TONIGHT! The road to Summerslam continues, as we get more build towards Kane defending against Rey Mysterio. But where does Jack Swagger fit into all this?
WWE - The Champ Is Here!
We get a recap of last Friday's Kane promo talking about cashing in his MitB briefcase, but still not finding UT's attacker. We then get a recap of the Mysterio/Swagger 2 out of 3 falls match and Rey beating the odds again. We then see Kane come in and clean house on both guys before Rey's able to hit him with a 619.
No opening credits this week, as we go straight to an EXTREME CLOSE-UP of Kane's face. He's in the ring, with red lighting and a casket siting behind him. "For 60 days and 60 nights, I have sat at my brother's bedside, waiting as he suffered silently, waiting for him to show me a sign, to point me in the direction of the culprit who placed him in a vegetative. And then yesterday, the unthinkable happened. He moved. My brother moved! And not only did he move, he opened his eyes." We get a sprinkled image of UT opening his eyes. "And then, for the first time in two months, my brother spoke. His voice was weak and frail and he could manage to utter only two words. But what my brother said will be forever ingrained in my psyche, because those two words were the name of his assailant. When I heard my brother name the perpetrator of his demise, a tidal wave of anger and pain coarsed through my body and consumed my entire being. I couldn't believe what I had heard. This entire time, the guilty party has been staring me in the eyes. But I've been too blind to see it. The man who attacked my brother is...REY MYSTERIO!" The name echoes, as the crowd boos the name drop. This is way too obvious a red herring. "My brother and I sat stoically staring at one another before he closed his eyes and drifted back into unconsciousness, but the words 'Rey Mysterio' hung in the air like a demon I could not fathom. Why, Rey? Why? How could you have done this? I KNOW you couldn't do it alone, Rey, but that doesn't matter. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that it's true. It made all the sense in the world. YOU had the most to gain, Rey! It all goes back to the night that my brother beat you to earn a place in the World Championship Fatal 4-Way match. After that match, Rey, you made a conscious decision and took the coward's way out. And next week, like a virus invading its host, you opportunistically won a battle royale and secured your place back in the World Championship Fatal 4-Way match. Two weeks later, you emerged victorious, laced in gold, winning the World Title when you should have hung your head in shame for what you had done! The ONLY reason that you won, Rey, was because my brother wasn't there to stop you, but I STOPPED YOU, Rey! I cashed in my Money in the Bank contract and I brought my brother's holy grail back to where it belongs, back to the dark side. And at Summerslam, I will beat you again, only this time, beating you will not be enough. This time, defeating you will not enough. This time, victory will not satisfy my appetite for vengeance. This time, I will make you pay for your sins. This time, I will make you experience what my brother has endured. I am going to open this casket...and stuff you in. I will damn you to eternal hell, where the fires will consume you over and over. I will damn you to eternal pain as you scream in agony. You will be praying, Rey, but you will not be praying to God Almighty. You will be praying to...me! And then, I will shut this lid and Rey Mysterio, as we have known him, will cease to exist. As you gasp for air, Rey, and the light dims...your fate will be sealed and, so too, will your soul. As the life oozes out of your pores, the last thought that will go through your mind will be to repent over what you did to my brother. And then, Rey, the only thing left...will be...the darkness." Kane shuts the casket and we go to break, to end the most intense promo of his career. Absolutely phenomenal stuff. But at this point, they might as well spell in big, giant red neon letters that Kane did it. The only thing that would surprise anyone at this point would be if Rey really DID do it.
Ad break.
We come back to your hosts, Todd Grisham and Matt Striker. Grisham talks about the intensity of Kane's promo. Tonight, Rey Mysterio meets Jack Swagger in a No DQ match.
CHRISTIAN v. DREW McINTYRE We get a look at last week's tag match, where Matt Hardy (allegedly) accidentally wipes out Christian, leading to Drew McIntyre picking up the win for his team.
