Mega Powers Running Wild!

The legendary 'Macho man' Randy Savage teams up with 'The Immortal' Hulk Hogan to take on Ted Dibiase and Andre The Giant in the first ever WWF Summerslam!

Shawn Micahels vs. Mankind

The Heartbreak Kid defends the WWF Championship against Mankind in a thrilling main event at WWF In Your House: Mind Games.

The Birth of the nWo

From Hulk Hogan's shocking turn at WCW Bash at the Beach 1996 to the addition of Ted Dibiase, THe Giant Syxx and more, relive the very beginning of the New World Order.

Austin 3:16 Says I Just Kicked Your Ass

It's one of the most famous promos of all time; Stone Cold Steve Austin wins the 1996 King of The Ring and serves notice on all the WWF superstars. Check it out in our complete review

Wrestlemania 12 Review

The boyhood dream comes true as Shawn Michaels battles champion Bret 'The Hitman' Hart in a classic 1-hour iron man match. Plus, Diesel vs. Undertaker and more.

WCW Fall Brawl 1996 Review

Was Sting in cahoots with the New World Order? Would Lex Luger be able to get along with the Four Horsemen as they faced the nWo in War Games? Find out in this review

Saturday, 27 August 2016

TV REVIEW: WWE ECW - October 13th, 2009

ECW: 13/10/09
Lexington, Kentucky

With tensions rising at the top of the ECW mountain, William Regal teams up with Zack Ryder to take on Yoshi Tatsu and ECW Champion Christian in tonight's main event.


Ezekiel Jackson vs. Goldust

Before that however, we get this; one half of last week's tag team contest going at it in a fairly standard wrestling match between the wily veteran and the aggressive rookie.  Though not quite the kind of excellent opening match ECW is capable of delivering, it's nonetheless a passable effort in which Ezekiel Jackson picks up the win thanks to some help from Vladimir Kozlov.
Your Winner: Ezekiel Jackson


Backstage, Zack Ryder catches up with William Regal. The two discuss their tag team match later tonight and it's abundantly clear that the two upcoming partners do not get along. What's also clear is that, whilst Ryder sounds almost wooden, Regal is brilliant in this exchange.

A Word from Sheamus

The Celtic Warrior heads to the ring to rag on his arch-rival, Shelton Benjamin. Bringing up Benjamin's failure to reach the top of the WWE, Sheamus vows to use The Gold Standard as a stepping stone to reach the top himself. It's a decent promo from Sheamus, even if does start to grate after a while to hear his thick Irish accent refer to the company as the 'dubye dubye eee'.

The Hurricane vs. Paul Burchill (with Katie Lea) 

As the rivalry between them grows deeper, Paul Burchill dominates the ever-popular Hurricane for the majority of their average eight-minute match. Gregory Helms' alter-ego does put in some decent offence, but ultimately he proves no match for the powerful Brit as Burchill puts him away with a Jackhammer.
Your Winner: Paul Burchill

Heading to the back, Christian discusses the upcoming main event with his partner, Yoshi Tatsu. In a spot of light comedy to round off the segment, the two out-do each other on their trademark exchange of 'thank you's.


Main Event: William Regal & Zack Ryder vs. Yoshi Tatsu & ECW Champion Christian 

Despite rising tensions between them, Regal and Ryder seem to be able to put their differences on the backburner; functioning reasonably well as a team in a good main event match against Christian and  Yoshi Tatsu until it all breaks down at the finale, allowing the champion and his partner to pick up the win.
Your Winners: Yoshi Tatsu & Christian

Final Thoughts: 
As in previous weeks, the ongoing power struggle surrounding the top of the ECW mountain dominated this week's show, and that's just fine by me. Concentrating on one particular story, that being the saga between Regal, Christian, Ryder and Tatsu, helps to give the show a purpose and focus that other shows can often seem to lack. And of course, when we did take a break from the main story, we were treated to a win by Paul Burchill, which has got to be a good thing, right? Congratulations ECW, another enjoyable show. 

