Retro Rowe: WWE Night of Champions 2011

WWE Night of Champions 2011
by Samoa Rowe

September 18,2011

-From Buffalo, NY. Our hosts are Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, and Booker T.

WWE Tag Team Championship:
Air Boom! © (Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne) vs. The Awesome Truth (The Miz and R-Truth)

Truth and Miz rapping on their way to the ring is so pathetic it’s not hard to see why their main event run flopped so badly. Air Boom get a hot start, with Kofi bridging Miz for flying knees from Evan. Truth tags, but Kofi tosses Evan onto him for a DDT. Air Boom connect with stereo top rope dives to the floor. Right on cue, the Awesome Truth turn it around and isolate Bourne for the heat segment. Bourne impressively counters and rolls through the Skull Crushing Finale to make the hot tag to Kofi. Miz eats the Boom Drop and SOS but kicks out. Truth hangs Kofi on the ropes, setting up a Miz DDT that Kofi barely kicks out of. Bourne makes a phantom tag and dives in with flying knees to the chest of Miz. I love it when baby faces cheat. Bourne misses Air Bourne and takes the Miz DDT, but Kofi breaks the cover. Skull Crushing Finale on Bourne, but the referee is arguing with Truth. Miz loses his temper and shoves the official down, earning a DQ at 9:48. This was better than expected, as it rose above the usual formula, though the finish hurts, **¼.
Winners via DQ and still WWE Tag Team Champions: Air Boom!

Retro Rowe: WWE Summerslam 2011 Review

WWE SummerSlam 2011

by Samoa Rowe

August 14th 2011

-From Los Angeles, CA. Our hosts are heel Michael Cole, Booker T, and Jerry Lawler.

-Adam Jones, from TOOL, is here to play the National Anthem on the guitar. WWE earns 10 cool points.

-The story leading into Summerslam 2011 is that there are two WWE Champions. CM Punk won the title from John Cena at Money in the Bank and proceeded to walk out of the company. This might seem like a big problem, as now there is no WWE Champion present in WWE (though there WAS a World Heavyweight Champion in Christian, but it’s not like they could promote him to top star status or anything). A tournament to crown a new champion was held and Rey Mysterio emerged victorious. Rey had an emotional celebration, but apparently he just had to defend it against John Cena the night he won it, because it had only been something like 8 days since Cena had last held the title and he has a Gollum-like need for it. Cena defeated Rey Mysterio and took the title like an opportunistic bully, and had they wanted to turn Cena heel, there would have been no better way to do it. Once Cena was WWE Champion again, CM Punk returned (less than 2 weeks after leaving forever) and made his claim to be the true WWE Champion. And that’s how we got to Summerslam 2011.

Retro Rowe: WWE Money in the Bank 2011

WWE Money in the Bank - July 17, 2011

by SamoaRowe

-From Chicago, IL. Your hosts are Booker T, Michael Cole, and Jerry Lawler.

Smackdown Money in the Bank Ladder match:
Sin Cara vs. Wade Barrett vs. Justin Gabriel vs. Sheamus vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Heath Slater vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Kane

