: Flashy, spectacular and high-risk, but nothing to show for it at the end of the night. Christian is and can become immersed in the World Title picture with the snap of a finger, so he doesn't need it. While Santino would be a fun, interesting pick to win, it's also not all that believable.

That leaves Cody Rhodes, who got in on a second chance he wanted and got, and Dolph Ziggler, who's been getting more and more reactions (many positive) as he hangs around the World Title picture. Both have been clamoring to become World Champion this year and making great strides towards doing so. However, Ziggler's repeated losses to Sheamus  leave me doubtful he could capitalize, even with a cash-in, so...

Winner: Cody Rhodes

World Heavyweight Title Match

Sheamus (c) v. Alberto Del Rio

So Del Rio finally has the title shot he forfeited at "Over The Limit", and he's gone to great lengths to show that it's not to going be a cakewalk as some fans may assume it will be for the "Brogue Kick Hooligan" of a World Champion. 

Slamming a car hood on Sheamus' head, cranking his Cross-Arm Breaker as Sheamus hung off the metal stage; Del Rio has shown a vicious and brutal side we have not really seen since his feud with Rey Mysterio at the start of his WWE career. He has matched Sheamus's fiery temper with his own and looks to "fight fire with fire" to fulfill his original destiny of becoming a World Heavyweight Champion. 

However, we have seen that it takes a lot to keep Sheamus down, and all of Alberto's riches and fiery temperament may not be enough to quell the furious, flame-headed warrior.

Winner: Sheamus

WWE Championship MITB Ladder Match

Big Show v. Kane v. John Cena v. Chris Jericho

I'll admit, they made an interesting twist with this MITB match as it only features former WWE Champions; however, that's where the interesting points end. Kane's recently come of the AJ-Punk-Bryan debacle on the bottom of the proverbial totem pole and looks like even less of a threat than when he returned at the beginning of the year. While Jericho has indeed never won a briefcase in the match of his own creation, one possibility is him facing Punk, a feud that has run its course, and while he and Bryan would make for an interesting rivalry, I'd rather see them team up more.

So (sigh) it comes down to Big Show and Cena; John has promised to stop the renewed rampage of the giant and take the briefcase for himself, meaning a potential SummerSlam rematch with Punk or a feud with Bryan that harkens back to the now rarely-mentioned NXT Invasion to see who is truly the "better" man. Big Show's recent bout of unstoppable rage leads me to wonder, however, if a match between a more motivated Show and Punk might not be as bad an idea as it was the last time they faced off...

However...

Considering that the match is open to any and all former WWE Champions, we may see an unexpected, unannounced name come in and snatch the briefcase. It could be someone with some West Coast Pop, the most recent of WWE's "The Few and The Proud", A Great One in his quest for WWE gold, or even...
Winner: Big Sho...BROOOOCKKKK LESNAR!!!

 WWE Championship Match

CM Punk (c) v. Daniel Bryan

(AJ is the Special Referee)

This has been a very hot and cold feud; the matches Punk and Bryan have put on have been nothing short of spectacular, as can be expected from the two ROH graduates. The cute-as-a-button, but crazy-as-a-nut AJ has even perked my interest and had me intrigued to a certain point, as we have not seen a woman so deeply entrenched in a wrestling main event since the days of Awesome Kong and Gail Kim in TNA.

However, the focus has turned from AJ simply screwing with either man's mind as the Special Ref for the WWE Title match into a torrid affair for her demented affections. I feel she's become overexposed and I hate to say this, but I hope the Bryan-Punk feud resolves sooner than later so the mess with AJ can be sorted out.

That's not the only spanner in the works here; if my prediction comes to pass in the WWE Championship MITB match, it would not at all shock me to see Lesnar come out and capitalize on either man.

(No Cash-In) Winner: CM Punk

(Cash-In) Winner: Brock Lesnar

WROXER: Heroes of MMA, Superheroes of Earth

        These aren't your typical wrestlers. Sure, they can take on different foes and combat in different, unique environments. But what happens when the weight of the world falls on their shoulders? What happens when the fate of humanity lies in their hands? They...ADAPT!

