WWE

‘WWE SUMMERSLAM 2021’ Recap + Review – Reigns vs. Cena, Lashley vs. Goldberg

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DATE: August 21, 2021
VENUE: Allegiant Stadium (Paradise, NV)
COMMENTATORS (RAW): Jimmy Smith, Byron Saxton, & Corey Graves
COMMENTATORS (SMACKDOWN): Michael Cole & Pat McAfee
VIEWING METHOD: Peacock (Live)

SummerSlam 2021 features the return of John Cena as he challenges the head of the table Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship, with Reigns vowing to leave WWE if he loses. Also on the show Bobby Lashley defends the WWE Championship against Goldberg, Edge takes on Seth Rollins, and RK-Bro challenge AJ Styles & Omos for the RAW Tag Team Championship.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWE CHAMPION: “The All Mighty” Bobby Lashley
  • WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPION: “The Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns
  • RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPION: Nikki A.S.H.
  • SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPION: Bianca Belair
  • WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPION: Sheamus
  • WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: Shinsuke Nakamura
  • RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles & Omos
  • SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso)
  • WWE WOMEN’S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Natalya & Tamina

LINEUP

  • AJ Styles & Omos [c] vs. RK-Bro for the RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (**1/2)
  • Alexa Bliss vs. Eva Marie (DUD)
  • Sheamus [c] vs. Damian Priest for the WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP (***1/4)
  • The Usos [c] vs. Rey & Dominik Mysterio for the SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (**1/4)
  • Bianca Belair [c] vs. ??? for the SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP (LAME)
  • Drew McIntyre vs. Jinder Mahal (**)
  • Nikki A.S.H. [c] vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley for the RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP (**1/4)
  • Edge vs. Seth Rollins (***1/2)
  • Bobby Lashley [c] vs. Goldberg for the WWE CHAMPIONSHIP (*3/4)
  • Roman Reigns [c] vs. John Cena for the WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP (***1/4)

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WWF SUMMERSLAM 1991 Recap + Review – Match Made in Heaven, Match Made in Hell, Virgil’s Shining Moment, Hart vs. Perfect

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DATE: August 21, 1991
VENUE: Madison Square Garden (Manhattan, NY)
COMMENTATORS: Gorilla Monsoon, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, & Bobby “The Brain” Heenan
VIEWING METHOD: Peacock

WWF SummerSlam 1991 features a Match Made in Heaven (the wedding between Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth) and a Match Made in Hell (Hulk Hogan & Ultimate Warrior vs. Sgt. Slaughter, Gen. Adnan, & Col. Mustafa with Sid Justice as the special guest referee), a legendary Intercontinental Championship match, a JAILHOUSE MATCH, and arguably the biggest moment in Virgil’s career that isn’t related to meat sauce at the Olive Garden. This is the first PPV I ever watched live so the nostalgia for me is STRONG, let’s see how it holds up.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWF CHAMPION: Hulk Hogan
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: Mr. Perfect
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs & Jerry Sags)

LINEUP

  • The Dragon, The Texas Tornado, & The British Bulldog vs. The Warlord and Power & Glory (**1/2)
  • Bret Hart [c] vs. Mr. Perfect for the WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP (****1/4)
  • The Bushwhackers vs. The Natural Disasters (*)
  • Ted DiBiase [c] vs. Virgil for the MILLION DOLLAR CHAMPIONSHIP (****)
  • JAILHOUSE MATCH: The Big Boss Man vs. The Mountie (*1/2)
  • STREET FIGHT: The Nasty Boys [c] vs. The Legion of Doom for the WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (**)
  • Greg Valentine vs. Irwin R. Schyster (*1/2)
  • THE MATCH IN MADE IN HELL: Hulk Hogan & The Ultimate Warrior vs. Sgt. Slaughter, Gen. Adnan, & Col. Mustafa [w/ Sid Justice as the Special Guest Referee (*1/4)
  • THE MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN: The Wedding of Randy Savage & Miss Elizabeth (NR)

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‘WWE WRESTLEMANIA 37: NIGHT 2’ Rundown + Review – Reigns vs. Bryan vs. Edge, Owens vs. Zayn, FIEND LORE

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DATE: April 11, 2021
VENUE: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, FL)
VIEWING METHOD: Peacock (Live)

WWE tries to top its excellent first night with a bevy of title matches, the return of The Fiend, and much more! 

