Top 4 of Superstars 10/5/12

I left off one match quite easily this week, unlike the last time I wrote a blog. They decided, “OK, we have enough for four matches, but only if the match is about two or three minutes.” This is the wrestling show. Granted, The Usos vs. Rhodes Scholars was a main event, but take it down from 10:55 to 8:55 or 9:55 and give those spare minutes to the match that lasts two minutes. Granted, the 2:08 match was Tensai vs. Yoshi Tatsu and to be honest, even I didn’t want to see if and I’m not a notorious hater on either of them. They just wanted to say, “See, we don’t hate Tensai, but we do hate Tatsu.”

4. David Otunga vs. Michael McGillicutty

This is only 4 because 3 was allotted a good amount of time. I think if they had been the same length I would have gone with this match over the other. McGillicutty changed nothing about his style in the ring as he went at Otunga as a face instead of a heel, which is a blessing, really. Why can’t a face be aggressive in the ring? Why do they need to be changed? It’s like saying you must be weak to be good. Anyway, that’s a different rant and against my point. McGillicutty is awesome here. Otunga finally gets some time to shine in the ring and not be the loser in a match. That’s also nice.

3. The Usos vs. Rhodes Scholars

Striker, Striker, Striker, PLEASE stop overdoing it on your being some sort of intellectual commentary savior when Sandow steps into the ring. (See, I don’t just hate when he does it with Scott, because now he’s paired with Mathews). Striker could ruin Sandow further for me if he keeps this up. He takes a high road approach and makes everything seem like a secret only he knows and like he’s doing something wonderful by explaining this to an audience he believes isn’t listening to him. Then mentions the great continuity of The Usos because they’ve been brothers for over 25 years, which has to be something that goes against his intelligence.

Why the rant on Striker for this? Because I was not a huge fan of Sandow, I don’t think he fits the character, but Sandow is still a great athlete. But listening to Striker go on about Sandow’s intelligence when I should be enjoying the wrestling makes me want to root against them both. However, Rhodes, Sandow, and The Usos do their best in the ring and for 10:55 beg you with their athleticism and talents to watch what they can do. Oddly, the highest point of all of this is the very end, after the recap and The Usos are gone, when Rhodes pulls Sandow into a roll and Sandow makes his cartwheel that way. It was clever, it worked as a tandem, and gave a glimmer that maybe these two will stay together. And despite the fact I ranted about Striker, he did note these two were writing a book on etiquette together that made me wish for Dashing Cody Rhodes again.

2. Wade Barrett vs. Tyson Kidd

They give Barrett a 5:58 match on Superstars against Kidd, a match that honestly has to be one of my top 4 this week, but on Smackdown they give him 1:46. Superstars has become the place where they sort of practice wrestling, for your pleasure, while Raw and Smackdown are all about the plot and you are lucky to get half of the show as wrestling. Of course, to be honest, you are lucky to get half of Superstars as wrestling when you have 10 minute recaps of AJ Lee. Anyway, considering Barrett’s new style of wrestling I wondered how this would come out with Kidd. Amazing is the answer. If you watch Superstars for any one match, it has to be this one.

1. Scott Stanford

The enthusiasm! The voice! The ability to tease himself when he makes a mistake. Stanford’s ability to enjoy every moment of every match is unmatched and he makes every Superstars sound exciting. Despite the fact that he’s sitting there looking at a computer screen, with the sound of his voice you can picture the enthusiasm that would be shown if he was standing cheering (in one particular instance, when it looked like Kidd was going to win). He treats every match like a main event and truly always sounds like sitting there commentating two matches a night is the place he wants to be more than anywhere else.

Scott Stanford’s best lines of the week:

“Ceated? How about created? I like it better with the ‘r’.”

“He (Kidd) goes to work now with those dangerous feet!”

“Kidd lighting up this crowd here on Superstars!”

“Love him or hate him, David Otunga, the complete package. You have to respect the combination of brains and brawn on this guy.”

