No Mercy 07, Unforgiven 03, Taboo Tuesday 2005

Found some old reviews i did a couple of years back so i thought i would whack them up here

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No Mercy 2007

Just finished watching No mercy 2007-heres a quik review

Before i hit the ratings i like to point out the historic notes which made this night so, ummm, historic

first time WWE title defended 3 times in one night
2nd and 3rd shortest title reigns
Ortons first WWE title
Beth phoenix first Womens title
First time HHH Lost at no mercy
First time the womens title was defended at No mercy
First time the WWE title and Womens title changed hands on same night since Unforgiven 2006
Possibly first time ever a PPV opened with a WWE title match

Randy Orton v HHH ***
I really enjoyed this match, fresh off a hot promo it was a lively match. the crowd were really into. Liked how HHH won with a roll up also, it just re-enforced the surprise nature to the start of the PPV

Jeff hardy, brian Kendrick and Paul London v Lance and cade and Mr.kennedy**
Standard tv match tbf altho the idea of Jeff/London/Kendrick is nice

Cm Punk v Big Daddy DUD
why do WWE have so many short pointless ECW matches on PPV? and on top of that this is the king of pointless matchs. I rarely give duds but i have no choice here

Matt hardy/MVP Pizza eating contest N/A
Fun segment i thought, altho the pizza didnt look very nice....

HHH v Umaga**
This match wasnt engaging enough, i remember watching it live thinking/hoping WWE might surprise us again and have Umaga win the title but he never really looked capable of it but now of course we all know what happend later in the night its no surprise they never went all out for this contest

Rey Mysterio v Finlay **1/2
Enjoyed this match, really liked the ending, just a pity the camera caught Finlay looking beforehand

Candice v Beth Phoenix 1/2*
off par with other Womens match but still its nice to see beth win

Batista v Grat Khali **1/4
I thinkt he punjabi prison amtch is a awesme sight but unfortuanly they never had the 2 best men in the ring. Both did well with what they ahd and i really liked the ending, the ending bumped this up a bit for me

HHH v Randy Orton ****1/4
My ratings for this match change on every veiwing. Its gone from 4 and a quarter to 4 and half to 4 and now back to 4 and a quarter.Its hugely enjoyable and both men use a nice arsenal of attacks. nice match to watch to get you warmed up for the mania encounter. BTW keep an eye out for a fan ripping of his shirt Hogan style, will make you laugh

Final thoughts

Watching this PPV live was a great experience but time hasnt done it any favors. rewatching it i feel this ppv feels more like an epidsode of RAW, albeit a pretty good ep. the first and last matchs are great and any HHH and/or orton fans need to own this dvd. me peronsally i wanted to own it for historic purposes.

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WWE Unforgiven 2003

Live from Hershey, PA

JR and The King provide commentary for this RAW Brand PPV. It's a good looking set, Lillian Garcia in a stunning dress is the ring announcer.

The Dudley Boyz v Rob Conway and La Résistance
Handicap Tables match
World Tag Team Championsips



Spike Dudley was originally booked in this match but he took a nasty landing 2 weeks earlier on his neck and was unable to compete. The match was surprisingly good throughout, good back and forth action, the crowd were hot for the Dudleys and there were plenty of 'USA' chants. The table spots were all done well, I particularly liked Bubba Ray's suplex through the table. Rob Conway took a good bump to the outside of the ring onto a waiting table, although I still say he sucks. Dudleys win making them 17 time world tag team champions. I would like to see the Dudleys back in WWE at some time so WWE can release a dvd on their career. Btw at some point in the match JR call's Rob Conway 'Very talented', I've heard better jokes from a Christmas cracker

**1/2

Scott Steiner v Test w/Stacy Keibler
If Test wins he gets Stacy's and Scott's services, If Steiner wins he gets Stacy back

