Saturday, August 16, 2025

AEW Revolution 2022

AEW Revolution 2022
Orlando, FL - March 2022

CHAMPIONSHIP RUNDOWN: Coming into this show, the AEW World Champion was "Hangman" Adam Page, Sammy Guevara was the TNT Champion, the AEW Women's World Champion was Dr. Britt Baker, the TBS Champion was Jade Cargill, and the Jurassic Express were the AEW World Tag Team Champions. 


AEW Revolution 2022 kicks off with Chris Jericho taking on Eddie Kingston. This match was built around Kingston wanting Jericho's respect, but the in-ring action was basically a Greatest Hits of Japanese-inspired throws and strikes. They both brought their A-game to this match, delivering a whole slew of suplexes and backfists and elbows and all of them hit their mark. Liked how it started with Kingston hitting a half-and-half suplex as soon as the bell rang, but it was a very similar start to his match with Punk in that respect. This was a hard-hitting battle and homage to the AJPW style of the 80s and 90s that had the crowd on the edge of their seat and featured none of the "hamminess" of some of Jericho's other AEW matches. I didn't love the finish only because the Stretch Plum - a move made famous by Misawa, if I'm not mistaken - doesn't look like a super-deadly finish to me (even when Misawa applies it). (3/5)

Next up - Jurassic Express defending the AEW World Tag Team Championships against ReDragon (Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish) and The Young Bucks in a triple threat match. The story here is that ReDragon and the Bucks have agreed to focus on Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus as their friendship dates back many years. Of course, about a third of the way in they realize that this means they have to break up each other's pin attempts which leads to conflict which leads to this just becoming a wild spotfest that the referee can barely control. I thought this built up really well and was maybe most impressed by Perry and Luchasaurus. Having now watched a fair bit of Jurassic Express, I'm 100% confident saying that Jack Perry is a much, much better tag worker than he is as a singles and it is not remotely close. Not only can he take an ass-kicking as the face-in-peril, but his comebacks are terrific and his offense was really well-executed here. Because this is a Bucks match, they definitely dip into overkill territory with the kickouts and the superkick sequences and I do think this match would've been better if maybe they had shaved off a nearfall or two. This "more is better" approach ends up causing the match to "peak" a good couple of minutes before we get to the finish. (3.5/5)

The Face of the Revolution ladder match followed with the winner getting a future TNT Championship opportunity. The combatants were Powerhouse Hobbs, Christian, Ricky Starks, Wardlow, Keith Lee, and the MVP of the contest, Orange Cassidy. I believe Keith Lee had debuted not too long before this event but would have to look it up. He was super over. Some of Cassidy's spots were really clever and fun, though I am an unabashed fan of the guy. Danhausen showed up at a certain point, which felt a little "hat on a hat" to me as his shtick is even more goofy than Cassidy's. As with any match, there are some painful-looking bumps, including Lee and Hobbs getting shoved off the entranceway through a table (it looked to me like Hobbs crashed through the table first, meaning Lee basically just landed on the remains of the table and concrete). Nothing super special here, but no worse than average. (3/5)

Swerve Strickland made his AEW debut in the next segment. A loud "Swerve" chant started up after his music quieted down, but there's nothing super notable about him signing with the company. 

Jade Cargill defended her TBS Championship against Tay Conti in the next match. It started with a bizarre kiss "mind game" from Cargill to Conti, throwing her off her game right from the start. Cargill was wearing green and looking green, but she got good heat by mocking Conti's martial arts background. Conti's trifecta of jumping kicks in the corner looked great and were followed by a tornado DDT that looked like it could've legitimately twisted Cargill's neck (not due to Conti's poor execution but because of how awkward Cargill took the move). Conti took out "Smart" Mark Sterling with a front flip splash while Cargill booted Anna Jay into a table. Some not so pretty wrestling followed and Cargill ended up running into a chair held up by Anna Jay for a nearfall. Conti gave her another DDT and hit a nifty DDT but only got another 2 count. Cargill hit a wild Eye of the Storm spinning slam but the route to get there wasn't too smooth. Cargill landed a frog splash for another nearfall and Conti rolled to the outside. Cargill followed her to the outside and ate another kick from Conti, who rolled her back into the ring. Once there, Conti hit a piledriver and, again, Cargill looked like she took the move quite poorly. Conti went to the top, got shoved, felt face-first onto the post, and then got pulled off the ropes by Jade, who executed her finishing move to retain the title. Jade's offense looked good, but all the transitions and counters and bumping were pretty poor. They might've overshot things here, trying to hit sequences and moves that were a bit too advanced for what Cargill was capable of at the time. I'll give some credit for the effort. (1.5/5)

A Dog Collar Match between CM Punk and MJF followed. Punk came out to his old Ring of Honor entrance music and was in his old black-and-white basketball shorts get-up. Within the first 5 minutes, he was leaking blood all over his face, sporting the proverbial "crimson mask," but the fight was fairly back-and-forth throughout. The crowd was heated for this but seemed to be waiting on a "big spot" to bring them to their feet (I don't think the crowd was as "dead" as some reviews make it out to be), but they didn't rush anything, really getting over how grueling and tiring the stipulation was. Punk's tombstone on the apron was a clear highlight, as was the suspense built around the pair of big thumbtack spots,  but it was Wardlow's appearance in the closing minutes that garnered the biggest reaction of the match. This match is a bit overrated on Cagematch in my view, but I can understand the love in the sense that, for its time, in AEW, a match like this provided a stark contrast to the faster-paced, "movez"-heavy matches that Omega, the Bucks, and others were having. A good match, no doubt, and certainly a worthy chapter in the history of dog collar matches thanks to the focus on the stipulation, MJF's selling throughout, Punk's targeted attack on MJF's hand and MJF's work on Punk's knee, and the crowd-pleasing finish, still, if one were hoping for innovation or a creative twist on an old school classic, this wouldn't be where to find it. Punk and MJF executed a "traditional" feud-ending blood-soaked battle, nothing more and nothing less. (3.5/5)

Dr. Britt Baker, DMD defended her AEW Women's Championship against Thunder Rosa in the next match. If Punk and MJF managed to make 30 minutes feel like 15 because of how much emotion they put into every punch, Baker and Thunder made a 17-minute match feel like twice that. Baker and Rosa threw every move they knew into this fight but something was still "missing." Granted, they had to follow a very heated, main event-level grudge match, but its not like they didn't have time to get the crowd back into things or were facing a "cold" audience. Neither Rosa or Baker are the smoothest workers, but what this match really needed was a more interesting through-line, a story beyond just how evenly matched they are. The most heated moments of the contest were when Baker's cronies - Jamie Hayter and Rebel - got involved and Rosa got visual pins on the champ, but they took 12+ minutes to get there and nothing before really registered beyond "okay." Again, this is a case of two wrestlers knowing and delivering some very good moves - Baker's Avalanche Celtic Cross was great - but not structuring the overall match in a way that felt new and exciting. Baker can be a great heel, but didn't really draw much heat. When it was time for Rosa to string together a series of fiery comeback moves, they didn't look well-executed. This was a disappointment, but also a match that exposed Baker and Rosa's limitations at the top of the division and, more obviously, in matches that go deep in minutes. (2/5)

Bryan Danielson took on Jon Moxley in the next contest. The storyline going into this match was that Danielson wanted to team with Moxley, but Moxley said he couldn't trust a tag partner until they had gone to war against each other. That's about as good a set-up as you need and they do proceed to go to war against eachother. Danielson is really relishing in his pseudo-heel/Ring of Honor persona at this point, though I can understand why it may have been a bit jarring to those unfamiliar with his pre-WWE work. Moxley bleeds a gusher (because why not?), but he did practically guarantee it in all his promos before the match so you had to know he would deliver. Big strikes, great execution by Danielson with practically everything he does, Moxley taking a ton of punishment but showing how tough he is...its all good, but maybe never great. Like in the Punk/MJF match, I wouldn't say the crowd was "dead," but they certainly weren't mic'd well to capture the atmosphere. My biggest gripe would be the very poor finish. They took a big swing with the referee counting down Danielson's shoulders while he had a choke locked in, but it was captured terribly by the camera (which, from the angle we saw, Danielson's shoulder was very clearly off the mat, a fact that wasn't even noted on commentary). The post-match provided a great moment, though, as William Regal made his AEW debut, slapping both guys in the face and forcing them to shake hands. I wouldn't consider this "must see," but it was certainly above-average until the wonky finish. (3.5/5)

Next up - Sting, Darby Allin, and TNT Champion Sammy Guevara took on the team of Matt Hardy, Andrade El Idolo, and Isiah Kassidy (of Private Party). I wasn't expecting them to go as long as they did following the Danielson/Moxley war (which went a full 20-minutes without including the post-match stuff) but this Tornado Trios Match got over 10 minutes and they didn't waste much time getting to the good stuff, with some crazy high spots including a Spanish Fly from Guevara to Kassidy off of part of the entrance structure through a pair of tables (which didn't even fully break but more just collapsed) and Sting diving off a balcony to put Andrade through a whole stack of tables. The MVPs of the match, unsurprisingly, were Andrade and Darby Allin, though, the former giving the latter an absolutely nasty and perfect double stomp in the corner at one point. Unfortunately, Matt Hardy was out of position for the Coffin Drop finish, which is a shame because, had he hit it flush, it would've been a great closer instead of feeling like the perfunctory, pre-planned "go home" spot. (3/5)

