Go2Sleep

If it involves Reigns becoming the US champ and fine-tuning his singles act as a dominant upper midcarder so he can be ready for big ME run by Mania 32 instead of getting hot-shotted at 31, that would be perfect. In fact, if they did this at Mania 31 similar to Cena beating Show at WM 20, I might almost think creative had some damn sense.

Watching Becky and Bayley on NXT this week made me think of a little sub-category here. What's the best sub-5-minute match this year? My list: 1. Cesaro vs. Kofi (SD 5/30) 2. Bayley vs. Becky (NXT 12/18) 3. Lesnar vs. Show (Royal Rumble) 4. Shield vs. NAO/Kane (Wrestlemania)

I'll give it a few weeks to see if it doesn't fall apart, but Graves already sounds 100x better than A-Ry in the booth, even though they say pretty much the same things. Becky/Bayley was really, really good. The whole match was built around one move and it paid off perfectly. It felt like there was real strategy and planning involved. I was blown away by Charlotte and Sasha last week, but this was equally impressive given the constraints. While I still lament Samoa Joe not going to WWE when he was elite, I feel like I'm getting a glimpse of the best possible result vicariously through Kevin Owens. He's reminding a lot of Joe early in his TNA run, and a little bit of Cesaro later in NXT. Even with guys like Dempsey, Corbin, and The Ascension around, Owens easily feels like the biggest badass on the show, even though his personality is more multi-dimensional. We can only hope Owens/Zayn will be as good as Joe/Styles from Turning Point 05. Owens/Neville was a nice match with both guys showing their character versatility. Last week Neville was a cocky and of questionable integrity, this week he's a pure sympathetic babyface. Last week Owens was a full-speed-ahead wrecking ball, this week he's more calculating and spiteful. Each week they got the crowd right where they wanted them and still maintained a high level of action. Didn't dig the non-finish (might as well job Neville on his way out), but the post-match was perfect. The apron powerbomb can be the new punt.

This show just reeked of "trying too hard." Just a constant stream of meaningless spots and guys overcomepensating for not having any compelling stories. And the stories did not get more compelling via this show either. Harper/Ziggler was fine in a vacuum, but why exactly were these two having a super death match? The spots were violent and visually impressive, but it felt completely hollow since they've never gotten out of "standard wrestling feud." There's no storyline reason for these guys to want to kill themselves to take the other with them, and neither of them has a daredevil gimmick, so it's pretty much the epitome of a meaningless spotfest. Also, how does Ziggler go from savior of WWE to carrying the worthless IC belt in 3 weeks? You can tell they had some long-term planning on that one. I don't know if I've mentioned yet how much I really liked Rowan getting the spot to challenge Show. I was terrified we'd get more horrible Cena/Show matches, but Rowan stepping up was a good first singles program for him. It was the lone piece of inspired booking heading into the show. So naturally, we get the completely non-sensical result of Show going over clean and fairly dominant at that. I didn't have much faith the writers could keep Rowan relevant past February, but it looks like they're fast-tracking him to not even being worthwhile Rumble filler. When you try to push someone new, typically you're supposed to protect them by having them win most of their matches (or at least lose in ways that still keep them looking like a threat for future singles matchs). Jobbing clean to The Big Show in 2014 does not fit that bill. The tables match was cookie-cutter Cena. Is there any good reason Rollins couldn't lose a clusterfuck to Ambrose, but Cena gets to clown him? And a triple threat with Rollins/Cena/Lesnar would've been preferable to the diminishing returns Cena/Lesnar one-on-one series. Come January, Lesnar, who is one of their best wrestlers, will have had 10 matches in his second run with 7 of them being against 2 guys. Of course, when Reigns wins the Rumble to face Lesnar, I'll probably be lamenting that Cena couldn't be having a 5th match, so maybe there's no pleasing me. The rest of the show was completely forgettable, including the main aside from the memorable finish (though not for any good reasons). Why did Bray Wyatt need this win exactly? One might say because he's floundering at the moment and hasn't been too credible for a while, but maybe they should've thought of that before he got wrecked by Cena or went 50/50 with old man Jericho. What exactly does Ambrose do now coming off two losses in blood feuds with guys of similar standing?

