Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
I woke up at 6:30 in the morning on Saturday, and I had already missed two-and-a-half hours of wrestling. It was a weird feeling. I felt obligated to turn on the show and see the remainder through, and I must WWE Super Show-Down wasn't totally terrible.
The truth of WWE right now is that there's too much talent for the company to put on bad wrestling events, but that doesn't stop the company from trying. When you've got guys like Shinsuke Nakamura, Finn Balor, Bobby Roode, and Bray Wyatt on the bench, the obvious answer must be there's just not enough time for these guys.
It might also be that Triple H really needed 30 minutes in the main event, so he was willing to cut everyone and everything to get his way. Who wouldn't want two 50+ year old men gasping for air in a 2018 main event for 30 minutes?
The truth of WWE right now is that there's too much talent for the company to put on bad wrestling events, but that doesn't stop the company from trying. When you've got guys like Shinsuke Nakamura, Finn Balor, Bobby Roode, and Bray Wyatt on the bench, the obvious answer must be there's just not enough time for these guys.
It might also be that Triple H really needed 30 minutes in the main event, so he was willing to cut everyone and everything to get his way. Who wouldn't want two 50+ year old men gasping for air in a 2018 main event for 30 minutes?
John Cena recently stated that he's getting too old to keep wrestling. I don't think he's watching wrestling right now.
WWE Super Show-Down
The Undertaker Wrestling in 2018 is Depressing
Overview: The Undertaker fought Triple H for the last time in the main event, and the action quickly broke down. Kane went through a table, which allowed D-Generation X to team up on The Deadman and take him down with a pair of Sweet Chin Musics and a Pedigree. Afterward, The Brothers of Destruction destroyed HHH and HBK.
Analysis: This was bad, really bad. For 27 minutes, these two veterans tried to recreate the magic of matches they had at the very least 6 years ago, and Taker especially was in no shape to pull it off. Half this match, I just focused on the sound of The Phenom wheezing, and he barely did anything in this match.
Just let the man retire. He's in the worst shape of his life, and he almost died in two of his last big matches. This publicity stunt to boost attention for the international shows is an insult to the current talented roster and an affront to wrestling.
The Best Thing Possible Just Happened in the Cruiserweight Division
Overview: Cedric Alexander and Buddy Murphy fought in a back-and-forth 10 minute sprint that looked like it could go either way. However, the Melbourne crowd was the different maker, distracting the Cruiserweight Champion and fueling the hometown boy. Murphy kicked out after the Lumbar Check and hit Murphy's Law for the win.
Analysis: As good a performer as Alexander is, his title reign needed to end. It was growing stale. Murphy may not be the best cruiserweight in WWE, but he may be the most exciting to watch. He delivers every time and is getting better with each match. He's incredible talent to watch.
The 205 Live roster just got so much more interesting again, and the cruiserweights stole the show to remind everyone that they should be watching the forgotten third brand.
Let Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair Have All the Time They Want at Evolution
Overview: Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair went after each other at the opening bell, and the fight got intense as the battle wore on. In the end, The Irish Lass Kicker tried to escape with her title but was forced back into the ring only for Lynch to use the title on The Queen during the Figure Eight to escape with only a disqualification loss.
On SmackDown, the title match happened again with the stipulation that Lynch would lose the title on a DQ. Using every trick in the book, the champion tried to get away from Charlotte, and this set the challenger off, assaulting her former best friend outside the ring until a double count out. Charlotte then speared Lynch through the LED stage wall.
Analysis: Twice, Lynch and Charlotte have raised their game with their SmackDown match their best performance together to date even with the flat finish. They will next compete at Evolution in a Last Woman Standing match, and they should get 30 minutes as well as the main event spot.
These two are telling the best story on either brand, and it's not all that close right now. They occasionally get a bit sloppy in the ring, but their chemistry helps them pull through those moments and push the tempo. They're on the precipice of a true match of the year contender.
Conclusion
I did not expect much from Super Show-Down and was pleasantly surprised. With a few surprises and a ton of solid wrestling, it was better than a generic house show. It just had the wrong matches getting the focus. If Triple H vs. Taker was not the longest match and the main event, it would have been a good show.