Saturday, 20 August 2016

TV REVIEW: WWE ECW - September 22nd, 2009

ECW: 22/09/09
Tulsa, Oklahoma  

With ECW General Manager, Tiffany, suffering a car accident recently, William Regal takes to the helm of Extreme Championship Wrestling and immediately sets out to make his mark as the WWE's 'other brand' heads to Boston.

Here's what went down.

The Abraham Washington Show

Lapping up the chorus of boos, Abraham Washington cuts a charismatic figure as he introduces his guest, Sheamus O'Shaunessy. The talk-show host makes fun of Sheamus' pasty complexion, but the Irishman seems completely oblivious, preferring instead to talk up his recent feud with Shelton Benjamin.

This brings out The Gold Standard himself, who proceeds to explain the concept of teamwork to his Sheamus. It's at this point that the whole thing becomes a little confusing; who's the heel and who's the face in all this?

It appears to be Benjamin as he raises the ire of Sheamus by making fun of his ginger hair.

The whole farce comes to a close with a pull-apart brawl between the two rivals.


Paul Burchill (with Katie Lea) vs. Yoshi Tatsu  All gothed-up with nowhere to go except ringside, the lovely Katie Lea cheers on her man Paul Burchill as he takes on Yoshi Tatsu in a very good opening match.

Both men play off each other's strengths to the best of their ability as the smaller Tatsu looks to gain the upper-hand against the brutish Burchill with stiff kicks and impressive holds. It's a strategy that works well for the young star, and after taking a beating at the hands of his larger opponent, one big blow to the head is all it takes to gain the three count.

Oh Paul, you could've been a contender.
Your winner: Yoshi Tatsu 

In the back, Zack Ryder cuts an impressive, old-school promo in which he vows to capture the ECW title from Christian in tonight's main event.

Katie Lea gets angry at Helms

Paul Burchill storms through the backstage area after his disappointing defeat with Katie Lea in hot pursuit. As Pirate Paul disappears, Gregory Helms arrives on the scene to interview Katie about her upcoming match. But it's bad timing on the part of Helms; Katie is in no mood for small talk.

Britain's best diva (sorry Alicia) lays into the man with the microphone, blaming him for Paul's loss. Still angry, Paul himself returns, beats up the reporter and tells Katie to stay away.

Vladimir Kozlov & Ezekiel Jackson vs. Justin Brady & Brandon Young

You don't need to be Derren Brown to successfully predict the winners of this short squash match. The two local rookies, Brady & Young are obliterated by their more powerful, established opponents as William Regal looks on proudly from ringside.
Your Winners: Vladimir Kozlov & Ezekiel Jackson 

Heading to the back, William Regal catches up with Goldust and the two talk-up their upcoming match this week on Superstars.


ECW Championship Match: Christian defends against Zack Ryder 

A fiercely determined Zack Ryder looks to capture the ECW Championship in a terrific main event match against defending champion, Christian.

With the special ring-introductions out of the way, the two let-rip with a top quality, ppv-worthy performance that delivers on all fronts.

Sadly for Ryder, his best just isn't good enough tonight, and Christian retains with the Killswitch.
Your Winner and Still ECW Champion: Christian

After the bout, William Regal heads to the ring, letting it be known that's coming for the ECW title. The champion replies by beating him up as things come to a close.

Final thoughts: 
It's been a long time since I had the chance to sit down and watch ECW, and I have to say I'm very glad I did. The tag team squash match aside, WWE's 'other brand' certainly delivered in the ring, opening with a strong bout between Burchill and Yatsu and working its way to a roaring finale with that explosive main event between Christian and Zack Ryder. The opening nonsense that was the Abraham Washington to show made little sense to me, but other than that, a very good show that serves as a great reminder to set my Sky+ box and record every show from now on.

