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 Wrestlemania 26

WWE WrestleMania 26 - March 28, 2010

by SamoaRowe

I watched the show live last weekend with some friends. It wasn't the "greatest of all time" but it was still a fine show. It was also the first full wrestling event I've watched in HD, so I think I was noticing a lot more of the botches than I normally would, as there seemed to be quite a few scattered throughout the evening.

Unified Tag Team Championship: ShoMiz vs. John Morrison/R-Truth
You could tell from the opening bell that this was going to be short, as they wasted no time hitting their key spots and signature moves. The match only went a little over 3 minutes, so while obviously robbed for time, it was an enjoyable 3 minutes. I'm mainly glad that the tag titles weren't kicked down to dark match status. *1/2.

Randy Orton vs. Ted Dibiase vs. Cody Rhodes
I think I liked this more than most people, as the general perception is that Rhodes and Dibiase came off as the two biggest jobbers who ever jobbed before. They held their own up until Orton took advantage of their dissension and punted Rhodes in the head and RKO'd Dibiase for victory. The more troubling aspect here is how after two solid years of being pushed heavily that the crowd didn't care one bit for either Legacy member. **1/2.

Money in the Bank
Generally brutal and exciting, as usual, just missing the one or two really big !!! spots. The highlight was easily Evan Bourne's Shooting Star Press off a ladder. Sadly, Kofi Kingston botches a run up a ladder for a corner attack. I have to admit, that I did not see the Jack Swagger victory coming, nor did I see him cashing it in less than a week later. I enjoyed this and I liked seeing most of the guys in the match get a spot at Wrestlemania (though again, it's kind of sad just how not over Drew McIntyre is despite months of an aggressive push).

Triple H vs. Sheamus
A lot of folks out there are claiming that Triple H's victory here means that Sheamus is finished. That really isn't the case, as this was a competitive 12 minute match and the feud doesn't seem to be over. There is a big difference between HHH nailing the pedigree on Booker T and waiting an eternity to pin him and Sheamus eating the pedigree and getting pinned immediately after. This was about what I expected, **1/2.

CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio
Like the opening match, I could sense this was going to be quick just by how they were pacing themselves from the opening bell. They packed a lot of action into the 6-7 minutes they got. They even squeazed in a good story, with Punk outsmarting Mysterio most steps of the way, including numerous blocks/reversals of the 619. Ultimately, Rey got the win, so all the kids in the stadium got a feel-good moment. It doesn't appear this feud is over either. **1/2.

Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon
This was a mess. It went about 11 minutes, which was about 10 minutes too long. Normally these Vince at 'Mania matches are entertaining train wrecks, but it was like they didn't even try, especially with Vince carting out the entire Hart family and Hart Dynasty from the very beginning, claiming he had paid them off to betray Bret. Even Stevie Wonder could see the coming swerve, as it turns out they took Vince's money and decided to screw him. Bret awkwardly beat down Vince while the crowd waited patiently for the sharpshooter. No rating, but this was bad.

World Heavyweight Championship: Chris Jericho vs. Edge
I really enjoyed this one and got sucked in by it. I was so happy when Jericho won, that it feels a bit more frustrating that he reign would end two days later at the Smackdown tapings. It was also surprising that Jericho got a semi-clean victory, as Edge had foiled his cheating attempts up until the Codebreaker finished things after about 16 minutes. I thought for sure that this was just going to be false finish, so when the referee counted 3 it got quite the surprised reaction from me. I have a feeling that repeated viewings will cause my heart to grow fonder of this bout, but for now I'd peg it at ***1/2.

Divas Tag
This worked a lot better than last year's disasterous battle royal, but still was not a good match by any stretch of the imagination. It was basically each diva hitting the one good move they each know until Vickie attempted a frog splash and won the match. Seriously, Vickie's splash is bound to go down in history as one of the all-time great bad moments in wrestling. *

WWE Championship: Batista vs. John Cena
Maybe it was the HD, but I found this to be largely sloppy and something of a mess up until things got hot down the final stretch. They packed in a lot of reversals and counters that might have been awesome if not for the fact they were so badly executed. Despite all that, I was pretty into the match, and the finish was satisfying. Repeat viewings might help this one as well, ***.

Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker
My sense as the bell rang here was that this match would make or break this show. The stipulations here added a lot, as I couldn't really imagine either man winning because what it would mean for the other. I enjoyed watching this more than I have any other live match in years. The final stretch, where Undertaker helped Shawn up, only to get slapped, and responding with a jumping tombstone piledriver was a fantastic moment and a fitting way for Shawn Michaels to call it a career. I liked this more than last year's Shawn/Taker match, ****3/4.

Retro Rowe: WWE Elimination Chamber 2010

WWE Elimination Chamber

February 21, 2010

by Samoa Rowe

-From St. Louis, MO. Our hosts are Matt Striker, Michael Cole, and Jerry Lawler.

