NWA/WCW Big Event Project #40; SuperBrawl I "Return From the Land of the Rising Sun"

-5/19/91

-From St. Petersburg, FL

-Hosts are JR & Dusty

-Match 1 for the WCW United States Tag Team Championship: The Freebirds (w/DDP, a Diamond Doll & Big Daddy Dink) VS The Young Pistols

-The Pistols are formerly the Southern Boys. U.S. tag titles are vacant because the Steiners won the world tag titles. Hayes gets some positive reactions to his preening. Armstrong avoids a cheap shot from Dink, and lays him, then both Freebirds out on the floor. Dink does manage to trip Armstrong, allowing Hayes to take over. Brad Armstrong rushes out, and challenges the Freebirds to make it 3-on-3. Since this is a title match, it's not happening, but after Brad leaves, the ref does eject Dink from ringside.

Both Freebirds get knocked outside. Pistols hit a double shoulder block on Garvin for two. Cute bit as Hayes tries to get the crowd behind the Freebirds to no avail. Garvin low-bridges Smothers to make him the face-in-peril. Some fans cheer for the Freebirds, and Dusty brings out the "we're so great because we let the fans cheer for who they want to" line that WWE has used for so many years. Smothers hits a nice super kick on Garvin, and makes the tag. Pistols gain the advantage, but they both miss missile dropkicks to turn the tide back to the Freebirds.

Smothers comes back and clotheslines both Freebirds outside, allowing Armstrong to hit a dive off the top. Armstrong holds Hayes up for a flying back elbow from the top by Smothers. Smothers holds Garvin for a missile dropkick from Armstrong, but the ref is bumped in the process. Someone in a weird bird costume runs out and drops both Pistols with clotheslines and DDTs from the second rope, and that allows Hayes to get the pin on Armstrong for the titles. Good opener.

-Missy Hyatt makes another attempt to get a dressing room interview. She runs into Terry Taylor, who says the situation between Dustin Rhodes & The York Foundation is not over. Hyatt sees Z-Man's stuff, and asks Taylor if Zenk is in the shower. Taylor tells her to go look...and of course, it's Stan Hansen (thankfully in boxers). He gives her a spanking with his hat, and kicks her out.

-Match 2: Brian Pillman VS Barry Windham [Taped Fist Match]

-Windham comes out to an instrumental version of "Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing". Pillman gets a hip toss and flying shoulder block before landing several punches. Windham gets a body slam and goes up top, but Pillman dropkicks him off the top, to the floor. Pillman flies outside onto Windham. Pillman is on the attack, but Windham uses Pillman's tights for leverage to send Pillman face-first into the ring post. Windham is busted open from Pillman's punches. Windham takes Pillman onto the runway, then throws him off the runway, onto the guardrail. Pillman is now busted open.

Pillman lands some stiff overhand chops. Windham hits a belly-to-back suplex. They knock heads, but both don't stay down for long. Pillman goes up, but Windham shoves the ref out of the way, low-blows Pillman, and hits a superplex for the win. Windham adds some punches and a kick to the head after the bell. Another good match. Odd to see a superplex get the win after all these years.

-Match 3: Sid Vicious VS El Gigante ["Battle of the Giants" Stretcher Match]

-Gigante struggles to roll the gurney to ringside, so he just says fuck it and carries it. Gigante overpowers Sid. Sid lands a couple blows in the corner (which Gigante sells like he's going "weeeeeeeeee" in a roller coaster). Sid charges into a boot, and Gigante applies the big claw to Sid for the pin. Well that was brisk. One Man Gang and Kevin Sullivan attack Gigante. Gigante gets OMG on the stretcher, but OMG throws powder in Gigante's eyes to get some shots in before Gigante shrugs it off. Crowd sings the "goodbye song" to Sid, who will make his WWF debut in a few months. Don't see the point of making it a stretcher match if, you know, it didn't involve anyone getting put on the stretcher, but that's WCW for you.

-Match 4: Butch Reed VS Ron Simmons [Thunderdoom Cage Match]

-Teddy Long is locked in a cage that's raised above the ring. Everyone uses the Doom entrance musice. JR mentions that Simmons is Burt Reynold's favorite wrestler. Not sure what the difference is between a "Thunderdoom" cage and a regular cage. Both guys meet the cage in the opening moments. Reed sends Simmons into the cage again, and Simmons is busted open. Reed goes to work on the open wound. Simmons fights back, but whiffs on a dropkick.

Reed hits a couple fist drops. Simmons comes back with punches, but gets pulled into the cage wall. Reed hits a piledriver for two. Reed works Simmons over with unexciting offense, and the crowd is just dead for this. Crowd suddenly gets into it with a "Go Ron Go" chant. Simmons fights back, but lowers his head too early, and Reed hits a swinging splash, but Simmons gets his knees up.

Reed cuts Simmons off again with a high knee. Double clothesline puts both men down. Teddy tosses an international object into the ring. Reed misses a punch with the chain Teddy threw, and Simmons hits a vicious spinebuster for the win. Well that match sucked.

-Hilariously over-the-top sad and melancholy video for the Steiners VS Sting/Luger tag title match. Was there even an angle here beside Sting & Luger simply requesting a title shot?

-Match 5 for the WCW World Tag Team Championship: The Steiner Brothers [c] VS Sting & WCW United States Champion Lex Luger

-Slow start until Rick does a Jannetty sell off a Luger clothesline. Rick comes back with a big clothesline of his own for two. Rick takes another big bump off a running Luger clothesline. Rick is sent outside, and Sting dives over the ropes out onto him. Back in, Sting hits a bulldog, but Rick no-sells. Sting gets Rick upside down and rams him in the corner, stealing a page out of Rick's playbook. Rick avoids a Stinger Splash, and tags Scott. Scott hits a Tiger Driver and a tilt-a-whirl slam on Sting, and the crowd explodes. Sting hits a hot shot on Scott, and makes the tag.

Scott sets Sting on the second turnbuckle, and hits an overhead belly-to-belly throw for two. Scott misses a running clothesline, and flies outside over the top. Luger gets in, and hits a suplex for two. Luger gets a powerslam on Scott. Awkward moment is Scott is supposed to fight off the rack with a Russian Leg Sweep, but they both just fall down. Rick gets a blind tag, and hits a sweet bulldog off the top on Luger, then drops an elbow for two.

Sting hits a missile dropkick on Rick. Sting counters a tombstone from Scott, and hits one of his own for two. Ref gets bumped (Nick Patrick is having a bad night). Sting hits a Stinger Splash on Scott. Nikita Koloff comes out and tries to hit Luger with a chain, but Sting takes the bullet, and Scott gets the pin to retain the titles. Match was pretty great while it lasted, but was disappointingly short.

-We go TO THE BACK with Tony Schiavone. Nikita says Sting was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sting runs to the back and jumps on Nikita. The two brawl out into the parking lot.

-Match 6 for the WCW Television Championship: Arn Anderson [c] VS Bobby Eaton

-This should be great. Reversal series ends when Eaton catches AA with a hard right hand. AA walks into a high knee, then a big boot, then a clothesline for two. Eaton goes up, but gets launched off the top, onto the runway. AA goes for a piledriver, but Eaton counters with a backdrop. Back in, Eaton hits a double axe handle for two. Anderson starts working on Eaton's leg, wrapping it around the ring post.

Eaton fights back, and bashes AA's head into all three turnbuckles in one corner, but AA gets back on the injured leg to regain control. Match really slows down as AA ties up the leg. Eaton gets out, and lands a couple right hands. AA gets knees on a splash, but hits a spinebuster for two. Eaton hits a swinging neck breaker. Eaton goes up top. Barry Windham tries to interfere, but Brian Pillman cuts him off. Eaton hits the Alabama Jam for the pin and the title. Eaton is so excited, he hugs Nick Patrick after the pin. Match started out really good, then slowed to a crawl with all of Anderson's leg work. A nice feel-good moment with the Eaton title win.

-Tony Schiavone is outside Tasumi Fujinami's locker room. Tony gets a word with Hiro Matsuda, who says they are bringing the title back to Japan.

-Match 7 for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship: Ric Flair [c] VS IWGP Heavyweight Champion Tatsumi Fujinami

-Tiger Hatori is the official of record, with Bill Alfonso as a backup. Flair takes control early on with chops. Fujinami fights back with chops of his own, and hits a backdrop. Fujinami locks in a bow-and-arrow. Flair gets out, so Fujinami locks in a Boston Crab, then an Indian Death Lock. Fujinami hits a flying forearm for two. Fujinami knocks Flair outside, but makes the mistake of following him out, and Flair crotches Fujinami on the guardrail.

Flair goes to work on Fujinami's leg. Flair gets the Figure 4. Flair starts slapping Fujinami across the face while the hold is still on. Fujinami manages to reverse the hold. Fujinami locks in a Scorpion Death Lock. Fujinami hits a side suplex for two. Fujinami repeatedly tries to bridge with Flair on top of him, but can't do it. They go outside, and Fujinami rams Flair's head into the guardrail, busting him open.

They exchange strikes. Fujinami forgets to roll with Flair on an Oklahoma Roll. Flair goes up, and gets slammed down. Fujinami locks in an Octopus Stretch. Crowd chants "USA" while Flair struggles in the hold. Shoulder block sends both men outside. Flair can't hold Fujinami on a slam, and Fujinami almost pins him. Fujinami gets a small package for two. Fujinami accidentally smacks heads with Hitori, and Flair gets a school boy for the pin by pulling the tights with Alfonso counting. Match was weird in that it was worked more like an actual fight than usual in U.S. pro wrestling. I liked it in that sense, but the crowd really wasn't buying what they were selling.

-FINAL THOUGHTS: This was a pretty good show. The first couple matches were good. The next two, not so much. Then the show picked back up with the tag title match, and had a feel good moment with the Eaton TV title win. The main event was something different, and worth checking out if you haven't seen it.

EWR Diary Weeks 10 & 11 12/5-12/18/11

Raw 12/5/11:

-RAW GM Michael Cole opens the show by announcing John Cena VS Kevin Nash at TLC, and Cena & CM Punk VS Alberto Del Rio, Nash, & The Miz in a 3-on-2 handicap match in tonight's main event.

-Match 1: WWE Tag Team Champion Evan Bourne VS R-Truth
 -Cole banned Kofi Kingston from ringside, but allowed Miz to come to the ring with Truth. Miz provided a distraction, allowing Truth to hit the Little Jimmy for the win. Awesome Truth beat Bourne down after the match. (**1/2)

-CM Punk did another promo. Punk says no matter what Del Rio and Michael Cole throw at him between now and TLC, there is nothing that will stop Punk from becoming the new WWE Champion.

-A video hyping the upcoming debut of Diva Naomi Night airs.

-Match 2: Jack Swagger VS Michael McGillicutty
 -Shockingly awesome match. Swagger wins clean with the ankle lock. Too bad no one cares about McGillicutty, or this would have been a WWE match of the year candidate. (****1/4)

-After his win, Jack Swagger gets on the mic, and challenges Dolph Ziggler to a U.S. title match at TLC. Ziggler comes out to the entrance ramp, and accepts.

