ICW Shug's Hoose Party II 26th July, 2015

ICW: Shug's Hoose Party II

The latest edition of ICW took place this past weekend with the O2 ABC in Glasgow playing host to Shug's Hoose Party II. The conclusion of the Wayne Stock weekend redefined the landscape of ICW with the shocking formation of a new alliance, a dominant display by an existing alliance and a huge victory for a fan favourite as the road to Fear and Loathing VIII gets well under way. Last Sunday's show confirms that ICW is a company that continues to excite, entertain and shock fans through the combinination of  a wicked sense of humour, unmitigated violence and unique pro wrestling to make for yet another fantastic show as the company continues to grow from strength to strength with each show.

Here is my review of Shug's Hoose Party II:

Kid Fite (with James R Kennedy) vs Joe Hendry

In the first match of the night, Kid Fite makes his way to the ring accompanied by members of the 55, including their latest recruit TNA wrestler, Bram, who is scheduled to face Grado later in the night.
James R Kennedy, creator of the 55, claims that tonight the 55 will be having a party. The 1,000 plus fans crammed into the O2 ABC in Glasgow are spared any further diatribe as the face of local hero, Joe Hendry appears on the big screens-with a new song- much to the delight of the fans in attendance. To the tune of Phil Collins' classic hit Walking in the Air Tonight, Joe Hendry sings "I can feel Joe Hendry in the air tonight" before Stone Cold Bobby Roberts appears from behind the curtain, heading towards the drum on stage. Gorilla mask on, Bobby Roberts nails the drum solo as the Local Hero, Joe Hendry, donning a dazzling gold blazer, makes his way to the ring.

The bell rings and Shug's Hoose Party II is under way as Kid Fite immediately targets the injured head of the Local Hero. Fite, receiving his fair share of derision from the crowd, continues to stomp on Hendry's head causing the referee to examine the injury which was sustained during the Local Hero's recent holiday in Iceland. Fans chant Joe Hendry's adaptation of ICW's theme song to will him on as he rolls to the outside to take a breather. James R Kennedy, hidden behind the steel steps,  locks in a half nelson on Hendry as Fite throws a punch but Hendry ducks out of the way as Fite's fist meets Kennedy's face. Hendry rolls Fite back in the ring to perform the Freak of Nature fall away slam for a close fall. Hendry hits the around the World ddt for what should be the three count before Timm Wylie, enforcer of The 55, causes the distraction allowing Kid Fite to pick up the victory with a roll up whilst grabbing the tights.


BT Gunn vs Mikey Whiplash

Following weeks of psychological warfare between these two former ICW World Heavyweight Champions, Mikey Whiplash finally gets his chance to inflict retribution on BT Gunn for months of torment. Before the match begins, the mind games continue as BT Gunn once again gets the better of Whiplash, as a fake BT Gunn appears at the top of the ramp allowing the real BT Gunn to appear behind Mikey Whiplash in the ring. The bell rings and Gunn sends Whiplash tumbling to the outside.

BT Gunn, face painted in the style of Mikey Whiplash, can't maintain control for long as Whiplash lands some blows to momentarily incapacitate Gunn,  tossing the steel stairs into the ring before Gunn blindsides Whiplash with some stiff chops to regain control in the match. The hatred between these two men knows no boundaries as the action spills into the crowd towards the bar before Whiplash is sent into a wall head first. For the first time tonight, the fight heads upstairs to the production facilities. Gunn, firmly in control at this stage, drags Whiplash up the stairs before Jam O' Malley, Whiplash's former ally in Pretty Little Things, attacks Gunn taking the fight back downstairs in to the crowd. The fight continues in the crowd between Whiplash's former ally and nemesis BT Gunn before Whiplash DIVES 15ft through the air to ground both Gunn and O' Malley!

Somehow, some way, animated by their will to not only hurt but to destroy one another, both men rise to their feet as this battle continues through the crowd before Whiplash returns the favour sending BT Gunn head first into the wall.Whiplash drags Gunn through the crowd, by the hair, tossing him back into the ring. Gunn takes advantage of Whiplash's fatigue, stomping him down as Whiplash enters the ring before locating a straight razor blade hidden beneath the steel steps. Gunn drives the razor into Whiplash's forehead, busting him wide open. The referee pushes Gunn away to examine Whiplash. It doesn't look good for Whiplash. Gunn, meanwhile, sets up the steel steps in the centre of the ring before delivering a devastating powerbomb on the steps for the three count. As the doctors rush to the ring in aid of Whiplash, Gunn stands over the broken body of Mikey Whiplash, wiping Whiplash's blood over his face as he holds up the N.A.K sign to the crowd.

Sha Samuels (with James R Kennedy) vs Joe Coffey 

Almost two months have passed since Joe Coffey suffered a vicious beat down at the hands of The 55 at Flawless Victory. Tonight, ICW's Ironman, Joe Coffey, makes his way to the ring this time as the Iron Hulk, painted head to two in green paint ready to wreak vengeance on the 55. Just like Bruce Banner, you won't like Joe Coffey when he is angry and The 55 have certainly managed to make him angry. Coffey races down the ramp, trading stiff shots with Samuels as the two brawl around the ring before Coffey sends Samuels hurtling towards the barricade. Coffey rolls Samuels back into the ring followed up with a drop kick as Samuels flees with his tail between his legs.

Chants of "You're just a fat Danny Dyer" follow Sha Samuels as he picks up a steel chair. Coffey, too, finds a steel chair. Both men return to the ring as the two steel chairs collide before Coffey drives a chair into Samuels face with a cross body. Joe Coffey delivers a bulldog to gain control of the match, finding another steel chair to work over the right leg of Sha Samuels. Coffey, towering over Samuels as he rolls around in pain, offers a test of strength to the east end butcher before hitting a northern lights suplex for a close fall.

The green paint that covered Joe Coffey's body now covers both men as well as large areas of the ring. James R Kennedy, ever valuable member of The 55, causes the distraction for the second time in the night allowing Sha Samuels to take advantage with a steel chair to the back. The crowd chant the Eastenders theme in a successful attempt to get in the head of Sha Samuels, who takes out his frustrations on  Joe Coffey with repeated chair shots. Coffey, willed on by the support of the crowd, rises to his feet, grounds Sha Samuels before going up top to hit a missile dropkick, driving the chair into the face of Samuels. Coffey kicks up, delivering a sling shot into the turnbuckle busting Samuels open before landing a bridging German suplex for the three count.

Joe Coffey exacts revenge on Sha Samuels and the 55 tonight with the victory. What is next for ICW's Ironman? Well, if a backstage interview is anything to go by, it looks like Joe Coffey will have a date with the Man Beast, Rhyno, in the near future to look forward too.

Dickie Divers vs Chris Renfrew (Ladder match to determine the owner of the Square Go Briefcase)

The 4th Annual Square Go was the location of Dickie Divers greatest achievement as a wrestler.
By eliminating fellow N.A.K. member Chris Renfrew to win the Square Go contract that guarantees the winner a title shot to be cashed in at any time within the next 12 months, Divers effectively signed his own death warrant. January 25th, 2015, will forever remain in the history of ICW as the day the N.A.K imploded. Over the following months, the N.A.K. have made Divers' life Hell. The N.A.K. have seized every opportunity to deliver a beat down to ensure Divers never had the opportunity to cash in the contract he rightfully earned.

Fast forward to the 26th July, Dickie Divers has been forced to put his Square Go contract on the line in a ladder match against the man he eliminated last in the Square Go match, Chris Renfrew. Renfrew arrives accompanied by the latest N.A.K. recruit, Stevie Boy, who turned on his former Bucky Boys ally, Davey Boy, a couple of months ago. Renfrew is afforded no time to prepare in the ring as Divers sends a ladder crashing into Renfrew and Stevie Boy before tossing Renfrew into the barrier multiple times. It isn't long until the numbers game catches up with Divers; a huge lariat delivered by Renfrew allows Stevie Boy to hit a springboard legdrop. Stevie Boy attempts to hold Divers back as Renfrew climbs the ladder before Divers wriggles free, halting Renfrew's ascent. Refrew, with the continual assistance of Stevie Boy, maintains control in the match, dropping Divers with a big back body drop on to the ladder held up between the middle ropes. Renfrew takes the opportunity to locate a kendo stick, delivering savage blow after blow. Renfrew, in complete control, sets up the ladder  whilst delivering more blows with the kendo stick before beginning the long climb to retrieve the briefcase suspended above the ring. Divers manages to get to his feet to deliver a blow to the back of Renfrew with the kendo stick, succeeding in temporarily halting Renfrew's ascent. Divers joins Renfrew on the ladder but the ladder collapses under the weight of both men. Divers brings another ladder to the ring but a single leg dropkick delivered by Refrew stops him from progressing further up the ladder. Stevie Boy takes advantage of Divers' imbalance, hitting the Unprettier from the top of the ladder before Renfrew delivers a Stunner from the ladder. Both men are down, the promise of a guaranteed title opportunity hangs above them.

Divers, remarkably to his feet first, manages to locate the steel chair wrapped in barbed wire he arrived with, delivering shot after shot to the back of Renfrew.  Divers, with a clear path up the ladder, begins his ascent but is halted before he has chance to grab the briefcase by Kay Lee Ray who delivers a low blow sending Divers crashing to the floor along with his chances of defeating Renfrew. Renfrew delivers a T Virus piledriver before hitting a second on the barbed wire. Stevie Boy comes to the aid of Renfrew, helping him up each step of the ladder whilst Kay Lee Ray pulls Dickie Divers' broken body out the ring. Renfrew grabs the case to win the match as BT Gunn joins fellow members of the N.A.K to celebrate their victory in the ring. The N.A.K are now two wins from two matches and looking stronger than ever.

The Wedding of DCT and Viper

Fresh off his stag do, The International Sex Hero and groom, DCT, arrives clad in a white waistcoat , polo mallet in hand, to the biggest day of his life that will leave the women of Scotland wandering around the streets lonesome for their hero. Mark Coffey makes his way to the ring with a bridesmaid along with Billy Kirkwood, who no one can deny has fully committed to the duties of flower girl.

