WWE Crown Jewel 2024

WWE Crown Jewel 2024

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 2024

CHAMPIONSHIP RUNDOWN: Coming into the show, the WWE Championship was held by Cody Rhodes, the World Heavyweight Champion was GUNTHER, the Intercontinental Champion was Bron Breakker, the United States Champion was LA Knight (yeah), Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill were the Women's Tag Team Champions, Liv Morgan was the Women's World Champion, the Motor City Machine Guns were the WWE Tag Team Champions (somehow), Nia Jax was the WWE Women's Champion, and the Judgment Day were the WWE World Tag Team Champions. But, yeah, AEW is the only company with too many titles...

At one point, I had zero interest in watching Crown Jewel shows just because of how shady and awful the Saudi government is, but I guess the WWE's normalization of putting on shows like this has worked over time as there are no longer loud protests against them and I find myself watching them despite my moral misgivings. Anyway...

The show kicked off, somewhat surprisingly, with Roman Reigns and the Usos (the original Bloodline) taking on The New Bloodline of Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, and Tama Tonga. Roman got a massive pop from the live crowd, but Jey Uso's "Yeet" entrance was also super over. With entrances and the post-match segment, this one went 20+ but none of it had the magic of the Bloodline's peaks in 2022 and 2023. Roman still has plenty of aura and, by limiting his minutes in the match, you did get the sense that they were holding back a ton and really trying to spotlight the other five men involved...but that also meant the match was stagnant at times as viewers waited for Roman's shine and nothing really mattered until he came into the match. There were also some noticeable nearfalls where the kickout either wasn't captured on camera effectively or just didn't occur at all. Credit to Roman for giving Solo "the rub" but, no matter how many guys they put Solo over - Cena, Cody, KO, Orton - the real issue is that he's a one-dimensional heel that isn't very captivating in the ring in a time when it takes serious star power and charisma to get over if you're not very special between the bells. Contrast that with Jacob Fatu, the clear MVP of the match and easily the most interesting and exciting member of the New Bloodline, who has leapfrogged ahead of both of the generic Tongas and, arguably, has the highest ceiling of anyone in the match (aside from Roman, who is already a tip-top main eventer with no more mountains to climb). The crowd went wild for Sami Zayn, but even his reunion with Roman and the Usos felt a little underwhelming and lacking the emotional impact of their better work together two years ago. This wasn't bad and it certainly set the table nicely for Survivor Series where I'm guessing we're all but guaranteed a War Games match. (2.5/5)

Next up - a Fatal Fourway Tag Match for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships with the champions, Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill, defending against the teams of Chelsea Green and Piper Niven, IYO SKY and Kairi Sane, and relative newcomers and NXT graduates Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson. This was okay and I'm glad the performers received a "This Is Awesome" chant at one point for their efforts, but I was not as big a fan. The team of Legend and Jackson hit a ridiculous double-team maneuver towards the end that was incredible to witness but could easily cripple someone. IYO and Kairi had a rare botch, but I don't necessarily mind that sort of stuff as it shows that "high risk maneuvers" really are high risk. Overall, not a bad match and another "table setter" as I expect Belair and Cargill to split up sooner than later to build towards Mania. (2.5/5)

Seth Rollins took on Bronson Reed in the next match. Rollins and Reed did some brawling before the bell, which was a nice way to sell the intensity of the feud. Unfortunately, it would be repeated later in the night, which hurt the show overall by coming off as repetitive. I really dug Bronson Reed's MF Doom-inspired gear. I haven't been following this rivalry super close but this felt a lot like the Hogan/Earthquake or Bret/Bigelow matches of the past where Rollins spent most of the match bumping and selling and trying to avoid Reed's dreaded top rope Tsunami splash. He didn't do a bad job of it and he certainly tried his best to help make Reed come across as a monster, but this didn't hit an emotional higher gear and I'm not sure anyone believed Rollins was ever in real danger. I doubt that this feud will go anywhere as Rollins will likely head into WrestleMania for a more substantial feud with CM Punk. This was so-so, another average match. (2.5/5)