-Match 3: Big Show VS Mason Ryan
 -Not great, but a lot better than I feared. Ezekial Jackson uses a distraction from Vickie Guerrero as the opportunity to come into the ring and lay Show out with a huge clothesline, and Ryan gets the pin. (**1/4)

-Kevin Nash cut a promo on John Cena. Tonight will be just a little taste of what Cena has coming to him at TLC.

-Match 4-Four Corners Match with the winner receiving a Divas' title match next week on Raw: Kelly Kelly VS Eve VS Maryse VS Brie Bella
 -Eve pins Maryse clean with a moonsault. The less said, the better. (1/2*)

-John Cena is shown walking backstage in preparation for the main event, which is next.

-Match 5: John Cena & CM Punk VS WWE Champion Albero Del Rio, The Miz, & Kevin Nash
 -Decent main event. Del Rio KO's Cena with the WWE title belt, allowing Nash to hit the Jackknife Powerbomb for the win. (**3/4)

Smackdown 12/9/11:

-A video recapping the Sheamus/Mark Henry feud opens the show. The official contract signing for TLC is tonight.

-Match 1: Sin Cara VS Sin Cara II
 -Great opener. The Sin Caras fight all the way to the back, ending this match with a double count out. (****)

-Randy Orton cut a promo. He and Justin Gabriel will face Christian and Cody Rhodes tonight. Orton says what he did to Wade Barrett will be nothing compared to what he does to Cody Rhodes given the opportunity.

-Match 2: Daniel Bryan VS Jinder Mahal
 -Bryan wins a quick squash with the Labell Lock to remind everyone he's still around, since I haven't had anything for him since Survivor Series. (**)

-Cody Rhodes cut a return promo on Orton. Rhodes says that no matter what Orton has in mind for him, what Rhodes has in mind for Orton is much, much worse.

-Match 3: William Regal VS Brodus Clay
 -Regal put up a good fight, but fell to the Fall of Humanity. (**1/4)

-Christian cut a promo. He says that at TLC Justin Gabriel has his chance to step up to the big time and climb the ladder of success, but Christian is the master of the ladder match, so Gabriel will go crashing down to nowhere.

-Match 4: Ted DiBiase VS Darren Young
 -Match was put here, simply because I needed one. Neither did much to impress. DiBiase wins with Dream Street. (*1/4)

-Justin Gabriel cut a promo. He said that the match at TLC is the biggest match of his career. Gabriel knows it won't be easy beating Christian in a Ladder match, but believes he has what it takes to move to the next level, and become the World Heavyweight Champion.

-Match 5: Randy Orton & Justin Gabriel VS Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes & Christian
 -Pretty good main event. Rhodes takes a page out of Christian's book and spits right in Orton's face, and he reacts just like he did at Money in the Bank, kicking Rhodes in the nuts for a DQ. Orton then grabbed a chair and cracked both Rhodes and Christian, before almost nailing Gabriel in a blind rage. (***1/4)

-The Henry/Sheamus contract signing closes the show. This will officially be Sheamus' last shot at the title while Mark Henry is champion. Naturally, Henry goes on the attack. Sheamus fights back, but takes a belt shot and the World's Strongest Slam through a table to close the show.

-WWE NEWS: WWE has come to terms on the release of Kaitlyn (Celeste Bonin). We wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Raw 12/12/11:

-WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio opens the show. Del Rio says that it's his destiny to retain the WWE championship at TLC. Del Rio says he is simply better than CM Punk, and that TLC will be his last opportunity at Del Rio's title. This brings out Punk, who wonders aloud if Del Rio is so confident not because Del Rio believes destiny is on his side, but because Del Rio has the backing of Shane McMahon, Michael Cole, Kevin Nash, The Miz, and R-Truth. Del Rio says he needs no help in beating Punk. Punk tells Del Rio to prove it, and challenges him to a fight right then and there. Del Rio notes they will meet in a six man tag in tonight's main event, and says he will fight Punk then, before backing out of the ring.

-Match 1: Big Show & Jack Swagger VS Domination
 -Show KO'd Mason Ryan with the WMD and Swagger had Jackson tapping to the ankle lock, but Vickie Guerrero distracted the ref and Big Show, allowing Dolph Ziggler to sneak in and drop Swagger with the Zig Zag. Jackson followed up with the Book of Ezekial for the win. (**1/4)

-CM Punk corners RAW GM Michael Cole in Cole's office, and intimidates him into banning Ricardo Rodriguez, The Miz, Kevin Nash, & R-Truth from ringside during the WWE championship match at TLC.

-John Cena cut a promo on Kevin Nash. Cena calls Nash a bitter and jealous man whose best days are behind him. Cena says the money Nash will get paid for their match at TLC will not be worth what Cena does to him.

-Match 2 for the WWE Divas Championship: Beth Phoenix [c] VS Eve Torres
 -Natalya trips Eve while she's building momentum, allowing Beth to win with the Glam Slam. Two-on-one beat down is stopped by the debuting Naomi Knight, who manages to knock both Divas of Destruction out of the ring. (*1/2)

-Matt Stryker interviews Awesome Truth. They say they are finally going to win the WWE Tag Team Championship at TLC, like they should have three months ago. Then, after Del Rio retains against CM Punk and Kevin Nash destroys John Cena, The Conspirators will own Monday Night Raw.

-Match 3: Zack Ryder VS Tyler Reks
 -Ryder fights from underneath, and wins with the Rough Ryder. Needed a match to fill a segment. (*3/4)

-Match 4: John Cena VS Drew McIntyre
 -Terrific match. Drew got more than his share of offense. Cena made his comeback, but then Kevin Nash gingerly made his way into the ring and attacked Cena for the DQ. (****1/4)

-Cena fights back, dropping McIntyre with an Attitude Adjustment and going after Nash. The two briefly exchange blows before they are separated by WWE officials.

-Match 5: CM Punk & WWE Tag Team Champions Air Boom VS WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio & Awesome Truth
 -Decent main event. Match breaks down, and Punk pins Del Rio with the GTS. (**3/4)
-Awesome Truth and Air Boom fight to the back. As Punk celebrates the win and holds the WWE title belt in the air, Ricardo Rodriguez tries to attack. Just as Punk is about to drop Ricardo with the GTS, Kevin Nash hits Punk from behind. Nash, Del Rio, and Rodriguez work Punk over before being joined by Awesome Truth. Del Rio locks the cross armbreaker for a good amount of time, before finally letting go. The Conspirators surround Del Rio as he stands over Punk and holds the WWE title belt over his head.

Smackdown 12/16/11:

-Match 1: Sheamus VS Heath Slater
 -Sheamus wins clean with the Brogue kick and the Celtic Cross. After the pin, Sheamus gets a table, and puts Slater through it with a powerslam. (***3/4)

-After putting Slater through the table, Sheamus got on the mic and said he would make good on his last opportunity at Mark Henry, and do the same to him at TLC.

-A video recapped the Cody Rhodes/Randy Orton feud.

-Match 2: Trent Bareta VS WWE Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes
 -Rhodes win clean with Cross Rhodes. (**1/4)

-Cody Rhodes got on the mic, and announced that at TLC, he will defend his Intercontinental Championship against Randy Orton in a chairs match. Rhodes says that at TLC, Orton's past will finally catch up with him, then gives an uncomfortable evil laugh.

-A video recapped the Christian/Justin Gabriel feud. They will be guests on the Cutting Edge with Edge tonight.

-Match 3: Layla VS Alicia Fox
 -Total filler. Layla wins with the Lay Out. (3/4*)

-Match 4: The Usos VS World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry in a Handicap match
 -The Usos were supposed to face local competitors, but Henry came out and told them he beat up their opponents backstage, and now wants to do the same to them. Henry dominates both Usos, and pins Jey with the World's Strongest Slam. Henry then gets a table, puts Jey on it, then slams Jimmy onto Jey, through the table. (*)

-Henry says that anything Sheamus can do, Henry can do better. Henry says that after he puts Sheamus through a table, the only time Henry will think about him is when he looks at Sheamus' plaque in the Hall of Pain.

-Match 5: Daniel Bryan VS Sin Cara II
 -Good main event. They are going back-and-forth when the original Sin Cara walks down to ringside. Sin Cara II goes out to fight him, and ends up getting counted out when they fight to the back. (***3/4)
-Edge hosted The Cutting Edge with Christian & Justin Gabriel. Edge says he sees a lot of himself and Christian in Justin Gabriel, and is reminded of the time they used a ladder match to make names for themselves. Christian gets upset, and asks of Gabriel is Edge's new best friend. Edge says no, and not-so-politely "asks" Christian to stop acting like a bitch. Christian cheapshots Gabriel, and the fight is on. Gabriel gets the upper hand, and Christian backs away as the show ends.

Tables, Ladders, & Chairs 12/18/11:

-Match 1: Sin Cara VS Sin Cara II
 -Great opener. Sin Cara executed a cross body from the top, but Sin Cara II rolled through, and held the tights to win the match. (****)

-Match 2-Ladder match for a World Heavyweight Championship match at the Royal Rumble: Justin Gabriel VS Christian
 -Another great match. Gabriel knocked Christian off the ladder, hit the 450 splash off the ladder, then climbed and grabbed the contract for the title match to win. (****)

-Match 3 for the WWE United States Championship: Dolph Ziggler [c] VS Jack Swagger
 -The greatness continues. Swagger got Ziggler in the ankle lock, but Vickie provided a distraction. Ziggler rolled out of the ankle lock, sending Swagger into Vickie, then hit the Zig Zag on the rebound to retain. (****)

-Match 4 for the WWE Intercontinental Championship: Cody Rhodes [c] VS Randy Orton [Chairs match]
 -Not quite up to the level of the first three matches, but still really good. Rhodes' prophecy from Smackdown came true. After a ref bump off an erant chair shot, Orton hit Cody in the nuts with a chair, then followed up with an RKO. That's when Wade Barrett came out and laid waste to Orton with chair shots, and put Cody on top for the pin. After the bell, Barrett came back in the ring, and gave Orton Wasteland through the seat of a chair. (***3/4)

-Match 5 for the WWE Tag Team Championship: Air Boom [c] VS Awesome Truth
 -A step down from the previous matches, but still good. Truth lays Kingston out on the floor, then shoves Bourne off the top while he was preparing to deliver Air Bourne on Miz. Miz follows up with the Skull Crushing Finale for the pin and the titles. (***1/4)

-Match 6 for the World Heavyweight Championship: Mark Henry [c] VS Sheamus [Tables match]
 -Pretty pedestrian brawl, looking worse by the awesome matches that have preceeded it. Henry wins clean with the World's Strongest Slam through a table. (**1/4)

-Match 7: John Cena VS Kevin Nash
 -Nash appears to have it won after ramming Cena's head into an exposed turnbuckle and hitting the Jackknife powerbomb, but Cena kicks out at two, before coming back with the Attitude Adjustment and STF for the submission win. An OK match with a hot crowd, what I was expecting. (**3/4)

-Match 8 for the WWE Championship: Alberto Del Rio [c] VS CM Punk [TLC match]
 -Terrific main event. True to Cole's word, no one from The Conspirators interfered, and Ricardo Rodriguez was sent to the back after announcing Del Rio. Punk looked to have it won, when Drew McIntyre suddenly came out of the crowd and rushed the ring, shoving a ladder over while Punk was grasping for the title, and sending Punk crashing outside through a table. That allowed Del Rio to climb the ladder and retain the title. (****1/4)

-Unlike Survivor Series, this show pretty much lived up to my expectations. I figured the first four matches would deliver, was pleasantly surprised by the tag title match, and knew that the main event would be the best match out of them all. This was a tough card to configure, as I was worried about at least one of the matches taking a hit when the crowd got burned out by the one before it, but that didn't happen. Probably too many heel victories, but because of where I want the booking to go, it was neccessary.

