My Top 5 Smackdown Moments.

     Intro.

In 1990 the WWF ventured further up in the TV landscape, by adding a second show to its weekly arsenal. Smackdown aired on a Thursday night on UPN, and a couple of days later over here on sky sports. I had to watch at my friends house, because my family couldn't afford sky TV, I have great memories of watching this show, so here are some of my favourite moments.

5 The Emergence Of The Tribal.

This. Was glorious. And a fresh reminder, that long lasting storytelling, can take the viewer on a journey, that can last a longtime. I acknowledge you Roman.

4. Edge vs Eddie Guererro.

This. Rivalry  was something special, some connections are made, some forced, and some are made naturally. This. Was the latter, and it was awesome.

3 Big Show And Brock Lesnar Destroying A Ring.

Two men caused a wrestling ring to implode, and it worked, because it was unpredictable. I have no words.

2 Mick Foley Loses It As The Commisioner.

Mick Foley, put. The Undertaker. The Rock. HHH. Stone Cold Steve Austin. Kurt Angle, and. Rikishi, in a Hell In A Cell Match, because he'd had enough of the grief, yeah that's right you tell'em Mick.

1 Stone Cold Steve Austin Blows Up The DX Express Bus.

It was the year 2000. Britney Spears was wrecking the charts. Slipknot were annoying parents, and scaring kids, and DX were hunting down Stone Cold Steve Austin. And when they found him, he blow up their favourite toy, their bus. This was all for the build for Backlash 2000 The Rock vs HHH WWF Championship Match. I loved this. It's one of my favourite WWF segments ever.

 WWE Monday Night Raw Review 10.12.2024

     Intro.

Over the past few weeks, I have been feeling the glow of Nostalgia. Saturday Nights Main Event, and all its build, has been a trip back in time for me. As a fan of this industry, for over thirty years. I Remember watching dodgy videotapes of these shows, when I was a kid, and, yeah, this is giving me all the feels. Saturday Night ( well morning if you live in the UK ) I will be chomping down on sweets, and watching some wrestling, like I did, when I was a kid. Oh the memories.

Nothing But Skyline.

This opening segment, made me feel like Jasper from The Simpsons, because, so many superstars showed up, and all we got was the skyline.

Gunther Segment.

Gunther started off the show. He came to the ring, and cut a promo on Finn Balor, he said that Balor has caused him grief, and it was a mistake for him, to face him. Finn then came out, and put shade on everything that happened at Survivor Series, but he flipped reversed the script, and said that he will become the new Champion. Gunther shot back at him, and said that he doesn't deserve to be champion, and said that any respect that he once had for Finn, has faded away, because he played second fiddle to Damien Priest, whilst hiding in his Sons Of Anarchy knock off clubhouse, looking down on everyone. Gunther said that he's only had respect for Finn for one night, and that was when he became champion, which didn't last long, because he's not on Gunthers level. The Judgement Day then attacked Gunther, and. Damien Priest made the save. Gunther was taken out, and, allowing. The Judgement Day to feast on Priest. Adam Pearce, told Finn later on, that Next week, he and. JD will defend their Tag Team Championships, against. The War Raiders, and his Match against Gunther is now a threeway Match, because. Damien Priest, has been added to the mix. I liked this, for what it was. I just want Gunther, and. Priest to be moved as far away from The Judgement Day as possible. This feud has reached its peak.

The Wyatt Sick vs The Final Testement.

I thought this was a lot of fun. The Match was what it was, a fun escape from reality. The Final Testement got the win, when Karrion Kross pinned Uncle Howdy, thanks to Paul Ellering, and a load of white powder.

Cm Punk Segment.

This. Was the best thing on the hole show. He sat down with Jackie Redmond, he kept quiet on the favour he's got with Paul Heyman, and didn't shy away from his history with Seth Rollins, from training him, to shielding him from getting fired. I loved this.

Dakota Kai vs Liv Morgan.

Liv Morgan, beat. Dakota Kai, in a flat TV Match. The rest of Damage Ctrl saved Kai from a beat down from the PFC. 

Drew Mcintyre Segment

I loved this segment. From personal issues, the lying ramifications, of dealing with those that help The Bloodline, to putting over the harsh realities of the Hell In A Cell stipulation. I loved this.

Cody Rhodes Segment.

Cody Rhodes was seen, coming out of Adam Pearce's office, when he bumped into The New Day, he put both Kofi, and Xavier on blast, saying that they should be ashamed of themselves. Ok Cody. Hypocrite much.

Seth Rollins Segment.

