Battleground 2014

This is my loved/hated/recap of the ppv.

Pre-show : There were two matches, one was Adam Rose vs Fandango and was over in one minute. Rose got the pin.
The second was a woman's match and you know I didn't pay attention. 
I have to say, I like that it was shown on the WWE Website, and they used the time wisely giving two short matches in the half hour time frame.

Match #1- Usos vs Wyatt Family for the Tag titles.  This was a 2 out of 3 pinfall match.  Ran for about twenty minutes. Wyatts got the first pinfall, Usos got the second pinfall, and Usos got the third pinfall.  The Usos managed to keep their tag titles.

Match #2- Dean Ambrose vs Seth Rollins.  Sort of.  Ambrose jumped Rollins backstage and was kicked out of the building...damn it janet! This was the only reason I got the pay per view, to see them wrestle. What's going on there?  Anyone else feel like their wallet was raped?  Damn it!
Rollins came out later in the night to have the ref announce him winner by for-fit. Ambrose then jumped Rollins and the two semi-brawled. Triple H then appeared and physically pushed Ambrose out. Rollins wouldn't let them though, grabbing repeatedly at Ambrose.  
Rollins was leaving the arena after the Jericho/Wyatt match and got jumped once again by Ambrose in the parking lot. Ambrose had been hiding in the trunk of  a car. Okay, I thought for sure it was going to be the ambulance but...


Match #3- womens' match. - Didn't watch,  I was getting a coffee and bitching about the fact Lifetime Canada website hasn't posted the last two episodes of Witches of East End.

Match #4-Rusev vs Swagger.  Rusev won by count out  Anyone else feel this whole storyline is just...a rerun from the 1980's ? I keep thinking of the Chevy Case movie Spies Like Us, whenever I see this type of storyline...

Match #5- Bray Wyatt vs Jericho.  Jericho got the win with his trademark code-breaker.

Match #6- Battle royal for the empty Intercontinental title.   Big E, Cesaro, R-Truth, Ryback, Curtis Axel, Zack Ryder, Titus O'neil, Shandow,  Slater, Del Rio, Diego, Sin Cara, Woods, Khali, Kofi Kingston, Bo Dallas, Dolph Ziggler, Miz, Sheamus,

Woods first out
Ryder second out
Khali then tossed out
Sin Cara tossed
Truth tossed
Axel tossed
Sandow then tossed,
Diego tossed
Ryback tossed
Titus gone
Del Rio gone,
Big E gone,
Kofi tossed,
Cesaro tossed  -that sucked, he was my pick for this.
Slater tossed,
Dallas gone,
Sheamus tossed,
Ziggler tossed by Miz.  Miz is now the I.C.

Main Event- Cena vs Orton vs Kane vs Roman Reigns for the title.  Cena got the win, keeping the title.  Well that sucks

Okay, so I'm unhappy about the fact Reigns lost the main event, and I'm not happy that Ambrose vs Rollins didn't truly happen, but I'm glad that both of them had the kind of air time they did.

till later
Love Ardeth Blood

pre thoughts Battleground

Next week is the ppv Battleground, and at the time of this posting, here is the line up.

4 way for the title with Roman Reigns vs Cena vs Orton vs Kane, Seth Rollins vs Dean Ambrose, Usos vs Wyatts, Jericho vs Bray Wyatt, and the Battle Royal.

The Battle Royal is for the empty Intercontinental Championship. These things are always sort of a crap shoot. You never know just who will be added to make up the head count, and with the recent number of talent having been let go from the company, you have to ask the question, do they have enough guys to make up a decent size battle royal?  I say, bring up some of the NXT guys. I'd love to see Tyler Breeze or Corey Graves or either member of the Ascension or for that matter, Enzo Amore holding that title while Barrett is out on injury.

Usos vs Wyatts. This is starting to bore me. We need a new tag team to throw at the Usos.

Jericho vs Bray Wyatt. I just don't care. There's no spark in this dark at all. 

The 4 way for the title.  I see two outcomes for this. 1) Reigns winning. or 2) Orton winning. The way I'd write this storyline out if I were in creative is to have Rollins hang on tight to the #1 contender's case only if Reigns wins, and the next night on Raw cash in only if Orton wins, therefore getting the title and having the Shield reform stating it was their plan all along.

Any storyline that has the Shield getting back together with titles is a perfect storyline in my world.