Absolute chaos erupts as the bell rings. Kane is the last man standing as the ring gets cleared out. Bryan drop-kicks a ladder into Kane but Gabriel and Slater do the same. Sin Cara tries to follow the act but ends up eating a ladder shot from the former Corre members. Gabriel tries shifting the ladder into position by hopping by Bryan knocks him off. Sheamus blocks Rhodes (to a face pop) and finds himself in a potential winning situation. Kane cleans the ring again. The high fliers take turns hitting their patented dives to the floor in spectacular fashion. This sort of thing doesn’t happen very often in WWE, so it feels fresh. Sin Cara hits the moonsault slam on Bryan to a huge ovation. Sadly, Sin Cara ends up taking a power bomb off the apron onto a propped ladder, courtesy of Sheamus. Sin Cara sells the attack as if it was death itself and is stretchered out for a wellness policy violation vacation. All three former Corre members triple-team Kane. Rhodes sprints up the ladder but the Corre strikes. Bryan suffers a similar fate. It doesn’t take long before Barrett tries ordering Slater and Gabriel to stand back and the alliance dissolves. Bryan and Sheamus battle on the ladder, with Kane clothes lining Bryan off the shoulders of Sheamus. Kane goes on a chokeslamming spree. Bryan counters the choke slam with an arm submission and counters again with a DDT! Sadly, Daniel suffers a neck breaker off the ladder thanks to Heath Slater. Innovative spot with Sheamus and Barrett using the ladder to awkwardly push Slater off the turnbuckle! Sheamus drops Gabriel on a propped ladder and hits the Brogue kick. Kane choke slams Kane off the ladder onto a second bridged ladder! Kane takes a series of finishers, capped off with Gabriel hitting a 450 splash off a propped ladder! Barrett climbs but Rhodes pulls him down. Bryan and Rhodes fight at the top and Barrett sneaks up and reaches over Bryan for the case. Bryan knocks Rhodes off but Barrett looks for Waste Land. Bryan kicks Barrett in the head and grabs the case for the win at 24:27! I can honestly say, this is the best WWE match I’ve seen in months. Also, this is one of the best MITB matches I’ve ever seen. They worked in some new tricks and everyone had a chance to get over, ****½.
Winner: Daniel Bryan

Retro Rowe: WWE Capitol Punishment 2011 Review

WWE Capitol Punishment

June 19, 2011

by Samoa Rowe

-Follow me on Twitter: @SamoaRowe

-From Washington D.C. They put some extra effort into the stage, with the set dressed up to resemble the White House. Our hosts are Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, and Booker T.

United States Championship:
Kofi Kingston © vs. Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero)

That’s right, another round of Kofi vs. Dolph. I’m predicting another 13 minutes of good, but formulaic action. After an even exchange, Kofi builds some momentum with a monkey flip. Dolph counters Trouble in Paradise and nails the Fame-asser to take control. Kofi sneaks in some near falls but Ziggler remain in control with a German suplex (!!!). Kingston counters the sleeper to create an opening for a comeback. Kofi delivers the SOS for only 2. Kofi blocks the Zig Zag and nails a double stomp! High cross body by Kingston still isn’t enough. Dolph’s sleeper is countered but Vickie grabs Kofi’s hair. Ziggler reapplies the sleeper for the win at 11:02. Lively opener here, as they busted out some unusual moves and Dolph actually won with the sleeper, **¾.
Winner and new United States Champion: Dolph Ziggler

Retro Rowe: WWE Over the Limit 2011 Review

WWE Over the Limit

May 22, 2011

by Samoa Rowe

-Follow me on Twitter: @SamoaRowe

-From Seattle, WA. Our hosts are Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, Josh Mathews, and Booker T.

-In memory of “Macho Man” Randy Savage.

-R-Truth (with no entrance music) cuts a heel promo before his match. He’s mad because he couldn’t find a parking spot at the arena. It forced him to park with the stink-filled hippies in the crowd tonight. He’s done playing games and threatens to take Rey Mysterio’s spot. This went on a bit too long but I love Truth’s insane A-hole personal from this time period.

R-Truth vs. Rey Mysterio

It doesn’t take long for Rey to set up a hurricanrana off the apron to the floor. Truth trips Rey up on the turnbuckles to take control. Truth shakes off a drop toe hold into the turnbuckles to regain his momentum. Rey counters with a bulldog off the ropes. Springboard cross body by Mysterio, who is unable to get a pinfall. Truth retaliates with a spinning elbow but misses the axe kick. Truth crotches Rey with the ring skirt. Truth plants Rey with the STO for the win at 8:08. Painfully formulaic Rey Mysterio match here, **.
Winner: R-Truth

Retro Rowe: WWE Extreme Rules 2011 Review

WWE Extreme Rules

May 1, 2011

by Samoa Rowe

-From Tampa, FL. Our hosts are Josh Mathews, Booker T, and Jerry Lawler.

-Before the Randy Orton/CM Punk match begins, Josh Mathews announces that the General Manager computer has banned New Nexus members from ringside. If you’re going to have an obnoxious heel GM, just go all the way with it, don't have it randomly rule in favor of the babyface for no reason!