Just watched R-Evolution, and wow, what a show. I'm still partial to Mania 30 for personal reasons, but this show was legit special, and I don't fault anyone for thinking it's the best show of the year (or even decade). Parker/Owens, which was a distant third best match on this show, is still top 25 or so for the year. Perfect debut showcase for Owens who was super fired up and hitting all his stuff with great force. There was maybe a hair too much Parker offense, but Owens' segments really out-weighed anything negative. That palm strike that legit KO'ed KO was a happy accident that propelled an already good match to great status. The hardway blood and quick recovery made Owens look lethal, and made that finishing stretch look even more brutal. Easily the best star-making finishing run since Cesaro/Orton earlier this year. I was a bit surprised the cradle neckbreaker wasn't his finisher, but the powerbomb was a beautiful set up for later. Tag title match felt like filler, but I think that's more of a testament to the rest of the show, than slight on the match itself (which was adequate). Wondering if Gotch was out of position for the dive, or if this was setting up a VV break-up. Weird spot either way. The crowd has gifted Baron Corbin a jetpack of a chant, yet their gradually increasing the time of his matches? Lame, but his big boot looked good at least. Loved the entrances for the Itami/Balor team. Of course Balor's body paint was king, but Hideo's Kawada tribute was super cool too. The match was easily the best Ascension match ever. I think Viktor and Konnor were ultimately miscast as untouchable, because they don't have the offense to do impressive squashes, but they're surprisingly decent sellers/back-and-forth guys, especially Viktor. They should be more APA-esque where they can sell and no-sell intermittently. Also, Hideo and Balor are both ridiculously good, so that helps too. They should of let Hideo do the G2S, because as it is, he's been completely overshadowed by Balor now. With the video package/match combo, it's basically Hideo was supposed to be a huge star, couldn't hack it, then Balor came in cleaned up for him. On the other hand, Balor has way more long-term potential, so I'm all for some bad-ass booking for him. Charlotte/Sasha was great, easily the women's match of the year, and certainly in the discussion for best WWE women's match ever. It's the first time I think we've seen a true divas epic. Charlotte/Nattie was close, but ultimately didn't get the overkill finishing run (and I mean that in the best of ways) this match did. The divas need more matches like this. Say what you want about "movez," they get people to pay attention and that's what women's wrestling needs in the worst way in WWE. The moves here were quite good too. The missed moonsault follow up spot usually looks pretty stupid, but the way Charlotte just casually rolled through with a senton looked almost believably improvised and it really squashed Sasha. The natural selection looks a million times better off the top rope than it does on the ground too. The character work was top-notch too. Both girls really looked like they hated each other and struck the perfect balance of trying to hurt each other and show each other up. Sasha was looking good in 5-ish minute matches, but I was even a little surprised she had this one in her. Charlotte has exuded star potential for a while, but Sasha maybe shone a little brighter on this night. Both have a great future. Not much more can be said about Zayn/Neville. The one big thing I'll add is that I can't believe anyone was surprised their match was as good as it was. Indy spot guys, my ass. These are two smart, charismatic workers who just happen to be insanely athletic on top of everything. These guys put on a clinic of how to escalate action, incorporate a story, and play off the crowd (and I can't imagine they were expecting a pure heel reaction for Neville). The action was predictably wonderful. That blue thunder spot was beautiful, the powerbomb, the dives, the floor tornado DDT, the red arrow counter, everything. It was also a rare match where multiple ref bumps weren't horrendous momentum killers, and actually helped. Sami stayed true to himself and won the big one for a feel good moment. Normally I'm a big advocate for faces getting a long feel-good period, but for some reason, I just felt that Sami is the type of guy who never gets any breaks, and it almost would've felt wrong for someone not to attack him here. They teased it with Neville, and waited until the very last minute (genius move to do the copyright graphic first, btw) for Owens moster turn. That powerbomb into the apron was the legit-est of "holy shit" moves, I nearly jumped off my couch. I loved that Owens basically established himself as the real deal as a face, so when this happened, it carried some serious weight. Major credit to Owens and the writers for taking a guy in his first appearance and making him look like the next big thing as a face, then have him do the biggest heart-rip moment of the year and immediately establish him as the new #1 heel. That's gotta be the most I've written about any show in forever. God damn. TLC(S) is going to be the drizzling shits compared to this.