Main event time - "Hangman" Adam Page defending his AEW World Championship against Adam Cole. I knew coming into this that I would most likely not enjoy this match. It was precisely what I expected - Page and Cole going back-and-forth, dishing out a ton of cool-looking moves and high spots, but never having me doubt that Page would prevail and never offering anything unique, different, or outside of each guy's wheelhouse. At this point in his career, based on what I've seen, Page was still very much a guy that would work his opponent's matches rather than one who had developed his own "brand" of in-ring storytelling. When the opponent was Danielson or Omega or even a fun, athletic powerhouse like Brian Cage, Page's ability to adjust his style led to good-to-great results. Here, though, he's wrestling Adam Cole, a guy who makes up for his lack of size or real presence with well-timed superkicks, backstabbers, and other big signature moves, including his Canadian Destroyer (a move I generally dislike no matter who is doing it). In the end, though, all the "movez" in the world couldn't make up for the fact that this felt like two guys "performing" a great match rather than having one. Even the eventual run-ins from reDragon and the Dark Order, as well as a Deadeye through a table, felt "by the book." They do so, so much in this match but none of it left an impression on me and, at 26 minutes, that is a lengthy amount of time to only be impressed by execution and not by storytelling. (2/5)


A bit of a mixed bag in terms of entertainment value, Revolution 2022 was a slight step down from the previous two AEW shows I've reviewed, earning only a 2.77-out-of-5 Kwang Score. While there isn't a single match I'd consider an all-timer (even the widely-praised MJF/Punk Dog Collar match), the show is at least interesting up until the main event. This show also highlights how AEW had, to some degree, "lost its way" a bit once CM Punk became the brand's centerpiece. The crowd was super into everything he did and his feud with MJF made for great television, but because his style was so far removed from the more flashy, "work-ratey" style of The Bucks, this version of Hangman, Omega, and guys like Sammy Guevara and Jungle Boy, it also led to shows like this that offered a fair amount of variety but didn't necessarily make sense as a "whole meal." This show also highlighted how relatively weak the women's division was, at least compared to what the WWE had going on around this same time. I can see a lot of people - especially viewers in 2025 - not loving this show based more on the viewing experience today than the experience at the time as guys like Moxley, Jericho, Jungle Boy, Cole, Matt Hardy, Ricky Starks, and even Punk have been a bit overexposed or, in some cases, "flamed out" a bit since this show aired. 

FINAL RATING - High Risk Maneuver

Random Matches


Kenta Kobashi vs. Samoa Joe (10/01/2005, ROH): The crowd is hot for this match right from the opening bell, popping huge fro Joe's first strike (a chest chop) and then Kenta's "receipt." A "This Is Awesome" chant breaks out before we even get the first suplex. Joe dropkicks Kenta into the barrier and then hits a suicide dive, which is met by a "Holy Shit" chant despite it probably being the dozenth one of the night. Back in the ring, Joe gets a two count and delivers a high body slam and then an elbow drop for a 1. Joe applies a rear headlock and a "Kobashi" chant starts up. Joe readjusts into Misawa's finish, but Kobashi reaches the ropes with his foot. Joe hits some chops in the corner but Kenta takes them and delivers a bunch of his own that sound like gunshots. Joe with a series of kicks and an enziguiri to put Kenta down. Joe with some Kawada kicks but Kobashi fires up with more chops and they do it again with Joe finally putting him down with a knee. Knee drop off the ropes by Joe. To the floor they go, where Joe puts Kenta into a seat by the barrier. Ole Kick! He goes for another but Kobashi catches him with a chop to the throat, and then another that seats him, and then a chest chop that sends him over the barricade! DDT on the floor by Kobashi! Back in the ring, Kobashi applies a front facelock, but Joe backs into the ropes. More chops by Kobashi. Those things could fell a tree. Kobashi hits a series of falling chops for a 2 count and then reapplies the face lock. Kenta goes for a suplex but Joe counters it with one of his own before collapsing back down to the mat. Kobashi with more chops but Joe nails him with a kick! Chopfest! Great exchange with Kobashi reigning supreme! Kobashi goes for the pin, but Joe is too close to the ropes. Kobashi applies an abdominal stretch but Joe reaches the ropes once more. Kobashi with another chop on the mat for 2. Kobashi applies a rear headlock and adds a chop to the forehead for good measure. Kobashi seems to be a bit lost, not sure what to do to maintain control, opening himself up for an uranage and a flurry of Joe offense! Joe with a series of strikes in the corner after a senton! After some struggle, Joe hits a buckle bomb! Joe with his signatue boots in the corner and then a big running boot from across the ring! Joe hits the Muscle Buster! 1...2...no! Joe is surprised but doesn't rest for a second, hitting another powerbomb and then locking in an STF! Kobashi is fighting, though, forcing Joe to re-apply and re-configure the hold multiple times. Really cool. Kobashi gets his foot on the bottom rope, though, and the ref breaks its up. Joe is on his feet first and looks for a big boot but Kobashi catches him with a strike and then hits him with a half-nelson dragon suplex. Not the prettiest move ever, but certainly effective. The ref counts both guys down and reaches 5 before they start stirring. Back on their feet, Kobashi with a spinning chop! Rapid fire chops in the corner! Classic Kobashi there! He must've delivered a good 40-50 of them! Three more two-handed chops bring Joe to the mat and then he adds another while he's seated. Kobashi delivers another half-nelson suplex and this one is perfect! Kobashi goes for the cover..1...2...Joe grabs the bottom rope! Kobashi brings Joe up, Joe uses the opening to deliver some chops, but Kobashi catches him in a sleeper and dumps him with a dragon suplex! 1...2...somehow Joe kicks out! Kobashi is enraged and frustrated. Kobashi bring shim up and Joe hits a series of strikes but eats a bunch of spinning chops to the face too! Kenta with a HUGE lariat off the ropes and that is it! Widely considered one of the best matches in ROH history, if not all history, this is a great watch and deserving of its accolades. (5/5)



Dean Malenko vs. Jushin Thunder Liger (05/06/1995, WCW): This happened on Nitro and, because of that, some of the middle of the match is cut-off due to a commercial break and the commentators spend a good amount of time talking about the Flair/Savage feud when Ric Flair shows up to eat a meal by the entrance way (which also distracts a large portion of the fans in attendance). The match is too short to be considered "must see," but there are some really cool spots and counters and it is always fun to hear Bobby Heenan and Mongo get blown away by the craziness that the cruiserweights would bring to the show. Malenko's reverse-powerbomb spot is awkward, but nearly everything else they do looks really crisp. (2.5/5)


Lioness Asuka and Chigusa Nagayo vs. Noriyo Tateno and Itsuki Yamazaki (03/20/1986, JWA): Asuka and Nagayo were known as The Crush Gals while Tateno and Yamazaki were the Jumping Bomb Angels, who appeared on various WWE PPVs in the late 80s and were the reigning WWWA Tag Team Champions. The Bomb Angels come out swinging with two huge crossbodies to the floor, but the Crush Gals are not afraid to work a fast-paced match either and we get some real nifty mat-wrestling once they get back in the ring. Body slams, high knees, Nagayo and Asuka applying all sorts of holds to keep the champions on the mat - its all good stuff and some of it is performed with such remarkable speed it had me wondering if I was watching the match at the wrong rate. Yamazaki finally gets the tag after a lengthy stretch of Tateno struggling to get any offense in and her running clotheslines are incredible. Yamazaki gets hold of Nagayo's wrist and applies an arm bar and then a wristlock before tagging in Tateno and having her take over. There's a weird moment when it seems like Yamazaki slipped or got pulled down off the apron - not sure what happened there - as Tateno applied a rear chinlock. Great back-and-forth follows, neither team able to sustain much of an advantage. Brilliant Hart Attack-esque move by the Crush Gals! Airplane spin by Asuka! Huge crossbody by Nagayo! A piledriver by Asuka wins the Crush Gals the first fall! The tape "jumps" a little bit to the start of the 2nd fall, with Tateno and Asuka squaring off. Again, the back and forth is incredible, with stiff strikes, kip-ups, rapid-fire counters and reversals and dropkicks. Nagayo is in trouble, though, and gets dumped on her head with a nasty German suplex to tie up the match at 1 fall a piece. I'm surprised Nagayo wasn't straight-up paralyzed with that suplex. The third fall begins with Yamazaki on the attack, going after Nagayo's neck. Brilliant missle dropkick by Tateno! In comes Asuka, but she gets caught in a piledriver too. Big back suplex by Tateno, but Asuka gets her foot on the rope. The Crush Gals mount a comeback with Nagayo hitting a big tombstone piledriver on Yamazaki for 2. Awesome german suplex by Nagayo! Somehow Yamazaki kicks out. Nagayo with a bodyslam. Off the ropes comes Asuka, but she misses. Another quick tag. Asuka with a huge bridging suplex on Tateno and then an airplane spin! Crazy camera angle! Its still not enough to end things, though. In comes Nagayo, who hoists Tateno up to the top rope. Tateno shoves her off and lands another big falling back suplex and then a leg drop and a piledriver for 2.9! Nagayo fights back and applies a Sharpshooter/Cloverleaf, but Tateno escapes and applies a Tarantula. In comes Yamazaki, but her offense is countered and Nagayo hits a double-underhook bridging suplex to win the match and the titles! Holy cow. Incredible match between two high-energy teams. There wasn't much extended selling and I could see the argument that there wasn't a clear structure - more "your turn/my turn" than a story built around an extended face-in-peril stretch or a babyface/babyface match where it starts respectfully and gets more and more heated - but when two evenly-matched teams do battle with this much intensity through three falls, it can still work. This worked for me big time. (4.5/5)


