I had the pleasure of watching Sunday's WWE Royal Rumble live on pay-per-view with a good friend at one of my old stomping grounds, The Oyster Pub.
Things didn't start out nicely (thank you, DirecTV), as we didn't have the PPV feed.
Thankfully, around 8:35 p.m., things were fixed and we caught the end of The Miz vs. MVP match.
Let's review.
ECW Champion Christian beats Ezekiel Jackson:
As I mentioned, I didn't get to see this match. But by all accounts, both men did a solid job. WWE did the right thing in having Christian win this one. PICK: I'm 1-0.
The Miz beats MVP for the United States Title:
I like how WWE had this previously unannounced match, as a card with the Royal Rumble match on it allows the title belt feuds to develop and be pushed more than on other PPV cards. The Miz has really developed the past two years. I thought he might lose to MVP and go on to bigger and better things, but WWE wants to keep this feud going with The Miz as the U.S. champ. I'm fine with that. It's a solid, upper mid-card feud.
WWE Champion Sheamus beats Randy Orton:
In my last blog, even though I picked Orton to win, I said I thought it "would be stupid to take the title off Sheamus." WWE was thinking the same thing I was. This wasn't a classic match, but it picked up and had a huge payoff at the end. I'm a little confused as to why Cody Rhodes was the one that cost Orton the match and not Ted DiBiase, but I guess the bigger picture is that The Legacy is done. And it looks like Orton is a face, especially since a feud with Sheamus looks to be continuing. PICK: I'm 1-1.
Mickie James beats Women's Champion Michelle McCool:
While I'm not surprised James won, I'm stunned she won so quickly. WWE could have given this match a few more minutes, especially since the event ended at 10:45 p.m. The post-match payoff was huge (and entertaining) as the faces got revenge on McCool and her sidekick Layla. PICK: I'm 2-1.
World Heavyweight Champion Undertaker beats Rey Mysterio:
I enjoyed this match. I thought it exceeded my expectations. It was strange seeing Undertaker bleed. When's the last time that happened? The ending was awesome with Undertaker taking not one, but two 619s, and still finishing off Mysterio with a powerbomb. PICK: I'm 3-1.
Things didn't start out nicely (thank you, DirecTV), as we didn't have the PPV feed.
Thankfully, around 8:35 p.m., things were fixed and we caught the end of The Miz vs. MVP match.
Let's review.
ECW Champion Christian beats Ezekiel Jackson:
As I mentioned, I didn't get to see this match. But by all accounts, both men did a solid job. WWE did the right thing in having Christian win this one. PICK: I'm 1-0.
The Miz beats MVP for the United States Title:
I like how WWE had this previously unannounced match, as a card with the Royal Rumble match on it allows the title belt feuds to develop and be pushed more than on other PPV cards. The Miz has really developed the past two years. I thought he might lose to MVP and go on to bigger and better things, but WWE wants to keep this feud going with The Miz as the U.S. champ. I'm fine with that. It's a solid, upper mid-card feud.
WWE Champion Sheamus beats Randy Orton:
In my last blog, even though I picked Orton to win, I said I thought it "would be stupid to take the title off Sheamus." WWE was thinking the same thing I was. This wasn't a classic match, but it picked up and had a huge payoff at the end. I'm a little confused as to why Cody Rhodes was the one that cost Orton the match and not Ted DiBiase, but I guess the bigger picture is that The Legacy is done. And it looks like Orton is a face, especially since a feud with Sheamus looks to be continuing. PICK: I'm 1-1.
Mickie James beats Women's Champion Michelle McCool:
While I'm not surprised James won, I'm stunned she won so quickly. WWE could have given this match a few more minutes, especially since the event ended at 10:45 p.m. The post-match payoff was huge (and entertaining) as the faces got revenge on McCool and her sidekick Layla. PICK: I'm 2-1.