I don't think they'll have a choice. Other than Harper/Ziggler, what on that TLC(S) card has a shot at being top 15 this year? Ambrose/Wyatt has an outside shot, but Bray hasn't really shown much since before the Jericho feud. Cena/Rollins is a good pairing, but the table stip is very inhibitive to being a MOTYC. NXT just had three matches that will all make my list, but I'm not sure where yet.

Taker and Batista had a chair match that ended in a DQ on a low blow a few years ago.

Are we seriously headed for a stairs match with Show and Rowan? When you read the phrase "Tables, ladders, chairs... And stairs!" which Raw announcer's voice did you hear it in first?

That Tyson/Nattie promo was really funny. "But I'm putting you over..." And of course the Vaudevillains' silent film was great. It's those kind of things that make you wonder how developmental-level creative guys can make a midcard act really stand out with just one hour of tv a week, but the main roster creative powers can't do anything for anybody with 5 hours a week (7 if you include the jobber shows).

HHH trying to re-enact Jack Nicholson's big speech from A Few Good Men was one of the most painful promos I've ever seen between the inferior delivery and shameless plagiarism. Whoever wrote that should be fired. Actually kinda liked the rest of the show until Anonymous GM returned. It's good to see faces other than Cena get some strong booking for a change. Rollins was great with J/J security in the main.

Rusev wearing flip flops backstage cracked me up for some reason. The divas title match was really interesting. The callback to Mania 28 was unexpectedly deep, but I couldn't tell live if that was supposed to be a Brie heel turn or not? Any insight from the commentary on that one? The main event was good. Lots of heat and unexpected booking. Henry getting KO'ed in 3 seconds and everyone's reaction was a great start. I don't think anyone saw Ryback as the first face out and certainly not by relatively clean pin. It's hard to be surprised by a Big Show turn, but I guess I kinda was. It made sense from Show's perspective, but nothing else Team Authority did pertaining to Show made sense at all. If it was the plan from the beginning, why KO Henry? If it was a spur of the moment decision, why didn't he finish off Ziggler too just to be safe? Why wouldn't they do the old SvR goon tactic of having someone take a double CO by beating Dolph up on the outside for 10 seconds? Anyway, if you don't think too hard, it was still fun. Loved seeing Ziggler have a nice moment here, hopefully he won't get Kofi'd. Of course, Sting showing up was huge even if it was ridiculously drawn out. I was expecting Orton to punt HHH into a lengthy absence after the match, but maybe that'll happen on Raw instead. TLC is coming up real fast, so I wonder how quick they'll establish all the big matches. Bray/Dean is a surprising choice for the full TLC, although it should be solid. It would have to be a pin/sub TLC I think, because I have no idea what they'd hang up for those two. I could see Ziggler/Rollins in the ladder match for MITB. Cena/Show will probably get the tables or chairs match, but I have no idea what program is big enough for the other one. Harper/Rowan? Rusev/somebody? The Bellas?

Wasn't that Bragging Rights? Our one chance for an Eric Escobar ppv appearance...

I loved AJ's totally honest and nonchalant "Well she looks better in it than I do" reaction to Brie's outfit. I only killed the x4 speed because I had to double take on AJ Brie, but that made the segment worth it. Can't say I'm any more excited for the ppv, but I'm totally behind Harper and Rusev as midcard champions. Hopefully Miz and Mizdow win the tag belts on Sunday.

This is honestly the least excited I've been for a ppv in a long time, and certainly the least excited for one I've been at live. There is just nothing inspiring on this card, and if you told me this was the lineup for Raw this week or SD 2 weeks from now, I wouldn't doubt it for a second. The one thing I could think of that would make this show feel special is if they only go with 4 matches and the main event goes an hour plus. There are enough bodies in there to make it work without anyone getting too tired or the match getting too boring, and leave 10-15 at the end for lengthy Rollins/Cena (or Orton if he's there) showdown. I'd also like to see an NXT elimination tag on the pre-show, but that seems even less likely than an hour plus main event.