We start with Christian grabbing a waistlock and getting backed into the corner. McIntyre cheap shot misses and Christian takes over. Announcers point out that Christian won a title on his first night in the company, without mentioning WHAT that title was (it was the Light Heavyweight Title, 'natch). Irish whip is reversed and McIntyre lifts Christian, who tries to get a sunset flip and gets a punch in the face for his troubles. We hit the armlock before McIntyre attempts a slam that gets countered. McIntyre charges and gets dropped over the top. Baseball slide misses, but Christian immediately hits a dropkick that McIntyre sells like crazy, hitting his back on the apron. McIntyre crawls under the ring and when Christian tries to retrieve him, Drew grabs Christian's left arm and pulls him in, banging Christian's left shoulder into the steel part of the apron. I've never seen that before. Nice spot! Both men are down, with Drew getting up first and rolling Christian back in. Clothesline to the back of the head leads to a two count. Mounted punches ensue. We hit the armlock. Christian tries to fight back, but gets a big shoulderblock for his troubles. McIntyre knocks Christian out of the ring, as we go to our next break.
We come back with Christian beating the ten count, narrowly. McIntyre goes back to the mounted punches and gets two. We hit the armbar again. McIntyre gets a slam off it for two before he hits the armbar again. Don't they have ad breaks they can use to fill Drew's resthold time? Bodyslam. Drew slides out and pounds away, continuing to work on the left shoulder. Drew throws Christian shoulder-first into the corner, as we hit another armlock. Christian fights back with a headbutt and a slap. Second-rope dropkick hits. Crowd rallies behind Christian as he mounts the comeback. Drop toehold puts McIntyre in the 619 position, but this ain't a Rey Mysterio match, so McIntyre stands up and gets a knee to gut. Drew tries to dump Christian, but Christian lands on his feet on the apron and hangs McIntyre across the top rope. Christian goes up top and gets a top rope crossbody, but Drew rolls over and nearly gets the pin. Drew goes for the Future Shock, but Christian tries to counter into the Killswitch. That's countered into a back suplex attempt, but THAT'S countered into Christian's reverse DDT. Christian moves in, but gets knocked down with an armbar takedown. McIntyre focuses on the shoulder by putting his weight on it. McIntyre tries to hit a second-rope stomp on the shoulder, but gets a boot to the face. Christian gets a springboard sunset flip for 2. Drew blindly charges the corner and gets a boot. Second rope forearm smash hits for Christian. Christian telegraphs the Killswitch attempt, which leads to McIntyre chucking him shoulder-first into the ring post. Drew tries to finish with the Future Shock, but Christian's able to cradle him for the pin.
WINNER: Christian - I'll admit, I didn't expect Christian to win here. This was also a great match, as McIntyre at least used his normal methodical offense towards a psychological goal. A lot better than their first match.
Later tonight, Layla defends her Women's Championship against Tiffany.
It's time for Grooming Tips from "Dashing" Cody Rhodes. "A dirty face with blackheads and acne is UNACCEPTABLE...and unappealing." We get a look at Cody Rhodes wearing an avocado mask. "My name is 'Dashing' Cody Rhodes and I'm here to show you that you too can be dashing. Which is why a facial is so important to today's man. It helps to clear your pores and...give you porcelain-like skin." We watch as Cody applies his facial treatment and VOILA! Holy crap, he's DASHING! "I'm 'Dashing' Cody Rhodes, bringing you one step closer to 'dashing'." We close with Cody's goofy smile. Why yes, this was awesome in an horribly cheesy kind of way, why do you ask?
Ad break.
Now it's time for an Alberto Del Rio vignette. It's the vignette from last week, but we noticeably get a shot of the crowd watching the vignette on the TitanTron. The crowd looks enthused! Well...no...they don't, actually.
We go backstage to CM Punk, still feeling his hair for any sign of life. He looks over angrily at the SES, wondering who's letting him down tonight. No longer THE MASKED MAN~!, Joey Mercury's now sporting a black vest and pretty much looking like somebody threw Luke Gallows in the laundry. Punk demands to smell Serena's breath and thanks her for showing up to work sober tonight. He turns to "Joseph" and wonders why he didn't help when Show was ripping off his mask. Gallows tries to pile on, but that just incurs Punk's wrath more. Punk says Gallows was the reason he had to wear a mask to begin with and blames Gallows for his broken arm. Mercury tries to point out that Show took his mask too, but Punk sarcastically offers a tissue for his issue before pointing out that they've all done nothing for him against Kane, Rey Mysterio, and Big Show. Punk says they're all nothing without him and pleads for them to do SOMETHING, lest they all pack their bags.
