AEW Collision Review 14.9.2024

Intro

As I sit here on a Sunday evening, I've checked my reader stats, and i'm so proud to say, that i've hit a great milestone. My blog has reached 1.000 readers, this has been one hell of a journey, and to say that exstatic with this, is an understatement, thank you to everyone who likes to read my thoughts, because without you, this wouldn't be possible. So once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Jack Perry vs Christopher Daniels TNT Championship Match

I hated this match, it felt rushed, and didn't last more than 6 minutes. Perry retained, this is a terrible way to use Christopher Daniels. I've been a fan of his work for years, and this doesn't feel right to me.

Wheeler Yuta Segment

Lexi Nair got a few words with Wheeler Yuta, and lets just say, he sounded like the world was about to cave in on him, as he gave us an update on Bryan Danielson health. This poor guy.

Mark Briscoe and Kyle O'reilly and Hologram vs The Beast Mortas and The Premier Athletes

I had a lot of fun watching this. The Conglomeration reps, and. Hologarm, beat. The Beast Mortas, and. The Premier Athletes, in a fun, and solid tv match. Patrick. The Premier Athletes are out, so put away that more to share bag of Malteasers, I'm feeling guilty, but delightfully stuffed at the same time.

Orange Cassidy Segment

Big Bill. Bryan Keith, and. Chris Jericho, decked Orange Cassidy, whilst he was being interviewed by Renee Paquette. Renee was great here as always.

Marieh May Segment

Marieh May wants her Mina, and Yuka Sakazaki, wants her belt. May vs Sakazaki at a later date, oh go on then AEW if you must.

Wheeler Yuta vs Anthony Henry

Wheeler Yuta has a new name, and it's Shin Yuta, because if you mention Danielsons name, he goes all out Super Saiyon, he had fun battering Anthony Henry, and getting the win in the process.

Private Party and Kommander vs Local Jobbers

Private Party, and. Kommander, beat some local Jobbers in a pointless match, that offered absolutely nothing, but, because Private Party are my new best mates, this is an instant 5 star classic, come and fight me Dave Meltzer.

Nigel Mcguinness Segment

Nigel Mcguiness, then shared his history with Bryan Danielson, in the only way he can, yeah we all know where this is heading, Clam Diggers unite everyone. I liked this.

Sareena Deeb vs Yuka Sakazaki

Sareena Deeb, beat. Yuka Sakazaki, in a fun tv match. Sareena Deeb is one of my favourite female wrestlers of the past few years, and I love watching her work, Marieh May, who was commentary, decked Yuka in the aftermath.

The Outrunners

I loved this, and if you haven't seen this, then I won't ruin for you, but you have to check it out.

Action Andretti Was Pissed Off

Action Andretti was pissed off, his team mates in Top Flight, with Lio Rush tried to calm him down, so he called out The House Of Black, nice knowing you Action. Malakai and his family answered this later on.

The Bang Bang Gang vs Cage Of Agony

The Bang Bang Gang, beat. Cage Of Agony, in a flat, and boring tv match, that once again offered absolutely nothing.

Queen Aminata vs Robyn Renegade

Queen Aminata, beat. Robyn Renegade, in another flat tv match, ok this starting to get a bit tedious.

FTR vs The Grizzled Young Veterans

This. Match. Saved me from chucking my chromecast out of the window, it was excellent, the physicality, the teamwork, and the solid fluidity, made this very enjoyable. FTR got the win, and were about go even further on The Vets, that was until. The Outrunners came out, and they teamed with FTR, both sides shook hands, and by the name of all that is faithful. I swore I saw a thunder bolt of lightning, when there hands met together. If only.

Overview Of AEW Collision

I don't have a lot to say, other than this. I have to say, this weeks AEW Collision reminded me of going out on a Saturday morning, when I was a kid, and me and my older brother, would get taken to Princess Risborough, and we would be treated to a big bag of Pick'n Mix. Eat what you like, and leave what you don't.