“People can knock Otunga all they want, tell me how many lawyers will give out free legal advice on twitter?”

“If I looked like that I’d never walk around with a shirt either.”

“Getting sued, he’s your dude.”

“Locked in jail, can’t make bail, Otunga’s your guy.”

Top 4 of Superstars 5/24/12

I’m going to get in so much trouble this week.

4. Zack Ryder vs. Heath Slater

I like Ryder, I was a fan of his when I first saw him on ECW when he was still rocking the one pant leg on his attire. As he grew I enjoyed him more. Even as he became a walking-catch-phrase I enjoyed him. But as someone else pointed out, he’s the lowest rung guy to have entered the Five Moves of Doom territory which made this match have not only a predictable ending, but a predictable story. Slater takes it all like a champ and Scott does his best to commentate some livelihood into it, but even Ryder seems to be frustrated as he does his, “What?” when it’s only a 2 count and instead of looking a the ref, or Slater, or anyone else, he kind of stares at the tron. People are losing interest in Ryder, but I fear it might be because he’s lost interest himself.

3. Kofi Kingston and R-Truth vs. JTG and Michael McGillicutty

Again, a terribly predictable ending, but the storytelling and match choreography is not as predictable. Kofi does his, “Boom! Boom!” and JTG makes fun of it outside of the ring with McGillicutty laughing beside him. McGillicutty and JTG actually have great chemistry as a tag team and move like they have been working with each other for months as opposed to having had a one-off sometime months ago. McGillicutty does a baseball slide and a flip to Truth that left me impressed and JTG gets a chance to not just be a comedic act in the ring. R-Truth is great, he has fun, but Kofi is the same ol’ same ol’. Luckily, Scott’s commentary keeps the slow parts of the match lively.

2. Scott Stanford

Speaking of Scott. Yes, he’s number two this week, but in my heart you know he’s number one, but this week a match won out. Scott has great one-liners, as usual, and explains about his learning exactly what a “Honky Tonk Badonka donk” is as well as explaining that the reason Slater was eliminated first in the last battle royale is because no one wanted to take on Khali and that he was willing to do it, though in retrospect it might not have been the best idea. Scott lends his voice and storytelling to Superstars, as usual, and he awakens the two matches he sat in for. But one match stood out on its own…

1. Antonio Cesaro vs. Tyson Kidd

Yes, Cesaro won. Yes, it was predictable. Yes, I like Kidd more. BUT, and it’s a good one, this was an incredible match. Kidd can’t put on a bad match (when he’s not told to take the squash) and this time they are given the opportunity to use up their abilities on one another. Kidd makes Cesaro look good and Cesaro seems to either take things more seriously now that he’s been brought up, or his skill has grown in spades in just a few short weeks. Either way, this match shines out through the others. And Cesaro was accompanied by Aksana, which is always a plus.

And I’m blaming the fact that Scott didn’t wear a tie this week for the reason he is at number two.

Scott’s best lines of Superstars:

“The freshness of JTG with the ground and pound stylings of McGillicutty.”

“Truth working on getting Lil’ Jimmy a Championship belt.”

“JTG, he wouldn’t be a dinosaur, he would be a flynosaur.”

“That’s gotta do it! JTG to pick up the win here on Super- No!”

“Honky Tonk Badonka Donk.”

“You know, Flo Rida talks a bit game, I don’t know if he’d actually want to step into a WWE ring with Heath Slater.”

“So you don’t get Beyonce one night, you use Heath Slater.”

“You know what show I haven’t been on? Are You Serious with you and Road Dogg.”

“Broski Boot into your living room!”

 

Top 4 of FCW 5/13/12

Well, of the WWE shows I watched this week this one was my favorite. Yes, even after a show that had Derrick on it and another that had Scott on it. FCW was my favorite. Here’s a bit of why:

4. Brad Maddox Goes a Little Crazy

Sure, he definitely had a Dean Ambrose thing going while he ranted about Steamboat and went off the deep end, but it shows Maddox is growing. He went from bland, to a little full of himself, to crazy. If he can balance full of himself and crazy he might find a unique character that is his own. That’s what FCW is for, developing your character and your talents. Maddox is finding his groove and he does a good job this week in doing so.

