Yesterday was a sad day to be a wrestling fan. I would go so far as to say that this whole week, and maybe month, will be sad for any fan of Professional Wrestling.

Last week was a different story. After this week I'll  be caught up. So let's get to it.


                               

I'm about to watch Raw and I have made a decision. If this episode of Raw doesn't make me go "DAMN!" at least once I'm dropping the show. It is too long and tiresome to sit through. I can't... won't waste that much of my time on something I don't enjoy. Not when I can watch the Top Ten moments and get the whole gist of the thing in under 5 minutes.

So this is your chance Raw. Make me quote Ron Simmons.

The rule I use when I write these things is that I only talk about what catches my attention.

The opening segment of Raw is usually worth talking about for negative reasons.

This week that's not true. Raw opened with Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar. Paul Heyman is the best pitch man in the business. He can sell anything. So opening the show with him is the best thing you can do, aside from starting with a match.

I am very tired of the Suplex City thing. It’s getting old. Very old.

Dean Ambrose came out and cut a very good promo. I don't care about Lesnar/Reigns. But Lesnar/Ambrose, that shit is gold. Ambrose sells the "Bruce Willis" thing flawlessly. By that I mean the crazy, tough, bad ass. He is the John McClane of the WWE. Not the biggest, baddest, or best. Just the toughest.

I love the idea of the tough guy facing of against the unkillable monster. Too bad Roman Reigns is going to be involved. Nothing against Reigns, I'm not a fan by any means, but he isn't a bad wrestler. He just isn't interesting to me.

I am so fucking tired of the Champion coming out first. Why do that? The challenger should have to wait for the champ not the other way around.

Kalisto has this weird habit, when he lands he is bent at the waist so his hands touch the mat along with his feet. It makes him look like a monkey. I don't like it. It doesn't look safe either, like it could hurt his back.

Kalisto VS. Rusev was a good match. It was the kind of match Kalisto needs. He faces a bigger opponent, because everybody on the main roster is bigger than him, and he uses his speed to get the upper hand. He throws everything at the guy and scrapes out a win. The match was worked  but the finish was a let down. Would it hurt Rusev to lose to Kalisto?

Kalisto has beaten Del Rio clean. He is a champion. Beating Rusev would have added to his credibility  without hurting Rusev. Yes, he won the match. But it was with a count out. A pin would have been more impactful. I don't think a pinball loss would have hurt Rusev at this point.

So why does Stephanie McMahon have a poster of Dean Ambrose up in her office?

After the Kalisto/Rusev match we cut to a backstage promo. Reigns and Ambrose are standing by the title, which is on display in a case, when Stephanie walks up.

She mentions that they are in her office. Behind her is a poster for 12 Rounds 3, an okay movie, which starred Ambrose. I ask again why is that in her office? HHH was in a couple of  movies. Why isn't one of those on her wall? It just doesn't make sense.

I can't believe Marty Jannetty's name was said on Raw 2016. After all the times he was fired I assumed he was persona non grata.

If this Brie/Charlotte thing is anything other the a short (very short) sub feud, I'm going to be pissed.

Curtis Axel just said "Good Brothers". I know that "Brother" is a very common word in wrestling, but the term 'Good Brother' (for me at least) is closely associated with Talk'n Shop. That was a podcast that was presented by Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, and Rocky Romero. It was always hilarious, a mess, but hilarious. The guys used that term a lot. I know that Axel using it doesn't mean anything but it did make me wonder.

Say what you want about the Miz, but the man can talk.

I can't believe the WWE hasn't fucked up AJ Styles yet. Somehow they are building him up. I am still worried but less so.

We have gone from Charoltte facing women liked Sasha Banks, Natayla, and Becky Lynch to having a match with Brie Bella. A match she lost. That is a hell of a step down.

At Smackdown the Big Show made the save for Reigns and Ambrose when the Wyatts were destroying them. This week Big Show is getting destroyed and Reigns & Ambrose are nowhere to be seen. Some baby faces they are.

Kevin Owens and Dolph Ziggler had a good match. But what would you expect? They always have a good match.

Too bad about the 50/50 booking. Owens won last time so Dolph got this win.