        In the stead of WWE Heroes and Chaos Comics comes the latest blend of mixed martial arts, pro wrestling, and spectacular superheroes: WROXER.

       What is WROXER, you ask? It starts with a young, plucky underdog MMA fighter by the name of ROBBIE WALKER, who may not be the biggest or the baddest man in the ring, but keeps getting up and coming back no matter what. It is this impeccable quality that allows him, as the fiery combatant SPRAWLER, to lead a secret group of misfit superheroes known as THE CORE:

JOHNNY NOVA (A.K.A. Johnny Novak): A big, EXPLOSIVE brute of the squared circle with an even bigger heart, Toronto native Novak dreams of making it to the big time in wrestling, but can never quite find his footing (sometimes literally) and finds it an uphill battle. At the behest of his manager Gary "Fink" Molinari, he performs a barrel dive off of Niagra Falls to draw publicity and becomes a sensation, but on YouTube rather than in the ring. He enjoys the celeb life as JOHNNY NOVA, but can never reveal his identity when in public.

KATA (A.K.A. Miko Aguchi): She loves to shred in the skate park, shred firewalls in cyberspace, and loves animals who DON'T shred her furniture (i.e. Cats). Miko is the karate-kicking, punk-rocking girl next door who lives life to the fullest and believes that all life is sacred. Just ask her pet lemur, Monzai, a cute critter Miko hacked out of an animal testing facility and hasn't left her side since. On top of of all that, she's a hardcore wrestling fan with the celeb "hots" for one JOHNNY NOVA.

These three young warriors become embroiled in a rivalry that has spanned eons between Earth and its planetary "twin" Venus, whom wishes to use an evil energy known only as "The VOID" to infect living creatures and guide them towards the destruction of all life on Earth, doing so by injecting the dark energy into a comet known as WROXER and hurtling it at Earth.

It is only because of the Earth's own energy "The Core", enhanced by the very elements that support all existing life, that the Void is offset and the colliding energies explode the comet into orbs, each filled with Core and Void energies, and scattering them across the globe.

Humans coming into contact with these orbs, humans with the innate ability to unleash the fighting spirit within, garner the amazing ability to control a special element: FIRE, WATER, LIFE, WIND, or ELECTRICITY.

Those who possess a positive, bright spirit become members of THE CORE, where as those who are malicious, brutal, and COLD-HEARTED become part of THE VOID. The orbs also have the unique ability to create both a hero and a villain, in order to maintain balance in this war of elements.

Earth and Venus. Life and Death. Yin and Yang. Can our young heroes stand tall? Can they use their special elements to drive back the life-threatening VOID? Can they truly...ADAPT? We can only wait and find out.

To keep up with all the latest updates on WROXER, follow the series at https://twitter.com/wroxer.

To become a fan of WROXER and receive updates and info about the series, "Like" it at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wroxer/347255005342417

If you want a quick preview of what to expect in the colorful new superhero series, head to youtube.com/wroxer for animation videos and a behind-the-scenes look provided by "WROXER" founder and CEO Doctor Robert Dickman.

   

Undertaker's Rumored WM 29 Opponents

          So according to ewrestlingnews.com the three names that are being discussed for Undertaker's opponent at Wrestlemania 29 are The Rock, John Cena, and Brock Lesnar. The choice, appropriately enough, has been left up to Taker himself.
          Supposedly, whoever Taker doesn't choose would face off with one another at WM 29, meaning that if Taker were to choose Lesnar, for example, we would  have a rematch of Rock-Cena from this year's Wrestlemania. Let's take a moment to go through the possible choices:

John Cena: Right now, Cena's been ruminating about winning Money In The Bank and getting back into the WWE Championship picture, something I don't exactly see being a short-term thing. The WWE's been making plans about renewing his classic feud with Punk from last year's SummerSlam for this year's August PPV and possibly beyond that. Cena's been fluctuating as of late in his recent feuds with Laurinaitis and The Big Show, so I'm unsure as to how solid their MITB plans with him are.
                    As far as nine months from now at WM 29, it's been tossed back and forth between Cena facing Taker or having a rematch with "The People's Champion." Cena really has nothing to gain at this point in his career by beating The Phenom, so he's not a likely choice. While a (hopefully) long-awaited rematch between Brock and Rock would be a sight to see, WWE will likely take the easier-to-remember path and give fans a Cena-Rocky rematch.