Here comes the bride accompanied by her mum as Mark Coffey begins to tear up in the ring.  Rab Florence begins the humanist ceremony, beginning with Viper's vows laced with sexual innuendo. DCT, who before today thought monogamy was a type of laminate floor according to Billy Kirkwood, begins his vows by informing everyone that today is a sad day as it represents the closing of the DCT ride before delivering some touching words on how he is going to make sweet, sweet love to Viper later on.

Rab Florence asks for anyone to come forward with any reasons why the marriage should not go ahead. Much to the dismay of DCT, the final member of Polo Promotions, Jackie Polo, makes his way to the ring before declaring the wedding now has his blessing. As DCT and Viper exchange I do's, Rab Florence pronounces DCT and Viper husband and wife, this looks like it could be the first wrestling wedding to go off without a hitch!

Just as the happy couple begin their first dance as a married couple, ICW General Manager, Red Lightning, appears on the big screen offering his congratulations to both DCT and Viper before sending out the 55 for the party they promised at the beginning of the night. The 55 clear the ring as Rab Florence delivers a low blow to DCT in the ring before the 55 tie him up in between the ropes. Bram kisses Viper to the disgust of the crowd and DCT, who can't do a damn thing about it. Bram delivers a huge piledriver to Viper on top of the wedding cake whilst the other members of the 55 go about destroying the decorations.

Only in ICW do the first bars of Madonna's Like a Prayer send the crowd into a frenzy as Grado rushes to make the save!  Grado and Bram start brawling in the ring as the members of the 55 disperse.

Grado vs Bram

The bell rings as Grado hits a big elbow, sending Bram crashing to the mat. Grado lifts Bram up before sending him to Suplex City with a German suplex to the tune of "Fuck TNA". As the fight heads outside the ring, Bram is able to wrest control from Grado. Bram drops Grado in an ice bucket-used to inflict punishment instead of gain likes on Facebook- pushing him into the barricade. Back ringside, James R Kennedy hands Bram a bag which anyone who has ever seen wrestling before could identify as containing thumb tacks. Bram pours the contents of the bag out to reveal that whatever was in the bag has been replaced by Skittles!

Chants of "taste the rainbow" echo around the arena, perhaps driving Bram to locate a steel chair. Chair in hand, Bram drags Grado through the crowd before setting a table up somewhere backstage. Attempted chair shot by Bram missed as Grado snatches the chair from Bram before laying him out on the table with it. Grado heads up the stairs, pulling back a curtain to reveal hidden bottles of IRN Brew which he sips on much to the delight of the crowd. Grado goes beyond the curtain on to a balcony 15ft in the air. Grado, taking notice of his surroundings for what could be one last time, dives 15ft and lands on Bram sending them both crashing through the table!!! Many critics have written Grado off as a mere comedy act but once again Grado proves he will put his body on the line for the ICW fans.

Grado, dragging Bram by the hair through the crowd, tosses Bram back into the ring filled with Skittles before tuning up the bad for the wee boot but James R Kennedy enters the ring, tossing a steel chair to Bram causing a distraction before connecting with the chair shot. Bram hits a huge spike ddt on Grado and this one looks like it is over before ICW's Ironman, Joe Coffey, races to the ring to prevent a pinfall. Coffey stares down Bram in the ring. In the meantime, Grado tunes up the band- as Bram turns around and walks straight into the wee boot for the three count. Grado picks up an unlikely victory once again proving himself more than just comic relief with a big heart; Grado puts on fantastic matches. After the match, Grado and Joe Coffey hug it out in the ring before Grado declares that whoever the ICW World Heavyweight Champion may be on November 15th at Fear and Loathing, he will be the challenger looking right back at them from the other corner.


Wolfgang vs Rhyno

The last ever 'real' ECW Champion, Rhyno, returns to ICW to settle some unfinished business with N.A.K member and ICW's big game hunter, Wolfgang. Rhyno and Wolfgang lock up for the first time in the match, with Wolfgang gaining the initial advantage. A big jumping shoulder block knocks Rhyno to the outside before Wolfgang follows it up with a diving swanton bomb into the crowd taking Rhyno down.

Wolfgang, firmly in control, tosses Rhyno back into the ring taking advantage of a lack of tension on the second rope to choke Rhyno. Wolfgang takes the opportunity to talk a little trash to Rhyno before delivering a huge irish whip into the corner that moves the ring! The two giants trade blows in the ring as Rhyno delivers a big lariat to take down Wolfgang before attempting a belly to belly suplex - reversed by Wolfgang, who himself attempts a double axe handle which is reversed by Rhyno this time. Once again, the N.A.K's newest recruit Stevie Boy heads down to the ring to provide a distraction-unsuccessfully this time as Wolfgang misses with a punch before walking into a huge GORE! The referee makes it to two before Stevie Boy lifts Wolfgang's leg onto the middle rope causing a rope break. Rhyno grabs Stevie Boy by his hair, pulling Stevie Boy into the ring to exact his revenge. Here comes Kay Lee Ray again. Kay Lee Ray, proving a valuable addition to the N.A.K., delivers a low blow from behind as the numbers game catches up with Rhyno, Stevie Boy gets a table placing it in the corner of the ring.

Rhyno powers out from the beat down, delivering a spine buster to Wolfgang and taking down Stevie Boy. Kay Lee Ray returns to the ring but Rhyno looks furious. This doesn't look good for Kay Lee. Rhyno picks up Kay Lee Ray and drives her through the table with a running GORE- providing enough time for Wolfgang to stumble to his feet and locate a pair of brass knuckles to KO Rhyno to pick up the win.

Victory here for Wolfgang rounds off  what has been an incredibly successful night for the N.A.K. as their members once again return to the ring to celebrate, this time BT Gunn drinks a beer which is all the more unnerving considering what he did to Mikey Whiplash earlier in the night. The N.A.K end the night with 3 wins and 0 loses as well as being in possession of the Square Go briefcase and the Zero G Title, establishing themselves as the dominant faction of ICW.


Polo Promotions vs Kenny Williams & Noam Dar

The dream team of Kenny Williams and Noam Dar team up to face the ICW Tag Team Champions, Polo Promotions, with the titles on the line. Sporting goggles, a lab coat, a red Hawaiian shirt and rubber gloves resembling Marty McFly, Kenny Williams heads to the ring looking more suited to travelling time than wrestling. Next to the ring, from a champagne supernova in the sky, the Jew-di master Noam Dar heads out to meet his partner and former enemy, Kenny Williams.

Polo Promotions, fresh off being rudely interrupted by the 55, head to the ring with a point to prove immediately starting a brawl with Williams and Dar. ICW General Manager, Red Lightning, continues his personal vendetta against Polo Promotions, summoning the 55 to deliver another beat down, claiming he never sanctioned the match. The 55, perhaps motivated by the success of rival faction the N.A.K., begin delivering a vicious beat down before the newly-wed DCT, polo mallet in hand, runs down to make the save clearing the ring except for Timm Wylie. Polo promotions go to work on the 55's enforcer delivering scoop slam after scoop slam before the champions and the challengers call a truce for the night, promising to settle their differences another night.

Polo Promotions kick start the stag party from the previous night before heading to the night clubs of Glasgow.

Drew Galloway vs Big Damo

Barramania, 2015. Moments after defeating Joe Coffey in a classic match, Drew Galloway was on the receiving end of a savage beat down by Big Damo. After months of wreaking havocdemanding a title shot, Red Lightning reluctantly granted an ICW World Heavyweight Championship shot to Big Damo after a little persuasion from the Beast of Belfast. Tonight is the night that Big Damo has been waiting for as he finally gets his chance to become ICW World Heavyweight Champion as he faces the current champion, the Phenom, Drew Galloway. Unquestionably, Drew Galloway has raised the profile of the ICW World Heavyweight Championship with successful defences against the likes of Jack Jester, Sabu, Grado, Joe Coffey, Rhyno and Tommy End. Drew was the man to turn the ICW Heavyweight title in to a world title with defences in New York and Australia, unequivocally establishing himself as a true fighting champion.

Drew paces around the ring in anticipation of facing a man he has been accused of ducking for months now. As Big Damo and Drew face off in the ring, the challenger pushes the champion to the mat as the ICW fans ensure Drew understands just how they feel about TNA. Drew, after getting to his feet, perches on the top rope to take in the chants that were once for him but now against him. Galloway applies a side headlock before Big Damo delivers a big shoulder block after sending Drew into the ropes. Visibly distressed by the fans rejection, Galloway heads up the ramp to the stage even attempting to tear a sign that asks "Drew Who?". As Galloway returns to the ring, he is reminded of a less successful time during his career by chants of 3MB much to the amusement of Big Damo. This match has a big match feel and there is no doubt the fans are on the side of Big Damo.

Now back in the ring, Drew attempts to ground Damo with some chops but Galloway's chops that are usually enough to break a man don't impact Damo. Big Damo hits a dropkick to send Galloway to the outside again, this time flipping off the fans. Damo follows Drew to the outside of the ring, grounding his opponent before delivering a canon ball into the steel barricade. As Drew makes it to his feet, the champion and challenger brawl around the ring before heading back inside the ring as Drew hits a ddt for only a one count. Arrogantly strolling around the ring, Galloway slaps Damo as he rises to his feet. Galloway rebounds of the ropes and flies through the air to deliver a spinning forearm which still isn't enough to unbalance Damo. Drew attempts a future shock but can't lift up the challenger, who lands a Celtic Cross for a two count.