Instead, it ended flat, and the weaker parts of the card stood out. The generic tag team matches weighed down the card, and Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz was entirely wasted, which is fine in the long run (because they'll fight again) but not right now.
Overview: The Undertaker fought Triple H for the last time in the main event, and the action quickly broke down. Kane went through a table, which allowed D-Generation X to team up on The Deadman and take him down with a pair of Sweet Chin Musics and a Pedigree. Afterward, The Brothers of Destruction destroyed HHH and HBK.
Analysis: This was bad, really bad. For 27 minutes, these two veterans tried to recreate the magic of matches they had at the very least 6 years ago, and Taker especially was in no shape to pull it off. Half this match, I just focused on the sound of The Phenom wheezing, and he barely did anything in this match.
Just let the man retire. He's in the worst shape of his life, and he almost died in two of his last big matches. This publicity stunt to boost attention for the international shows is an insult to the current talented roster and an affront to wrestling.
The Best Thing Possible Just Happened in the Cruiserweight Division
Overview: Cedric Alexander and Buddy Murphy fought in a back-and-forth 10 minute sprint that looked like it could go either way. However, the Melbourne crowd was the different maker, distracting the Cruiserweight Champion and fueling the hometown boy. Murphy kicked out after the Lumbar Check and hit Murphy's Law for the win.
Analysis: As good a performer as Alexander is, his title reign needed to end. It was growing stale. Murphy may not be the best cruiserweight in WWE, but he may be the most exciting to watch. He delivers every time and is getting better with each match. He's incredible talent to watch.
The 205 Live roster just got so much more interesting again, and the cruiserweights stole the show to remind everyone that they should be watching the forgotten third brand.
Let Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair Have All the Time They Want at Evolution
Overview: Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair went after each other at the opening bell, and the fight got intense as the battle wore on. In the end, The Irish Lass Kicker tried to escape with her title but was forced back into the ring only for Lynch to use the title on The Queen during the Figure Eight to escape with only a disqualification loss.
On SmackDown, the title match happened again with the stipulation that Lynch would lose the title on a DQ. Using every trick in the book, the champion tried to get away from Charlotte, and this set the challenger off, assaulting her former best friend outside the ring until a double count out. Charlotte then speared Lynch through the LED stage wall.
Analysis: Twice, Lynch and Charlotte have raised their game with their SmackDown match their best performance together to date even with the flat finish. They will next compete at Evolution in a Last Woman Standing match, and they should get 30 minutes as well as the main event spot.
These two are telling the best story on either brand, and it's not all that close right now. They occasionally get a bit sloppy in the ring, but their chemistry helps them pull through those moments and push the tempo. They're on the precipice of a true match of the year contender.
Conclusion
I did not expect much from Super Show-Down and was pleasantly surprised. With a few surprises and a ton of solid wrestling, it was better than a generic house show. It just had the wrong matches getting the focus. If Triple H vs. Taker was not the longest match and the main event, it would have been a good show.
Instead, it ended flat, and the weaker parts of the card stood out. The generic tag team matches weighed down the card, and Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz was entirely wasted, which is fine in the long run (because they'll fight again) but not right now.
Grade: C-
An all-time great rivalry is renewed, starting fittingly with a generic test of strength.
Monday Night Raw October 8, 2018
Kevin Owens and Bobby Lashley Are Now in the Right Roles
Overview: Bobby Lashley assaulted Kevin Owens in their match with Lio Rush on a live mic egging him on. Eventually, KO became incensed, showing just what he could do, but it was not enough as he injured his knee and took The Dominator for the loss. Afterward, Lashley continued to assault the bad knee of Owens.
Analysis: This was a sudden move that was poorly set up, but I'll admit it was exactly what Raw needed. I would have loved this to have been saved for a bigger stage. This double turn at Crown Jewel after subtle hints for weeks as a part of the World Cup would have been something special.