By AEW Standards This weeks Collision is mid 7/10. 

Smackdown Review 13.9.2024

Dedication

This review of WWE Smackdown, is dedicated to those who's lost their loved ones, and to those who lost their lives on 11.9.2001, a wise man once said, who cares if one more light goes out, in a sky of a million stars, well I do.

HHH

HHH came out to welcome us to the return of Smackdown, to the USA Network, this was a celebration, as this month Smackdown celebrates its 25th birthday. The fans were on red hot form for this, as he introduced the the Steel Cage match, between Cody Rhodes, and. Solo Sikoa. I'm not a big fan of Rah Rah speeches, because the show as a hole should do that, let the action do the talking Paul.

Solo Sikoa vs Cody Rhodes WWE Undisputed Championship Steel Cage Match

This. Was. Brilliant. From the awesome physicality, that allowed the story of the match to breathe. Cody bleeding, he gave Solo a cody cutter, from the middle of the cage. Cody then took a nasty bump after Solo suplexed him trying to escape the cage, the near falls made sense, and were well timed, Cody hit a cross body from the top of the cage, taking out Solo, Cody then put a cross Rhodes on Solo for the win, the rest of The Bloodline, then climbed the cage like a pack of hyenas, and attacked Cody, and then, out came Roman Reigns, who took out his own family. WWE then teased Roman vs Jakub Fatu, Cody helped Roman, to clear the damage. Nick Aldis then told Kathy Kelly, that Solo has requested an offer to Roman and Cody, for a tag match, at Bad Blood. This. Was an episode long through story, that I enjoyed.

Michin vs Piper Niven

Michin, beat. Piper Niven, in a flat, and boring tv match, that offered nothing.

Former Stars

Rob Van Damme. ( yay weed ) Vicki Guerro ( who the hell let her in ) Ron Simmons ( Damn ) Teddy Long. ( holla holla player, can you say tag match with The Undertaker ) Sheamus. ( Ok I can buy that ) Michael Hayes, ( Ok ) William Regal, ( legend ) Booker T and his wife. ( I can dig that sucker ) Imperium, and Damian Priest, were all in attendence. This is the right way to use Legends, even though I have no idea why Vicki Guerro is there at all, with the recent controversy that surrounds her at the minute.

Atown Down Under vs Kevin Owens and his mystery partner

Kevins partner turned out to be a guy called Ricky Gibson, who's looks a lot like Simon Miller, but as Ricky got to the ring, he was told by a production team member, that his partner was here, after KO told us, that due to travel issues, his partner won't be here, so out came Randy Orton. KO stunned poor Ricky, and he and Randy had a solid match, defeating these idiots. This. Was decent, not great, just decent.

Nia Jax Segment

This. Was. A convoluted mess, Nia came out and dropped a generic, boring promo, that fell flat, she said, ever since she came back to WWE, she's become unstoppable, the new womens champion, and every women fears her and if they don't, they should. Bayley came out, and she and Nia had an awkward promo dual, that me feeling bored. Tiffany Stratton failed to save this segment, and her dialogue was by far the worst. Naomi came out to back up her friend Bayley, and as it turned she wanted a championship match, just like Bayley. Nia came up with an idea, next week. Bayley, and Naomi, will have to face Nia, and. Tiffany in a tag team match, if they win, then I think were getting a triple threat at the PLE, and if they lose, they have to leave Smackdown for good. I hated all of this.

Carmelo Hayes vs Andrade

I loved this match. Their series of matches, up to this point have been excellent, but this, was by far their best. Their Physicality, and, chemistry was the selling point, that was on display, and it allowed this match to get out of the motions, that most WWE tv matches suffer from. Andrade won, and he will now face LA Knight ( yeeeeeaaaaah ) next week. Knight came out afterwards, and cut a promo on Andrade, because Andrade was the winner of the hit it and quit sweepstakes. I love this man.

Jade and Bianca Segment

Bianca Belair, and. Jade Cargill were seen backstage doing their best John Cena impersonations, and were then interrupted by Nia, and. Tiffany, because well, their dicks, that's why. This. Was. It was.