This feud I thought was quite good but for some reason it ended with WWE running out of ideas for it and it just ended with Mick Foley freeing Stacy, talk about a disappointing ending. Stacy came to the ring first looking stupidly hot, JR calls her a "Lovely Kind hearted young women" yet just months before he was calling her a Jezebel and when she would get stripped/spanked etc he would say she got what was coming to her? Upon Stacy entrance into the ring the King says "I've seen Paris, I've seen France and I think I've just seen Stacy's underpants" to which even JR chuckles to, the King really is priceless when it comes down to comments about the Divas. The match itself was worked entirely around Stacy whether it Test shouting to her or her getting involved and tbf it was fun to watch, heck anytime Stacy is in a mini skirt at ringside it's fun to watch! I never have been a big fan of Test but I felt he played the cowardly heel well here, the ending reminded me of Shawn Michaels v Marty Jannety RR93 when Sherri accidentally hit Marty instead of Shawn costing him the win.

**¼

Shawn Michaels v Randy Orton w/Ric Flair

It's quite interesting to watch this match now just after a HBK/Orton feud. Back then Orton was the big rookie and at 21 was extremely impressive. This was at the start of the 'Legend Killer' storyline and this match is def one of the highlights of his career. Great wrestling action from both men, the match last's just under 20 mins but it flew by. Orton was in control mostly but towards the end it became a free for all with both Men having close chances. Flair was brilliant as the heel manager at ringside, I hope after he retires he becomes a manager for someone, he's natural at it. The ending was well played I thought, with HBK getting the pin then Flair putting Orton's foot on the rope forcing the ref to restart the match amongst the confusion, Flair slipped Orton some brass Knuckles which he then repeatedly hit against Shawn's head and then getting the pin. By repeatedly punching Shawn in the head with brass Knuckles Randy Orton lived out my life long ambition. Sorry I couldn't resist. One thing which really bugged me was how JR and the King kept saying Orton had a object and hit HBK with it and then when it's shown on replay it was brass knuckles they acted shocked and gave a ' 'should of known' tone, it was clearly shown that Flair gave him brass knuckles, I know it's the commentators job to act naive but come on. I want to watch this match again since I feel it may go ¼ * higher.

***½

Trish Stratus and Lita v Gail Kim and Molly Holly

This was Lita's first match in over a year due to neck surgery, it also served to be Gail Kim's PPV debut. Gail Kim had the Matrix gimmick at this time, I really liked that gimmick. A tv standard match really, the usual heels beating down face tag routine. The match was only on the card to give Lita her moment in the spotlight and continue the Molly/Gail/Trish feud. Lita got busted open in the mouth halfway through, later on in the match she hit an impressive looking power bomb on Gail. Trish and Lita never looked right as a team imo, with the exception of the invasion match all other times it looked wrong-Everyone knew they were each other's ying to the other's yang. Slightly Disappointing considering the match involved 4 of the best female in-ring workers the WWE ever had.

*3/4

Shane McMahon v Kane
last man Standing

I've always been a Shane mark, esp when he's a face, always been a Kane mark and LMS is my fav ever match type so it's safe to say my anticipation was high for this match. Right from the get go when Shane sneaks up on Kane with a chair it's a spot fest. Kane throws and hit's Shane with everything while Shane desperately tries to hang on whilst fighting back with everything he's got. It was a very well worked match. Like all great LMS contest they used the entire arena using everything they could as a weapon, I particular liked the over head camera being used and then in replay showing footage from camera and seeing it get cracked in the process. The match worked so well since it pays up to each others strengths, these men are not suited to pure wrestling bouts, they need a brawl like match to shine. Of course the thing everyone remembers from this match is Shane's dive from the top of the set. It was a good way up and a really cool moment but his leap from backlash a couple of years before was a lot higher but none the less it's an impressive looking moment. Shane never looked like getting up whilst Kane clambered to his feet on the 8 count. Great match. MOTN

***3/4-****

Backstage segment with Jericho saying he has a problem with Stone Cold, there was similar sort of segment earlier on also. TBH I cant really remember what this was all about, I was on/off with RAW in 2003

Christian v Chris Jericho v Rob Van damm
IC title

We have a 3 time ic champ v a 3 time ic champ v a 4 time ic champ, we have a former world champion against 2 future world champions-if there was ever a match that screams potential this is it! On paper it looks good and in reality it is good. All 3 work together to produce a gem of a match. It's the classic heels team up to beat down the face then fight each other routine, Chris Jericho and Christian make it work so well. There are many spots involving all 3, the highlight being the 'electric chair power bomb' as JR calls it. Really enjoyed this match.