Saturday, 13 August 2016

TV Review: WWE Raw - August 2nd, 2010

WWE Raw 02/08/10
San Antonia, Texas

With just two weeks before they’re set to do battle against Nexus at Summerslam, tensions between Team WWE reach breaking point. Elsewhere, WWE Champion Sheamus took on Goldust whilst the Celtic Warrior’s newest rival, Randy Orton, battled The Miz in the main event of WWE Raw.

Here’s what went down.

R-Truth confronted Edge

The Rated R Superstar kicked off this week’s show with an in-ring promo in which he lambasted his Summerslam teammates. ‘I don’t respect John Cena, I don’t trust Chris Jericho, I have no faith in The Great Khali and I barely know Morrison and Truth,’ said Edge, before challenging Nexus leader Wade Barrett to a match.

Instead of Barrett, it was R-Truth who made his way to the ring next, squaring up to his partner and urging him to be a team player. If the seven members of Team WWE didn’t work together, claimed truth, Nexus would win.

Before Edge had the chance to respond, Michael Cole received an e-mail from the Raw General Manager, who booked Edge. vs. Wade Barrett for right there and then.

Edge vs. Wade Barrett

Looking to assert his dominance early on, Barrett controlled the bulk of this fairly average contest before Edge fought back in a valiant comeback and set up his foe for a deadly spear.  Barrett however, was saved at the final moments by the arrival of his Nexus cohorts, who chased Edge up into the crowds, throwing the match out.
Result: No contest 

Returning from commercial, Edge confronted John Cena backstage and questioned why he didn’t come to his aid in the previous match. Cena insisted that since Edge had claimed he didn’t want any help, he wasn’t going to give him any. Infuriated, Edge quit WWE’s Summerslam team!

As Edge stormed off, cameras zoomed out to reveal Chris Jericho stood next to Cena. After a back-and-forth argument between the two, Cena accepted Jericho’s challenge for a match later in the show, with the added stipulation that the loser would have to leave Team WWE.

Nexus confront The Great Khali

Still backstage, John Morrison was found talking to The Great Khali and Ranjin Singh. Following some bog-standard Summerslam hype between the three, Morrison left, wishing Khali good luck in his match against Ted Dibiase (booked for later on in the show) as he did so.

With Morrison gone, members of Nexus approached the Punjabi giant and informed him that if he wanted to switch sides, his door was always open.

Eve, Gail Kim and Natalya vs. Jillian, Tamina and WWE Divas Champion, Alicia Fox

As Divas matches go, this one started out pretty good, especially when Natalya tagged in and proved why she’s one of the most underutilised girls on the WWE roster. Unfortunately, things really fell apart during the inevitable ‘All hell breaks loose, everyone fights at the same time’ spot, at which point it got a little bit messy.

To end things, Alicia Fox planted Natalya with an Axe Kick (though to be honest, it looked more like she just sat on the back of Nattie’s head.) for the three count.
Winners: Jillian, Tamina and Alicia

In the post-match, Alicia took to the microphone to boast about being the most dominant Divas Champion ever. Her moment of glory was short lived however, when Melina, in her WWE return, hit the ring and decked the champ

Non-title Match: WWE Champion Sheamus vs. Goldust 

Prior to the opening bell, fans were reminded of last year’s feud between these two in ECW. Back then, Goldust managed to hold his own against then-newcomer, Sheamus. A year on, and things are very much different. With Goldust still meandering at jobber level, the Irishman is now your WWE Champion, and oh how that showed in this match

Sheamus battered his former enemy from pillar-to-post in a short, brutal, eventually picking up the win with the Celtic Cross.
Your Winner: Sheamus

‘Oh, what a difference a year makes,’ grinned Sheamus in his post-match promo, going on to hype his WWE Championship match against Randy Orton at Summerslam. This was a good, perhaps even underrated piece of work by the WWE, cleverly showing Sheamus’ rapid rise to the top of the WWE hierarchy.