The Big Show makes his entrance. He faces Luke Gallows after the...
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WWE Smack of the Night - The Big Show rips off CM Punk's mask two weeks ago. And for an encore, last Friday Show unmasks the now-redubbed Joseph Mercury before laying him out with the Mayweather Special.
THE BIG SHOW v. LUKE GALLOWS (w/THE STRAIGHT EDGE SOCIETY) After the WWE Smack of the Night, Show has a good laugh over his actions and does the unmasking pantomime. Punk yells at Gallows throughout the entirety of his entrance, as Luke noticeably tries to walk faster to get away from the irate Punk. Striker drops the name Jake "The Milkman" Milliman in reference to Punk.
Gallows tries for a boxing match, but Show bobs and weaves and smacks Luke around. Big headbutt puts Luke down. BIG chop from Show, as Grisham calls Show's hands "computer laptop-sized". Is it in EVERY announcer's contract that they have to come up with outlandish metaphors for Show's hands? Show manhandles Luke in the corner and calls out for a mic. Tony Chimmel brings the mic, as Show instructs him to hold the mic near Luke's chest. We then get a big chop IN SURROUND SOUND! Well, that's a nice way to mix things up. Luke won't abandon the boxing strategy, as Show simply shrugs him off and hits a front facelock before tossing him around like a ragdoll. Show then piefaces Luke over the top rope. Punk attacks Show from behind and that'll be enough for this match.
WINNER: The Big Show by DQ - Short and harmless, I guess.
Post-match, the beatdown is on. Mercury labors for a bit, but is able to shove Show into the steel steps. Gallows and Mercury hold Show down as Punk stomps away on Show's hand. Serena then gets in on the fun with her high-heeled boots. Announcers point out that it's Show's knockout hand. Punk then takes off the sling and tosses it at Show, revealing that he's a-ok now! This, of course, gets completely unnoticed by Grisham and Striker. Sigh...
Ad break.
We get a recap of what we just saw. The announcers STILL don't point out that Punk's arm is healed, just to annoy me.
KOFI KINGSTON v. DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/VICKIE GUERRERO): NON-TITLE MATCH We get a recap of last Friday's match between Kofi and Dolph, as Vickie gets involved, allowing Dolph to pick up the win with the Zig Zag and the Sleeper Hold. If Dolph can win again, he'll get an IC title match next week. You know, the challenger DID pin the champ last week. Is another non-title match REALLY necessary?
Wrestling sequence starts us off. Both guys seem evenly matched here, so Dolph starts hammering away. Both guys then exchange blows before Kofi lands the monkey flip. Kofi goes for the corner punches - this week, he gives us five. European uppercut puts Dolph down for a two count. Dolph's able to start hammering away again and gets a bodyslam. He gets a second one. Third bodyslam, for good measure. Those get a two count. Dolph moves in methodically, but methodical also means slow, which allows Kofi to kip up with the headscissors and send Dolph out to the apron. Dolph gets a headbutt and is able to hang Kofi on the ropes. That gets a two count. Dolph stomps away and hits an elbow for another near fall. Time to hit the chinlock. Kofi fights back, but gets whipped into the corner. Corner charge eats boot and Kofi hits a HIGH dropkick. Stinger splash misses and Dolph hits an inverted powerslam for two. Back to the chinlock, but not for long, as Kofi tries to fight back. Dolph chucks him down and hits the YAAAH elbow, which leads us to our next break.
We come back with Dolph hitting a snapmare and going back to the armlock. Neckbreaker stops a Kofi comeback and Dolph gets two off it. We now hit the front facelock, as Dolph impressively floats over. Dolph tries to stop another comeback with a second neckbreaker, but Kofi sees it coming this time and hits a jawbreaker. But he still can't get his bearings straight, allowing Dolph to continue the offense. Dropkick is caught, however, and Kofi catapults Dolph into the corner (with a noticeable 'THUNK' sound). Kofi comes back with chops and a dropkick. Jumping clothesline looks to start an offensive flurry, but Dolph kicks Kofi's leg out from under him and hits the Rocker Dropper for 2. Dolph chokes away on the ropes, allowing Vickie to slap Kofi while the ref pulls Dolph away. That pisses Kofi off, so he takes out his anger on Dolph, hammering him repeatedly. Kofi won't let up and the ref calls for the bell.