Why would Becky Lynch help Sasha Banks? I know she, Becky Lynch, is a face and that is the right thing to do. But it's stupid. It was not long ago, 8 days when this was recorded, that Sasha attacked her. I will be shocked if this doesn't end with Sasha turning on her.

Then again, maybe Becky will be the one to turn. I doubt it, but you never know.

Main Event time.

To the kid in the front row wearing the Bullet Club shirt...

You are awesome.

That is all.

The New Day are the best. Not in the WWE, or in wrestling, but in everything.

Xavier Woods talking about Fan Fiction is gold. The best part wasn't Xavier about to explain fan fiction to Kofi, it was Big E stopping him. Big E is in the know when it comes to shipping. That is kayfabe now.

I was legitimately surprised that Roman Reigns didn't come out last.

The look on Reigns face as Big E spanked Ambrose was priceless.

The match as a whole was good. It was actually very good. New Day looked great and Ambrose and Reigns came over strong.

All in all this was a good episode of Raw. But good isn't enough to warrant 3 hours (2 hours and 12 minutes without commercials). This show, even when it's good, is just a hassle to sit through. I'm done with it. It's not worth the time.

I'm going back to watching the Top Ten Moments on Youtube.

Smackdown started right off with a match. Reigns faced Rusev. The match quickly ended in a DQ. This set up a tag match Main Event. Because we haven't had enough of Reigns/Ambrose facing off against the League of Nations.

Kalisto, the US champion, came out first again. Why that keeps happening I have no idea.

Kalisto faced Kevin Owens in a great match. The in ring action was fast paced and exciting. The Huricarana that Kalisto does when his opponent is on their knees looks great. The move has a lot of impact.

I fucking love Kevin Owens. The man Powerbombed Kalisto into Dolph Ziggler. If there was someway to combine him and the New Day the WWE would be able to print money.

The finish was great. Kalisto got a win, which helps make him look like a legit champion, and the Dolph/Owens feud moved forward.

I don't know how a feel about the Ryback's new ring attire. I liked the singlets, they gave him a unique look. The black trunks are channeling Goldberg hard.

I mentioned on Raw that Becky Lynch helping Sasha was stupid. It was. But the reason behind it makes sense. Becky is good and as such she does good things, like helping someone in need. Even if that person is, well, bad.

Anyway the backstage promo where this is explained was great. Sasha and Becky have great chemistry and play off each other well. I've said before that Becky Lynch is my favorite woman in the division and the ending of this segment is why. Just the way she delivered the line "I don't know.", showed more personality than most of the other woman show through out entire promos.

I really don't get the Miz hate. He is one of the best heels in the biz to day. He gets just the right amount of heat. As for his actual wrestling ability. He's competent. He can be dragged to a good, maybe even great, match.

He faced AJ styles, with Chris Jericho on commentary, here. This was a good match. It wasn't a pimple on the ass of AJ's New Japan stuff but for a WWE Smackdown match it was fine.

AJ won with the Calf Killer which is now the Calf Crusher. I think Calf Cutter would have been a better name but it's not a big deal.

Styles/Jericho 2 was set up for the next episode of Smackdown. I'm guessing Jericho is going over to set up a rubber match at Fastlane. I'm sure it'll be a good match either way.

Am I the only one who gets annoyed at the New Day talking about gold when the belts are supposed to be bronze? Even Adam Rose pointed that out.

Which brings me to the next match.  Social Outcasts going against New Day? Why yes I would like that.

Curtis Axel just won me over with the Rhino bit.

The New Day are normally cheered, but since Memphis is known as a 'mark' crowd they are getting booed here. The funny thing is that Social Outcasts are getting booed just as much, if not more, than them. Normally in a heel vs. heel match one of the opponents turns face by default. I'm guessing it's going to be the New Day.


I liked this match. The ending sequence was a lot of fun. That is how you do a multi man. It should be organized chaos. I'm hoping for a rematch soon.

What the hell was Alicia Fox doing after her match with Charlotte? Is she going to do a crazy gimmick?

This Goldust/Truth vignette wasn't as good as the others. I still got a slight chuckle out of it but that was it.