The Rock: An very intriguing choice, but one that makes even less sense than Cena.  Rock and Taker have had absolutely no on-screen interaction since "The Great One's" return, and The Rock, like Cena, gains nothing from ending the Streak. Not to mention a Brock-Cena rematch I don't think people will be nearly as excited for as the first one, since Brock didn't win the match like he should've. If he had, I might consider The Rock a viable opponent for Taker, but given the circumstances we do have, I wouldn't get my hopes up.

Brock Lesnar: This is my personal pick right here. You still have a few fans here and there talking about Taker and Lesnar's confrontation at an UFC event that perhaps should've culminated at this year's WrestleMania, but I digress.
           Brock's been trying to mow his way through the veterans and stalwarts of WWE in Triple H and John Cena, and there's no one who's more of a cornerstone and an icon to the WWE than The Undertaker. Despite Taker's wear and tear, and Brock's in-ring "reputation", these two have faced off with one another in the past, have history, and both know a variety of strikes and mixed-martial arts holds that could make for a very interesting, physically entertaining brawl. I could definitely see Brock interrupting Taker's return before WM 29, confronting or beating him down and force him to pick Brock as his next opponent.
           Plus, it provides us with the Rock-Cena rematch (possibly for the WWE Championship) that a lot of fans have been clamoring for.

Impact Wrestling - July 12, 2012

My first ever post! Ken Hill here, bringing you my take on sports, both Boston and national, as well as WWE and TNA Impact Wrestling!

Joseph Parks vs. Bully Ray (Anything Goes Match)

So we start off with a grudge match between Abyss's "brother" Joseph and Bully Ray, one of TNA's more underrated feuds as of late, as I like how Abyss has finally taken the time to extend his character in a different direction with "Lawyer Boy" Joseph Parks. He's playing the dumb luck non-wrestler persona to a tee and the promo time with Bully Ray, one of TNA's better modern-day speakers, hasn't hurt either.


Starting off with Bully taunting and spitting in Parks' face, slapping and punching him. Park fires back for a little bit before Ray knocks him back down, and even takes the time to Tweet mid-match. Frankly, I think TNA needs to dial back a bit on the Tweeting, but this is actually pretty funny what Bully's doing. Anyway, Ray grabs some weapons, including a chair, which he tries to go after Parks with, only to get double-legged. 


Parks goes for the chair to waffle Ray, but gets knocked down and hit across the back with a stop sign and a trash can lid. Bully's back splash hits...NOTHING! Seriously, has he ever hit that move? Parks psychs himself and starts laying into Bully, only to be hit with a big boot for his troubles. Bully goes outside and grabs...dun dun dun...THUMBTACKS! Wouldn't be a Abys...ahem, Joseph Parks match without them.


Bully spreads the tacks around and goes to grab a kendo stick to lay into Park, but Joe low blows him and nails him. Cover gets 2. Park goes after Ray, only to get knocked down again, but then comes back with a CHOKESLAM on the tacks! 1, 2, Thr...kickout! Honestly thought that would do it. Ray stumbles over to find his chain, Parks charges with a can, only to get nailed with the chain. Bully pins for the three count


Winner: Bully Ray
Rating: **1/2
(Nice little street fight they had here, and leaves things open for an even more brutal match down the line, possibly at Hardcore Justice. Parks did a real good job selling the shock value of hitting one of his "brother's" moves.