3. Leo Kruger vs. Bo Rotundo

Usually I would have Kruger higher, because, well, he’s Leo Kruger. But Bo… No Bo-Bo. The man has the weakest looking spear ever. I can’t take it as a finisher against a man like Kruger. The match itself was fine, not great, but fine, but that finisher…

2. Rick Victor vs. Richie Steamboat

Now, despite an ending that irritated me because Richie should not have kicked out after Sofia jumped in and took him down while the ref wasn’t looking, this was still a great match. As Chris said, and might be true, “Victor looks like he could be another Kidd, he has the moves he’s just not as polished yet.” Yup, that’s pretty much it. Victor has the moves and every time I see him he’s growing a little in his abilities, and let’s be honest, I haven’t seen that much of him yet. Steamboat is always a pleasure to watch, and I’m not upset he won, per se, I’m upset he won when he clearly should not have.

1. Antonio Cesaro vs. Kassius Ohno

Wow. Just wow. I guess it’s to be expected since these two worked together for so long but this was an amazing match. Cesaro and Ohno proved how well they can work in the ring and while I assumed Cesaro was going to lose because he went to Smackdown, as that seems to usually be FCW’s way, I was sitting on the edge of my seat the entire time. And Ohno did win, but only because Cesaro pulled a ref in front of Ohno, whom Ohno punched, on accident of course. Then other wrestlers ran out into the ring to break the fight up between the two. This was likely my second favorite match of the week

Top 4 of Superstars 5/17/12

Crap.

4. Tyson Kidd

Screw WWE for not only putting Kidd in a sqaush match against Tensai, but for putting a squash match on Superstars. “Superstars is about the wrestling!” Oh wait, squash. Okay, so it was not an out and out squash. Kidd got in some offense. But still, it didn’t last long and you knew Kidd never had a chance. Thank God for Scott, who commentates this like it’s the most exciting match he’s ever seen, as he does every match, or else I would have cried. Kidd gets the #4 spot for two reasons, though. 1) There were only 3 matches and we know who goes at #1. 2) Kidd sells this whole match brilliantly and keeps that determined look on his face, believing he has a chance, when he knows he doesn’t. Kidd’s a wrestling king.

3. Alex Riley vs. Heath Slater

Honestly, if I hadn’t known Ziggler and Swagger made an appearance on Superstars, I would have thought this would have gone at #2. Sure, there are tons of Slater Haters and people who want to say something not-so-nice to Riley’s face, but both have come a long, long, long way. Riley tosses Scott a wristband (and Josh laments that Scott always is getting things from the Superstars) and prepares for this match. The two of them wrestle like their lives depend on it and it makes for a good match. Not great, great was the triple threat on NXT and the Kassius Ohno/Antonio Cesaro match on FCW, but good enough I was entertained and did not recognize a botch. That’s still saying something.

2. Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger vs. The Usos

THE USOS WON?!? After all Ziggler and Swagger put into this match the freaking Usos won. They did nothing but showcase the talents of Ziggler and Swagger and that was enough to get them to win. I don’t even hate the Usos, but Ziggler is another one of those wrestling kings and Swagger is so underrated it makes me want to scream. I don’t care why you don’t like Swagger, he can wrestle circles around most of the roster and he’s the one that gets pinned every time. Ziggler and Swagger have fun with it, though, because someone has to. It’s one of those, “Well, if we don’t have fun, we’ll cry,” because this match was awesomely tragic.

1. Scott Stanford

“Well, I’ve got a mind like a rock. … Whatever that means.”

“I had an airbrush tattoo of a butterfly on my ankle once at a state fair. Closest I ever came to a tattoo.”