Drew, returning to his feet, lands a couple of stiff shots to Big Damo before this time he manages to successfully hit the future shock but only for a two count! The fans cheer Damo to his feet, giving him enough of a lift to deliver a michinoku driver-kicked out at one by Galloway on instinct alone! Big Damo, incredulous, makes his way to the top rope but Drew follows him up and delivers a rake to the eye before planting Big Damo with a Future Shock ddt from the second rope. That has got to be it as the referee counts... 1...2... Kick out by Big Damo at two! The Champion, for the first time in his reign as ICW Heavyweight Champion, looks like he is beginning to doubt himself. The defences against the likes of End, Grado, Sabu and Jester have not adequately prepared him to take on the giant, Big Damo. Damo attempts a single leg dropkick- but Galloway ducks out the way and Damo takes out the ref! Galloway hits a pouncing neck breaker before delivering the curbstomp! 1...2...3...4...5...6 but the referee is down. Galloway heads to the outside, picking up a steel chair but on his return to the ring Damo delivers a huge superkick driving the chair into the face of the champion before balancing the chair on Drew. Damo heads to the opposite side of the ring, begins the long climb to the top rope before a Van-Damo-Nator onto a chair!!! 1...2...3...4.... the referee is still down and unable to make the count. Out sprints another referee from the back to make the count...1...2...3! New Champion! ICW has a new champion and his name is Big Damo. The referee hands the ICW World Heavyweight Championship to Damo who looks close to tears before the ICW General Manager gets involved once again.

Red Lightning informs the fans that the referee had not been sanctioned to make the count as he was not the official referee for the match. Red Lightning states the match will continue until the official referee counts the pin!

Damo, clutching the title he just had taken away from him, lays the ICW World Heavyweight Champion out with the title. Damo, looking for the Van-Damo-Nator for a second time, heads to the top rope but the champion rises to his feet, wrapping a steel chair around the challenger's skull before summoning what little energy he has left to deliver a Tombstone Piledriver to a man weighing in excess of 300 pounds.

The lights go out!

Jack Jester is stood in the ring, staring down the champion. Galloway is in shock! Red Lightning heads down to the ring to attempt to resolve the issue but Jester pushes the General Manager back as he still continues to stare down the champ. Jester delivers a low blow to Big Damo, allowing Galloway to take advantage with a Future Shock ddt for the three count. Drew Galloway retains the ICW Heavyweight Championship.

Drew, Jester and Red Lightning stare at each other before they meet in the centre of the ring for a HUG! It was planned all along! After the years of hatred between these three men somehow they have succeeded in putting their pasts behind them to ensure Drew Galloway retains the title. Galloway mocks Damo whilst Jester calls for the champagne. Galloway, Jester and Red Lightning celebrate on the stage spraying champagne into the crowd, pissing on the fans after the fans pissed on Drew.

Drew Galloway, the returning hero no more, turns his back on the fans in favour of one unholy alliance between three of the most powerful men in ICW. Who knows what lies ahead for the future of ICW now Red Lightning has aligned with the champion and Jester. But whatever lies ahead, the landscape of ICW does not look like it did yesterday.

RAW Review 27/07

RAW Three Point Review

Emanating from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, The Authority introduced the latest edition of Monday Night RAW as a night of firsts. For the first time in SummerSlam's history the show will be four hours long, for the first time  Dean Ambrose, would face the  Big Show, for the first time NXT Women's champion, Sasha Banks, faced off against Paige, for the first time The Viper, Randy Orton, squared off against Kevin Owens and for what must be the 291st time, John Cena delivered an emphatic fuck you to smarks worldwide. Without the crutch of Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker to carry the show , RAW stuttered and started whilst confirming many fan's fears; John Cena is back in the main event just when we thought he had gone away. 

Here is my three point review:

1. In WWE's contrived 'Universe' that never acknowledges the real world, John Cena is the man. A squeaky clean, social justice warrior driven by his motivation to restore order  and implement justice in a universe governed by a seemingly never ending list of bad guys to defeat. Over the past five months, since defeating Rusev at WrestleMania for the US Title, fans have warmed to John Cena as he suspended his pursuit of bad guys to focus on putting excellent matches with members of the mid-card in his US Title Open Challenge. For weeks now, Mr Make a Wish has consistently featured in the match of the night even putting on a couple of match of the year contenders with Kevin Owens and Cesaro.

Despite John Cena's vastly improved match quality over the past few months, the matches have retained the same template of multiple finishers followed by close falls followed by John Cena picking up the victory. Regardless of this minor criticism, The US Open Challenge has been the best part of RAW for weeks whilst elevating a previously dead title to new levels.

So we arrive at last night's RAW and many fan's worst fears were confirmed when John Cena interrupted an Authority promo, inserting himself back into the main event picture cashing in his annual John Cena in the Bank to the dismay of Seth Rollins and the IWC alike, challenging Rollins for the title in the night's main event. That's right, just when you thought WWE was departing from LOLCENAWINS to an exciting new future with healthy competition, high stakes and unpredictability WWE return to a familiar face, albeit slightly mangled by Rollins. Last night, WWE used its annual reset to default by opting for Cena as Rollins' next challenger as opposed to a fresher face, once again highlighting WWE's inability to establish new faces. HHH did not allow Cena to challenge for the title on RAW as requested, he instead set the night's main event as Seth Rollins vs John Cena for the US Title.

These two men, arguably in the form of their career, stole the show with a match lasting just over 15 minutes. Rollins and Cena, as demonstrated in their previous encounters, have great chemistry together and will always produce high quality matches. This match was no different, Rollins' athleticism compliments Cena's strength perfectly and the two combined always make for a good match. Throughout the match, the commentary team made it clear that if Cena wins he is next in line for a shot at Seth Rollins' WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Not even a broken nose inflated to twice its usual size could stop Hustle, Loyalty, Respect as he made the WWE WHC tap clean in the centre of the ring to a very shoddily applied STF proving that even if you're the WWE WHC you're still not as good as Cena with a mid-card belt.

John Cena resurfacing in the main event is not what is best for business. I refuse to believe that Seth Rollins title reign will succumb to "Big Match John" over coming the odds and delivering the bad guy his comeuppance once again. Surely Rollins' title reign hasn't been just more odds to overcome. What keeps my faith unwavering in the face of so much evidence pointing to the contrary, you may ask. Well, a John Cena victory over Seth Rollins brings into question what exactly WWE is trying to achieve with NXT. I do not believe that Cena can continually keep beating top NXT talent the WWE is billing as the future of the industry. Is the future of WWE reaching the top only to be dethroned by Cena? Surely not.

Unquestionably, Cena is one of the most popular wrestlers on the roster at the moment but I would argue the main reason for that popularity is the fact he hasn't been in the main event since the Royal Rumble PPV in January. This new found respect of John Cena stems directly from the fact that he has been a mid-card champion, putting on great matches with members of the mid-card that have been overlooked for years and not going over main event heels all the time, telling the same story again and again. If Rollins/Cena does go ahead at SummerSlam, I expect the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins, to arrive in a big way, stealing the show in a winning effort against John Cena, finally proving himself a worthy champion. Lets just hope the match showcases Seth Rollins' ability not "John Cena had it won if it wasn't for [insert bullshit reason why John Cena didn't win]".

2. If there is one word to summarise the tag division in WWE it is disarray. Last week, Los Matadores should have been crowned number one contenders to Prime Time Players' World Tag Team Championships according to WWE's championship rules that stipulate if you earn a pinfall or submission victory over the champion(s) you earn the right to a shot at the title the champion you defeat holds. These are the very rules that will secure John Cena his match against Seth Rollins at SummerSlam on next week's RAW.

These rules do not, however, apply to the tag team division. This week, Lucha Dragons were resurrected by creative for a match against Los Matadores, the rightful number one contenders. A fun match ended with Lucha Dragons picking up the victory off a roll up by Kalisto after New Day caused the distraction. It appears New Day's feud with Prime Time Players is set to continue whilst Lucha Dragons and Los Matadores get shoehorned into the one tag team feud creative are able to write at any one time.

What is most frustrating, as a big fan of tag team wrestling, is that the division seemingly had a direction whilst New Day held the gold whilst improving the match quality in a division that has sorely lacked it, putting on some fun matches with Cesaro and Kidd. Sure, injuries to Tyson Kidd and Eric Rowan have likely forced a rethinking of plans but the division is currently aimless, propped up by champions that have as much momentum as a King Barrett's promised push after winning KOTR.

Over the next couple of weeks, expect Los Matadores, Lucha Dragons and New Day to find themselves in contention for the Tag Titles culminating in a four corner tag match at SummerSlam which will probably be featured on preshow.

3. Luke Harper renewed his vows to Bray Wyatt last night after months in the wilderness of the lower mid-card. Harper re-committed to Wyatt in a ceremony that was both moving and touching. Wyatt began by offering an analogy; when he was younger he had a pet, which he loved dearly before releasing it into the wild. One day, the pet returned, although something was different. The pet returned with a scar over his eye. The pet had learnt a valuable lesson: the world has teeth and it bites. This lesson fixed his pet. This lesson also fixed Luke Harper who took the opportunity to explain why he has realigned with Bray, stating that Wyatt showed him the truth before pledging allegiance to Wyatt for a second time.

It is great to see Harper back with Wyatt. The reasons for the Wyatt family break up made as little sense as having Big Show defeat Dean Ambrose via count out (Something that also happened on RAW). Despite the numerous holes in the logic of a break up only to get back together, WWE and Wyatt have come up with a fantastic analogy that actually makes sense and explains the reasons for Harper leaving in the first place! Harper went away to find his own way in the world, but returned to his master with his tail tucked firmly between his legs looking for guidance once again.

All that is missing is one final piece of The Wyatt Family jigsaw. Many names have been banded around in contention to be the final member of the Wyatt family; Jack Swagger, Bo Dallas, The Ascension and a reincarnated Adam Rose have been suggested to fill the role left by Eric Rowan. WWE needs a strong Wyatt Family faction to bring an element of psychology to the table in a roster crammed full of technical wrestling ability. Fans are just waiting to get behind The Wyatt Family and having Luke Harper recommit his vows is the first step in the rebuilding process.