CHAMPIONS 

  • WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPION: Roman Reigns
  • WWE CHAMPION: “The All Mighty” Bobby Lashley
  • SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPION: Bianca Belair
  • RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPION: Asuka
  • WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: Big E
  • WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPION: Riddle
  • RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles & Omos
  • SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Dirty Dawgs (Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode)
  • WWE WOMEN’S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Nia Jax & Shayna Bazler

LINEUP

  • Randy Orton vs. The Fiend (*1/2)
  • Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler [c] vs. Natalya & Tamina for the WWE WOMEN’S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (*1/2)
  • Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn (***)
  • Riddle [c] vs. Sheamus for the WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP (***1/2)
  • NIGERIAN DRUM MATCH: Big E [c] vs. Apollo Crews for the WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP (**1/2)
  • Asuka [c] vs. Rhea Ripley for the RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP (**3/4)
  • Roman Reigns [c] vs. Edge vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP (****)

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‘WWE WRESTLEMANIA 37: NIGHT 1’ Rundown + Review – Banks vs. Belair, Bad Bunny for WWE Champion, FANS AGAIN

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DATE: April 10, 2021
VENUE: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, FL)
VIEWING METHOD: Peacock (Live)

The first night of WrestleMania 37 features Sasha Banks defending the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Bianca Belair in the main event, Bad Bunny and Omos making their respective in-ring debuts, and Shane McMahon meeting his big ‘Mania bump quota for the year.

CHAMPIONS 

  • WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPION: Roman Reigns
  • WWE CHAMPION: “The All Mighty” Bobby Lashley
  • SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPION: “The Boss” Sasha Banks
  • RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPION: Asuka
  • WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: Big E
  • WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPION: Riddle
  • RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The New Day (Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston)
  • SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Dirty Dawgs (Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode)
  • WWE WOMEN’S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Nia Jax & Shayna Bazler

LINEUP

  • Bobby Lashley [c] vs. Drew McIntyre for the WWE CHAMPIONSHIP (***1/4)
  • #1 Contenders Tag Team Turmoil – WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship (*)
  • Cesaro vs. Seth Rollins (***1/2)
  • The New Day [c] vs. AJ Styles & Omos for the RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (***)
  • STEEL CAGE MATCH: Braun Strowman vs. Shane McMahon (**1/2)
  • Bad Bunny & Damian Priest vs. The Miz & John Morrison (***3/4)
  • Sasha Banks [c] vs. Bianca Belair for the SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP (****1/4)

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‘WWF WRESTLEMANIA IX’ Recap + Review – Bret vs. Yoko, Mega Maniacs vs. Money Inc., Maybe I Don’t Hate Giant Gonzalez?

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DATE: April 4, 1993
VENUE: Caesar’s Palace (Las Vegas, NV)
COMMENTATORS: Jim Ross, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, & Bobby “The Brain” Heenan

Long regarded as one of the worst WrestleMania events of all-time, the 9th edition of the event really leaned into their Caesar’s Palace (parking lot) location from the graphics to mostly everyone being decked out in togas. It was an interesting experiment that many considered a failure. But was it? Was it really?