The first ever Women's Crown Jewel Champion would be crowned in the next match as Women's World Champion Liv Morgan took on Women's WWE Champion Nia Jax. They were in a bit of a tough spot as both Morgan and Jax are heels and neither one is known for being much of a ring general. Morgan and Jax had a decent contest but things definitely got more interested and exciting once Tiffany Stratton, Raquel Rodriguez, and Dominik Mysterio showed up, all of whom got huge responses. This match didn't overstay its welcome either, which was another positive because the dynamic of two villains duking it out would've likely led to Morgan getting babyface reactions just because of the size difference. Morgan's Crucifix Bomb looked awful and Jax rolling herself up after it was a bad bit of improv; they really should've sold it as Morgan being unable to hit the move. (2.5/5)

Randy Orton and Kevin Owens were supposed to compete in a grudge match next, but Owens attacked Orton with a chair before the bell the match never got started as they proceeded to brawl inside and outside of the ring, their war ending when Owens hit a cool-looking elbow drop onto the Viper through a table in the crowd. We also saw both Orton and Owens toss around random referees and authority figures, which is why the match was "waived off" according to Cole. This was a nice way to build Orton and Owens' feud, but I would've likely been disappointed if I was a fan in attendance and expecting to see a real match, especially considering that none of the matches on the card before this were very good.

LA Knight defended his United States Championship against Carmelo Hayes and Andrade in the next match. Finally, something fast-paced and energetic and featuring guys that were clearly working to impress and pop the crowd. This was a whirlwind of action with lots of clever sequences and not too much of any guy playing dead on the outside of the ring, something I appreciate. This wasn't as good as the Ospreay/Takeshita/Ricochet match that we got at WrestleDream, but nobody should've or could've expected that level out of these three. Still, this was a ton of fun and maybe even the best LA Knight match I've seen in terms of workrate and energy (which may have something to do with his opponents, who both work a much faster and high-flying style that contrasted with Knight's meat-and-potatoes approach nicely). I wouldn't call this must-see, but it was the first match that came close on this card. (3.5/5)

Main event time - Cody Rhodes vs. GUNTHER for the Men's Crown Jewel Championship. The crowd was super behind Cody here, but GUNTHER had his fair share of supporters too, which isn't too much of a shock because his chops and strikes are so good. Rhodes and GUNTHER have great chemistry and they're both incredibly skilled at working a "WWE style" match that builds up over time and tells a clear, methodical story...it just doesn't always make for the most captivating bout and the crowd engaging in a "wave" didn't help one bit (though I loved GUNTHER mocking the crowd's behavior). When trading simple bodyslams is a major part of a wrestling match, you know you're not getting a match at the level of a Will Ospreay showcase in terms of innovation, but that doesn't mean this wasn't good for what it was. GUNTHER countering a Disaster Kick into a Boston Crab and then into a sleeper and then into a german suplex (and another sleeper) was a real nifty sequence and this match could've used a couple more of those, if you ask me. Cody eventually connected with a Cross Rhodes (which drew another "This Is Awesome" chant that I'm not sure was quite warranted) but GUNTHER came back with a big dropkick and then a powerbomb for 2. Rhodes comeback from here almost felt like something out of a Hogan match as he fired up and withstood a whole slew of slaps and strikes before hitting another Cross Rhodes for 2. From here, we got something a fluky finish as Cody attempted a Super Cody Cutter from the top, GUNTHER countered it into sleeper but then Cody rolled over and pinned his shoulders to the ground for a clean three count. Not a terrible ending as it protected GUNTHER a bit to have it end in such a sudden "out of nowhere" way rather than GUNTHER suffering a more definitive, decisive loss, but also somewhat unsatisfactory in the same way. (3/5)

With a Kwang Rating of 2.58-out-of-3, Crown Jewel 2024 was a decent show featuring a bunch of okay-to-good matches but nothing I'd go out of my way to see unless you're super passionate about the United States Title scene. The opener and main event brought the star power, but nobody involved had a career night save for maybe Jacob Fatu. Neither of the women's matches were anything special, though neither was especially bad either and the booking throughout the night definitely set the stage nicely for the Survivor Series coming up at the end of November. 