This. Was the second best segment of the night. Seth came out looking like a leather clad peacock, he answers Punk perfectly, from earlier. He calls Punk a liar, whilst talking the truth about Punk, from the time he left the company, to the road that he took to get back to WWE, that included a pitstop making someone fear for their life, and how he has burnt those bridges down. And only came back for cash. He wants to be better than Cm Punk. Sami Zayn then came out, and both men had an apologetic promo dual, with reflections, that were told with the truth. Sami then said that he had spoken to Adam Pearce, and he has told Sami that he will face Drew Mcintyre, at Saturday Night Main Event. I liked this.

Zelina Vega vs Ivy Nile vs Lyra Valkyria Womens Intercontinental Championship Tournament.

Lyra Valkyria, beat both. Zelina Vega, and Ivy Nile, in a flat, and boring Tournament Match. She advances to the Semi-Finals of the tournament.

The New Day Segment.

From Kofi, and Xavier, treating a cameraman like dirt, to getting boo'd out of the building, after they tried to explain their actions for last week. I loved this segment.

Rhea Ripley vs Raquel Rodriguez Anything Goes Match.

I liked this. From both ladies having fun with steelchairs, and kendo sticks, both ladies fighting across the arena, from the outset. Liv Morgan made a cameo, but she was made to eat steal. Iyo Sky, came out, and dealt with Liv. Rhea got the win, when she put Raquel through a table, with a riptide.

Overview Of Monday Night Raw.

With the move to Netflix, coming around the corner. It's important that HHH's creative stays as sharp as it is. I can understand that not everyone likes the way that HHH has cooked up these plot developments, but from an overall business sense. He's pulled the company back to something, that resembles the promiseland, and this is why it's important for the company, to continue down this road that they travelling down.

This Weeks Monday Night Raw is a high 7/10.

My Top 5 The Rock Matches.

Intro.

What can I say about this megastar, who shaped my childhood. I'm not going to lie, this one was a bit difficult, becauise from the age of 10. I smelt what this man was cooking. Golden memories.

5 The Rock vs Mankind I Quit Match WWF Championship.

11 year old me loved this Match. I've always been a massive Mick Foley fan, and I loved the great one, in his heel persona. This Match is a bloodstained reminder, that comedy, and violence were key ingridients, to the Attitude Era's success, and it was glourious.

4 The Rock vs HHH Backlash 2000.

Agh yes. The early 2000's. The peak of my childhood wrestling fandom. HHH, and. The Rock had some great Matches during this time, but this Match was my favourite. Plus it had the return of Stone Cold Steve Austin, so yeah, this left 12 year old Patrick O'malley very happy.

3 The Rock vs Kurt Angle No Way Out 2001.

I'm a big lover of Kurt Angle's, and this in my opinion was his best Match, next to him vs HBK, at. Mania 21, both of these guys, had one hell of a Match on this night. The Rock dethroned Kurt, and went on to face Stone Cold Steve Austin at Mania 17.

2 The Rock vs HHH Ladder Match WWF Intercontinental Championship Summerslam 1998.

I love this Match. It's by far the best WWF Ladder Match, from this time period. Go and check this out, you won't be disapointed.

1 The Rock vs Stone Cold Steve Austin Wrestlemania 17.

From the all round great physicality, the multiple chair shots, and a heel turn, that no one saw coming. Wrestlemania 17. So many memories.

My Top 5 Things I'm Looking Forward To When WWE Moves To Netflix.

Intro.

With the TV Landscape forever changing. It's important that Company's stay ahead of the curb, and. WWE are doing just this, as their move to Netflix, moves ever closer here in the UK, and beyond. Netflix have already started to show what will be coming over to their platform, as the WWE Network starts to wind down. I feel that this is the way that the world is heading, and it's nice to know that some of my favourite old school PPV's, and events, won't become lost media, for that I'm thankful, but it does raise the question, how much more will they be bringing over?

5 All The Main Shows And PLE's Becoming Free To View.

If you're a UK Customer to Netflix, and you're also a WWE fan, then you're going to be eating well, because all three main shows, and PLE's will be coming to the platform. I think this is a brave move, but a sensible one, but it's sad to see the fed come away from liniear TV in my country, because this all we knew.

4 The Video Libary So Is Looking Good.

Insurrextion 2000. Fully Loaded 1999, and a varied amount of other old school PPV's will becoming to the platform.

 3 Not Having To Pay For Premium Live Events.

Even though I had access to the WWE Network. I used to pay to watch live events, because the live broadcast would be better quality. This is now going to be a thing of the past, well at least for some markets.

2. The Outreach.

With the availibility of Netflix, on a global level, becoming something that all fans have never experienced, i'm excited to see how this all unfolds.