Still, Lashley is now a heel as he always needed to be. Owens is in a fresh role that seemed to bring out more of his best in-ring work. Even if The Prizefighter is supposedly taking some time off after this angle, he should come back in the best spot to succeed he has had since his Universal Championship reign fizzled out.
The Bella Twins as Heels Will Be Insufferable
Overview: After winning a second straight six-woman tag match over The Riott Squad, The Bella Twins gleefully assaulted Ronda Rousey. They stomped on her, threw her into the ring post, and dragged her back into the ring to stand over her in victory.
Analysis: It was always expected we would get Nikki Bella as the next challenge to The Baddest Woman on the Planet, but this was so awkwardly executed. Moreover, we will now all have to suffer through months if not years of Nikki and Brie Bella being the only dominant heels in the women's division.
Conclusion
What was fun about Raw was how risky it felt. So much of the night was driven by surprise moves. That said, everything felt rushed. The double turn early in the night could have been better set up. The Bella Twins heels turn should have had more story behind it.
Dean Ambrose walked out on The Shield after the main event because... they only won one of their two six-man tag matches? I am all for more risks in WWE, but this was just the company whatever they could at the screen to see what stuck.
These moments should have been spread out over several weeks with stories teasing the decisions beforehand. Also, I'm still waiting for Raw to genuinely use its three hours to deliver consistent wrestling beyond The Shield doing their thing.
Overview: Bobby Lashley assaulted Kevin Owens in their match with Lio Rush on a live mic egging him on. Eventually, KO became incensed, showing just what he could do, but it was not enough as he injured his knee and took The Dominator for the loss. Afterward, Lashley continued to assault the bad knee of Owens.
Analysis: This was a sudden move that was poorly set up, but I'll admit it was exactly what Raw needed. I would have loved this to have been saved for a bigger stage. This double turn at Crown Jewel after subtle hints for weeks as a part of the World Cup would have been something special.
Still, Lashley is now a heel as he always needed to be. Owens is in a fresh role that seemed to bring out more of his best in-ring work. Even if The Prizefighter is supposedly taking some time off after this angle, he should come back in the best spot to succeed he has had since his Universal Championship reign fizzled out.
The Bella Twins as Heels Will Be Insufferable
Overview: After winning a second straight six-woman tag match over The Riott Squad, The Bella Twins gleefully assaulted Ronda Rousey. They stomped on her, threw her into the ring post, and dragged her back into the ring to stand over her in victory.
Analysis: It was always expected we would get Nikki Bella as the next challenge to The Baddest Woman on the Planet, but this was so awkwardly executed. Moreover, we will now all have to suffer through months if not years of Nikki and Brie Bella being the only dominant heels in the women's division.
Conclusion
What was fun about Raw was how risky it felt. So much of the night was driven by surprise moves. That said, everything felt rushed. The double turn early in the night could have been better set up. The Bella Twins heels turn should have had more story behind it.
Dean Ambrose walked out on The Shield after the main event because... they only won one of their two six-man tag matches? I am all for more risks in WWE, but this was just the company whatever they could at the screen to see what stuck.
These moments should have been spread out over several weeks with stories teasing the decisions beforehand. Also, I'm still waiting for Raw to genuinely use its three hours to deliver consistent wrestling beyond The Shield doing their thing.
Grade: C+
SmackDown Live October 9, 2018
The WWE World Cup So Far is Just the Old Man Tournament
Overview: On Raw, Kurt Angle snuck into a battle royal as The Conquistador where Baron Corbin was just going to throw out jobbers to qualify for the WWE World Cup, eliminating the acting general manager.
On SmackDown, Jeff Hardy defeated Samoa Joe when the referee stopped the match because Joe's injured knee from his match with AJ Styles left him unable to get back up. Randy Orton used a thumb to the eye into an RKO to defeat Big Show and also qualify.
Analysis: The World Cup has been described as a one-night tournament to crown the "best in the world", but most of the best are not even set to qualify for the tournament. SmackDown's young talented roster has produced Orton, Hardy, and likely a returning Rey Mysterio next week.
Raw has Angle already, and I'm still waiting for HHH, HBK, and Taker all to decide they want in this tournament instead. That will really show who's the best in the world.