General Comments

This week's RAW was a bad one for former Shield members; Dean Ambrose, inexplicably, lost to the Big Show via count out after he flew into a KO punch ringside, Seth Rollins tapped out to John Cena and Roman Reigns did not make an appearance on the show. Considering that The Shield, together, constitute WWE's most heavily pushed group in history, the current working environment in WWE appears toxic to young talent, suggesting that no matter how over you get, no matter how many good matches you put on, no matter how entertaining you prove, you are always a second in the list of priorities.

For the second week in a row, WWE looked to the past instead of the future.

Indie Classic of the Week

Indie Classic of the Week

Davey Richards vs Kevin Steen at Border Wars 2012, 12th May 2012

Amidst the rampant speculation regarding Kevin Owens' position in WWE, it is easy to forget higher ups have willed him to fail before. Border Wars 2012 was the event, Toronto was the location of Kevin Steen's major triumph in the face of corporate adversity. Jim Cornette, then Executive Producer of the ROH and head booker, did not want Steen on his television show never mind as ROH World Champion . Cornette, notoriously, did everything in his powers to keep Kevin Steen the character and Kevin Steen the man down. The man Cornette wanted as champion was Davey Richards, the physical and psychological antithesis of Kevin Steen. Davey Richards, carved from stone and wearing traditional wrestling attire in opposition to Steen, had been champion for almost a year going in to this match. Where Steen had stretch marks, Richards had solid muscle. Richards was everything a wrestler was supposed to be, defeating all challengers to defend his title at every opportunity he got. 

The longer Richards' reign continued, the more fans began to resent him. Fans yearned for something different, for something or somebody to challenge the status quo and that person was Kevin Steen. A permanent thorn in Cornette's side during the build up, Steen entered the match accepting the stipulation that, if he loses, he will never be receive the opportunity to challenge for the ROH World title ever again. 

First up, the champion, Davey Richards, makes his way down to the ring after what has been a tumultuous week for the champ. The week leading up to his defence against Steen at Border Wars, Davey Richards had experienced a fair share of adversity himself. Just one week prior, Richards had been in a car crash, sustained an injury to the ribs and would learn he would be without his training partner, Kyle O' Reilly, at ringside for the match due to a family bereavement. 

Next to the ring is Steen. As he emerges from the curtain, accompanied by Jimmy Jacobs, Steen receives a raucous ovation from his fellow Canadians as he drapes a Canadian flag over his shoulders. Wearing shorts and a t shirt as a giant fuck you to Jim Cornette, Steen enters the ring to chants of "Kill, Steen, Kill" as the challenger and the champion face of in the ring. Referee, Todd Sinclair, doesn't offer the two competitors the opportunity to adhere to the code of honor, such is the hatred between Richards and Steen.

The bell rings and Steen immediately goes for the package pile driver, a manoeuvre banned for months made legal especially for this match but Richards has it scouted and reverses. Richards lands some stiff kicks to the chest before a big clothesline sends Steen retreating to the outside. Richards hits a suicide dive underscored by a chorus of boos followed up with more kicks. Jimmy Jacobs gets involved early on providing the distraction for Steen to hit a ddt. Steen tosses a handful of streamers at a fan wearing an El Generico mask before irish whipping Richards into a Canadian flag draped over the barricade. As Richards rises to his feet, he follows Steen up to the ring apron before suplexing Steen on his head for a two count. Richards, now beginning to dictate the pace of the match, corners Steen as he hits kick after kick to chants of "fuck you, Davey". 

Richards, flipping off the crowd, ties up Steen's legs, locking in the trailer hitch. Steen manages to escape, crawling into the corner but Richards follows him and hits more kicks. The crowd appear to be getting to Richards already as he breaks from punishing Steen to gesticulate towards the crowd. This break allows Steen to roll to the outside as the fans continue to chant "same old shit" at Richards, who spots Steen has escaped before attempting another kick, which Steen ducks under but hits The Zombie Princess, Jimmy Jacobs, square in the face. Richards goes to kick Steen but it is reversed again, Richards loses his balance allowing Steen to take advantage and hit a huge powerbomb on the ring apron followed closely by a second. Steen slides Richards back into the ring for a close two count. 

Both men make it to their feet, trading blow after blow as Steen's weight advantage allows him to get the upper hand before delivering a devastating brainbuster to the knee. Steen notices Davey Richards' gum has fallen out of his mouth and on to the mat. Naturally, Steen picks up the piece of gum and briefly examines it before claiming it as his own, tossing it into his mouth much to the dismay of former ROH World Champion and now commentator, Nigel McGuinness. Steen locks in a sharpshooter but his knee wont allow him to apply the hold effectively, Richards makes it to the rope as Steen's knee gives way. Richards, ever the wily champ, ties up Steen's knee in between the ropes before going to the top rope to hit a double foot stomp to the injured knee. 

Again, Richards' flips of the vociferous Tornoto crowd before successfully applying a leg lock to Steen's injured knee, Steen looks to be struggling, desperately crawling towards safety which he eventually reaches. Richards breaks the hold, dragging Steen to his feet to hit the DR Driver!- a move not seen in ROH for over a year due to the ban on piledrivers! But tonight piledrivers are legal! Somehow, to the collective shock of the fans and the commentators, Steen manages to kick out at two. Richards, for the first time in the match, looks concerned that he can't put Steen away. Steen uses the ropes to climb to his feet before a slapping Richards who returns the favour with a few slaps of his own. Steen manages to get Richards up onto his shoulders to deliver a devastating F Cinq followed up by a beautiful moonsault but his knee prevents him from going for the pin immediately after impact. Steen clutches his injured left knee, losing a vital couple of seconds before going for the pin- Richards kicks out at 2. Steen somehow manages to lift Richards up for a package piledriver but his knee gives way again, providing the opening Richards was looking for. Richards hits some stiff kicks on a broken Steen, willing him to give up. Steen, perhaps playing possum, springs up applying a leg lock out of nowhere but it is reversed again by Richards who locks in one of his own.

Steen, somehow, manages to slip out of the leg lock to apply a sharpshooter but his knee gives way again. Richards, with added vigour, applies a leg lock to the injured knee as Steen scratches his way to the corner, tearing the protective covering off the middle turnbuckle in the process, using what little remaining strength in his legs to toss Richards face first into the exposed turnbuckle. Steen hits a sleeper suplex. The fans know what is coming next, Steen kicks Richards in the stomach and delivers a huge package piledriver in the centre of the ring to the sound of deafening cheers as the new ROH World Champion, Kevin Steen, is crowned.

Although there have been better technical wrestling matches during ROH's 13 year history, many would find it hard to argue that this match isn't one of the biggest matches in ROH history. Kevin Steen had gathered so much momentum in the weeks leading up to Border wars, it was the perfect time for him to walk away with the gold. Credit to Davey Richards, too, he played the perfect antagonist to Steen, making the moment Steen won the title all the sweeter.

The moral of the story: if you knock Kevin Steen back, he will keep going and reach the top. Regardless of who wants him there, Kevin Owens will make it to the top. 

Matches of the Week 18/07/15 - 24/07/15

With the beginning of NJPW G1 Climax tournament this Monday, ROH's Death Before Dishonor XIII taking place just yesterday and WWE's Battleground, this week has been a good one for wrestling fans providing something to please everyone.

Here is a look at my three Matches of the Week:

Seth Rollins vs Cesaro (Smackdown, 23/07)

A little watched wrestling show called SmackDown airs every Thursday in the US and Friday in the UK. Formerly home to talent ranging from Brock Lesnar, Edge, The Undertaker and Tajiri. In 2015, SmackDown is the home to seemingly endless RAW replays (not even the good bits of Raw, usually) and feigned crowd enthusiasm for Roman Reigns. Occasionally, an interesting match or two happens on SmackDown to the surprise of the few remaining fans showing faith in the show. This weeks episode threw the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins, and The Swiss Superman, Cesaro together for the first time on WWE television in non-title action.

The ethnically diverse team- although trying to make a point- of Jey Uso, Tom Phillips and Byron Saxton spoke of Cesaro's dedication and workrate as he made his way to the ring to meet the WWE WHC, Seth Rollins. As the bell rings, Rollins flees immediately to ringside before making his way back into the ring. Fresh off defeating Rusev clean on last week's edition of SmackDown, the first wrestler to do so apart from John Cena, The Swiss Superman gorilla presses the champ who lands on his feet. The champ hits a running knee to the back of the head before hitting a suicide dive. The commentators remind viewers that owning a pinfall victory over the champ entitles Cesaro to a WWE WHC opportunity. Unfortunately for J&J, WWE are anything but stringent when it comes to enforcing the rule otherwise we would be seeing J&J team up to face Rollins at SummerSlam for the richest prize in sports entertainment.

As we return from the ad break, Cesaro sends Rollins to suplex city with a belly to belly. Over the past few weeks, Rollins has spent so much time in suplex city he maybe looking into buying to save on letting costs. Sadly for Cesaro, he appears to have a minor brain melt as he makes his way to the top rope to do God only knows what- Cesaro attempts a crossbody which is rolled through into a small package by Rollins for a two count followed up by a backslide for a two count once again.

Great athleticism by both competitors as Rollins hits a buckle bomb before going for a pedigree which is reversed in to a sharpshooter by Cesaro. Rollins desperately claws to reach the ropes but Cesaro notices this, transitioning into a cross face. Rollins finally reaches the ropes, simultaneously deciding enough is enough as he grabs his title from the time keeper before making his way up the ramp. Cesaro tracks him down with a huge European uppercut before tossing Rollins and the championship into the ring before attempting to lock in the sharpshooter one last time. As the ref turns to hand the title back to the time keeper, Rollins pokes Cesaro in the eye before sending him into the steel ring post shoulder first before hitting the pedigree for the three count. Rollins picks up the victory and looks rather pleased with himself as he makes his way up the ramp. Kevin Owens heads down to the ring, talks some trash to Cesaro before delivering a devastating pop up powerbomb to stand tall at the end of the show.