WWE Championship (Elimination Chamber):
Sheamus © vs. John Cena vs. Ted Dibiase vs. Randy Orton vs. Triple H vs. Kofi Kingston

Kingston checks his back during his entrance, a clever nod to him getting ambushed at last year’s event. Sheamus poses with the WWE title in front of each pod, which is pretty awesome. Sheamus and Kingston start the match and have a nice back and forth exchange. Kofi blocks a hip toss onto the steel and lands a high cross body. Sheamus takes control after hitting some back attacks. 5 minutes have passed and Triple H is let out of his pod. Triple H and Sheamus have a heated confrontation and a slugfest breaks out. HHH, the seasoned veteran, takes control. Triple H blocks the Celtic Cross and nails a DDT for 2. Kingston rejoins the fight with a cross body on Sheamus. Kofi unleashes Controlled Frenzy and the Boom Drop on Triple H on the steel. Sheamus gains control of Kofi. With 10 minutes gone, Randy Orton charges out of his pod and he cleans house on everyone. Orton repeatedly smashes Sheamus and then Triple H into the chain wall. Kingston wipes everyone out with a cross body over the ropes. Orton counters Kofi with a drop-kick. HHH squares off with Orton and eats a scoop slam. A flurry of near finishers breaks out. With over 15 minutes gone, Ted Dibiase joins the match. Dibiase considers whether or not to attack his mentor, Orton. Dibiase decides to help Orton back up and they start working together. Legacy forces Kofi’s head through the chain wall for a vicious attack. Legacy turns their attention to Triple H. Dibiase suggests that Orton deliver the spike DDT onto the steel and it connects! Dibiase and Orton stand outside Cena’s pod as it opens at the 21 minute mark. Cena fights his way out of the chamber and cleans house on Legacy. Cena drops Dibiase onto the steel with an Attitude Adjustment! Orton saves Dibiase from the STF and signals the RKO. Cody Rhodes runs in and slips a lead pipe to Dibiase. Typically, Dibiase accidentally clocks Orton with the pipe, before dropping Cena. Dibiase eliminates Orton at 23:55! Orton realizes what’s happened and gives Dibiase the “I’ll deal with you later” look before leaving. Sadly, Kingston plants Dibiase for an elimination at 25:25. Sheamus drops Kofi with a Brogue Kick. The Celtic Cross finishes Kofi at 26:06. Sheamus turns his attention to Cena and nails a backbreaker. Sheamus punishes Cena in a tree of woe. Triple H saves Cena from the Celtic Cross with a low blow. The Pedigree finishes Sheamus at 28:30! The WWE Champion has been eliminated! We’re down to Cena and Triple H. Cena locks on the STF and Triple H taps at 30:16. This was pretty tame by EC standards, but it told several stories and nicely set up a bunch of Wrestlemania matches, ***¾.
Winner and new WWE Champion: John Cena

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 Survivor Series 2009 Review

WWF Survivor Series 2009
by SamoRoweNovember 22, 2009

-From Washington D.C.

-Our hosts are Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, and Matt Striker. This particular Survivor Series did a terrible buyrate and almost prompted Vince to scrap Survivor Series as a concept. The show took place the night after a big Brock Lesnar fight on a UFC pay-per-view and that seriously hurt the numbers. It wasn’t until Wrestlemania 26 did a disappointing buyrate the night after another UFC show that Survivor Series was added back to the 2010 pay-per-view schedule.

Traditional Survivor Series match:
U.S. Champion The Miz, Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger, Drew McIntyre, and Sheamus vs. Evan Bourne, Finlay, Matt Hardy, Shelton Benjamin, and IC Champion John Morrison

A new era is upon us, as Sheamus is making his pay-per-view debut! Most of the heel midcarders in this match are still stuck in the midcard three years later. Swagger and Bourne go toe to toe in the early going. Bourne is at risk at being isolated and has to overcome an eager Ziggler. Bourne counters Swagger with a knee drop but gets caught in a Ziggler crab. Bourne leaps into a hurricanrana for a near fall. Hardy gets a hot tag and delivers a double elbow with Bourne. Hardy’s side effect and Bourne’s SSP finishes Ziggler at 3:55. McIntyre storms in and delivers an underhook DDT to eliminate Bourne at 4:10. Finlay charges in and soon finds himself face to face with his fellow Irishman, Sheamus. A Miz distraction allows Sheamus to nail a Brogue Kick to eliminate Finlay at 5:10. Hardy rushes in but eats a Sheamus power bomb. The heels isolate Hardy and beat him up for a while. Morrison finally gets a hot tag and overwhelms Swagger. Morrison dodges a Swagger Bomb but Miz prevents Starship Pain. Springboard kick by Morrison, but McIntyre prevents a cover. The good guys clear the ring and the ref takes a bump in the chaos. Morrison outmaneuvers Swagger and finally puts him away with Starship Pain at 12:04. Miz blindsides his former partner and takes control. Benjamin gets a needed tag and nearly pins Miz with a roll-up. Benjamin springboards off the turnbuckles with a cross body. Benjamin nearly puts Miz away with some suplexes. Sheamus assists, allowing Miz to hit the Skull Crushing Finale to eliminate Shelton at 14:55. Hardy rushes in but soon has to fight out of the heel corner. Hardy has an uphill battle against McIntyre but delivers his patented leg drop for 2. Again, Sheamus distracts, causing Hardy to miss a moonsault. McIntyre’s DDT finishes Hardy at 17:05. Morrison is alone against Sheamus, McIntyre, and Miz! Morrison takes quite a beating as the heels keep making tags. Morrison gets a hope spot in against Miz, but Sheamus storms in. Morrison fights heroically, but he springboards into a thrust kick. The Celtic Cross finishes it at 20:49! The outcome signaled big pushes for the survivors. This was solid, yet unspectacular, ***.
Survivors: Sheamus, The Miz, and Drew McIntyre

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