***½

Backstage Interview with HHH about the main event. I'm very surprised it took 2 hours for them to start hyping the contest. They never mentioned it at all in the commentary on other matches yet they mentioned Test winning Stacy's services almost every match, I would of thought they would of gone into overdrive into hyping this.

Jim 'JR' Ross and Jerry 'The King' Lawler v Jonathan Coachman and Al Snow
Winners win the right to broadcast RAW

So we have 2 commentators v 2 commentators in a match that wait for it….has no commentary? They could of at least bought out some one to call it, fair enough Michael Cole was prob other side of the country with Smackdown but what about Michael Hayes? Heck even Stone Cold or Bishcoff? The lack of commentary makes this match feel slow although listening to JR cheer on the King and warning of oncoming attacks is amusing. Al Snow and King obviously carry this match. I like to stay at this point that with the King being such a good commentator people often forget how great of a wrestler he was/ is, I like to see a DVD release of him covering his 30+ years in the business. Jericho runs down and attacks JR costing him and the King the match, this was all part of Jericho having a problem with Stone Cold. Coach and Al Snow win the right to Broadcast RAW

½*

Historic Note: JR and the King would win back the right to broadcast when JR beat Coach in a match on RAW

Before the main event JR and The King discuss what their jobs mean to them, how upset they are and how they will call the upcoming match, their 'last' and go out on a high. TBH I found the seriousness of their tone when they speak a bit uncomfortable, it's the sort of tone they use to discuss a wrestler who has died and here they are using it in a angle? And before anyone says it I'm very much aware how much I have run down JR tonight, oh well he cant always have a perfect night. And I'll put it here while I'm at it, during the main event JR says "I cant remember a time when the stakes have been higher" In terms of storyline, the Survivor Series match during the invasion where ownership of WWF, ECW and WCW were all on the line is certainly much higher. [/JR Rant]

HHH v Goldberg
World Heavyweight championship
If HHH wins Goldberg has to leave company, HHH can lose title by DQ or count out.

In the eyes of many this is a dream match-the top WCW draw v WWE best worker of recent years, these 2 men in the ring together has main event written all over it. It still to this day seems weird to look at Goldberg in a WWE ring. The anticipation for this match however would soon die in my eyes. After a slow start both men get to tired to quickly, we were not at the 15min mark and they were both panting and struggling to their feet. The match suffers from a severe lack of spots. Apart from a figure four leglock and a throw into steel steps there's not a lot to talk bout in this match, not calling it boring but it certainly lacking. I found the finish a little annoying, it seemed just as the much finally got going it ended, HHH swung with the sledgehammer (ref was down) Goldberg speared him then hit the Jackhammer for the 123. Goldberg wins his first and only WWE title.

***

Final thoughts
Great PPV, there was not a single match that was not entertaining in some way. This PPV showcased a little of everything that makes wrestling great, this is really an ideal PPV to show to somebody new to the Sport of Kings. With 4 ***+ matches and a new Champion crowned at the end to quote JR as the broadcast finished "it's been one hell of a journey". Highly recommended for any wrestling fans DVD collection

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Taboo Tuesday 2005

Live from the iPayOne Center in San Diego, California

Second ever WWE interactive PPV and just like last year it’s from the RAW brand. They use the same cool Keyboard ramp as last year. Lillian Garcia is the ring announcer once more, she looks hot tonight. Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler and Joey Styles provide the commentary and after a short intro from both sets of English and Spanish commentators (always wondered what they actually do say) we go straight to the action

Edge w/Lita & Chris Masters v Matt Hardy & Rey Mysterio
The vote? Pick 2 from 5 SD superstars
I voted for: Matt Hardy and Christian

