Tag: Phoenix

Smackdown Live 1/29/19 Results and Review

This week Smackdown Live started with a recap of Becky Lynch’s Royal Rumble win, and her confrontation with Ronda Rousey on Monday. When we went to the live arena we saw Becky Lynch come to the ring. The crowd had paper signs that said “The Man,” similar to last night. I think this is one of those things that the WWE production hands out to the crowd. After Becky did a short promo Charlotte Flair came out. Flair taunted her, saying that she finally made it off the kickoff show. I thought Charlotte didn’t come off as a believable heel in this scene. Just the way she delivered lines, I guess. After Charlotte finished talked she got punched in the face. Lynch walked away confidently but then got hit from behind on the ramp. They brawled until it was broken up. This was a good way to start the show. I wished that they had some sort of lead into what was happening in the next segment. Like when the brawl was being broken up they could have made someone have their entrance.

R-Truth vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (United States Championship Match)

After the break R-Truth and Carmella came out to the ring. R-Truth was angry about how his #30 Royal Rumble spot was robbed by Nia Jax. To make up for this, he was granted a United States Championship match. After a commercial break there was a confusion as R-Truth did a roll-up pin where Shinsuke kicked out but the ref counted three. There was a pause, and then R-Truth was declared the new champion. After that Rusev came out with Lana. Rusev challenged him to a match, whatever the reason was I didn’t catch cause my feed cut out for a minute. Carmella shoved Lana which made her fall over, and then my feed cut out again, and then after the break we came back to a match. My feed cut out again, and apparently R-Truth beat Rusev. That seems hard to believe, and if it was true seems sad. Rusev lost clean to R-Truth? Also, was Rusev the heel in this? Because he certainly wasn’t a heel on Sunday. Truth was jumped after the match by Nakamura and Rusev. Backstage we saw Becky Lynch leaving the venue. When asked why she wouldn’t let the doctors evaluate her, she said she’s done being sidelined.

Andrade Attacks Rey Mysterio

Rey Mysterio came out for a match. Before his opponent came out, Zelina Vega said that she knew Mysterio orchestrated her getting banned from ringside with the last match between Mysterio and Andrade. Andrade tried for a Three Amigos but Mysterio escaped the third one and tried for a 619. The 619 was blocked, with Andrade landing his Hammerlock DDT to finish off Mysterio. I hope that these two guys get built for a PPV match because they deserve that sort of a stage for this.

The Miz and Shane McMahon Celebrate Their Title Victory

The Miz and Shane McMahon came out to celebrate their tag team Championship victory. As a present for The Miz, Shane showed a video package on the team’s journey to becoming champions. Shane then brought out The Miz’s father. On a mic, Miz’s dad said he loves him and is proud of him. Backstage we saw Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose declare themselves for the Elimination Chamber Tag Team Championship match. So people on RAW have to win a match to qualify, and they just get the walk into it? Mandy Rose showed a clip from 2015 on the show Tough Enough, showing Naomi criticize Rose, which is apparently why Rose has held a grudge against her. This felt dumb since the Tough Enough clip at hand was people taking wrestling moves and having no reaction to them.

The Usos vs. The New Day vs. The Bar vs. Heavy Machinery (Elimination Tag Team Match)

We had a fatal-four-way elimination tag team match next with Heavy Machinery’s first match on Smackdown. They beat The Ascension last week on RAW. The two big guys in this match were Otis Dozivic and Big E, who faced off for some time in this match. The commentary team continued to talk about Mandy Rose minutes into the match. Kofi was the first elimination as Heavy Machinery gave them their double team move “The Compactor.” Before a commercial break The Usos were planning to do double dives to the outside, but only one of them dove since the other one was distracted that they got tagged out by Sheamus. Because of this, the one that dove got picked on outside the ring. Sheamus gave Tucker Knight a Brouge Kick to eliminate Heavy Machinery. Right after that Jimmy Uso gave both Sheamus and Cesaro a Superkick, dove to the outside to take out Cesaro, and then Jey did a Frogsplash to win the match.

Closing Segment

Daniel Bryan came out to the ring to cut a promo on his WWE Championship win on Sunday. He said that this win was a win for everyone. He then introduced Erick Rowan, his new henchman. Bryan talked about how he is a hypocrite for carrying around the WWE Championship. He talked about the cow that was killed to make the belt, calling it Daisy. He threw it in the garbage and then unveiled a new belt that was made of rocks, wood and hemp. While talking about the belt he was interrupted by AJ Styles. Randy Orton came out as we went to a commercial break. After the break all of the sudden Jeff Hardy is in the ring, and Mustafa Ali is coming to the ring. Samoa Joe came out right after, and everyone was talking trash to each other. After Joe mentioned Styles’ wife, everyone started brawling. As Bryan is on top of the announce table saying that he won’t let any of them fight him, Triple H appears on the big screen and says that Bryan will defend his belt in an Elimination Chamber match. This was such a poorly constructed ending to the show. There was explainable reason why so many people came out at the end.

WWE RAW 1/28/19 Results and Review

After a hectic Royal Rumble last night, we had an episode of Monday Night RAW to follow it. 