The Miz Might Just Sneak Away with the WWE Championship This Year
Overview: Styles survived Joe in an action-packed title match where he made his rival tap to the Calf Crusher. Later, Daniel Bryan used a small package to catch The Miz for three in the first two minutes of the match to earn a title match against The Phenomenal One at Crown Jewel.
Miz TV hosted both Styles and Bryan with The A-Lister getting teased for his quick loss until he told both that he was next in line for the WWE Championship. As Styles defeated Shelton Benjamin in the ring, Miz reiterated to Bryan on commentary that he would be champion again soon.
Analysis: While it was disappointing to see Bryan vs. Miz cut for time and the result has led to some stupid jokes, it is great to know that the plan going forward still involves The Most Must-See WWE Superstar. He is adding antagonism to a fairly bland face feud, and, while I still think Bryan is going to win the title, Miz stealing it is not out of the question.
This angle needs some real driving moments to become more interesting, but I am certainly interested in the potential going forward.
Conclusion
Over half this show was dominated by Lynch vs. Charlotte and Styles vs. Bryan vs. Miz in some form, and it made this almost feel like a special SmackDown. Unfortunately, everything else on the night was fairly flat.
The World Cup matches were genuinely poor and set up unexciting contenders. Aiden English and Rusev luckily are done with the infidelity angle, but it only came at the end of one of more obnoxious video watching segment.
The blue brand has some great things going on, and many of them were shoved aside this week for about half truly great storytelling and the other half lame booking.
Overview: On Raw, Kurt Angle snuck into a battle royal as The Conquistador where Baron Corbin was just going to throw out jobbers to qualify for the WWE World Cup, eliminating the acting general manager.
On SmackDown, Jeff Hardy defeated Samoa Joe when the referee stopped the match because Joe's injured knee from his match with AJ Styles left him unable to get back up. Randy Orton used a thumb to the eye into an RKO to defeat Big Show and also qualify.
Analysis: The World Cup has been described as a one-night tournament to crown the "best in the world", but most of the best are not even set to qualify for the tournament. SmackDown's young talented roster has produced Orton, Hardy, and likely a returning Rey Mysterio next week.
Raw has Angle already, and I'm still waiting for HHH, HBK, and Taker all to decide they want in this tournament instead. That will really show who's the best in the world.
The Miz Might Just Sneak Away with the WWE Championship This Year
Overview: Styles survived Joe in an action-packed title match where he made his rival tap to the Calf Crusher. Later, Daniel Bryan used a small package to catch The Miz for three in the first two minutes of the match to earn a title match against The Phenomenal One at Crown Jewel.
Miz TV hosted both Styles and Bryan with The A-Lister getting teased for his quick loss until he told both that he was next in line for the WWE Championship. As Styles defeated Shelton Benjamin in the ring, Miz reiterated to Bryan on commentary that he would be champion again soon.
Analysis: While it was disappointing to see Bryan vs. Miz cut for time and the result has led to some stupid jokes, it is great to know that the plan going forward still involves The Most Must-See WWE Superstar. He is adding antagonism to a fairly bland face feud, and, while I still think Bryan is going to win the title, Miz stealing it is not out of the question.
This angle needs some real driving moments to become more interesting, but I am certainly interested in the potential going forward.
Conclusion
Over half this show was dominated by Lynch vs. Charlotte and Styles vs. Bryan vs. Miz in some form, and it made this almost feel like a special SmackDown. Unfortunately, everything else on the night was fairly flat.
The World Cup matches were genuinely poor and set up unexciting contenders. Aiden English and Rusev luckily are done with the infidelity angle, but it only came at the end of one of more obnoxious video watching segment.
The blue brand has some great things going on, and many of them were shoved aside this week for about half truly great storytelling and the other half lame booking.
Grade: B-
She knows what you did!
205 Live October 10, 2018
For the First Time, Mike Kanellis Might Actually Get a Chance in WWE
Overview: Lio Rush offered an open challenge to anyone that was answered by Lince Dorado. While both fought hard, they were interrupted by the debuting Mike Kanellis, who attacked both men and stood tall with his returning wife Maria.