1 Just Think What This Could For The Sporting Industry.

When you think about it. This Is a Landmark deal, just think what It could do for the sports industry as a hole.

Friday Night Smackdown Review.

Intro.

This past Friday. I decided to check out Netflix, and guess what, they've got me sorted, because, the fed, now has it's own section, so now my mum can access WWE content. I'm going to annoy her badly, and my dog jane will be made to acknowledge me, as her Tribal Chief. Things are going to be great, when January 6th rolls around.

Informed of Injuries.

Michael Cole, and. Corey Graves, told fans how serious the injuries to. Tonga Loa. Jimmy Uso, and. Big Bronson Reed are, and all I have to say is this. Ouch, all of these look painful.

Superstars Seen Showing Up.

The Street Profits. The Motorcity Machine Gunns, and a pissed off Temu Bloodline, were all seen showing up, Jakub Fatu, then wrecked everyone in sight. Later on The Street Profits, were found, after taking a beating. Johnny Gargano then managed to put DIY in the fold, with the Motorcity Machine Gunns, agreeing to this.

Cody Rhodes Segment.

I liked this. Cody came out, and he basked in the fans admiration, he said that it's an honour to be part of Saturday Nights Main Event, that was until Chad Gable, and his American Made crew came out. Both men had a great promo dual. From the overshadowing themes of hypocrisy, and backstabbing, and referencing Shorty G, and Goldust. Cody told Chad to go and find Nick Aldis, and get him to sign off on this. Cody said that he's got Kevin Owens on his mind, and that's not great for Chad.

Bianca Belair Segment.

After wishing her traitor friend Naomi luck in her following Match. Chelsea Green, and. Piper Niven, stepped into frame, and runned their mouths, and attacked Bianca, this would later on backfire on the pair.

Womens United States Championship.

Tiffany Stratton, beat. Naomi, and. Elektra Lopez, in a solid 3 way Match, to advance into the Semi-Finals of the tournament. I liked this.

Bianca Belair vs Piper Niven.

Bianca Belair, beat. Piper Niven, in a solid TV Match. Chelsea got made to look stupid, when Piper was kod onto her for the finish.

Shinsuke Nakamura Segment.

I hated this segment. It ran like a long promotrain. LA Knight got his words in. Andrade got his words in, and The Temu Bloodline got there licks in, this segment ended in a big predictable brawl. Solo tried to the fans to acknowledge him, but this backfired as the fans chanted OTC in unison. This. Was garbage. Shinsuke didn't say a word. 

Kevin Owens Message.

Kevin Owens sent in a Message from his renta car, saying that he doesn't want to do an interview with Michael from inside the arena, so he asked him to come to him.

Motorcity Machine Gunns vs DIY WWE Tag Team Championships.

From the physicality, being performed with an ease, to a floundering friendsahip, turning into a ha ha we tricked you heel turn. DIY are heels now, and are new WWE Tag Team Champions. See people it's true, nice guys don't finish last. I liked this.

Michael Interviews Kevin Owens.

I can't praise this segment enough, all I have to say is, you need to see this, because it's surreal. Awesome, but surreal.

Carmelo Hayes Segment.

Are WWE teasing a Match between Gunther, and. Carmelo Hayes. I think so.

Cody Rhodes vs Chad Gable.

I liked this, whilst I do have to air some concerns. The physicality was great, and Cody got the win. Ko came out and attacked Cody in the aftermath leading, to a pull apart brawl, now the concern. Chad Gable, please remove the diving headbutt from your arsenal. It has far worse conitations than you might think. Harley Race did this move for years, and badly injured his neck. The Dynamite Kid did this move for years, and he ended up in a wheelchair, and don't get me started on the monster.

 Overview Of Friday Night Smackdown.

Overall this was a decent edition of weekly TV, as the standard TV grind for WWE slowly comes to an end, fan anticipation is starting to grow over here in the UK, as the Netflix deal starts to come into effect. I feeling excited about this move, and I never thought I would. These are exciting times, and with the standard of WWE's TV getting better, it's never been a better time to get well fed.

My Top 5 Moments In Pro Wrestling That Shaped My Fandom.

      Intro.

Ok were going to go way back for this list people. I mean waaaaay back, because were going to my childhood. So sit back, and enjoy.

5 The Montreal Screwjob.

This. Was. When my fandom wake up and take notice, of higher powers, not having a moral compass. I was always a Bret guy, and not a big WCW fan at this point. This gave birth to a time in history, that I took a lot of enjoyment out of, However nowadays the attitude era, has aged like milk under the sun.