Last Man Standing:
Randy Orton vs. CM Punk

Punk removes some turnbuckle padding before entering the ring. Orton dominates the early brawl. Punk delivers a low kick and remembers that weapons are legal. Punk connects with some kendo stick shots. Back suplex by Punk isn’t enough to keep Orton down. Punk springboards into a kendo shot and Orton gets some revenge. Punk rebounds by catapulting Orton into the exposed turnbuckle. Punk props a chair in another corner but his bulldog attempt is countered. They trade finisher counters and Orton drives Punk into the chair! Orton bats Punk around ringside and nails a hard power slam! Punk is competitive but suffers a back suplex onto the barricade. Punk blocks the RKO in the ring and hits the GTS. Orton barely breaks the count so Punk administers a side Russian leg sweep onto a chair. Orton counters with the RKO out of nowhere. Punk survives long enough to wrap Orton’s head in a chair and drives him into the ring post! Punk attempts a GTS on the announce table but Orton counters with the RKO (but the table doesn’t break). They both struggle to their feet and Punk drops Orton onto the steps. Orton knocks Punk off the top ropes with a series of kendo shots. An RKO off the top rope finishes Punk at 20:00. A main event style brawl feels so out of place as an opener. The match was fine, I just had zero investment in this feud, ***.
Winner: Randy Orton

Retro Rowe: WWE Elimination Chamber 2011 Review

WWE Elimination Chamber

February 20, 2011

by Samoa Rowe

-From Oakland, CA. Our hosts are Michael Cole, Josh Mathews, and Booker T.

Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez) vs. Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston

Del Rio cuts a promo beforehand, mainly insulting Oakland, bragging about his Rumble win, and destiny. Del Rio hides from an aggressive Kofi in the ropes as the fans chant for him. Ricardo distracts, allowing Del Rio to pop out of the corner and attack Kingston. Kofi retakes control briefly before Del Rio shoves him into the ring post. Del Rio establishes his control by driving Kingston into the ring steps. Alberto wears Kofi down for a while. Desperate flying cross body off the turnbuckles by Kofi. Kingston makes his patented comeback, complete with the Boom Drop. Trouble In Paradise misses, but Kofi improvises with a swinging kick. Del Rio counters a flying cross body. Missile drop-kick by Kingston gets 2. Gut buster by Alberto, but Kofi comes back with a swinging DDT. Ricardo distracts the referee, costing Kofi the win. The SOS connects for only 2. Del Rio counters with a neck breaker off the turnbuckles. The cross arm breaker ends it at 10:26. I like the chemistry here. Good opener, ***.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio

Retro Rowe: WWE Royal Rumble 2011 Live Review

WWE Royal Rumble - Jan 29, 2011

by SamoaRowe

-From Boston, MA.

-This is a first-time review for me, as it’s based on my live experience at the show. I would say that it ranks fairly high on the list of live events I’ve been to. The TD Bank Garden was legitimately sold out with a great mix of young and older fans. I saw a lot of excited little kids in John Cena gear and a lot of 30 something year olds decked out in ROH merch.

-Our hosts for the evening were Michael Cole (who received great heat during his entrance), Jerry Lawler, and Matt Striker.

-The dark match was R-Truth beating Curt Hawkins in about two minutes.

World Heavyweight Championship:
Edge © vs. Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero)

This started as a fairly cookie cutter match. Edge was in full control for the first few minutes until Ziggler tricked him with a kick to the chest while getting back into the ring. After a standard first half, this match really picked it up several notches. What stands out in my mind is how comfortable Ziggler looked here, as if he belonged. That should go a long way in his continued push and elevation in the company. The final stretch was full of convincing near falls. The story of Edge’s spear being illegal in the match was a nice touch as well. The crowd groaned later on when the referee took a bump, but it gave Edge to be the anti-hero and deliver the spear anyway. It was also nice to see Edge break out the sharpshooter and Edgecution. Ziggler hit his Zig Zag finisher and got the type of near fall that you usually see in Ring of Honor main events. Basically, this was a great showing for both men, especially when you consider how rare successful title defenses are for Edge, ***¾.
Winner at 20:45 and still World Champion: Edge

Retro Rowe: WWE TLC 2010 Review

WWE Tables Ladders and Chairs

by Samoa Rowe

December 19, 2010

-From Houston, TX. Our hosts are Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, and Matt Striker. Cole is clutching his recently won Slammy awards.