WINNER: Dolph Ziggler by DQ - LAAAAAAAAAAME finish.
Post-match, the Kofi onslaught continues. He takes the fight to the announce table, where he bangs Dolph's head repeatedly. Fans love this vicious streak and chant "Kofi", because they're BLOODTHIRSTY! Refs frantically pull Kofi off, but either way, it's still a win for Dolph, who gets his title match next week.
Later tonight, Rey Mysterio and Jack Swagger face off in a No DQ match.
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We are taped from Corpus Christi, TX.
RAW Rebound - Team Raw is falling apart. Hey, you didn't expect this to be a foregone conclusion, did you?
Announcers run down the Summerslam card.
We go backstage to Josh Matthews, who's with Jack Swagger. Swagger interrupts Matthews' question and points out that his father's still in the hospital. Swagger demands Matthews ask him what he'll do to Rey Mysterio tonight. Swagger simply says he'll break Rey's arms, legs, and throw him down the stairs. Swagger says he'll throw Rey into the Gulf of Mexico, who will have broken legs and won't be able to swim. Swagger says Rey won't make it to Summerslam.
Elsewhere backstage, Tiffany and Kelly Kelly walk around and find Rosa still working out to try and fit in with LayCool. The Women's Championship match is next.
Ad break.
Next week, Kofi Kingston defends the Intercontinental Championship against Dolph Ziggler.
LAYLA (w/MICHELLE McCOOL) v. TIFFANY (w/KELLY KELLY): WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH LayCool are in coordinated snowflake colors this week. Announcers put this over as Tiffany's first ever title shot. But wait, here's Vickie Guerrero to test my patience again. Vickie points out that Layla and Michelle are co-champions, so Michelle's defending the title tonight. Because a semi-decent wrestling match is too much to ask for, apparently.
Tiffany interrupts Michelle's push-ups with a seated dropkick and hammers away. She places Michelle on the top rope and hits a second-rope suplex. Tiffany's slow to cover and only gets two. Layla trips up Tiffany as she runs the ropes, leading to Kelly taking Layla out. Michelle's able to get Tiffany climbing the ropes and hits the Faith Breaker to finish.
WINNER: Michelle McCool - I still hate LayCool. Is Beth back yet?
Post-match, Teddy Long gets on the TitanTron and tells LayCool that there can only be ONE Women's Champion. If they don't decide who gets the belt, Teddy will do it himself next week.
Here's another Alberto Del Rio vignette. "My name is Alberto Del Rio. Soy un hombre iluminado. As people, we want things, we want the nice house, the great job, the attainable mate. Deep down, you all have the power to get these things, but you don't. Why? Because you're mentally constipated. You keep all your ambitions bottled up, unable to come out. But not me...not me. I achieve everything I set my mind to. I am not bound by limitations or imprisoned by insecurities. Soy un hombre iluminado - an enlightened man: Alberto Del Rio." You know, the first few of these were fun and all, but shouldn't this guy have made his debut by now? This is getting a little old.
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REY MYSTERIO v. JACK SWAGGER: NO DISQUALIFICATION MATCH Swagger wastes no time in overpowering Rey and pounding away in the corner. Big Irish whip to the corner with authority. Running Vaderbomb misses and Rey hits a dropkick. Rey's able to get Jack in the 619 position, but Swagger rolls out. Swagger catches an Asai moonsault attempt with an anklelock attempt, but Rey swings Swagger so that he hits the steel steps. This takes us to our last break of the night.