You don’t know who is going to win just by listening to Scott’s commentary (doesn’t mean you don’t any, but it won’t be given away by Scott). He loves everyone in the ring and let’s you know why you should as well. Sure, he has bias towards certain guys, like Riley or Ziggler and of course Ryder, but he still makes you feel like Tensai is worthy of being a star and The Usos are the most explosive duo to face-off as a tag team. Whether it’s true or not, there’s no bias here, and he makes matches we groan at sound like they are the best thing you’ll ever watch, and at a time like this, well, we need a man like Scott.

For no reason at all, my favorite shots of Ziggler this episode:

Top 4 of NXT 5/16/12

There is a rant at the end of this blog, but first for the positivity! Sort of.

4. Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins

Tonight, for seemingly no reason at ALL, Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins were scheduled to fight… The Great Khali and Ezekiel Jackson. Look, I try not to hate on someone too much, but Khali and Jackson don’t have it in the ring. They don’t have it on the mic. They. Don’t. Have it! Doesn’t mean they aren’t nice guys, but that doesn’t matter to me when I have to watch a match. So they put these two against Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins, who can wrestle circles around most people in the company and instead have to be champs and sell being beaten by Khali and Jackson. I guess I get to forgo any plot (that seems to be forgotten because our security staff is suddenly back in the ring and Regal has nothing to say about it) for this. Yay…?

 

 

 

 

3. Johnny Curtis vs. Percy Watson

I almost put this at number four, just for the fact that neither man seemed to want to be there. They did a good job, they wrestled a good match, but Reks and Hawkins put on more of a show while Curtis and Watson seemed to go through the motions. However, this was still a solid match between two talented men that flowed well and lasted about the amount of time it should have.

2. Kaitlyn vs. Maxine

We’ve seen it before. We’ll see it again. However, Maxine and Kaitlyn keep improving in the ring. Maxine comes out in a new outfit, which received mixed reviews. She’s hot, and bronzed, and just beautiful, but it’s not that sultry Maxine we’ve all come to love. I am wondering if this is her new gear for when she becomes a diva on Raw and Smackdown, which sadly would be a step down. Though after this episode…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. DERRICK BATEMAN vs. Tyson Kidd vs. Michael McGillicutty

This match was incredible. I’m not just saying that because Bateman was in it, though watching him wrestle always helps my mood. Kidd, Bateman, and McGillicutty put on a spectacle that is again worthy of a pay-per-view match and instead is the match no one will see. Granted, Kidd’s matches are usually the best ones on NXT anyway, but Bateman and McGillicutty had a big reason for it this time. Kidd and Bateman team up, then turn against each other, and once Bateman is out of the ring he just can’t catch a break and get back into the ring for a good while. McGillicutty, Kidd, and Bateman tell a story in the ring, and someone needed to as it definitely was not the WWE this week. If you watch anything from NXT this week, let it be this show.

Now, for the ranting portion of Solace’s blog. Where the Hell was the plot? I keep getting told on twitter and face book and anywhere else I have complained that, “They’ll just pick it back up when they move. I heard it from such-and-such source.” Yeah, and those sites are always reliable, aren’t they? No, this is a big slap in the face from WWE. There are a few tapings left and we don’t get any form of plot. Reks and Hawkins’ storyline is forgotten. Bateman’s knee injury, forgotten. Everything is just a matter of good matches on this show. People do not watch NXT for just the wrestling. The reason NXT gained an audience again when all was lost for awhile was because there was suddenly a plot. Sure, it’s a soap opera-esque plot and has crazy storylines, but guess what, Raw does the same thing, or did once, and it’s what everyone kept claiming they once loved.

But I’m not the only one who complained. Here are some quotes from forums:

“What the fuck happend to NXT?”

“The person booking this week ought to be shot. Fuck this shit.”