World Heavyweight Champion Undertaker beats Rey Mysterio:
I enjoyed this match. I thought it exceeded my expectations. It was strange seeing Undertaker bleed. When's the last time that happened? The ending was awesome with Undertaker taking not one, but two 619s, and still finishing off Mysterio with a powerbomb. PICK: I'm 3-1.
The Royal Rumble match:
I thought this was the best Royal Rumble match in recent memory.
The star power, on paper, was huge with Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Batista, John Cena, Chris Jericho, and our surprise entrants in Beth Phoenix and eventual winner Edge (sorry, R-Truth, I left you off my list. And William Regal, you were advertised. Where were you?).
The story line flow of the Royal Rumble was tremendous. The only downside I saw to the match was that there were few times, especially early on, when more than two or three wrestlers were in the ring at the same time.
I thought CM Punk was extremely effective for the early part of the match. It was great how he threw out five wrestlers early on, throwing in some microphone segments to push what is one of the best characters going right now in WWE. It was smart to have Triple H get rid of Punk, as Punk's act couldn't last all night.
There was a funny mark-out moment when Phoenix kissed and then eliminated The Great Khali.
After The Miz-MVP feud was pushed further, Shawn Michaels went on his run, throwing out a match-high six wrestlers -- including my pick to win it all, sadly, John Morrison. Michaels then likely put an end to DX by tossing out Triple H. I think DX has had a good run, and a feud between these two will have a nice run.
No one can argue the name value of the final five -- Edge, John Cena, Batista, Michaels and Chris Jericho. Jericho may have advanced further if not for his taxi-cab incident early last week.
I like how Michaels sadly sold his exit -- well done! I did think that maybe he wasn't supposed to be eliminated, but his selling of it did make me think otherwise.
I was stunned Edge won. I really thought Cena would win, but I guess if you're going to bring Edge back, and he's ready and healthy, and it's a surprise, you might as well shake things up and have him win it all. PICK: 3-2.
Afterwards, Phoenix bashed Chyna online. I don't see the point of that, especially since Chyna's days of a wrestler are presumably done.
LIKELY WRESTLEMANIA MATCHES
The big upside to the Rumble is that February's PPV might actually shake up the top of the card.
I usually find the elimination chamber matches to be pointless, but there is no reason to completely rule out Michaels-Undertaker or Jericho-Edge matches for WrestleMania.
Jericho could easily be world champion coming out of the February feud, while Undertaker doesn't have to have the belt for Michaels to wrestle him now.
Here's where I think the card stands now, after the Rumble:
1. Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon -- Fans want this.
2. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels -- It's been teased now, DX is done and it has to happen.
3. Edge vs. Sheamus -- I can't see Edge wrestling Undertaker again. We've seen it before. Sheamus has been built up, and as long as he is champion after the PPV, Edge will wrestle him. How funny would it be if Edge challenged the ECW Champion, Christian?
4. John Cena vs. Undertaker -- The Rock said no to Cena. And if Undertaker really is done after this WrestleMania, who better for him to put over than Cena?
5. Chris Jericho vs. Batista -- Jericho loses his match against Edge, presumably, and needs a big-name opponent. He should be rewarded with a win here against "The Animal."
6. Randy Orton vs. Ted DiBiase Jr. -- It's time for The Legacy to feud.
7. CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio -- Mask vs. hair.
8. Money in the Bank Ladder Match -- Throw John Morrison in here, and sorry Christian and Kofi Kingston, but he'll win. This match rules.
9. Maryse vs. Michelle McCool vs. Mickie James vs. Beth Phoenix -- Top four women's names in a fatal fourway match. But, after Mickie went over in the Rumble, what women's wrestler would want to face her?
Tonight's Raw
For the record, it will be a miscarriage of justice if Gail Kim beats Maryse to become the women's champion.
LATEST HEADLINES AND MY REACTS
WWE
Ashley Storer tells TMZ.com that Chris Jericho/Hurricane Helms incident was a "play fight." REACT: Alcohol can do that.
