Basically, between WWE 24-7, DVDs, PPVs, etc. I watch a shit load of wrestling. So I figured, why not give my thoughts on these shows/matches for all of you to read? More often than not I will give star ratings along with a short summary but we'll see what I do in the future. So whether it's ROH, WWE, WCW, ECW, TNA, random shows, random matches, etc. I'll try to give most of my reviews in this thread. Consider this a less epic combination of Ask Jim and Marketh Reviews ROH.
And no, not every show will get "AWESOME SHOW! *****" no matter how optimistic I am.
and the first review is...
WWE 24-7 Presents: Tribute To The Troops 2007!
Now I can't really review a show like this but I figured I'd give my thoughts on the matches since I'm watching it now. Personally I love the concept of Tribute to the Troops, more so as it is now as a bonus hour of wrestling than a two hour show in place of RAW. Also I like how although it still has the big time WWE feel, the Tribute to the Troops feel a little more underground/indy than the normal RAWs and Smackdowns. Kinda like ECW should've stayed.
The show will begin with
Chris Jericho vs. Randy Orton. Jericho returned a month ago and lost to Orton (well technically won via DQ) at Armageddon and this is the rematch. Burn In My Light did not fit Orton nearly as well as his current theme. Now I love epic heel Jericho as much as anyone else, but I still miss the "charismatic" "exciting" Jericho. He may not have been quite as epic as his 2000-2001 face run, but I think it was still underrated and I'd like to see him be face again before he retires for good. The match begins slow with the fans loving Jericho and Orton giving his psychotic squints. Despite Jericho being the face and Orton being the big heel their's still a faint RKO chant. I love when Orton stands in the middle of the ring over his opponent's hurt body and taunts. Not done enough. Jericho although still showing a little ring rust doing some old school moves and then does the springboard crossbody (ala his dropkick to someone on the apron). Thus far it's been a pretty solid TV match but nothing special. Jericho takes a soldier's camera and takes a picture of the fallen RKO, random but eh, cool I guess.
Orton later on turns the tides and then hits the COD (Concussion on Delivery) ropebound DDT and then we go to commercial. When we get back Jericho begins fighting back only to get a big knee to the mid-section. Orton misses a big knee drop (after pulling down his knee pad) and Jericho begins getting the upper hand with chops only to walk into the sleeper. A Y2J chant starts and Orton demands the fans shut up, only for the fans to start a "You Suck" chant in return. Again, simple heel moves that people don't do enough. Yell at the fans and demand them to be quiet when they boo to get even more heat. Seems simple enough to me.
Some good exchanges between the two later on including many signature moves from both men. Lionsault leads to a two and a half but after a thumb to the eye and Orton's neckbreaker/backbreaker Orton is in control once again in the match. Stalking Y2J for the RKO he jumps up but Jericho pushes him away and drops him for the Walls of Jericho. Suddenly JBL's music plays and comes down talking on the mic to piss Jericho off. He gets on the apron as Orton refuses to tap and then gets in the ring only for the bell to sound as Jericho charges. Jericho wins via DQ once again. He hits JBL turns around and receives an RKO for his trouble. After he leaves JBL hits the Clothesline from Hell gaining even more heat.
All in all I'd call it a good TV match and worthy of a
**3/4-*** rating. Did what it needed to though it wasn't particularly impressive. Fun for sure but not as good as their Armageddon match.
Jeff Hardy vs. Carlito is up next, and Jeff has the face paint already. A preview for the future? Jeff was IC champ here and was already number one contender for the WWE gold for the upcoming Royal Rumble. This was around when Carlito cut his hair so it was short and shitty looking opposed to huge and epic >.>. Cole comments on the Carlito/Santino team recently starting up, boy they lasted long! Fans are completely behind Hardy, in the shocker of the night
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 20 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.. Jeff gets the upper hand early on, going as far as to hitting a variaiton of the judo flip and also hitting a weird spinebuster looking flapjack. Everything Carlito attempts is blocked by Hardy who is a beast at this time. Carlito finally gets the upper hand and irish whips Jeff who rolls out of the ring and high fives the audience. Carlito follows but gets in an argument with the troops and Jeff once again gains control.