Dump Matsumoto vs. Chigusa Nagayo (04/05/1986, AJW): Matsumoto's pre-match Samurai outfit is BONKERS (as is Nagayo coming with a samurai sword of her own). Matsumoto is joined by Bull Nakano and the rest of the Atrocious Alliance, who try to attack Nagayo before the bell as Matsumoto watches. A loud "Chigusa" chant fills the arena as Matsumoto goes to work with a kendo stick, which, I'm guessing means this is no DQ? Nagayo is able to turn this into a wrestling match, but Matsumoto gains control early on, punishing her on the mat with a cloverleaf. Once they're back on their feet, Nagayo attempts some german suplexes but Matsumoto is too big and is able to grab the ropes. Nagayo applies a submission but Dump reverses it and then works on the ankle. Matsumoto attempts a german suplex but Nagayo prevents it by holding the ropes. Matsumoto with a suplex and then a fireman's carry that ends with her sending Chigusa to the mat. Outside they go, but not for long, as Nagayo sends Dump into the rail and then takes the high ground back in the ring. Nagayo with a series of big kicks but Dump lands a german suplex for 2! Nagayo gets the Sharpshooter locked in! Nakano runs in and so does Crane Yu, the Atrocious Alliance members breaking the hold and then assisting for a sloppy spike piledriver. The ref refuses to make the count and out of the ring they go, where Dump nails her repeatedly with a metal box. Chigusa's seconds cover her up to try to prevent more damage and have to take a bunch of blows for their effort before Dump rolls back into the ring. In comes Nagayo, but Dump pulls her by the hair and sends her into the post before gloating on the turnbuckle. Nagayo comes back into the ring and hits a sunsept flip for 2 and then an enziguiri for another nearfall, shocking Dump with her resiliency. Her offensive flurry doesn't last too long, though, as Dump regains control and jabs her forehead with a fork. Matsumoto goes for a cover, but Chigusa bridges out. Chigusa hits some kicks out of the corner and tries for a pin but Dump still has too much left in the tank. Spinning heel kick off the ropes by Nagayo! After a brief bit on the outside, they're back in the ring and Dump gets tied up in the ropes, allowing Chigusa to hit her with some chair shots. In comes the Atrocious Alliance with a huge metal garbage can! Matsumoto uses it on Nagayo, which gets a huge reaction from the crowd. She goes to the use it in the corner but Nagayo ducks out and Dump ends up losing her grip on it when she bashes the post. Nagayo comes around and nails her with an exhausted back suplex (you can see Dump help out by kicking herself off the turnbuckle) to get the W. After the match, Nagayo gets her head shaved and the crowd is basically flooded with girls' tears. It is one of the more emotional scenes I can recall seeing in pro-wrestling. There were parts of this I really loved and the overall performances were exceptional with both Nagayo and Dump playing their roles to perfection. I wish it would've had a stronger finish, though, and there weren't necessarily any true "holy shit" moments that separate a good/great match from an all-time classic. (3.5/5)


The Junkyard Dog vs. Nick Bockwinkel (06/11/1982, Houston Wrestling): Coming into this match, Nick Bockwinkel was the AWA World Champion, but he was challenging JYD for a crown that he had been given by the fans. JYD's entrance song was "Another One Bites The Dust," which is awesome, and he was in great shape at this point of his career. Bockwinkel sells and bumps with his usual enthusiasm, rolling to the outside to avoid anymore of JYD's blows. Bock takes over with some knees after a brief tie-up, but JYD springs right back up and Bockwinkel has to high-tail it out of the ring again. Back in the ring, Bockwinkel backs him into the corner and lays into him with some shots but JYD comes back with punches of his own  and a headbutt to the midsection off the ropes. JYD with a surprising Russian Leg Sweep! Wow. Didn't expect that. Bockwinkel manages to lock in a front facelock but JYD lifts him off the mat and tosses him into the corner. JYD applies a claw to his stomach and Bockwinkel has to break free with a headbutt of his own. Bockwinkel goes for a choke, but JYD counters with one of his own. Bockwinkel is able to make it to the floor, but JYD follows him out and slams him into the apron. Bockwinkel counters by sending JYD into the post and climbing back into the ring. Bockwinkel stretches his arms and waist as JYD recovers on the outside, which is nice attention to detail as he sells the damage to his midsection from earlier. Bock goes back and whips the Dog back into the post again, trying his best to prevent him from getting back in the ring. JYD rolls in but is met by Bock's boots. Bock goes for a pin but barely gets 1. Bockwinkel throws a bunch of fists and attempts a bodyslam but JYD cradles him! 1...2...3! Bockwinkel springs right back up and puts the boots to him but this match is over! Heenan comes in (I assume the stipulation was that if JYD won, he got to wrestle the Weasel) and tries to beat up on Junkyard Dog, but JYD makes a near-immediate comeback and gets his revenge, yanking Heenan around the ring by his tights until Bockwinkel comes in to save his manager. This brings Bruiser Brody out and it is absolute bedlam in the ring with the babyfaces running the heels out. All in all, a fun match but certainly not any sort of technical classic. This was a "character-based" wrestling match similar to what the WWE would end up doing a few short years later. A good performance out of Bockwinkel and a hot crowd make this perfectly fine, but I like more wrestling in my wrestling and JYD's limited moveset (and Bockwinkel being perfectly happy to just bump around and stick to punches himself) don't leave much of an impression. (2.5/5)


Toshiaki Kawada vs. Yoshihiro Takayama (07/17/1999, AJPW): I don't think I've seen much (or any?) Takayama matches before. He's a big dude. Great back-and-forth kickfest with Kawada early on before Takayama takes control with a rear choke. Takayama's strikes look devastating, dropping Kawada to the mat at one point and, soon after, causing him to have to roll out of the ring to recover. Kawada outsmarts Takayama by having him come to the outside and then gaining the advantage with a series of kicks and strikes once he gets back in the ring. Takayama regains control with a wristlock, but Kawada gets to the ropes. Takayama nails a series of knees, but Kawada comes back with a bunch of his own! Back suplex by Kawada and then a pair of enziguiris! A big kick to the skull by Kawada sents Takayama to the floor and leads to a countout finish. I was hoping for a better finish, even knowing that this was a sub-10 minute match. (2.5/5)


Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Yoshitsune (09/01/2007, Michinoku Pro): Yoshitsune comes out flying with some huge aerial moves to open the match and take control. Awesome hot start. Liger is basically dead before the match can even begin, selling on the floor and barely making the count. Yoshi hits a superkick and then a 619 and a 450 off the top rope but Liger kicks out. A bodyslam by Yoshi is followed by him going to the top rope but Liger brings him down with a guerilla press slam and then hits him with a clothesline. Liger with another lariat in the corner and then  a nasty Liger Bomb for 2. Brainbuster by Liger also gets 2. Liger puts Yoshi on the top rope, but he escapes by doing a cartwheel on the top rope and then hits him with a nifty 619! He makes the cover and scores the victory, which, based on the crowd response and the folks hoisting him up on their shoulders, was a major crowd-pleasing upset (though I thought Liger was a babyface?). For a match that went under 5 minutes, this was damn entertaining and I liked Yoshitsune's strategy of just throwing every bomb possible as quickly as possible to try to overwhelm the legendary Jushin Thunder Liger. (3/5)


Fit Finlay vs. Meng (01/10/1998, WCW): This is one from WCW Saturday Night. Meng strikes first with a series of blows, but Finlay comes back with an eye rake and then a dropkick. With these two, you know the battle is going to be back-and-forth stiffness and this does not disappoint. Finlay slows things down with a rear chinlock but Meng gets to his feet. Finlay with an elbow to the face but Meng counters with boots and a forearm and then a dropkick of his own for 2. Finlay grabs an ankle and tries to submit Meng, but Meng pulls on his hair and makes it to the ropes. Finlay relying on eye pokes to cut Meng off is brilliant and puts over how dangerous Meng is. Finlay goes to the outside to regroup and is met by chops and a backbreaker when he gets back in the ring. Another eye poke! Another elbow and forearm by Finlay, but Meng hits a back elbow of his own. Finlay regains control with forearms and then a strong clothesline for 2. Finlay goes for an arm bar but Jimmy Hart causes a distraction! Tongan Death Grip! Meng gets the 3. Really good TV match. All killer, no filler. Finlay showing why he is one of the best at what he does when it comes to working a smart, hard-fought match that gets his opponent over without sacrificing any of his own credibility. (3/5)


Yoshinari Ogawa vs. Abdullah The Butcher (04/04/1992, AJPW): Ogawa goes right after Abdullah, running into the crowd to attack him, which is an interesting tactic but not a very effective one. Abdullah whips him into a bunch of chairs by his hair, busting him wide open. Ogawa's blood is NASTY here. A few more uppercuts send him into a bunch more chairs. Abdullah pulls him over to ringside and sends him into the guardrail before leveling him with another big strike. Ogawa is an absolute MESS. Ogawa is barely able to roll into the ring and, as soon as he does, a shoulder block sends him back out. The Butcher follows him out and smashes a table over him. This is an absolute MAULING. Abdullah brings him into the ring and works on his forehead in the corner. Ogawa finally gets a strike or two in but Abdullah uses his power and size to back suplex him into the middle of the ring. Ogawa is basically dead at this point. Abdullah hits an elbow drop and gets the pin in under 6 minutes. Awesome squash match. (3/5)