The Maine Event wasn't anything special. As far as I'm concerned the show ended with R Truth taking his underwear back from Goldust. Still a better show than Raw.

This week's show started with the Vaudevillians facing the Hype Bros.

I'm not sure how I feel about the Hype Bros. I like Zach Ryder a lot but Mojo leaves me a bit cold. The guy has a lot of energy and personality, which is a plus, but that‘s all.

The Vaudevillians are in an odd place. They are former Tag Champs but don't look like they are headed for the main roster. Which is a good thing. They would die a death on the Main Roster. They seem to be in a bit of a holding pattern.

Not that I'm anxious for them to leave NXT. They are a perfect fit at Full Sail.

I said before that I think Carmella is the future of the Diva's division. I still do she has the look, athletic ability, and personality. What she needs, is to sharpen her in ring skills. Maybe this was just an off day. But the match between her Emma wasn't great. I know she's still green and NXT is technically a Developmental. The thing is when you have women like Emma, Bailey, and Asuka hanging around everyone needs to step there game up.

I'm sure the match with Bailey is going to be good. I just want to see her improve because she has so much potential. Most importantly she has a look that will work on the main roster. That is to say she is traditionally attractive and that's what they like.

If I can nitpick a bit more. She has to stop forcing that accent. She isn't from Staten Island and trying to sound like she is, isn't doing her any favors.

Also as a New Yorker, we don't all have accents. I don't.

Samoa Joe is one of the few wrestlers who  can actually be intimidating.

I realized during the Enzo & Big Cass match, which was a squash, that Corey Graves and Tom Phillips are a great team. There have been a lot of commentators on NXT some good, some Byron Saxton., but these two are the best.

This is the team NXT needs to use from here on out.

I don't know if Santana Garret is signed but if she isn't, she should be. She had a very good match with Asuka. Sure, it was a squash, but it was exciting none the less.

Speaking of Asuka. The woman has everything. I don't want to be the guy that looks at a talented woman and can only talk about her looks, but she is the sexiest woman in the WWE. She is also the best women’s wrestler they have. It's too bad she isn't earmarked for the main roster, she would kill.

The main event for this week was Balor/Crews 2. This match started out very slowly. It was in fact boring. But then it picked up. And when it picked up, it PICKED UP. The second half of this match was fantastic. Seeing Balor hit the Bloody Sunday was great.

All in all this was a middle of the road episode of NXT. Not bad, not great. Just OK.

My only experience with Masada was in the recent CZW Cage of Death event. He was in the main event, the Cage of Death itself, along with three other guys. I don't really get death match wrestling. Sure it's shocking and literally breath taking, but it doesn't appeal to me.

That's not to say I don't like a little blood in my wrestling. I do. It's a very effective story telling device. But watching guys hurt themselves, unnecessarily and excessively, doesn't do it for me. I know that all wrestling results in the participants hurting. I also know that wrestling isn't necessary. What I mean is that you can have an amazing match without glass tubes, carpet strips, chair shots to the head, plate glass, weed whackers, and barbed wire.

I will admit that some of those things can be used in the right way and at the right times. The thing is death match wrestling is all of that stuff all of the time. It's like a chocolate cake, with chocolate frosting, covered in chocolate chips, and with chocolate sauce on top. That is too much fucking chocolate.

If that's your thing than good for you. I don't judge. Like I said it's not my thing but I can see the appeal. As I said it is literally breath taking.

I do mean literally. That shit makes you gasp. Which is you taking a breath.

Anyway. I had no idea what this match was going to be. I knew it wouldn't suck. Roderick Strong is on such an amazing high that he can't have a bad match right now.

Can I digress for a sec? Roderick Strong should be in the Bullet Club. With Styles, Anderson, and Gallows leaving there is room for some new blood. Strong has that cocky douchebag attitude down perfectly. He is made for that group. I don't know if he would compete as a Junior or a full Heavy weight. Considering Omega is the new Heavyweight singles guy for the group another Heavy weight could crowd things. Either way he would be a great addition to the Bullet Club. 

The match itself was good. Masada impressed me. The match started off very technical and then became a hard hitting brawl. Masada teased using bamboo skewers, to stab Roddy in the head with, but never got the chance. All in all this was a lot better than I would have thought, and I was sure it wasn't going to be bad to begin with.