…

Okay kinda but I think I did end up liking the show a lot more than most people. Let’s run down the show and I’ll tell you why.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWF CHAMPION: Bret “The Hitman” Hart
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Money Inc. (“The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase & Irwin R. Schyster)

LINEUP (Personal Favorites in Bold)

  • Shawn Michaels [c] vs. Tatanka for the WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
  • The Steiner Brothers vs. The Headshrinkers
  • Crush vs. Doink The Clown
  • Bob Backlund vs. Razor Ramon
  • Money Inc. [c] vs. Mega Maniacs for the WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
  • Mr. Perfect vs. Lex Luger
  • The Undertaker vs. Giant Gonzalez
  • Bret Hart [c] vs. Yokozuna for the WWF CHAMPIONSHIP
  • A TOTALLY FINE AND NOT ALL CONTROVERSIAL SECOND MATCH I WON’T SPOIL HERE

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‘WWF WRESTLEMANIA 2’ Recap + Review – Hogan vs. Bundy, Dream Team vs. Bulldogs, 3 Venues in 3 Cities

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DATE: April 7, 1986 VENUE 1: Nassau Coliseum (Uniondale, NY) VENUE 2: Rosemont Horizon (Rosemont, IL) VENUE 3: Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena (Los Angeles, CA) COMMENTATORS: Various After taking a big gamble with their first WrestleMania the year before, the WWF decided to ride their wave of popularity and one-up what they had done … Read more

‘WWE 205 LIVE’ 02.05.2021 Recap + Thoughts – Grey vs. Atlas, Bolly-Rise vs. Daivari & Nese

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COMMENTATORS: Vic Joseph & Nigel McGuinness

This week’s 205 Live features an odd-couple tag team pairing as Sunil Singh of The Bollywood Boyz and Matt Martel of Ever-Rise put their new truce to the test as they take on Ariya Daivari & Tony Nese. Also on the show Jake Atlas and August Grey get their proper singles match and we find out if Curt Stallion was able to wrestle away the Cruiserweight Championship from Santos Escobar on NXT this past week. The roll-call below this paragraph is probably going to give that away though, huh? 

Side note this episode of 205 takes place on February 5th (2/5) which is kinda cool if you stretch your definition of what cool is.

CHAMPION

  • NXT CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION: Santos Escobar

LINEUP

  • Sunil Singh & Matt Martel vs. Ariya Daivari & Tony Nese
  • Jake Atlas vs. August Grey

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‘WWE SMACKDOWN’ 02.05.2021 Recap + Thoughts – Big E vs. Crews vs. Zayn, Reigns/Edge Tease, Bryan vs. Cesaro

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COMMENTATORS: Michael Cole & Corey Graves

Edge continues his rounds this week on SmackDown, stopping by to potentially pick a very eager Roman Reigns as his WrestleMania opponent. Bianca Belair also teases who she’ll end up facing, Big E defends the IC Title against Apollo Crews and Sami Zayn, and Daniel Bryan tries to avenge his loss to Cesaro.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPION: Roman Reigns
  • SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPION: “The Boss” Sasha Banks
  • WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: Big E
  • SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode
  • WWE WOMEN’S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax

LINEUP

  • Dominik Mysterio vs. King Corbin
  • Daniel Bryan vs. Cesaro
  • Ruby Riott vs. Bayley
  • Otis & Chad Gable vs. Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode
  • Big E [c] vs. Apollo Crews vs. Sami Zayn for the WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP

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‘WWE MAIN EVENT’ 02.03.2021 Recap + Thoughts – Ricochet vs. Garza, Carrillo vs. Gulak

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COMMENTATORS: Tom Phillips & Samoa Joe

Drew Gulak tries to earn a win this week as he takes on Humberto Carrillo, and Angel Garza goes one-on-one with Ricochet.

LINEUP

  • Humberto Carrillo vs. Drew Gulak
  • Ricochet vs. Angel Garza

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‘WWE MAIN EVENT’ 01.27.2021 Recap + Thoughts – Hardy/Ricochet vs. Elias/Ryker, Carrillo/Garza II

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COMMENTATORS: Tom Phillips & Samoa Joe

This week on Main Event Jeff Hardy & Ricochet team up against Elias & Jaxson Ryker and Humberto Carrillo tries to even his series with Angel Garza.

LINEUP

  • Humberto Carrillo vs. Angel Garza
  • Jeff Hardy & Ricochet vs. Elias & Jaxson Ryker

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