Roman Reigns Segment

Roman walks out, and when he gets in the ring, he insists with no words, that he has the mic, taking over from Nick Aldis, he said that doesn't need anything, and with or without the ulafala, he's the Tribal Chief, this is his ring, this is his show, and this is his WWE. Cody then came out, and said this used to be his. Both men staired each other down, both mics drop, and. Solo Sikoa comes out, With Jakub Fatu, both men sign the papers, so at Bad Blood it will be Solo Sikoa, and. Jakub Fatu vs Cody Rhodes, and. Roman Reigns. I like this development.

Overview Of WWE Smackdown

With any new era of a company, comes the same problems, wrapped up with decent to excellent matches, and a new theme tune, which has been divisive, for some reason, personally I think it's ok, and as for Smackdown, I thought this was a good show overall.

This weeks Smackdown is an 8/10.

  

My Top 5 Most Inspirational Wrestlers

Intro

In life, when people face hardtimes, we all have differant ways to face up to things, and when other avenues fail, some turn to drugs, whilst others find a form of higher power, but as for me, I found wrestling. I think it's easy to say, that without wrestling, I think my life would be very differant.

5 The Undertaker

Back in the eighties, the wrestling industry was full of outlandish characters, but as the nineties started to take shape, changes were made, yes big men were still relevent, but under the guise of there gimmicks. The Undertaker was differant, standing at a tall height of 6ft 10in, this man was a towering overarching figure, and so was I. In my pre teen, to teen years. I was embarrassed about my height, It slowed down my learning, as doctors couldn't figure out, why I was growing so quick. And I was bullied as a result. It was from watching this man, that I learnt to embrace what I have, and don't look back.

4 Bret The Hitman Hart

Agh yes. His excellency. This man, is the reason I got into wrestling as a kid. The phrase. The best there is. The best there was, and. The best there ever will be, wasn't just a clever catchphrase you could put on a poster, or a t shirt, it was a way of life. This matches never failed to lift a smile to my face. Bret is an inspiration to me because, in my life I have never been no1 in many people's mind, but I believe, if you think it, you can achieve it. And Bret achieved it, on so many levels, whilst sticking to his morals, in a world were the anti hero was starting to become king.

3 Shawn Michaels

I was a kid who grew up in the time, when Shawn Michaels, and. Bret Hart, had real life animosity, and it was awesome, as a kid growing. I did karate as a hobby, infact I did it for thirteen years, with six years of fight training, watching HBK actually aided this, because I grew up with learning issues, and learning later down the line about Shawns issues, that had dragged down his personal life, and how he has come through everything, to become the person who he is now, this taught me that, you can come through anything, if you want to. You just need to have will, and a load of good heart.  

2 The Rock

As a pre teen, I struggled to standout. Even though I was tall. I struggled when it came to standing up for myself, so I decided to try and make my friends laugh, and as a wrestling fan. The Rock always had me laughing. I used to insult teachers in what I thought was an ingenius way. How dare you sir, just walk into mr O'malley's room, and not have the class to introduce yourself, tell me what is your name, you know my names it's mr marti, it doesn't matter what your name is, as it turns out, this would land me in loads of trouble, who would've thought, but this was the genius behind Dwayne's character, he was captivating to the point, that you bought into every word he said, as a pre teen who was coming into his own, he had a huge impact on me, and still does to this day.

1 Stone Cold Steve Austin

As a teen who got bullied because of who he was friends with. I would have dreams about Stone Cold, driving a monster truck into the school, finding mine, and my friends bullies, and stunning these little bastards out existance, but, these were just what they were. Dreams, but I did learn watching this man was, if you can't physically stand up for yourself, then you can do it verbally, and to always believe in myself, and not to let anyone hold you down.

Another My Top 5 NXT Matches

Intro

After I finished the last NXT list. I dug out may Best of NXT Takeover 2018, and I felt so inspired, to the point, that another one was instantly on the cards, so here we go. Another Top 5 NXT Matches.