We come back with Swagger attempting a superplex, but Rey headbutts him off the top. Seated senton off the top hits, but a springboard crossbody block hits nothing. Swagger charges, but winds up flying over the top rope. Rey baseball slides out and headscissors Swagger into the barricade. Rey goes for the bulldog, but Swagger catches him halfway and dumps him headfirst into the barricade. The fight now goes into the crowd, as Swagger continues his assault. Swagger picks up Rey and carries him through the crowd. He tries to chuck Rey over the barricade leading to the back, but gets knocked into it himself. Big kick to the face from Rey. Rey shoves Swagger into the railing around the 100-section of the arena. Security clears the path leading up to the seats to allow Rey to try and jump on Swagger from the 100-section railing, but he gets CAUGHT! Swagger slams Rey's back against the 100-section railing twice and Rey crumples to the floor in a heap. Swagger now moves Rey to the back, as he chucks Rey against the wall. Rey gets tossed over a souvenir stand. In one of the more unintentionally funny visuals, the elevator right behind the action opens up, as fans trickle out and security nearly doesn't reach them in time. Swagger throws Rey against the door and tosses him out of the arena. In another hilarious moment, the referee tells Swagger to bring it back to the ring. He's only asking him this NOW? We now take the action outside the arena, as Swagger grinds Rey's face against a metal railing. Swagger attacks, as they literally fight on the street in front of the arena entrance. A car nearly hits them, as Swagger yells out "Hey, I'm walking here!" to provide another laugh. Swagger carries Rey towards...oh lord, is that the actual Gulf of Mexico? Rey's able to shake off of Swagger's shoulders and fight back. He pushes Swagger over the cement and hits a seated senton off the cement handrail! Rey kicks away, but Swagger's able to take control with mounted punches. Swagger yells at Rey that he's not half the man that he is. Swagger picks Rey up in a fireman's carry and faces towards the gulf. He gets him up in a military press, but Rey gets a headscissors and Swagger goes for a swim. Swagger cries out that he can't swim, naturally. Rey brushes him off, but WALKS RIGHT INTO A GOOZLE FROM KANE! CHOKESLAM INTO THE GULF OF MEXICO! Show ends as it began, with an extreme close-up on Kane's face.
Oh, shoot. Almost forgot.
WINNER: No Contest - As if it matters.
FINAL THOUGHT
Well, that was a fairly average show right up until the main event. That was a fun brawl to end the night. But man, if EVER we needed a JR call, it was for that Chokeslam into the gulf. God, I miss Jim Ross.
How can you become an All American American without knowing how to swim?
I watched SD! online...during the post-match Kofi/Dolph beatdown, they cut away numerous times to Vicki's reaction rather than the action itself. Did that happen on TV too? Seemed like an odd editing choice.
It's been a while since Tiffany's terrible theme music made it on TV, but at least Teddy is enforcing that there really shouldn't be co-champs when Layla won the belt solo.
"Unless you did something unspeakable with a cactus, 'Shaqtus' is not a real word." - Santino Marella
I guess we'll probably have defiance by LayCool, so after they refuse to make a choice, Long will order a match between Layla and McCool, leading to me complaining because obviously Layla has been the sole champ since she pinned Beth Phoenix.
(I say all this because I don't think they can break them up yet - although even that might lead to more hilarity as Kaval is locked in a fierce custody battle and forced to choose which pro he loves more.)
Summerslam is the king of random title matches. Kane vs Rey Mysterio and Sheamus vs Randy Orton join the list of luminaries including Diesel vs King Mabel, Triple H vs Great Khali, and the RAW Chamber from 2003.
This was a good episode. I really liked Christian/McIntyre and Kingston/Ziggler. I am really tired of the Big Show/Punk feud already though. Big Show just kicks the SES's ass every week.
I don't know, I think the hand stomping was enough non Big Show kicking ass to start to counter-balance his ass-kickings. Plus Big Show is a giant, it is somewhat concievable that a single SES member would have problems handling him.
Easily Drew's best singles match. Christian sold the arm like a champ, even wincing before the crossbody from the top. Drew was focused and relentless with varied arm attacks. Good stuff.
The Wrath of Kofi brings needed depth to the character, and if it adds intensity to a fine midcard feud, I'm all for it. Dolph is giving his all out there. Vickie's presence is not needed to get these guys over, but the slap is a fine plot point.
CM Punk has never looked more indy than he does now, and I'm still surprised to see him as the top heel behind Swagger. The beatdown on Show was nice.
The main event did nothing for me. Even though I complained about the formula Batista/Rey relied on, those were still entertaining matches. Swagger is reduced to a lumbering stiff when setting up Rey's offense.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
Originally posted by LoosieI don't know, I think the hand stomping was enough non Big Show kicking ass to start to counter-balance his ass-kickings. Plus Big Show is a giant, it is somewhat concievable that a single SES member would have problems handling him.
