Jmoney Rambles

I got a chance to sit down with WWE’s Bragging Rights PPV yesterday afternoon. This was the third PPV in a row that I’d consider “enjoyably forgettable.” There’s been a severe lack of true Match Of The Year Candidates from the WWE. In fact the only match I consider a MOTYC is still Michaels vs Taker from WM24. Cena vs Orton I Quit match from Breaking Point in Septeber is the only other match that even gets on the radar and that’s a stretch for a **** rating. In any case, thoughts as follows:

Miz vs Morrison was exactly what I expected for the first go around between these two. The Miz has come a long way in terms of in ring work. Morrison has the right moveset but still looks like he’s missing the links between all of his fancy stuff to make the match flow. The Miz really puts out that “I’m a fucking scumbag” look. His facials are exactly what a heel needs for the viewer to think “I will fucking slap your face.” Good back and forth work. I’m not a fan of the ending by any means. On one hand the WWE fan has been conditioned to look for a big finisher to end a match so the surprise finish is something different. On the other hand, I hate the idea of “oh he bumped his head and that’s enough for a 3 count.” These guys are on different brands so there is little chance of a follow up. It’s a shame because you can tell they could put together a high end match if they got a series in. **1/2

Kim/Kelly/Melina vs Phoenix/Natalya/McCool
This was easily the best worked women’s match I’ve seen in the WWE this year. Well… it was until the ending. Props to Beth for salvaging the finish. The six person tag is a great way to mask the fact your workers aren’t that good. They can get in, fire off a few moves they actually know and tag out. Extended sequences seem to result in disaster with the WWE’s women. I’m sitting back waiting for Beth Phoenix to turn face and take the title from McCool. I love her look. She works a strong simple style and she’s got great timing. I’d have no problem at all if these girls worked six person tags forever. **

CM Punk vs Rey Misterio vs Batista vs Undertaker (Champion)
I’m not a fan of The Fatal Fourway. It works two ways and neither is enjoyable. You either have the gigantic mess that’s too difficult to track or you have the “1 or 2 guys are nowhere to be seen while the other 2 work.” To the match’s credit, all four guys worked hard and at a fast pace. It’s easy to keep the pedal down when you get to rest every minute and 1/2 or so. Punk does a great job as the glue to the match. He makes the timely saves. He sneaks in for the near falls. He’s so smarmy that the crowd stays heated looking for him to lose. He really is a credit to his craft. They worked a great finish both for the match and to set the wheels in motion for Batista’s long overdue heel turn. He’s been a face since leaving Evolution back in 2006. Smackdown is severely lacking in top level heels with Edge being out of action with no return in sight. I was happy to see they actually had a proper motivation for his turn as well. Misterio is the perfect person to work his first program. He’s loved by every demo you can think of and should produce the heat that Batista will need. ***

RAW vs Smackdown 7 on 7
I could write a hell of a lot about this match but it’d just get messy. I personally felt this match was a waste of time and put together too many talented workers into a match they have no real chance to shine in. I was very disappointed to see The Hart Dynasty get so little ring time when they obviously need the rub from the major stars. I thought it was a real slap in the face that their finisher was used right off the hop and Michaels of all people kicked out instantly. UGH! It’s all such a subtle slap in the face. Much like the 4 way this was a solid match kept at a crisp pace with everyone able to get in and out. Everyone got to hit their signature spots. The ending was obvious weeks ago, nevermind within the actual match. How stupid do they really think the fans are? ***

John Cena vs Randy Orton (Champion)
I had serious doubts going into this match. There are very few people I would trust with working an Iron Man Match. I don’t think Orton or Cena are suited for this kind of match. You need the right pacing and more importantly the right moveset to slowly trickle out in order to keep the viewer captivated for that kind of time. I’ve seen all of the WWE IMM’s and the only one to truly keep me interested was The Rock vs HHH from Judgement Day 2000. Another thing working against this match is that the current fan is conditioned for shorter matches. Main events typically don’t run longer than 20 minutes. Dragging out a standard main event to an hour essentially bores the crowd and kills the heat unless you throw lots of pretty things at them. Case in point, they had spots where people are thrown into light fixtures, the pyro was used to nearly kill Cena (I can’t even begin to talk about how that is the most stupid idea I’ve seen in wrestling in a while), a run in from Legacy, abusing each other with props (when did throwing the stairs become standard?) and then the usual stuff like moves into tables and what not. They also exhausted a lot of moves as throwaway that could have been major in singles matches like the Super FU, the FU reversal RKO spot (which I LOVED!) and the punt/STFU. It had the right pieces, just not the right way to go about it. I give these guys props for working hard and doing their best. They just aren’t the guys to do it. ***

Solid show from top to bottom. Odd as it sounds, I’d recommend watching Morrison vs Miz as that’s the first in what will eventually (lord only knows when) be a feud. The rest was completely throwaway and I’d say the Iron Man Match was the weakest of the 3 Orton vs Cena main events over the last 3 PPV’s.

TV thoughts coming up…