“Seriously though, watching NXT yesterday made me a sad panda. All the wonderful storylines and character development, flushed down the drain for something likely to be less. It’s an upgrade for FCW, but a huge loss for current WWE low-card talent and NXT fans.”

“Khali and Zeke beat Hawkins and Reks? Is like Vince is saying Fuck You to the tag team division.”

“No backstage segments, Khali being horrible all over Hawkins and Reks… Let’s hope tommorow’s tapings for the new show are promising.”

“ Latest show was a huge disappointment. I know it was the ‘last NXT’ but wrapping up storylines? Nah. We’ll just have Hawkins and Reks job to Zeke and Khali, two people who are never on the show and we won’t have any angles, any segments, any mic time, any Striker.”

And a few more. And by a few I mean a lot. So what are your thoughts on this latest (and possibly last?) NXT?

Top 4 of Superstars 5/10/12

Thank you Capshuns for letting me steal your pic.

When I go to watch Superstars I usually think, “Well, I already know how the top 4 is going to go,” and I don’t stress, though there are weeks I have refrained from writing one for a lack of being able to come up with 4 things. I try not to be a Negative Nelly when it comes to blogging, it won’t really help you want to watch the show! Which is what I want you to do! This week I wondered how I was going to be able to stick all of the things into a top 4 since there were actually four matches… and Scott Stanford! We can not forget Scott Stanford.

First, let’s talk about match length. Lately I have taken to timing matches, the parts that are actually seen. So from bell to bell, not counting commercial breaks. This particular 50+ minute episode of show had 25 minutes and 54 seconds of wrestling. What the Hell? What happened to the other 25 minutes? Oh right, Raw recaps and commercials that are embedded into the file. Next week I might start timing how long the Raw recaps take. Four matches in 26 minutes? Of course this was better than the last 3 hour Raw, which had 31 minutes of wrestling, and definitely more than four matches.

Okay, now to shake off my negativity and get to the top 4!

4. Alicia Fox vs. Natalya

Alicia Fox isn’t always the best in-skill worker, but Natalya, like her boyfriend, tends to be the controlling interest in a match. Natalya also shines in her new outfit with the cape that never received as much love as it deserved! The women put on an entertaining match and Natalya gets better at the Sharpshooter every time I see her do it. These two also always seem to have fun when they are facing one another, even if they are supposed to hate each other.

3. Ezekiel Jackson vs. Drew McIntyre

I grew bored with Jackson awhile ago, like, shortly after he came back from his injury, so why does this match gets a higher spot? Well, Drew, of course. Drew’s new hairstyle probably helps this a bit, because without it being completely pulled back, and having the braids, he’s even yummier. I don’t know what they are doing with Drew, but he can still Future Shock a wrestler and make me cringe. Yeah, this match made it to three based on McIntyre. I admit it.

2. Santino Marella and Zack Ryder vs. Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins w/ Scott Stanford

Oh yeah, I’m completely cheating. Scott commentated my two favorite matches of this show and I will completely claim that it was because of him that these were my two favorite matches. Sure, Reks and Hawkins are great wrestlers that can take on any tag team, even if they are constantly losing, but Scott helps! Who else has that enthusiasm in the matches, besides possibly Regal? Ryder and Santino were destined to win this match, though, and if you have already seen Smackdown you understand why, but it’s fun in the meantime. Reks also sells taking the Cobra like no one else.

1. Hunico vs. Tyson Kidd w/ Scott Stanford

Kidd is likely the best wrestler in the WWE right now, which is why he gets showcased on shows like Superstars and NXT. He has the skill and it’s better to get the chance to watch him wrestle than to throw him on some show that will have him getting squashed all of the time. Hunico proved a long time ago as the second Sin Cara that he has the skill to match Kidd, though at a slower pace. The two of them take this match to levels that the other shows should be showcasing as main events, and thanks to Scott Stanford (who explains to us the cost of the bike that Camacho and Hunico take out to the ring) it’s commentated like a main event.