Another 17 Random Matches

More randos...

Bryan Danielson vs. Low Ki (PWG, 1/5/2008): This match was for Danielson’s PWG World Championship. This is “classic” Danielson when he was a bad ass, globe-trotting World Champion who controlled matches using his technique and toughness, a very different character than the one he played in the WWE. Danielson and Low Ki had quite a bit of history on the indies but this was their first match in a few years according to Cagematch. Lots of great submission holds by Danielson on display and Low Ki’s kicks and strikes are great, but I would’ve liked a few more “high spots” to get away from the somewhat repetitive submission-based wrestling that made up the majority of this 25+ minute match. Unlike an ECW or AEW crowd, the PWG fans seem a little reserved and quiet for most of the action, which doesn’t really help the atmosphere or the presentation. I liked the finish a good bit as it felt very earned and like a big moment for the winner, but I wouldn’t consider this “must see.” (3/5)

Mitsuharu “Tiger Mask II” Misawa vs. Kuniaki Kobayashi (6/21/1985,AJPW ): Tiger Mask and Kobayashi both get loud pops to start the match and there’s another big one as soon as the bell rings. Kobayashi hits a big kick early and then tosses Mask to the floor. He whips him into the rail and Misawa takes out the whole structure! Kobayashi looks like he may go flying off the top, but opts not to. Another spinning heel kick to the back of the head when Tiger Mask gets back in the ring, but Tiger Mask hits a beautiful dropkick of his own and then a scoop slam and an elbow. Very hot opening to this match before Misawa applies a headlock to slow things down. Some good technical wrestling follows with both guys countering and reversing wristlocks using their agility. Misawa does a wild flip to avoid getting tripped up by Kobayashi but gets grounded anyway with a body scissors moments later. Misawa sweeps Kobayashi’s legs and then hits a beautiful crossbody and a big flying clothesline before applying a head scissors of his own. Kobayashi escapes and pulls Tiger Mask’s arms behind his back. Misawa reverses the hold. When Kobayashi regains control, Tiger Mask kicks out of it and Kuniaki is sent to the floor and into the very flimsy guardrail. Back in the ring, Kobayashi hits some big kicks and then a tombstone piledriver for 2. Sunset flip by Misawa for 2. Misawa goes for a dropkick but Kobayashi doesn’t fall for it. Kobayashi back body drops him, but Misawa lands on his feet! Another big kick by Kobayashi but the action continues at a breakneck pace and Tiger Mask hits a somersault kick off the top for a very close 2 count! Back suplex by Kobayashi and then another heel kick. Dropkick on the arena floor by Tiger Mask and then a somersault dive to the floor by Tiger Mask! Wow. This crowd is going wild for all of this too. Kobayashi makes his way back into the ring and gets scoop slammed again. Misawa goes to the top and hits another missile dropkick, but once again, only gets 2. Fisherman suplex by Kobayashi for 2 and another and this one gets him. A terrific match, maybe just a hair short of “must see.” I was surprised to learn that Dave Meltzer considered this the best match of 1985. (3.5/5)

Nick Bockwinkel vs Curt Hennig (AWA, 11/21/1986): Is it controversial not to gush over this match? Not to consider it the best 60 minute match of all time? Maybe I’m just too “modern” of a fan, but this one lost me for stretches, especially during its first half. It is during this first half of the match that the babyface/babyface dynamic worked against it as Bockwinkel and Hennig trade holds for lengthy stretches but I don’t really register any “heat.” If you’re a fan of the sport of pro-wrestling, you might find all this to be riveting, but as someone who enjoys a bit more sizzle, I wasn’t as drawn into it. The second half is markedly better as Bockwinkel and Hennig’s selling really comes into play and we eventually get Hennig sporting a full crimson mask. Still, there were occasions when I’m not sure I understood why Hennig didn’t make attempts to cover the champion, especially after hitting him multiple times with “The Axe.” It can not be understated how good Hennig and Bockwinkel’s selling is by the end of this match and, in terms of submission-trading and technical wrestling, I can see why people would consider this one of the greatest matches of all time. It didn’t live up to the hype, unlike the Steamboat/Flair marathons or even some of the recent ones in AEW, which tend to incorporate more action and rely less on lengthy mat-based wrestling. Nearing “must watch” territory, but not quite there and a hard match to recommend. Maybe the best way to describe it is as an “acquired taste” that only connoisseurs of pro-wrestling can truly appreciate. (3.5/5)

