If John Cena was in three matches last night I probably would have pulled every hair out of my head, so I can imagine how many of the fans feel about Hunter being in three matches, but of course for me it was beyond fantastic. I saw one hell of a show last night and it wasn’t only because I had a Hunter-fest, it’s because WWE in my opinion went all out to make this a solid show. Sure there were a few things that unfortunately didn’t work but on a scale of 1-10 this show gets a 9 from me. I can’t wait to tell you what it was like being there. As far as my predictions go, I did okay, I just should have gone with my first pick Beth Phoenix, but that’s okay. Let me get right into one of the best times I ever had.
The place was pact and DX, HHH, Cena and Austin shirts seemed to be what so many of the fans were wearing. We had great seats; they were upper level but center to the ring on the camera side. For a pay per view I couldn’t have asked for anything more. Chicago fans are always a lot of fun to be with and last night was no exception. Before the show started, the fan’s started up Cena sucks chants. They were loud and constant. I was hysterical because out of the blue the majority of the crowd would start those chants, and then when WWE showed a video, anytime Cena showed up the boo’s were deafening. And when they weren’t chanting Cena sucks the crowd was chanting for our hometown hero, CM Punk. Yeah things got started early. The dark match was Bob Holly vs. Cody Rhodes. This was a very good match but what surprised me was that Holly was so over with the crowd. Holly showed his appreciation by pointing at the fans on and off. Holly got the win which got a big pop and as Cody left selling all the bumps that he took from Holly the crowd was booing him. Yeah here in Chicago we like to make things interesting.
As far as No Mercy goes just about everything appealed to the crowd. The only exceptions were CM Punk vs. Viscera, and the women’s match with Candice vs. Beth Phoenix. This match was a catastrophe. Nothing seemed to flow. These two women did not click at all, and this one match basically silenced the crowd. In fact in my area I was hearing boring chants. Now what really pissed me off was Punk’s match. I was so angry that CM was in front of his hometown crowd and stuck with Vis and to make matters worse this thing never took off. CM vs. Tommy Dreamer would have been something to see, but this was a disaster and so unfair to do not only to the fans but to CM. Now things also were going rather poorly with Batista vs. Khali in the Punjabi prison match. Oh yes for a while that match was going no where and at times I was embarrassed for both men. It wasn’t until Khali escaped and the Batista followed that the crowd really got into it. I have to say this, I’m glad Batista won, but there is something about Khali that I like, I don’t know if it’s because backstage they say this guy is so nice and co-operative, or if it’s because he tries and he did try last night, or maybe both, but both men did what they could and hopefully as I said yesterday they can move away from each other.
Okay so we had Matt Hardy and MVP having a pizza contest. Listen I was so glad to see both of these guys that no matter how silly this was I enjoyed it. Now I wish I could talk about the six man tag team match, but I really can’t. The reason is that my son Jason and I accidentally sat in the wrong section. Okay you guys can stop laughing now. We were quite comfortable and at least we got to see all the entrances for this match. And the one guy I was thrilled to see besides Jeff Hardy was Mr. Kennedy….Kennedy. There is just something about him live that’s appealing to me. Okay anyway we started the match but then found out we were in the wrong seats and moved to the right area, which by the way was great because our seats were in the same row but center of the ring. Anyway by the time we sat down Jeff Hardy was down and I really missed what was going on which I felt so bad about.
I totally loved the Finlay vs. Rey Mysterio match. I knew these two guys would work their asses off and they did. The crowd was all for Rey of course but that changed when it certainly seemed that Finlay was injured. From where we were sitting it did look like his head it the floor. And when they ref did the X sign it didn’t look good for Finlay. Once the crowd realized what was going on Finlay chants started. I was a nervous wreck thinking the worst and then something hit me. I kept watching Rey walk around and look upset like he wanted to finish the match. There was just something with Rey’s actions that made me start turn to my son and tell him that Finlay is faking. But before I could get that all out Finlay took out Rey. Those Finlay chants turned to Finlay sucks chants and the crowd was really into it. The ending with no decision was a let down but other than that this was a good match and a good segment.
Okay now let me tell you this, Y2J chants were also very prevalent before the show last night and of course I’m sure you all heard them when Vince came out and announced what he was doing with the WWE belt. The crowd wanted Jericho to take on Randy so badly, and you can include me in that. But when Hunter’s music hit the fans went nuts. And again you can include me in that too. And when Orton vs. Hunter took place we were all set for it and I’ll be honest with you I don’t think many expected Hunter to leave as champion, I know I didn’t. The match was a good match and this opening was a great way to get a pay per view started. And when Hunter pinned Orton the place went nuts for him. I was shocked and thrilled since Hunter hasn’t had the title in 2 ½ years. And taking it from Randy so fast just made me think more was coming. And that’s exactly what was to happen.
Listen I was never thrilled about a Triple H vs. Umaga match. So when Vince informed Hunter backstage that the match was going to indeed happen and this time the belt was included Jason said to me he thought Umaga would win and be the new WWE champion. Oh that’s all I needed. The match was okay it was nothing great, but even though Hunter won he sold all of Umaga’s moves extremely well. So Umaga lost but because of the way Hunter sold in the ring, and then walked up the ramp holding his arm to his body he made Umaga still look like the monster he’s supposed to be.
Now for that OUTSTANDING main event. I had a feeling that Orton was getting that belt back.
But then again after watching the action I started to wonder if Hunter would take Randy out one more time last night. This was one of the best pay per view main event matches WWE has given us in a long time. You can say what you want about Hunter but he worked and worked hard last night. He showed no signs of a man that has two torn quads, and is thirty-eight years old. He was great last night. He didn’t take short cuts he put himself out there through out the show. Orton is a guy that I have always enjoyed to watch in the ring. He’s become such a favorite heel of mine that it was a thrill to see him last night. Yes I know his past with the company is anything but decent, but I would love to believe that he has grown up and learned from all his horrible mistakes. This was a super match and yes I wish Hunter would have walked out with the belt, but as I said last week, Randy Orton has earned this title. He stepped up in a big way and I’m glad to see him as champion.
After the cameras went out, Hunter sold more injuries and when two ref’s tried to help him he pushed them both away and the crowd was just popping big time for him. As I said the show was absolutely fantastic and my son who can take or leave wrestling was just as happy with No Mercy as I was. Sure Chris Jericho being there would have been icing on the cake, but WWE never teased or promised he would show up, so even though I was disappointed I am fine with the way things turned out. I hope you enjoyed watching it last night, I know a few of you that have emailed me and didn’t like the show at all. I would love to get more feedback from you and get your take on what you saw. Tonight on Raw we get Randy Orton the new WWE champion, and I know I can’t wait to see what happens between him and Triple H. I bet we will get the beginnings of a Jeff Hardy, Ken Kennedy feud which I am looking forward too. I will be back on Wednesday with my Raw thoughts.
Email lindarobin3@yahoo.com