Jumbo Tsuruta & Kenta Kobashi vs. Genichiro Tenryu & Yoshinari Ogawa (08/20/1989, AJPW): Ogawa is super young here - 23 years old by my mental math - which means Kobashi was 22! Ogawa and Tenryu were a team known as Revolution and are wearing some spiffy jackets. Tenryu and Jumbo start off for their sides and trade some chops before Jumbo applies a wristlock. Jumbo looks to make a tag but decides against it and falls prey to a heel hook by Tenryu. Jumbo gets out with a forearm to the face and then hits another before hitting his first big flying knee. Jumbo keeps on the attack, but Tenryu comes back with some strikes of his own. Tenryu hits an enziguiri and then some devastating forearms in the corner but Jumbo doesn't go down. Jumbo comes back with a series of forearms out of the corner and grabs Tenryu's ankle. Tenryu counters it with an ankle lock of his own and the ref breaks it up as a stalemate. Tenryu tags in Ogawa, which Jumbo treats almost as an insult. Ogawa with a big dropkick off the ropes but Jumbo cuts him off and then tags in Kobashi, allowing the youngsters to go to work. Kenta with a big dropkick! Kenta goes for a suplex but Ogawa slips out and they end up on the floor. Ogawa with a suplex on the floor after a whip into the guardrail! Good stuff! Love the story here of the younger dudes putting their foot on the gas. Back in the ring, they botch a counter in the corner, but they make up for it with a series of nifty nearfalls and counters. Ogawa tags out and in comes Tenryu, who waffles Kenta with a chop before tagging back out. Bodyslam by Tenryu and then Tenryu back body drops him onto Kenta! Ogawa with a boot to the head of Kenta, a right hand, and a chop but Kenta strikes back and hits a heel kick. In comes Jumbo, who nails Ogawa with a knee and then sends him into the corner and adds a couple of uppercuts for good measure. Jumbo lands a piledriver but only gets 2. Jumbo hits a double-underhook suplex for 2 and tags in Kenta. Double chop by Jumbo and Kenta and then Kobashi applies a Boston Crab. Tenryu comes in and slaps the heck out of Kenta, breaking the hold. In comes Jumbo to hit a big back elbow off the ropes for another nearfall. Ogawa manages to hit an elbow off the ropes and tag in Tenryu. Tenryu blocks a knee and hits a lariat for 2 as Kenta breaks up the pin. In comes Kenta and Tenryu nails him with a series of super stiff chops to the chest.1...2...somehow Kenta kicks out! Tenryu and Ogawa get a 2-on-1 in the corner as Ogawa gets tagged in and they pick up the pace but we get another "botch"/awkward moment when they collide. Ogawa hits a suplex and a leg drop but misses the second one, allowing Kenta to tag in Jumbo. Ogawa takes the fight to Jumbo, but Jumbo drops him with a big forearm! Really cool moment as Jumbo goes for the flying knee by whipping Ogawa into the ropes, but Tenryu catches him and shoves him out of the way so he can chop Jumbo instead! Ogawa tries to apply a rear headlock, attempts a roll-up, and even tries a sunset flip, but none of it is really effective or well-executed, causing Tenryu to come in and chop Jumbo down himself. Jumbo kicks out but ends up in the corner to eat a dropkick and then a running elbow. Jumbo takes the blows but comes out of the corner with a straight-up shove and then delivers a nasty back suplex, dropping Ogawa on his noggin. Kenta prevents Tenryu from breaking the count. In the post match, we see that Jumbo's nose was busted open. This was really sloppy at times, but still an interesting match. I loved Ogawa's energy and how fearless he was going against Jumbo, even as Jumbo continuously cut him off. I loved Jumbo and Tenryu's interactions and attitude towards each other and their partners. This is one of those matches you can go into with very little knowledge of any of the individual characters but "get" the story just because of the way they work it. Unfortunately, moments of sloppiness prevent this from being a real classic or even close to it. Cool match, though. (3/5) 


Kenny Omega vs. Rey Fenix (10/5/2019, AAA): This match was for Fenix's AAA Mega Championship. Some good mat wrestling to start followed by both guys showing their agility. The first huge dive comes from Fenix and it is an absolute doozy, the kind of move you want to/need to rewind to see what exactly he did. Back in the ring, after a Fenix nearfall, Omega hits a back suplex and then another on the ring apron and a third one on the guard rail. Back in the ring, Omega continues with some kicks to the back and then uses his foot to stretch Fenix through the ropes. Omega hits a backreaker but only gets 2. He applies a cloverleaf but Fenix gets to the ropes to break it. At one point, a masked woman makes her way down the aisle but doesn't draw the attention of each competitor. Fenix makes a comeback, springboarding off the middle rope and getting huge air for a cool splash. He goes for another off the top rope but Omega hits a dropkick as he's coming down and Fenix goes to the floor. Omega goes for the Terminator but Fenix catches him with a superkick beofore he can take flight. He hits another. But Omega hits the V-Trigger! Omega with a back elbow but then we get a series of counters and reversals leading to an awesome german suplex by Fenix for 2. Great sequence. To the top rope they go, where Omega strikes at Fenix's head and shoulders, but ends up eating a Spanish Fly off the top by Fenix! A strike exchange follows, but Omega hits the full nelson snap suplex to cut off Fenix's momentum. Then another! Then a third...but Fenix rolls through, springs up, and nails a cutter! To the apron they go, trading blows, until Fenix comes over the top with another neckbreaker. V-Trigger by Omega back in the ring but he doesn't make the cover, opting instead for a bucklebomb and a then a pop-up sit-out slam for 2. Omega calls for another V-Trigger, giving ample time for Fenix to recover, but he nails it! Omega tries for the One-Winged Angel but Fenix escapes and hits an over-the-shoulder piledriver! 1...2...kickout! By this point, Fenix's lip/nose is busted open (I'm guessing hardway) and the bottom of his face is a bloody mess. Its a great visual representation of how a match that started with a bit of an exhibition style has turned into an all-out war. Omega ends up on the top rope and Fenix attempts a hurricanrana but Omega powerbombs him off the top rope! 1...2...kickout by Fenix! Tiger Driver 98' by Omega! Another 2 count! Another V-Trigger and a One-Winged Angel! That ends it. I think what sets this match apart and makes it special is how flawless and impactful Omega's offense looks. This might be the smoothest Omega match I've seen and he's rarely sloppy. With Fenix, you don't necessarily get a ton of great selling, but his toughness shined through because Omega's offense looked so devastating and he ended up sporting a near-literal crimson mask. (4/5)



Mitsuharu Misawa & Toshiaki Kawada vs. Akira Taue & Jun Akiyama (12/04/1992, AJPW): By my count, this is the 25th Misawa match I've reviewed and will certainly not be the last. Kawada and Taue start things off with some solid back and forth leading to a Kawada headlock. Taue tries to power out with an atomic drop but Kawada doesn't release the hold. Taue fights out and tags in Akiyama to a sizeable pop. Akiyama applies a hell of a headlock, but Kawada escapes by dumping him on his head with a back suplex. In comes Misawa to a big round of applause and we get a brief-but-spirited sequence of counters and escapes. Taue gets tagged back in and he gets Misawa on the mat with a kick to the back of the thigh before tagging Akiyama back in to do more work on Misawa's left leg. The focus on Misawa's leg gets huge reactions, which I'm guessing is because it was part of a larger story in the build to the match (?). After applying an STF, Akiyama tags out Taue who puts him in a very half-crab (almost a stretch muffler). Misawa rolls into the corner but eats a big boot that brings him back to the mat. In comes Akiyama, who delivers a kneebreaker and then applies a leg lock. Misawa manages to make the tag to Kawada, who hits a nasty spinning heel kick onto Akiyama for 2 and then a body slam and a super stiff kick to the back. He does it again before applying a painful-looking Boston Crab. Taue breaks it up. Kawada tags in Misawa, who delivers some forearms and then some jumping kicks before re-applying the crab, targeting Akiyama's lower back. Akiyama gets to the ropes so Misawa tags Kawada back in. Kawada applies an abdominal stretch, releases it, and goes for a vertical suplex. Akiyama counters it, but Kawada comes off the ropes with a big boot. In comes Misawa, who hits another devastating spin kick right to the head for 2. Akiyama tries to fight back with forearms, but Misawa clubs him and Kawada comes back in. A sunset flip by Akiyama gets 2, but Kawada hits a lariat off the ropes to maintain control. Misawa comes back in, hits a kick, and then a nasty flying clothesline for 2. Misawa delivers a gut wrench slam for 2 and then tags Kawada back in, who delivers another slam-kick combo and then a Sharpshooter. Akiyama reaches the ropes, but is clearly in a ton of pain. Kawada hits a powerbomb and makes the cover but Taue breaks it up! Taue goes to work on Kawada but the ref sends him back out. Off the ropes, Akiyama applies a not-so-great abdominal stretch. Kawada breaks out and hits a bodyslam off the ropes for 2 and then a running powerslam, but again Taue breaks the count. Kawada with the Stretch Plum but Taue attacks again and Kawada is forced to break the hold. Akiyama with a roll-up for 2 and manages to make the tag. A slapfest leads to Taue hitting a big boot off the ropes and then decking Misawa on the apron with a forearm! Taue with a knee to Kawada's midsection, but Kawada comes fighting back and hits a kick. Taue cuts off Kawada, slams his head-first into the mat, and then hits a powerbomb for 2! Taue attempts the chokeslam but Kawada resists. Kawada turns it into a Stretch Plum but in comes Akiyama to try to break it up! Why doesn't Misawa come in to help his partner? Kawada makes the tag and Misawa hits some forearms and then a DDT on Taue for 2. Misawa dodges some of Taue's strikes and kicks but takes a back body drop and in comes Akiyama. Akiyama with an offensive flurry of strikes, but Misawa hits a back elbow in the corner and a snap suplex. Misawa with a rear headlock but Taue comes in. On the outside, Kawada and Taue go at it as Misawa applies a rear headlock. DDT on the floor by Taue! Akiyama won't tap in the ring. Taue comes in and hits the Chokeslam on Misawa after breaking up the submission! Taue and Akiyama hit a two-man combo slam...1...2...Misawa somehow kicks out! High-bridging German Suplex by Akiyama but that only gets 2! Kawada gets rocked again on the apron. Another suplex by Akiyama for 2! They go for another combo move but in comes Kawada! Akiyama hits some dropkicks and goes for the inside cradle but only gets 2! Big forearm by Misawa before he hits a spinning back suplex. Akiyama kicks out at 2. Tiger Driver, but Taue breaks the count! Kawada and Taue go back to the floor to brawl. Another Tiger Driver and this one seals it! I know that my knowledge of Japanese wrestling "rules" and tropes is limited, but there was some parts of this match that did not click with me. They spend considerable time working on Misawa's leg but it doesn't lead to anything and, if anything, Misawa's longterm selling was really selling. Taue's run-ins to break up pin attempts are never balanced out by Misawa trying to help his partner in equal measure. Kawada's offense looked great, but also felt repetitive by the end. (2.5/5)