See, I managed to get Scott into one and two, and slip in all four of the matches that in some way were worthy of the show that bases itself on the wrestling of the talent.

 

Top 4 of NXT 5/9/12

To point out, when you actually take out commercials from this show it runs about 32 minutes long. In that amount of time there was 14 minutes and 42 seconds worth of wrestling. Sure, shorter matches, but a wider cover of matches to show ratio than a typical show. So, why didn’t the matches make the list? Well, plot kind of won out this time!

4. JTG’s New Look

Alicia Fox said that she could change JTG’s look, all she needed was a week. That was last week. This week were introduced to an updated Brooklyn JTG. While many people were torn, I think a lot of it was the fact that this was not the JTG that they have grown used to for the last… how many years? The look works, and JTG works it, without completely changing who he is. What do you think of the new look?

 

 

 

Might be a bad shot of JTG, but I love these glasses and you needed a close-up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Maxine’s Smile

Maxine was told her attitude had to change, so the new Maxine also makes an appearance this show and freaks everyone out. She was weird enough that Curtis comments, “She’s a little too weird for me, and I like weird.” Maxine smiles so much through this show that even as Tamina goes to do the Superfly Splash on her, Maxine smiles right through it (though she does manage to roll out of the way, making her look less crazy, but still crazy). Maxine’s work on NXT is brilliant and this is just another plus for her.

2. Who is the Mystery Attacker?

I love seeing all of the ideas of who is attacking the men on NXT. At first it appeared it might be Kidd’s Curse, and they were going after his opponents, but this week it was poor Derrick, who was already in a bad place this week! Poor Derrick! My guess: Trent Barreta. I think he’s out to make sure Kidd doesn’t replace him as tag partner before he makes his triumphant return, which he will. What about you guys? Any guesses? I’d love to hear more theories.

1. Reks and Hawkins are the New Security Team

Oh, poor William Regal’s face when the eloquently spoken duo come out to announce they are the new security duo for NXT. Striker is none too happy either considering they were his secondary kidnappers! (Hard to forget the, “Why do you have chloroform” exchange with Johnny and Maxine!) Reks, as always, looks stylish and as if he belongs in a GQ magazine while Hawkins looks smart, but a little more laid back in his choice of suit. Later, Reks and Hawkins give Maxine and Johnny the key to allow them out of the handcuffs. Beautifully written, and these are the reasons I love NXT. This is the show with a storyline from beginning, middle, to end.

I look forward to next week!

Top 4 of FCW 5/6/12

Considering FCW is only an hour show because of commercial breaks every week, fitting in a half an hour match into one show was risky. FCW did suffer a bit because of it, only giving us three wrestling matches. The matches were great themselves, it just meant there was no plot development for the show that as late seems to have less plot for the characters. It’s becoming less like NXT and more like Superstars, where every week we have to rely a bit more on the commentators. This is not a complete complaint, but I like plot with my shows.

4. William Regal and Jim Ross on commentary

This is my second favorite commentary team that I get to see on a semi-regular basis. Ross is not what he used to be on the mic but he definitely has the enthusiasm and enjoyment when he’s out there. He has a passion for what is going on in the ring, and it shows. Regal has found a groove for the mic and knows how to play off of Ross’s weaknesses and vice versa. Excellent team for this show.

3. Raquel Diaz vs. Audrey Marie vs. Paige

I debated between this one being 2 or 3 for a few minutes, but a reasonable argument made this number 3. Audrey Marie, who is my least favorite in FCW and still more preferred than quite a few divas already brought up in the WWE, holds her own against two women who can wrestle circles around her. Much to my surprise there is no interference from Sofia during this match despite the fact that she accompanied Paige to the ring. Which made Paige’s win over Raquel even better. Raquel went for the pin on Audrey Marie and as she tried to ready herself, Paige slid in and got Raquel’s shoulders down which gave the win to Paige after a three count. Beautifully mastered, as many of the diva matches seem to end with a slight or trick in some way.

