Wrestlemania 33 Preview

I have been trying my best to get excited for this Wrestlemania, and of this moment I am still trying. Reality is, I will be there with my beer in one hand and popcorn in the other staring at the TV with my sons just like the last few years and just like I personally have done for 33 years now. I will pretend that the abomination that has been the red brand lately doesn't exist. I will also pretend to ignore the horrible way the blue brand has portrayed it's tag team division. This is Wrestlemania, and I will be there to watch and enjoy.

Right now I am thinking that the WWE definitely screwed the pooch in not having AJ Styles main event against John Cena in what was a storyline made for Wrestlemania and hand delivered to them. Lets face it, AJ Styles vs John Cena has been an epic rivalry filled with honesty and passion unlike anything we have seen in the last 15 years. These two are the face of a generation and are amazing in the ring. They pump out classic after classic and are mesmerizing on the mic. The story of AJ Styles beating Cena at Royal Rumble and having Cena beg to get into the rumble for one more shot was handed to them on a silver platter. Then when you look at the mic work these two could have had leading up to John's eventual Wrestlemania win in the main event to capture his 16th world championship tying Ric Flair. Oh MY GOD!!!! it gives me goose bumps.

Instead we get AJ in a match against the prodigal son and Cena in a mixed tag team match with his girlfriend Nikki Bella against arguably the wrestler of the year in 2016, The Miz, and his beautiful wife Marise. There is nothing about either of these matches that excites me. The only thing I can say is that if AJ is able to pull a five star match out of Shane like he has done to so many others he will no doubt be the greatest performer in the history of wrestling.

Instead of what could have been a main event on par with Hogan vs Andre the Giant, the Ultimate Warrior vs Hulk Hogan or the Rock vs Stone Cold, we get Randy Orton vs Bray Wyatt. In all honesty there was a time when Randy Orton was considered the best wrestler in the world and in my honest opinion Bray Wyatt is long over due for a title run. But seriously? The main event of Wrestelmania?

Bray Wyatt vs Randy Orton has been on par with some of the worst story telling I have ever seen. So let me get this right. Randy Orton turned heel on a heel by destroying the one thing he loves and then takes the spot of the rightful main eventer, AJ Styles, only two weeks after denouncing his title shot in allegiance to his mentor. Never mind the fact that his mentor was not even around when Ortoin was the best in the world....... OMG I am so confused.

Unfortunately they will say the real main event is "the Beast" vs "the Bygone" when Brock battles Goldberg in what is sure to be a horrific match for a championship that literally means nothing. Not only did the WWE brass neuter a prize fighter to keep the belt on him but they in turn decided that after he lost the belt he would focus on the Untied States title and pretend that the Universal title meant nothing....... Again I'm so confused and slightly dismayed that this would even be considered important in 2017.

But the real main event will be "the Dead Man", that honestly is starting to look like an out of shape corpse, vs "the Big Dog", that continues to be rammed down our throat regardless of how much the universe revolts. I will say this. I love Roman Reigns, but there is no one more in need of a heel turn then him. He may be one of the most talented in ring performers in the WWE but no one wants to cheer for him. I said this well over a year ago and I will stick by it. Roman Reigns NEEDS a character change in order to save his WWE career. eventually no one will care about him and he will be gone.

Now all that being said, I am looking forward to a few matches,

Kevin Owens vs the G.O.A.T has a chance to steal the show. These two have had the kind of chemistry as friends that I haven't seen since CM Punk and Colt Cabana when they were a part of the Second City Saints. Their rivalry has been better then their friendship, although short lived. There was something surreal about seeing "the Real Kevin Owens" on an episode of the "Highlight Reel a couple of weeks ago. I totally expect these two to steal the show with one of the best matches of the year.

Austin Aries vs Nevile has been relegated to the pre-show. That alone tells you what is wrong with the WWE. Live 205 is one of the best things about WWE. In fact if I were to rank their shows by order of greatness I would go NXT # 1 Smackdown #2 Live 205 #3 and Raw #275 behind reruns of the Attitude Era, Camp WWE, and the Edge and Christian show...... but I digress. The greatest man that ever lived vs the man that gravity forgot is sure to be an instant classic and is one of the reasons I will be sitting in front of my TV at 4 pm Central Standard Time.

The Last match that I am overly excited to watch is Dean Ambrose vs Baron Corbin. Say what you will about WWE writing, but Smackdown is well written and when the WWE gets it right they hit a home run.  They have done just that with Baron Corbin. For a guy that was a joke with NXT he has really shown how great he can be on the main roster. Is he that unstoppable monster that crushes everyone in sight? No, But he is a a big man that can go toe to toe with anyone and deliver a great match. Baron Corbin is what Roman Reigns should have been and when you put him opposite the lunatic fringe I am expecting a glorious match.

As far as Wrestlemania surprises?? I don't think there will be much. We will get our standard Rock promo and a possible Kurt Angle appearance because of the hall of fame. I just don't see much in the way of stuff to talk about come Monday. Bobby Roode will more than likely enter the battle royal along with Somoa Joe but all in all I think this Wrestelmania will be far from the showcase of the immortals that they brag about for months out of the year.