After the match, Bully isn't done with Parks, but Joseph is busted open and seeing his own blood and looks...unsettled, to say the least. Bully charges with the kendo stick...only to get BLACK HOLE SLAMMED! Crowd popped for that. Joseph suddenly snaps back to his normal shaky self and looks shocked at the scene as the crowd tells him, yes, "It was you."

Sting is walking backstage with the playing cards given to Hogan from the mystery bandana man, correctly identifying it as the "dead man's hand." Glad they let this marinate until after Destination X.


Bound For Glory Series
Samoa Joe - 37 Points (Leader) vs. Rob Van Dam - 7 Points (T. 7th)

Really a must-win for RVD here, given his position in the standings, but Joe's got the momentum coming off that great submission win over Kurt Angle this past Sunday. Charge by Joe, only to get drop toe hold into the turnbuckle, followed by a low dropkick from RVD. Surfboard attempt ends with Joe in the ropes. Like what I saw right there. Taz admits that RVD doesn't outwardly panic. That shows here, but I can see that Van Dam knows a submission means a little more than a pinfall and is changing his style up a bit, so good in-ring psychology here.

Irish whip by Joe into the corner, charges, but RVD moves out of the way, hits a spin kick. Joe looks more ticked than winded, though, and drills RVD with a clothesline. Van Dam rolls to the outside to take five. He gets back into the ring, looks for a quick kick, but Joe pick the ankle for an ankle lock, but it doesn't take. Knee strike by Joe, RVD comes back with a straight kick to the head, Rolling Thunder to Joe's back gets a close 2 count. Joe to the corner, RVD attempts a monkey flip, only to get slammed for his efforts. Figure four attempt by Joe, but as he's repositioning, RVD surprises him with a roll-up for the three count, and seven points!

Winner: RVD by Pinfall (7 Points)
Rating: **1/4
(I was expecting a little more out of these two, but at least it serves to remind people that nothing is absolute in the Bound For Glory Series. Good for what it was, though.)

Updated "Bound For Glory Series" Standings:

1. Samoa Joe - 37
2. James Storm - 36
3.Jeff Hardy - 21
4. Kurt Angle - 20
5. Magnus - 14
5. RVD - 14
7. Mr. Anderson -- 9 points
8. D'Angelo Dinero -- 7 points
9. Christopher Daniels -- 5 points
10. Bully Ray -- 0 points
10. Robbie E -- 0 points 

Now we have TNA's pseudo-TMZ guy bugging a pregnant Clair Lynch at the entrance gate...while she's smoking a cigarette. Okay, good to see Claire's not going for "Mother of the Year" status. She pretty much tells the guy to piss off as she drives in to the arena. 

Hogan is coming for the bandana man, brother!

TNA Tag Champs Kazarian and Daniels, who's banged up good from his awesome Last Man Standing match with AJ Styles this past Sunday at Destination X, come out to the ring. Kazarian seems honest in giving Styles  kudos for his big win at the PPV,  but states that thing between them and AJ is just getting started. Daniels on the mic, talking about AJ's "reprehensible actions" and his "attempts" to prevent the truth from being revealed. Daniels calls out "Baby Mama" Claire Lynch, who's certainly not pleased as punch as Kazarian helps her to the ring. Daniels tries to sympathize with Claire about her "situation" before AJ comes down to the ring with a purpose and all but tells Daniels to bug off, as he tells him he ended things at Destination X. He goes back and forth with Daniels before Clair injects herself between them and says that for once, Daniels is right...AJ, YOU ARE THE FATHER OF MAH BABY! AJ is rightfully stunned as we go to commercial.

Back from commercial, as AJ is marching towards the backstage exit and Pseudo-TMZ Guy hounds him about Claire, only to get a loud "I DON'T KNOW!!!" from Styles before he walks out the door.