NWA/WCW Big Event Project #39: Japan Supershow

-3/21/91 (Aired live in Japan and on tape in U.S. on 4/7/91)

-From Tokyo, Japan

-Hosts are JR & Tony Schiavone

-Damn, the Tokyo Dome looks HUGE.

-SUPER EXCITING video package show wrestlers signing contracts, eating at a buffet, and shopping with Flair & Arn Anderson.

-Match 1: Brian Pillman, The Z Man, & Tim Horner VS Takayuki Lizuka, Kuniaki Kobayashi, & Shiro Koshinaka

-Kobiyashi throws Zenk around, and locks in an abdominal stretch. Pillman gets in, and hits a flying clothesline for a one count. Horner drops Koshinaka on the back of his head with a side slam, and that gets two, plus a crowd reaction. Zenk holds Lizuka for a Pillman dropkick, then Pillman slingshots Zenk onto Lizuka, which the crowd appreciates. Pillman hits a dive to the outside on Lizuka. Horner hits Lizuka with a snap suplex for two. Horner & Pillman hits a Demolition Decapitation on Lizuka for two. Zenk hits Lizuka with a missile dropkick for two. Horner hits an awkward splash off the top, and it seems like the crowd is laughing at him.

Zenk hits Lizuka with a jumping piledriver for two. Pillman and Lizuka trade some NASTY chops before Lizuka takes control with a couple nice dropkicks. Pillman resonds with a spinwheel kick. Koshinika hits Zenk with a butt bump, and Kobayashi follows up with a fisherman's suplex for two. Lizuka finishes Horner with a full nelson suplex for the pin. Fun, fast-paced opener.

-JR & Tony preview the next match. Tony has no idea how to say "Jushin Thunder Liger", pronouncing Jushin almost like would say Justin, and Liger almost like one would say "licker".

-Match 2 for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Jushin Thunder Liger [c] VS Akira Nogami

-JR notes that this is Nogami's first match in Japan since losing the title to Liger a year prior. Someone must have clued Tony in, as he pronounces Liger's name properly now. Nogami shoots webs from his hands during the ring introductions.

Liger immediately kicks Nogami outside, and follows up with a somersault dive off the top. Liger tries another dive, but takes a kick in the process. Nogami goes for a victory roll, which Liger counters for two. Liger goes for a tombstone, but his ankle is messed up, so it doesn't work. Nogami goes right to work. Liger gets a small package out of nowhere for two. Liger avoids a cross body off the top, and almost drops Nogami right on his head with a powerbomb. Liger hits a sit-out powerbomb for two. Nogami fights off a piledriver, but Liger hits a big clothesline. Liger finishes with a DDT off the turnbuckles. I was expecting a lot more with the storyline of Nogami leaving Japan for a year after losing his last match against Liger, and Liger was never in any jeopardy whatsoever.

-Match 3: WCW Television Champion Arn Anderson & Barry Windham VS Masa Chono & Mr. Saito

-I remember really liking Chono during his tenure in nWo Japan. Neither team gains a distinct advantage for the first few minutes. Windham hits Chono with a belly-to-back suplex for two. Windham hits Chono with an awkward DDT. AA gets in, and Chono hits a flying shoulder block. Chono goes to lock in the STF on Arn, but Windham breaks it up, and the crowd is pissed. Chono hits a dive to the outside on Windham. Windham breaks up an abdominal stretch on AA, and the crowd lets him have it.

Saito gets in, and is immediately shut down by Arn. Saito hulks up and hits Saito (high angle) suplexes on both Horsemen, but Windham manages to catch Saito with a lariat, and AA gets the pin. Match was pretty crisp for the most part, and looked to be building to something before the sudden finish.

-Match 4: Big Cat VS El Gigante

-Crowd loves them some Gigante. BILL ALFONSO IS YOUR REFEREE DADDY! Gigante...shows charisma?! Crowd loves everything he does, laughing their asses off when he no-sells some Big Cat punches to the midsection. Crowd goes nuts when Gigante sets up a vertical suplex. Gigante finishes the squash with a claw to the head for the pin.

-Match 5 for the WCW World & IWGP International Tag Team Championships: The Steiner Brothers [WCW] VS Hiroshia Hase & Kensuke Sasaki [IWGP]

-Scott ties Hase's legs up right off the bat. Scott dumps Hase on his head. Hase ducks a Scott clothesline and hits a kick to the head in one motion. Sasake catches Rick in mid-leapfrog, and powerslams him. Sasake demolishes Rick with a huge clothesline before tagging Hase back in. Scott gets in, and hits a pump handle driver on Hase. Scott sets Hase on the top rope, and hits a Samoan Drop from that position. Rick gets in, and drives Hase upside down into the turnbuckles.

Scott casually tosses Hase with a belly-to-belly suplex for two. Scott spikes Hase with a DDT, and tags Rick. Rick sets Hase on the second rope, and hits an overhead throw, forcing Sasaki to make a save. Scott dumps Hase with a Tiger Driver for two, and Sasaki makes another save. Hase hits urinages on both Steiners, and tags in Sasaki. Sasaki hits a big powerslam on Rick. Scott makes the save, which the crowd doesn't like. Sasaki superplexes Hase on top of Rick. Hase hits Rick with a Northern Lights suplex for two.

Scott tosses Hase with a tilt-a-whirl slam. Sasaki hits a sloppy DDT/swining neckbreaker. Hase/Sasaki set up a Steiner bulldog, but the Steiners break it up, and hit one of their own. Scott hits Sasaki with the Frankensteiner for the win and the IWGP belts. Really good match despite some sloppiness. Surprised there was a definitive finish.

-Steiners get two big and two little trophies. Handshakes make the crowd happy.

-Match 6: The Great Muta VS Sting

-Muta starts fast, hitting a hand spring elbow. Sting avoids a moonsault, but gets kicked outside. Muta hits a dive, and spews red mist. Sting catches Muta with a kick during a dive, and tosses Muta over the top. Sting hits a moneky flip, which Muta can't rotate all the way over on, and ends up landing right on his face. Muta goes to the eyes to turn the tide, which the crowd doesn't appreciate.

Sting fights back, and hits a bulldog. Sting drops Muta onto the guardrail. Muta gets back in, and has to fight off a Scorpion Death lock attempt. Muta drops an elbow on Sting's nose, and gives the crowd the "up yours" gesture. Sting misses a Stinger Splash. Muta hits a back breaker, but moonsault hits Sting's knees. Sting kicks Muta in the ass as Muta tries to springboard to the top, but Sting then misses an elbow drop from the top.

Stings locks in the Scorpion Death lock, but Muta makes it to the ropes. Muta suddenly sprays green mist in Sting's eyes, then hits a cross body off the second rope for the pin. Sting immediately gains some retribution with a Stinger splash and the Scorpion Death lock. Sting has to be pulled off Muta. Another really good match. I was wondering how it would end, as I didn't think WCW would want to job Sting, and I didn't think Muta would want to job here.

-Match 7 for the WCW & IWGP World Championships: Ric Flair [WCW] VS Tatsumi Fujinami

-Rules are a mix of WCW and IWGP. There is a 20 count on the floor, a title can only change hands on a pin or submission, and a throw over the top is an automatic DQ. Fonzie is the ref here, and a close up shows he still has all of his teeth (or some decent false ones) at this point.

Fujinami gets the Dragon sleeper on almost right away, but Flair makes it to the ropes. Fujinami hits some chops and a dropkick sends Flair outside. Fujinami maintains control of the match until Flair counters a side headlock with a belly-to-back suplex. Flair finally goes to work on Fujinami's leg. Fujinami gets a drop toe hold and a Scorpion Death lock. Fujinami transitions that into a rear chin lock. Flair gets out of that, and stomps the shit out of Fujinami, drawing boos.

Fujinami wins a chop exchange. Flair hits a swinging neck breaker for two. Flair hits a butterfly suplex for two. Flair hits a delayed vertical suplex for two. Flair drops an elbow for two. Flair drops a knee for two. Match has really slowed down quite a bit during this section of Flair near-falls. Flair goes up and, of course, gets tossed. Fujinami sends Flair outside, and rams his head into the guardrail, busting Flair open. Fujinami pounds on the open wound.

Flair blocks a kick and "woo" 's, allowing Fujinami to hit an enziguiri for two. Fujinami hits a clothesline for two. Flair gets caught in the Tree of Woe, and Fujinami lands a couple stomps before Alfonso gets Flair down. Fujinami gets a roll up for two. Fujinami hits a belly-to-back suplex for two. Flair rolls outside. The two exchange strikes. Back in, Flair accidentally KO's Alfonso, who takes a beautiful bump.

Fujinami gets a couple visual falls. Fujinami throws Flair over the top, which would be a DQ if Alfonso saw it. Fujinami gets an abdominal stretch into a pin, and Tiger Hatori counts the pin. Really good main event. I was waiting for Alfonso to call for the DQ. I didn't think Flair would win the IWGP title, especially with the Steiners just winning the tag titles, but I wasn't sure if Fujinami won the WCW title.

-JR goes backstage in the press conference area.

-Video of Sting demanding a rematch with Muta airs.

-Press conference starts. JR talks about Fujinami throwing Flair over the top rope and Alfonso being the referee of record. Flair walks in and takes the WCW belt and leaves with it. JR gets a couple English comments from Fujinami, who reiterates that he pinned Flair.

-FINAL THOUGHTS: Pretty interesting show. Nothing particularly special until the final three matches, which were all pretty good. I am assuming Sting & Flair get wins in return at SuperBrawl.

EWR Diary Week 9: 11/28-12/4/11

Raw 11/28/11:

-Raw GM Michael Cole opened the show. He announces that the WWE Championship match between champion Alberto Del Rio and challenger CM Punk at the TLC pay-per-view, will be a TLC match. Cole also announces that tonight, Del Rio will team with Kevin Nash to face CM Punk and...The Miz.

-Match 1: WWE Tag Team Champion Kofi Kingston VS R-Truth

-It was announced that Michael Cole had banned Evan Bourne from ringside for this match. Really good match that I did not see coming. Truth wins clean with the Little Jimmy. (****)

-Michael Cole announces that with Truth's win over Kingston tonight, Awesome Truth will challenge Air Boom for the WWE Tag Team Championship at TLC.

-Match 2: Jack Swagger VS Mason Ryan

-Swagger worked a minor miracle here. Swagger looks like he might get Ryan in the ankle lock when Dolph Ziggler ran in to draw a DQ. (**3/4)

-The two-on-one on Ziggler becomes a three-on-one when Ezekial Jackson joins in the fun. Swagger is destroyed, then held in place so Vickie Guerrero can slap him across the face to put the explanation point on the beat down.