Dean Ambrose vs Seth Rollins.  I'm torn on this. I actually hope it ends in a tie. As much as I want to see Ambrose win, I don't want to see Rollins loose. This feud is a perfect match - no pun intended- for these two personalities. I love watching these guys in any capacity. Together as a team or on opposite sides of the ring, there is a chemistry that even the best buddy movies don't always nail.  

The question was always simmering between fans since day one with the Shield,  "who will you believe in if they split?"   The answer for me has been to cheer for them all. I can't say I don't have a favourite, but at the same time even as a villain, I still find myself cheering for Rollins on as much an equal level as I do Reigns or Ambrose.

For me, what would make this ppv really great? The Shield getting back together.

Till later
Love Ardeth Blood

Loved hated Money in the Bank 2014

Match #1- Usos vs Wyatt Family.   Usos got the win, and managed to keep the tag team titles.

Match #2- women's match didnt' watch

Match #3- Sandow vs Adam Rose.  Rose got the win.

Match #4- The number one contenders ladder match. Barrett was originally meant to be part of this, but wasn't because of an arm injury. This left Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Swagger, RVD.  Mid-way, Ambrose DDTed someone (think it was Swagger) off the ladder and dislocated his left shoulder. It looked like he was going to be out of the rest of the match. But, Ambrose returned, just in time to have Kane run out messing it up for him. Rollins got the case. 

Match #5- Curtis Axel/ Ryback vs Rhodes Brothers aka Dust Busters. Cody aka Stardust got the win.

Match #6- Rusev vs Big E.   Rusev got the win by tap out.

Match #7- second women's match didn't watch.

Main Event- Heavyweight ladder match.  Cena, Orton, Sheamus, Del Rio, Bray Wyatt, Kane, Cesaro and Roman Reigns.  Well, Cena got this one yet again. Boo.

I would have liked to have seen more of Rollins, Reigns and Ambrose. Was really expecting Rollins to come down at the end and keep Reigns from winning, but Kane and Orton seemed to have that job.

I keep waiting for this new character of Cody Rhodes to say "moonglorious" as a nod to Violent J's space character wrestler...

There were gaps for me tonight. Too many commercials and backstage stuff.  I loved the promo they gave Dean Ambrose though earlier in the night.

love Ardeth Blood

Pre-Thoughts Money in the Bank 2014

It's a Thursday, and I thought I'd come in here and give my thoughts about next week's ppv while I had the chance.

As of right now (7:30pm EST) there are three matches listed for the ppv next week.  Usos vs Wyatts for the tag team belts, the Heavyweight ladder match for the title, and the normal ladder match for the number one contender.

I hate to say it, but I think the Usos' run at being tag team champs is going to come to an end.  The Wyatts are going to wrap this one up in a dirty black torn grass stained ribbon.

The Heavyweight ladder match, which at this point is listed as having Cesaro, Cena, Sheamus, Del Rio, Bray Wyatt, Orton and Roman Reigns.  This could go either way, anyone's trophy.  Of course I want Reigns to get this no question about it, but for the sake of the storyline, I think it's going to go to either Cena or Orton.  I would love to say that Cesaro is going to get this, but no matter how great he is, or how much he deserves it, I can't see creative letting it go to him that easily with Cena and Orton in the match.  And let's face it, letting Reigns have it right out of the box, would be too easy. Unless, they plan on pulling the same sort of storyline they have been for the last year with Daniel Bryan, letting him have it and taking it from him etc.

The traditional number one contenders match. At this moment, Seth Rollins is the only one listed as being in this match.  So who do I see being added to it?  Adam Rose (still hate that rock star gimmick please go back to being Leo Kruger) Dolph Ziggler, Barrett, Sandow, Curtis Axel and Sin Cara.
Do I think that Rollins will win? Yes, of course, if Dean Ambrose doesn't disrupt the match.

To be honest, I was really expecting to see a singles match between Rollins and Ambrose, given the feud they have started with them.  But then again, I'm still hoping that this storyline ends up being that the Shield is setting up to destroy The Authority from the inside out, and that they never truly broke up.
If by chance, creative refuses to write me my happy ending, then they can at lest give both Reigns and Rollins the wins for their matches, forcing them to then have to battle each other. I have been saying for awhile now that I want to see that Heavyweight title on Rollins. (I also want to see him dye his hair one colour, too.)
So where does this leave Ambrose if he's not entered into the ladder match?  Some would argue because he had been part of last year's match that turn about is fair play, but damn it Janet! I want to see all three of the Shield on the ppv.  (I don't care I'm not ready for this split, not too mention the questionable choice of new shirt Ambrose has picked for his "latest" ring gear. Yeah, I'm not digging the hustler undershirt)

And just because it did not happen at the last ppv, I want to see a ladder match for Brad Maddox giving him a chance to win back his job. Against anyone. Kane, Bo Dallas, Zack Ryder, anyone. I am just not liking the lack of Maddox. Storyline or real life, doesn't matter, I want to see him back on this ppv.  I'm greedy that way.

