WWE Smackdown and Aew Revolution Review 3.3. and 4.2024
Intro
With the weekend starting to wind down, my thoughts are slowly turning, to those of reflection. I'm writing this intro on a Sunday afternoon in the UK. just hours away from Stings retirement Match. Last night I watched Smackdown. Now I know what you're thinking, what does a WWE product, have in comparison with an icon, well, in reflection both the man Sting, and Smackdown of late, have made me feel like the kid watching from behind the TV screen. And if you ask me, their is no better feeling than that.
Smackdown
The Bloodline segment
From heel dynamics being laid bare, and being performed with ease, to the promise of it's emperors world coming crashing down around him, left me with sence of. It isn't near. It's here. The end of The Bloodline as we know It. Roman came out to a mixed reception, he asked for acknowledgement, from the hot Arizona crowd, on three ocasions, and on each one, he got increasingly pissed off, chants of you suck, and. Cody, started to echo out from every section of the area of the arena. Roman then said that he was done, he had lived up to his end of the deal, so he was just going to leave. But Paul Heyman reminded, that they can't leave, because. Dwayne was due to come out, after the commercial break, and when they came back from the break, business picked up. The Rock came out, he embraced his heel persona, all of this was Gold, pure electric. Gold, from calling Arizona, and it's residents crack addicts, bringing some class to proceedings, with his pressence, because they can shoot him into their arms, instead of crack. The Rock played fans like a fiddle, as they hung on his every word. He got over how pro wrestling is cool again, with multiple WWE shows that he is appearing on, having completely sold out. And it's all thanks to him, and. The Bloodline. Then came the snag, Cody is not cool in the eyes of. The Great One, he spoke about how Cody, had the audacity to put his name in his mouth. The Rock refused his challenge for a Match at mania. But instead he counteracted this with, his own proposition. A Tag Match, he and. Seth Rollins vs. The Bloodline, for night 1 at Wrestlemania. If they win, then night 2 will be a clean Match, but if they lose, then the Match will contested under Bloodline Rules. The Rock said what it could mean, whilst delivering some fine trashtalk, the only way he can, with fire grace, and doses of venom. He put over his relevance, from the front office, to the ring. The Rock is the boss, and If Cody and Seth don't accept this, then Cody's story may not come to an end, because. The Rock, will do everything in his power to make sure that he doesn't win Romans. Universal Championship. He went to deliver his Catchphrase, but halfway through. Roman Stopped him, and asked his cousin to acknowledge him. The Rock acknowledged his cousin, as the head of the table, and his Tribal Chief, Dwayne then tried his catchphrase for a second time. And Roman finished it, by saying what his family was cooking. I have been a wrestling fan for nearly over 30 years of life, and I have to say. I'm loving seeing The Rock at the moment. Yes. I can understand fans anger over the past few weeks. But all this did, was confirm my thoughts. It was all a work. Yes. This. Was a great promo, and arguably one of the best in recent years, in the build up to Wrestlemania, but all of the faulsifying of the audience, could be detrimental on first viewing, however, whether WWE pivoted, or not, is not something that I care about, because as a fan. I just want to see a great Match. This means that the next couple of weeks, are going to be ground breaking, this story needs a conclusion. From the son of a plumber, to the legacy of a Samoan dynasty, their is a lot on the line, from all aspects, up and down the company, and it's going to be an awesome sight to see.
LA Knight. Grayson Waller. Austin Theory and Randy Orton segment
Austin Theory, and. Grayson Waller, were backstage, having a laugh at others expense, watching back the eliminations from Elimination Chamber, LA Knight came in, looking for Aj Styles, but they hadn't seen him. Randy Orton came in, and Waller put his foot were his mouth is, and put Theory In the main event, against Orton. Randy was impressed with these two Idiots.
Tiffany Stratton vs Naomi
Tiffany Stratton, beat. Naomi in a flat TV Match that offered nothing.
Bayley and Dakota Kai vs The Kabuki Warriors
Even though all of this was predictable, and story based it has delivered on its promise, turn Bayley into an underdog. The Match was thrown out, when dakota Kai turned on Bayley. Bayles attacked Dakota, but the numbers game caught up to her, Damage Ctrl attacked its former leader. Whisper It. Iyo, and. Bayley at Mania will steal the show. Iyo then duped into Jade Cargil backstage. But. Nick Aldis has a lot on his plat dealing with LA Knight.