Be sure to check back on Sunday after the show for my Glorious and Phenomenal recap of the super bowl of wrestling. Until then, keep reaching for that brass ring and be sure to check my blog because there is a SuperCard of Honor happening this weekend as well.

New Japan Cup 2017 Tournament Final Thoughts

The 2017 New Japan Cup has come to an end and we have a winner. My pre-tournament pick and someone that has become my second favorite wrestler in the world, Katsuyori Shibata, prevailed to pencil in his date with Kazuchika Okada at Sakura Genesis on April 9th. To say I am excited for this match would be a gross understatement. Everything about Shibata makes me happy and Okada has an insane ability to adapt to every style he comes up against. This is bound and determined to be an instant classic. I would be surprised if this didn't make it into my list of "Match of the Year Candidates". That is, however, a preview for another day as this is about what has happened.

The New Japan Cup was filled with surprises and some fantastic matches with Shibata, Omega and Ishii leading the way. Ishii was easily the MVP of the tournament having put in three stellar matches including 2 that could very well end up being in contention for match of the year. His first round match against Kenny Omega was the best match of the tournament and even though it robbed us of one the best overall entertainers in wrestling, Ishii's victory was well timed and honestly the biggest surprise of the tournament. It wasn't big because Ishii doesn't deserve the win but more so because Kenny Omega was pushed to the moon and back in 2016 and into Wrestlekingdom.

Ishii got to the semi-finals by first having very good performances against Minoru Suzuki and Juice Robinson. However he came very close to stealing the show with his match against Ishii. There is something about Ishii vs Shibata that makes me hurt. But hurt in a good way. These two consistently beat the hell out of each other and each time I see them I seriously feel it every morning after. After prevailing in another hard fought victory over Ishii, Shibata found his way into the finals against Bad Luck Fale.

Fale found his way into the finals by much different means. After a big man versus bigger man win against Michael Elgin, he ran through an embarrassment in Toru Yano and then a very good match against EVIL.

Fale isn't really someone you would ever take as a major threat to a guy like Shibata however the match itself was phenomenal. Shibata was able to drag a four star match out of the monster Fale. Even though I was not in doubt of the outcome and almost didn't even watch the match, these two left me wondering if they would actually pull the plug and let Fale win the whole thing.

So we get "The Wrestler" vs "The Rainmaker" in what is sure to be a fantastic match and is pitting my second and third best wrestlers in the world against each other.

That's all for now, follow me and check back often for updates on everything from the world of Sci-fi, super heroes, sports and wrestling. I follow closely NJPW, ROH, WWE, TNA and Lucha Underground. And am constantly checking out the indy's. Right now I am watching Smash Wrestling, Rev-pro and WCPW so thoughts on some of those matches are coming soon.

New Japan Cup Day 2 Review

Due to time constraints from a weekend of wrestling and children, I will only be reviewing the four tournament matches. Be sure to check out the ROH 15th Anniversary review I posted earlier today.

Juice Robinson vs Yujiro Takahashi

Highlights:

Yujiro with a snap leg drop

Very Awkward looking neck breaker where Robinson just fell over.

Yujiro with a beautiful fisherman suplex.

Yujiro with a reverse DDT

Yujiro Hits the Miami Shine for a two count

Robinson misses a cannonball

Juice hits Pulp Friction for the three count

Winner: Juice Robinson by Pinfall

Grade: 2 1/2

Thoughts:

The Tokyo Pimp looked strong in this match. Juice took a beating and picked up a resilient win. I still can't buy into the Juice Robinson character and the match itself was underwhelming at best. You expect underwhelming matches in the first round but usually the better wrestler walks out on top and that wasn't the case here. So far Bullet Club is 1 for 4 in this tournament.

SANADA vs Yoshi-Hashi

Highlights:

SANADA with a slingshot cross body over the top rope.

Yoshi-Hashi turns a suplex into a neck breaker.

SANADA with a Ric Flair flip over the turnbuckle and turned it into a springboard dropkick

Yoshi -Hashi reaches the ropes after spending a ridiculous amount of time in the Skulls End

Butterfly Lock and SANADA reaches the rope, they flip out of the hold and right back into it.

Yoshi-Hashi hits a Swanton for a two count.

SANADA with a Skulls End for the win.

Winner: SANADA by submission 

Grade: 3 1/2 Stars

Thoughts:

Say what you will about EVIL but I think SANADA is the most intimidating member of Los Ingobernables. SANADA is ready to be a main eventer and he worked well with the fan favorite Yoshi-Hashi. This was a very strong match and is on par with the EVIL v Tanahashi match for best so far in this tournament. SANADA looked strong and like he could be a dark horse to win the whole tournament.

Katsuyori Shibata vs Minoru Suzuki

Highlights:

Suzuki locks on an arm bar with Shibata's arm draped over the top rope.

Taichi with some outside interference putting the boots to Shibata on the floor.

Suzuki takes the fight to the crowd slamming Shibata into chairs and then hitting him with the guardrail.

Beautiful hesitation drop kick with Suzuki in the corner. I could seriously watch that every day.

Shibata locks in the Octopus Lock

Suzuki with a Penalty Kick for a two count.