Love Ardeth Blood
 

loved hated Payback 2014

Match #1- Sheamus vs Cesaro.  This was for the United States Title.  Sheamus managed to win and keep his title.

Match #2- Rhodes Brothers vs Axel/Ryback.  Ryback pinned Cody for the win. Cody then walked off seeming like he was done with tag teaming.

Match #3- Rusev vs Big E.  Rusev got this by making Big E tap

Match #4- Kofi vs Bo Dallas... not really. Kane came out and beat Kofi, I think before the bell even rang, keeping the match from actually happening. But not from Bo grabbing the mic.

Match #5- RVD vs Barrett for the Intercontinental Championship. Barrett won, keeping his title.  I just wish he'd trim that beard just an inch.

Daniel Bryan came to the ring with his wife, and she refused to let him hand over the title, quitting before she could be fired.

Match #6- Cena vs Wyatt. This was the last man standing match.  It had a decent length clocking in at 30 minutes. Cena got this one by trapping Bray Wyatt in an equipment box like a coffin.

Match#7- women's match -  didn't watch. Like Wyatt, I had a coffin break.

Main Event- No Holds Barred Elimination match, Shield vs Evolution.  This is the only reason I got the ppv. Chaos right off the bat, with Dean Ambrose ending up in the pit, where he instantly ran his fingers through his hair. Um dude, fixing it means from front to back smoothing down not back to front messing it up.  Seth Rollins climbed to the top of the wide screen, and jumped onto everyone, which did trump his dive from last ppv, but did in deed nearly kill him. I was waiting for him to puke on everyone but he didn't. Roman Reigns had his shirt ripped off to the joy and cheers of all straight women and gay men over the world. Nice! Much better to see the welts and cuts on his body from the brutal hits by steel chairs, stairs and wooden sticks. 
Batista was the first to be eliminated by Rollins, 
Orton then was eliminated by Ambrose,  and wait for it
Triple H was eliminated by Reigns.   
Shield won standing  tall, okay limping hunched over in pain, but you get the idea.

So for me, the main event was a highlight, it rang in at 45 minutes, going right to the last minute for the scheduled time. Have I mentioned yet this week how much I love the Shield...just let me say in case I forgot....I love the Shield!

till later
love Ardeth Blood

pre thoughts Payback

So this weekend, we have the ppv Payback. Which at this point in time, has a line up of...  The Shield vs Evolution again, Barrett vs RVD again, Hornswaggle vs Torito again, Cena vs Wyatt again, Sheamus vs Cesaro... I get that this is called payback, but...

First off, let me talk about yesterday's Monday Night Raw.  Very unhappy about the idea of Brad Maddox being "fired" as Raw GM.
So let's look at it from my point of view, and my point of view my lovely Spudguns! always has a bit of magic mirror quality to it.   Let's say this is for real and not storyline. That would be a sad thing in deed, if Brad Maddox is no longer with the company, but my magic mirror has an alternate reality and I think it's a perfect launching pad for bringing Mr. Maddox into the ring or as a commentator full time. He's a wrestler, he's proven he's a good ref, and I've heard him do commentary on NXT...so my magic mirror says...at the ppv on Sunday Mr. Maddox will be given a chance to "win his job back" in a match with Kane.  A ladder match with a contract hanging over it.

I have gone on record stating that I hate the Adam Rose gimmick. I loved him as Leo Kruger, a ruthless no-nonsense character. I'm really hoping that in the end, this bad rockstar crap turns out to be a split personality or something. But, in the mean time, this lemon-drop would like to see Rose vs Swagger in a hair vs mustache match at the ppv. If Rose wins, Zeb has to shave or at the very lest cut his mustache.

Speaking of someone who needs a haircut...Bo Dallas. I get the gimmick is meant to be both up lifting with the stay positive no matter what and totally annoying because he refuses to listen. I think he's an excellent wrestler, I just want to see him cut his hair soon. Those who didn't watch NXT for the last year, might not realize that they brought him up a year and a half ago for a short month long feud with Barrett and didn't seem to grab people's attention, and therefore was dumped back down to NXT where he suddenly became this...whatever he's suppose to be. I am mentioning him because I think he'll be tossed in as a surprise match.