Jeff attempts his corner dropkick but Carlito slides out of the way and finally we may be able to see Carlito get some offense in! This must have been the time where he had heat and was reportedly less motivated as his in ring work is pretty dull and every time he gains control it shifts back for Hardy quickly, as proven by Jeff quickly hitting the Whisper in the Wind. Jeff attempts the Twist of Fate but Carlito hits the lungblower (FTW move) but only gets the near fall. He asks for his apple to ultimately embarrass Jeff, but Jeff is ready and kicks him in the gut, hits a jawbreaker, the twist of fate, and wins with the Swanton.
A decent match for sure. Not as good as Jericho vs. Orton but still good enough for me. Probably
**1/4 or so.
Vince comes out to a mixed but mostly cheered reaction. He seems to be playing the Sunny role in 1997 and Torrie Wilson's role at one point, hyping up a random match by being the ring announcer.
Kelly Kelly and Layla vs. Mickie James and Maria. Definitely an eye candy match, but I won't fight it. We go to break and come back to Layla and Maria going at it in the ring and shortly after they begin to roll around on the mat. Where is Styles to scream catfight? Kelly gets the tag and Maria tags in Mickie as well. To be honest, I'm paying much more attention to Kelly's attire than the match itself. Eventually Layla and Kelly are in opposite corners sitting down while Mickie and Maria hit dual bronco busters. Suddenly Vince pulls a JBL and gets in the ring stopping the match saying he's in charge. He says that Santa is not coming to Iraq for all their boos and then Santa's music plays who is John Cena with his arm in a sling. After some talking he hits Vince with the FU. Solid segment. The match wasn't really anything I can rate.
Rey Mysterio vs. Mark Henry. Rey is mad over and Henry gets plenty of heat as expected. Your typical pushing around in the beginning and Rey avoiding the hits. Henry bullies Rey some more before Rey tries to fight back with kicks, only to receive a huge gorilla press for his trouble. Henry slows the pace (is it possible to be much slower than this!?) with a bear hug. Rey bites to get out but gets hit with a big clothesline for his trouble that looked pretty good. As bad as Henry is at times, 08 was a better year for him than this, that's for sure. A missed big splash followed by a kick and a springboard seated senton. Henry kicks out and Rey kicks him into the corner, going as far as hitting a sliding dropkick to Henry's... lower male parts. Rey then hits a 619 and spirngboards with a seated senton again. Rey hits a roll up and picks up the win.
*3/4. Pretty bleh as expected but Rey actually is enjoyable for me in the ring so he kept it from being a total shitfest.
And finally, it's main event time.
D-Generation X (Triple H and Shawn Michaels) vs. Umaga and Mr. Kennedy! I forgot how much I enjoyed Kennedy as a heel. People bag on him a lot but I still enjoy him quite a bit in the ring, in fact I'd say with the exception of HBK he was the standout of this match. HHH of course by now was on the same level he is today, good but to be honest, just quite boring.
Kennedy and Umaga begin to double team HBK and isolate him. Heel team 101, ladies and gents. Every time HBK begins to fight back Umaga cuts him back. I can't wait until both Kennedy and Umaga are back. Let's hope Kennedy stays injury free and Umaga can still go like he did before the surgery. One thing about Umaga is.. he relies on that nerve hold far too much. I mean it's okay and I guess fits his character but it gets tiresome. I prefer Orton's headlocks to his nerve hold.
Kennedy hits a big standing Greenbay Plunge but after a missed splash by Umaga HHH gets the tag and of course clears house. He decimates Kennedy/Umaga before finishing Kennedy with the pedigree sending the troops home happy.
**1/4 for being enjoyable enough to hold my attention.
FINAL VERDICT: A solid show. Nothing terrible, but nothing above the good level I'd say. Surely a fun night for the troops and worth a watch if easily accessible but no matches worthy of going out of your way to see.
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