On a side note, I believe they are slowly trying to turn Raquel face. She went from dark diva of the Ascension to slowly making her a valley girl with blonder hair and a bubbly personality. It would make sense to bring her up as a face, even though her mother is Vickie who is the perfect heel. Raquel would be welcomed, just because of who her father is, and it would be a great time to get more heat on Vickie if Raquel decides to play good girl.

Other side note, they could totally put Paige with the Ascension now. That scream works for the craziness that comes from those guys.

2. Antonio Cesaro vs. Richie Steamboat

During this episode the two of them were going for a 30 minute challenge, even though it’s the Jack Brisco 15 minute challenge. They had already done 20 minutes, but sure, let’s go with 30. 10 minutes into it, Cesaro was gassed. 20 minutes into it he almost looked ready to quit. Cesaro was not made for a 30 minute match, and it showed. The reason this one beat out the divas was the reason I was going to give the divas 2. The trick at the end was great, but this match actually had quite a few of them. Once again, at the end, they were 2 to 2, with Cesaro getting two solid pins on Steamboat, while Steamboat’s two had been almost flukes. The third and last pin, unsurprisingly, we to Steamboat, who retained the 15 Minute Championship.

1. Jason Jordan and Mike Dalton vs. Leo Kruger and Brad Maddox

Before this I had said to Chris, “I hope this episode has Mike Dalton.” Mike Dalton comes out. Chris tells me, “Well, they are getting the show started right away for you.” Then JR says, “Wasting no time getting started this week-” It was a fun moment. Dalton goes up against my other favorite guy in this episode with Kruger and I just cheer for everybody. I knew how it would end, just because Jordan is the man with the least amount of push in the match, though he had just beaten Sandow. Jordan was pinned by Brad Maddox but it didn’t make him look bad. In fact, everyone in this match looked incredible.

Top 4 of FCW 4/29/12

FCW proves it is consistently one of the better stories told from the WWE (with perhaps the exception of NXT) and this week was no exception. Summer Rae, official general manager of FCW, has a photo op with Antonio Cesaro and Richie Steamboat in anticipation of their match next week while Adam Mercer continues to be Randy Orton Light – which I’m not exactly complaining about, just pointing it out.

4. Benicio Salazar vs. Rick Victor

Okay, I knew going in Victor was going to win for two reasons. First, this is only the second match I’ve seen Salazar in and FCW does not tend to have their wrestlers win their first few matches against already established guys. Second, Victor was escorted out by the beautiful, and talented, Sofia Cortez and Paige. Already great points to him. However, as usual, Victor puts on an entertaining match against their newest luchador and I look forward to seeing more!

3. Bo Rotundo vs. Big E Langston

I love Big E Langston. After Mark Henry is probably my favorite man with a physique of those proportions (you know, huge!) with the WWE. Ever. Because Langston is big he already has haters, and because Rotundo is pretty he already has lovers. Rotundo has a spear that is weak and while he has presence, he still needs that in-ring time to polish himself up. It took Husky (Wyatt) a bit of time, don’t push Rotundo before he’s ready, which is what they are doing. He won this match.

2. Nick Rogers vs. James Bronson

First, an earlier segment in the show involved the commentators letting us know there was something going on in the back. Bronson had Ambrose locked into a sleep while CJ Parker, Mike Dalton, and I think Jason Jordan (I didn’t get a good look at him) tried to pull Bronson off. Later comes the match for Bronson against Rogers. Rogers dropped the Mr. Jacked and instantly went up in my books, but now he has a beard! I’m not sure about the beard, but hey, that’s me. Bronson wins this match with a submission, then immediately puts Rogers in a second submission! Regal rushes out to save Rogers and twists Bronson into the Regal Stretch. Garrett Dylan (another FCW up and comer that I have not seen that much) comes out and tries to pull Regal off of Bronson, but Ambrose is right behind him. Ambrose pulls Dylan and puts him in the Regal Stretch and for one moment of complete serendipity we have Regal and Ambrose doing the Regal Stretch almost perfectly lined up side by side. Afterwards they both stand and Ambrose stares Regal down in a way that only Ambrose can, with an almost sad look while being completely furious. When Ambrose moves forward, Regal slides out of the ring. All together an awesome segment.