John Cena on Psych. REACT: The show is pretty bad. I will say I marked out for the "Iron Mike Sharpe," "Kamala" and even "Monday Night Raw" references.
I thought this was the best Royal Rumble match in recent memory.
The star power, on paper, was huge with Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Batista, John Cena, Chris Jericho, and our surprise entrants in Beth Phoenix and eventual winner Edge (sorry, R-Truth, I left you off my list. And William Regal, you were advertised. Where were you?).
The story line flow of the Royal Rumble was tremendous. The only downside I saw to the match was that there were few times, especially early on, when more than two or three wrestlers were in the ring at the same time.
I thought CM Punk was extremely effective for the early part of the match. It was great how he threw out five wrestlers early on, throwing in some microphone segments to push what is one of the best characters going right now in WWE. It was smart to have Triple H get rid of Punk, as Punk's act couldn't last all night.
There was a funny mark-out moment when Phoenix kissed and then eliminated The Great Khali.
After The Miz-MVP feud was pushed further, Shawn Michaels went on his run, throwing out a match-high six wrestlers -- including my pick to win it all, sadly, John Morrison. Michaels then likely put an end to DX by tossing out Triple H. I think DX has had a good run, and a feud between these two will have a nice run.
No one can argue the name value of the final five -- Edge, John Cena, Batista, Michaels and Chris Jericho. Jericho may have advanced further if not for his taxi-cab incident early last week.
I like how Michaels sadly sold his exit -- well done! I did think that maybe he wasn't supposed to be eliminated, but his selling of it did make me think otherwise.
I was stunned Edge won. I really thought Cena would win, but I guess if you're going to bring Edge back, and he's ready and healthy, and it's a surprise, you might as well shake things up and have him win it all. PICK: 3-2.
Afterwards, Phoenix bashed Chyna online. I don't see the point of that, especially since Chyna's days of a wrestler are presumably done.
LIKELY WRESTLEMANIA MATCHES
The big upside to the Rumble is that February's PPV might actually shake up the top of the card.
I usually find the elimination chamber matches to be pointless, but there is no reason to completely rule out Michaels-Undertaker or Jericho-Edge matches for WrestleMania.
Jericho could easily be world champion coming out of the February feud, while Undertaker doesn't have to have the belt for Michaels to wrestle him now.
Here's where I think the card stands now, after the Rumble:
1. Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon -- Fans want this.
2. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels -- It's been teased now, DX is done and it has to happen.
3. Edge vs. Sheamus -- I can't see Edge wrestling Undertaker again. We've seen it before. Sheamus has been built up, and as long as he is champion after the PPV, Edge will wrestle him. How funny would it be if Edge challenged the ECW Champion, Christian?
4. John Cena vs. Undertaker -- The Rock said no to Cena. And if Undertaker really is done after this WrestleMania, who better for him to put over than Cena?
5. Chris Jericho vs. Batista -- Jericho loses his match against Edge, presumably, and needs a big-name opponent. He should be rewarded with a win here against "The Animal."
6. Randy Orton vs. Ted DiBiase Jr. -- It's time for The Legacy to feud.
7. CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio -- Mask vs. hair.
8. Money in the Bank Ladder Match -- Throw John Morrison in here, and sorry Christian and Kofi Kingston, but he'll win. This match rules.
9. Maryse vs. Michelle McCool vs. Mickie James vs. Beth Phoenix -- Top four women's names in a fatal fourway match. But, after Mickie went over in the Rumble, what women's wrestler would want to face her?
Tonight's Raw
For the record, it will be a miscarriage of justice if Gail Kim beats Maryse to become the women's champion.
LATEST HEADLINES AND MY REACTS
WWE
Ashley Storer tells TMZ.com that Chris Jericho/Hurricane Helms incident was a "play fight." REACT: Alcohol can do that.
John Cena on Psych. REACT: The show is pretty bad. I will say I marked out for the "Iron Mike Sharpe," "Kamala" and even "Monday Night Raw" references.
Atlanta all but official for WrestleMania next year. REACT: Road trip!