Suzuki applies his version of the Octopus Lock

Double kicks to the face knocks both men down.

Shibata hits a death valley driver then a PK for the three count

Winner: Shibata

Grade: 3 Stars

Thoughts:

The Wrestler is my pick to win the whole tournament. As much as I love Shibata and every thing he does. This match seemed to drag for the first half. They really didn't seem to hit a grove until about midway through but the ending really made up for the slow beginning.

Tomohiro Ishii vs Kenny Omega

Highlights:

The Cleaner plays to the crowd making sure he "Too Sweeted" anyone with an Omega or Elite sign.

Omega hits a moonsault off the guardrail

Ishii with a release power slam

Ishii with the biggest Frankensteiner I've ever seen of the top turn buckle

Omega got dropped on his head out of a German suplex where it looked like he was trying to land on his feet.

Dr Willy Bomb for a two count.

Croyt's Wrath for a two count.

Ishii counters the One Winged Angel with a Stunner

Vertical Drop Brainbuster for the three count

Winner: Ishii

Grade: 4 Stars

Thoughts:

What??? This is one decision that I did not see coming. I thought for sure the Cleaner would make it to at least the Semi Finals but to loose in the first round after the year he has had is an odd thing to see. Bullet Club ended the first round 1 for 5 and Bad Luck Fale is their only chance to win this tournament. The match itself took a long time to get going, much like the Shibata match, but once it got rolling it easily became the match of the first round.

Final Thoughts:

I am seriously in shock and slightly disappointed. The first round usually isn't filled with greatness but this one was filled with clunkers. EVIL and SANADA is an intriguing possible finals match up and it's nice to see The Wrestler keep his hopes alive. I was really looking forward to an Omega v Shibata match but that will have to wait until later. Omega looked strong in defeat and even though he lost in the first round he put on the best show of the weekend. 

ROH 15th Anniversary Review

The pre-show package showing Christopher Daniels as a young guy with hair was a little surreal. He is so good in the ring sometimes I forget he's been doing this for 24 years. Ring of Honor has a lot of work to do if they think they are going to top last years show. Especially without a few guys that made last years show so good. NJPW has the New Japan Cup going on this weekend, as well, so we know for sure Okada won't be here. There are a few matches I am really looking forward too and ROH always puts on an unexpected gem or two so lets enjoy the show.....

Kenny King w/ The Rebellion vs Jay White

Highlights:

King with a corkscrew to the outside while Caprice Coleman dances in celebration.

White hits a flatliner followed by a German suplex.

King hits one of the best looking spinebusters in the business.

King hits an enzuguri with White sitting on the top turnbuckle.

King rolls through a cross-body and sets White up for Royal Flush white counters with an inside cradle for the three count

Winner: Jay White by Pinfall

Grade: 2 1/2 Stars

Thoughts:

Ever since Kenny King was allowed to be himself in TNA and all through his ROH run, he has been nothing short of magical. That being said he looked more like the rookie here than Jay White. A few botched moves, mainly selling the cross-body while White was still in the air, really hurt the overall grade of the match. Still a fun way to start the show and putting White over was the right call.

Package highlighting Frankie Kazarian's betrayal of Christopher Daniels and joining Bullet Club. 

6 Man Mayhem match to determin a #1 contender spot for the Television Championship - Frankian Kazarian vs Hangman Page vs Chris Sabin vs Punishment Martinez vs Cheeseburger vs Silas Young

Highlights:

Sabin with a suicide dive on Kazarian followed by a Shooting star press from Page off the apron onto Sabin.

Cheeseburger back drops Silas Young onto the pile on the outside he then dives off the top rope and gets caught by the four men on the floor only to have Martinez come over the top rope to take them all out.

Sabin hits a tornado  DDT off the second rope on Page.

Martinez with a choke slam to Page on the ring apron.

Sabin uses Silas Young as a step to catch Kazarian in a belly to back suplex from the top rope.

Young hits Misery on Sabin broken up by Cheeseburger.

Cheeseburger hits Shotei on Young broken up by Kazarian who hits Ace of Spades on Cheeseburger. for the three count.

Winner: Kazarian by Pinfall

Grade: 3 1/2 Stars

Thoughts:

Watching 6 foot 7 inch Martinez come over the top rope was jaw dropping. This was a fun match and even though the ending seemed rushed, there were plenty of high spots throughout. The big man Martinez not factoring into the ending sequence was disappointing especially without a real explanation. However in the long run didn't hurt the overall quality of the match.

Pre-recorded promos by both Fish and Lethal shows how much better Lethal is in cutting a promo

Bobby Fish vs Jay Lethal

Highlights:

Fish kicks Lethal through the first and second ropes out to the floor.

Fish sidestepped the Suicide dive by Lethal and guided him into the guardrail.

Lethal with a very long hesitation suplex.

Fish with a saito suplex that dropped Lethal on his head

Lethal Combination by Jay followed up by Hail to the King.

Jay hit's Lethal Injection for the win.

Lethal and Fish with a code of honer following the match.