-CM Punk did a promo. Punk knows tonight's tag match is a setup, and that he won't be getting any help from the Miz. Punk says that means Del Rio, Shane McMahon, and "the puppet GM" Michael Cole are afraid that Punk will win the WWE championship at TLC. Punk says they should be afraid...they should be very afraid.

-Match 3: Zack Ryder & Santino Marella VS Primo & Curt Hawkins

-Pretty short match so the crowd doesn't die with them out there. Face team wins with a Coba/Rough Ryder combo on Primo. (**1/4)

-Match 4: Alex Riley VS Drew McIntyre

-Drew wins with a thumb to the eye and the future shock DDT. Match wasn't that good. I blame Riley. (*3/4)

-John Cena responds to what Kevin Nash said last week. Cena blames Nash for killing WCW and gets on his case for being only about the money. Cena says he will be watching the main event closely.

-Match 5: Big Show VS Ezekial Jackson

-Jackson impressed a couple power moves on Show. Match spills outside, where they fight to a double count out. They end up brawling all the way to the back. (**1/4)

-The main event match never happened. Del Rio, Nash, and Miz all jumped on Punk before the bell even rang. John Cena ran out to make the save, but got destroyed too.

Smackdown 12/2/11:

-Smackdown General Manager Teddy Long announces that Wade Barrett will not be able to compete for some time due to last week's attack by Randy Orton. Because of this, Christian receives a bye into the finals of the tournament to determine who will face the World Heavyweight Champion at the Royal Rumble. Christian will face the winner of tonight's main event between Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes and Justin Gabriel.

-Sheamus cut a promo. He and Henry get to pick partners for a tag team match later tonight. Sheamus says he will make his last shot at Mark Henry count when he beats him in a Tables match for the World Heavyweight Championship at TLC.

-Match 1: Yoshi Tatsu VS Brodus Clay

-Quick squash. Clay wins with the Fall of Humanity, and adds another after the match for good measure. (**)

-Christian cut a promo. Christian says he has confidence that he'll be facing Cody Rhodes at TLC, not Justin Gabriel.

-Match 2 for the WWE Tag Team Championship: Air Boom [c] VS Heath Slater & Tyson Kidd

-This is a result of Kidd & Slater holding the tag title belts hostage until they were given this title match. Slater catches Kingston with a downward spiral, but puts himself in position for Air Bourne, and the champions retain. (***)

-As Air Boom celebrate their win, they are attacked and laid out by Awesome Truth.

-Natalya comes to the ring and issues an open challenge. It is accepted by the returning Layla.

-Match 3: Layla VS Natalya

-Layla wins clean with the Lay Out. Match wasn't good, but at least the crowd was into it more than the usual Divas' match. (*)

-Match 4: Sheamus & Daniel Bryan VS World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry & Brodus Clay

-Yes, double duty for Clay for two reasons: I want to push him, and the heel depth on Smackdown is really shallow. Henry nails Sheamus with the World title belt to draw a DQ, then puts him through the Spanish announce table. (**3/4)

-Match 5: Justin Gabriel VS Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes

-Good main event. Ref is bumped, and Christian runs in to lay out Gabriel. Randy Orton runs out, lays out Christian, and drops Rhodes with an RKO before fighting with Christian all the way to the back. That allows Gabriel to hit the 450 splash for the win. (***3/4)

-As Gabriel celebrates his win, Teddy Long comes out to announce that Gabriel/Christian at TLC will be...a ladder match.

-MATCHES ANNOUNCED FOR WWE TABLES, LADDERS, AND CHAIRS:

-WWE CHAMPIONSHIP TLC MATCH: Alberto Del Rio [c] VS CM Punk

-WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TABLES MATCH: Mark Henry [c] VS Sheamus

-WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: Air Boom [c] VS Awesome Truth

-LADDER MATCH WHERE THE WINNER RECEIVES A WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH AT THE ROYAL RUMBLE: Christian VS Justin Gabriel

NWA/WCW Big Event Project #38: Wrestle War '91

-2/24/91

-From Phoenix, AZ

-Hosts are JR, & Dusty, with special appearances by Tony Schiavone.

-Tony proclaims that there's a capacity crowd, which is contradicted by crowd shots, especially in the upper sections.

-Match 1 for the WCW 6 Man Tag Team Championship: Tommy Rich, Ricky Morton, & The Junkyard Dog [c] VS The State Patrol (Buddy Lee Parker & James Earl Wright) & The Big Cat

-Holy shit, didn't realize this title still existed. This might have been news to everyone, as the champions don't have any title belts. Wright looks like a white Chavo Guerrero Jr. Champions dominate the first few minutes. Crowd goes to sleep until Morton fights off the State Patrol and tags in JYD. Big Cat actually gets a two count on JYD after an elbow drop. JYD has no interest in selling for Parker. Morton becomes the face-in-peril (shocking, I know). JR & Dusty note that Arn Anderson has been injured, and will not be in the War Games, to be replaced by Larry Zybysko.

Big Cat catches Morton in mid-air, and hits a back breaker for two. Morton makes the hot tag to JYD, who hits the Thump powerslam on Parker. Big Cat breaks up the cover, and Morton makes the cover in JYD's place, and the ref makes the blatently illegal three count, and the champions retain. Horrible choice for a PPV match, let alone the opener.

-Match 2: Brad Armstrong VS Bobby Eaton

-This would have been a much better choice for the opener. Eaton gets the jump on Armstrong to start, but Brad quickly turns the tide. Eaton sends Armstrong outside, but can't take advantage, as Brad rams Bobby's head into the guardrail, then the ring post. Armstrong follows that up with...an arm bar. Eaton wins a test of strength, but Armstrong gets out of it, and locks in...an arm bar. Armstrong fights off a slingshot suplex and locks in... an arm bar. JASON HERVEY IS HERE! Eaton floors Armstrong with a clothesline for two. Eaton drops an elbow right on Armstrong's forehead for two. That must have felt wonderful.

Great Muta is in the crowd. JR notes he will wrestle Sting at the WCW/New Japan Supershow. Armstrong fights out of a rear chinlock, but Eaton hits a sweet slingshot back breaker for two. Eaton kicks Armstrong outside, then drops him chest-first onto the guardrail. As Armstrong gets back in the ring, Eaton locks in a ropes-assisted abdominal stretch. Eaton misses...something in the corner, and Armstrong finally shows some fire, hitting a nice drop kick and a Russian leg sweep for two. Eaton hits a swinging neck breaker, and finishes with the Alabama Jam to a big pop (in so much as a pop can be big with this crowd). Damn, this could have been a lot better, but every time the match threatened to get exciting, Armstrong would lock in an arm bar, or Eaton would lock in a rest hold.

-Tony is with Missy Hyatt, who is going into the locker room to get an interview.

-Match 3: Buddy Landell VS Dustin Rhodes

-Landell is going full out with his Flair impression, getting a cheap looking robe to complete his look. Landell gets a slap and an EVIL LAUGH, which Dustin counters with some punches and a dropkick for two. Dustin pounds on Landell, and the crowd gets behind him a little bit. Dustin slams Landell off the top. Landell responds to some crowd jeering with a huge snot rocket. They fuck up an Irish whip. Dustin clotheslines Landell out over the top. I think this is the first time I've seen a pro wrestling mat wrinkle up when someone touches it. Dustin finishes with a bulldog. This will not be on Dustin's career highlight reel.

-Tony sends it TO THE DRESSING ROOM and Missy Hyatt. Missy goes in, and runs into the worst possible person: Stan Hansen. Hansen quickly sends her back out. Tony can't contain his laughter.

-Match 4: Stan Hansen VS Big Van Vader

-So odd to see Vader as a babyface at this point in time. Hansen dives at Vader, who drags him out onto the runway. Hansen takes control, and gets Vader back into the ring. Hansen charges into a nasty clothesline. Vader drops an elbow for two. Vader smothers Hansen, who fights out with a belly-to-back suplex for two. Hansen drops an elbow for two. Hansen kicks Vader outside. They trade chair shots right by the announce table.

They go back outside, and Vader slams Hansen stomach-first onto the guardrail. Back in the ring, they trade headbuts. Randy Anderson tries to get in between them, and gets tossed aside, so he throws the match out. The fight continues after the bell. Vader hits a clothesline off the top. Hansen tries to choke Vader out with the bull rope. Vader reverses it, and drags Hansen down the runway. The fight continues all the way to the back. Match was a fun brawl while it lasted.

-Match 5 for the WCW United States Championship: Lex Luger [c] VS Dan Spivey

-Luger wins a slug fest, and hits a couple shoulder blocks followed by a running clothesline. Luger blocks an atomic drop, and hits a belly-to-back suplex for two. Spivey hits a tombstone (wink wink, nudge nudge) for two. Spivey hits a hangman's neck breaker for two. Spivey hits a DDT for two. Spivey hits a clothesline for two. Luger gets a rollup for two. Spivey hits an awkward elbow drop from the top for two. Spivey hits a piledriver for two. Spivey hits a belly-to-belly suplex for two.

Spivey keeps the pressure on Luger. Spivey charges, but Luger manages to hot shot Spivey ribs-first onto the top rope. Luger hits a flying clothesline as the crowd REALLY gets into Luger's comeback. Double clothesline puts both men down. Luger goes up top. Spivey tries to slam Luger off the top, but Luger hooks him and rolls through for the pin. Really good match with Spivey throwing everything he had at Luger, only for Luger to comeback and pull off a really nifty move to retain.

-Tony, Grizzly Smith, and Nikita Koloff (and his do rag), present the new U.S. title belt. Nikita presents the belt to Luger by smacking him in the face with it. Nikita uses the Terry Funk defense, as the WCW championship commitee told Nikita he couldn't have a world title match after being retired for two years and that Nikita will have to prove himself. Nikita figures what better man to prove himself against than the man who stole the U.S. title from him four years ago.

-Match 6 for the WCW World Tag Team Championship: Doom [c] (w/Teddy Long) VS The Freebirds (w/DDP & the Diamond Dolls)

-DDP rhymes and says "good god" a lot while bringing out Big Daddy Dink, the new "road boss" of the Freebirds. Simmons hits Hayes with a spine buster for two. Hayes comes back with a bulldog for two. Garvin calls out Reed, and manages to get a sunset flip on him for two. Reed hits Garvin with a back breaker, then follows up with a butterfly suplex for two. Simmons works over Garvin, but when Reed gets in, he immediately takes a DDT. Simmons hits Garvin with a vicious spine buster for two.

Match breaks down. Teddy tosses Reed a foreign object. Reed accidentally KO's Simmons, and Dink pushes Garvin on top for the pin and the titles. Match was decent while it lasted.

-Simmons pushes Teddy down, so Reed, with Long's encouragement, destroys Simmons with brass knuckles.

-JR interviews the winner of a sweepstakes to attend this show. The kid's favorite team is Doom. Oops.

-JR & Dusty preview the main event.