5 Adam Cole vs Alistair Black TakeOver Philidelphia

I love this match. It acted as a perfect reminder of the importance of time, both men now work in AEW, now this isn't a dig at Tony Khan, but I do feel there matches in AEW, have ranged from good to excellent, but, on this night, they managed to manipulate something from out of nothing, and it was magic. Black, may have gone over, as the viceral violence unfolded, but the impact of this classic in my eyes, remains one of my favourite NXT Matches.

4 Sami Zayn vs Shinsuke Nakamura

Over the past year, these two have had some fairly tepid matches on Monday Night Raw, but they've had better exchanges, and this is arguably their best, a fantastic technical feast for the eyes, and a match of the year contender, from 2016. This. Was. The highlight of WrestleMania 32 weekend, as NXT delivered something that the main roster failed to do. Deliver a good wrestling show.

3 Johnny Gargano vs Andrade Cien Almas TakeOver Philidelphia

NXT TakeOver Philidelphia was a steller card, that delivered on many levels, from match of the contenders, to steller Pro Wrestling becoming the main theme of the show. I love this match, the physicality stole the show, and as the match unravelled, the story came to light, and the match bacame a classic, as every second was savoured, by me at home, and fans in attendence.

2 Johnny Gargano vs Tomasso Ciampa Chicago Street Fight TakeOver Chicago

This. Is. One of my favourite matches, to ever be given the stipulation of a Street Fight, to me this is up there with. Willow Knightingale vs Kris Statlander, and. HHH vs Cactus Jack. The level of hatred had been building for over a year, and it started from the last time NXT was in Chicago, from the previous year, when Ciampa turned on his partner, NXT tv had teased a turn from both men, and this elevated the drama, when the match finally took place. This. Was. A modern day blood feud, that has shown other companies, just how to inplant their own style, onto this stipulation.

Bayley vs Sasha Banks NXT TakeOver Brooklyn

What can I say about this match, other than. It is used as the blueprint for modern Womens Wrestling, to the point that this match is studied at wrestling schools. I don't think you can much higher praise than that. 

 

AEW Dynamite Review 12.9.2024

Dedication

This Extreme Wrestling review of AEW Dynamite, is dedicated to those that lost their lives, 23 years ago on september 11th. A wiseman once said. It's times like these, that we should all learn to love again. 

Jon Moxley promo and Christian Cage Segments

Jon Moxley, in pre recorded footage, explained his actions for why his group did what they did, last Saturday, to. Bryan Danielson, and I've got to admit it, he actually scares me. This morphed into our first segment of the night, when, that poor man Tony Schiavone, interviewed everyone's favourite stand up guy Christian Cage, he put over what Killswitch has become, under his vision, and the fact that he's also street, because he has an aura. He mentioned that Danielsons days as champion are numbered, because he's coming for his belt, and will be the next AEW World Heavweight Champion. Also, what was Kip Sabian doing at ringside.

Damn It Don Callis Segment

Damn It Don Callis, wanted a favour from Will Osperay, but Osperay was like. Ok, but I have this other thing that I need to do first. Then in stepped Kyle Fletcher, and said please be my tag partner, and. Will couldn't say no. So it was official they were in the Tag Team Championship Gauntlet match, later on.

Jack Perry vs Lio Rush TNT Championship

I wasn't a fan of this. It felt slow, badly paced at points, and failed to get past the opening stages. Perry retained. I wasn't impressed.

Hangman Adam Page Segment

The big question that I had, going into this weeks Dynamite was, what's next for Hangman Adam Page, and the answer is of course, he's going to mug off a stage hand, walk away from his friends in the Dark Order, and pick a fight with Jeff Jarrett, ( mind you he's kind of had that coming ) who took the fight for his wife, after All In. Renee Paquette was excellent here.

