What's up, guys? Remember when I said I wanted to do these "This Month In Wrestling" write-ups a bit more frequently? Well, I figure it's easier for me with my hectic schedule to just periodically write about occasional shows of WWE, Impact Wrestling, Ring of Honor, and occasional independent promotions that catch my interest from time to time instead of trying to write about EVERYTHING within a span of a month. Otherwise, I'm going to go nuts and you guys are going to get less new content from me.
WWE Battleground 2014
**PreShow**
Singles Match
Adam Rose (w/ Summer Rae, Layla, and the Rosebuds) def. Fandango
Nothing really to say about this match other than apparently that Summer Rae and Layla are being used as jobber "enhancement" packages. What exactly is Summer Rae and Layla's gimmick now, hitting on every WWE Superstar that's NOT Fandango? C'mon, let's kill this angle already...
**PreShow**
Singles Match
Cameron def. Naomi
Just as I predicted this was short and sweet. Naomi was able to get some offense in before Cameron sneaked in with the win.
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| Is Cameron receiving her new fashion sense from Alicia Fox? Hmmm... |
Singles Match
Dean Ambrose vs Seth Rollins - No Contest (Triple H cancelled the match)
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| The Fonz REALLY wants Happy Days reruns back on TV, guys. |
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| C'mon guys, the show wasn't THAT bad. I was reading comments reacting like this was the worst PPV ever... |
Singles Match
Chris Jericho def. Bray Wyatt
This match lived up to my expectations, but I was legitimately surprised that Chris Jericho walked away the winner. I guess WWE wants to establish that Jericho has the ability to win, despite being a part-timer like RVD, who just seems to be back only to lose to the young, up-and-coming talent. Unlike most WWE fans, I don't feel like the loss hurts Bray Wyatt, as people tend to forget that heels have to lose at some point.
Despite the fact that Vince McMahon has openly stated that WWE doesn't have heels or babyfaces, you can't just magically make the concept disappear.
Singles Match
Rusev (w/ Lana) def. Jack Swagger (w/ Zeb Coulter) via Count Out
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| If I were perfectly honest, I loved the repeated camera cuts to Lana at ringside during this match than the actual match itself... |
As for the match itself, my only complaint was that I wish Rusev sold the damage to his ankle, thanks to the Patriot Lock, more post-match. Instead, we found him doing his usual post-match antics and celebration without a hitch - even taking a moment to gawk at Lana and completely breaking character in the process. (Laughs) I know she's hot, man, but c'mon... at least wait until you two get backstage for that.
WWE Divas Championship Match
(C)AJ Lee def. Paige to retain
I'm not saying this because I want to get heat from the AJ Lee fans, nor am I trying to play favorites to Paige. I have to admit this was Paige's WORST PPV outing to date. Why you ask? Botches left and right from both Paige and AJ Lee from start to finish. Neither Diva are completely to blame for this mess, but I think a better match for this PPV would have been AJ Lee defending the title against another Diva while Paige accompanied AJ Lee to the ring and watched at ringside to play up the "Best Frienemies" vibe they have been working for the last few weeks. The only reason I can think of on why that WWE didn't go that route was that it would have been received as a repeat of last month's title defense where Cameron accompanied Naomi to the ring in her title match opportunity against Paige, only to turn on Naomi that following week.
Those who were that "Best Frienemies" crap would come to an end during this event were sadly disappointed as both Paige and AJ's friendship showed no signs of deteriorating. The Tornado DDT counter was a nice spot, along with the counters to both the (botched) Black Widow and Scorpion Cross Lock. What's up with AJ doing her Shining Wizard like a Bronco Buster now, where she throws her crotch into her opponent's face? She might as well call that the Crotch Rocket...
The Miz wins the WWE Intercontinental Championship - Battle Royal Match
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| I know EXACTLY how you feel, Ziggler. |
The Miz made it a little obvious that he was going to be the buzzkill in this match from how many times Cole referenced that he wasn't eliminated, but I was under the impression that he was going to continue his feud with United States Champion Sheamus. Oh well, I'm guessing that WWE is going to unify both the US and Intercontinental titles at some point then.
WWE Tag Team Championship - 2 out of 3 Falls Match
(C)The Usos def. Erick Rowan & Luke Harper
This was EASILY and by far the match of the night. It's sad that business didn't pick up after this excellent performance by both tag teams. I was a little shocked that The Usos managed to retain after the string of near-falls and close calls in this match.
WWE has to do one of two things to make sure this feud doesn't become stale: 1) don't have the Wyatts lose so much that people lose faith in them winning the gold 2) introduce more tag teams into the mix for this won't become stagnant, much like how The Shield single-handedly buried every tag team on the roster last year.