-Match 7: The 4 Horsemen (WCW World Champion Ric Flair, Barry Windham, Sid Vicious) & Larry Zybysko VS Sting, Brian Pillman, & WCW United States Tag Team Champions The Steiner Brothers

-Windham starts for the Horsemen. Pillman takes it upon himself to start for the babyfaces. Pillman's left shoulder is taped thanks to a Horseman attack the day before. Pillman owns Windham, kicking him in the nuts and ramming him into the cage. Pillman rakes Windham's head across the mesh, busting him open. There are small rods sticking out of both rings. Anyone know why that is? Pillman completely destroys Windham, going after his knee. Pillman blocks a piledriver and works Windham over as the period ends.

Horsemen win the coin toss (naturally). Flair rushes in and trades chops with Pillman before Windham is able to recover and make it 2-on-1. Flair's right leg is heavily taped. Flair & Windham work over Pillman's injured shoulder as the period ends.

Sting gets in, and goes right for Flair. Sting hits bulldogs on Flair & Windham as Pillman recovers. Windham crotches Pillman on the top rope. Sting & Flair battle it out as Pillman knees Windham in the nuts. Sting hits Flair with a Stinger splash as the period ends.

Pillman locks Windham in a figure 4 and Sting goes for the Scorpion Death lock as Zybysko enters. Zybysko pounds on Sting as Flair saves Windham.

Rick enters to even up the odds. Rick hits Flair with a belly-to-belly suplex and rams him into the cage. Rick rakes Flair's face across the mesh, busting Flair open.

Sid gets in and holds Rick for a kick to the nuts from Flair. Sid drops Sting with a clothesline. Rick fights everyone else on the Horsemen side as Windham and Pillman pair off again. Sting rams Flair into the cage.

Scott gets in to start "The Match Beyond". Scott cleans house, hitting Zybysko with a Tiger driver. Sting hits a Stinger splash and locks in a sloppy Scorpion death lock on Flair. Sid works on Pillman's injured shoulder. The faces get simultaneous figure 4 leg locks on all the Horsemen & Zybysko. Sting military presses Flair into the top of the cage before slamming him down. Rick tries to take a flip bump off a Sid clothesline, and lands right on his head.

Sid & Windham hit a double clothesline on Rick, who does a spinning sell off that. Pillman & Flair exchange some STIFF chops. Scott fucks up a DDT on Windham. Sid tosses Pillman into the top of the cage. Sid then almost kills poor Pillman with two powerbombs, with the first knocking Pillman out when his feet hit the top of the cage, and Pillman lands right on his neck. The second is slightly less fucked up.

El Gigante rushes out, breaks open the cage door and talks Nick Patrick into stopping the match because Pillman may be dead. Wild main event with a memorable (even if it's for the wrong reasons).

-JR gets a word from Nick Patrick, who does not regret stopping the war games. JR & Dusty back him up. They replay Nikita hitting Luger with the U.S. title belt to kill a little time before the PPV ends.

-FINAL THOUGHTS: The first half was terrible, but the second half was pretty good. Vader/Hansen, Luger/Spivey, and War Games are all well worth checking out if you haven't seen them.

Ring of Honor Wrestling #8

-LAST WEEK: RoH Tag Team Champions Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team get all they could handle from Sedrick Alexander & Caprice Coleman, before having a confrontation with the Briscoe Brothers.

-Match 1: The Bravado Brothers VS The Young Bucks

-Bravados hits Nick Jackson with a double hip toss/rolling neck snap/senton splash sequence for two. Bucks come back with a double hip toss and double low dropkick on Lancelot for two. Bucks takes Lancelot down with a ropes-assisted double stomp, then Nick holds Harlem in place with a headscissors for a Matt dropkick. Harlem gets in and cleans house, hitting Nick with a scisscors kick, then Matt with a Blue Thunder bomb for two. Harlem sends both Bucks outside, then follows with a dive over the ropes.

Harlem rolls Matt back in, and gets two. Bravados hits a double team chinbreaker on Matt for two. Complicated sequence ends with Matt taking an enziguri from Harlem, and a German suplex from Lancelot for two. Bucks hit Lancelot with a wheelbarrow X-Factor, and finish with More Bang For Your Buck (Finlay roll/450/springboard moonsault sequence) for the win. Bucks refuse to shake hands. Some interesting sequences with no psychology (Bucks are clearly heels, Bravados have been heels, but wrestled like babyfaces), which is pretty much par for the course when it comes to the Bucks.

-Kevin Kelly brings out Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team to waste some time. RoH should know by now that neither of these guys are good (or even decent) promos, but yet they give them interview/promo time seemingly every week. I fast-forward because I don't give a shit until the All Night Express come out. ANX  say that WGTT have been ducking them. King fucks up a line about calling WGTT Donald & Daffy because they've been ducking them. Well that was a disaster.

-Good, and lengthy video package recaps the whole angle with Kevin Steen.

-TV Champion Jay Lethal wants another match with Mike Bennett, who agrees, but only uf his manager Brutal Bob Evans is the referee.

-Steve Corino (now with half of his hair dyed) says that he has a solution to a problem he and Jim Cornette has, and that all Corino needs is five minutes of Cornette's time.

-Video recap of Strong/O'Reilly and the fight between the House of Truth and the American Wolves that set up this week's main event.

-Match 2: The American Wolves VS The House of Truth (w/Truth Martini)

-HoT get the early jump, and focus on Edwards. Edwards fights them off. Richards hits a running apron kick on Strong, then a missile dropkick on Elgin, which gets two for Edwards. Edwards quickly becomes the face-in-peril, however. That doesn't last long. Richards hits a series of kicks to the chest on Elgin. Richards goes for a hand spring elbow, but Elgin catches him with shock treatment for two. Richards shrugs off some Strong chops, but takes a dropkick for two. Elgin drops Richards with a forearm for two.

The Wolves hit stereo kicks to send the HoT to the outside, and follow up with stereo suicide dives. Edwards kicks Strong in the back for two. Strong goes up, but Edwards catches him with an enziguiri, and a backpack chin breaker for two. Edwards locks Strong in the Achillies' lock, but Strong makes it to the ropes. Strong drops Edwards with a belly-to-back suplex on the corner of the ring apron as we go to a commercial break.

Back from break, Elgin hits a long delayed vertical suplex on Edwards for two. Edwards runs into an Elgin powerslam for two. HoT try to double team Edwards, who fights back and makes the tag to Richards. Richards hits Strong with a Northern Lights suplex, causing both men to crash on top of Elgin, and gets two off that. Richards locks Elgin in an ankle lock, but Elgin kicks out of it. Richards hits Elgin with a German suplex for two.

HoT break up stereo top rope moves by the Wolves, and Elgin hits a spinning side effect on Richards for two. Elgin holds Richards in vertical suplex position for a Strong chop, and Elgin slams Richards down with a Rock Bottom for two. Match breaks down. Elgin gets Edwards on his shoulders and Richards in his arms before falling back with a Samoan drop/fall away slam combo. Now that's impressive. The teams pair off and exchange strikes, which the Wolves win. Edwards tosses Elgin into an alarm clock from Richards.

Wolves both hit double stomps on Elgin for two, then a nasty kick combo, but Elgin survives that. Richards applies the ankle lock on Elgin. Elgin muscles Richards into his spinning sit out powerbomb, but Richards kicks out at two. I don't like Richards kicking out of Elgin's finishes. Elgin hits a second sitout powerbomb on Richards, but the referee is stuck with Truth Martini. Edwards slips in and chokes Elgin out with a Dragon sleeper, and that allows Richards to get the pin. Richards has no idea what happened. Nigel & Kevin make a big deal out of Edwards never having used the Dragon sleeper before, and that possibly being a clue as to who his new trainer is. Pretty good main event that, if nothing else, added intrigue to the Final Battle main event.

-FINAL THOUGHTS: Same problems as the previous weeks, with too much time wasting and guys who can't cut promos being given time to do so. The main event was better than average for this show, and added something to the main event at Final Battle, even if the obvious result is Edwards losing and turning heel with the help of his new trainer.

EWR Diary Week 8: 11/21-11/27/11

Raw 11/21/11:

-New WWE COO Shane McMahon opened the show. He explained that he came back the way he did, and aligned himself with the people he has, because of two men: his father Vince McMahon, and Triple H. Shane says he left WWE when it became apparent that he would not be the one to run WWE in the future. Shane talks about how disappointing it was to essentially be groomed his entire life to take over the business, only to have Triple H swoop in, become "Vince's favorite son", and take Shane's spot as the heir apparent. Shane says everything now is they way it should be, and that we will seen HHH again when Shane is ready to forgive HHH for everything he has done to Shane, and that will be a long, long, LONG time. Shane announces that he has hired a new General Manager for RAW: Michael Cole. Cole exits the announce table, gloating and celebrating all the way to the back.

-Match 1 for the Divas Championship: Beth Phoenix [c] VS Kelly Kelly
-Beth wins clean with the Glam Slam. Not much different from Survivor Series. (*1/2)

-Michael Cole is backstage taking in his new office with Shane McMahon congratulating him. CM Punk enters, and gives Cole some insincere congratulations of his own. Punk says that since he pinned the WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio last night, Punk should get the next title shot. The Miz enters as Cole isn't sure how to answer, and reminds everyone that he won the main event last night as the sole survivor for his team. Cole decides to make Punk VS Miz in a #1 contender's match as tonight's main event, only making it final when Shane nods his head in approval.

-Vickie Guerrero comes out to the ring, and brings out her newest clients: Ezekial Jackson & Mason Ryan. She says that since they will become the most dominant team in WWE history, they will be known simply as Domination.

-Match 2: John Morrison & Alex Riley VS Domination
-Decent length tag match. Domination...dominate Morrison until he makes the hot tag to Riley. Vickie provides a distraction and Morrison wipes out, allowing Domination to finish Riley with Kronik's old High Times finisher. (**1/2)

-John Cena came out for a lengthy promo. He scolded the Rock for showing everyone what type of man he truly is and helping cost their team the match at Survivor Series, and thus HHH his job. Cena said he realizes that Rock held no love for any of his teammates, but is disappointed because he thought the Rock would at least do his best for the people. Cena says he's now more excited than ever to face Rock at WrestleMania.

-As The Miz warms up for the main event, WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio stops by to say it would be an honor to face Miz for the title at TLC. Is he sincere? Probably not, but Miz seems to think so.

-Match 3: Big Show VS Curt Hawkins & Primo [Handicap Match]
-Short squash for Show, who finishes Primo with the W.M.D. (*1/2)

-Match 4 for the United States Championship: Dolph Ziggler [c] VS Jack Swagger
-These two are building great chemistry. Ryder gets Ziggler in trouble, but is tripped up by Vickie, allowing Ziggler to hit the Zig Zag and finish with the sleeper. Ziggler looks to add a beatdown, but Jack Swagger runs out to chase him away. (***3/4)

-John Cena is walking around backstage, when Kevin Nash approaches him. Nash tells Cena he wants what Cena has, the WrestleMania main event against the Rock and the big check that will come with it. Cena says if Nash wants something from Cena to come and get it.