Meiko Satomura & Sonoko Kato vs. Aja Kong & Chikayo Nagashima (03/20/1999, GAEA): The heels control early with Nagashima locking in a guillotine on Kato before tagging in Kong. Kong's arrogance is great as she punishes the heck out of Kato with a half-crab and then some stiff kicks to the leg. Nagashima comes back in, which gives Kato a chance to fight back, hiting a back suplex and making the tag to Meiko. Nagashima hits an X-Factor for 2 before getting driven into the corner where she makes the tag to Kong. Kong hits a release vertical suplex and a big elbow for 2. Kong hits a powerbomb and makes the cover but Kato breaks the count. Kong applies a somewhat weird front headlock that I haven't seen before and then uses the top rope to try to choke Satomura out. Satomura gets some strikes in, but Kong continues to cut her off with big chops that drop her to the mat. Satomura comes back with some big forearms and a little bit of MMA style ground-and-pound before going to the top rope. She attempts a flying clothesline but gets booted. In comes Nagashima, who hits a series of dropkicks of her own. Satomura gets dumped to the outside and the fight goes into the crowd, with Satomura getting whipped into a whole bunch of chairs by Kong. The heels whip the faces into each other at one point and even roll Kato off a ledge and onto the concrete. It is a beautiful, violent show of dominance. Back in the ring, Satomura nearly gets her face booted off before getting hit with a dropkick. Kato comes off the top with one of her own and essentially tags herself in but ends up on the receiving end of more punishment. In comes Kong and Kato's work against her is incredibly spirited but still not enough, getting cut off by a crazy clothesline. The heels put the boots to her and then Kato delivers a nasty german suplex. A head scissors attempt is countered into a powerbomb but in comes Kong to cut off Kato's momentum again. Kong misses a back elbow from the top and Kato climbs onto her back to apply a sleeper. Kato hits a big bridging suplex for 2! Satomura with a flying forearm! Kato with a leg drop from the top! It only gets 2. Kato seems to go for a back body drop (which has to be one of the dumbest moves to try to perform on Kong) but gets powerbombed for her effort. She gets a shoulder up for 2 but then Nagashima comes flying in with a stomp from the top rope! Dang! Another 2 count and then Kong comes off the top with a metal box, but Kato dodges it and she nails Nagashima. Kato with a spinning Deadeye (reverse piledriver)! Woah. Crazy move for 99'. She goes for the cover but Kong throws Satomura into them to break it. Kato with a fireman's carry into a Satomura frog splash! Satomura with a Pele Kick! The pin gets broken up again by Kong. Headscissors by Nagashima gets 2.5. Kong bashes Satomura with the metal box and Nagashima hits a fisherman's brainbuster, but Kato makes the save! The rapid-fire high spots in this match are insanity. Kong hits a scoop slam and then allows Nagashima to use her shoulders as a launching pad into a pair of devastating double stomps! I have no idea how Satomura's ribs aren't broken from those. Big clothesline off the ropes by Kong, but Satomura somehow bridges out! Another huge clothesline by Kong and another bridge at 2.5! Kong goes for a suplex but Satomura applies a headlock as Kato and Nagashima fight on the floor. Satomura is trying to choke out Kong! Kong looks like she is legitimately losing oxygen here but continues to reach for the ropes. Meanwhile, on the floor, Kato locks in a sleeper of her own, but Kong rolls and gets to the bottom rope! Satomura's anguish and frustration is brilliant here. Kong dumps her on her head with another high back suplex but, again, Satomura bridges out. Now its Kong's turn to be completely pissed and frustrated. In comes Kato, but she gets clubbed with a clothesline. DVD by Satomura...1...2....I swear that was 3, but Kong kicked out. The ref's count seemed a little off (for the second or third time in the match by my count). Kong goes for her finish, but it gets dodged. Kong settles for a huge slap to the face and tries again but Meiko blocks it. Brainbuster by Kong! 1...2...Kato breaks the count again! In comes Nagashima to take her out. Another huge clothesline by Kong and another big slap to the face! Spinning back hand! That does it. Brilliant match with brilliant performances by everyone except the referee, though, to be fair, the ref may have been put in a tough position of not being entirely sure if the wrestlers were going to kickout or not (forcing him to do uneven counts). That slight issue aside, this was a terrific match and another case in the argument that women's wrestling from Japan is the best form of wrestling ever produced. (4/5)


Takeshi Morishima vs. Bryan Danielson (09/15/2007, ROH): I really loved the first bout between the two from a month earlier so I wasn't surprised that this was great right from the jump with Danielson (sporting an eye patch) taking the fight to Morishima, who was the Ring of Honor World Champion at the time, but getting cut off right away with big boots, kicks, and clubbing blows. Danielson turns the tide with a beautifully reckless suicide dive and follows it up with uppercuts and running knees and a triangle choke. Danielson tries to apply a surfboard but has to settle for a not-quite-there bow-and-arrow due to Morishima's size. Danielson applies a rear choke and Morishima is brought to the mat and nearly passes out, but manages to wrest free and hit a scoop slam. Danielson gets Morishima up to the top rope in the corner and hits an awesome back suplex for 1...2....2.9! Danielson hits repeated elbows, but Morishima gets to his feet, only to get brought back with a tiger suplex...1...2...kickout...but Danielson applies the Cattle Mutilation! Morishima won't quit so Danielson boots him repeatedly in the head! Danielson applies another choke, but Morishima powers out with a powerbomb. Very cool sequence. Danielson hits some strikes but eats a huge lariat from Morishima for another 2 count. Beautiful back suplex by Morishima, but Danielson gets his foot on the ropes! A dueling "Lets Go Dragon/Morishima" chant starts up before Morishima unloads on Danielson, even pulling off his eye patch. Small package by Morishima for 2! Another back suplex by Morishima! Morishima strikes at Danielson's eye to a bunch of boos from the crowd. The ref calls it! The crowd hates that finish, chanting "bullshit," and it is an unfortunate ending to a match that seemed to be building to a much more crowd-pleasing conclusion. Storytelling-wise, though, this is excellent stuff with no wasted minutes. (4/5)

Harley Race & Nick Bockwinkel vs. Mighty Inoue & Yuki Ishikawa (08/12/1984, AJPW): I haven't seen many (any?) Nick Bockwinkel tag matches, so I was curious how he would work alongside legendary tough guy Harley Race. Bock gets a babyface reaction from the crowd, as does Race. At a relatively scant 10-minutes, this isn't an "epic" but I wouldn't call it a "sprint" either necessarily. Ishikawa and Race start things off, with Race getting slammed right out of the gate before coming back with one of his own. Race hits a nice back suplex and then tags in Bockwinkel, who maintains control with a scoop slam and a headlock. After an Ishikawa hiptoss, Inoue comes in and we get a nice exchange with a series of counters and reversals leading to a Bockwinkel headscissors on the mat. Bock makes the tag and Race punishes Inoue with a knee and a swinging neckbreaker for 2. Inoue hits a flying shoulder tackle and a front-flip senton but Bock breaks the count. Race tags out and Bock connects with a dropkick and applies a front headlock. Inoue gets out with a back suplex and tags in Ishikawa. Ishikawa comes down from the top with a forearm and then lands a beautiful top rope leg drop. Double atomic drop by Ishikawa and Inoue but Bockwinkel manages to tag in Race. After another quick tag by Inoue and Ishikawa, Race seems to be going for a flying headbutt but ends up in a sharpshooter by Ishikawa! Bock manages to break it up and Race regains control, hitting a piledriver that leaves Ishikawa in the ropes. In comes Bockwinkel, who hits a piledriver of his own. Hart Attack from the top rope! Race hits a stalling suplex and Bockwinkel prevents Inoue from breaking the count to end this one. Solid match that was loaded with action and didn't overstay its welcome, but not particularly remarkable. (2.5/5)