Intercontinental Championship (Ladder match):
Dolph Ziggler © (with Vickie Guerrero) vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Jack Swagger

After a typical triple threat beginning, Ziggler is the first to attempt a climb. Kingston and Swagger have a brief exchange with the ladder before Dolph returns with a smaller ladder. Swagger seems to have injured his hand as Kofi takes a bad spill onto a ladder in the turnbuckles. Swagger returns to slingshot Ziggler into the bridged ladder. Kingston springboards through a ladder for a drop-kick. Ziggler sneaks in to deliver the fame-asser onto the ladder! With everyone down, Vickie climbs the ladder and Kofi tips it back. Ziggler pleads for mercy, but it’s Swagger that actually saves Vickie from taking a sick bump. Kofi manages to climb despite being stuck in Swagger’s ankle lock, and Ziggler climbs over all of them to almost get the belt. Kingston fights off a sleeper at the top and knocks Dolph down. Swagger prevents a Kofi victory and they trade shots and the Intercontinental title falls to the mat. Ziggler pounces on the belt and is declared victorious at 8:53. I’m going out on a limb to assume that was not the planned finish. This was quite an entertaining spot-fest until the abrupt finish, **¾.
Winner and still Intercontinental Champion: Dolph Ziggler

Retro Rowe: WWE Survivor Series 2010

WWF Survivor Series 2010
by SamoRowe

November 21, 2010

-From Miami, FL. Our hosts are Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, and Matt Striker.

United States Championship:
Daniel Bryan © vs. Ted Dibiase (with Maryse)

They exchange some wrist holds and the lights go out as Bryan nails a drop-kick. The lights are back as Bryan kicks Dibiase square in the gut. Dibiase suplexes Bryan over the ropes to the floor. Double axe handle off the top by Dibiase! Dibiase absorbs some hard shots but pummels Bryan back into the canvas. Cue the chinlock! Bryan desperately hits a running drop-kick. Bryan forges a comeback and dumps Dibiase to the floor for a suicide dive! Bryan seems to injure his shoulder in that spot. Bryan scores a missile drop-kick anyway. Dibiase blocks the Labell Lock and nails a hard clothesline. Bryan counters Dream Street but runs into a spinebuster. Back superplex by Bryan! Dibiase rebounds with a slingshot into the turnbuckles. Bryan counters into the Labell Lock. Dibiase taps at 9:53! Bryan was making the entire WWE mid-card look good during this period, **¾. 
Winner and still United States Champion: Daniel Bryan

Retro Rowe: WWE Bragging Rights 2010 Review

WWE Hell in a Cell 2010

by Samoa Rowe

October 24, 2010

-From Minneapolis, MN. Our hosts are Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, and Matt Striker.

-Vickie Guerrero is the first person through the curtain. She is the proud girlfriend of Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler.

Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero) vs. United States Champion Daniel Bryan

Ziggler holds his own while exchanging holds with Bryan. Bryan leaps over Vickie to wipe Ziggler out at ringside. Running drop-kick by Bryan, but Ziggler snaps Bryan into the ropes to take control. Bryan counters a backbreaker and sneaks in some pinning predicaments. Ziggler delivers an inverted body slam to regain control. Cue the chinlock! Bryan misses a running drop-kick and crashes into the turnbuckles. Ziggler wears down Bryan for a while until suffering a chin breaker counter. Bryan mounts a comeback with hard kicks. Leg lariat by Bryan gets 2. Springboard drop-kick by Bryan but Ziggler kicks out. Super-kick by Ziggler gets a near fall. The Zig Zag is blocked and Bryan delivers a nasty head kick. Bryan creatively sets up a back superplex, but Ziggler counters in mid-air! Bryan counters the cover! They wipe each other out with cross body attempts. They trade pinning predicaments until Ziggler nails the Fame-asser. Ziggler thinks he’s won, but Bryan had the ropes. Cue the sleeper! Ziggler spends too much time talking smack and gets trapped in the Labell Lock! Ziggler taps at 16:11! Bryan and Ziggler pulled out all the stops to have a good match within the confines of the WWE mid-card formula, ***¼.
Winner: Daniel Bryan

