The pre-show saw Renee Young take Josh Mathews' place on the panel. I like Josh a lot and think WWE made a mistake in letting him go, but Renee is a total pro. She gives the show a feeling of legitimacy, like this is a true sporting event and not wrestling. They are lucky to have her.
They let us know that Bad News Barrett's shoulder injury will keep him out of the briefcase match tonight.
The gist of the pre-show was Daniel Bryan's interview. He looked good, but also added he is not healing as quickly as hoped and may need another surgery. He said he would be back better than ever and I hope that is the case. I also respect that he is not rushing back. You don't play around with that kind of injury.
Bryan also was asked who he thought would win. He said John Cena first. That got a bad reaction in Cena's home town. Then he said Randy Orton. That also got a bad reaction. Finally, he said Roman Reigns and it go a big pop. It was pretty clear WWE was gauging the crowd. They got their reaction.
At the end Bo Dallas came out and it led to Daniel telling him "Bo.....LEAVE!"
My Roku box went out as the show started. I now know to use the back arrow and start again. The iPad is on standby.
The Usos vs. Erick Rowan and Luke Harper is opening the show.
The action started fast and furious, with the Usos largely in control. ... That changed when Rowan pushed one of the Usos off the top to the floor. Ouch. Harper attacked the fallen Uso (Jey) on the floor. He threw him back in the ring and went to work on Jey. But Jimmy Uso made the hot tag and cleaned house. ... At that point it turned into non-stop action, with lots of near falls. It was great stuff. ... Harper did topes on both Usos and laid them out on the floor. ... Harper got knocked to the floor. Rowan went to the top but got crotched by Jimmy. Jimmy went to the top but Rowan fought him off. Jey tagged in and both went up and suplexed him from the top into the ring. The Usos then each hit a Superfly Splash on Rowan and then pinned him. The Usos are still the tag champs. Excellent match to start the show.
Someone emailed me to say Pops Cena is at ringside. Take that for what you will.
Time for a recap of Seth Rollins turning on The Shield. Dean Ambrose cut a good promo on Seth Rollins. He explain why Roman Reigns hasn't come after Seth. I am kidding, he didn't. Wouldn't it be nice though? Anyway, Seth is in big trouble tonight.
Paige vs. Naomi is next. Cameron came out with Naomi. We are told they are working through their differences. We will see how long that lasts. Paige come out to not much reaction, through no fault of her own. If they let her show what she can do, the fans would get behind here. The Divas Title match is next.
Right off the bat they are selling Cameron's issues with Paige. Stop me if you heard this before, the challenger dominated early. Cameron doesn't like Naomi doing well at all. Wonder where this is going. No, I really don't. ... They started doing roll through pin attempts where each got the other. Naomi got Paige in a submission and the announcers sold it that Cameron wasn't happy. That makes no one take it seriously. The crowd was really into the opener but not so much here, even though the ladies are working hard. It's not their fault. ... Paige then got Naomi in a weird submission but didn't tap. Naomi came back on fire. She got a two with the, ahem, Rear View. Naomi did a split legged moonsault but Paige got her legs up. Naomi smiled. Paige then got a win out of nowhere, again, and the story was Cameron was excited her friend didn't win the title. Cameron then went in the ring and coddled her friend. Naomi was doing lots of spots and Paige just basically sold, again. It was what it was.
Michael Cole went into "sell the Network" mode for the dopes in the US that bought it on PPV! They should have added that if you only bought this, you could have gotten Payback too, all for $9.99.
They threw it to the panel, where they put over the Usos for their performance. They didn't mention the Divas Title match. They then previewed the ladder matches. Riley picked Bray Wyatt to win the Title. Booker picked Randy Orton. So did Christian. By the way, they also had barely drank Mountain Dews as well.
Paul Revere Sandow, in the old school patriot outfit, came out to say the Half Wits are coming. Since we are in Boston and all. He ripped on Adam Rose. He thinks he is Paul Revere and gets heat by saying Boston will always live in the shadow of NY. They boo. Out comes Adam Rose and the Rosebuds. Before the match, Adam dumps Sandow to the floor. The fans do Rose's song. Sandow wrestled with the Revere hat. Cole tried to sell that is funny. You know who is listening to him, so you can't blame him. Rose rubbed his ass in Sandow's face. JBL got outraged because his mom watches this, hence his references that only 80 years-olds get I guess. ... Sandow had brief control. Oh wait, Paul Revere did. They kept calling him that. Seriously. Sandow yelled the Elbow is coming. Only got a two. JBL started hating on the rabbit. I don't want to know why JBL has such an issue with them, I really don't. ... Rose took control but ran into a clothesline. The fans cheered. Sandow got a two with a double arm face plant and the crowd groaned when he didn't win. Rose hit his finisher and there was not much of a reaction. This was a TV match, nothing more.