It wouldn't hurt to have the tag team bout later into the card instead of first, followed by a completely lackluster card like tonight's ended up being.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship - Fatal 4 Way Match
(C)John Cena def. Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, and Kane to retain
Here's the one that I don't get. You guys KNEW John Cena was going to win this, so why are you mad? Kane's sure as hell isn't going to win it. After the lukewarm reception Randy Orton got after Tables, Ladders, and Chairs last year to unify the belts, you can bet your sweet ass WWE aren't going to give the title to him anytime soon (unless Cena gets injured and they need another plan to fall back on...). Last but not least, let's talk about Roman Reigns. I don't care about much you guys get weak at looking at Roman Reigns or jerk off to him from marking out for him like the rest of The Shield members, but you can't deny that they he's still TOO new (read: green) to put into that position.
They raced and elevated Paige to a high position and most Diva fans are already acting like they are sick of her. WWE made the same mistake with Sheamus with his instant title win against John Cena. Now look at him, forever in mid-card hell with the likes of The Miz, Kofi Kingston, Big E, Dolph Ziggler, and Alberto Del Rio. Quit complaining and wait it out. Roman Reigns' time will come in due time. If anything, it would more likely be the WrestleMania story for XXXI next year. Besides, if Reigns won now, you KNOW it would be just as a transitional champion to drop the title to Lesnar at Summerslam so hold your horses, guys.
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| July 21, 2014 |
It's cool to see Triple H address the marks directly as it's always the same song and dance. People bitch, moan, and complain about WWE's product after threatening to stop watching, but they are STILL watching because they are too lazy to find any alternatives that would suit their tastes.
Roman Reigns def. Randy Orton and Kane
To be completely honest, I thought this was going to be Reigns' feature match for Summerslam next month, but oh well, WWE apparently wants to book this tonight on RAW. I'm not complaining. It just seemed like they jumped the gun on this one. From the way how this one ended (and the events later on this card), I think that's going to turn into a 1-on-1 match between Randy Orton and Roman Reigns. You can count on Kane ruining that in some shape or form and it turns into a triple threat for Summerslam.Alicia Fox, Eva Marie, Rosa Mendes, and Cameron def. Nikki Bella
This was over in an instant with all of the heel Divas beating Nikki Bella into submission. Oh, if you want Nikki had a nip slip during this match, so feel free to look that up if you're that hard for seeing a 1/4 of an nipple.
Brie was watching the match from the audience since she bought a ticket to tonight's event. Stephanie, being the AMAZING heel she is, took the opportunity to rub salt into the wound of her sister's loss only for Brie to fire off her "trademark" BITCH rebuttal to Stephanie. Steph retorts with a slap to the face before security escorts Brie out of the building, kicking and screaming.
Bo Dallas def. “LeBron James” (Damien Sandow)
The crowd loudly boos Sandow dressed as LeBron James. Sandow is wearing James’ Miami Heat jersey, but Miami is crossed out and Cleveland is written in. Sandow says he took his talents back home. Ladies and gentlemen, this is your piss-break match.
Dallas does a victory lap at ringside as the crowd loudly cheers him on and chant, “Bo!” Bo was a massive heel on NXT and now people are receiving him as a babyface now? Ugh, I really don't get WWE crowds. I still say the guy needs to be handing out BOjangles chicken and biscuits as part of his gimmick.
The Highlight Reel with special guest Bray Wyatt
The Highlight Reel set is up in the ring. The commentators talk about something that happened with Chris Jericho and The Wyatt Family on the WWE App. “Miami… we’re here.” Apparently, the Wyatt Family have attacked Chris Jericho backstage and Bray Wyatt has hijacked the Highlight Reel.
Dolph Ziggler def. The Miz
Without a shadow of a doubt, this was the match of evening. In the words of Ziggler himself, "Follow that!" I enjoyed this thoroughly from start to finish (or rather multiple false finishes) and it managed to serve as damage control for The Miz's buzzkill actions at Battleground to steal the win from Ziggler in the first place. Why the FUCK is Miz mad at the loss? He still has this to go home to...
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| Having Maryse Ouellet in your bed every day is a MUCH better prize than any championship IMO... |
Paige and AJ Lee def. Natalya and Emma
You guys who follow me on Twitter are letting me down. We have to get #AJsHusband trending during AJ Lee's matches at least ONCE. After CM Punk's interview declaring that he's NEVER EVER EVER EVER coming back to wrestling you would think people would stop chanting his name now... I would kill to be the one who gets to do his first post-WWE podcast interview. I would just set up the microphones, grab a bag of popcorn, sit back, and let him know the floor is his and he's welcome to get anything and everything off of his chest.
@WWEAJLee I'm 35.
— Coach (@CMPunk) July 13, 2014Anywho... this match isn't about CM Punk, so let's focus on the task at hand. Nice exchange between Natalya and Paige in this match. If you haven't seen their bouts against each other on NXT last year, then you are truly missing out. I personally find those to be some of the best matches that Paige has worked in her short WWE career. If WWE wants Paige to shine, she's going to need a dancing partner like Natalya to bring out the best of her ability.