We flash back to Jesse Sorensen's impassioned return this Sunday, with quips by Zema Ion interspersed in the clip. Ion claims he'll "cash checks, break necks, and keep championships." He's got the belt, the cocky, sociopath attitude, and big heat with the audience. Ion was definitely the go-to guy this past Sunday to win the belt. We hear Dakota Darsow, a friend of Sorensen's, telling us how pissed he is at Ion for not even bothering to text or call Sorensen to apologize for breaking his neck and plans on beating it out of him in their upcoming match, which is next.

Non-title Match

Zema Ion (c) vs. Dakota Darsow

Darsow comes out a house of fire as he lays into Ion with hard punches, then throws him into the corner for a body splash. Ion gets clotheslined to the floor and decides to book it, but Darsow catches him and throws him back into the ring, hitting a spear on Ion. Zema comes back with a neckbreaker off the ropes, then hits his new Gory Bomb-style face breaker for the three count.

Winner: Zema Ion

Rating: *1/4 

(More of a glorified squash for Ion, which makes sense as it was likely meant as a message to Sorensen to not take Ion lightly when he returns)

Post-match, Ion hits a nasty-looking arm breaker in Darsow, gets on the mic, and tells Sorensen he's a cripple and to watch out, because he's not just F'n pretty, he's pretty F'n dangerous. I could get behind that as his catchphrase, but replace F'n with "freaking". F'n is for teenagers who think they're cool and can "swear" when mommy and daddy are around.

The NEW TNA CHAMPION Austin Aries comes out to the ring to a standing ovation from the Impact Zone and goes into talking about how he's gotten congratulations from people in the back and even makes reference to the Tweets he got from wrestlers in different organizations (i.e. CM Punk). He tries to quiet the crowd down, which is pretty hard as they're hot for Aries. He goes on to say that his title win has not only brought TNA into its latest boom period, but has changed the direction of professional wrestling itself for the better, claiming himself to be the best wrestler in the world and TNA to be the best. Well, from a creative and storyline standpoint at least, he's right.

Cue the former champ Booby Roode, who comes down to the ring, looking more stunned and helpless than anything without "his" championship. As soon as he gets into the ring though, he starts seething and spazzing out, shouting "You" and "This, all this" at Aries, who asks Roode repeatedly to spit it out. Roode finally gets around to saying that Aries is just one word: Fluke. Aries grins like he can't believe that's all Roode had to say and gives him three words: New Heavyweight Champion. Roode reacts to that as much as we would expect from him; Screaming and slapping himself as he retreats up the ramp.

Sting and Hogan prepare to go out and call out Sting's masked attackers, as Devon and Garrett come in and offer to back them up. Hogan tells them thanks, but they got this. That pretty much means, no they won't have this.

Angle in the back talking about his impending match with Mr. Anderson and realizes that while he wants the 10 points, Anderson will be savvy enough to watch the submission and he doesn't mind settling for just beating the guy.

Recap of Madison Rayne's mystery crush, which turned out to be Earl Hebner. Well, he's made out with all the Beautiful People members at house shows, guess that reputation found its way to the Impact Zone.

Brooke Hogan comes out for the Knockout's Title Match

TNA Knockout Title Match

Miss Tessmacher (c) vs. Gail Kim

Brooke attacks Kim shortly before the bell, coming at her with clotheslines and dropkicks. Kim works Tessmacher into a corner, then starts working on her arm. Short comeback by Brooke gets shot down by Gail with a body slam, then turns a hammerlock into a modified Cattle Mutilation. A call-out, perhaps? YES! YES! YES!

Anyway, Tessmacher reverses into a pin for a 2 count, hits a facebuster on Kim, then charges, only to miss and hit the turnbuckle. Gail puts her up on the top turnbuckle, goes up herself for a big move, but Brooke knocks her off, then hits a flying elbow for the three to retain.

Rating: *1/2

(The fact that Tenay and Taz were pretty much focused on Brooke (Hogan) for the duration of the match tells you where the direction of the Knockouts is really focused on. With all the buildup elsewhere, the girls seem to be spinning their wheels a  little and it showed here.)

Kurt Angle and Mr. Anderson are...WALKING!

