Falls Count Anywhere

03-21-06

Gruesome, isn't it?

SmackDown!
I didn’t see all of it, but what I saw did not impress me. It’s not that the work hasn’t been good; it has, but the booking of Kurt Angle and the way they are trying to build Randy Orton doesn’t work for me.

The worst of it was the fact that they jobbed Bobby Lashley to Fit FInlay. Now, I’m a huge fan of Fit, but they shouldn’t have jobbed Lashley yet because he needs a Goldberg-like push to make it. They at least had Fit use a Shillaghleah to beat Bobby, as well as all the heel Lumberjacks.

Saturday Night’s Main Event
Easily the best show the WWE has done in a good long while. I was really entertained, though the crowd did not seem to care much.

The best part had to be my man Mick Foley and Edge having a great segment. Edge called Foley a Muppet, saying that he lost his edge (pun only slightly intended), then they brawled. There was a shot of Mick going into the tacks when Lita stopped him. Edge left with Lita and when Mick got up, they fell backwards and were all scared. That was a great segment though the crowd wasn’t big on the event. Nice way to build a hardcore match.

JBL in a puddle of his own ...beer.

JBL and Steve Austin bantered while they were having their Beer Drinking contest. I usually don’t like these kinds of segments, but this was funny. JBL is a great talker and Austin is always good.

I loved Shane and Shawn taking a hell of a beating to put on a great match. It had a terrible ending, but I still loved the match. I mean, how could I not love a match that features a Superplex OFF A LADDER that happens to end up going through TABLES!!! I mean, WOW! Hugh brawl, lots of blood, and they had Vince redo his favorite ending ever where Shane got the Sharpshooter for a second and Vince called for the bell. Great match.

The opening match where all the players in the Main Events of Mania was a decent match, but having Randy lose via a roll-up sucks. They should have played up more drama between the teams. I liked the Mickie James turn, not only because we’ve seen it coming for months, but because it will allow for some matches against Trish that might be good and maybe another Female Hardcore match. I so hope so.

Overall, it was a strong show with more entertainment than any regular show in ages. You might have to go back to 2002 or so to find a better overall non-PPV show.

NEWS
They fired Chris Cage from OVW, meaning they had to drop the Tag Titles at a house show. They also moved the TNA Thursday Night show to 11pm instead of beign in Prime Time. The Observer is saying that it’s a good thing, but it has to take the wind out of the sails of the group that was thinking they were getting into Prime Time.

RAW
Good show. Not a great show, because there were some very slow moments, but I liked it well enough.

They opened with Shane and Vince celebrating with all the confetti and balloons. Vince also said that Shawn screwed Shawn. Well, that may be true. Replaying the Bret Hart stuff is getting old, but it also teases Bret at WrestleMania more, which is still not the plan.

Kane and Carlito had a decent match. Carlito is getting so much better. He’s always had charisma and great facials, but he’s been working much better lately. Carlito went for a moonsault, but missed and landed on his feet like Rey Mysterio. I didn’t know he had it in him. Carltio hit a DDT and a Back-Cracker, but coming off for a Springboard, Kane caught him and gave him the Guzzle Chokeslam for the pin. Good enough for TV.

In a match that I really enjoyed, even if it had problems, Flair and RVD lost to Shelton Benjamin with the IC title was up for grabs. Flair worked really smart, as always; RVD and Shelton did all the stuff that you’ll remember a match like this for.

RVD kicked Flair a lot. Flair was bleedin’ too. I’d say that RVD provided the flash, Flair the flesh and Shelton the story. The ending was so smart that I can’t think of another time they’ve done it. Flair got the Figure Four on to RVD, but Shelton came in and pinned Flair while he was doin’ it and got the win. Solid match, almost PPV quality, though not long enough.

Next up: Drumming for Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem.

Mick Foley came out and said that Edge was right, he had become a Muppet. Jim Henson’s attorneys were called and are debating their legal options. Lita came out and said that she wanted to talk to the old, cuddly, Winnie the Pooh wearing Mick Foley. Mick said that Cactus needs to come back. I agree. Mick then said that this was the part where Lita slapped him and Edge came from the back. Edge ran in and Mick turned to face him as Lita went for a lowblow, but Mick blocked it and gave her the Mandible Claw. Great segment. I like the way they’re building, but Foley needs some gym time.

Victoria beat Torrie amazingly fast, but Candice came out on a sedan chair all sexed up with her Playboy cover blown-up behind her. That was an awesome visual, as she was WAY FREAKIN’ HOTTTT!!!

Masters got DQed for using a chair on The Big Show. I didn’t see the match.

Mickie James, who was way hot, came out and they reviewed the Saturday Night’s Main Event turn. She came to the ring and there was a giant gift box. She taunted Trish by opening the box and showing that Ashley was tied-up. This was awesome. Mickie went all psycho and the crowd was totally into her. She was such a great heel here.

Camerawork like this is worth an Emmy.

While Mickie was taunting her, Trish attacked her and busted her nose. This led to one of the best shots in ages. After Mickie gave Trish a vicious Jumping DDT, with blood running from her nose, she kissed the unconscious Trish, leaving blood on her face in a great sight. She blew a kiss as she left and she looked hot with the blood running from her nose.

Sadly, I missed the main event which I understand ended up being HHH and Shane taking on Shawn Michaels after a staredown between HHH and Cena. Shawn had the advantage after a bunch of Atomic Drops on Shane and H. They turned the tables with a Low Blow and that set-up H going for the Pedigree, but Cena ran in and the guys fought off everyone. Vince also apparently announced that he’s taking on John Cena next week. Wow, that’s weak.

Good show, though I missed some of it.

That’s all for this week. I’ll have more for you when the week is new.

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Chris Garcia