The Daily Show's Jon Stewart is at ringside, wearing a Jon Cena hat. He is with his son. JBL says he loves Jon Stewart. I find that really hard to believe.
They threw it to the other men in the brieface match for their promos on tonight's match. Seth Rollins didn't get much reaction. RVD came up next and did. Kofi got a little reaction. Dolph Ziggler got the same pop RVD did. Zeb did the promo for Swagger. They chanted We The People. The briefcase match starts hour two.
Briefcase time. Seth Rollins came out first, announced at 217 pounds. RVD was next. Followed by Swagger. Then Dolph. RVD and Dolph both got nice pops. I have no idea what kind of pop Kofi got since the Roku went back to the home screen for the fourth time. The laptop is loading. Ambrose was last and attacked Rollins immediately. It's on. Kofi did lots of spots in the beginning and went up to get the case. Ambrose came out of nowhere and pushed him off and Kofi turned it into a springboard spot on the guys on the floor. That is why he is in this bout. Ambrose went up for the case but Rollins came in and they faced off. The crowd is behind Ambrose. Ambrose his a nasty double arm suplex onto a ladder on Rollins and went up the ladder, but Swagger stopped him. That led to lots of violence with the guys until it came down to RVD and Rollins. The fans cheered for RVD. And then they chanted ECW. RVD put Rollins on a ladder and did Rolling Thunder. The fans chanted "You Still Got it". Then he hit a Five Star on Swagger. He wnet up for the case and should have had it but he had to wait for Kofi, he knocked him off. Kofi, RVD and Swagger were the three in the ring. Swagger and RVD were up on the high ladder when RVD knocked him off. RVD was about six feet away from the briefcase and was about to jump for it when Rollins stopped it. Rollins and Swagger turned it into a nasty powerbomb from near the top of the ladder. Ambrose then hopped to the top of the high ladder and did a nasty superplex on Rollins and the crowd chanted holy....well you know. Sick spot.
To try and back up the stream I tried logging in on my other laptop and three different browsers gave me "Media Error: Video Not Available. Hope the Roku holds up.
Swagger tried to climb the ladder but RVD stopped him. Rollins and Ambrose then came in and stopped them, then climbed the ladder, where they fought. Ambrose knocked Rollins down and the crowd was psyched but Swagger came in, so Ambrose hit a DDT off of the ladder. Rollins came in and tried to climb up, but Ambrose knocked him off the ladder. They sold that Ambrose's shoulder was hurt and he told the doctor to put it back it in, he is continuing. No he is not, the doc sent him to the back. He is out. Rollins tried to take advantage but RVD got him as he got near the top. Kofi then bridged a ladder on the big ladder and the top rope. And the three fought. RVD was selling his leg when he got dumped. Kofi then backdropped Rollins on the bridged ladded in a SICK bump. He had the brieface but Ziggler came in and stopped him then hit a DDT. Swagger came in and faced off with Dolph, Kofi and RVD and laid them all out.
As Zig climbed up, Swagger ran in and put the Ankle lock on Dolph on the ladder. Zig used his arms to climb up and then finally kicked Swagger out. While selling the leg, he went up. As he got to the case, Rollins used a chair on the bad ankle and knocked him down. The crowd chanted "We want Ambrose". Rollins went up when they got Ambrose, he ran out and used a chair to destroy Rollins. Dean then climbed the ladder, all while selling the bad arm. As he got up to the top f'n Kane's music hit. Ambrose fought him off briefly but Kane got him and chokeslammed him. Then he tombstoned Ambrose. Kane then stood guard on the ladded as Rollins climbed up. Kane held the ladder as Rollins went up and got the briefcase. So there ya go, another "top" heel that can't win anything without help.
Overall, the match was a lot of fun. The finish left the crowd really flat. I get where they are going, making Ambrose chase but the crowd wasn't happy with the finish. It was a really good, crazy match, as you would expect.