Retro Rowe: WWE Hell in a Cell 2010 Review

WWE Hell in a Cell 2010

by Samoa Rowe

October 3, 2010

-From Dallas, TX. Our hosts are Jerry Lawler, Michael Cole, and Matt Striker.

United States Championship (Submissions Count Anywhere):
Daniel Bryan © vs. John Morrison vs. The Miz

Looks like we’re getting this show off on the right note. Miz cuts a promo on his way to the ring bitching about how Bryan and Morrison wouldn’t have made it without him. Miz gets overwhelmed quickly and takes a break. He gets chased around the ring , forcing Morrison and Bryan to work together. Bryan and Morrison show off some chain wrestling while Miz is down. They roll to the floor with their legs locked and Miz finds an opening to attack both of them. Morrison ties Miz up in the ropes but Bryan breaks it up with a drop-kick. Bryan locks Cattle Mutilation on Miz! They reverse heel hooks in entertaining fashion until Morrison breaks it with Starship Pain. Morrison almost makes Bryan tap to a modified Haas of Pain and connects with a corkscrew plancha on Miz. They brawl into the crowd with Miz in the driver’s seat. Miz brings a production cart from the back and rams it into Morrison. Bryan gets placed on the cart and Miz drives it into the stage! Morrison counters and leaps over the cart for a drop-kick. Miz bounces back with the Skull Crushing Finale on Morrison on the concrete! Bryan and Miz square off on the stage and wipe each other out with clotheslines. Morrison climbs the lighting and perches on the cage wall on the stage. Morrison delivers a flying cross body onto the stage! Morrison applies a Texas Cloverleaf on Miz, but Alex Riley runs in for the save, tossing Morrison down the ramp. Bryan throws Riley into a cameraman. Bryan forces Miz to tap out to the Labell Lock at 13:30! I know I wasn’t paying close attention to WWE during this time, but I didn’t hear a thing about this match. This was a wildly inventive outing, worth checking out, ***¾.
Winner and still United States Champion: Daniel Bryan

Retro Rowe: WWE Night of Champions 2010

WWE Night Of Champions 2010

September 19, 2010

by Samoa Rowe

-From Chicago, IL. Our hosts are Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, and Matt Striker.

-Vickie Guerrero and Kaitlyn come out to introduce Dolph Ziggler. I’m reminded that Kaitlyn is still an NXT rookie.

Intercontinental Championship:
Dolph Ziggler © (with Vickie Guerrero and Kaitlyn) vs. Kofi Kingston

Oh goodie, THIS match again. Kingston and Ziggler seem doomed to forever feud against one another in a perpetual limbo of hitting the glass ceiling. Vickie is insecure that Dolph is more attracted to Kaitlyn and sends her away when Dolph gets tossed and therefore needs tending to. Ziggler rebounds and goes to work on Kofi’s head. Ziggler nails the Fame-asser for 2 and continues the head attacks. If you like rest holds, this is the match for you. Dolph’s chinlock is what we’d normally be missing during a commercial break. Kingston goes ballistic and makes a comeback. Trouble in Paradise misses but Kingston blocks the sleeper. Ziggler uses a rope break to save himself. Kofi dives off the apron and loses his cool pummeling Ziggler on the floor. Dolph locks on the sleeper and Kingston dramatically reverses. Dolph orders Vickie not to interfere and dodges Trouble in Paradise. The Zig Zag finishes it at 12:35. This was the usual effort you get from WWE mid-carders these days. I don’t want to see Kingston and Ziggler ever face each other again, unless a World title is on the line, **½.
Winner and still Intercontinental Champion: Dolph Ziggler

Retro Rowe: WWE Summerslam 2010 Review

WWE Summerslam - August 15, 2010
by SamoaRowe

-From Los Angeles, CA. Our hosts are Michael Cole, Matt Striker, and Jerry Lawler.