While the angles, characters, and overall shows for NXT have been steadily good all year, the commentary lately has just gone to total shit. It's nearly as bad as Raw. Regal and Renee were awesome in the booth, and I didn't even mind goons like Riley and Albert rotating through because everyone had a different style. Unfortunately, they stumbled into the horrendous Brennan/Riley/Albert combo and someone somewhere thought "Hey these guys sound like a less experienced version of our Raw announce team, nailed it."

Itami and Balor will both go on to bigger and better things eventually, but I'd like to see them have a decent run as a team. NXT's tag team division could be amazing with the Lucha Dragons, Itami/Balor, the Vaudevillains, Kidd/Gabriel, Steen/whoever, and teams like Dillinger/Jordan and Murphy/Blake showing occasional promise. The only question is who is going to fill the void of title contender once Zayn/Neville wraps up. They might go to some WWE reject, since it almost has to be a filler program where either heel Neville or ace Zayn goes over. Don't think you'd want to waste Itami or Balor right away in a program like that.

I really liked how the finish to the main event didn't telegraph which direction the angle is going. Could've been Neville faking an injury, could've been the start of Sami snapping, or it could've been Neville getting hurt and Zayn making a mistake as it appeared. Really good work by both guys. Also, that dive by Kalisto was a real "holy shit" move.

That tag match would look a lot better if Lesnar/Orton was on the show as the main. As the main event by itself, it doesn't seem very special. I'll never understand how WWE went to like 50% gimmick ppvs and ditched KOTR (which was an awesome gimmick) but kept Survivor Series when throwing pairs of feuding heels and faces into a tag team match along party lines has been Raw/SD's gimmick for the last 15 years. And yet, Kane's still there. Hey, bestiality was Kurt Angle's thing, give him some credit.

Corbin should use a power bomb. Tried and true, and he's tall enough to make it look good.

If there's one silver lining to Ambrose never getting a win in what should have been a huge program for him, it's that they're at least protecting someone worthwhile. I'm not sure if it's by design, but Rollins is cashing in on all the best aspects of the Shield and post-Shield booking. Has he lost a decision by pin or submission this year?

I think either guy would do well as a heel, and I'd love to see both of them get a shot at it at some point. I love it when guys can use cool moves and still be hated heels, as Seth Rollins has done recently. This time around, I think it'll be Neville, since he's pretty much exhausted as a face. He's been dominant all year with an upstanding "take on all comers" attitude, booking that is actually becoming of a champion. There's not much left for him to do except fight Sami, whereas Sami's face run still has a lot left. He still needs a major triumphant victory, then he can go into the ace phase Neville has been in without feeling stale at all.

Bryan/HHH is kind of an interesting one. It was the first match on the show (and a great one), but the Hogan/Austin/Rock promo was actually the "hot opener" in terms of card structure. Matter of perspective I guess, but it seems to me like saying Bryan/HHH opened WM 30 is like saying saying one of those Sheamus/Miz type matches that is last on the card main events Raw when there is a big promo segment to end the show.

That would be awful, but it looks like they're moving Carmella away from those two. She's got her own music and was acting more heelish in her last match. The best direction would be for Enzo and Cass to embrace their true calling as Carmella's goon squad, though. Those three just click together and I look forward to their segments every week now (and if you go back to the last thread, you'll see I wasn't a big Cass fan to say the least). If Carmella can work up to championship-material level in the ring, that's a main-roster caliber stable.

With Jericho/Gedo sandwiched in the middle, HH 97 probably has the best 3-match opening combo. If you want an Eddie match, I'd go with him vs. Dean at Uncensored 97.

Lost in everything else is that Ziggler/Cesaro was really fucking good. Those counter sequences were quick and clean, the arm work to set up the finish was subtle, but flowed well (even if the jagoff announcers unsurprisingly had no idea how to put it over and couldn't identify an armbar takedown). And that superplex spot was BOSS. Great effort from both guys. Everything else before the main was just there, and I'm in the "finish was trash" camp for the main, but that's been beaten to death. Their FCA match on Raw was 100x better anyway.