No because you know Big Show will just destroy them next week. That's more of an issue with the way they book in general now though. Let's see.. Big Show demasks Punk, demasks the mystery guy, defeats Gallows, beats them all up weekly, causes them internal conflict, but hey they 4 on 1'ed him for one show so let me go ahead and plop that 44.95 down now. Yeah right. The angle blows.
Originally posted by Matt TrackerEasily Drew's best singles match. Christian sold the arm like a champ, even wincing before the crossbody from the top. Drew was focused and relentless with varied arm attacks. Good stuff.
The Wrath of Kofi brings needed depth to the character, and if it adds intensity to a fine mid card feud, I'm all for it. Dolph is giving his all out there. Vickie's presence is not needed to get these guys over, but the slap is a fine plot point.
The main event did nothing for me. Even though I complained about the formula Batista/Rey relied on, those were still entertaining matches. Swagger is reduced to a lumbering stiff when setting up Rey's offense.
Drew did look good in that match, and I guess that is why Christian is on the roster these days.
Ziggler continues to impress me in the ring. However, has there ever been a main eventer with a worse name or worse hair?
Swagger saying he can't swim while actually swimming was pretty funny, however I am tired of this feud. Mostly because of Rey, though. He can only put on decent matches due to injuries and the watered down WWE style these days, and he may give the worst, most unconvincing promos of any main event star EVER. It also bugs me that since his return from drug suspension about a year ago, he has been in nothing but high profile matches/feuds. Batista, Undertaker, Punk, and a World Title reign. What kind of message does that send?
"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
Originally posted by Amos CochranThat he had a prescription and his suspension was more a formality than anything? Pretty sure that was the story at the time.
I think you may be right. Now if only he only had a good excuse for his horrible promos. ;)
"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
Originally posted by kentishRey can only put on decent matches due to injuries and the watered down WWE style these days, and he may give the worst, most unconvincing promos of any main event star EVER.
Ouch. I think Rey's feuds with Jericho and Punk would probably be two of the best four feuds since 2009 along with Michaels/Undertaker and Punk/Jeff. And he might've been in the most great matches over that time of anyone in the company except Christian, against Jericho, Edge, Jeff Hardy, Ziggler, Morrison, Shawn Michaels, Swagger, off the top of my head.
It also bugs me that since his return from drug suspension about a year ago, he has been in nothing but high profile matches/feuds. Batista, Undertaker, Punk, and a World Title reign. What kind of message does that send?
A.Coch has it. The suspension was because of paperwork miscommunication, and because of that they took care of him without the booking reprisals they usually take against the violators, e.g. dropping the title to Morrison in a long classic match and not burying him on the way out, then bringing him back immediately for the PPV payoff even though he'd missed all the TV leading up to it.
Rey's been having good/great matches since day 1 in WCW. He hasn't suffered at all from having to work "WWE style", and in fact, may be a better all-around worker than ever since coming into the WWE. Not being able to fly like he used to hasn't hurt him 1 bit. I'll grant that he's not 100% right now due to working w/ a bum knee(s), but even a hurt Rey is still 1 of the top in-ring workers in the entire company. Healthy Rey is arguably in the upper echelon in terms of in-the-ring in the entire business.
Would you say
HBK can only put on decent matches due to injuries and the watered down WWE style these days
or
Undertaker can only put on decent matches due to injuries and the watered down WWE style these days
Rey in WCW (and ECW) was as innovative and exciting as anyone I have ever seen in the ring. There were few guys in the business I would rather watch in 1996-98 than Rey. But he is a much different worker since coming to WWE in 2002. Part of it is injuries, part of it is the watered down style. Perhaps I was too harsh earlier. Yes, he had some good matches with Jericho, Batista, and Taker in the last year. But to me, they were not above 4 stars, and nowhere near the level of his WCW and even his 2002 WWE run. Still fun to watch at times, but a shell of his former self.
It is hard for me to say Shawn was watered down by the WWE style, because he was one of the guys that perfected/created it. Plus, he’s the best ever, and retired (for now) still putting on 5 star matches. I can't remember the last Rey 5 star match. Taker needs someone else to pull him over 4 stars these days.
Now, someone justify his promos skills, which was supposed to be the true target of my earlier post.