Winner: Lethal by pinfall

Grade: 4 Stars

Thoughts:

When you talk about the best wrestlers in the world, Jay Lethal needs to be in the conversation. However, I don't think there is a move that gets countered more than the Lethal Injection. These two put on a show stealing performance that was so far the best of the night. If I have one complaint, and this is about all Jay Lethal matches. He can and does hit a cutter from all over the ring countless times through out the match. What is it about the Lethal Combination that is so much more devastating. I would rather see him go back to the Lethal Combination as a finisher.

Six-Man Tag Team Championship Match - Dalton Castle and the boys vs The Kingdom

Highlights:

The boys taking the fight to Marseglia and O'Ryan outside.

Marseglia body slams boy 1 into the ring apron.

Taven hits boy one with a springboard elbow drop after O'Ryan hits a bridging German Suplex.

Castle hit the Bangarang on Tavin

O'Ryan hit a ridiculous moonsault from the second rope to the floor and caught his shins on the guardrail.

Rock Star Supernova on boy 2 for the three count

Winner: The Kingdom by Pinfall

Grade: 3 Star.

Thoughts:

Dalton Castle is so much fun to watch. He has so much Charisma that he brings you to your feet just by walking to the ring. This was a fun energetic match and the boys more than held there own. O'ryan may have a broken leg which is unfortunate considering that moonsault was a thing of beauty. He was carried out by the rest of the Kingdom and trainers. Hopefully he is alright.

World TV Championship - Lio Rush vs Marty Scurll

Highlights:

The Villain comes out to a large pop proving he is the bigger fan favorite even though he is clearly the heel.

Lio Rush with a Huricaranna of the ring apron

Rush goes for a baseball slide to the outside and Scurll catches him by pulling out the ring apron. Then proceedes to kick him in the face while Rush is trapped in the apron.

Rush hits a wicked spin DDT 

Scurll catches Rush in a Chicken Wing off a hand spring back elbow. 

Rush turns the chicken wing into pin attempt.

Rush hits Rush Hour

Rush hits the Dragon's Claw
Scurll hits Tower of London followed by the Chicken Wing for the win.

Winner: The Villain by submission

Grade: 4 1/2

Thoughts:

I stand corrected, this match stole the show. The back and forth high velocity action had me on the edge of my seat. Lio Rush should be holding his head high after this performance and Marty Scurll is just fantastic. Since Kevin Owens neutering Marty Scurll has become the second best heel in the world (behind A.J. Styles). His matches are great because every time, I see things I have never seen before.

The Briscoes and Bully Ray vs War Machine and Davey Boy Smith Jr.

Highlights:

Davey Boy with a double bridging suplex on both Jay and Mark

Mark hit a German Suplex on Hensen and gets the hot tag to Jay.

Pop Up Powerslam by War Machine on Jay Briscoe

Jay with a suicide dive on Ray Rowe

Bully Ray with a flying cross body from the top turnbuckle on all three men.

Jay driller followed by a Froggie Bo on Hensen

Three man 3-D on Ray Rowe for the win

Winner: Bully Ray and the Briscoes by pinfall

Grade: 2 1/2 Stars

Thoughts:

Davey Boy Smith has developed so much from his time with WWE. He really has became a must watch and makes a great heel. Fun high impact match that was brought down by post match shenanigans. However it still lived up to the hype with 5 of the best brawlers coming through to deliver a match that kept me intrigued through out.

Tag Team Championship Las Vegas Street Fight - The Young Bucks vs The Broken Hardy's vs Roppongi Vice

Highlights:

Barreta hits all four of the Hardy's and Bucks with a trash can lid.

Barreta missed an over the rope face stomp but Nick Jackson still sold it like a champ. 

Dosie Doe Super kick on the Hardy's

Matt and Nick mock the Hardy's finishers but miss.

Matt Jackson Superkicked Jeff when he was trying to do a headstand on the top turnbuckle.

Matt Jackson swept Trent Baretta's legs and he landed back first on the ladder propped up in the corner.

Matt Jackson hit's Romero with a dropkick through the ropes and gets caught by a Jeff Hardy dropkick as he was upside down skinning the cat.

Nick hits Jeff with a Superkick as he attempts a moonsault from the second rope.

Barreta pushes a ladder that Nick is on over. Nick lands on the top rope and hits a Swanton to the people on the floor.

Twist of Fate on Matt Jackson and Side Effect on Nick. 

Matt Jackson gets the knees up on Jeff's Swanton.

Romero pulls out a sleeve of thumbtacks. 

Strong zero on Nick.

Nick drives Barreta's face into thumbtacks out of an electric chair

Superkick party to everyone 

Barreta eats a superkick with a mouthful of tacks.

Meltzer Driver on Rocky Romero

Jeff Hardy with a swanton off a ladder  onto Barreta through a table for the three count

Winner: Hardy's by pinfall

Grade: 4 3/4 Stars

Thoughts:

I am done saying a match stole the show because as soon as I do a better match happens. This was the third show stealing performance of this event. Great use of props and great use of signature moves. Watching the Hardy's still performing like this is a welcome thing and makes me wish I had seen more of them in TNA. Daniels and Cole have a very tough three matches to follow.

Really emotional pre-match comments by Christopher Daniels setting the tone for this match and how much this means to him.