Recap of what I like to call "The Impacts of Our Lives" storyline with Daniels, Kaz, Styles, and Claire, who has "evidence" that implicates AJ as the father. Interwesting, but stoopid.

Cut to Magnus, who sets to capitalize on upsetting James Storm this Saturday after losing the lead to Samoa Joe in the BFG series. Good job keeping the focus on all the competitors for the series rather than just the top 3 or4, although if they can keep Robbie E near the bottom, then good for everyone involved.

Bound For Glory Series

Kurt Angle - 20 Points (4th) vs. Mr. Anderson - 9 Points (7th)

Single leg by Kurt to start, but Anderson shrugs him off. Tie up to the corner, and a break. Another tie up, Angle has Anderson down, but Anderson pops back up and locks in an arm hold on Angle. Yeah, that's REALLY going to work. Angle back up, pushes Anderson into a corner, stomps a mudhole into him, charges, but misses. Anderson hits a dropkick, but gets nothing. Both men get back up, and Angle fires off a quick belly-to-belly before commercials cut in.

Back to the action, Anderson hits a suplex, both him and Angle are down. Anderson whips off a neckbreaker, but misses a punch and falls into Kurt's trio of German suplexes. Angle slam gets reversed into a Finlay Roll for a near fall. Mic Check reversed, ANGLE SLAM! 1...2...THR-kickout! Angle cinches in the Ankle Lock, Anderson looks close to tapping, but somersaults Angle into the turnbuckle. He pops back up gingerly, preps for the Mic Check, and nails it! 1..2..Thr-KICKOUT! Wow, honestly thought Anderson had that one there, and Angle looks like he may have lost a tooth there as he's bleeding from the mouth. Anderson makes the classic mistake of going for the finisher again, and gets Angle Slammed for his trouble and the 3 count.

Winner: Kurt Angle by Pinfall (7 points)

Rating: **3/4

(Turned into a little too much of a reversal fest near the end, but still a good, competitive match between the two.)

Bound For Glory Series Standings 

1. Samoa Joe - 37
2. James Storm - 36
3. Kurt Angle - 27
4.Jeff Hardy - 21
5. Magnus - 14
5. RVD - 14
7. Mr. Anderson -- 9 points
8. D'Angelo Dinero -- 7 points
9. Christopher Daniels -- 5 points
10. Bully Ray -- 0 points
10. Robbie E -- 0 points 

Bobby Roode barges into Hogan's office as he and Sting are still prepping to confront the mystery attackers. Could've at least watch the show to pass the time, guys, sheesh. Anyway, Roode demands his rematch with Aries to prove it was nothing but a fluke. Hogan's thinking Hardcore Justice, but Roode wants it sooner, so Hogan plans the main event for next week's Open Fight Night to be a non-title grudge match between Roode and Aries. Roode accepts without a second thought. Looking forward to that, wouldn't mind it being made into a street fight to see how demented Roode's really become since losing his "precious."

Sting's out in the ring now to face the mystery attackers, but Hogan's not with him. I've got a sneaking suspicion I know where this is going. He asks the Hulkster to join him in the ring so they can do this "old school." Hogan's music plays once, stops, then again, but no Hogan that time either. Sting seems nonchalant about this despite the danger he knows is going on. Hulkster's music plays yet again, but then we go to cameras backstage in Hogan's office, where masked intruders have just exited, having beaten down and bloodied Hogan. Yep, saw that one coming from a mile away. Sting finally gets to coming up the ramp when more masked men assault him from behind and pretty much stomp him into the ramp. This ends the show.

Overall Rating: ***

A good show wrestling wise, with focus on continuing and upcoming feuds in the X-Division, BFG Series, Parks/Bully Ray,  and the Knockouts to a lesser degree, but the ending with Sting-Hogan beatdown at the end was somewhat predictable. The soap opera bit with AJ, Claire, Daniels, and Kaz better be leading towards another awesome PPV match and quick, because if I see Maury or Springer in the coming weeks, I'm done.