Jumbo Tsuruta vs. Genichiro Tenryu (6/5/1989, AJPW): This one is for Jumbo’s Triple Crown Championship. Definite “big fight feel” as both guys get the streamer treatment before the match starts. Stan Hansen is shown outside the ring, watching from a seat. A strike exchange to start and Tenryu almost gets him with a german suplex. Tsuruta applies a headlock and repeatedly cranks it. Tenryu gets him to the corner and hits him with some chops. Tsuruta with a bulldog for 2 and then applies a sleeper/cobra clutch. Jumbo goes for the flying knee again, but once again Tenryu counters it. Jumbo does land the big boot and then another after some hard Tenryu chops. A beautiful elbow drop by Jumbo gets 2 and its back to the clutch. He releases the hold only to stomp and pound on him and Tsuruta begs him to get to his feet, taunting his dazed opponent. A series of axehandles to the back wake him up and Tsuruta maintains the pressure with some more stomps before bringing the fight out of the ring. Whip into the guardrail and another axehandle by Tsuruta. He rolls him back into the ring and Tenryu lands a vicious clothesline and then a huge crossbody on the floor! Tenryu rolls Tsuruta into the ring and unloads some stiff strikes before applying a leghold that also leads to some nearfalls due to the leverage and Jumbo’s shoulders being down. Tenryu repositions and is just clobbering Jumbo in the jaw with forearms! Dang. Stiff kicks to the back from Tenryu, but Jumbo counters with an overhead belly-to-belly and a cover for 2. Jumbo reapplies the rear clutch as Hansen watches on from the apron now. Tenryu gets his foot on the rope and the hold is broken. Jumbo lands the running knee but only gets 2. Jumbo wants a powerbomb (or piledriver) but Tenryu back drops him. Tsuruta maintains control with another double axehandle and stomps followed by an abdominal stretch. Tenryu uses his strength to flip him over and he’s got Jumbo’s arm, but Tsuruta reaches the ropes. Tenryu follows it up with a series of chops and then a pair of headbutts than send Jumbo to the floor. Tenryu with another big running clothesline for 2 and then another round of chops leading to a strike exchange. Jumbo cracks Tenryu in the side of the head and Tenryu is holding his ear. Tsuruta goes for a suplex but Tenryu resists. Irish whip into the corner and a big running knee from Jumbo! This time the back suplex works, but he can’t make the cover in time. Jumbo with more axehandles and a nasty forearm off the ropes, but Tenryu gets his foot on the rope during the subsequent pinfall attempt. Flying lariat by Tsuruta for another nearfall. Jumbo lands a bulldog but again Tenryu kicks out. Bodyslam by Jumbo and then an absolutely ridiculous knee drop off the second rope. He goes for the cover, but Tenryu’s got his feet on the ropes. Jumbo with another knee drop from the second rope and then another. Again, though, Tenryu is just too close to the ropes. A Lou Thesz press leads to another two count, but Tenryu is just too tough. Jumbo with another knee to the back of Tenryu’s skull and then a hard-fought back suplex by the champ that only gets 2. He goes for another Lou Thesz Press but Tenryu drops him onto the top rope, giving him a little bit of time to recover. Jumbo maintains control, though, and lands another high knee off the ropes for 2. I use to think a high knee as a finish was really dumb when Brutus Beefcake used it in WCW, but Jumbo’s are awesome. He goes for another in the corner but Tenryu dodges him, hits a heel kick, and then rolls him up for 2. Tenryu with a stiff clothesline and then a piledriver attempt but Jumbo back drops him instead. Jumbo attempts another belly-to-belly, but Tenryu counters it by locking his leg and they both tumble to the mat. It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective and “real.” Bodyslam by Tenryu and then he misses a back elbow drop from the top rope. Tsuruta with more axehandles but he is clearly exhausted. He comes off the ropes but Tenryu catches him and sends him neck-first into the top rope and then follows it up with another clothesline and another heel kick…but Jumbo is still standing! Tenryu with a powerbomb! That looked great but only got 2. Tenryu tries another, but Jumbo resists…only for Tenryu to finally pull it off! We’ve got a new champion! Hansen raises Tenryu’s hand in victory. Jumbo attempts to shake hands with the winner but Tenryu essentially brushes him off. There’s very little to criticize in this match. I think knowing the context and the characters would’ve made me more excited, but the crowd certainly made it clear how big of a moment this was and Jumbo is incredible throughout. I think the one thing missing was Tenryu’s emotion and selling, which are a bit more subdued. He comes across as a super tough competitor, but there’s something still kinda “cold” about his in-ring demeanor compared to the plucky, often over-the-top underdog babyfaces I’m used to watching. Considered by many to be one of the best matches of all time, I would consider this “must-see” but maybe just short of being a true masterpiece, mainly just due to that lack of visceral, emotional “feeling” that other matches have. (4/5)