ROH World Heavyweight Championship Match - Adam Cole vs Christopher Daniels

Highlights:

Daniels with a rope assisted seated moonsault to Cole on the floor.

Cole superkicks Daniels head into the ring post.

Cole with a Shining Wizard to a standing Daniels.

Daniels became my favorite person ever by interrupting "Adam Cole BAY BAY" with a flatliner.

Cole screams at Daniels about being washed up.

Cole counters the BME with a superkick.

Cole counters Angels Wings with a Huricanrana 

Cole hits Angels Wings for a two count.

Daniels got a two count after Last Shot

Daniels hits a Styles Clash

Cole superkicks Todd Sinclair

Kazarian reveals his master plan turning on Adam Cole

Off the Kazarian turn Daniels hits three BME's for the three count.

Winner: And New Champ Daniels by pinfall

Grade: 4 Stars

Thoughts:

Everything about Adam Cole makes me want to slap him until he can't say BAY BAY anymore. I've never really thought he was that good in the ring. But I will give him credit, he plays the arrogant heel as good as anyone I've ever seen. I feel bad for these two. They had three show stealing matches ahead of this that really drained the audience and I don't think the crowd gave this match it's due. Regardless of what came before it this match had such amazing story telling it deserves to be the main event of another spectacular ROH Show.

Final Thoughts:

It really didn't take long to get sick of listening to Colt Cabana. This reminded me that Colt is better in small doses. I thought they would have a tough time beating last years show and they more than did it. This was an amazing show from start to finish. With four matches that could be in the discussion for match of the year. There was something surreal about seeing Daniels holding the championship high to end the show and something incredibly satisfying about seeing Adam Cole standing on the entrance ramp in shock. I enjoyed every match on this card and the emotion that I felt when the three count landed for Daniels is a credit to the pre-match interview and the story told in the ring. Congrats ROH on another fantastic show.

New Japan Cup 2017 Day 1 Review

One of the things I like about NJPW is that they love their tournaments. The pinnacle for them is the G1 Climax held every August, however it does not stop there. Best of Super Juniors, G1 Tag League, Super J-Cup, Super Junior Tag Tournament and the one we are starting with today, New Japan Cup. The Tournaments, in Japan, are a lot of fun to watch because these happen over the course of a few days. While I won't be able to review every day of the New Japan Cup, simply because I have a job, four children and a wife, I will get to what I can. and have some random thoughts on the entire tournament throughout. That being said, I am right now watching day 1, so here we go....

Suzukigun vs Ryusuke Taguchi & Hirai Kawato

Highlights:

El Desperado has one of the coolest masks I've ever seen, Taka Michinoku is in desperate need of a grown ups hair cut.

I will give Taka credit, there are very few Attitude Era wrestlers still in the ring and he took some pretty stiff looking bumps selling like he's still a 20 year old.

Kawato may only be 19 but that kid can sell a beating with the best of them.

Hot tag to Taguchi who immediately comes in and delivers a second rope booty bump to Taka's face.

Taka and Taguchi had a fun little crossover exchange ending with each wrestling giving the other an enzuguri.

Taguchi must have buns of steel because they keep selling his booty bump like its sledghammer to the face.

El Desperado with a Guitarra de Angel on Kawato for the three count

Winner: Suzukigun by pinfall

Grade: 2 1/2 Stars

Thoughts:

Very fun opening match. Kawato is star in the making and it was fun to see Taka still performing at that level. Some of the transitions border lined on silly and the booty bump party dropped it down a bit. However, this was still the type of match that you want to start a show with.

Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Jushin Thunder Liger vs Manabu Nakanishi, Tiger Mask IV & Tomoyuki Oka

Highlights

Huge crowd reaction when the legend Liger was tagged in.

Tiger mask with a suicide ploncha to Liger on the floor

Kojima with a "Stan Hansen" Lariat for the three count

Winner: Tenzan, Kojima, and Liger by pinfall

Grade: 1 3/4 Stars

Thoughts:

Both Tenzan and Nakanishi looked every bit of their age in this one. Nakanishi looked like he was moving in slow motion for the majority of his time in the ring. In fact I'm not entirely sure why this match happened considering only one man in the match is under the age of 45. Oka coming in at only 25 looked like he was slowing himself down to let the senior citizens keep up with him. It's always great to see Liger and Tiger Mask in action but this is a match that maybe should have been on a retirement tour. Then to have Oka eat the pinfall by a slow motion lariat after kicking out of a cutter really hurt the young guy.

Bullet Club vs Chaos

Highlights:

The nice thing about Yujiro Takahashi is that he always has a ridiculously hot woman accompany him to ring side. The Tokyo Pimp is probably my favorite member of Bullet Club for that reason only.

Yoshi-Hashi desperately needs a haircut.

Bullet club with the sneak attack before the bell sending Ishii to the floor.

Weird looking dropkick to the knee of Ishii by Omega which led to Takahashi inflicting more damage to the knee on the outside of the ring.

Omega with a kick to the face of Ishii which only seemed to anger him. The look on the Cleaners face was priceless when Ishii growled at him.

Omega hits the One Winged Angel for the win with the crowd cheering the move from the moment it was set up.