This is one of the better matches WWE has put on in a while that served two purposes; firstly, the match allowed Cesaro to continue building on the momentum he has been gathering week by week with the finish keeping Cesaro strong. Secondly, the match further develops Rollins' as a conniving opportunist who will do anything to win. Additionally, Owens' standing tall at the end alleviated some of the concerns about his position in WWE. Clearly, there are plans for Owens and if they involve Cesaro all the better for it. Something seemed different here in comparison to RAW, there seems to be a more laid back approach to SmackDown that suits the format better than the often over produced RAW. All in all, the match made was a fun way for WWE to end a tumultuous week.

Available Here:

AJ Styles vs Shibata (G1 Climax, Block A, 20/07)

This year's G1 Climax has already thrown produced some fantastic matches. Michael Elgin impressed in his NJPW debut against Okada, Tanahashi put on a a highly entertaining match against Kota Ibushi and Karl Anderson shocked the world by defeating Nakamura and the man that defeated Nakamura for the IWGP Intercontinental Title, Hirooki Goto. My favourite match so far saw AJ Styles, leader of The Bullet Club, face off against Katsuyori Shibata, a man whose facial expression seemingly never changes. Whether you handed him a million pounds or pissed on his grandma on Christmas day his facial expression would remain identical. The man looks like a badass, end of. As a newcomer to NJPW, I had not heard or seen a great deal about Shibata before this year's G1 but his match with AJ on the first day stole the show.

As the opponents meet in the ring, chants of Shibata echo around the arena. AJ, unimpressed, waves away the chants with disdain. Shibata attempts a stiff kick to the chest and misses before grounding AJ with a sideheadlock followed by an early attempt at the Penalty Kick and missing. AJ and Shibata lock up for the first time in the match, AJ breaks and slaps Shibata-whose facial expression still hasn't altered from the "I'm gunna fuck you up real bad" face he has been pulling since the beginning, Nice back and forth between the two before AJ hits a huge dropckick, challenging Okada for the prize of best in the world. AJ looks to work over Shibata's leg, locking in the calf killer before Shibata powers out, taking more slaps to the face by AJ. As AJ learnt to his detriment, you don't want to get in a slapping match with Shibata-it only ends one way. Shibata hits some stiff shots of his own before irish whipping AJ into the turnbuckle followed by a huge running dropkick. Shibata picks up AJ and hits a vertical suplex as the fan's support of Shibata continues to grow.

 Styles finds some energy from somewhere allowing him to get to his feet, attempted Styles Clash reversed but AJ follows it up with a pele kick  before going for the Styles Clash for a second time which is reversed again! AJ locks in the calf killer, Shibata looks to be struggling this time but he eventually reaches the ropes but AJ isn't willing to let him off just yet, looking for the Styles Clash again but is reversed into a death valley driver by Shibata. Shibata locks in the sleeper hold as AJ struggles for air desperately pulling the fingers of Shibata in an attempt to escape, Shibata proceeds to lock in the hold tighter by biting his fingers! AJ is grounded as Shibata attempts a huge Penalty Kick but misses, AJ pops up and hits a beautiful pele kick before hitting the Bloody Sunday brainbusterrrrrr! AJ pulls the trigger on his gun to signal the end before hitting the Styles Clash for the three count.

What a match this was and what a great way to be introduced to Katsuyori Shibata. AJ, perhaps the best American wrestler on the planet, picks up the win and the points here but it was Shibata who impressed. I would love to see ROH use Shibata for one of their cross promotional PPV's with NJPW; Shibata vs O Reilly, Shibata vs Strong and Shibata vs Adam Cole all have potential to be great matches but ROH seems intent on always bringing the same guys each time. Not that I'm complaining, just it would be nice to see a few other NJPW faces in ROH.

Available here

Jay Lethal (C) vs Roderick Strong (Death Before Dishonor XIII, 24/07)

This week's match of the week and, to be fair, probably the match of most weeks, is Jay Lethal's first ROH World Championship defence against Mr ROH himself, Roderick Strong. Strong receives a huge ovation from the Baltimore crowd demonstrating his ability to seamlessly transition between heel and face depending on which promotion he is wrestling for. Jay Lethal arrives with the House of Truth members Truth Martini, Jay Diesel and winner of the 2015 Top Prospect tournament, Donovan Dijak.

Lethal enters the ring and the two competitors stare each other down before, surprisingly, Jay Lethal complies with the code of honor. As the bell rings, Lethal slides out under the bottom rope to talk some last minute tactics with Truth Martini. Lots of history between these two men, it was Roderick Strong that ended Lethal's first Television Championship reign three and a half years ago. Lethal, now ROH World Champion as well as Television Champion, returns to the ring succeeding in landing a few blows before hitting a well executed snap suplex. Strong manages to gain some of the control in the match, hitting a belly to belly as Lethal flees once again on landing. This time, the challenger chases the champion out the ring, dropping Lethal on to the barricade.

The crowd are divided in their support with half chanting Roddy and the other half chanting for Lethal, Lethal hits an inverted atomic drop (how is this legal but a low blow isn't???) followed by a body slam, followed by a body slam which is followed by a third body slam. Lethal tosses Strong outside as the House of truth members administer a viscous beat down as Lethal continues to dictate the pace in the sweltering heat. Strong manages to break free before being thrown back out to meet the fist of this year's top prospect, Donovan Dijak- how the referee has not dismissed the members of House of truth by now is beyond me. Lethlal goes to join in the beat down, ushering the House of truth members away before going for a bodyslam reversed into a reverse ddt. This is the opening Roddy has been looking for as he tosses Lethal back into the ring, hitting a dropkick, attempted pinfall only 2.

The action once again spills out of the ring as Lethal and Strong slug it out before Strong manages to send Lethal jaw first into the barricade. Roddy piks up the dead weight of Lethal, rolling him under the ropes just before the referee reaches the count of 20. As Lethal gets to his feet, Roddy hits a combination of running knees and elbows followed by a double knee gutbuster only for 2. Roddy drags Lethal to his feet, hitting a snap suplex once again.

What a match this has been, already clocking in at over 30 minutes with no end in sight.

Roddy sets up Lethal for the superplex but Lethal has it scouted before attempting a tornado ddt transitioning into a guillotine choke hold. Lethal applies the wrist tape for extra leverage, concealing his underhanded tactics from the ref with his arm before referee Todd Sinclair forces Lethal to break the illegal hold. Martini is hiding underneath the ring apron as Roddy is sent to the outside again, Martini grabs the boot of Strong allowing Lethal to hit a running dropkick followed by three consecutive suicide dives by the champion. Content to take the count out victory, Lethal returns to the ring for a break. Roddy, still willing, gets to his feet- somehow- and makes it back into the ring at 19.

Roddy is welcomed back with a crossface but makes it to the ropes in time. The heat has encouraged Truth Martini to lose his jacket, who continues to urge Lethal on. Strong gets what now must be his 6th wind and chops the living shit out of Lethal in the corner, quite a different reaction than he usually gets in front of a PWG crowd. Lethal manages to escape and land some shots of his own before attempting the Lethal Injection but Roddy has it scouted and hits a huge suplex. Strong Hold locked in now as Lethal's title reign looks like it could be over before it even started but he eventually reaches the ropes after nearly tapping on a number of occasions. Strong hoists Lethal up top again looking for that superplex but Lethal counters before hitting a big elbow drop from the top rope followed by the Lethal Combination transitioned into the Koji Clutch-reversed by Roddy into a roll up for a two count!

Both men make it to their feet seemingly just having exited the shower, the pair trade tired strikes as Lethal grabs the Book of Truth, swings and misses as Roddy hits the double knee gutbuster but somehow Lethal makes his way to his feet and hits a huge superkick and a kick out at 2 by Roddy! What a match this has been! Lethal is the first to his feet and makes his way up to the top rope looking for that elbow again but Roddy gets to his feet, finally hitting his superplex followed by the double knee gutbuster before a huge sick kick. Kick out at 2 and Truth Martini celebrates as though Lethal had just retained his gold. Chants of ROH echo around the arena as the fans of Baltimore witness what has got to be one of the best ROH World Title matches of all time. The crowd are firmly in Strong's corner now as The End of Heartache is reversed by Lethal who hits the Lethal Injection for what must be the win. Strong somehow manages to find a way to kick out at two, though, as this match continues still! Lethal blasts the referee for a slow count but he can barely stand up straight. What an effort by these two men.

Roderick Strong and Jay Lethal trade blows again in the centre of the ring with both men landing a blow at the same time that sends them both to the floor. Again, both men get to their feet as Roddy hits a big jumping knee followed by a forearm smash but Lethal somehow manages to summon enough strength to hit a superkick as both men tumble in a heap to the floor. The bell rings and that is it. Ring Announcer Bobby Cruise declares that the match is a 60 minute time limit draw as streamers flow over two broken down bodies strewn in the centre of the ring to end the PPV.

Wow. What a match that was. Roderick Strong and Jay Lethal are at their peak as wrestlers and produced a magic performance that will go down as one of the best ROH World Title matches of all time. The endurance on display from both athletes ensured the pace did not drop and if it wasn't for Bobby Cruise ringing the bell as the clock struck 60 minutes, I think they would still be at it now. This match is not only match of the week but in place to be considered as one of the top matches of the year in all promotions. If Lethal's run as champion is going to produce matches like that, long may it continue.

Available Here.

NXT, ROH, Lucha Underground, TNA Results 22/07/15

NXT, ROH, TNA and Lucha Underground Results 22/07

The Wednesday night wars continue in the quest for ratings. This week saw ROH look to the past, NXT look to the future, Lucha Underground look to Ultima Lucha and TNA look for somebody to watch the show. Here are this weeks results from Wednesday night.

Ring Of Honor Results 22/07

• ROH celebrated their 200th episode this Wednesday. Unsurprisingly, ROH's history plays a major part in the show highlighting some of the best moments from the previous 199 episodes. Some of the moments included were The Addition defeating reDRagon for the tag titles, Steel Cage Warfare between Team ROH and Team S.C.U.M, AJ Styles vs Hanson and Michael Bennett facing off against Lance Storm.