I want to enlighten people about Paige's post-match antics that many have been referring to as a heel turn. No, AJ Lee got played. Paige merely gave her a taste of her own medicine in terms of mind games and had it blow up in AJ's face for once. Paige warned AJ since her return that "This was HER house" now. The skip was a nice extra pinch of salt into the open wound too.
Obviously, they are building up to a rematch between Paige and AJ at Summerslam, but I'm honestly not going to care if this more brutal/offense-heavy Paige is just going to pummel AJ into submission (while she sells like a ragdoll in the process as usual...) only for AJ Lee to walk away the winner again with an application of the Black Widow out of nowhere.
This is exactly why AJ Lee can't remain babyface in this feud. She has to revert to the cowardly heel she was before she took her vacation for this feud to click. That was the magic that made Lita and Trish Stratus' feud legendary in the eyes of Diva fans. Paige can get fans behind her with her more aggressive style while AJ Lee can resort to her CM Punk-Lite tactics to sway people into her favor like before. This feud has the ingredients to be amazing, but WWE has to give them the platform and more importantly, screen time, to succeed.
Zack Ryder w/ Summer Rae and Layla def. Fandango
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| Lucky bastard... First Ziggler gets the threesome and now Ryder gets his sloppy seconds. |
Just like on the Battleground pre-show, Summer Rae and Layla continue to prove my theory about them being used as jobber/mid-card "enhancement" devices. Otherwise, we know there wouldn't have been a snowball's chance in hell of Ryder getting a win here.
Flo Rida performs his hit songs, “Good Feeling,” “Wild One,” and “Let It Roll.”
The thing I don't get is why did WWE invite Flo Rida back? Wasn't this the SAME dude who got booed out of the building at WrestleMania the other year? To say he got pyro (despite WWE's constant budget cuts) and enough screen time for THREE damn songs is absurd.
Three men in suits confront Stephanie McMahon at ringside and arrest her for the crime
You have to be stupid to think that whenever Brie Bella comes back she's going to ride the coat tails off those "YES" chants to a Divas title win. This is obviously leading to a match between Stephanie McMahon and Brie at Summerslam, but I think the swerve will be Nikki Bella going heel to save her own skin against Steph's abuse of power. She can easily play off the fact that it was Brie's fault that she had to put up with all of those horrible matches in Brie's absence.
One thing I love about Steph is that when she's getting humiliated she plays that shit up completely and always makes these segments a pleasure to watch. It's moments like this is why she is the best Diva in WWE today. If she was an active competitor on the roster, she would be perfect.
Ryback and Curtis Axel def. Big E and Kofi Kingston
Wait, what? Rybaxel are winning matches now?
Double what? Xavier Woods is finally relevant again? This is MUCH better than that canned bullshit that they have him doing on NXT with CJ Paker. Bring on this Nation of Domination 2.0 - I'm ready for this shit. About time we make black guys matter again in WWE.
Rusev w/ Lana def. The Great Khali
Hell, I'm not complaining. Anytime I get to see Lana's fine ass on my TV I'm okay with it.
Cesaro def. Dean Ambrose via DQ
This match sounded great on paper, but the execution was bad. If this was supposed to be the "apology edition" Monday Night RAW to make up for Battleground, then they should have had Ambrose and Cesaro on the same team against Rollins and Slater. Ambrose would chase Rollins off (as usual), only to leave Cesaro alone to beat the holy hell out of Slater for the upset he pulled at Battleground.Neither Superstar lost any momentum from this end result, but Cesaro doesn't have much going for him period after being eliminated from the IC Battle Royal at Battleground AND officially losing Paul Heyman as his manager.
Let's be honest here, Heyman being Cesaro's mouthpiece wasn't doing him any favors to begin with as Heyman was clearly heel while Cesaro was playing up his babyface support after departing from the (at the time clearly heel) Real Americans. I fear that Cesaro is going to go into obscurity like the rest of the EX-Paul Heyman Guys (who aren't named CM Punk...), Ryback and Curtis Axel. I REALLY want to be wrong here, guys.
Triple H decides who John Cena will face at Summerslam
No one wanted to see Randy Orton face John Cena at Summerslam, especially not Roman Reigns, who hastily eliminated him out of the equation. Enter: Paul Heyman who suggests that Triple H adopt Plan C - Brock Lesnar.
WWE's only other "pure" heel (other than Stephanie McMahon), Paul Heyman, takes the mic and reminds us all exactly why we hate Brock Lesnar. Like my good friend, Brandon Ewing, said on Facebook during that broadcast, seeing that replay of the Streak ending was like "reliving Vietnam for wrestling fans" and I can't agree any more. Heyman GUARANTEES that Lesnar will prevail at Summerslam. Hell, after a promo like that you would think that Summerslam is the following Sunday.
Even though WWE is trying to play this up like Cena hasn't faced Lesnar before, I think it should end up in a match that will be remembered for the ages. That being said, tonight's Cena-less Monday Night RAW wasn't bad at all. I'm definitely looking forward to next week's show.
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