Now, for the "official" listing...Cena will get the win this time around. He will be the last man standing, which I'm sure will put him firmly in the top three spots for the Number One contenders place behind Orton and...hhmmm not sure who the third would be now?
Sheamus will lose to Cesaro...this might be what the creative have planed, which would put Sheamus as the third in the running for Bryan's soon to be empty title. Though personally, I think a month long tournament should be the thing to do. Imagine Bryan's title on Seth Rollins...
Barrett vs RVD. Tough call. I'm a Barrett fan 100%, so of course I want the beautiful Brit to win.
Hornswaggle vs El Torito...I'm not even concerned with it, given it's only going to be available if you live in the United States and only on the Network. Being a Canadian, I'm little pissed off still that the pre-show is only available that way. You frealing call me when the Network becomes available in Canada then we'll talk.

And finally, the Shield vs Evolution.  Shield will win. Why do I say that, because Orton can't and won't stay out of the title hunt much longer. That, and I just love the Shield.
A no holds barred match.  This is asking for my magic mirror to look deep into the darkness and say firmly that I worship their shadows. (anyone else remember the tv show Lexx? and the line "I worship his shadow" ?)
The question is, how can they top Rollins' dive from the balcony from last ppv? I mean that in all seriousness. How can the Shield present any kind of new moves into the match that's that impressive without killing themselves in the process?  I was beyond impressed and wondering if they were alive after that last ppv.  Seth Rollins not only proved he should be in a title hunt, he's set the bar so high for himself now, that I don't even think he can sky dive over it?
And can I say how much I loved last week when Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns took over the announce booth on Raw. I do believe that the only time we the tv fans ever get proper moves called in a match anymore, is when Ambrose has the headset on. We need more of that.

So that's my thoughts this Tuesday evening before a ppv.
Catch you after Payback
love Ardeth Blood

Extreme Rules loves and hates

Let me once again complain about the fact that if you are outside of the United States, like I am, you miss out on the Pre-Show now.  The pre-show tonight was listed as having the WeeLC match between Hornswaggle and El Torito.
Not getting to see the pre-show anymore since it was taken to the Network is a hate. 

Match #1- RVD vs Cesaro Vs Swagger. This was a triple threat elimination match.
RVD eliminated Swagger with a pinfall.
Cesaro eliminated RVD with a pinfall, winning the match.

Match#2- Rusev vs Woods/Truth.
Woods was taken out of the match right off the bat before the bell, leaving this to be a singles match. Rusev then got the win by a tap out.

Match#3- Barrett vs Big E.  This was for the Intercontinental Championship.
Barrett had to survive a tournament over the last few weeks to get to this match, and he got the pin becoming the I.C. champ once more.

Match#4- Evolution vs Shield.
Roman Reigns got the win over Batista with a spear, giving this to the Shield. But, the cost was both Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose getting crushed from a very ECW like move, when Rollins dove off the balcony onto Triple H, Orton and his own partner Ambrose. (wasn't that something New Jack did way back in the day?) 
This was a great length match, at roughly 25 minutes, with a lot of suicide dives from Rollins, and more then a few times it looked like Ambrose was about to pass out, while Reigns had a few moments of his own where it seemed he was toaster caked. There was an impressive run on the table tops by Ambrose, which I honestly thought he was going to trip as he ran from the one announce booth to the second one and then leaped over the guard rail into the pit. 

Match #5- Cena vs Bray Wyatt in a steel cage.
After many attempts to get out of the cage, it looked like Cena was about to make it out, when the lights went off and a creepy little kid appeared lip syncing into a microphone a slowed down version of Wyatt's song.  Children are creepy by default.... This gave Wyatt the chance to knock out Cena and escape the cage himself for the win. 

Match #6- women's match. I didn't pay attention.

Match #7-  The Main Event, Daniel Bryan vs Kane for the Heavyweight title.
This was an Extreme Rules match. 
At one point, Bryan had Kane out in the back of the building, and used a forklift to bring him back in to the ring. Impressive.
Kane brought out the tables and fire cans, but he himself ended up going through it. This gave Bryan a chance to get the win and keep his title.

You would think by this point, the announce team would just come out and sit hunched over a small bon fire or something instead of using the booth on a ppv, given every single time their booth get's flattened.
And by now, you know with me It's All About The Shield! So their win was a loved moment.

Till later
love Ardeth Blood