• 8 Person Tag Team Grudge Match                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       The only current match on this show was a big tag team main event which saw Roderick Strong team up with The Briscoes and ODB to take on The House of Truth, including Truth Martini.

          The match ended with ODB scoring the 100 Proof Roll Up on Truth Martini. The show closed             with Strong, ODB and The Briscoes in the ring before a promo hyping Death Before Dishonor           this Friday night.

         A lot of time this week on ROH was spent reminiscing about the company's rich history-and                rightly so. ROH has been the proving ground for wrestlers for over a decade now, playing a                major part in the development of the likes of CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Seth Rollins, Kevin                  Owens, Sami Zayn and Cesaro. The only current match was a fun multi-man tag that ended                with ODB pinning Truth Martini. The match served as a taster for the Jay Lethal vs Roderick              Strong match tomorrow night at Death Before Dishonor. 

NXT Results 22/07

• Finn Balor cut his first promo as NXT Champion after defeating Kevin Owens in Japan. This bought a pissed off Owens to the ring and a contract signing was set up for later in the evening.
• Eva Marie def KC Cassidy with The Kendrick (Sliced Bread).
• Baron Corbin squash. Yawn.
• Samoa Joe def Mike Rallis with the Muscle Buster. Poor Joe, he has had very little opportunity to make an impact since joining NXT and once again wins a match against a nobody.
• Bayley def Emma with a Hugplex. After the match, Bayley revealed that before she challenges Sasha Banks for her NXT Women's title she first has to beat the best Diva in the NXT, Charlotte.
• The Vaudvillians def Dawkins & Fulton. 
• The contract signing between Finn Balor and Kevin Owens ends in the same way every contract signing ever has ended, Owens gets a couple of strikes in before Finn chases him out of the ring.

Not much of note happens on NXT for the fourth time in a row. The injuries to top babyfaces have harmed the NXT product overall which has failed to achieve the heights of the Sami Zayn/Adrian Neville rivalry. Although the show initially intended to help develop WWE talent, the addition of hot indie wrestlers over the last year could prove a problem now that people's expectations of the product have been conditioned to expect high quality indie wrestling week in week out. Over the past few weeks NXT has not delivered anything near the standard of the past year. This period of NXT represents a cross roads for the big wigs as they must come to a decision on whether they want NXT to compete with the independent circuit or they want to use it as branch of WWE. Either way, fans will be disappointed.

Lucha Underground Results 22/07

• The show began with Dario giving Big Ryck a medallion without having to compete for it.
• Texano def Johnny Mundo by DQ as The Crew take Texano down with blows by kendo sticks to the back of the knees. El Patron comes down to make the save, Mundo flees whilst The Crew take a beating.
• Hernandez confronts Dario Cueto regarding the fan's opinion of him. Cueto sets up Drago vs Hernandez  in a Believers Backlash Match.
• The Mack def Cage in perhaps the surprise of the night. A brawl broke out between the two spilling into the arena before Cueto sets up a Falls Count Anywhere match next week.
• Fenix returns, Cueto is not happy but allows him to compete in this week's main event, a Ten Man Battle Royal for the final medallion in which the final two competitors will compete in a one on one match.
• Fenix def Marty Moth. The final two men remaining in the Battle Royal go head to head in a short match which Fenix wins with a roll up. 
• The show concludes with Prince Puma cutting a promo in the ring before he is interrupted by Mil Muertes. Mil sends out the disciples of death which Puma expertly deals with, clearing the ring before performing the 630 splash on the final disciple. 

TNA Results 22/07

• Bram def Magnus in a Street Fight after James Storm interfered by attacking Magnus with his cowbell before informing Magnus that their rivalry is far from over.
• Eli Drake came cut a promo running down Drew Galloway. This bought Drew to the ring as he asked the crowd what they think he should do to Drake. The fans want to see Drake get beaten up but only get to see Drew land a few strikes before Drake flees.
• Taryn Terrell cuts a promo on how she should still be champ before Brooke cuts her off. 
• The mass exodus of BDC members over the past couple of weeks along with Hernandez's legal difficulties force TNA into showing the disgusting King of the Mountain match in its entirety. Like it wasn't bad watching it for the first time.
• Eric Young def Spud in a chain match with a piledriver to the chain. The reasons for this match occurring are beyond my comprehension, must be something to do with the tapes of Hernandez they possess but can not show.
• Matt Hardy def Booby Roode to become the number on contender to EC3's title in a table's match. Roode attempted the Roode Bomb before Hardy reversed, putting Roode through the table with a back drop.

TNA fall further behind ROH, LU and NXT this week with a mash up of random matches that don't make a great deal of sense. It really seems like it is only a matter of time before TNA turn out the lights one final time although rumours of a big invasion angle with Jeff Jarrett's new company, GFW, persist. The legal troubles over Hernandez have seriously harmed TNA and the loss of the BDC and MVP in particular has only confounded their problems. MVP proved that he is still a one of the most valuable players again before leaving next week. Out of all of TNA's loses over the past couple of months, MVP is as important as any.

RAW Review and Results 20/07/15 + SmackDown Spoilers 23/07/15

RAW headed to Kansas City following the return of the Deadman at Battleground in a frustrating episode that proved a massive slap in the face for full time wrestlers not named John Cena. Two part timers, The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar, took centre stage as the road to SummerSlam officially begins.

Here is my three point RAW review along with spoilers for Smackdown airing 23/07:


RAW Three Point Review 

One

The main event for SummerSlam was confirmed on Monday night RAW as The Undertaker opened the show by explaining his motivations for costing Brock Lesnar the opportunity to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship from Seth Rollins. 'Taker explained he is not only pissed off that Brock defeated him but mainly pissed off that Paul Heyman and the Beast haven't shut up about it for 15 months.

Heyman was allowed to provide a rebuttal, detailing once again how Brock Lesnar not only beat the streak but he also made The Undertaker his bitch. All returned to darkness before 'Taker appeared for the second time on the show, stalking Heyman from behind. The threat of 'Taker drew the Beast to the ring to protect his advocate, Paul Heyman. As the two behemoths brawled it became clear that the security team could not keep them separated as a whole army of troops ranking from jobber to mid-card filed to the ring to keep Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker separated. Despite the jobbers outnumbering the Deadman and the Beast approximately 30-2, they ulltimately failed in carrying out the now inexplicably babyface HHH's orders. As Lesnar was finally torn away up the ramp by a combination of  a security team, more jobbers and people that could have been main event level heels if it wasn't for 'Big Match John', the camera panned to 'Taker, zooming in on his eyes as he looked to be having a Vietnam style flashback to the time Lesnar sent him hurtling towards the mat after a 3rd F5 and the 21 year streak was finally over.

The brawl injected a great deal of intensity into the rematch that was absent the first time these two met. The Undertaker, in possibly the best shape he has been in since WrestleMania 28, responded to Brock's parting threat to 'kill him' by stating that's what will have to happen to get rid of him. Concern for The Undertaker's well being replaced the initial excitement of his return going into Monday Night Raw but the large brawl placated most of those fears. The physicality of the brawl is conformation of a change of tact in the development of the story between these two by WWE; the build towards Mania 30 relied heavily on The Undertaker's super natural presence, playing on Brock's fear of the Deadman. This time, though, the feud appears to be based on flat out hatred for one another. Hopefully we get more brawls like this in the coming weeks just to see R Truth calm Brock down again. 

Two

What a difference two months make. Just eight weeks ago, at Elimination Chamber, Kevin Owens made his main roster début by pinning John Cena clean in the centre of the ring. Fast forward two months and three clean PPV defeats later and Kevin Owens is -literally- lost in the midcard fracas designed to keep 'Taker and Lesnar apart. Maybe I'm reading too much into this as Sheamus, Cesaro and Rusev were recruited by HHH as well but, after defeating Cena clean in his debut match, I thought Owens would have been more than just an anonymous face in the midcard. At the moment, he is just another guy who failed to beat Cena. Again, maybe i'm reading too much into this because if you judge a wrestler's success from his record against Cena you are likely to be disappointed. But someone has to beat him eventually. Someone has to get the better of him and I thought that man was going to Kevin Owens. 

Who knows, it may yet happen but i'm not holding out for it after Monday's episode of RAW. The night after tapping out to Cena, Kevin Owens spoke fewer words than R Truth, who at least got to tell Brock Lesnar to calm down, before superkicking Rusev and taking his exit in the generic, time killing 3 faces vs 3 heels main event to end RAW.

Regardless of rumours of politicking and backstage detractors, Kevin Owens is a big deal and will make it to the top whether the high ups like it or not. If the rumours about his backstage detractors are proved true and become popular knowledge a la Daniel Bryan, i think we an see a situation develop in which the lines of kayfabe and reality are blurred for storyline purposes. If this is to be the case, hopefully we will get to see Owens produce work similar to his pursuit of the ROH title so we can get more gems like this.

Three

John Cena has been putting on some excellent matches recently. That is undeniable.  Cena, formerly heavily criticised by members of the IWC for his wrestling ability, enters what appears to be his wrestling prime in his 12th year in the WWE. A statement seemingly confirmed by the weekly United States Title Open Challenge featuring 4* matches with the likes of Ambrose, Neville, King Barrett, Rusev, Cesaro and most recently Kevin Owens- a match he knows he shouldn't have won, just look at his face after the win... he knows he shouldn't have gone over. THIS DOES NOT AND SHOULD NOT ENTITLE HIM TO A SHOT AT THE WWE WHC!!!

WWE's problems of being unable to establish new babyfaces was painfully apparent on Monday night's episode of RAW as it looks like the next challenge to Seth Rollins WWE World Heavyweight Championship could well be John Cena, who maybe looking to cash in his John Cena in the Bank this August at SummerSlam. Due to John's extensive charity work and US Title Challenges he has earned enough good credit to deserve a shot at Seth Rollins' WWE WHC, at least in the mind of creative, despite already having a title of his own. 

