10 Thoughts: WWE Raw 5.27.13 (John Cena, Curtis Axel, Ryback, The Shield)

 

1. There are so many things that happened in that first segment that made me want to turn off Raw. John Cena opened the show, again. Proposed a completely unnecessary “3 Stages Hell” match against Ryback (THEY’VE HAD ONE OTHER MATCH!). Ryback cut a horrible and generic promo. Then, in what could have been a helluva rub, Curtis Axel comes out to challenge the WWE Champion… but he comes out to a HORRIBLE remix of his fantastic theme music he debuted with last week. Why does WWE INSIST on shooting themselves in the foot when they actually produce something good?

2. Dean Ambrose vs. Kofi Kingston again? Normally I would despise this booking. I hate when the WWE feels they need to put the same guys in the same matches week after week, especially when it includes Kofi Kingston. But damn do Ambrose and Kingston work well together! I’d really like to see Ambrose one-on-one with other upper-midcarders for the US title but anytime the US champion & Dean Ambrose can be featured on Raw is a good thing.

Quick Hits: WWE Main Event 5.23.13 (w/Justin C)

Hello everyone. I’m back with my second review of WWE Main Event this week!

Alberto del Rio vs Big E Langston

-A rematch from RAW already? Surprised this wasn’t saved for Smackdown. I’m sure Teddy Long must have some kind of tag team match planned instead.

-If you ask me, A.J. Lee has been the most watchable Diva in the WWE since Trish Stratus left. She plays her part as a manager perfectly and she has made the psycho crazy chick gimmick work. And she is good in the ring to top it off. Of course, who doesn’t love her finisher too?

The Midcard’s 15 Minutes: Can Anyone Dethrone The Shield?

 

Before last night’s clean sweep of Extreme Rules The Shield was the hottest thing in professional wrestling. Now that every member of The Shield has WWE gold around their waist who or more importantly what is it going to take down a trio of guys who are on their way to becoming the best stable of all time, if the WWE doesn’t screw it up of course. Is there any babyface in the mid card that can match Dean Ambrose‘s intensity? Is there any tag team or two guys that could work together that can stop the brutal force of Roman Reigns or the high-flying ability of Seth Rollins? The members of The Shield and the WWE are in a PERFECT spot to not only capitalize on the moment, but allow these guys to blossom into stars for years and even decades to come.

10 Thoughts: WWE Extreme Rules 5.19.13 (John Cena, Ryback, Triple H, Brock Lesnar)

 

1. This is the first time I’ve been able to see the new preshow and the idea is growing on me. I like the idea of using different superstars/legends every time & also the fact that it doesn’t seem to be scripted at all. It allows some of the better talkers to show what they can do when not handed a script from a writer. I’m intrigued to see who is on future shows and who sinks or swims. That being said, there’s no way in hell I’m staying awake for a PPV post-show. For a company who already knows they have too much programming, why the hell would they add more?!

2. Dean Ambrose vs Kofi Kingston was one of the best matches of the year thus far. The only time the match’s paced slowed was when Ambrose locked on the classic Bob Backlund “Crossface Chicken Wing”. The ground game of Ambrose played off of Kingston’s aerial moves perfectly and the finish clean! A heel actually won a championship cleanly! Great match and great chemistry between these two wrestlers and I recommend going out of your way to see these match when you can.

Quick Hits: WWE Smackdown 5.18.13 (w/Cameron Dougharty)

: Smackdown kicked off again this week with Miz TV. Between his YouTube matches and his lackluster Piper’s Pit type show is this just a sign of life after the WWE for him?

Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns w/ Dean Ambrose v. The Usos

: Two television appearances in a row and against the hottest act in the WWE. Are the Usos finally going to get a real chance at the main roster? They would add a whole new element to the desperate tag team division.

: Good god who wouldn’t want to see the Damien Sandow Show? Even if you don’t like the guy his segments would be much more entertaining than whatever creative has for The Miz every week.

Quick Hits: WWE Extreme Rules Preview (w/Justin C & Cam Dougharty)

Usually, Cam and I do separate previews for WWE PPV’s. But this time, we are doing one joint PPV Preview! You may have already heard our thoughts on the show on the Creatively Endeavored Podcast Thursday, but if you didn’t, you can see them here. One thing we all agree on is that this is a pretty lacklsuter PPV.

Cody Rhodes vs The Miz

Justin: I honestly don’t know why this match is happening. To get the Miz back on TV and get a win that really doesn’t mean much in the end? Okay. At this point, Cody Rhodes is the heel worker who can have a solid match with anyone on the roster and looks good in the process, but doesn’t pick up the win in the end. Knowing that, Miz picks up the win here and starts to get himself back into the Intercontinental Title scene.

WINNER: The Miz

Creatively Endeavored Wrestling Pulsecast 5.16.13

Matt Harrak, Justin Czerwonka and Cameron Dougharty give their predictions for WWE’s lackluster Extreme Rules PPV.

Click Here To Listen or Right Click to Save & Download

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Quick Hits: WWE NXT 5.15.13 (w/Matt Harrak)

<- Ah now back to my comfort zone, WWE-style production. I don’t know if that’s good or bad.

Natalya vs Summer Rae

<- God it’s been so damn long, you forget that Natalya is a FREAKING HART! She can GO in the ring. Apparently her talents are better used to valet The Great Khali to the ring though.

<- Summer Rae is surprising me a lot with a few of the moves she’s pulling out. Reminds me of Maryse and she had a pretty good run in the WWE.

Cameron’s SmackDown Recap 5.10.13

 

:’The Highlight Reel’ featuring Chris Jericho made a return to Smackdown. I get it, the WWE wants Ryback to be a top star, he’s starting to get there; but does Chris Jericho have to make everyone?

 

Kofi Kingston United States Champion v. Cody Rhodes

: The past few months, I use months loosely, the life of a WWE Superstar has been like this; if you aren’t involved in a feud and are granted a few minutes of television time each week you get a throw away match. This as just another case of what the hell is the WWE doing with their mid card? Oh yeah, Kofi won.

JC’s Top Rope Report: The RAW Truth Review for 4.29.13

What A Lucky Ref

RAW starts with a triple threat match between Big E Langston, Zeb Colter and Ricardo. The winner gets to pick the stipulation for the World Title Match at Extreme Rules. Zeb left the ring and let Big E go after Ricardo. Big E hit a shoulder tackle then a couple of backbreakers. Big E speared Ricardo in the corner. Ricardo jumped out of the way of another and Big E went right into the post. Ricardo and Zeb took turns punching Big E. Zeb and Ricardo had a stare down, allowing Big E to come in and hit a spear on Ricardo. Zeb tried getting involved, but Big E scared him off and Zeb faked a knee injury. Big E hit a belly to belly on Ricardo. Alberto del Rio came in and took out Big E, Dolph took out Del Rio as Swagger clotheslined Dolph and Big E out of the ring. Zeb went to pin Ricardo, but A.J. broke up the count by blocking the ref’s arm from coming down. What a lucky ref. Ricardo rolled up Zeb to pick up the win.