Rey Mysterio Jr. & Juventud Guerrera vs. La Parka & Psicosis (12/15/1997, WCW): This aired on Nitro and is jam-packed with high-flying and counters and cool double-team moves. Early on, La Parka and Psicosis perform a move I thought was invented by the Young Bucks. Other highlights include a powerbomb from La Parka, Guerrera performing a nifty through-the-legs victory roll I'm not sure I've seen before, a crazy Juvi Driver from the top, Rey hitting a beautiful crossbody splash on both the heels, and stereo somersault splashes to the floor. The referee, Charles Robinson, has no control over the match after about a minute in, but this is meant to a fun, super-loaded match to pop the crowd as many times as possible in a 10-minute span and it absolutely works. There are some unfortunate moments of the guys positioning themselves for the next spot, but who really cares? And, wow, Juvi's 450 at the end might be one of the best I've ever seen. This isn't a match that needs to be analyzed in terms of storytelling, character work, and psychology; it is a match that needs to be enjoyed for the insanity and innovation and energy. (3.5/5)




Shinya Hashimoto & Naoyo Ogawa vs. Toshiaki Kawada & Keiji Mutoh (07/06/2003, ZERO-1): I found this on YouTube but because it was labeled in Japanese, I had to do some research to even figure out what this was. Kawada and Mutoh arrive first, followed by Naoyo Ogawa and Shinya Hashimoto. Love Kawada being a badass in the beginning, shoving Mutoh to the apron so that he can go right up against Ogawa. The crowd responses early are deafening as Ogawa and Kawada start the match. It's a bit of a stalemate with some wrestling on the mat and both guys throwing stiff kicks to the body and trading knees and forearms too. Kawada gets some sustained offense in, rallying after a series of knees to the midsection, but Ogawa comes back with a back suplex and in comes Mutoh and Hash. Hashimoto is selling a bit of a leg injury from the very start, which Mutoh attempts to target with a dropkick. Mutoh shoots the leg, but Hash uses his size to control and grabs hold of his wrist. Mutoh counters with a leglock, which brings Ogawa in. Mutoh hits two dropkicks into Hash's injured leg and then pulls him into the center of the ring for another leglock. Ogawa breaks it up again and Mutoh tags in Kawada. Kawada hits Hash with a series of kicks and barely gets a 2 count so he applies an ankle lock. Hash uses the ropes to pull himself up and Kawada clobbers him, but this only angers the big man, as he comes back with a series of overhead chops of his own! Kawada kicks him in the leg, which puts him on a knee. Hash with a bunch more chops, but Kawada seems unfazed...so he hits him again and again and now it's Kawada's turn! Epic staredown in the corner before Kawada starts throwing kicks. Hash catches his leg and tags in Ogawa, who targets Kawada's thigh with a series of kicks. Kawada returns the favor and tags in Mutoh, who uses a dragon twist to bring Ogawa down and applies a figure four. Ogawa gets to the ropes so Mutoh drags him back in and tries for it again. Ogawa strikes, though, and then hits him with a back suplex. Hashimoto comes in and, again, Mutoh uses a dragon twist to bring his opponent to the mat. Mutoh does more work on Hash's knee and applies a figure four but releases it rather quickly. He goes for a Shining Wizard but Hash blocks it and hits him with a DDT. In comes Nogawa, who brings him up and down with a series of hiptosses before applying an armbar. Kawada breaks it up, but Nogawa pounds on him before he gets back to the ropes. Mutoh dropkicks him off his partner, so Kawada rolls on top and he wails on Nogawa! In comes Hashimoto! The referee has lost all control and Kawada is a man possessed, just destroying Nogawa with overhand punches! I'm not sure how Nogawa's head was not split open by some of Kawada's punches because they looked stiff. Nogawa crawls his way to Hashimoto and we get another big strike exchange. Kawada connects with a bunch of kicks but Hashimoto powers up! He dodges one and catches Kawada in the back of the knee. Kawada comes back with another series of chops and Hashimoto is down again and looking exhausted. Kawada takes Nogawa out on the apron. Kawada tries an enziguiri but Hash blocks it with a chop! Kawada's leg is in trouble and Hashimoto targets it as Nogawa goes after Mutoh. Hashimoto applies a leglock but it doesn't look all that good and Kawada manages to make it to the ropes. On the outside, Nogawa whips Mutoh into the rail. Hashimoto reapplies the leglock but, again, Kawada gets to the ropes as Nogawa stomps around the ring and pulls him back into the middle of the ring. Mutoh comes in and dropkicks Nogawa and then hits him with a Shining Wizard. Mutoh with the ground-and-pound on Hashimoto, but he keeps the leglock applied. Nogawa is back up to handle Mutoh! Kawada is screaming in agony! Nogawa with a rear choke on Mutoh and Kawada and Mutoh's cornerman finally throws in the towel! I wouldn't call this "must see" as its really no better than what one may expect (which isn't really a knock against it as much as just a recognition that even a "lesser" match from Hashimoto or Kawada is going to feature certain undeniably great elements), but the Kawada/Hashimoto segments are brilliant. Mutoh and Nogawa are good too, but their gameplans are so focused as not to lack much variation or creativity and I kinda wish there was someone in the match who brought a different style or flavor because you can't really "outkick" Kawada or Hashimoto. (3/5)



Chigusa Nagayo vs. Dump Matsumoto (11/07/1986, AJW): Another wild, wild, blood-soaked fight between Nagayo, who delivers a tremendous babyface performance, and Matsumoto, who is an absolute psycho bitch. Before the match can even start, Dump bloodies the referee with her chain. This match is all about the atmosphere and Nagayo's deep crimson mask as Matsumoto dominates most of its 15+ minute runtime aside from the occasional enziguiri or dropkick. The finish sees Nagayo get a lucky roll-up, but its enough to put Dump in the barber's chair. Like their previous Hair match (reviewed above), there were certainly plenty of great visuals to make this match work as an insane spectacle, but I do wish there was more actual wrestling going on and, about 2/3rds of the way through, I found myself getting a little bored by it. (3/5)

Kenny Omega vs. Dragon Lee (12/01/2019, AAA): I really enjoyed the Fenix/Omega match from a few months prior where Omega won the AAA Mega Championship so I was curious what this defense would be like. I don't think Omega has quite the same chemistry with Lee as he had with Fenix, though they attempt many similar sequences. I really liked Omega's smug heel act but I didn't find Dragon Lee to be particularly great in the babyface role and wish he would've gone "bigger" with the emotion and character work and selling. As good as both guys' execution is - and Omega performs some breathtaking maneuvers in this - this did not hit any emotional beats for me and the crowd seemed a bit reserved in their reactions too. On their worst day, these two are so good at wrestling that its hard to call this "average," but that's what it felt like. (2.5/5)

Chigusa Nagayo vs. Lioness Asuka (08/25/1988, AJW): Chigusa Nagayo came in as the WWWA World Championship. I was very surprised that this match was not posted on Cagematch and didn't have a write-up on ProWrestlingOnly because it is a very memorable match and, though I'm far from an authority on the Crush Gals, seems like a major "event" match. While the Crush Gals had broken up a year or two earlier and had had other matches against each other, this one for the top singles title in AJW and features character-defining performances from both women. Asuka is on the attack early, surprising her long-time tag partner with a big kick at the bell and then a moonsault. Asuka is relentless in her attacks throughout the match, ultimately resulting in Nagayo suffering a shoulder injury. She consistently sells the injury throughout the rest of the match and is never really able to maintain control of the match. It is a clear story and a dramatic one, but I do wish there were a touch more "high spots" to keep things interesting. There really are only a handful of great moments in this match - the airplane spin, a straight-jacket suplex, Nagayo getting knocked off the top rope and bumping to the floor - but this one is more about the emotion and the overall story than it is about anything particularly spectacular in the wrestling department. With so much damage to her shoulder, Nagayo is unable to effectively hit a German suplex and the ref calls the match, awarding the match (and the championship) to Asuka. The post-match is an awesome moment as Asuka rejects the championship as she had not truly defeated the champion and then finds Nagayo backstage and embraces her as she is laying down being helped by her team. Cool match, cool story, great performances, very intensely and tightly worked, but not an all-time classic in my eyes just because there weren't as many sequences or big spots that wowed me. (3/5)



WWE SummerSlam 2025

WWE SummerSlam 2025
East Rutherford, NJ - August 2025


CHAMPIONSHIP RUNDOWN: Coming into tonight's show, the WWE Universal Champion was John Cena, the World Heavyweight Champion was GUNTHER, the Women's World Champion was Naomi, the Women's Champion was Tiffany Stratton, Dominik Mysterio was the Intercontinental Champion, the United States Champion was Solo Sikoa, the Judgement Day's Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez were the reigning Women's Tag Team Champions, the SmackDown-brand's WWE Tag Team Champions were The Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis), while RAW's World Tag Team Champions were also the Judgement Day (JD McDonaugh and Finn Balor). Oh, and the Women's United States Champion was Giulia and the Women's Intercontinental Champion was Becky Lynch. 

SummerSlam (Saturday) began with Breland singing "God Bless America." I had never heard of him before. We then got a video package hyping the show, narrated by another celebrity (?) I didn't recognize. We then got yet another celebrity appearance, this time being the arrival of Cardi B, who was way too excited to being doing nothing of any substance.