Raw going to 3 hours if TNA Wrestling comes to Monday nights. REACT: Seeing how the McMahons are against this, let's hope this doesn't happen.
Chris Jericho twitters Eric Bischoff, "Bischoffs right I can't headline in TNA...cos I'm not in my 50s." REACT: Ouch! True.
TNA Wrestling
Eric Bischoff tells Pro Wrestling Torch in September he wasn't interested in joining TNA Wrestling. REACT: Money talks.
March 1-2 or March 8-9 for next live TNA Wrestling show? REACT: No one seems to know now. I guess it is a ways away.
TNA Wrestling happy with Ric Flair, but not so much with Scott Hall and Sean Waltman. REACT: Not surprising.
On bringing in The Honky Tonk Man, Bischoff said he would "rather drive a rusty ice pick through my thigh" and said that Honky "couldn't draw flies if he were rolled in (crap)." REACT: I'm guessing this means Honky Tonk Man will be brought in? Kidding. I think.
Kevin Nash reportedly films scenes for Ultimate Death Match 3. REACT: Sounds from the reports that Nash got better scenes than the fighting scenes.
Lacey Von Erich's appearance in "Missy Hyatt's Pajama Party" DVD. REACT: Lacey has a future outside wrestling, I guess.
On Bubba the Love Sponge, Hogan and Eric Bischoff said they won't be goig PG, that they fix Russo's scripts, that the Orlando screw job angle was good because people talk about it, that Hogan wants to bring in Randy "Macho Man" Savage, that Brian Knobbs' school would be the developmental choice if they go that route, that Abyss is "the next John Cena, that Sting hurt the company recently, and that Big Show is lazy and Chris Jericho wouldn't be able to headline in TNA Wrestling. REACT: The last few parts were off base, but the rest seemed right on.
Also
RVD thinks the "jobber" should come back. REACT: I agree.
The top 10 music entrances of all time can be found here. http://www.stalkingstevephillips.com/2010/01/25/top-10-pro-wrestling-entrances-of-all-time/ REACT: Awesome link.
Chris Jericho twitters Eric Bischoff, "Bischoffs right I can't headline in TNA...cos I'm not in my 50s." REACT: Ouch! True.
TNA Wrestling
Eric Bischoff tells Pro Wrestling Torch in September he wasn't interested in joining TNA Wrestling. REACT: Money talks.
March 1-2 or March 8-9 for next live TNA Wrestling show? REACT: No one seems to know now. I guess it is a ways away.
TNA Wrestling happy with Ric Flair, but not so much with Scott Hall and Sean Waltman. REACT: Not surprising.
On bringing in The Honky Tonk Man, Bischoff said he would "rather drive a rusty ice pick through my thigh" and said that Honky "couldn't draw flies if he were rolled in (crap)." REACT: I'm guessing this means Honky Tonk Man will be brought in? Kidding. I think.
Kevin Nash reportedly films scenes for Ultimate Death Match 3. REACT: Sounds from the reports that Nash got better scenes than the fighting scenes.
Lacey Von Erich's appearance in "Missy Hyatt's Pajama Party" DVD. REACT: Lacey has a future outside wrestling, I guess.
On Bubba the Love Sponge, Hogan and Eric Bischoff said they won't be goig PG, that they fix Russo's scripts, that the Orlando screw job angle was good because people talk about it, that Hogan wants to bring in Randy "Macho Man" Savage, that Brian Knobbs' school would be the developmental choice if they go that route, that Abyss is "the next John Cena, that Sting hurt the company recently, and that Big Show is lazy and Chris Jericho wouldn't be able to headline in TNA Wrestling. REACT: The last few parts were off base, but the rest seemed right on.
Also
RVD thinks the "jobber" should come back. REACT: I agree.
The top 10 music entrances of all time can be found here. http://www.stalkingstevephillips.com/2010/01/25/top-10-pro-wrestling-entrances-of-all-time/ REACT: Awesome link.
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