Category: Wrestling PPV Musings

WWF Summerslam 1997

(Note: This piece was written last year and yet somehow never got posted. Also, this is straight from Notepad to Blogpost with little edits, so some typos may leak through.)

I’m sure this’ll air on the Network eventually, but since I’ve got the VHS tape on hand, let’s give it a lookie now. Summerslam 1997 is perhaps the show that truly planted the seeds for future developments, whether it’d be the World title match between Bret Hart and Undertaker or the injury that almost derailed the biggest superstar to grace the WWF at that time. It’s been a good while since I last saw this show, so I guess it’s as good a time as any to give it another shot.

Continue reading “WWF Summerslam 1997”

WWE Battleground 2016

(Note: The majority of this post was written this past Sunday, with minor touch-ups here and there.)

So… finally got around to watch that Battleground PPV that ultimately means nothing because nothing of note happened on that show and everyone was focused on that Draft the previous Tuesday where all the good talent got stuck with RAW and Smackdown is left with Dolph Ziggler. Unless you count Bayley popping up as “something happening.”

For context, this PPV happened shortly after WWE held its first Draft in years, once again making RAW and Smackdown separate brands. I give it about a couple weeks before they give up and start messing with the formula, but in any event, most of the promotion was towards the Draft and this show became more of an afterthought. Also, your main event was WWE champion Dean Ambrose defending former Shield stablemates Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns, but sadly Reigns violated a Wellness Policy and was gone for the entire time they were building towards this match. Oops.

Anyway, on with the show. I don’t do pre-shows.

Continue reading “WWE Battleground 2016”

WWE Money In The Bank 2016

(Sorry for the tardiness of this one. Forgot about it. My bad. Also sorry about the typo in the image. Finally got around to fixing that too.)

It’s been touted as the greatest Money In The Bank of all time, but I think the image above tells a more accurate assessment of last Sunday’s show.

Per the case, I don’t watch the pre-show. The main show is long enough as is.

Continue reading “WWE Money In The Bank 2016”

WWE Payback 2016

A little late to the dance with this one, but I just got around to rewatching the show and I’d figure a fresher take was in order so…

As per the case when I usually do these things, I don’t watch the pre-shows and therefore I don’t talk about the pre-show. Also, I’m not going to touch the opening tag match where Enzo Amore suffered that nasty injury since there’s not much to talk about. I suppose we could say it’ll give Big Cass a chance to shine on his own and we know how Vince loves his big guys. All snark aside, shout out to Enzo, hope he comes back in one piece.

Continue reading “WWE Payback 2016”

WWE Fastlane 2016

WWE Fastlane was such much see TV for me that I completely forgot about it the weekend it took place. It just felt like a show that was there for the sake of filling a PPV slot in a model of execution and presentation that WWE claims to be obsolete, even in the face of PPVs featuring big-time fights proving otherwise. But, seriously, what’s the point of this show? Nothing ever happens, nothing here threatens the status quo, or throw an interesting curveball for the “Road To Wrestlemania” thing they like to celebrate around this time, nothing seems important; it’s just “Here’s a show with a bunch of random matches that mean fuck all. Have fun, assholes.”

So if the musings for this show is late, trust me; this show did not warrant a timely viewing or subsequent posting. In fact, this is based on a later replay of the show. Not that it really matters because… well.

Continue reading “WWE Fastlane 2016”

Royal Ramble 2007

Based on a recent viewing of the show from the Royal Rumble anthology DVD set that came out around 2007-ish, it’s time to share some ramblings on the 2007 iteration of the Royal Rumble spectacular. But this one’s going to be somewhat different because in addition to more modern thoughts on an ancient event, I will also include my old “blog” entry (from the old DTM Blog) that was being written as the Rumble was taking place. Sort of like a running commentary of sorts, but done in single sentences and stuff. That makes it interesting to compare and contrast my thoughts for what it’s worth.

Anywhoo… on with the show.

Continue reading “Royal Ramble 2007”

Royal Ramble 2006

The 2006 Royal Rumble… fuck me… this is the one where Eddie-sploitation is in full swing, isn’t it?

Well, that might be jumping the gun here, but for those who want context…

November 2005 saw the passing of beloved WWE wrestler and eventual Hall of Famer Eddie Guerrero. WWE paid tribute by dedicating two shows to him. They then had an Eddie tribute match at a later WWE show which featured Randy Orton blowing up one of Eddie’s lowriders with the Undertaker in the trunk. Then Rey Mysterio would dedicate himself to celebrating Eddie’s memory by (spoiler alert) winning the Royal Rumble and eventually the World Heavyweight title at Wrestlemania 22. He would go on to have one of the worst reigns as World Champion in wrestling history. Even Vince Russo had a more dignified reign as WCW champion than Mysterio’s stint as World champion.

But, again, that’s jumping the gun here. Let’s check out this rumble show.

Continue reading “Royal Ramble 2006”

Royal Ramble 2003

So, for reasons that are beyond me, I decided to go back and revisit this 2003 iteration and hopefully offer some more timely observations and whatnots, since the original write-up comprised a hodgepodge of “vintage” 2003 commentary and then-contemporary reflections. For those wondering, you can find the original write-up here, but that will no longer be linked on the menu page. Expect a similar treatment as I occasionally go back to revisit previous PPVs… at least the ones I still have access to.

Anyway, the only noteworthy things I seem to recall about this show is Brock Lesnar winning his only Royal Rumble match and the horrible World title match… and, oh yeah, it’s also boasted the original Suplex City, Bitch as orchestrated by then-mayor and master of the English Language, Scott Steiner.

Yes, this will be fun.

Continue reading “Royal Ramble 2003”