Well it has been quite a while since I last wrote a pay-per-view review column. I think this may actually by my first one of the year, but don’t quote me on that until I’ve checked my collection over at www.deansaliba.cjb.net (CHEAP PLUG!!).
Normally I will just write a small piece of blurb about the match and then put the winner of the match. Starting from today’s pay-per-view review I will also give a rating to each match from 1 star to five stars.
So, on with the review.
[Raw Vs. Smackdown Tag Match]
Edge & Chris Masters Vs. Rey Mysterio & Matt Hardy
When it was announced that Edge would not be participating in the match, and his replacement was introduced as Gene Snitzky, I was a little concerned that maybe the match would suffer. Edge has his critics, and has way too many teeth, but there really is no denying that the guy can wrestle when he puts his mind to it.
My concerns were soon put to rest when the match started. Matt Hardy and Rey Mysterio put on probably their best display in quite a few years, and managed to bring a good match out of Chris Masters and Gene Snitsky, something that has not ben done yet as far as I know.
Rating: ****
Winner: Rey Mysterio & Matt Hardy
[Tag Team Match]
Eugene & Jimmy Snuka Vs. Tyson Tomko & Rob Conway
It was of no surprise to me that the legend that was voted into this match was the once magnificent ‘Superfly’ Jimmy Snuka. I did not see the actual result of the voting. as I was making a quick snack. but I was informed that Kamala actually got no votes at all.
It was never going to be a classic encounter, it was basically a match where the fans get to see a legend beat the snot out of Rob Conway. And thankfully it was a very short match.
I did notice how out of shape the three legends looked, why do WWE keep bringing in fat overweight legends? I know us older fans like to see them but once that wears off we are stuck looking at a fat guy who we used to like/hate back in the 80’s.
Rating: **
Winner: Eugene & Jimmy Snuka
Carlito Vs. Mankind
I wish Mick Foley would just leave the wrestling business for good sometimes. It really does sadden me when he comes back every time to put a fresh young buck over only for the WWE to kill that wrestler’s heat a month later.
This time it was going to be Carlito.
Considering how popular Mick Foley is there was hardly any interest in this match from the fans …. well that is how it came over to us sitting at home at least. Which was sad as it was not that bad of a match, not one of Mick’s best but he did what he was asked to do.
Rating: **1/2
Winner: Mankind
[Tag Team Championships]
Cade & Murdoch Vs. Kane & Big Show
Just before this match was announced they revealed the result of the voting for the third person to enter the main event tonight, Shawn Michaels received the most votes so they decided to put Kane & big Show in tag team title match.
I personally prefer Kane and Big Show has heels, I think that they work that much better than a baby face persona, but here they are as a tag team and what a tag team they make.
This was my first opportunity of seeing Cade & Murdoch in a tag team match and to be honest I was not that impressed with either of them. I’ve seen Cade wrestle and think he has a future but I honestly don’t see anything in Murdoch, maybe it was just the gimmick….
Rating: ***
Winner: Kane & Big Show
[Street Fight Match]
Batista Vs. Jonathon Coachman, Vader & Goldust
By now everybody and his dog will be aware of the situation that Steve Austin refused to put over Jonathon Coachman in what many knew would be a street fight – which means it would have been a clean win with no disqualification.
So the booking team had a great idea and decided to put ‘The Animal’ Batista into the match and It was obvious that the Smackdown champion was not going to job for Raw’s new lead announcer.
This match was horrible. The only good thing was how much I laughed when Vadar and Batista botched that ugly-looking spinebuster.
Rating: 1/2 (I’m being generous)
Winner: Batista
[Women’s Championship] [Lingerie Battle Royal]
Trish Stratus Vs. Ashley Vs. Mickie James Vs.
Maria Vs. Torrie Wilson Vs. Candice Vs. Victoria
I know that every hot-blooded male was looking forward to this match, I did not see it as I as busy using the toilet and making myself a nice tasty sandwich (not forgetting to wash my hands before I made the sandwich).
Rating: *1/2
Winner: Trish Stratus
[IC Championship] [Steel Cage Match]
Ric Flair Vs. Triple H
Out of the entire pay-per-view card this match was the one that I was looking forward to watching the most. Ric Flair in a steel cage against a man he despises, it was almost like something from the 80’s.
A lot of that feedback that I received regarding this match basically stated that the match was too slow in it’s build-up. I’m sorry but I have to disagree, that is EXACTLY what you want from a great match.
This was easily my match of the night, just edging out the tag team match that opened the show.
Ric Flair bled like nothing I have seen Since Eddie Guerrero once stabbed himself in the head. He gets a lot of stick but he always goes all out in his matches, even at this late stage in his career.
Rating: ****
Winner: Ric Flair
[WWE Championship]
Kurt Angle Vs. John Cena Vs. Shawn Michaels
I was in two minds over this match. It was either going to be great or it was going to suck. Thankfully it went the right way, because John Cena spent most of the match outside the ring – away from the action.
I’m not going to use this column to bash John Cena, but the guy has become as stale as three month old bread and his gimmick is losing it’s appeal with the fans, as evident by the amount of booing that can be heard.
The best parts of the match was when Kurt Angle and Shawn Michaels were left to get it on in the ring and tear the house down. I never get tired of seeing these two mix it up, I just wish they could add Chris Benoit in there as well!
This match would have got a four rating but it has gained a three rating thanks to the addition of John Cena.
Rating: ***
Winner: John Cena
So there you have it not a bad pay-per-view if you measure it with some of the crap that WWE have put out over the last five years. I actually watched it a second time, somethign I have hardly done in such a long time.
Until next time.