Bron Breakker vs Xyon Quinn
Here lies Xyon Quinn, he came, he saw. He was murdered by a debuting bron Breakker.
Legardo Delfantasma segment and Carlito vs Santos escobar Street Fight
I liked all of this, from. santos wanting to take out Rey Mysterio, and rid the world of his Lwo, to this Street fight being a lot of fun, Chair shots, Kendo sticks, and of course, all being used to great extent, all because of a stolen apple. The Match had its fair share of shenanigans, from. The sexiest Bastards in WWE. Angel, and. Humberto getting involved. The Lwo, making the save, this acted as a rouse, for the return of. Rey Mysterio. Rey played possum. Making Santos think that he was still hurt, but just like the priest from the film Braindead, he kicked arse, taking out. Angel, and. Humberto with his crutch. Carlito got the win, thanks to Rey. He put Santos through a table, with a spinebuster, after Rey hit him with a 619. I enjoyed this a lot.
New Catch Republic segment
New Catch Republic. Pete Dunne, and. Tyler Bate were backstage, telling. Nick Aldis, that they want another shot at the Universal Tag Team Championships.
Randy Orton vs Austin Theory
Even though I can't stand Austin Theory. I thought this was good, not great, but good, Kevin Owens was having a good time on commentary, he smashed Grayson Waller onto the announcers desk, after Waller tried to get involved, Randy reversed a blockbuster attempt into a suplex, which was a genuinely cool spot. He went on to get the win with an RKO from out of nowhere.
Aew Revolution 2024
TNT Championship Daniel Garcia vs Christian Cage
This. Was a great opener. From. Garcia getting to hold the belt. Christian having a family team meeting, the decent back and forth. Nick Wayne getting launched into the time keepers area. Garcia kicking out of a killswitch, and chokeslam nearfall. Daddy Magic, and. Nick Wayne's mum, ( who's got it going on) having a face to face, after a fight with Killswitch. Christian maintained his act of being everyone's favourite top guy, by cheating. Nick Wayne helped his real dad get the win with an interference, Cage hit Garcia with a killswitch to retain his belt.
Continental Crown Match Eddie Kingston vs Bryan Danielson
When the full card was rumoured, to my eyes, there was at least four Match of the year contenders, and this was one of them, and I wasn't disapointed. Both men in their backstage moments were a study in contrast. From Danielson battering Kingstons knees, to the physical nulification both men put each other through, but what we did get was, a technical clinic, that had me enthralled. The Match was centred around respect, which had the fans split down the middle, which added to the drama, they eventually came round with the this is awesome chant, Danielson tried to hit Kingston with a bopsycho knee, but he reversed it into a powerbomb for the win. Kingston shook hands with Danielson in a show of class in the aftermath. Kingston revelled in the fans applause and adjulation. Which was a sight to behold.
Allstar Scramble Match
Wardlow, beat. Hook. Powerhouse Hobbs. Lance Archer. Magnus. Brian Cage. Dante Martin, and. Chris Jericho, to become the no1 Contender to the Aew heavyweight Championship, the Match was two formulaic for my tastes. It was also messy, and took way to long to get started.
Aew International Championship Orange Cassidy vs Roderick strong
I liked all of this, from the superb physicality, the flawless exchanges that both men shared, to the Match flowing like a fine beer. Strong dethroned the Orange one, to become the new. Aew International Champion. Oh and Kyle O'reily showed up, and denounced his relationship, with The Undisputed Kingdom, yeah. I can't blame him. I mean that t shirt is f****** hideous.
Ftr vs Jon Moxley and Claudio Castagnoli
Next came one of my Matches of the night. Ftr, had a war with Moxley and Claudio Castagnoli, from Dax and Claudio having a Match, within a Match, Claudio, and. Jon playing dress up as their favourite Tag Team. The Road Warriors, to everything that came in between. Dax getting busted open. Dax taking a doomsday device, and the flawless exchanges that sold the violence perfectly, after a big rig nearfall. Dax spat blood in Moxleys face. to the near falls being played out to perfection. Mox, and. Claudio got the win, with a both of them performing rear naked chokes for the win. This. Is one of my Matches of the year.