Intercontinental Championship:
Dolph Ziggler © (with Vickie Guerrero) vs. Kofi Kingston

Ziggler is the newly crowned IC Champion, having won the belt from Kingston with an assist from Vickie. Kingston cuts off Vickie’s mic work before the match. Kingston wants revenge and is aggressive in the early going. Kingston misses a suicide dive and takes a nasty spill into the guard rail. Ziggler is eager for a count-out but to no avail. Ziggler goes to work on Kingston’s neck. Kofi dodges a corner splash and mounts a comeback. Ziggler rolls through a springboard cross body for a near fall. Fame-asser by Ziggler also gets 2. Kofi catches Dolph with his educated feet and delivers a flying shot to the head. Trouble in Paradise misses and Ziggler applies the sleeper hold! It’s about this time when the Nexus runs in and draws the DQ at 7:04! The group tosses Ziggler over the ropes and surrounds Kingston. This was a solid opener until the non-finish, **¼.
No contest.

Retro Rowe: WWE Fatal 4-way 2010 Review

WWE Fatal 4-Way - June 20, 2010

by SamoaRowe
-Live, from Uniondale, NY. Our hosts are Jerry Lawler, Michael Cole, and Matt Striker.

-One championship, four contenders. That is the “innovative” theme of tonight’s show. The opening montage highlight’s Kane’s quest to find out who injured his brother, The Undertaker.

-The show kicks off with Mr. McMahon on the stage. He is “sad” to inform us that Bret Hart will not be here, as a result of the attack he suffered at the hands of the Nexus. Well, actually, the Nexus repeatedly crashed Bret’s limo while Bret was trapped in the backseat. Keep in mind, this is in the aftermath of Daniel Bryan being fired for CHOKING SOMEONE WITH A TIE. Vince brings out his current pet project, Drew McIntyre and puts him over by shaking his hand.

-We are treated to a montage of Drew McIntyre putting the hurt onto Teddy Long, Kofi Kingston, and Matt Hardy on Smackdown. Mr. McMahon leaves the arena in his limo (which I keep waiting to explode again). Drew calls out Teddy and throws some more insults his way. Long is ordered to sit and watch the match, and will be forced to hand Drew the IC title when it’s over.

Intercontinental Championship:
Kofi Kingston © vs. Drew McIntyre
Back and forth action to start. Suicide dive by Kofi! Drew trips Kofi off the apron to take control. Drew spends several minutes attacking Kofi’s arm. Kingston counters with a flowing DDT! Kofi builds some steam with his controlled frenzy offense. Drew hits a knee to the head but Kofi rebounds with a side Russian legsweep. Drew comes out on top after a series of reversals. Kofi blocks the Futureshock and nails a springboard tornado DDT. Kofi mounts on the corner but Drew counters with a power bomb! Drew kicks out of S.O.S. Drew counters a head scissor by driving Kofi into the referee. Futureshock DDT by Drew, but there’s no official. Drew pulls Long into the ring and forces him to wear the referee shirt. Long starts counting but can’t bring himself to get to 3. Drew threatens Long and sets up another DDT when Matt Hardy runs in and delivers the Twist of Fate! Kofi nails Trouble in Paradise and Long counts to 3 at 16:25. I’m surprised by how much time this got. They were able to tell a strong story and build to a satisfying finish, with Long, Kingston, and Hardy getting their retribution, ***½.
Winner and still Intercontinental Champion: Kofi Kingston

WWE Extreme Rules - April 25, 2010
by SamoaRowe

-This year’s Wrestlemania backlash will be extreme! Fasten your seatbelts.

-From Baltimore, MD.

-Triple H’s music plays but he’s nowhere to be seen. We discover that Sheamus has attacked him backstage and they are brawling. Referees pull Triple H off, giving Sheamus a chance to strike with a steel pipe.