Post match stare down between Ishii and Omega suggests something may be brewing between them down the line.

Winner: Bullet Club

Grade: 2 3/4 Stars

Thoughts:

Takahashi plays such a fantastic heel. He is a perfect addition to Bullet Club and does so much to play his part in every match. I wasn't a real big fan of the chaos in this match. The fact that neither team really cared who was legal and who wasn't with people running in to hit move after move took away from the overall heel dynamic of Bullet Club. Omega and the Tokyo Pimp worked well together though and all in all it was a fun match. This may be the lowest graded match that Omega has been in for quite some time though.

Los Ingobernables de Japon vs Katsuyori Shibata, Juice Robinson, KUSHIDA, & David Finlay

Highlights:

Finlay with a flying European uppercut on Bushi. 

Juice Robinson catches Bushi in a cross body attempt then chaos ensues.

Naito Attacks Finlay's arm on the entrance ramp while Bushi chokes out Robinson with his shirt in the ring.

Naito picks up Robinson by the braids.

Robinson with a straight right hand that knocks Bushi of the ring apron

Shibata with his beautiful hesitation dropkick on SANADA in the corner.

SANADA with a Skull End getting Finlay to tap

Winner: Los Ingobernables by submission

Grade: 3 Stars

Thoughts:

Shibata is so no nonsense and focused it's a treat to watch. There is a quality about him that makes you watch everything he does and he doesn't need flashy tights or high flying moves. He just goes out to the ring and beats people up. Every movement is calculated and with purpose from his walk to the ring looking down at his feet to his post match walk back he demands your attention. Naito, Shibata, Bushi and SANADA are all great. Finlay seems to get better every time I see him. There was not nearly enough Shibata in this match but all in all it was well done.

Chaos vs Suzuigun

Highlights:

Every time I see Okada's entrance I get chills. Still one of the best entrances in the world.

Suzuigun attacks Chaos before the bell.

Jado with reverse chops, on Kanemaru, ala Ric Flair complete with the WHOOO after each one.

Suzuki with an arm bar over the top rope on Gedo.

Iizuka gets tagged in and immedietly gnaw's on Gedo's knee.

Ishikari rips his pants off and kicks Okada in the face.

Ishikari mocks Okada and gets two boots to the face followed up by a Rainmaker for the three count.

Winner: Chaos by pinfall

Grade: 3 1/2 Stars

Thoughts:

Okada is the Heavyweight champ for a reason, quite simply he is the best in the company. I've always prefered him as a heel but his face work with Chaos is a thing of beauty. along with Gedo, Goto and Jado they put on a hell of a performance. Ishikari is always fun to watch and Iizuka doing his cross between Rick Steiner and George the Animal Steel is fun to watch.

Now as much fun as these matches have been, they are going to take a quick intermission then on to the tournament.

Yuji Nagata vs Tanga Roa

Highlights:

Tanga got quite a bit of hang time on his leap frog. Especially since Nagata barely ducked.

Nagata faked a dropkick high and went low when Tanga tried to block it.

Nagata rolls his eyes to the back of his head during an arm bar submission hold, much to the delight of the fans.

Nagata hits the Backdrop Hold for a three count.

Winner: Nagata by pinfall

Grade: 1 1/2 Stars

Thoughts:

This match started a whole lot slower than I would have thought considering it was only an 11 minute match. Tanga is quite the in ring talker, if he can refine that a little bit and add more trash talking and less OH MAAANNNN!!! exclamations I think he could become on par with someone like Kevin Owens.

I think fewer rest holds and a faster paced match would have made this much better.

Toro Yano vs Tama Tonga

Highlights:

Yano comes to the ring carrying a DVD, chair and wearing what looks like cut off LuLaroe's.

Tama attacks before the bell and beats Yano with his dvd case.

Winner: Yano by pinfall

Grade: 1/2 star

Thoughts:

The creepier half of the Guerrillas of Destiny takes on the resident lunatic in an awkwardly short match. I don't and never will understand the crowds fascination with Yano. Another match of his where the closest thing to a wrestling move performed by him was a low blow. Thankfully this was a short match cause anymore Yano tonight and I would have started drinking straight from the bottle.

Bad Luck Fale vs Michael Elgin

Highlights:

Fale catches Elgin off the ring apron and drives him spine first into the ring post.

Fale hits the Grenade for a three count

Winner: Fale by Pinfall

Grade: 2 Stars

Thoughts:

Bullet club goes 1 for 3 so far in this tournament. Fans go 0 fo 3 in entertainment. This match was basically two big bulls punching and kicking each other until one of them couldn't get back up. It was a weird site watching Elgin play the little guy and he has really fallen down the card from where he was this time last year. 

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs EVIL

Highlights:

EVIL puts Tanahashi's head in a chair and then hits it with another chair with a really hard baseball swing.

Tanahashi with a superman punch followed up with a forward senton bomb for a two count.

Tanahashi with a leg whip while on the outside of the ropes to Evil who was climbing through the ropes. For the record this move made me cringe in pain at home.

The ref in this match took a few nasty bumps. props to him for the good story telling.