Afterward Steph and HHH came out to put over "their guy". Bow down to the king.
Randy Orton talked about what he will do in the main event. He doesn't fear Roman Reigns.
They plugged the Vickie Guerrero special that will air on the WWE Network on Tuesday. The announcers said it's another reason to buy The WWE Network.
Gold and Star Dust vs. Rybaxel is next. The Rhodes started hot, then the heels took control. The crowd really didn't care during this. They have seen this match enough I guess. Goldust was taking the beating and they are just waiting for the hot tag. Wow, Goldust reversed Ryback into a near fall and there was no reaction. Then they chanted Goldberg at Ryback, then feed me more as he went for the elbow. Gold got out of the way and made the tag, no pop. Ryback went for Shellshock but Cody countered and got a two when Axel broke it up. That led to Cody rolling up Ryback for the win. No pop again. Axel tried to attack Cody but he and Goldie laid him out. They posed afterward. There wasn't much reaction though. ... The work was solid but the crowd just didn't seem to get into it.
We got a recap of Layla and Summer Rae fighting over who will get the rights to bang Fandango and accompany him to the ring when he loses. They sold the "love triangle". Byron interviewed Fandango since he is the ref for this match. Layla came out and said he can't call it down the middle because he loves her. Summer says he loves her. He says save it for the ring. But they are not up next. It's....
Rusev vs. Big E! Rusev came out with Lana. She did her deal. He said he would beat Big E. Out came E, with the US flag and chanting USA. He had a pre-tape where he said he is standing up for America. Because we are still at war with Russia I guess.
Big E was in conrtol early, sending Rusev to the floor. As Rusev tried to come in, Big E went for the spear he hit last show but ate a knee instead. As he would say, "Rusev in control". Well until he ran into a Big E slam. He got a two. Then he big spear and ducked a Rusev kick, countering with a big suplex. E then hit the spear as Rusev was on the apron and they both hit the floor. The crowd chanted USA. Lana was going nuts. E took Rusev back in but only got a two. Rusev was dazed but he hit a kick out of nowhere. Then another. Rusev was bleeding in the mouth. He locked on the Accolade. They sold Big E had to tap. This is where they should do the pass out spot instead if he is going to lose. Big almost powered out but couldn't. So he tapped. Rusev held the move for a while before letting go. ... I really enjoyed it. They both worked really hard and know how to have good big man matches.
My feed is not crisp. My download speed is 52Mbps so it's not me.
Hour three started with us going back to the panel to talk about the briefase MITB match. They sold that Kane is in the Title match to be there for Booker. They showed a clip of Daniel Bryan from the pre-game show. They showed him telling Bo to leave.
Backstage, Nikki was there with Brie Bella. Steph comes up Why is she here? Brie answers and Steph doesn't hear her. Nikki says she is there because she is her sister. Steph said she has no business being there. Brie said she wanted to show Steph a video, and showed Vickie dumping Steph into the mud from Raw on Monday. Steph had security toss Brie. Nikki asked please Steph. Save it Nikki, make sure she stays gone. Nikki was in an evening dress. Guess that is what you wear when you aren't wrestling.
They aired a Diet Mountain Dew commercial. The guys in it drank more than every WWE employee tonight combined.
Time for Fandango reffing his two women in their match. My feed has cleared up FYI.
This match was mostly Summer mauling Layla for a few minutes while she yelled "He's mine", Layla kicking her in the head and pinning her. Fandango kissed Layla after while Summer cried. That was it. I guess there was a point, I am just not sure what it was.
Robert Flores from ESPN was there and did a half hearted YES deal.
They plugged the Network again and then announced that the WWE Title match is next.
Time for the main event. The first one out of course was.....HHH and Stephanie McMahon. They are watching at ringside. As for the actual wrestlers, Sheamus was first, then Bray (who got a pop when he mentioned Boston). Lots of fans were doing the light gimmick in the crowd. It looked cool. When the lights came on, Bray got a pop. Alberto Del Rio was next. Cesaro's music played and he got a pop. Sense a theme here, with newer guys getting a pop? Cena's music hit and he got his usual 50/50 reaction. Cole said Cena is seeking his 15th Title, think about that. I have Cole, I have. Randy Oeron was next. Roman Reigns was last, entering from the crowd to a good pop. And finally, Kane. The bell rang and it was bedlam and the crowd perked right up.