Private Party

Private Party, and. kommander, were due to have a match, but, they were decked by Jon Moxley, and his new crew. Pac then cut a promo, saying that the diplomacy has gone from this company. I liked all of this, even though my best mates, were told to hit the bricks.

Ricochet vs Sammy Guevara

I loved all of this. The match, was a perfect blend of perfection, awesome physicality, and great superb speed. Ricochet showed what a star he is, and Sammy was a great foil to get him over. Ricochet performed an awesome looking double running sentomb onto Sammy, he then hit a axe kick, to the back of Sammy's head, and then gave him a vertigo for the win.

Okada Segment

Okada vs Takeshista for the Continental CHampionship. Yes please AEW. Book it Tony.

 Darby Allin And Jon Moxley Segment

Darby Allin called out Jon Moxley. This. Was. The segment of the night. Both men had a fantastic promo dual, that rallied on truth. Fire. Passion, and. Grace. Bullying, and. Reality. I loved this segment, the two will face each other at GrandSlam, in two weeks, and Darby's title shot will be on the line.

Marieh May vs Queen Aminata AEW Championship

Marieh May, retained her AEW Womens Championship, against. Queen Aminata, and said that she's not been able to celebrate her title win, because her favourite lady friend, wasn't around. So she asked for Mina Shirakowa to come back home. Agh isn't that nice.

The Young Bucks Segment

The Young Bucks, aired their grievences with the fans, and their Tag Team Division, and wished them luck for the Casino Gauntlet match later on.

The Learning Tree vs The Iron Savages

The Learning Tree, beat. The Iron Savages in a flat, and boring tv match, but it was what came next, that had me laughing. Chris Jericho gave me vibes from the movie Se7en, when he announced what was in Orange Cassidy's bag. A picture of him with his Best Friends. Chris was teaching Orange a Lesson, because there's no loyalty in wrestling. In earlier in the evening. Chris showed up in nice brand spanking new car. Yeah this isn't going to end well, and I was right, because Orange and his friends. Mark Briscoe, and. Kyle O'reilly, came in on a dumper truck, like the opening to Bob The Builder, and dumped a load coins on his new machine, with a dumper truck. Cassidy gave a bit of money towards paying Chris back. Penny for your thoughts anyone.

Nigel Mcguiness Is Back

Nigel Mcguiness was a in a great mood, and that's because. Tony Khan has booked him to face that Clam Digger Danielson at GrandSlam. Oy yoy savaloy. I hate Oasis.

Casino Gauntlet Tag Team Match

Even though i'm not a big fan of these matches being stabilised for television, but this was a lot of fun. Will Osperay, and. Kyle Fletcher, beat. Ftr. Will. The Rightgeous. Taven and Bennett. The Aclaimed. MXM. Top Flight. The Outrunners, and. The Grizzled Young Veterans, to earn a shot against The Young Bucks Tag Team Championships at GrandSlam. I love me some of The Outrunners.

Overview Of AEW Dynamite

I liked this weeks Dynamite. Yes, there were flat moments, but the moments that were flat, didn't out weigh my enjoyment for most of the show.

This Weeks Dynamite is a solid 8/10.

Music's famililarity with Wrestling

Intro

Over the decades, music has played big in Pro wrestlings zeitgeist, and I think you can easily soundtrack moments in time with the right song, from good times to bad times, music is the soundtrack any moment, as life, and careers move forward.

5 When It Rains It Pours Luke Combs John Cena

In the early 2010's, if you go back in time, WWE was in a bad state, they were failing to create new stars, and the reliance of the old guard. This. Is. A perfect way to describe John Cena, this cereal chomping multicoloured, divided the fans, there was loads, that loved him, and there was loads that hated him, and my god did they hate him. Fans were'nt buying what the company was selling, and this would have a negative effect on WWE's relationship with their fanbase, as it showed their callous form, and not acting when they had the chance. When It Rains It Pours.