Seth Rollins, whilst bragging how he has defeated all challengers for his title, was interrupted by Make a Wish causing many fans to fear the worst; WWE reverting back to Cena once again. Make a Wish proceeded to verbally castrate Rollins with the same jokes he has been repeating for the past ten years before Rollins decided he had had enough and took leave before Cena had the chance to go over... AGAIN... because fuck progression and establishing new talent.

Seth Rollins has been fantastic since winning the title at WrestleMania. Playing the role of chickenshit heel, Rollins has even gained criticism from his most ardent supporters for looking 'too weak' and 'too undeserving' as champ. He is fulfilling his role yet WWE creative  have failed to do theirs by establishing a credible babyface with the backing of the fans to chase Rollins' title. Having no challenger harms Rollins as much as anyone and proves that holding the richest prize in the company's history does not mean creative wont forget all about you.

Once more, as with CM Punk, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion is cast aside in favour of two part timers as WWE continue to struggle to create new megastars on the level of Cena, 'Taker and Lesnar; a problem only confounded by short sighted booking like this. Rollins finds himself in the unique position of being WWE WHC without a clear challenger apart from Cena, an option that would be a massive step back at this stage. I really hope Seth's interaction with Cena was to merely kill time and not amount to anything. Next Monday presents a perfect opportunity for Rollins to question a now, for some reason, babyface HHH's decision to have 'Taker vs Lesnar II headline SummerSlam above himself. As things stand, though, Rollins is without a challenger going into the second biggest show of the year.

RAW Results

• The Undertaker opens the show with a promo explaining his motivations for attacking Brock Lesnar. 
• Charlotte def Brie Bella with the Figure 8 whilst Team Blac... sorry Team BAD were on commentary.
• Los Matadores def Prime Time Players off a distraction from The New Day. Whether Los Matadores win here translates into a shot at the title, as a pinfall victory over the champions should, is another matter.
• Big Show def The Miz in what was the first turn of the night. After picking up the victory in essentially a squash match Big Show returned to a heel by cutting a promo running down Ryback. So i guess that ain't over.
• Undertaker and Brock Lesnar brawl.
• Roman Reigns def Luke Harper via disqualification as Bray Wyatt attempts an interference before Reigns and Ambrose chase away the two thirds reuinted Wyatt family.
• Rollins promo interrupted by John Cena. 
• Naomi and Sasha Banks def Paige and Becky Lynch as Paige taps clean to the Bank Statement. 
• John Cena, Cesaro & Randy Orton def Rusev, Sheamus and Kevin Owens after Sheamus and Owens both decided that they didn't fancy it leaving Rusev to fend for himself. Cena hit the AA allowing Cesaro to perform the swing before catapulting the former Russian now Bulgarian brute into a huge RKO. 

All in all, this episode of RAW felt like a massive kick in the teeth to the young talent; the WWE World Heavyweight Champion is without a clear challenger, the person who should have been Rollins' chief antagonist has been demoted to the role of Roman Reigns' cheerleader and Kevin Owens has been reduced to just another face in the midcard clusterfuck. At least 'Taker is back, right?

Smackdown Spoilers

• Dean Ambrose kicks of Smackdown with a promo before he is interrupted by this year's Mr Money in the Bank, Sheamus. A match between Ambrose and and Sheamus is scheduled.
• Sheamus def Ambrose when Bray Wyatt's entrance music plays. Sheamus picks up the win of the distraction.
• Neville def Adam Rose with the Red Arrow. Stardust cuts a promo on Neville post match furthering their feud.
• King Barrett cut a promo on being the true 'King of the Ring' after defeating R Truth o the Battleground pre-show in the battle for the crown.
• Rusev def Kevin Owens via countout. Apparently Owens is the guy who walks out of matches he can't win now.
• The Bella Twins def Naomi and Sasha Banks, Nikki picks up the pin on Naomi after the Torture Rack.
• Seth Rollins defeated Cesaro in this week's main event after Kevin Owens caused interference in the match delivering the pop up powerbomb to Cesaro. 

Battleground 2015 Review

Despite Battleground's status as a B PPV, this year WWE pulled out all the stops to deliver a memorable show. Orton and Sheamus strung together one of their finer performances together, a minor Wyatt Family reunion helped defeat Roman Reigns, John Cena forced Kevin Owens to submit via the STF in his first high profile submission victory since Albert Del Rio at Night of Champions '11 and The Undertaker returned to cost Brock Lesnar his chance to regain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship subsequently allowing Seth Rollins to retain his title.

Although Battleground provided more questions than answers in the lead up to SummerSlam, all in all the show should be considered a success through a combination of good wrestling and storyline development.

Here is my review of Battleground:

King Barrett vs R Truth in the Battle of the Jobbers

The first match of Battleground got under way to determine who is the rightful owner of the crown Barrett rightfully won during the WWE Network's King of the Ring Special. R Truth, a man with the reputation of just "wanting to have a good time", began the match by doing exactly that before WWE ran an advert for Battleground half way through the Battleground pre-show.

Upon return, King took the opportunity to try some of his comedy stylings, even claiming his crown was better than both R Truth's paper crown and King Barrett's crown he won by achieving something Jerry 'The King' Lawlor could never do by winning King of the Ring. 'The King', acting like he had never seen Barrett's nose before, continued with his jokes whilst the action continued in the ring as Barrett kicked out of a scissor kick delivered by Truth. Barrett misses with the first Bull-Hammer before hitting the second for the three count finally ending the madness.

Winner: King Barrett
Prediction: King Barrett

Barrett keeps the crown and his title of King after defeating R Truth in a match that lasted slightly longer than the usual pre-show match up. Will this lead to better booking of King Barrett? Hopefully, although rumours continue to persist that Barrett will be dropping the King gimmick in favour of a return to the Bad News gimmick.

Randy Orton vs Sheamus

The obligatory WWE hype video preceded this match, referring to the arena as a modern day Colosseum. The first two gladiators in the WWE's Colosseum, Sheamus and Orton, begin the show underscored by the collective moans and groans of the audience with some mustering up the energy to ensure Sheamus understands just how stupid he looks. If it wasn't for Sheamus' hair he would be incredibly hard to detect in the ring, somehow he manages to get paler by the week.

The match spills out of the ring with Orton irish whipping Sheamus into the barricade whilst I can't help but feel this isn't the way to start a PPV particularly after last year's show stealing opener of The Wyatt Family vs The Usos (2 out of 3 falls). Sheamus continues to portray his modern gladiator schtick asking the fans if they are entertained, giving Orton the thumbs down before hitting White Noise for a two count. Sheamus makes his way to the top rope to perform a move he has never done before... oh what a surprise Orton chases him up before delivering a picture perfect Super-plex for only two. Orton stalks his prey before an attempted RKO  is reversed into a roll up for another close fall, Orton makes his way up to his feet before walking into a Brogue kick. Both men lay strewn across the ring, Sheamus finally makes it to his feet before locking in the Irish Clover Leaf. Orton struggles to the ropes and the hold is broken. Orton gets to his feet then BAM! Huge RKO outta nowhere to pick up the win.

Winner: Randy Orton
Prediction: Sheamus

At the beginning of the night, the thought of this match made me angry and want to break things. However, Orton and Sheamus put together a really solid match here which certainly proved me wrong. I was a little surprised to see Orton pick up the win due to Sheamus' position of MITB holder but perhaps there is even more to come from these two in the near future.

***1/2 Stars

Stephanie McMahon Backstage

The Stephanie McMahon face turn continues as the Executive Vice-President cut a baby face promo dropping the name of the city before alluding to the venue's historical importance before announcing a triple threat match for later in the show pitting one member of each new Diva faction, Team Paige, Team Bella and Team Ethnic, against one another.

Prime Time Players vs The New Day

The New Day emerge, mic in hand, professing the benefits of a positive mindset, claiming that they are winners already due to their attitude. The whole thing made me feel sorry for Bo Dallas who debuted this gimmick before The New Day. I can't help but feel that Bo could be a fantastic addition to The New Day as the guy that hangs around them all the time but nobody really likes him and i don't really understand why this has yet to materialise. Maybe it is due to  WWE's policy of grouping ethnic minorities together to form factions so Bo can't be friends with New Day despite having an almost identical gimmick.

Anyway, Kofi and Big E start the match for New Day with Xavier Woods mixing words of encouragement for The New Day whilst criticising the quality of Titus O Neil's moves. Woods continues to trash talk PTP, claiming O Neil has the worst leg drop ever before reminding Big E to pick up his suitcase because he is going to work. As the match approached the ten minute mark, Woods has yet to shut up. King suggests a mute button for Woods. Conversely, I suggest a mute button for King would be much more desirable. Woods finally gets his comeuppance as Young delivers a side slam to the ring apron before walking into a superkick by Kofi, attempted Trouble in Paradise dodged before Young hits the Gut Check on Kofi, who rolls out of the ring. Young tags O Neil back into the ring before he delivers the Clash of the Titus (they really are pushing this modern Colosseum stuff) to Big E to pick up the three count.

Winner: Prime Time Players
Prediction: Prime Time Players

Pretty standard tag-team match up here, nothing special, nothing insulting. Battleground has enjoyed a short history of fantastic tag team match ups with the likes of The Rhodes Brothers vs The Shield and The Wyatt Family vs The Usos which has not been added to here. I can't understand why a team with as little momentum as PTP were given the titles over The New Day who were ,a couple of months ago, one of the most over group of wrestlers on the show. Xavier Woods saves the match from being rated lower.

**3/4 Stars

Roman Reigns vs Bray Wyatt

Firstly, you gotta give credit to WWE's pre-match video promo guys. They have managed to transform weeks of uninspired drivel into a big match feel. Wyatt makes his way to the ring first up- and what an entrance it is. The fans are desperate to get behind a Wyatt monster push, every single person in the arena held up a light when he made his way to the ring. The commentators switch on to serious mode for this match with Michael Cole providing Reigns with the "he had it won" narrative. Cena-esque in all but appearance. JBL continues to build Reigns as an unpredictable hothead despite seemingly never altering his facial expression.