-Match 5 for the #1 Contendership to the WWE Championship: CM Punk VS The Miz
-Decent main event. Punk was starting to build some momentum when Del Rio ran in and attacked Punk, drawing a DQ. Miz looks PISSED, but helps Del Rio beat Punk down anyway. Del Rio tries to placate Miz a little by raising Miz's arm in victory after the beatdown. It doesn't seem to work as Miz stares a hole in Del Rio as ADR holds the WWE title belt in the air and the show ends. (***)

-WWE NEWS: Maryse (who I haven't been using and may let go), is out one month with a "damaged hand". No comment on how she damaged it.

Smackdown 11/25/11:

-Smackdown General Manager Teddy Long opens the show. He announces that at TLC, Sheamus will receive one last World Heavyweight Championship match against Mark Henry in a Tables match. Also, starting tonight there will be an 8 man tournament culminating at TLC, with the winner earning a World Heavyweight Championship match at the Royal Rumble in January.

-Match 1: Ted DiBiase VS Christian [Tournament Match]
-Really good opener. DiBiase gives it his all, but falls victim to the Killswitch. (***3/4)

-Matt Striker interviews Sheamus. He thanks Teddy Long for giving him one last championship match, and waxes notstalgic about winning his first WWE Championship in a Tables match at the first TLC pay-per-view. Sheamus tells Mark Henry that at TLC he will find out that lightning can strike twice.

-Match 2: Justin Gabriel VS Sin Cara II [Tournament Match]
-Great match, but the crowd wasn't into it all the way. Gabriel avoids a splash from Sin Cara II, and hits the 450 for the win. (***3/4)

-Wade Barrett cut a promo. He will face Randy Orton in a tournament match tonight. Barrett says that 2012 will be the Year of Wade Barrett, and no one can stop it.

-Match 3: WWE Tag Team Champions Air Boom VS Heath Slater & Tyson Kidd
-Air Boom win the non-title match when Kingston catches Kidd with Trouble in Paradise. (**3/4)

-As Air Boom celebrate their win, Slater & Kidd attack them from behind, deliver a beat down, and steal the tag team championship belts.

-Matt Striker interviewed Mark Henry. Henry says he knows Teddy Long wants Sheamus to be the World Heavyweight champion, but that after TLC, Teddy will have to look for someone else to try to take the title from him. Henry says Sheamus will make his final trip to the Hall of Pain when he goes through a table at TLC.

-Match 4: Sin Cara VS Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes [Tournament Match]
-Sin Cara went to dive through the ropes, but Cody nailed him with the IC title belt in the process as the ref was distracted by one of the baggers. Rhodes finishes with Cross Rhodes to advance. (***1/4)

-Match 5: Randy Orton VS Wade Barrett [Tournament Match]
 -Great main event. Orton has things going his way when Cody Rhodes comes back out to provide a distraction. That allows Barrett to hit Wasteland for the win. (****1/4)

-Rhodes & Barrett double-team Orton after the bell. Rhodes looks like he's going to KO Orton with a chair, but then Orton manages to fight back and hit an RKO on Barrett, causing Rhodes to run away. Orton wears Barrett out with the chair, then hits a punt on Barrett as a mortified Rhodes looks on. Ortont takes off after Rhodes, and medics cart Barrett away on a stretcher as the show ends.

Ring of Honor Wrestling #7

-Jim Cornette opens the show by announcing that Eddie Edwards will face Davey Richards for the RoH World title at Final Battle next month. Edwards says he has a new head trainer in preparation for this match, but declines to say who it is (probably meaning it's a heel manager). Edwards says there will be two Wolves in the match, but only one beast, and that brings out Davey Richards. Richards proposes that they face Roderick Strong & Michael Elgin next week. Edwards accepts, but then just has to remind Richards that when fans chanted "next world champ" at Davey when the Wolves would come out together, they were right, but it was Edwards who got there first, and when they do it next week, Richards will know who they're talking about.

-Video recap of Edwards/Elgin wastes time.

-Truth Martini is backstage with Michael Elgin, telling him that Elgin's guilt he carries over letting various people down, Martini can take away.

-Shiloh Jones says he can make himself a star with a win over Elgin. Yeah...I don't see that happening.

-Match 1: Shiloh Jones VS Michael Elgin (w/Truth Martini & Roderick Strong)

-Jones' tights look like cutoff jeans. Elgin mauls Jones, shrugging off his first attempt at offense. Elgin tosses Jones, hits an avalanche and a flying shoulder block from the top for two. Elgin blocks a tornado DDT and hits a running powerslam for two, as Elgin only covered with one hand. Elgin blocks a sunset flip attempt, but misses a sitdown splash. Elgin KO's Jones with a spinning back fist, and finishes with a buckle bomb followed by a spinning sit out powerbomb. Elgin is best in a squash match, where he can show off his strength.

-Kevin Kelly announces that Kevin Steen is actually suing Jim Cornette following his comments last week. There was a video sent to RoH, which they show. The video is unintentionally funny, as one lawyer reads off a series of charges against Cornette, including collusion with the referees at Final Battle last year. The lawyers nodding and smirking during the video is so 80's movie. Steen lays out the reasons he wants to come back. Good speech from Steen, but that video was too goofy to really take seriously.

-Mike Bennett says he didn't come back for five more minutes in his TV title match a couple weeks ago, because he didn't want to be screwed by Todd Sinclair. Sinclair stands by his call, as does Lethal.

-Video recap of Briscoes/ANX from last week. Seriously?

-Proving Ground rules are laid out again.

-Match 2: Caprice Coleman & Sedrick Alexander VS Ring of Honor World Tag Team Champions Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team

-Benjamin & Coleman exchange holds, with Benjamin continually coming out on top. Haas gets in and it's more of the same, until Alexander gets in. The offense for the underdogs doesn't last long, as Alexander botches rolling off Haas' back, and takes a superkick from Benjamin. WGTT focus on Alexander's leg as we go to break.

Haas keeps working over Alexander. Alexander does counter a suplex into a sunset flip for two. Alexander hits a fucked up tornado DDT, allowing him to finally make the tag. Coleman hits a Rough Ryder on Benjamin for two. Benjamin goes up, but Coleman leaps with a hurricaran to take him down. Coleman hits something on Benjamin (which the camera misses) for two. WGTT take over with 3 minutes left in the time limit, hitting the Leap of Faith on Alexander, and a new Wrestling's Greatest Finisher, a double powerbomb on Coleman for the win. Match was dreadfully dull until the underdog team got some offense in. Match was way too long and should not have been the main event.

-The Briscoes come out to "congratulate" them for beating "the biggest greenhorns on the roster". Jay says nothing else of note, and the show ends.

-FINAL THOUGHTS: Well this show wasn't any good. The opening squash was decent, but then it was downhill from there. They really need to settle into a format that features more wrestling and less time-wasting, and better choices for the main events.

EWR Diary Week 7: 11/14-11/20/11

Raw 11/14/11:

-The show opens with the Conspirators all coming to the ring. They cut a long group promo, with the gyst being that they will win all their matches tonight, and after Survivor Series, there will be a new era in WWE.

-Match 1: Alex Riley VS Brodus Clay

-Clay wins clean with his finisher. Clay goes to add injury to injury when he is run off by John Morrison. (*1/2)

-Triple H cut a promo. He has a match with R-Truth, while Cena will face Del Rio, and Punk will face Miz. Because HHH is still COO, he has banned everyone from both teams from ringside during the individual matches.

-Match 2: Triple H VS R-Truth

-HHH wins clean with the Pedigree. What did you expect? (**1/2)

-Match 3: AJ & Kaitlyn VS Beth Phoenix & Natalya

-Divas of Destruction demolish the babyfaces. Beth pins AJ clean with the Glam Slam. Crowd was burned out after the last match plus...it's a Divas' match. (3/4*)

-Beth Phoenix gets on the mic, and directs some comments at Divas Champion Kelly Kelly. Beth says Survivor Series will be the dawn of a new age for the Divas when she beats Kelly for the championship.

-CM Punk cut a promo for his match against The Miz.

-Match 4: CM Punk VS The Miz

-Decent match, which seems to be the best all Miz is capable of. Punk gets the momentum and looks to finish, but Miz takes a walk. (**3/4)

-Match 5: Randy Orton, Justin Gabriel, & WWE Tag Team Champions Air Boom VS United States Champion Dolph Ziggler, Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes, Christian, & Jack Swagger

-Preview of their traditional Survivor Series elimination match at the PPV. Big ending sequence with everyone hitting finishers or signature moves, ending with Ziggler hitting Bourne with the Zig Zag for the win. (***)

-Match 6: John Cena VS WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio

-OK main event. ADR suddenly grabs the WWE title belt and KO's Cena for the DQ, before sprinting to the back. (***)

-As Cena tries to recover from the belt shot, the camera cuts to the back where the rest of the Conspirators are destroying Triple H and CM Punk. Del Rio joins in the fun, and after the Conspirators leave, the camera lingers on HHH & Punk as the show ends.

Smackdown 11/18/11:

-Match 1: Daniel Bryan, William Regal, Sin Cara, & Ted DiBiase VS Wade Barrett, Sin Cara II, Heath Slater, & Tyson Kidd

-Long opener, and a preview of a traditional Survivor Series elimination match. As the match breaks down, Slater gets a hold of Bryan's Money in the Bank briefcase and KO's Ted DiBiase for the win. (***)

-Sheamus cut a promo for his matches tonight against the Big Show in a no-DQ match, and the World Heavyweight Championship match against Show and champion Mark Henry at Survivor Series.

-Randy Orton cut a promo. He says his team will win at Survivor Series, and that Cody Rhodes above all others, will not survive.

-Match 2: Trent Barreta VS World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry

-Quick squash for Henry, who adds a big splash and another World's Strongest Slam after the bell for good measure. (*3/4)

-Henry cut a promo on Sheamus and Big Show in preparation for the title match at Survivor Series.

-Match 3: Justin Gabriel VS Christian

-Typical great match between these two. Cody Rhodes comes out to ringside and interferes, allowing Christian to get the win with the Killswitch. Just as it looks like Rhodes & Christian are about to destroy Gabriel, Randy Orton makes the save. (****)

-As the four men fight, Teddy Long makes his return to Smackdown, and orders Christian & Gabriel to leave ringside so Orton & Rhodes can have a non-title match right now.

-Match 4: Randy Orton VS Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes

-Really good match. Match spilled outside the ring, where the two brawled for a double count out. (***3/4)

-As Rhodes/Orton fight, Christian & Gabriel rejoin the fray, and the four men have to be held apart by WWE officials.

-Big Show cut a promo. He KO'd Sheamus last week to let him know that Show is not his friend, and the only thing that matters is the World Heavyweight Championship. Show says he will KO Sheamus tonight, then Mark Henry if he wants to get involved, then possibly both at Survivor Series to win the title.