EVIL gets the knees up on a frog splash attempt. 

EVIL with the mist to the eyes and an Evil STO for the three count.

Winner: EVIL by pinfall

Grade: 3 1/2 Stars

Thoughts:

I still think Tanahashi looks an awful lot like 1997 Chyna when you catch him from certain angles. EVIL puts an awful lot of work into the look of his character, the silver caps on his teeth may be the part that puts it over the edge with the creep factor though. All in all this was a good main event and end to day 1. 

Final Thoughts:

This card had a few clunkers and really faltered with a depleted roster and without the ROH guys being a part of it since they had their own mega show to deal with. (review coming soon) All in all Chaos delivered a gem and EVIL vs Tanahashi was better than expected. Not a bad start to the New Japan Cup.

WWE Fastlane 2017 Review

Pre Show Thoughts

Austin Aries is a genius behind the microphone. He and Corey Graves could call a cake cutting at a 5 year olds birthday party and make me want to watch it. 

The kick off show is good for people that don't want to watch the weekly shows because it does delve into the history of each match but it needs to be tighter. If they want to have all this build up then move the matches to the main show and take the highlights out of it. I would want to watch the kick off more if this was the only place I could see the match history.

It's been fun watching Cesaro and Shemus come together as friends and embrace their different levels of fan support. I want to see more of this Cesaro. Watching him all fired up and feeling slighted would do wonders for his career.

The backstage segments should not be part of a PPV. Save that sillyness for the weekly shows. Interviews are fine but the rest of this garbage should just go away.

And Now on to the show..........

Sami Zayn vs Somoa Joe

Highlights:

Joe drops Zayn with a straight right jab.

Sami hits a Blue Thunder Bomb on Joe for a two count

Winner: Samoa Joe by submission

Grade: 2 Stars

Thoughts:

Very disappointing match. It honestly never felt like it got started. I really hope this is the start of a rivalry and not a one off match because these two have proven to be much better than this during their time in NXT.

Bayley Interview

One negative and a reason that Bayley should have stayed in NXT is her obvious lack of mic skills. Thankfully Nia Jax came in to save the segment.

Tag Team Title Match - Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs The Club

Highlights:

"Enzo, this guy is like the Avian Flu, he comes around and I get physically ill" - Corey Graves

"From behind you two look like a couple thumbs up" - Enzo

Winner: Anderson and Gallows by pinfall 

Grade: 1 1/2 stars

Thoughts:

If there was ever a team in need of a heel turn it is Enzo and Cass. There promos have become so cookie cutter and filled with cliches and cheap pops I feel like I am watching an unfunny Mick Foley from 2001. Enzo is so good on the mic it would be good to let him shine much like the Road Dogg was able to in the 90's. The match was actually worse than the promo which considering the talent involved is very disappointing. Second straight match that never felt like it got out of first gear. This followed the usual tag team formula. Weak link of the face team gets beaten down only to make the hot tag to the powerhouse and the heels retained their belts by screwing over the good guys. Bad over used formula, zero chemistry and a couple really tired gimmicks. Pretty sad when my thoughts section is triple the size of the highlights section. Not a good start for a show billed as the kick-off to Wrestlemania.

Mick Foley and Stephanie backstage segment.

This awfulness of the good guy gm fighting the evil boss is equally as tiring as Enzo's face promo's. Bottom line Stephanie is stuck at the airport and Mick is running the show despite Steph not trusting him.

Nia Jax vs Sasha Banks

Highlights:

Sasha with a guiltine choke that Nia powers out of and flips Sasha unto her back into a sleeper hold.

Nia powers out of a Banks Statement 

Nia plants Sasha with a spike body slam

Sasha surprises Nia with a roll up into a bridge for the win

Winner: Sasha Banks by pinfall

Grade: 3 1/2 Stars

Thoughts:

This was a very good big vs little match. Nia Jax controlled the majority of the match and looked good doing it. This is a rivalry I wish would continue. Unfortunately the impending heel turn of Sasha will probably be the end of it but I could watch this type of match every month. Nia may still be a little green around the edges but she is definitely getting there. So far the best match of the show.

Jinder Mahal and Rusev make their way to the ring after a pre show segment that only served to show off Rusev's new haircut. The two former tag partners were sent to the ring to await opponents set up by Mick Foley. They were supposed to work it out themselves which in true WWE fashion led to a brawl and Jinder Mahal stood tall to get the first match.

Cesaro vs Jinder Mahal

Highlights

Cesaro and Shemus are gelling well together and their budding friendship is fun to watch. I really enjoy their entrance.

Cesaro with a one armed suplex

Cesrao with a pop up uppercut for the win.

Winner: Cesaro by Pinfall

Grade:  2 3/4 Stars

Thoughts:

Why??? Why was Mahal allowed on a PPV much less in a fairly decent match? Why was he given more time to shine then people that deserve to be here? Why did I actually kind of enjoy this match? Cesaro is a machine and should be much higher on the card then he is. That being said this match should never have happened.