Analysis: Kanellis has always felt perfect for WWE, but his personal struggles coupled with a terrible gimmick that could never be taken seriously have held him back. I expect him to be reborn on 205 Live, and it could be the start of multiple false start stars getting a second opportunity in the cruiserweight division.
Overview: Lio Rush offered an open challenge to anyone that was answered by Lince Dorado. While both fought hard, they were interrupted by the debuting Mike Kanellis, who attacked both men and stood tall with his returning wife Maria.
Analysis: Kanellis has always felt perfect for WWE, but his personal struggles coupled with a terrible gimmick that could never be taken seriously have held him back. I expect him to be reborn on 205 Live, and it could be the start of multiple false start stars getting a second opportunity in the cruiserweight division.
NXT October 10, 2018
Nikki Cross Should Just Win the NXT Title for All the Time She's Spent There
Overview: The Velveteen Dream interrupted Tommaso Ciampa to challenge the NXT Champion to a title match. Before anything could be settled, Nikki Cross interrupted and scared both men by declaring she knew what both of them did.
Analysis: This was all connected to the Aleister Black attack, but the potential of Cross challenging both for the NXT Title was certainly on the minds of the Full Sail audience. I know intergender matches are frowned upon, but I'd be all for it. Let Cross take that title just briefly if she's going to be stuck in NXT any longer.
While Dream and Ciampa seemed to be implicated here, Cross also implicated Kassius Ohno later. It seems she's just announcing she knows what everyone did that night. I doubt Dream or Ciampa attacked Black. I still expect it to be Johnny Gargano.
Overview: The Velveteen Dream interrupted Tommaso Ciampa to challenge the NXT Champion to a title match. Before anything could be settled, Nikki Cross interrupted and scared both men by declaring she knew what both of them did.
Analysis: This was all connected to the Aleister Black attack, but the potential of Cross challenging both for the NXT Title was certainly on the minds of the Full Sail audience. I know intergender matches are frowned upon, but I'd be all for it. Let Cross take that title just briefly if she's going to be stuck in NXT any longer.
While Dream and Ciampa seemed to be implicated here, Cross also implicated Kassius Ohno later. It seems she's just announcing she knows what everyone did that night. I doubt Dream or Ciampa attacked Black. I still expect it to be Johnny Gargano.
Mae Young Classic Week 6
Four Matches in One Night is Not Enough for a Tournament Setting
Overview: Io Shirai took down Zeuxis with running knees and the moonsault in a more competitive second outing. Deonna Purazzo made Xia Li tap out to an armbar. Tegan Nox advanced with a shining wizard to Nicole Matthews. In the main event, Mia Yim survived the Spear and caught Kaitlin with a kneebar for the submission.
Analysis: The MYC pulled out a stellar episode last week by putting heavy focus on the main event, and that was offset by no match getting enough time this week. Even Yim vs. Kaitlin felt like it was not quite the standout showcase to end this round that many hoped.
Shirai, Yim, Purazzo, and Nox are all great, but they definitely came off the far bigger stars in this round, taking out their competition with only some resistance. Unfortunately, it is unlikely the remaining matches in the tournament will get the time they need as Evolution is approaching rapidly.
Overview: Io Shirai took down Zeuxis with running knees and the moonsault in a more competitive second outing. Deonna Purazzo made Xia Li tap out to an armbar. Tegan Nox advanced with a shining wizard to Nicole Matthews. In the main event, Mia Yim survived the Spear and caught Kaitlin with a kneebar for the submission.
Analysis: The MYC pulled out a stellar episode last week by putting heavy focus on the main event, and that was offset by no match getting enough time this week. Even Yim vs. Kaitlin felt like it was not quite the standout showcase to end this round that many hoped.
Shirai, Yim, Purazzo, and Nox are all great, but they definitely came off the far bigger stars in this round, taking out their competition with only some resistance. Unfortunately, it is unlikely the remaining matches in the tournament will get the time they need as Evolution is approaching rapidly.