-Match 5: Sheamus VS Big Show [No Disqualification]

-This was not good. Neither man held a distinct advantage until Mark Henry came to ringside. Then it became a three-way fight. Henry KO's Sheamus with the title, then Show KO's Henry with the WMD and gets the pin on Sheamus. Show stands tall with the World title belt as the show closes. Not a good omen for the PPV. (*3/4)

Survivor Series 11/20/11:

-Match 1: Daniel Bryan, William Regal, Sin Cara, & Ted DiBiase VS Wade Barrett, Sin Cara II, Heath Slater, & Tyson Kidd [Traditional Survivor Series Elimination match]

-FIRST FALL: Barrett pinned DiBiase with Wasteland.
-SECOND FALL: Both Sin Caras were counted out.
-THIRD FALL: Tyson Kidd pinned William Regal with illegal help from Slater.
-FOURTH FALL: Bryan caught Kidd celebrating, and submitted him with the Labelle Lock.
-FIFTH FALL: Bryan submitted Slater with the Labelle Lock.
-SIXTH FALL: Bryan countered Wasteland with a crucifix for the pin.
-SOLE SURVIVOR: Daniel Bryan (**1/4)

-Match 2: John Morrison VS Brodus Clay

-Morrison fought the good fight, but fell to Clay's finisher. (**1/4)

-Match 3: Randy Orton, Justin Gabriel, & WWE Tag Team Champions Air Boom VS Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes, United States Champion Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger, & Christian

-FIRST FALL: Ziggler pinned Kingston with the Zig Zag.
-SECOND FALL: Christian pinned Bourne with the Killswitch.
-THIRD FALL: Orton pinned Swagger with the RKO
-FOURTH FALL: Orton pinned Rhodes with the RKO
-FIFTH FALL: Christian pinned Orton by pulling the tights.
-SIXTH FALL: Gabriel pinned Christian with the 450
-SEVENTH FALL: Gabriel pinned Ziggler with a roll-up after Jack Swagger came back out to ringside, but his interference backfired.
-SOLE SURVIVOR: Justin Gabriel
-This match was shockingly and inexcusably disappointing. (*3/4)

-After the final fall, Swagger gets into it with Ziggler and Vickie Guerrero. Swagger and Ziggler fight, until Ezekial Jackson & Mason Ryan rush to the ring...and attack Swagger. Ziggler, Jackson, and Ryan destroy Swagger and leave together with Vickie.

-Match 4 for the Divas Championship: Kelly Kelly [c] VS Beth Phoenix

-Referee kicked Natalya & Eve from ringside early on. Beth wins the title clean with the Glam Slam. (*1/2)

-Match 5 for the World Heavyweight Championship: Mark Henry [c] VS Sheamus VS Big Show [Triple Threat Match]

-Henry and Sheamus ended up double-teaming Big Show towards the end. Show manages to KO Sheamus, but walks into a World's Strongest Slam, and Henry retains. (**)

-Match 6: Triple H, John Cena, CM Punk, & The Rock VS WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio, The Miz, R-Truth, and Kevin Nash [Traditional Survivor Series Elimination match with HHH's job as WWE COO on the line]

-FIRST FALL: Rock pinned Nash with the Rock Bottom.
-SECOND FALL: Del Rio pinned Rock after miscommunication between Rock and Cena.
-THIRD FALL: Rock planted Cena with a Rock Bottom before leaving, and Del Rio got the pin.
-FOURTH FALL: Punk pinned Del Rio with the GTS.
-FIFTH FALL: Truth pinned Punk after he and Miz hit the Little Jimmy Finale.
-SIXTH FALL: HHH pinned Truth with the Pedigree.
-SEVENTH FALL: Ref was bumped, and SHANE MCMAHON made his return to WWE, hitting a diving chair shot on HHH, and Miz got the pin.
-SOLE SURVIVOR: The Miz (**1/2, but the crowd was insane for the whole thing)

NWA/WCW Big Event Project #37: Clash of the Champions XIV "Dixie Dynamite"

-1/30/91

-From Gainesville, GA

-Hosts are JR, and the returning DUSTY!

-Match 1 for the WCW Tag Team Championship: Doom [c] VS United States Champion Lex Luger & Sting

-Teddy is not at ringside. JR & Dusty speculate on where he is. Challengers work Reed over for a few minutes before he tags in Simmons. Simmons & Luger trade shoulder blocks. Simmons hits a hot shot, and tags in Reed as we go to commercial.

Back from break, Simmons is working over Luger, hitting a powerslam for two. Luger is face-in-peril for a bit. Reed hits a flying shoulder block off the top, but Luger still makes the tag. Dan Spivey (who will challenge Luger for the U.S. title at Wrestle War) attacks Luger as Sting cleans house. The ref is bumped, but it doesn't matter as he is able to catch Reed dumping Sting over the top for a DQ. Challengers clear the ring after the decision. Match was disappointing, and I don't see the need for that DQ finish. Give your tag champs a win in what would essentially be a handicap match at that point.

-Missy Hyatt announces that TV Champion Tom Zenk has won a "WCW's Sexiest Wrestler" contest. Coincidently, that leads right into...

-Match 2 for the WCW Television Championship: Tom Zenk [c] VS Bobby Eaton

-Eaton's entrance music, with "Bobby" chants piped in is tremendous. Slow start after a shoving match. Zenk dropkick sends Eaton to the outside. Zenk wins a test of strength, but takes a nasty shot to the chops as the hold is broken. Eaton goes up, but gets caught and slammed down. Eaton comes back with a knee drop off the top, but gets caught with a small package for two. Eaton catches Zenk with a swinging neck breaker for two. Zenk gets the pin with a backslide out of nowhere. Ugh. Match looked to be getting good before that finish. Replay shows Eaton got out before the three count.

-Alexandra York says that later tonight, the York Foundation will announce their latest member.

-Match 3: Tommy Rich & Allen Iron Eagle VS The Fabulous Freebirds

-Rich gets the advantage on both Freebirds. Iron Eagle reminds me of Joe Gomez. Eagle gets taken down by...something from Garvin. Hayes hits a bulldog on Eagle, and poses. Big "Freebirds Suck!" chant as Hayes works Eagle over. Hayes suddenly gets testy, taking Eagle outside and chopping him good. Garvin accidentally gets himself tied to the Tree of Woe. Match breaks down, and the ref misses Eagle pinning Garvin, and moments later tagging Rich. Freebirds take advantage and spike Eagle with a double DDT for the win. Not bad, all-in-all.

-JR Dusty throw it to Tony & Paul E. Dangerously, the self-professed "Inter-Gender Arm Wrestling Champion". Dusty essentially calls Paul gay. Dusty gets on Paul's case about him possibly losing an arm-wrestling match to Missy Hyatt.

-Match 4: Joey Maggs VS Sid Vicious

-Sid's spotlight entrance is awesome. Dusty puts it best when he says Maggs' best moment was when he came to the ring. Sid finishes quickly with the powerbomb, then throws Maggs off the stretcher when Sid's personal EMTs rush out to bring Maggs to the back.

-Tony is with Sid, and apparently very excited about it. Sid says in 1991 there will be no doubt that Sid rules the world.

-Match 5: Ricky Morton VS Terry Taylor

-Taylor is "The Computerized Man of the 1990s". What does that even MEAN? Morton controls with arm drags early. Morton hits a cross body for two, and we go to commercial.

Back from the break, Taylor has control with a hammerlock until Morton counters with a chin breaker. Taylor is getting increasingly frustrated as the match progresses. Alexandra York makes her way to ringside, distracting both men. Taylor takes the opportunity to attack Morton from behind. The announcement from York comes via an inset interview, where she announces that Taylor is the new member. That's an...interesting way to turn someone heel.

Taylor hits a bulldog for two. Taylor tries a Vader bomb, but meets knees. Morton counters an inverted atomic drop, and hits a suplex for two. Morton dives at Taylor, but hits the ropes, and Taylor gets the pin off that, even though Morton landed right on him. Stupid, stupid finish. York should have gotten involved.

-Video hypes the appearance of some female Japanese wrestlers at Wrestle War.

-Video shows Bill Apter giving the PWI Wrestler of the Year Award to Sting.

-Dusty goes nuts, cutting a "USA! USA! USA!" promo about Operation Desert Storm.

-Match 6: Ranger Ross VS El Cubano

-Holy fuck, Ross is still alive? OK, what white guy is playing Cubano? Someone let off a WMD once the bell rang, because the crowd DIES. Really basic and uninteresting match until Ross actually pulls out a nice kick combination. Ross finishes with a sunset flip. NEXT!

-Match 7: The Renegade Warriors VS Arn Anderson & Barry Windham

-The Horsemen's cover of "Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing" is sweet. JR tries to sell this as a legit feud, but really, who gives the Youngbloods a chance here? Warriors control the first few minutes, really pissing off AA. AA finally manages to turn the tide with a big spine buster. Windham hits an awkward DDT for two. Warriors turn the tide, and one of them hits a bicycle kick on AA. Windham hits one with a clothesline and a superplex, then hols the other so Arn can get the pin. Match was sound, but again, who gave the Youngbloods a chance here?

-Tony introduces a video showing highlights from Vader VS Hansen in Japan, as there will be a rematch at Wrestle War. Hansen says Americans want pretty boys, while in Japan, they want real men. It will be no DQ at Wrestle War.

-Match 8: Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker VS Brian Pillman

-Pillman gets a crucifix for two. Parker smacks his head on the floor off a Pillman headscissors. Sweet move as Parker tries to slingshot Pillman in the ring off the apron, but Pillman land on his feet. Parker goes out onto the runway, so Pillman hits a dive to follow him out. Pillman hits a cross body from the top for the pin. Not much here.

-Match 9: Paul E. Dangerously VS Missy Hyatt [Arm Wrestling]

-Paul might as well have a "NO MA'AM" shirt. Missy keeps stalling, irritating Paul. Missy strips down to a bodysuit, and catches Paul staring at her chest to get the win.

-Video shows the Horsemen partying with Lawrence Taylor. Who did more coke that night, Flair or LT?

-Match 10 for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship: Ric Flair [c] (w/harem of ladies) VS Scott Steiner (w/Rick Steiner)

-Flair does not come out to "also sprach zarathustra". Hiro Matsuda is there, in advance of the first WCW/New Japan Super Show, as is the World's Largest Athelete The Big Show El Gigante. Gigante offers a handshake to Flair, who decides to shit-talk him and turn his back.

Not surprisingly, Scott dominates the first few minutes. I never liked Flair's short haircut. Flair finally gets something in, countering corner punches with an inverted atomic drop. Flair keeps the pressure on as we go to commercial.

Back from the break, Steiner locks in a figure 4 on Flair. Match goes outside, and Flair starts working on Scott's leg with a shin breaker. Ric locks in a ropes-assisted figure 4, and the crowd goes nuts because Rick keeps accidentally distracting the ref. Scott manages to reverse the hold to save himself, after quite a long time in it. Steiner hits a Rude Awakening. Scott counters a figure 4 attempt with a small package attempt for two.

Scott clotheslines Flair out over the top, but does not get DQ'd. Flair comes back with a snap mare and a knee drop. Flair tries to get the pin by using the ropes for leverage, but it doesn't work. Scott turns the tide, but doesn't move with any urgency as the time limit ticks down. Scott does hit a belly-to-belly suplex, but the time runs out.

Match was OK (certainly no Flair/Sting), but I LOATHE that finish.

-FINAL THOUGHTS: Nothing particularly memorable about this show. Flair/Steiner is worth a look for curiousity sake, but there's not much else.

