AEW: Dynamite - Fight for the Fallen 2021 Review - July 28th, 2021

AEW Dynamite

Fight for the Fallen 

July 28th, 2021

Charlotte, NC

Commentary - Excalibur, Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone, & MJF

Hello everyone. So, sorry it took me a couple of days to get this up. I know no one probably cares, but I get annoyed with myself when I’m late posting. I attended this show live with Mike, Donnie, Liz, & Jeff. Our second time attending AEW together with the first experience coming at Double or Nothing. This one was a little closer to home which made the event special in a different way than the PPV in Jacksonville. 

Showed up around 6:20 and the line was wrapped down the sidewalk through the parking lot down by the highway. This place was packed, man. They began taping Elevation around 6:50 and we got to see Darby Allin & Sting which rocked as always. Red Velvet competed as well which was a highlight. Then things got started. I don’t wanna jump too far ahead, but this really was another phenomenal live wrestling experience and got me even more excited for our upcoming trip to Chicago. 

1) The Elite (Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows) vs. The Dark Order (Hangman Page, Evil Uno, Stu Grayson, John Silver, & Alex Reynolds) - Elimination Match 

From the time the opening Hangman/Dark Order video package aired, I knew this was going to special. Little did I know that was just the beginning. The entrances of both units were equally as amazing. With the Dark Order’s being emotionally charged as Hangman arrived in Dark Order attire, seemingly accepting his role as a member of the group for the first time ever. The Elite’s was more comedic based, but had everyone in the arena rolling. The bell rings and this match implodes into everything I could ever ask for from a 10 man elimination match. We got great showings from people we don’t get to see show out a lot like Uno & Grayson and Silver & Reynolds. Silver and Uno got chants and a big reaction all match. Big LG Doc Gallows was another highlight for me, just feeding like hell for everyone and being as goofy as ever. I also liked that they went with a double count out elimination for he & Grayson. Was a nice way to spice things up and also added to the chaotic element of things. Before we get to the major call backs and story, the Bucks bust out some comedy as they attempt a slam dunk Meltzer Drive on the floor into a basketball goal they brought to ringside. Before you know it, it’s down to Page and the Bucks & Omega. A 3 on 1 situation for the Hangman who was showered with love all night as always. Everyone wanted to see him win and was on the edge of their seat with anticipation as he tried to handle the numbers as well as the mental toll of being alone in the biggest match of his career with his title shot on the line against his three former best friends who ripped his heart out. Hangman tries, and he manages to gain ground and have a hell of a comeback with a double buckshot lariat on the Bucks which allows him to eliminate Matt, but it isn’t long before that’s all she wrote as Kenny & Nick pick the bones of Page and destroy him with a stiff BTE trigger for the win. This match burned me completely out for the next hour and I think it did the same to most of the crowd as well. 

Match rating - ****1/4

Backstage, we find out that PAC is alone tonight because Andrade & Chavo canceled Fenix & Penta’s car ride to the arena and ordered them a limo and they will be there later. They are still trying to get the Lucha Bros to leave PAC and join up with them.

GCW: Homecoming Weekend - Night One Review - July 24th, 2021

GCW: Homecoming Part 1

July 24th, 2021

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Commentary - Dave Prazak, Kevin Gill, & SHLAK 

I just have to say it right off the jump, hearing Dave Prazak on commentary is SO nostalgic and makes me feel like I’m in the early 2000’s all over again. 

1) Marko Stunt vs. Starboy Charlie 

This is Marko Stunt’s return to GCW as he’s been busy in AEW. I’ve never seen Charlie before, but he & Stunt have a super fun opener here. Just that classic indie spotfest opener style. They space everything out well though and do just enough spots to where you get riled up, but don’t feel like it’s overkill. Definitely down to see more of Starboy and this makes me want some more Marko singles matches in AEW. Crowd was hot for it too! Marko wins and pays respect to Starboy post match. Great way to start the show.

Match rating - ***

2) Tony Deppen vs. Ninja Mack

AEW: Dynamite - Fyter Fest Night Two Review - July 21st, 2021

AEW: Dynamite

Fyter Fest Night Two

July 21st, 2021

Dallas, Texas 

Commentary - Excalibur, Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone, & MJF

1) Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Spears (w/ Tully Blanchard)

"We're just gonna chip away at this guy and it's gonna be delightful." -MJF

Jericho to start the show hot with a great entrance and reaction. MJF joins the commentary booth and is immediately cracking jokes on Jericho. The stip here is that Shawn can use a chair, but Jericho can't. I'm whatever on the stipulation, but the fire is there for this given the crowd's investment in Jericho and the Inner Circle. Shawn Spears may be mostly a dud, but he gets a nice array of boos here and the crowd is counting along all match and gets into Jericho's comebacks. Tully Blanchard tries to interfere when Jericho locks in the walls (which brought the crowd to it's feet) and SAMMY GUEVARA makes the save to a huge pop.   

Match rating - **1/2

After the match, something happens that I never thought I would see. MJF starts talking about the next challenge he has for Jericho in order for him to earn another match against him and.. ohm y god.. it's NICK... NICK FUCKIN GAGE~!!!!!!!! NO DQ MATCH NEXT WEEK - GAGE VS JERICHO HOLY FUCKKKKKKKKKK. I HAAVE LOST MY MIND!!! I still can't breathe. Gage comes out in a MDK shirt on national television. AND I JUST REALIZED. I WILL BE THERELIVE NEXT WEEK IN CHARLOTTE FOR THIS!!!

Pre-tape from Team Taz. Ricky Starks will have an FTW Title celebration next week. 