Chris Jericho vs. John Cena (winner must leave WWE’s Summerslam team)

Though hardly the greatest match ever, this was nonetheless a decent outing from the pair, with Jericho dominating the bulk of the battle, Cena gearing up for his signature spots and eventually making the inevitable comeback; Jericho quickly tapping to the STF before his opponent had even locked it in properly.
Your Winner: John Cena

As per the stipulation, Cena’s victory meant Jericho would have to leave Team WWE. Instead, Cena took the microphone and urged his foe to stay on the team. Jericho looked to be contemplating doing so for a spell, before shaking his head and walking off backstage to a chorus of boos.

Jericho and Edge reunite

Backstage, Edge congratulated Jericho on walking out of Team WWE. Returning the compliment, Jericho offered his respect to Edge for quitting the team earlier in the show. The two then eventually agreed to put their differences behind them and, with a handshake and a manly hug, vowed to work together.

Another e-mail from the GM then came in, informing the Canadian duo that they’d be facing John Cena and Bret Hart in a tag match on next week’s show.

Before the next match, we got a look at the new trailer for John Cena’s new movie, Legendary. It looks terrible.

The Great Khali vs. Ted Dibiase

Yeah, this happened. It was neither good nor bad, and ended with Wade Barrett and Skip Sheffield distracting Dibiase, allowing Khali to pick up the win.
Your Winner: The Great Khali

In a pre-taped segment, Will Farrell and Mark Wahlberg hyped their new movie before The Bella Twins arrived and urged Farrell to ‘get some coffee’ with them. He politely declined, and that was pretty much the end of that. Much like the last match, it was just one of those things that happened and was neither here nor there.


Non-title Match: United States Champion The Miz vs. Randy Orton

Tonight’s main event began with a pre-match promo from The Miz, who took to the microphone and vowed that he would unquestionably become WWE Champion, sooner rather than later.

Unfortunately for The Miz, the number one contender for the title, Randy Orton, had other ideas. The two had a heated contest between the two in which Mr. Money in the Bank more than held his own against verified main-eventer, Orton.

Yet despite looking for all the world like he belonged in the upper-echelons of the WWE, tonight was not to be Miz’s night. Following an enjoyable scrap, The Viper struck with the RKO to earn the win.
Your Winner: Randy Orton

After the match, Sheamus ran to the ring for an intense staredown with his upcoming Summerslam opponent as WWE Raw faded to black.

Final Thoughts: 
Though this wasn’t the greatest show ever in terms of unexpected surprises, monumental events and outstanding matches, it was, in this writer’s mind at least, very smartly and solidly booked.

Though I’m a bit disappointed that the Edge/Jericho Union was somewhat downplayed, it does add an interesting component to future WWE storylines, and certainly, makes the build up to Summerslam more interesting.

Sheamus’ match against Goldust was very well done. Again, it was hardly spectacular from an in-ring standpoint, but by referencing their history together, it served well to remind fans of how the Celtic Warrior battered his way to the top of the company in such a short time.

Booking The Miz in the main event, and having him look equal to Randy Orton was another smart move, allowing the US Champion to prove that he can handle performing at that level, and getting fans used to an eventual main event push for the Awesome One.

Saturday, 6 August 2016

TV REVIEW: WWE SMACKDOWN - August 6th - 2010

WWE Smackdown: 06/08/10
Laredo, Texas

After being accused by World Heavyweight Champion Kane of being responsible for The Undertaker’s demise, number one contender Rey Mysterio looks to clear his name as well as taking on Drew McIntyre in tonight’s main event. Elsewhere, there’s Intercontinental Championship action and Kofi Kingston goes crazy as Friday Night Smackdown comes from Laredo Texas.

Here’s what went down.

Drew McIntyre confronts Rey Mysterio

In tonight's opening promo, Rey Mysterio recalled the events of last week's show, when Kane not only accused Mysterio of attacking The Undertaker, but also chokeslammed him into the Gulf of Mexico.

Tonight, Mysterio refuted such accusations, though claimed he did know who was responsible for the attack on The Phenom. Yet before he could reveal just who that was, Drew McIntyre arrived on the scene.