Lots of posturing early on. The story early was Kane was keeping everyone away from the ladder (except Orton). Kane sent up a ladder for Orton and then lifted him up to climb it but Reigns knocked him off before he could get the belts. Roman went up but Bray stopped him. Cena attacked Bray and sent for the five knuckle but Cesaro caught him with a lifted uppercut. Sheamus and Cesaro made it to the belts when Wyatt pushed out the ladder. Cesaro was hanging on but couldn't unhook the belt and fell. ... They sold that a ladder to the head took Orton out. And it did and as the top of his head is busted open. He ignored the doctor and went back into the match. He and Sheamus brawled on the floor. Orton took control. He went back into the ring and kicked Cena. He set the big ladder up and went up. Cena stopped him as everyone else then came in as well. Everyone who went up the ladded got pulled down. Kane was making sure to pull down guys working as the keeper of the gate.
Sheamus then targeted Kane and took him out. He then went to work on everyone else, including Cena. Sheamu and Cesaro went up the ladders and Roman push them into teeter position. Cena then pushed it back and joined them on the ladders. Everyone else but Kane and Orton followed. After everyone else was cleared, Sheamus went up and Orton and Kane came in and stopped him. Reigns speared Kane and Orton went for the RKO but ate a Superman punch. Sheamus tried to take out Roman, but got tossed. Reign then took out Wyatt and Del Rio, then speared Cesaro.
There was one guy left, John Cena. He and Reigns faced off. Cena got Reigns up for the AA and the boos were loud. Reigns got out and speared Cena, big pop. The Authority was not happy as Reigns got a ladder and went up the ladder. My Roku went out, of coursem and when it came back Orton was over Roman so I guess he took him out somehow. Randy went up the ladder when Bray Wyatt stopped him. Big pop. Sister Abigal. Bigger pop. As Bray went up ADR stopped him and the crowd booed loudly.
ADR went up. He grabbed the belts but Sheamus pushed him off and hit a Brogue kick. As he got up to the top, Cesaro grabbed him and pulled him into an uppercut, then Neutralizer. Cesaro ran up the ladder but Orton grabbed him and pulled him into an RKO. As he grabbbed the belts, Reigns climbed up behind him and pulled him down. They fought on the ladder. Orton is a bloody mess. No way to not show it now. Especially when Reigns headbutts it. Down goes Orton but Kane chokeslams Roman off of the ladder. Orton is going back up the ladder. Cena came in and hit the AA on Kane, then AA's Orton on top of Kane. He went right up the ladder, grabbed the Titles and he is your 15 time WWE champion.
The look on Triple H and Stephanie's faces no doubt mirrored those of many I am sure.
First, the match. They all worked hard and took a lot of abuse. I mean a LOT of abuse. Some of those spots hurt me to watch, and I wasn't taking the bump. But the match itself was nowhere as good as the briefcase match. It seems more like a spot fest without the continuity of the first ladder match.
As for the finish and who won, some have already emailed me waiting for the rant. I don't have it in me. I am tired and if I do it now, I will get so worked up I will not fall asleep for hours, so I will rant tomorrow instead. Unfortunately, I expected Cena to win so it didn't shock me at all when he did. I think it's the wrong decision and I think the crowd was very representative of how many fans felt tonight as they cheered for a lot of new talent and groaned at a lot of the older talent. My social media is blowing up as I type this agreeing with the sentiment of those that wanted something different. Well, you are all going to have to wait.
As I have said before, I think Cena is a made guy. I think that the issues that WWE is having with lack of growth of the Network is directly attributable to the sameness of the product, and Cena is the shining beacon that represents that issue. The six month Network trials start to end after SummerSlam. They better have something special planned to make sure they can get all of those people to renew of the third quarter conference call will not be pretty. Then again, with the issues that they had with The Network tonight, with people losing the feed, they already have some issues they will have to address and answer for.
On an aside, they didn't do a post game show on the Network. Cost cutting measure? Wow, it sure takes the "special" feel of the PPV away when they don't have a post game show.
At the end of the day, I really liked the opener, the briefcase Money In the Bank match and Rusev vs. Big E. The main event was as described above (and I hated the result). The rest of the stuff just had a TV match feel to it. Given the feed problems I had (having to resent my Roku so many times), this show was a middling event at best.
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