-Unified Tag Team Champions Big Show and Miz come down to the ring. It turns out they are here to excite the crowd since the street fight got delayed. Miz brags about how fantastic they are and demands some competition. Theodore Long steps up to the plate and forces them into a tag team gauntlet match! The longer Miz talks, the more teams Long adds to the match. If Miz and Show lose, they’ll defend the belts against the winning team the next night on Raw.

Tag Team gauntlet match:
Miz and Show are up against John Morrison and R-Truth. Former partners Miz and Morrison miss a chance to show off how well they know each other. Miz gets double teamed and makes a tag. Show swats Truth down and isolates him. Morrison gets a lukewarm tag and attempts to clean house on Big Show. Morrison counters a choke slam with a modified triangle choke. Truth dispatches Miz to ringside, but Morrison is disqualified for holding onto the hold in the ropes at 3:15.

Mark Henry and MVP are the next team! MVP attempts a quick pin on Show. Miz tags and runs into a clothesline. Henry tags and overpowers an isolated Miz. MVP unloads his arsenal but can’t pick up a victory. Playmaker by Miz, but Show saves with a punch to the head. Miz pins MVP at 5:45.

The final team is the Hart Dynasty, accompanied by Natalya and Bret Hart! They immediately hit the Hart Attack on Miz for the win at 6:19. They celebrate with Bret to general crowd approval. This really didn’t do any favors for the participants, other than a feel good moment for the Harts at the end, *½.

Winners: Tyson Kidd and David Hart Smith

Retro Rowe: WWE Royal Rumble 2010

WWE Royal Rumble

January 31, 2010

by Samoa Rowe

-From Atlanta, GA. Our hosts are Michael Cole, Matt Striker, and Jerry Lawler.

-Savannah is our official ECW ring announcer! I’m surprised TNA hasn’t hired her yet and then acted surprised when their fans didn’t recognize her.

ECW Championship:
Christian © vs. Ezekiel Jackson (with William Regal)

This would prove to be the final ECW title match ever on pay-per-view, as the brand was soon scrapped in favor of NXT. Jackson has a clear size advantage and forces Christian to get creative. Jackson gets flustered but manages to hit a short arm clothesline to take control. Christian counters a press slam and delivers some attacks to the head. Jackson knocks Christian off the turnbuckles to regain his momentum. Regal gets kicked out of the arena for coming too close to Christian at ringside. Jackson dead lifts Christian off them at for a choke slam and continues an extended beating. Jackson’s superplex to blocked and Christian nails a flying uppercut. Christian makes his comeback with quick attacks. Christian’s diving head butt misses and he eats a clothesline for 2. Christian absorbs a backbreaker and delivers a tornado DDT! They trade counters until Christian delivers the Killswitch to retain at 11:57! This was a surprisingly game opener, **¾.
Winner and still ECW Champion: Christian

Retro Rowe: WWE TLC 2009 Review

WWE Tables, Ladders, and Chairs
December 13, 2009by Samoa Rowe
-From San Antonio, TX. Our hosts are Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, and Matt Striker.

ECW Championship (Ladder match):
Christian (c) vs. Shelton Benjamin

They have a basic back and forth match in the early going. They battle for control of a ladder at ringside. Christian nails a top rope dive to earn control of the ladder. Christian climbs but Benjamin cuts him off. Benjamin (almost) lands on his feet on a sunset flip and sprints up but ends up getting tossed to ringside. Christian lifts the ladder but gets tripped up and gets smashed in the forehead. Benjamin stalls for time while a medic attends to Christian's open wound. For some reason they battle on a ringside ladder and Benjamin hits a scary somersault senton to the floor. Shelton props a ladder up on the announce table and apron and they fight around it. They trade ladder attacks in the ring. Christian gets knocked off the ladder and eats a spinning heel kick. Benjamin climbs but Christian nails an inverted DDT. Christian tries to ram Shelton off the turnbuckles with the ladder, but Shelton counters and leans the ladder into a winning position! Christian tips it, but Shelton lands on the turnbuckles gracefully! Shelton leans the ladder on purpose to come crashing down on Christian! That exchange was awesome! The fight continues with Benjamin power slamming Christian off the ladder. Shelton grabs the belt but gets the ladder pulled out from under him. Shelton is hanging for a while before Christian climbs up and knocks him off. Benjamin returns the favor, leaving Christian hanging. Christian falls into a power bomb into a ladder! Christian counters a sunset flip power bomb! Shelton attempts a German suplex onto the propped ladder, but it's blocked. Christian frog splashes Shelton on the ladder! Benjamin is dead so Christian easily climbs and grabs his title at 18:02! This started out as a basic ladder match, but then they started taking risks that really paid off, ***¼.
Winner and still ECW Champion: Christian