The Scotsman antagonized Mysterio and eventually goaded him into a match for later on in the show. Mysterio was fairly boring here, but McIntyre continues to impress.

Matt Hardy vs. 'Dashing' Cody Rhodes

Matt Hardy and Cody Rhodes clashed in an entertaining opening contest. The crowds were firmly behind established veteran Hardy, but sadly for him, the power of the WWE Universe wasn't enough to overcome Rhodes, who dominated the latter part of the match before picking up a convincing win with the Cross Rhodes.
Your winner: Matt Hardy

Following a trailer for John Cena's new film, Legendary (which looks rubbish), a vignette aired in which newcomer Alberto Del Rio called everybody mentally constipated. Honestly, there was probably more chance of the Kizarny gimmick getting over with the crowd than this segment.

Michelle McCool gives up her title.

Well, sort of. Backstage in Teddy Long's office, the Smackdown General Manager insisted that there could only be one women's title belt on the Friday night show. Despite arguing against the ruling, Michelle McCool eventually surrendered her strap to Long, only to reveal that the one remaining belt could split in half. Thus, both girls could keep half the belt, despite there still only being one of them.

Intercontinental Championship: Kofi Kingston defends against Dolph Ziggler

Prior to the bout, the challenger's girlfriend, Vickie Guerrero gave her man a warm introduction, accompanying him to the ring and cheering on Dolph Ziggler as he controlled the early moments of the match.

Kofi fought back, and the two went back and forth in a solid championship match. The end came when Kofi struck his foe with Trouble in Paradise, only for Vickie Guerrero to enter the ring and distract the referee. This gave Ziggler enough time to recover, hit the Zig Zag and pick up the win.
Your winner and NEW Intercontinental Champion: Dolph Ziggler

However, Ziggler's celebration was short-lived, as Kofi went loco in the post-match, destroying the new champion, and the announce table, in the process.

CM Punk rallies the troops

After boasting about the Straight Edge Society's attack on The Big Show last week, leader CM Punk cut an intense promo on his charges, motivating them ahead of their upcoming six man tag.

CM Punk, Luke Gallows and Joseph Mercury vs. MVP, JTG and Chris Masters

The six battled in a short, forgettable contest with a rather predictable ending; a SES victory which came courtesy of a Luke Gallows boot to the face of MVP.
Your Winners: CM Punk, Luke Gallows and Joseph Mercury

After another of 'Dashing' Cody Rhodes' grooming tips (this one on the joys of combing one's eyebrows), cameras cut to Kane in the back.

The World Heavyweight Champion hovered around an open casket, vowing to defeat Rey Mysterio when the two clash at Summerslam.


Main event: Rey Mysterio vs. Drew McIntyre 

The angry Scotsman and the flying masked man went back and forth in a very good main event, trading the advantage several times before Mysterio earned himself an other predictable victory.
Your winner: Rey Mysterio

After the match, Kane arrived on the scene with his casket in tow and tried to drop Mysterio inside it. Instead, Rey legged it to the stop of the stage, took to the microphone and accused The Big Red Machine of being responsible for taking out The Undertaker.

Visibly shaken, a troubled Kane then chanted 'I love my brother' over and over as Friday Night Smackdown faded to close.

Final Thoughts: 
A good show overall, though it didn't really feel like anything special. The Intercontinental Championship bout was the highlight of the night, especially when coupled with Kofi's post-match beatdown of newly-crowned champion Dolph Ziggler. I know Kingston is popular as hell, but I can't help but feel that if they did ever decide to turn him, Kingston would make a fantastic heel.

Punk's verbal dressing-down of his Straight Edge Society members was an underrated segment of the show. I haven't heard, or read, many people giving it a lot of thought, but personally I thought it was fantastic.

Retro Pro Wrestling

New reviews of classic WWF/WWE events recalling every moment from Wrestlemania 1 - 30. You'll also find reviews of WCW, ECW, TNA and the occasional indie event, along with a look at old school magazines, merchandise and more.