1. Kassius Ohno vs. Seth Rollins

Despite the excellent segments from earlier, and Regal’s dig at other commentators in the WWE (not all, I’m pretty sure Scott is safe) this match just had what I came to see: excellent wrestling. It started off slow but quickly began building up into a crescendo of moves that were perfectly executed in elegance. Ohno and Rollins show off their balance and agility and whatever bit of rust Ohno might have felt at the beginning chipped off and towards the end these man made you forget anything else but the beauty of this match.

The Raw Live Experience of Monday, April 30th

As usual, going to Raw is always a close call for us, so when we made it to Dayton to go see the live show I could not have been more excited. But, as usual, we had to wait for our tickets. Unlike other time we actually had them about an hour before show time (give or take a few minutes) and were able to join everyone in line.

This was a poor setup. Someone was directing traffic every 6 feet in those parking lots, but when it came to trying to enter the arena there was one person at each of the six gates letting people through the doors. If this was not bad enough, they did not let us in until a half an hour before the show. It had already been raining on us for ten minutes before that. A half an hour before show does not give you a lot of time to go buy things, run to the bathroom, or even really find your seats. We missed out on buying a Ziggler shirt for this reason. (That’s my story and I’m sticking to it)

The opening dark match of the night was Alex Riley against Dean Ambrose. Um, yes, more please! Oh, really, no? Damn. Great match that had Ambrose win and then giving a promo. Riley looked good in the match, which had all of the little kids happy (did I mention this crowd was FULL of little kids??)

Next began the taping of Superstars and my favorite man at Raw tapings came out: Scott Stanford. I was pretty convinced he wouldn’t see us… again. They filmed the first match, which was Dolph Ziggler against Mason Ryan. Not a bad match, though Mason Ryan doesn’t even look real. Ziggler gave Scott his coat, I love those little tidbits, and I find it funnier that it’s always heels that are doing nice things for Scott, especially since Scott would likely be referred to as a “face” announcer.

After the match Scott looked up… and found us! He even waved to us! I would have done a happy dance, but this was when they announced that it was time for the signs to go up because they were going to do a cut in live on the USA network. Okay, as usual, we were not on the camera side but it was the perfect opportunity to hold up our Push Scott Stanford sign. Striker was the one who saw it, laughed at it (us) then pointed it out to Scott, who chuckled.

Next was Zack Ryder against Michael McGillicutty. I’ve loved Mcgillicutty as late, but this was Zack Ryder with Scott Stanford commentating it. Yeah, I had to be a Ryder mark. Boy was the crowd into these two matches. This crowd was very trained to yell for the faces, though. The only real controversy in the crowd was with Daniel Bryan later on (and whenever we were screaming, but let’s face it, we were drowned out a lot).

Superstars ended and my favorite man of the night walked away. Sad me!

Most of you have seen Raw so I’m not going to recap what went on with the show so much as tell you things we saw you might not have.

First, an actual sign confiscation. Never seen one, only heard of them. The sign read, “UFC Beats WWE”.

Also during the show, during Bryan’s match, two men came down the stairs on camera side and were holding “YES” signs in the aisles. The two of them were escorted out of the arena and never did come back.

When Cena’s arm was being destroyed little kids were crying everywhere. They were standing up and yelling at Tensai, Sakamoto, and Laurinaitis that they “sucked” (I heard this word more last night than I have the rest of the year) while tears streamed down their faces. Awww, so precious.

After the show went off the air John Cena stood, showed those little kids he was okay, and then walked out. Chris Jericho stepped out and mentioned Cena was unfit to wrestle so instead he was getting his rematch against CM Punk, which of course he lost. Good match, though.