Aew Womens Championship Match Toni Storm vs Deonna Purrazzo
This Match had a lot of promise going into it, but it failed to lift off, in my opinion. Marieh May looked like she was going to a halloween party, as the old. Toni Storm. The spot in which. Purrazzo, took out Storm, and. Luther, was cool. But overall, parts of the Match fell flat, and that was resounded with the fans, looking bored throughout this. Storm retained, thanks to. Luther interfering.
Will Osperay vs Konsuke Takeshista
Then came my Match of the night, and the year so far. Will Osperay, and. Konosuke Takeshista, had an all time 5 star Match. Their really isn't much else for me to add, It was a fast paced, with great fluid exchanges, with superb back and forth, which helped create this masterpiece, that was drama personified. Will got the win, with his hidden blade finisher, the result didn't matter, because. This. Was an epic reminder, of how great Pro Wrestling is. osperay will, now face his. United Empire brother Kyle Fletcher, on. Dynamite this week.
Samoa Joe vs Hangman adam Page vs Swerve Strickland
Samoa Joe. Swerve Strickland, and. Hangman Adam Page, then had a barn burner of a three way Match, for the Aew World Heavyweight Championship. From. Swerve and Hangman, stairing daggers at each other. the great storytelling within the Match, and all of the possibilities that come from off the back of that. This Match had a tough task, following what it had to follow, but all three men pulled out a great Match. The physicality was off the chart, Joe took two buckshot lariots, the near falls fell in with the storytelling, and were great to watch. Joe also took a double sided powerbomb, from. Hangman, and. Swerve. Hangman took out Swerve. and then screamed, you will never win this belt. On multiple ocasions. Hangman battered referees, this acted as an aid for his heel character. Swerve refused to cheat, and turned away Nana's Crown. This would play into the finish, as Hangman tapped out of a Kahuna clutch. Joe retaind, and. Swerve could only look on in horror. This Match will have many avenues to go down, in the coming weeks, and It's going to be Interesting to how it unfolds.
Stings final Match
Over the course of this weekend, I kept thinking to myself, how was I going to write this part of my review, well, as it turns out with difficulty, This. Was an emotional ride from the outset. But the time had come to say goodbye. Because. Sting, and. Darby Allin, vs. The Young Bucks, for the Aew World Tag Team Championships. The entrances were someting, to marvel, and cry at, in equal measure. The Young Bucks found Cody's old elevator entrance, in the lost and found, while Sting watched his career in a cinema. Sting then made his entrance to my favourite band Metallica's Seek And Destroy, Both of his sons joined in the celebrations, embracing their dads past gimmicks, the escopades of violence were a family affair, from Insane Ladder, tables, chairs, and glass spots. Both men fought through the fans, and both Sting, and. Darby were put through tables, by the stage. Matt Jackson, then saved his brother from death, after Darby attempted a swantomb bomb, from the top of the 30 foot ladder, which means he took the full impact, landing through glass, placed on chairs. Sting then survived a table spot. and stood up afterwards. So Matt Jackson chucked him through glass. After that Sting ran through his greatest hits with ease. Nick was launched through a table by. Darby Allin. Sting hit a scorpion deathlock on Matt Jackson, for the win. Sting gave a speech to the fans In attendance, which left me nearly in tears, this man has meant so much to the industry, and to see him go out like this, on his own terms. was something very special, and evenings like this are rare, enjoyable, life affirming affairs. God speed. Sting. God speed. Steve Boardman.
Overview Of The Weekend
Both shows were differant studies in contrast, one featured an icon, imposing his will on one of the years biggest cards, whilst the other said an emotional farewell to a true legend. Sting has been a part of my wrestling fandom, since the first time I sat down to watch WCW, on. Saturday afternoons on ITV here in the uk, almost over 30 years ago. And as time has gone by. I have changed as a person, and so has. Sting, from surfer Sting. The Crow Sting, and even joker sting, the character, much like the man who portrayed him for over 39 years, has changed alongside us fans. If this weekend has taught me anything it's this. If you get a ball in life, you have to run with it. One man this weekend has done that, and proved that it was showtime everytime, that he was given a chance.
WWE Smackdown Is a solid 8/10
Whilst Aew Revolution Is 10/10