Quite a few notes before we even get onto the match. First of all this was in fact Christians final appearance with the WWE to date, he would show up on TNA a few months later. Hardcore Holly’s reaction to getting booed is priceless, Rey Mysterio was the hometown boy so he got a big pop and once Matt and Rey came to the ring Edge then announced he was not going to wrestle in this match and bought out Snitsky as his replacement. So we wave good bye to Edge and Lita (who looked as hot as always) and say hello to mr. It wasn’t my fault? I know I praised the guy a little last review but it’s still no comparison. Now onto the match. The match was the standard heels beat down the faces routine, it got boring quickly which was a pity cuz the crowd were pretty hot for this one. Snitsky took an awkward looking superplex from Matt. The match did give us 2 cool spots-the double splash from top turnbuckle to the outside and the finish-Rey gives Masters a 619 then Matt hits Twist of Fate before Rey finishing him off with a splash, it was all synced well and truly did look like there was no way anybody could get up from it. A TV standard match in my view which last well over 5 mins to long

*½

We have a funny backstage segment with Mick Foley and Maria having their luggage mixed which ends up in Maria taking her cloths of for Mick and saying “having a nice day” which he replys “I think I just have” When her playboy spread is released soon we can see just how much of a nice day he did have. The king delivers yet another classic line during this “Not much upstairs but boy what a staircase”. cracks me up every time

Eugene and Jimmy ‘Superfly’ Snuka v Rob Conway and Tyson Tomko
The Vote? Choose from one of 3 legends to team with Eugene
I voted: Hacksaw Jim Duggan

This novelty match came on the back of Conway (remember him? Thought not) attacking all the legends. It’s a novelty match I know but imo 2 tag matches in a row is bad booking, it might just be cuz I find a lot of tag matches boring but really felt they needed a singles match here. The match itself was nothing special at all, Eugene got a beat down then Snuka came in and cleared up. Snuka did a splash which was quite impressive considering his age, he hit it perfect. After the match Duggan and Kamala ran down to help Eugene and Snuka clear the ring of the heels. Watching Tomko receive a big splash from Kamala and now looking where he is in TNA-one of half of the tag team champions and featured in the main storylines it’s clear he made the right decision leaving WWE.

*

Carlito v Mick Foley
The vote? Choose which persona of Mick wrestles
I voted for: Dude Love (Mankind won)

I was disappointed mankind won since we have seen plenty of Mankind and Cactus in the last few years but none of Dude Love yet ironically he created the Dude Love gimmick before all the others but oh well, Mick is Foley regardless of what persona and ‘Foley Forever’ as we used to say at one time. They used his old theme music which was a nice touch, would have been even cooler if he came out in the original Mankind costume also. Short match but good action while it lasts. Some decent ring work and some entertaining action outside the ring, Foley took a particular bump on the back of the head which didn’t look to kind. The match finished when mankind pulled out a special Carlito Mr Socko complete with ‘fro, seriously funny imo, love it. Was actually disappointed this match finished cuz I was enjoying it

**¼

Backstage we see Shawn Michaels has won the world title shot for second year in the row, looks as washed up as ever during this segment but yet the fans still vote for him. Kane was far more deserving of the title shot and still is

Lance Cade and Trevor Murdock v kane and Big Show
Due to Shawn winning the world title vote they got put in a tag match
World Tag Team titles

Just like last year the 2 who didn’t get voted get a tag title shot and just like last year they won. This is the 3rd tag match of the night (3 out of the 4 matches so far are tag? Imo this is very bad booking). I never have liked Lance and Murdock but always been a big show & kane mark so perhaps this wont be to bad. The match is more or less a squash except for a 2min period where the advantage is with the champs. It’s enjoyable to watch them toss them around like toys and both men seem very relaxed through out. Lance and Murdock took quite a beating tbf. Joey Styles is particular funny during kane’s entrance. Kane and Big Show made a great team imo and I enjoyed their run

*

Backstage interview tih HBK and Angle, they discuss maybe working together in the triple threat.