Damn, Bobby Fish is good on the mic. The man has so much personality. He is doing a good job at getting me hyped for the rematch with Strong.

What is wrong with Punisher Martinez? There has to be something wrong with the guy. He is billed at 6'6, which means he is probably 6'3, has a good body, a good look, and was impressive in the ring. A guy that height and size who can go in the ring and he hasn't been signed to the WWE? There has to be something wrong with him.

Suffice it to say the guy caught my attention. That sitdown chokeslam he won the match with was pretty damn cool. This was a star making performance for him. And for Colby Corino.

Colby was very impressive as well. Considering how young he is he had a great showing. Actually it was great for someone of any age.

The post match segment was gold. There was a moment during the match, after punisher Powerbombed Colby on the edge of the ring, where BJ Whitmer was smiling and looking at Mr. Wrestling 3 (Steve Corino). I knew something was going to happen.

And it did. Whitmer gave Steve Corino a chance to unmask. He did not. This led to Whitmore delivering a series of Exploder Suplexes to Colby. As a cherry on top of the beating, Whitmore dragged Colby's limp body to the corner right in front of the announce desk.

I said it before, and I'm going to say it again, I can't wait for this match. That match will be one of those times when blood and a few hardcore elements will be warranted.

Look at the talent in the ring during this main event Jay Lethal, Adam Cole, Kyle O'Reily and Bobby Fish. That is four fantastic wrestlers. Is there any question as to why ROH is in a upswing? They company is swimming in stars.

The main event was a great tag match. Lethal and Cole would make a superb tag team. The Lethal Combination into the superkick could be their finish.

reDragon won the match which makes sense. Even though Lethal is the world champ he and Cole have never, as far as I know, tagged together. Where as O'Reily/Fish are the best tag team in the world.

Reby Sky is getting more heat then Matt Hardy. Matt looked a little lost standing in the middle ring cutting the opening promo. Considering his experience I assume that was by design. Either way Reby seems like the power behind the throne.

You have to love when a show quickly devolves into chaos. I like chaos.

I don't get why Bobby Roode is able to make matches.

Kurt Angle asked for a shot at Matt Hardy and got it. Roode just made a match, with a stipulation, and that's it. It happens. Not gonna lie, that doesn't make sense.

As much as I love Drew Galloway, I don't think he can get a good match out of Tyrus.

Aiden O'Shea got in more offence on Lashley than I thought he would. I don't know where this thing with the mystery woman is going but I'm not even remotely interested.

Maria Kanelis doing that televangelist voice is terrible.

Maria is a great heel and does a good job managing, but she was never a good wrestler. I'm not expecting much from her in the ring.

Let's take a look at the weapons used in the Hardcore War match. You have a baseball bat wrapped in a chain, a beer keg, a kendo stick, a two by four with nails in it, 2 chairs, a piece of the ring, and a hockey stick but what ends the match? A title belt. A shot with the title belt is what ended this 'hardcore' match. That is a lame finish.

Drew Galloway deserves better than a feud with Mike Bennett. He'll get a better match out of Bennett then he did with Tyrus, not that the match was terrible, but it's still not a feud worthy of his talent.

Trevor Lee won the X Division title in an okay match. He is the new blood that the X Division is in desperate need of.

Angle and Matt Hardy had a pretty good match for the main event. I was surprised to see Angle get pinned. It wasn't a very clean win but I was expecting a DQ, so this was a pleasant outcome. I still feel that Reby is the real heel in this story.

All in all this was an OK episode of Impact, if a little boring in places. TNA needs to pick up their game. I'm sure the UK shows will be better. The UK crowds are great for TNA. The large audience and venue's give the events a big show feel.

Lucha Underground opened with a vignette featuring Prince Puma and Pentagon Jr.. Apparently the two will be teaming up together against the Disciples of Death.

There were two interesting things about this segment. First is that Pentagon is still talking about his master. I thought that with Vampiro having been in an asylum that Pentagon would have gone on his own. I guess not.

Later during the first match Stiker asked Vampiro about Pentagon Jr., Vampiro was very evasive. I'm looking forward to where this may be going.