EWR Diary Week 6: 11/7-11/13/11

Raw 11/7/11:

-The show opened with The Rock. Rock says he didn't come back to hang out with CM Punk, he didn't come back to save Triple H's job, and he sure as hell didn't come back to help John Cena. The Rock came back...for the people. The Rock knows the people don't like Alberto Del Rio, The Miz, R-Truth, or Kevin Nash, so the Rock is back to lay the smack down on all their candy asses.

-Match 1: John Morrison VS R-Truth

-Competetive opener. Truth wins clean with the Little Jimmy. After the match, Morrison was assaulted by Brodus Clay. (***1/4)

-CM Punk cut a promo. Tonight, he finally has something he's wanted for months: Kevin Nash. Punk says Triple H saved Nash from Punk once, but tonight, nothing can save Nash.

-Match 2: Divas Champion Kelly Kelly & Eve VS The Bella Twins

-Kelly pins Brie clean with the K2. Not as terrible as I feared. (*1/2)

-The Miz cuts a promo. He is facing John Cena in tonight's main event. Miz says he will have Del Rio, R-Truth, and Nash watching his back, and that he trusts them all. Miz ponders whether Cena can trust The Rock, CM Punk, or Triple H.

-Kelly Kelly is walking alone backstage when she is ambushed and beaten down by Beth Phoenix & Natalya.

-Match 3: Randy Orton & Justin Gabriel VS Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes & Christian

-Good length match to bridge the first and second hours. Orton catches Rhodes with an RKO, and Gabriel finishes with the 450. (***1/2)

-Match 4 for the WWE United States Championship: Dolph Ziggler [c] VS Zack Ryder

-Another good match. Ryder has the momentum and sets up for the Rough Ryder, but a distraction from Jack Swagger allows Ziggler to hit the Zig Zag and retain. Ziggler & Swagger look ready to demolish Ryder, but Air Boom rush out to chase them off. (***1/2)

-Match 5: CM Punk VS Kevin Nash

-Match was a lot better than I was anticipating. Crowd was really hot for this. Punk has all the momentum after a Savage Elbow, but Nash kicks Punk in the nuts for a DQ. Nash tries to jackknife Punk, who fights out of it, and the two brawl through the crowd and out of sight. (***)

-Match 6: John Cena VS The Miz

-Cena wins clean with the AA after all the seconds (sans Punk & Nash), start fighting with each other. These two just do not have main event chemistry, but the crowd stayed hot for it. (**1/2)

-After the match, the babyface team clears out the heels, and a group staredown ends the show.

Smackdown 11/11/11:

-Sheamus opens the show with a promo. Sheamus promises to win the World Heavyweight Championship at Survivor Series, and states that the only thing he and Big Show have in common is above-average size, pale skin, and a hatred for Mark Henry.

-Match 1: Yoshi Tatsu & Trent Barreta VS Tyson Kidd & Heath Slater

-Match was good, but crowd wasn't really into it, as you probably would expect. Slater & Kidd finish Tatsu with a springboard Hart Attack, as Slater holds Tatsu for the clothesline by Kidd. (**1/2)

-As William Regal warms up backstage, Daniel Bryan enters. Bryan says that even though he has a match with Evil Sin Cara next, he will still have Regal's back later tonight. Regal thanks him before returning to his warmup.

-Match 2: Daniel Bryan VS Sin Cara II

-Match of the week so far. Evil Sin Cara and Bryan are battling it out in the ring, when the original Sin Cara comes down to ringside. The second Sin Cara attacks him, and is counted out while the two Sin Caras fight on the floor. (***3/4)

-As Daniel Bryan watches the Sin Cara fight, Wade Barrett emerges from the crowd and jumps him. Barrett lays Bryan out with the Money in the Bank briefcase, followed by Wasteland.

-Big Show cut a promo. It's his turn to have a no disqualification match against World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry. Show says he is going to make Henry pay for every day Show had was out of action.

-Match 3 for the WWE Intercontinental Championship: Cody Rhodes [c] VS Justin Gabriel

-Another good match, on par with Bryan/Sin Cara II. Cody's baggers get involved, and end up distracting the ref, allowing Christian to sneak in and hit Gabriel with a spear, allowing Rhodes to follow up with Cross Rhodes and retain. Randy Orton makes the save, laying out the baggers with RKOs. (***3/4)

-Mark Henry cut a promo. He says he is still going to eliminate Big Show and Sheamus before Survivor Series. Big Show and tonight, and Sheamus soon to come...unless Sheamus sticks his nose in the match tonight, then it will be sooner than later.

-Match 4: William Regal VS Wade Barrett

-Another really good match. Ring work may have been better than the last two matches, but the crowd reaction wasn't as high. Barrett cheats and Regal is pissed about Barrett attacking Daniel Bryan earlier, so Regal decides to show Barrett how it's done and KO's him with the Power of the Punch, drawing a DQ. As Regal is pulled away from Barrett, he is suddenly attacked by Heath Slater & Tyson Kidd. Regal is laid out, then Slater & Kidd help Barrett to his feet and add a couple shots for good measure. (***3/4)

-Randy Orton cut a promo. He says he has just been informed that he will be in a traditional Survivor Series match, teaming with Justin Gabriel & Air Boom to face Cody Rhodes, Christian, Dolph Ziggler, & Jack Swagger. Orton says Survivor Series will be the worst day in the lives of his opponents.

-Match 5: Big Show VS World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry [No Disqualification]

-OK main event, but not up to par with the last three matches. Sheamus does get involved, and Show takes advantage, dropping Mark Henry with the W.M.D. knock-out punch for the win. As Sheamus prepares to leave, Show gives him one too, and stands tall as the show closes. (**3/4)

MATCHES ANNOUNCED FOR SURVIVOR SERIES:

Traditional Survivor Series Match with HHH's job as COO on the line: HHH, John Cena, The Rock, & CM Punk VS WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio, The Miz, R-Truth, & Kevin Nash

Triple Threat Match for the World Heavyweight Championship: Mark Henry [c] VS Sheamus VS Big Show

Traditional Survivor Series Match: Randy Orton, Justin Gabriel, & WWE Tag Team Champions Air Boom VS Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes, Christian, United States Champion Dolph Ziggler, & Jack Swagger

Divas Championship: Kelly Kelly [c] VS Beth Phoenix

Ring of Honor Wrestling #6

-Missed last week's show because the baseball game went long, and I only got the first 25 minutes or so on my DVR. I couldn't be bothered to sign up on RoH's website to be able to watch the show there.

-LAST WEEK: Jay Lethal went to a time limit draw against Mike Bennett in a TV title match. Despite being the challenger, Bennett did not want the five extra minutes, even though Lethal did.

-Pre-match video for Kyle O'Reilly VS Roderick Strong. Strong only took the match because O'Reilly is on Team Richards. Strong has a life outside wrestling, while Team Richards doesn't, which Strong apparently finds amusing.

-Match 1: Kyle O'Reilly VS Roderick Strong (w/Truth Martini)

-Martini is on color commentary. Martini issues an open challenge on behalf of Strong for Final Battle. Strong counters a leg lock with the Labelle Lock. O'Reilly takes control of the match with kicks and strikes. O'Reilly gets a Northern Lights suplex for two. Strong comes back with a back breaker for two. Strong pounds on O'Reilly as we go to commercial.

Back from break, O'Reilly charges into a boot, followed by an enziguiri. Martini goes back to ringside, as O'Reilly hits an overhead throw. O'Reilly hits a hurricarana, and follows up with a missile dropkick for two. O'Reilly hits a series of three butterfly suplexes for two. Strong almost KO's O'Reilly with a run of forearm shots, and follows up with a Blue Thunder bomb for two. Strong hits Death From Above for two. Strong locks on the Stronghold, but O'Reilly makes it to the ropes. O'Reilly counters a half-nelson back breaker with a crucifix for two.

O'Reilly counters a tilt-a-whirl with a DDT, and locks on a guillotine choke. Strong gets out by almost pinning O'Reilly, and quickly scores with the Sick Kick for the win. Good opener.

-Truth tells O'Reilly that Team Richards produces losers. Michael Elgin runs in for a 2-on-1, and he & Strong hit a powerbomb/lungblower combo on O'Reilly. Another member of Team Richards rushes in, but he gets taken out. Davey Richards runs out, but he gets swarmed. Eddie Edwards finally comes out to even the odds. Richards hits the Alarm Clock on Martini. A member of the crew gets hurt in the process.

-After a commercial break, Jim Cornette fines Martini, Strong, & Elgin $2,500 for starting the fight. A couple plants chant for Kevin Steen, but Jim Cornette shuts them down.

-INSIDE RING OF HONOR: Kevin Kelly states that either TV Champion Jay Lethal and former RoH World champion Eddie Edwards are the two men in the running for the World title match at Final Battle. They both share their thoughts.

Next week, Cedric Alexander & Caprice Coleman are challenging RoH Tag Team Champions Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team to a "Proving Ground" match, and if Alexander & Coleman win, they get an automatic title shot within 90 days.

-Match 2: Alex Silva VS Tomasso Ciampa (w/Prince Nana & Ernesto Osiris)

-Steve Corino is on commentary. Silva is not an RoH regular, and Ciampa is still undefeated, so it doesn't look good for Silva. Ciampa starts off hot and tries to finish right away with an exposed knee to the face, but Silva pulls Ciampa outside. Ciampa hits a suplex on the floor. Back in the ring, Ciampa pound on Silva. Silva tries, but Ciampa hits a low dropkick to Silva's knee, and punts him in the face. Silva fights back, but Ciampa hits a neckbreaker, the running knee to the face four times, and finishes with the Project Ciampa. OK squash, and I still love me some Ciampa.

-Match 3 with the winners getting a tag team title shot at Final Battle: The Briscoe Brothers VS The All Night Express

-They don't even wait for the ring introductions to start the fight. ANX control the first few minutes. Titus whips Mark into a King spinning kick for two. King hits Mark with a running clothesline for two. Mark holds King for a running clothesline from Jay. Jay pounds on King in the corner as we go to break.

Back from break, Briscoes hit King with a double team shoulder block. Jay knocks Titus off the ring apron, so he can't tag King. King is the face-in-peril. Briscoes hit King with a powerbomb/neckbreaker combo, but Titus makes the save. King fights off the Jay Driller, and makes the hot tag. Titus hits Jay with a corner dropkick, King hits shotgun knees, and Titus finishes with the sequence with a standard dropkick. Jay hits King with a spine buster. Jay gets Titus up top, but stops to talk smack, and takes Snake Eyes.

Mark lays Titus out with a Diamond Cutter from the top. King drops Mark, but then takes a spike DDT from Jay. ANX go for their powerbomb/blockbuster combo on Mark, but Jay shoves King off the top, then helps Mark hurricarana Titus for the pin. Decent main event, but it lost a lot by becoming more about the Briscoes' pursuit of the tag titles, and less about their long-running feud with the ANX.

-FINAL THOUGHTS: I like this format a lot more. A lot less time wasting and more wrestling equals a better show. They just need to work on having more matches without obvious outcomes, as that hurt all three matches on this show.