Match of the Week
NXT North American Champion Ricochet vs. Pete Dunne vs. Adam Cole, NXT October 10, 2018 (Rating: 9.5/10)
I really should have expected this one, but it caught me off guard that any match would take the top spot on Wednesday this week with Super Show-Down setting the bar high. What I forgot was just how Ricochet and Dunne have set their own bar, never failing to steal the show.
With Cole by their side, they one-upped even their fantastic singles match with an unstoppable banger of a triple threat that never let up. The back-and-forth action lead into some fantastic sequences where often it was submission wrestling taking center stage.
The closing sequence was as exciting as any match has been all year, and it proved once again that the best in the world right now might just be going at in NXT with these three working at an absurdly high level week in and week out.
Honorable Mention: WWE Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander vs. Buddy Murphy, WWE Super Show-Down (Rating: 9.25/10)
Time constraints made sure this could not quite match up to the two's first title match together, but this was a better contest per minute than most WWE matches this year. Alexander and Murphy went all out to finally make sure 205 Live stood out on a main roster show.
From the opening bell, it was clear this wasn't going to be the expected face vs. heel bout that it looked to be coming in. The crowd was too behind Murphy, so they played the crowd with both working as faces and the crowd reaction slowly distracting the champion more and more.
In the end, it was a match in the right place with two guys working as hard as possible to stand out, and they succeeded, stealing the show at an event that had multiple solid matches.
Honorable Mention: WWE Champion AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe, WWE Super Show-Down (Rating: 9.25/10)
It's a foregone conclusion that Styles vs. Joe will deliver. This was their best match, physical and brutal, but it was not the absolute classic I had hoped for. The two relied a bit too much on the weapons to differentiate this from their past clashes.
It's hard to fault two greats going all out with long-established chemistry. This time, there was no false finish. There was nothing to get in their way. The WWE Champion fully committed to how angry he was with Joe, and it showed.
It was a true hallmark moment in his title reign similar to the Last Man Standing match with Shinsuke Nakamura. After all the distractions and personal frustrations, Styles proved once more he was the best in the world and tapped out his latest and greatest rival.
I really should have expected this one, but it caught me off guard that any match would take the top spot on Wednesday this week with Super Show-Down setting the bar high. What I forgot was just how Ricochet and Dunne have set their own bar, never failing to steal the show.
With Cole by their side, they one-upped even their fantastic singles match with an unstoppable banger of a triple threat that never let up. The back-and-forth action lead into some fantastic sequences where often it was submission wrestling taking center stage.
The closing sequence was as exciting as any match has been all year, and it proved once again that the best in the world right now might just be going at in NXT with these three working at an absurdly high level week in and week out.
Honorable Mention: WWE Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander vs. Buddy Murphy, WWE Super Show-Down (Rating: 9.25/10)
Time constraints made sure this could not quite match up to the two's first title match together, but this was a better contest per minute than most WWE matches this year. Alexander and Murphy went all out to finally make sure 205 Live stood out on a main roster show.
From the opening bell, it was clear this wasn't going to be the expected face vs. heel bout that it looked to be coming in. The crowd was too behind Murphy, so they played the crowd with both working as faces and the crowd reaction slowly distracting the champion more and more.
In the end, it was a match in the right place with two guys working as hard as possible to stand out, and they succeeded, stealing the show at an event that had multiple solid matches.
Honorable Mention: WWE Champion AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe, WWE Super Show-Down (Rating: 9.25/10)
It's a foregone conclusion that Styles vs. Joe will deliver. This was their best match, physical and brutal, but it was not the absolute classic I had hoped for. The two relied a bit too much on the weapons to differentiate this from their past clashes.
It's hard to fault two greats going all out with long-established chemistry. This time, there was no false finish. There was nothing to get in their way. The WWE Champion fully committed to how angry he was with Joe, and it showed.
It was a true hallmark moment in his title reign similar to the Last Man Standing match with Shinsuke Nakamura. After all the distractions and personal frustrations, Styles proved once more he was the best in the world and tapped out his latest and greatest rival.