The other interesting thing about the segment was that Puma was alone. I wonder if he is still with Konnan? He needs someone, because there is no way that Ricochet is going to be allowed to talk. The second he opens his mouth and everyone is confronted with the fact that he isn't Mexican the character is dead.

The segment ended with a cool fight. The only issue is that the way Puma and Pentagon fought isn't how they would wrestle. It is a little distracting to see that style of fight and then go right into the wrestling. I can forgive it though. A fight backstage isn't a wrestling match. When they step into the ring there are rules and that makes things different.

After the segment we got our first match of the night Johnny Mundo vs. Killshot.

Mundo has the best look going right now. The coats, the tights, and the shades coupled with his physique are a perfect ensemble. The guy looks the part of a cocky asshole, who has every right to be cocky.

Killshot has filled out a bit which is good. I wasn't sure about him last year but he showed a lot in this match.

Once again a guy was made. Killshot got the better of Mundo for much of the match and only lost after a low blow. He is definitely on his way to being a top guy, or a fan favorite.

I guess Cage is a face now. That's cool. He's better on the mic than I would have thought.

He and Mundo will have a great match, so that's something to look forward to.

Is it me or does Marty the Moth look like Bo Dallas if he hate Bray Wyatt?

I'm not sure how I feel about this Marty/Sexy Star thing. I just really don't want this to get rapey. And whenever a guy abducts a woman and holds her hostage, for I'm guessing months, that’s usually what happens. I'll hold back my judgment for now.

I will say that Marty wearing that sweater around his neck is a great visual. He is pulling crazy off very well.

If PJ Black isn't revealed to be an actual Werewolf I will be very disappointed.

I don't quite get why you would have PJ lose his debut. Mac needed the win after the loss from Ultima Lucha, but having a new talent lose is odd. PJ had a great showing but a win would have done more for him.

The vignette for Kobra Moon left me a little puzzled. Not about her character, I got that, but about who was under the mask. I don't have a lot of experience with Women's independent wrestling. She is, apparently, Thunder Rosa, who has worked for Stardom in the past. I have only second hand knowledge about Stardom but I expect her to be very capable in the ring. We'll have to wait until next week to find out.

Can I just reiterate that I love the idea that the Lucha Underground world is filled with random Luchadors. Just a bunch of men and women walking around wearing masks.

Matt Striker just reminded said that Konnan was put into a coffin last year. I completely forgot about that. Striker made it sound like Konnan was dead. Considering we've seen people die in the temple that isn't impossible. I guess Puma is going to need a new manager now.

So the Main Event was great. Every match on the show was great. What set the main event apart was the story. Puma and Pentagon couldn't get along while the Disciples were a perfect team.

After the match Pentagon went to break Puma's arm. For the first time ever someone was able to get out of Pentagon's grasp. Melisa Santos doesn't count, she needed Vampiro to save her.

The show ended with the new Dragon Azteca and Rey Mysterio.

This is going to be an amazing season. I can't wait for the next episode.



As I write this it's Tuesday Afternoon. Yesterday, Daniel Bryan announced his retirement on Twitter.

He came out at the end of Raw and gave a very emotional speech. I just saw the speech, I had to download Raw to see it in it's entirety, and that is the most genuine man in wrestling. I'm not going to lie I was tearing up through out the whole thing.

Daniel Bryan is, and this isn't something I say lightly, inspiring. The man is not only an amazing wrestler, or was, but he is also an amazing person.

I genuinely feel for him. I know he has a long and happy life ahead of him but he has to be filled with a hunger. All he ever wanted in his life was to wrestle. He did it at the highest level and should have continued on for years. Instead his career was cut short. It has to hurt so bad. He can console himself with the fact that he accomplished everything he could want in the past 16 years.

He awoke this morning having to face a life without wrestling. He is going to have come to terms with that.

He will. He has a family that loves him, friends that care for him, and peers that respect. Most of all he has the admiration of the fans. There are millions of people who want the best for him. I count myself among them.

In the last post I said I never had a hero. If I did have one, if I could hold a person to that high of an esteem, it would be Daniel Bryan.