4 HHH vs Cactus Jack Rivalry.

Agh yes, the early noughties WWF. Sunday Night Heat, being shoved around the weekly TV Schedule on Channel 4, here in the UK, PPV's becoming more easy to access, if you didn't have Sky TV, and then there was HHH vs Cactus Jack. I loved this rivalry, because it takes me back to a time that was, much more simpler.

3 The Rise of TNA.

I have so many great memories going to TNA shows, when they would annually make the trek to these shores. Agh yes so many memories. Me shaking hands with Dixie Carter. ( good ) Shaking hands with Bully Ray. (ugh) And of course, there's me shaking hands with Hulk Hogan. ( I have no words )

2 Watching The Downfall Of WCW.

The downfall of a company is never an easy thing to cover, and watching this unfold in the media wasn't easy, because peoples lives were impacted, and there wasn't a clear way for the industry to come through this hole, as a fan at the time, this was an emotional watch, and my feelings towards it hasn't changed.

1 The Rock.

If ya smeeeeeeeeeeelllll what The Rock is cookin, yes I smelt what he was cooking, and it was glorious, from his promos, to his insults, and his segments with Jonathan Coachman. Barry Manilow anyone. I love this man.

 

AEW Dynamite Review 5.12.2024.

        Intro

With the year coming to an end. Controversy has reared its ugly head again for Tony Khan, and his little promotion that can. Last night allegations surfaced, from Ryan Nemmeth, stating that he suffered mental harrassment, and bullying at the hands of Cm Punk, When he was in the company. I don't know all the facts, so I'm just going to say this. I don't Condone bullying in any form.

Shelton Benjamin vs Kyle Fletcher Continental Classic.

This. Was. A sublime measure of great in ring work, and a perfect mesh of styles, that was counteracted into a head on car wreck. This had fans on their feet, and the near falls fell into place, and bled into the Match. Fletcher got the win, by being a cheating little weisel. I liked all of this. MVP was pissed after this, and a poor production guy, got battered as a result.

Hook Segment.

Hook came out, and said that he wasn't interested in facing Nick wayne, because he wants to face his Daddy. So he challenged Christian to a Match when Dynamite goes to the Hammerstein Ballroom. Cage came out onto the stage, whilst Nick Wayne, and. Kip Sabian, attacked Hook, allowing Daddy to give him a steel chair concerto. I didn't like this. It felt a bit contrived.

Mercedes Mone Segment.

Renee Paquette tried to get a word with Mercedes Mone, and, this went as well as it could've gone, she acted like a blazay diva, and said that she's done with Camille, and she'll be watching Anna Jays match against Penelope Ford later on.

Dynamite Dozen Battle Royal.

I'm not a big fan of TV Battle Royals, and this one was no differant. It felt rushed, and very predictable. Adam Cole, and. Kyle O'reilly, won, and will face each other next week, at. Dynamite Winter is Coming. MJF laughed his ass off, and put shame on Adam, calling out his hypocrisy. This storyline hasn't hit with me.

Julia Hart Segment.

Ok i'm getting a sick of this. Just return already Julia, because this is getting stupid. 

The Acclaimed Segment And Max Castor vs Swerve Strickland.

Everything isn't ok with The Acclaimed, no one likes to see their parents fight. Max then got his ass handed to him by Swerve Strickland, because. Swerve battered him, and then came back  for some more, and gave him another stomp, after the Match had finished. I liked this.

Jay White vs Pac.

This. Was. A, physical, storybased masterclass, complete with decent in-ring work. Yuta cost Pac the Match, and then it all kicked off. Mox took out White. Hangman Adam Page thought Mox. Jay White attacked Hangman, all whilst Christian Cage stood their with his contract. I liked this. Cassidy as a camera man choking out Mox, was class.

Chris Jericho Segment.

Chris Jericho advertised ROH, and. AEW tickets, as if their ticket sales aren't bad enough.

Anna Jay vs Penelope Ford.

Anna Jay, beat. Penelope Ford in a solid TV Match, and then called out Mercedes Mone. This brought out the C.E.O, who said that Anna has no chance of gaining her TBS Championship, and she should come back in ten years, when she's done something worth while in the industry, this caused Anna to give Mercedes the five fingers to the face move. I thought this was decent.

Marieh May Sit Down.

I didn't like this. It felt forced, and badly put together. I hated all of this. Renee Paquette sold Marieh, and. Mina's altercation perfectly.

 Brody King vs Claudio Castagnoli Continental Classic.

I liked this. The in-ring work was excellent, and it never let up, throughout its entirity. Claudio got the win, in an excellent TV Match.

Overview of this weeks AEW Dynamite.

I don't know what to think of this weeks Dynamite. The in-ring work went from good to great, but the promos were all over the place.

This weeks AEW Dynamite is mid 7/10.