Cut to: Jey Uso coming through the enormous crowd at MetLife Stadium for his match, tagging with Roman Reigns, against Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker (who were accompanied by their manager, Paul Heyman). This match started around minute 22 of the show...so, yeah, the opening of the show was not super fun (and its laughable that Michael Cole made a comment semi-recently about how 6-hour shows can "fatigue" wrestling fans - a little dig at AEW - when it takes close to a half-hour to start the first match on your 3-hour show). The babyfaces controlled early before Breakker nailed Uso with a strong clothesline off the ropes (his rope-running really is incredible). Reed came in and continued to dominate Main Event Jey, leading to a "We Want Roman" chant. Jey continued to work as the face-in-peril as the heels took turns beating down on him for a lengthy stretch. Breakker applied a headlock and then starting singing to Roman, which was a fun bit, before hoisting Jey into the air and dropping him chest-first across his knees. Breakker went for a splash on the table, but Uso dodged it and Bron ended up landing on it in an awkward position. This led to a great tag cut-off spot as Jey dove for Roman, but Bron caught him in the air while Reed knocked Roman off the apron. Uso came back with a big tornado DDT on Reed and finally made the hot tag to a huge pop. Reigns hit his signature flying clothesline and then his clubbing ones in the corner. He sent Breakker over the top and then hit a massive dive on Breakker and Reed on the floor, overshooting it a bit but somehow landing well enough not to break his neck. Back in the ring, Breakker went for a spear but Reigns caught him with the Superman Punch. Reed came in and hit Reign with a splash in the corner and then put him in a fireman's carry, but Reigns made the tag and took over with a superkick. Reigns cut off a splash attempt and then hit a Death Valley Driver for 2. Reed then hit a crazy suicide dive of his own, taking out both of the babyfaces and, a bit like Reigns, nearly landing on his neck in the process. Breakker hit a flying clothesline on Reigns over the announce table while Reed rolled Jey into the ring. After some gloating, Breakker and Reed hit the Steiners-inspired bulldog from the top rope for 2. Uso rolled to the outside and Bron looked to spear them both through the ring but ate a Superman Punch from Reigns and then got speared through the barricade! Reed rolled Jey back into the ring, but wasted a whole bunch of time, telegraphing that Jey would not be getting Tsunami'd. When Reed went to the top, Reigns hit him with the Superman Punch and then they busted out a One-and-Done for 1....2....Breakker broke the count! Breakker yelled and screamed at the crowd for a bit before blasting Jey with some right hands. In a great bit, he lifted and lowered his straps and went for a spear into Uso, but Reigns shoved him away and took the bullet! Uso superkicked Breakker, speared Reed, and then hit him with the big splash from the top to end things. This was mostly good, with Bron Breakker and Roman Reigns being the clear MVPs for their teams. Bron Breakker is not someone I watch week-to-week, but this was maybe the best overall performance - in terms of execution and heel work - that I've seen from him. (3/5)

Alexa Bliss and Charlotte challenged The Judgment Day (Roxanna Perez and Raquel Rodriguez) for their Women's Tag Team Championships in the next match. This wasn't the "cleanest" of matches and certainly wasn't as good as the 4-way tag match from Evolution a few weeks back, but it was alright for what it was. The crowd was quiet than they were in Atlanta too, but that may have been because they were in an open air stadium for this show compared to a smaller, more intimate arena. Alexa Bliss once again shined here, bringing a ton of energy and great timing to the match. Since returning, Bliss has routinely been the "glue" of her matches and I'm becoming more and more confident in my assertion that she is one of the most underrated overall performers that the WWE has had in the past 10 years, not necessarily under-utilized or deserving of a more prominent spot, but certainly underappreciated for her actual in-ring skill. On the negative side, Charlotte being capable of reaching out and making a tag with such ease - seriously, she seems perfectly capable of reaching a third-of-the-way into the ring at any given time due to her wingspan - made the tag cut-offs a little ridiculous at times and I wish the heels would've "cut the ring in half" even more. I liked the finishing sequence and the teasing of tension between Charlotte and Alexa when Bliss inadvertently clubbed her with a forearm. Overall, not necessarily a great match or anything, but not terrible. (2.5/5)

A commercial for Canelo vs. Crawford, an upcoming Netflix boxing (?) fight, aired. This was followed by Sami Zayn taking on Karrion Kross. I'd say Kross is "nothing more than an entrance," but his entrance isn't unique. Kross looked like he was a little off with some of his footwork early but rebounded nicely. Zayn was his reliable self and I liked seeing him become "unhinged" as the match went on. Scarlett handed Kross a metal pipe, but he hit Kross with a Blue Thunder Bomb before he could utilize it and the pipe went flying. When Zayn took back control, Scarlett handed him the pipe and he picked it up but ultimately chucked it to the floor to a big pop. Zayn followed it up with a not-so-explosive Exploder and a Helluva Kick to wrap this up in well under 10 minutes. This was filler-at-best and did nothing for Kross, who I assume will be leaving the company shortly as this did not seem like the kind of booking a guy with much of a future would receive. (2/5)

This was followed by yet another video package highlighting the career of Hulk Hogan...have we not seen enough of this stuff? Nick Hogan was shown in the audience before they went to another commercial break.

Tiffany Stratton defended her Women's WWE Championship against Jade Cargill in the next bout. Cargill controlled early, dropping Stratton with a snap suplex on the outside. Cargill's overconfidence cost her, though, allowing Stratton to nail her with a big suicide dive through the middle ropes. Stratton followed it up with a beautiful swanton dive, but got caught when she attempted a backflip elbow. Cargill hit a nice superkick and then her Eye of the Storm (a fireman's carry into a powerbomb ala Will Ospreay). We got a cool sequence soon after with Cargill suplexing Stratton from outside the ring back into and attempting to roll through but Stratton countering with a Falcon Arrow. A strike exchange followed with Cargill attempting a chokeslam but Stratton countering with a headscissors into a back elbow. Stratton went for her finish, but Cargill got her feet up! Cargill hit her finish, but when she rolled Stratton up, Tiffany's foot got tied up in the bottom rope! Really good sequence there. Cargill went for her finish again, but Stratton countered it again into a pin attempt. Cargill delivered a chokeslam and seemed to be in full control, attempting to hit Jaded from the top rope, but Stratton countered it into a body scissors and then hit the BME to get the clean win. Like the match that preceded it, this didn't have a very long runtime but it was never boring and, overall, the execution was good. Cargill wasn't super-protected in the finish, though, which makes one wonder what is next for her, but it wasn't a bad showing. (2.5/5)

A commercial for The Rock's new movie, The Smashing Machine, where he'll play Mark Kerr, aired next. Looks cool.

Jelly Roll and Randy Orton took on Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul in the next match. This was not my cup of tea. The three pros - and, at this point, I think Logan Paul could be considered a pro even if not at nearly the same level as Orton and Drew - carried Jelly Roll through your typical celebrity match. Jelly Roll did some basic moves and, to his credit, took a top rope splash through a table at one point and ate a Drew McIntyre Claymore, but this just isn't pro-wrestling that is worth checking out unless you're a Jelly Roll superfan (I'm not) or dying to see Logan Paul do a handful of the same high spots he always does. Fine for what it was, I guess, but I'm not the audience for this stuff so I was bored with it within a few minutes. (2.5/5)

Main event time - CM Punk vs. GUNTHER for his World Heavyweight Championship. Now, this match was more my speed. Hard-hitting, tremendous selling by CM Punk, great building of suspense around GUNTHER finally landing his chest chops, and an ending that utilized blood as a key turning point of the match (GUNTHER clearly bladed under the table when CM Punk pulled his legs out from under him). AEW fans would likely crave more, but for the WWE, I don't mind blood being treated like the kind of thing that represents a substantial change in momentum. Here, GUNTHER bleeding turned the tide after he had dominated a considerable portion of the match. The post-match saw Seth Rollins and Paul Heyman make their entrance with Rollins discarding his crutches and a knee brace before hitting Punk with a series of elbows, bashes with the briefcase, and then a Curb Stomp to win the title. Booking-wise, I can't say that I was intrigued by the ending (and the promise of even more Rollins/Punk drama) nor was I surprised by the "swerve" at all (Rollins' injury seemed, from the video I saw, to very much be exaggerated and purposefully done to "work" the fans), but I try not to rate matches too harshly based on my personal preferences for who should win/lose. Punk/GUNTHER had a great match (though not the all-time classic some have called it) and Rollins' cash-in got the exact type of response that it was designed to do. (3.5/5)

Night Two began, after the requisite intro from Triple H, with Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY challenging Naomi for her WWE Women's World Championship. Naomi was played to the ring by her father, which was a cool moment. Naomi tried to avoid contact early, but SKY and Ripley ended up getting her between them and hitting her with a series of strikes before teaming up to beat her up in the corner. The match opened up when Ripley inadvertently booted SKY in the face and Naomi got some offense in. Highlights included Naomi planting IO with a hanging X-Factor, IYO's springboard missile dropkick, a nifty sequence resulting in Rhea hitting a face-first Electric Chair slam on IYO, and Ripley busting out a Razor's Edge-Powerbomb combo. I also liked the commentary team going into Naomi's story, a benefit from having a working relationship with TNA that I wish they'd extend to companies they aren't partners with. On the negative side, there were timing issues where Ripley or IYO needed to pause for Naomi to come off the ropes early on, but by the time they got to the second half, those issues faded and the cut-offs were all on-point. The MVP of the match was IYO, though Naomi and Rhea had great moments too. IYO is just about as good as anyone between the ropes, her bumping and selling, facial expressions, and offense all being top shelf. This wasn't quite at the same level as the match from WrestleMania, but it wasn't that far from it. A very good opener to Night 2. IYO and Rhea in the same ring is basically a "cheat code" for the WWE because you're guaranteed at least a very good, if not outright great, match. (3.5/5)