All the Divas come out to find out their fate for later this evening. This entire segment was pointless since Candice was already wearing her stockings which gave us the answer right away, think it would have been better if they did this at the start like last year. Lingerie won.

Batista v Jonathan Coachmen w/ Goldust and Vader
The Vote? Verbal debate, Arm wresting or street fight
I voted: Street fight (street fight won)

Stone cold was originally supposed to be in this match but he injured himself moving furniture the weekend before (if I remember) correctly so Big Dave took his place. The King had another classic line during Goldust’s entrance “he used to be with Terri Runnels, they were a pretty weird couple-She was pretty and he was just weird” Pretty much what you expect from this match-Batista destroyed all 3. It was good to see Vader again, always liked him. Quite interesting that 5 legends have now been involved in matches so far tonight with active Legends HBK and Ric still to come.

¾*

Fulfil your Fantasy battle royal
Trish Straus v Mickie James v Victoria v Candice Michelle v Maria v Ashley
The vote? Choose what they wear-Lingerie, leather &Lace or Cheerleader
I voted: Leather & lace (lingerie won)

Torrie Wilson was supposed to take part in this match but she was dropped a few days before and her profile was removed from wwe.com leading everyone presuming she had been released, she returned shortly after saying she had ‘Personal problems’ to attend to, not long after her and Billy Kidman announced they were divorcing so I presume it had to do with that. Candice looked the hottest, at least she was the only one who actually sexed it up, the others just looked quite average but Trish and Maria looked hot anyway. Much like last year the actual in-ring action was forgettable. Mickie and Trish Basically teamed up and in the end Mickie sacrificed herself to help Trish win. The final 3 were Trish, Mickie and Victoria and it lasted way to long, it got very boring.

½*

Ric Flair v HHH
IC Title
The Vote? 1 Fall to finish, submission or steel cage match
I voted for: Steel cage (Steel cage won)

Ever since they teamed up to form Evolution fans knew it would end like this so this match was a long time coming. It’s quite interesting to note that in just over 12 months HHH feuded with all other 3 members of Evolution. So for the second year in a row Ric Flair is in a steel cage match, for the second year in a row he wins and for the second year in the row he has Match of the night. The only worlds to describe this is ‘a bloody slobber knocker’ both men get busted open pretty bad, esp Ric who’s head resembles a red football more than a humans face. Good use of the cage, solid mat wrestling, good back and forth action and some good use of foreign objects in this match. The finish I felt was a slight let down-3 chair shots and Flair escaped the cage to win. It’s pretty clear from the start the amount of respect these 2 men have for each other and it makes it enjoyable to watch them go at it knowing in real life they are so close. Despite being a great match I felt it failed to lift of so to speak and enjoyed last years cage match with Orton more. MOTN

***½

John Cena v Kurt Angle v Shawn Michaels
WWE Title
The Vote? HBK or Kane or Big show
I voted: Kane

Cena came out to a good pop and was cheered throughout, this was just before it became cool to hate Cena although there was a ever so small ‘Cena sucks’ chant at one stage which the Cena fans soon drowned out. A good paced triple-threat match with all 3 putting on a strong performances. It starts with all 3 going at it, then Kurt and Shawn team up to beat down Cena then they go at it in a throwback to their classic trilogy then Cena returns at the End to pick up the win. Good finish with HBK sweet chin musicing Kurt then Cena F-U’s HBK for the pin. Although I have given the same rating for this as the steel cage, the steel cage gets MOTN due to the storyline being a lot better and more emotion in the contest.

***½

Final thoughts:
A rather lacking PPV from the RAW brand. There were to many tag and Novelty matches with only 3 real matches and 1 of them finished to early. It probably is never a good sign for a WWE event when you feel let down by how Trish looks. lol. Seriously though the final 2 matches save the card with Foley and Carlito being enjoyable while it lasts. Joey Styles does a good job and provides humour in his commentary, it’s clear that they were busy planning the Survivor Series PPV to give to much thought to this PPV (which has now become the tradition). TT2004 was defiantly a stronger PPV
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