Then Rusev got up and another brawl broke out with Rusev standing tall for his reward

Big Show vs Rusev

Highlights:

Final Cut by Big Show (haven't seen that move in years)

Big show pulled the straps down and for the first time in seven years I didn't run in horror afraid to get hit by a man boob

Winner: Big Show by Pinfall

Grade: 2 Stars

Thoughts:

Big Show looked very impressive. Too bad it's 2017 and the WWE has spent years making us not care about him. Rusev had about 35 seconds worth of offense and  this match was more of a way to get the two on a PPV leading up to Wrestlemania then a display of their talents. It wasn't horrible but never should have happened.

Kevin Owens Interview

This is a reminder of why Kevin Owens can be the best heel in the business. This is the Kevin Owens we haven't seen since he won the Universal Title. Such a welcome relief from this horrible slimy can't win without help sorry excuse for a heel that most heel champs become in WWE.

Cruiserweight Championship - Gentleman Jack Gallagher vs Neville

Highlights:

Gallagher does a couple of headstands in the corner to the delight of the fans.

Gallagher dives through the second rope with a move that Austin Aries calls the wounded duck ploncha 

Neville hits a sickening release German suplex with Gallagher bouncing off the ropes.

Neville hits a Phoenix Splash

Running headbutt from Gallagher

Neville hits a Red Arrow after Gallagher almost knocks him out with a headbutt on the top rope

Winner: Neville by Pinfall

Grade: 3 1/2 Stars

Thoughts:

Easily the match of the night so far. Gallagher is so much fun to watch in every aspect of the wrestling world and Neville is such a great heel. I love the fact that Neville has gotten away from his high flying antics to be this more ruthless and relentless powerhouse. Jack showed a different side of himself and came off as a tough resilient face that has a really bright future. The match itself was a lot of fun and this is the type of match and time needed to get the Cruiserweight division over. Still the best part was Austin Aries' "Package" that proceeded it. Looks like his return to the ring will be sooner rather than later. It's nice to see the greatest man that ever lived back in the ring although I will miss his greatness behind the microphone.

Paul Heyman Interview

Why can't they figure out a way to get Paul Heyman more involved. In 5 minutes on the screen he instantly got me excited to see what is sure to be a train wreck at Wrestlemania between Lesnar and Goldberg.

New Day comes to the ring for random silliness

Much like Enzo and Cass this trio is in desprate need of a makeover. They have charisma is spades, they have unquestionable talent and a likeability about them that that is top notch. They have no direction and the random silliness is pointless without a pay off.

Braun Strowman vs Roman Reigns

Highlights

Stroman throws Reigns accross the ring like he was a cruiserweight.

Strowman catches Reigns in a spear attempt and powerslams him through the announce table

Crowd chants thank you Strowman after Braun runs him over

Strowman missed a flying splash off the top rope and then ate a spear for the three count

Winner: Roman Reigns via pinfall

Grade: 4 stars

Thoughts

Well son of a bitch. I really wanted to rail on Clark Reigns or should it be Roman Kent? His superman shtick has been going on for three years and there have been so many times that I have critisized him for WWE's insistence on trying to get him to be the new John Cena. No one over the the last three years has been more vocal about their dislike for Roman than I have and even though I don't think he should have won this match I can not for even a second say that he buried Braun Strowman. Strowman was a complete animal and it literally came down to one rookie mistake that the ring veteran capitalized on. My only negative in this match was Clark  Reigns used the cock and loaded every single time he went for the superman punch. 

Woman's Championship Match - Bayley vs Charlotte

Highlights

Winner: Bayley by pinfall

Surprisingly none

Grade: 1 1/4 Stars

Thoughts:

What did this match serve? How do I want to watch Wrestlemania after this? How did two of the best women's wrestlers in the world put on such a horrendous pile of crap? In one horrible decision the WWE bookers decided to end Charlotte's 16 win PPV streak and made Bayley look like a woman that can't win on her own. The only thing that came out of this is the impending heal turn by Sasha.

Universal Championship - Goldberg vs Kevin Owens

Stall tactics by the man who could be the best heel in the business if he's allowed to do more of that.

Winner: Goldberg by pinfall

Grade: Is it possible to give this a negative rating?

Thoughts:

This was a five star performance by KO pre-match and turned into a complete burial of a guy the brand should be building on. And for what? To put over a 50 year old two trick pony from the Monday Night Wars. The WWE has spent the last 6 months making Kevin Owens look like he can't win on his own. They have spent six months turning the prize fighter into a running joke. They did the same thing to Seth Rollins in 2014 but that at least somewhat fit his character. What they have done to Kevin Owens is an embarrassing neutering. They had a chance to get back some of his swagger after ridiculously good mic work the last two weeks and his betrayal of Chris Jericho. Instead they choose to make him look weak and like he can't win without help.

Final Thoughts:

What a horrendous pile of garbage. How can the WWE even slightly feel like this was PPV worthy. The only reason it was watchable was because of all the other content on the WWE Network I get for $9.99. This didn't feel anymore special then a weekly episode of Raw. Too many backstage segments. to many storylines going no where. To many wasted opportunities and bad booking. And way too much burying of top stars to make nostalgia look good. Then when you add into the broadcast, the constant 12 year old bickering by Cory Graves and Byron Saxton. This may be the last time I watch a red brand only PPV.