"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
Originally posted by kentishYes, he had some good matches with Jericho, Batista, and Taker in the last year. But to me, they were not above 4 stars, and nowhere near the level of his WCW and even his 2002 WWE run. Still fun to watch at times, but a shell of his former self.
It is hard for me to say Shawn was watered down by the WWE style, because he was one of the guys that perfected/created it. Plus, he’s the best ever, and retired (for now) still putting on 5 star matches. I can't remember the last Rey 5 star match. Taker needs someone else to pull him over 4 stars these days.
Originally posted by kentishYes, he had some good matches with Jericho, Batista, and Taker in the last year. But to me, they were not above 4 stars, and nowhere near the level of his WCW and even his 2002 WWE run. Still fun to watch at times, but a shell of his former self.
It is hard for me to say Shawn was watered down by the WWE style, because he was one of the guys that perfected/created it. Plus, he’s the best ever, and retired (for now) still putting on 5 star matches. I can't remember the last Rey 5 star match. Taker needs someone else to pull him over 4 stars these days.
"Star" ratings are almost 100 percent subjective.
Absolutely they are. As is the word "classic", which he doesn't have any more either, IMO.
Again, I wasn't so much targeting the guy's current in ring ability, so let me simplify: He is still pretty good in the ring, but his promo skills suck more than any main event star I can think of.
"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
Originally posted by kentishYes, he had some good matches with Jericho, Batista, and Taker in the last year. But to me, they were not above 4 stars, and nowhere near the level of his WCW and even his 2002 WWE run. Still fun to watch at times, but a shell of his former self.
It is hard for me to say Shawn was watered down by the WWE style, because he was one of the guys that perfected/created it. Plus, he’s the best ever, and retired (for now) still putting on 5 star matches. I can't remember the last Rey 5 star match.
I think Rey vs. Jericho title vs. mask would've won WWEMOTY if it weren't for Michaels and Undertaker.
He's really similar to Shawn Michaels though. Shawn in 2010 was nowhere close to where he was athletically in 1996, let alone when he first came back refreshed in 2002. Same with Rey compared to '96 and when he came to WWE in '02 after getting to rest and heal between then and the end of WCW. Their knees are shot and they can't fly around like they used to, but they both found a new way to do their acts based on selling, timing, signature spots, and selectively busting out the high-risk/high-punishment stuff.
Now, someone justify his promos skills, which was supposed to be the true target of my earlier post.
His interviews can get clunky when they give him a lot of awkward verbiage, but I think they're really effective when he responds, simply but with a lot of conviction, against a really talented heel talker like Jericho and Punk. They fit his character, he's just a nice man and sort of a surrogate for all the kids. But in terms of justification, I don't think someone as talented and unique as Rey Mysterio needs great speaking ability based on what his act brings to the table.
Originally posted by Amos CochranThat he had a prescription and his suspension was more a formality than anything? Pretty sure that was the story at the time.
I think you may be right. Now if only he only had a good excuse for his horrible promos. ;)
WWE, Inc. care more about Rey's Spanish than his English.
Originally posted by JustinShapiroBut in terms of justification, I don't think someone as talented and unique as Rey Mysterio needs great speaking ability based on what his act brings to the table.
I agree. I think it's too much to expect every WWE star to be a total package.
Rey's at a disadvantage because he can only play one character in the WWE: the plucky underdog. And his offense is all springboards and slingshot moves. He can't tackle and wallop the heel. That gives him no variety; he has no "angry offense" to unleash when pushed too far. Think about Kofi snapping on Dolph. He went off on Ziggler. Rey can't -- or isn't allowed -- to do that.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
Now if Kofi was smart, he would just do the same thing next week that he did this week. Then he still gets DQed, but still keeps the belt. That is why I'm thinking the title match will have Vickie stips added to it (NO DQ for Kofi or NO DQ for both).
Either way, I can't wait to see Dolph fail once again in his newest bid for the IC gold. I mean, they are prepping "Dashing" Cody Rhodes for the belt, are they not?
"Put on your helmets, we'll be reaching speeds of 3!" "It was nice of you to give that dead woman another chance." "All right, look alive everybody...oh sorry Susan."- MST3K: Space Mutiny Click Here (myspace.com)
Aren't they the sons of Rikishi? Didn't he do the butt splash in the corner too? Where does Umaga fit into this discussion? Am I missing something, or what's the problem here?