Next up - The Street Profits vs. #DIY vs. The Motor City Machine Guns vs. Fraxiom (Nathan Frazier and Axiom) vs. Andrade and Rey Fenix vs. The Wyatt Sicks in a TLC match for the WWE Tag Team Championships. This is the first Fraxiom match I've ever seen. Right off the bat, I feared that this match was too loaded with bodies. They wasted very little time getting to the dives and ladders. Highlights included the Profits double-back body dropping Gacy (but missing the ladder entirely, which seemed like it hurt even more) and then repeating it to make sure they did hit the ladder, Fenix nearly grabbing the belts by just jumping onto Andrade's shoulders, DIY trying to launch Ford through a table only for him to dive over the post onto Fraxiom, Sabin dropkicking Gacy into the seat of a chair, Johnny Gargano hitting a ridiculous tornado DDT that put Gacy through a table, Lumis following it up with a crazy senton through a table, Fenix putting Frazier through a table with a frog splash, and then Axiom hitting a Spanish Fly through a whole bunch of tables (!). At this point, Candice LeRae showed up to help her husband (who was recovering on the outside), but as she climbed the ladder, B-Fab showed up and slammed her off the ladder and into a stack of chairs. Nikki Cross (Abby the Witch) brought B-Fab down with a Russian Leg Sweep off the ladder, allowing LeRae to make another trip up the ladder. Unfortunately for her, Montez shoved Ciampa into the ladder and she came down hard, going through a ladder right in front of the announce table. Crazy. Erick Rowan came in to beat up on the Profits as a whole bunch of folks seemed to run to LeRae's aid on the outside. The Profits were able to take Rowan out by putting him through a table with a double shoulder block. Ciampa went for the titles but MCMG pulled the ladder out from under him. Frazier went to hit him with a dive, but Ciampa pulled himself up and was hanging upside down! Wow. Not sure I've seen that before. Ford sprinbgboarded to the top of the ladder, but Axiom met him up there as MCMG set up a ladder of their own. DIY climbed up too with everyone getting a hand on the titles at one point. Bo Dallas (Uncle Howdy) dumped the ladders, sending DIY through a whole bunch of tables. Howdy climbed up but ending up getting sunset flip powerbombed through a ladder by Andrade! Fenix climbed up but Gacy and Lumis brought him down with a chairshot and a suplex-powerbomb combo. This allowed the Wyatt Sicks to retain in what was, easily, one of the best and most crazy, action-packed TLC matches in several years. Everyone in this match went all-out to make this as memorable as possible and it was the first real "must see" match of the weekend because of it. (4/5)

At this point, they showed a clip of Triple H meeting with Donald Trump. I'm not sure if, when it aired live, you could hear the live crowd (I recall seeing on Reddit that there were audible boos when he appeared on the screen but the video may have come from someone in attendance), but the crowd was completely muted on the replay. 

Becky Lynch defended her WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship against Lyra Valkyria in a No CO/No DQ (Streetfight) in the next match. Lynch and Valkyria were given well over 20 minutes and, because of it, portions of the match dragged, especially after the unfortunate zip tie episode (in which Valkryia's zip-tied hands came loose after a slam and re-tied herself as the commentators tried to make sense of what they'd just seen). That small gaffe aside, I really liked Lynch's use of the steel chair towards the end of the match and wish they'd gotten to it sooner as, by that point, the match felt like it had "peaked." Bayley ended up saving Valkyria from getting struck with a crowbar - which, like Triple H's sledgehammer, struck me as a weapon that seemed a bit "too extreme" for the WWE - but then getting sent over the barricade by Lynch after they'd brawled around the ring. This led to an awesome table spot from Valkyria, but in the end, an errant Bayley forearm cost Valkyria the match (and per the stipulation, any future title shots against Lynch). Its hard to say to what degree my enjoyment of this match was limited by the fact that it came after a ridiculous spotfest, I've become a bit "cool" on Becky Lynch (and this being their fourth PPV match, if you count the Bayley triple threat), and it went so long, but I can't deny that these factors did play into my appreciation. (3/5)

Solo Sikoa vs. Jacob Fatu for Sikoa's United States Championship in a Steel Cage was next. I was very "cold" on this match coming in as I'm not a Solo fan and have been generally bored with the never-ending Bloodline story, which almost feels like if the nWo storyline had become focused entirely on Stevie Ray and Brian Adams. Fatu came out looking like The Beast Mortos. Nothing super-remarkable aside from Fatu bringing his usual energy, which was enough to re-ignite the crowd (which was a little dead after the Lynch/Valkyria marathon). Over on Cagematch, this match has been torn to shreds but I don't think it warrants that kind of visceral hate. It was unremarkable but inoffensive to me, the kind of match that exposes just how tired this storyline is and just how much Fatu is being wasted having to continuously carry a storyline built around a bunch of guys who, combined, have about a 10th of his charisma and presence. All the run-ins in the world couldn't save this and one has to wonder, after a match where a zip tie (and a chair) were used to essentially handcuff one of the competitors for minutes on end, if there was a lack of communication between agents/producers to allow this match to also feature handcuffs (in this instance, Fatu being cuffed to the cage but then breaking free in mere seconds). The post-match seemed to point to a continuation of this rivalry but here's hoping they won't run much of it on the PLE cards because it is completely unworthy. (2/5)

Dominik Mysterio defended his Intercontinental Championship against AJ Styles in the next bout. Styles was rocking Eddie-inspired gear, which was neat. Styles looked his age at time, not quite as quick on his feet as he once was, but that's also to be expected with how much more muscle he put on for this latest run. Both Dom and AJ have extensive offensive movesets and they dished out pretty much everything they had, including a bunch cribbed from Rey and Eddie. I didn't love the transition into AJ's Calf Crusher as Dom came off the top with a "flying nothing." The bit with the chair that followed, where both guys feigned being hit by it while the ref was distracted, was a high point, though. The finish saw AJ (struggle to) pull Dom's boot off while he applied the Calf Crusher and then got walloped with it behind the ref's back before getting hit with a frog splash. I liked that, during the replay, Cole and Barrett saw that Dom had loosened the boot in expectation for the Crusher, which really was clever. Its too bad that this show saw people kick out of all sorts of chair shots, table spots, getting hit with wrenches, and being choked with metal chains to make this sort of finish really "work." In a vacuum, though, this was a good-not-great match that didn't overstay its welcome or try to be more "epic" than it needed to be. Solid. (3/5) 

After Stephanie McMahon announced the night's attendance, it was Main Event Time - John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes in a Streetfight for Cena's WWE Championship. This was a psychological mess to me, though it was an improvement from Cena's previous title defenses. On the SmackDown before this show, Cena had cut a promo apologizing to the WWE audience and essentially ending his 6-month heel run in less-than-dramatic fashion. It was a tacit admission that Cena's heel run was a creative dead-end and that the WWE simply wanted us to act like it never happened. Which is exactly how John Cena and Cody Rhodes worked this match. They threw in a ton of "greatest hits," but maybe only one truly innovative one (Cena bringing Cody up in AA position on the stage lift being the best of the bunch). I liked the callback to the Cena/Umaga match with the use of the bottom rope turnbuckle, but was less amused by Cena hitting a Code Red on the floor and then grinning like a middle schooler, eschewing any sense that this was a major championship match that was supposed to be grueling, painful, and dangerous. With neither guy playing the role of villain - the 70/30 pro-Cena crowd made it seem like a double-turn could've worked - it was a finisher spam-fest devoid of any real "heat" between the opponents. Any sense of vitriol was taken out of the match within the first 10 seconds when Cena hugged Cody and Cody inexplicably accepted that "the old John Cena" was back. Yuck. When it came time for Cena to potentially use the WWE Championship belt to win the match, he tossed it aside, a gesture that would've worked had it not been for the fact that, minutes earlier, Cena had attempted to choke the life out of Cody with a ring rope and had put him through multiple tables. Make the match a straight-up singles match and Cena choosing *not* to utilize a weapon speaks volumes. Him not using it here felt a little silly in this specific context, especially after we'd seen wrestlers try to maim each other with chairs, crowbars, ladders, and a wrench throughout the show. As I noted earlier, overall, this was way funner than the other Cena defenses of this year. Cena doing his finisher-spamming schtick and overloading a match with table spots is an improvement from him purposefully working at half-speed to build heat and then going into a screwy finish after a dull 20 minutes. But this might've been too much of a recoil for me as Cena completely abandoned any of the character motivations he spent the last 6 months cultivating. (2.5/5)

Oh, and would-be accomplice to sex trafficking Brock Lesnar returned after the match to F5 John Cena to a huge pop. 


With an overall Kwang Score of 2.83-out-of-5, SummerSlam 2025 was a considerable step-down from last month's Evolution show and last year's one-night edition. The best match of either night was the TLC match with the Rhea/Naomi/IYO match not too far below it. No surprise there, really, as the wrestlers involved seemed the most motivated to give fans something new and exciting rather than relying on old hits. The return of Lesnar and Cena abandoning his heel persona a mere 48 hours before this show and instantly burying his months-long feud with Cody Rhodes by hugging it out in the first minute of their match left a really poor taste in my mouth and, based on the reception to the show in the days after it aired, I was not alone in this opinion. A show that was often just "okay" with a few slightly-above matches. 

FINAL RATING - Watch It...With Remote in Hand