4 Now That Were Dead ( Metallica ) The Undertaker

I've been thinking of which Metallica song, perfectly describes The Undertaker, and my thoughts went straight to Now That Were Dead, this track examines a 30 year career. It was the soundtrack to his Boneyard match against AJ Styles, and as he roade off into darkness of the net, this put an end to a career that defined many fans childhood.

3 Linkin Park One More Light ( All who we've lost )

Everytime I hear this song, as a wrestling fan. I think of those performers that we've lost, and this song perfectly catchers these moments, as the late Chester Benningtons pain is put out there for the world to hear, over the past few years, we've lost. Bray wyatt. Scott Hall, and. Jay Briscoe, and it's moments like this, that make you think. Life is two short.

2 Rage Against The Machine Killing In The Machine ( Daniel Bryan )

WWE's build to their show of shows, can divide fans, or they can have fans join in unison, this is a perfect to describe the yes movement, and after months of being ignored, Daniel Bryan has had enough, and on the Monday Night Raw before Mania, fans occupied Raw, and drowned out The Authority, by chanting. Yes. Yes. Yes, essentially saying. F*** you I won't do what you tell me.

1 Metal Music As A Whole ( NXT )

As a lifelong Metalhead. ( same as me ) HHH has morphed both his vision of Pro wrestling, and. Metal Music to soundtack NXT. Hard Rock Music has always been part of the Wrestling zeitgeist, but it was in the 2010's when Bands like. Turnstile. Employed To Serve. Code Orange. Bring Me The Horizon, and. Avenged Sevenfold, started to be used to soundtrack WWE Main Roster PLE's, and NXT Takeovers. The Importance of Hard Rock Music, has always been well balanced, the best example of this is Limp Bizkits My way, being used in the hype video. This. Is. A time capsule, that has never gotten old.

  

My Top 5 NXT Favourite Matches Part 1

Intro

Even this developmental brand, didn't have the best of starts, in the early days, under the guidance of HHH, what we saw wasn't just an uprising, what we saw were fans starting to gravitate towards the underground, causing a mass swelling, that the mainstream wrestling industry, was forced to sit up and take notice. WE ARE NXT, wasn't just a clever catchphrse, that you could easily slap on a t shirt, it was a blueprint, that would forshadow how the industry could look in the years to come.

5 Isiah Swerve Scott vs Johny Gargano NXT TV July 2020

Pandemic wrestling isn't a time that any fan would want to go back to, but if you dig beneath the surface, you can find pots of Gold, and this was one of them, two men showcasing their excellent chemistry, this is one of those matches, were who won, doesn't matter, because this was gold. Gargano is back together with his friend Tomasso Ciampa on main roster, whilst Swerve is in AEW is crying over a burnt down house.

4 Walter vs Ilja Dragunov

You need to watch this, because it's a well timed, painful, eye watering affair, that is gripping, as much as it's gratifying. 

3 Kyle O'reilly vs Finn Balor NXT Halloween Havoc 2020

I love this match, as the pandemic rolled on, WWE's creative had gone from dwindling to, outright dumpster fire, however in my opinion, there Black and Gold brand, was still delivering excellent shows on a regular basis, and their takeovers were good examples of this. Kyle O'reilly, and. Finn Balor had a barn burner at that years Halloween Havoc, the physicality was off the chart, as faces got busted the hard way. This. Is one of personal favourite NXT matches, because the passion from both men, seaped out from every beed of sweet that dripped from their bodies. The craft of Pro wrestling on this night, put a smile on my face, at a time in my life, when smiling was a hard thing to do.

2 Bo Dallas vs Adrian Neville NXT Arrival

before the days of main roster upset, and frustration, their was this ladder match, and it was great. Bo's selling, and. Neville's blunt physicality, made for a modern day reminder, that the art of Storytelling wasn't a thing of the past in WWE, this was the blueprint that got layed out for everyone else to follow.

1 Finn Balor vs Samoa Joe NXT Takeover London

This was NXT's first trip across the pond, and they did it in style. Finn Balor vs Samoa Joe for the NXT Championship, could it get any better than that. This. Was simply sensational.