Retro Rowe: WWE Bragging Rights 2009 Review

WWE Bragging Rights

October 25, 2009by Samoa Rowe

-From Pittsburgh, PA. Our hosts are Michael Cole, Todd Grisham, and Jerry Lawler.

-The theme for tonight is “Raw vs. Smackdown.” The brand split was on it’s last legs as even by this time Raw and Smackdown guys would show up on the other show on a fairly regular basis.

United States Champion The Miz vs. Intercontinental Champion John Morrison

Hey, these two used to be a successful tag team! And they both hold secondary titles! I know why they’re fighting! I’m just impressed it’s on pay-per-view and not in an unadvertised 3-minute match on Raw.
Morrison shines in an early mat-based exchange. Miz fights back but Morrison shows off with a standing shooting star press. Miz tosses Morison, but spends too much time gloating. Miz stumbles out of a pinning predicament, they sloppily counter each other, and Miz gets dumped to the floor. Miz counters and sends Morrison crashing to the floor. Miz takes control and targets the back. Morrison takes a beating but finds his second wind. Morrison goes for the pinfall but Miz gets a foot on the ropes. Miz rolls out to avoid Starship Pain but eats a corkscrew plancha to the floor. Miz rebounds with a double axe handle off the top. Morrison counters the Skull Crushing Finale but Starship Pain is countered as well. Miz quickly makes the cover for the win at 10:52! This was a lively opener, just a bit sloppy at times, **½.
Winner: The Miz

Retro Rowe: WWE Hell in a Cell 2009 Review

WWE Hell in a Cell

October 4, 2009 by Samoa Rowe

-Those of you who are long-time DWB readers (or just Erick and Scrooge) might remember that in 2008-2009 I was trying to keep up with all the WWE pay-per-views as they aired or came out on DVD. Well, in the fall of 2009, I just couldn’t take it anymore. There were too many shows, with too many repetitive matches, and the October double shot of Hell in a Cell and Bragging Rights just ensured that I was tapping out. Now, three years later, I’m finding that I miss doing this, and enough time has passed that some of these shows might seem interesting in retrospect. Here goes nothing.

From Newark, NJ. Our hosts are Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler for Raw, Jim Ross and Todd Grisham for Smackdown, and

World Heavyweight Championship (Hell in a Cell match):
CM Punk © vs. The Undertaker

It was still somewhat eyebrow raising for a World title match to open a pay-per-view at this point. In the coming years, it would become routine. Punk was doing a nice job getting over as the obnoxious straight-edge champion, so naturally they needed to drag Undertaker out of semiretirement to do something about it. Undertaker makes it clear from the opening bell that under no circumstance should we perceive CM Punk to be in his league. Punk scores with the ring steps and goes to work on the knee. Punk delivers a suicide dive, pushing the Dead Man into the cell wall. Only six minutes into the match, they start ramping up for what seems to be the finishing sequence. Undertaker surprises with the Last Ride but Punk kicks out! At least, Punk is going to retain a shred of dignity. Punk counters Old School for 2. The near falls are forced, but are starting to get over. Undertaker counters a chair shot and finishes Punk with the choke slam/Tombstone sequence at 10:22. This felt like a house show main event that happened to take place inside Hell in a Cell, **.
Winner and new World Heavyweight Champion: The Undertaker