Meanwhile, Brian Cage is excited about this because he loves celebrations. 

2) Frankie Kazarian vs. Doc Gallows (w/ Karl Anderson) 

WWE: Money in the Bank 2021 Review - July 18th, 2021

WWE: Money in the Bank 2021

July 18th, 2021

Fort Worth, Texas

The first PPV back with fans.

1) Alexa Bliss vs. Liv Morgan vs. Asuka vs. Natalya vs. Tamina vs. Nikki ASP vs. Naomi vs. Zelina Vega - Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match

There's so much here that's solid. Liv Morgan's story and raw emotion, the crowd is behind her and so am I. The return of Zelina Vega which NO ONE saw coming. Then, you've got Asuka and Naomi who's in-ring work is always great. Unfortunately, these things weren't enough to keep this afloat. Nikki Cross is now "ASP" which stands for.. "Almost a Super Hero" -- I don't know and I don't care. She's good, but this sucks and her spots here were sloppy. Tamina was bad as always, Natalya is just the same every time she's around and Alexa.. poor Alexa. She's fantastic and has worked this gimmick so well, but some of the dumb shit she is asked to do like casting a "spell" on Zelina that caused her to climb off the ladder just overshadows all the positives that she brings to the table. So, yeah. This was fine, but weighed down by way too much bullshit. The finish was flat as hell with Nikki ASP winning. The premise was cool with all the women being too focused on brawling atop the three ladders to stop Nikki. That's about it, though.

Match rating - **1/4

2) AJ Styles & Omos (c) vs. The Viking Raiders - WWE Tag Team Title Match

This rocked. AJ looked better than he has in about a year, flying around like a maniac and also throwing some amazing strike combos. Not to mention selling like a madman for the Raiders and making them look like a million bucks. He & the War Machine Boys truly showed out here. Omos was there and did what he was supposed to so no complaints there. Styles & Omos retain after a very fun match.

Match rating - ***1/4

3) Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Kofi Kingston - WWE Championship Match 

Ruthless Aggression Era Project: WWE Raw Review - February 10th, 2003

WWE Monday Night Raw

February 10th, 2003

Los Angeles, California

World Heavyweight Champion - Triple H (since 12/15/02)

World Tag Team Champions - William Regal & Lance Storm (since 1/20/03)

WWE Women's Champion - Victoria (since 11/17/02)

Commentary - Jim Ross & Jerry "The King" Lawler

Show opens with a graphic paying homage to the late Curt Henning. RIP :(

Eric Bischoff opens the show. He tries to get the crowd behind him for his evaluation with Vince by saying it's nice to be back in LA with "his people" and not with the toothless rednecks in Texas at the bars he visited trying to find Steve Austin. They boo him and he says that if that's how they want to be that's fine, because until Vince shows up, he is still the boss around here and he can do what he wants. Therefore, he proceeds to fire Jim Ross and blames him for Steve Austin not meeting up with him and signing a contract. Bischoff says the only way he's allowed back is if he brings Stone Cold to him. 

AEW: Dynamite Review - July 14th, 2021 (Fyter Fest Night One)

AEW Dynamite

July 14th, 2021

Cedar Park, Texas

AEW World Champion: Kenny Omega (since 12/2/20)

AEW World Tag Team Champions: The Young Bucks (since 11/7/20)

AEW TNT Champion: Miro (since 5/12/21)

AEW Women's Champion: Britt Baker (since 5/30/21)

Commentators - Excalibur, Jim Ross, & Tony Schiavone

The best day of the week for wrestling fans is here and it's time for WEDNESDAY NIGHT DYNAMITE BABY. 

1) Jon Moxley (c) (w/ Eddie Kingston) vs. Karl Anderson (w/ Doc Gallows) - IWGP US Heavyweight Title Match

What a fucking way to kick off this sold out show with the return of Jon Moxley. As soon as 'Wild Thing' started playing this place lit up. They were already going nuts in the opening, but things immediately went to a new level when Mox accompanied by Kingston made their way to the ring through the crowd. Kingston attacks Gallows with a pipe as the bell rings to go ahead and take care of any potential interference. They fight through the crowd and this thing gets going. STIFF elbows are thrown in the opening minutes and it rules. They fight around ringside, this just felt like an old school brawl. Excalibur notes that this is being contested under NJPW rules which includes a 60 min time limit and a 20 count on the outside. These two really just throw it all out there for like 10 minutes and it rocks. Mox eats a piledriver varation (that spiked him terribly) and two gun stuns, but still kicks out. He wins with the DDT to retain the IWGP US Title and break the record for most defenses of the title.

Match rating - ***1/2

After the match, cameras cut to Lance Archer backstage. He wants a rematch with Moxley for the IWGP US Title and he wants it next week!! AND HE WANTS IT AS A TEXAS DEATH MATCH. IN DALLAS TEXAS. AH FUCK. This is gonna be so sick. 

Ruthless Aggression Era Project: WWE Smackdown Review - February 6th, 2003

WWE Smackdown

February 6th, 2003 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 

WWE Champion: Kurt Angle (since 12/15/02)

WWE Tag Team Champions: Los Guerreros (Eddie & Chavo Guerrero) (since 11/17/02)

WWE Cruserweight Champion: Billy Kidman (since 11/17/02)

Commentary: Michael Cole & Tazz

THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE THEME and video play. Cameras cut to the arena and there’s a god damn crane with a wooden box hanging from it in the arena. 

TONIGHT: Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit, Hollywood Hogan appears plus Los Guerreros vs. Team Angle for the Tag Team Titles 

1) Rey Mysterio vs. Jamie Noble (w/ Nidia)