A man with a Kevin Owens shirt in the front row boos Roman, shock. The contest starts to heat up as Wyatt dodges a spear, Roman goes hurtling into the steps- remember, Roman, sell that shoulder.Wyatt backs Reigns into the corner before beginning the ten punches in the corner spot. Wyatt only reaches seven before Roman forgets about his injured shoulder and delivers a powerbomb. As with the majority of Roman Reigns' matches, the side headlock plays a prominent part in this match. Roman finally... finally... powers out of the side headlock to deliver another powerbomb before proceeding to cock his fist-gun to set up the Superman Punch, reversed into an attempted Sister Abigail which is again countered into a roll up before Roman connects with a Superman Punch for a two count. Roman lines up a spear but runs directly into a big right hand by Wyatt. Both men lay in the centre of the ring. Wyatt sits up into his signature spider taunt, heads to the outside of the ring and picks up two chairs before turning around into a big Superman Punch from Reigns. Roman tosses several chairs into the ring until a hooded figure delivered a big superkick to Roman causing him to stumble back into the ring before walking into the Sister Abigail for the three count.

Winner: Bray Wyatt
Prediction: Bray Wyatt

Wyatt kneels down in the centre of the ring and raises his arms to the heavens. The hooded figure enters the ring and reveals his identity to be Luke Harper, former member of the Wyatt Family, in one of the better booking decisions of the night. Although many will perceive this as WWE stacking the odds against Roman, providing him more obstacles to inevitably overcome at SummerSlam, I enjoyed how no one kicked out of his opponent's fishing move, making this one of the better matches of the night whilst developing the storyline.

***1/2 Stars

Sasha Banks vs Charlotte vs Brie mode

It is very easy to get carried away with all this talk of a 'revolution' in women's wrestling. Stephanie McMahon, Michael Cole, Tom Phillips, JBL and Renee Young all spoke extensively on the subject whilst Jerry 'The King' Lawlor eyeballs the woman, commenting on how beautiful everyone was. Come on, WWE. Surely it is not hard to see a problem here. If a 'revolution' in women's wrestling is to take place, WWE must first get rid of the outdated attitudes of The King whose comments range from seedy observations on the lack of clothing worn by the women to comments the most pervy of perverts would blush at.

The action heats up as the new NXT recruits, Charlotte and Sasha Banks, perform a suicide dive to the outside of the ring, taking out the majority of the Diva's division. A muffled This is Awesome chant briefly breaks out as the match stretched past the ten minute mark, a first in a long time for the women. Sasha Banks locks in the Bank Statement on Charlotte only to be broken up by Brie, who is subsequently knocked to the floor. Charlotte takes advantage and locks in the Figure 8 on Brie and it's all over.

Winner: Charlotte

Charlotte makes Brie tap in what must be the longest Diva's match in a long, long time. Clocking in at a whopping 11 minutes and 28 seconds, the match far surpassed anything the main roster Divas have achieved in the past year though not reaching the heights of certain NXT matches just yet. This is a good start to revolutionising the Diva's division but it is only that, a start. Don't buy into Stephanie McMahon's hyperbole just yet, there is still a long way to go.

*** Stars

Kevin Owens vs John Cena

One year ago to this very day, the wrestler formerly known as Kevin Steen faced Steve Corino for his last ever match in ROH. Today, Kevin Owens claims that he is going to win the US title from Cena in the third match of their epic trilogy. Big pop for Cena whose performances over the past couple of months have significantly reduced the "John Cena Sucks" chants to secondary to the cheers.

As the match begins, so too does Owens begin to mock Cena. Kevin Owens is seemingly attempting to resurrect the lost art of trash talking your opponent all by himself as he comments on the execution of his own moves. After performing a couple of shoulder tackles, Owens continues to mock Cena by giving him the big U CNT C ME before hitting the five knuckle shuffle. Owens takes this opportunity to ask Michael Cole if he is calling the match right, proving that not only does he share the appearance of a member of the IWC but also has the same concerns. Owens appears to have Cena well scouted as a spring-board stunner is reversed into a German suplex-not the first we will see tonight. Owens goes for the pin before Cena powers out to hit an AA for the first kick out at 2. Slowly getting to their feet, both competitors connect with multiple punches before Owens counters an attempted AA with a huge superkick followed by an AA of his own before locking the STF in. Cena eventually reaches the ropes before no selling his own submission manoeuvre and hitting an AA immediately after escaping the hold. Another kick out at two by Owens from a second AA.

Climbing to his feet whilst using Cena to balance, Owens lands some stiff punches before irish whipping Cena into the ropes for a pop up powerbomb. Kick out at two AGAIN! What a match! Owens goes up to the top rope looking for that moonsault but Cena gets to his feet quickly. Owens is stranded on the top rope, Cena lifts him over his shoulders for a huge AA from the second rope and HITS IT! That is it, surely gotta be over.... 1.... 2.... HOLY FUCK OWENS KICKED OUT!!! NO ONE EVER KICKS OUT OF THAT!! Cena, in shock, stands over Owens and a small package by Owens... NO FREAKING WAY.... kick out at two! Cena rolls out before locking in the STF. Smarks worldwide will Owens to continue, begging for him to reach the ropes... Owens so nearly reaches the ropes before being dragged back to the centre. No place for Owens to go as he taps out to Cena's STF, Cena's first high profile submission win since he defeated Alberto Del Rio in 2011.

Winner: CENAWINSLOL!
Prediction: Cena

HOLY FUCK! WHAT A MATCH!

Smark's new appreciation of Cena will stand a considerable test after that ending, though. Whilst not possessing the same intensity as the first two matches, the third match certainly delivered a shocking finale. I don't think many people would have anticipated Cena tapping out Owens here but that is what we got. Sure, I was pissed after the match but I still feel certain Owens wins the title at SummerSlam by pinning someone over than Cena in a triple threat. It was nice to see a male WWE wrestler pick up a victory with a submission even though it was Owens. A loss here for Owens does not make him look weak, instead only provides motivation to win that US title.

**** Stars

Seth Rollins vs Brock Lesnar

The night's main event saw a pissed off Beast seeking vengeance on Seth Rollins. Lesnar salivates in anticipation of finally getting his hands on Rollins, whose eyes never leave Lesnar's. The match has been going a total of a few seconds when Lesnar attempts the first German suplex which Rollins manages to escape from by hitting an elbow. Rollins isn't so lucky this time, though, as Lesnar delivers the first German. And a second. And a third. And a fourth. And so on until I lost interest and started thinking about the kayfabe reason Rollins is so wet all the time. Rollins finally falls outside the ring and grabs his WWE World Heavyweight Championship before deciding he has had enough, climbing over the barricade and into the crowd. Lesnar proceeds after him, hurdling the barrier, tossing Rollins back into the ring for more punishment. Lesnar goes for a sixth German but Rollins lands on his feet before hitting a superkick which barely makes an impression on Lesnar. Rollins follows up the superkick with numerous kicks to the hamstring looking to take Lesnar down. Rollins finally succeeds as the Beast rolls outside of the ring only to be hit with two consecutive suicide dives.

Lesnar, unperturbed by Rollins' brief offensive flurry, re-enters the ring to execute a seventh German. followed by an eighth. And ninth... And so on until the 13th. Heyman signals it's all over as Brock lift Rollins onto his shoulders to deliver the final blow. A huge F5 sends Rollins crashing to the mat then DONG! Lights out.

FUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!

The Undertaker is here!!!

Undertaker stares down Lesnar in the ring with a look from beyond the grave. Lesnar is in awe, Heyman too. Rollins is so shocked he spontaneously combusted and is nowhere to be seen. Taker goes for the chokeslam but it is countered by Lesnar, who picks 'Taker up looking for an F5 but that too is reversed. Undertaker hits a low blow (and perhaps with it a heel turn). 'Taker picks up Lesnar for a TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER!!! The crowd lose their collective shit before pleading for one more, a request to which 'Taker obliges before he makes his way up the ramp to close the PPV 15 minutes early.

Winner: Brock Lesnar via DQ. Seth Rollins retains. 
Prediction: Seth Rollins retains

This match had potential to be match of the year. Rollins' athleticism vs Lesnar's power would have sure made for an interesting match up. It was not like that, though. Sadly, this match was no more than a glorified squash and only served to strengthen the position of Lesnar in the company. Rollins mounted next to no offence and took one hell of a beating, managing to look even less worthy as a champ than before. This was never meant to be Rollins' arrival, though. That will come when he eventually faces HHH.

In the end, the decision to have 'Taker interfere was the only option WWE had left. Clearly, they did not want Rollins vs Lesnar at SummerSlam ending in a shady finish and they clearly don't want to put the title on Lesnar at this time. Ergo, they needed someone to come and interfere in the match on the level of Lesnar and Undertaker is the only one who kind of makes sense. As for the Undertaker's motivations, well, they are pretty questionable. Imagine the impact of this if 'Taker stays away after the streak ends and makes his return here without appearing on WWE TV since the loss at 'Mania. Minor quibbles aside, I'm pleased 'Taker is back as there is certainly an unfinished story with Lesnar. Undertaker returning keeps Lesnar strong and Rollins chickenshit champ.

** Stars for the match
***** For Undertaker Returning.

Notes

• Only six matches on the card gave the matches some room to breathe. Less matches on the card translates into better story telling.
• The child in me will always love The Undertaker.
• Two out of the big three matches (Owens vs Cena, Reigns vs Wyatt and Lesnar vs Rollins) ended with interference. I expected it to be all three,
• Overall, this was an entertaining PPV which provided good wrestling whilst advancing story lines. I understand a lot of people's frustration  at the booking of the main event and Cena vs Owens but this show was always going to be a set up for SummerSlam.

Overall Rating 

*** 1/2