Opening Segment

The show started by showing the Wrestlemania sign in the building, which was a physical one like they do every year. I don’t know where it was last night. Seth Rollins came to the ring to talk about his Royal Rumble Match victory last night. Rollins pointed at the sign because it’s all he’s ever wanted to do. He said that he will have to think about which champion he wants to challenge at Wrestlemania. After he said this, Triple H came out. The crowd started an NXT chant when his theme cut. It became obvious that this would be a more rowdy crowd than usual for RAW. HHH talked about how he is happy for Seth. HHH said that Seth needs to make the decision tonight. He said that Brock Lesnar and Daniel Bryan are both going to be here tonight. Dean Ambrose came out after that, with Dean saying that HHH didn’t believe in Seth when he did. HHH mentioned that Dean backstabbed Seth, and of course mentioned that was the was same night that Roman Reigns announced that he has leukemia, which they can’t ever stop wedging into a storyline. Ambrose asks HHH to book a match tonight between Seth and Dean. Without comment, HHH was in the process of leaving the ring. Ambrose annoyed HHH by asking if he has to ask his father in law for permission before booking the match. He then books the match. First of all, when did HHH become a good guy again? I must have missed when that happened. Also, I don’t know what made Ambrose want the match.

Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose

After the second break in this match, Rollins hit a Crossbody off the top rope. He did a Tope Suicida a minute or so later, twice. Rollins hit a Curbstomp to win the match. He lost clean and then we went to a break. After the break, Dean was sitting in the ring. Before he got out whatever he was saying, Nia Jax and Tamina came out. Dean was hit in the head from behind, and then left after a while. Dean losing a match clean, allowing himself to get hit and then just leaving made him look very weak. I can’t imagine that they will have him on TV for a week or so.

Nia Jax & Tamina vs. Alexa Bliss & Mickie James (WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Qualifier Match)

The next match was a qualifying match for the Women’s Tag Team Championship match at Elimination Chamber. After Alexa Bliss was beat up on for a long time, Mickie James was given the hot tag. James beat up Tamina which made her tag in Jax. Jax picked up James for a Samoan Drop, but picked up Bliss as well because she was on the top rope for no reason. I thought Bliss should have won this match since she returned last night, and because what most people will remember about Jax at the Rumble is getting beat up by the men in the men’s Rumble.

Baron Corbin vs. Kurt Angle

Kurt Angle is returning for this match after his return at the Royal Rumble last night. Corbin taunted Angle on the mic before the match, which earned him a punch in the face. Angle hit a three amigos of a German Suplex. Angle hit an Angle Slam for a two count. Fast forward a little, Corbin hit a Deep Six to win the match. This is kind of hilarious. Angle’s last RAW match was one where he was absolutely destroyed, and here we are again.

Finn Balor came out to talk about his match with Brock Lesnar. He was interrupted by Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush. Rush says that Lashley would beat Lesnar. Balor said that he lasted longer with Brock Lesnar than Lashley lasted in the Rumble. This made Lashley beat up Balor. We knew this wouldn’t lead to an immediate match because Balor was in dress clothing.

Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder (The Revival) vs. Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder

The Revival face Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder, for some reason. Hawkins took a Shatter Machine to end the match, extending his multi-year losing streak.

Elias Segment

Elias was in the ring for a performance. He seemed more heelish again. He said his songs are for him, not the crowd. He then tried performing a song but got interrupted by Jeff Jarrett once again. Jarrett was a little more clothed compared to last night. As Jarrett was talking, Road Dogg came out. Dogg and Jarrett did a duet. Elias eventually didn’t like this and hit Road Dogg with a guitar. During a brawl Jarrett got a guitar and almost hit Elias with it, but Elias ended up using the guitar.

Sarah Logan & Liv Morgan vs. Dana Brooke & Natalya (WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Qualifier Match)

We got another Championship qualifier match next. Morgan won the match with a roll-up after Ruby Riott distracted Brooke, giving the team a three-on-one advantage. Just to clarify, the title match will be an Elimination Chamber match as well.

Ronda Rousey vs. Bayley (RAW Women’s Championship Match)

Ronda Rousey came out to cut a promo on her Royal Rumble victory. The crowd was booing immensely, with Becky Lynch signs everywhere. After Ronda cut her promo, Bayley came out and challenged her to a match. Bayley was actually getting some moves in this match but lost to an Armbar eventually. They shook hands after the match. After this Becky Lynch unexpectedly came out, which got a big reaction from the crowd. She limped out to the ring and then grabbed a mic. She said “unlike Seth Rollins, I don’t need much time to think. I choose you.” Lynch cut a good promo which sounded even better with an electric crowd. When Ronda started talking she got heavy boos. Ronda also had a decent promo, talking about how Becky has only been “the man” for a little amount of time.

Braun Stroman vs. Drew McIntyre

Backstage Braun Stroman shook Seth’s hand and told him to make the right choice later. The next match was Braun Stroman versus Drew McIntyre. This match went on until Baron Corbin attacked Stroman. Michael Cole was working overtime tonight to explain every single little plot point. Stroman gained control of the brawl but then got hit with a Claymore Kick from McIntyre.

Seth Rollins Picks Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman came out since tonight was Seth’s time to pick who he wants to face. Seth Rollins interrupted them and then started a brawl with Brock. Rollins got absolutely steamrolled, hit with five F5’s. Felt a little excessive, but alright. I didn’t find this as a surprise at all that he would choose Lesnar. I don’t think anybody did.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t like this episode of RAW. There was dumb, pointless segments, there was boring segments, with the only good segment being Rousey and Lynch.