Tomohiro Ishii vs. Keisuke Yamada (3/10/1998, WAR): Dang this one starts off stiff with both guys slapping the heck out of each other. There’s a cut in the action early - probably for a commercial break - and when we return, they are whacking the tar out of each other. Things go from crazy to super crazy once they go to the outside and Ishii sends Yamada into a whole bunch of empty chairs, then proceeds to hit him with a pair of brutal chair shots and a DDT on the floor. Seriously sick stuff. Another cut and we’re back in the ring and somehow Yamada is not only alive but in control of the match. Yamada sends Ishii into the chairs now and then into the post before bashing him with a chair and then practically murdering him with one to the back of the head followed by a jumping DDT on the apron onto a chair. Again we get a darned jump in the action and now its Ishii in control. Ishii hits a standing suplex for 2 and then destroys Yamada with a clothesline. He lands a piledriver and goes to the top, connecting with a beautiful headbutt…but somehow only gets 2! Yamada fights back but gets caught in a german suplex for another nearfall. Another cut in the action and when we’re back Yamada hits an insane clothesline. Yamada goes to the top, but Ishii keeps cutting him off and eventually brings him down with a superplex for another nearfall. On the mat, they butt heads and then Yamada just waffles him with a slap. Another strike exchange and then an enziguiri by Yamada and another for good measure. Flying knee drop from the top by Yamada but Ishii kicks out. Ishii with an insane cradle, but the fight continues and Yamada hits a DDT from the top rope to end the match. Ishii attacks after the bell, refusing to accept the loss. The two men continue brawling outside of the ring, making it clear that this rivalry is far from over and deeply personal. Ishii throws a chair into the ring with absolutely no regard for who else it decapitate. It’s kinda unfair to grade this match because so much of it wasn’t shown. The version we get is all killer-no filler and brutal, insanely physical and personal from the very start with seemingly neither man taking any sort of break. I’m not sure if watching the full match would leave me thinking that neither guy was doing enough selling, especially Ishii (at one point, he somehow no sells having the edge of a chair ran into the back of his head), but I could also see this match working because it played out like a genuine, hate-filled fight where pride, anger, and passion were driving every minute and giving both men the ability to withstand the extreme punishment they were being put through. Based on what we do get, this is an insanely fun 8-minutes of wrestling, but not “must see” because we don’t get the full story. (3.5/5)

Kerry Von Erich vs. Jumbo Tsuruta (05/22/1984, AJPW): This was a best 2-out-of-3 falls match for Kerry’s NWA World Championship. I’ve not seen a ton of Jumbo matches and I’m really only familiar with Kerry’s work as the Texas Tornado in the WWE, which is considered by most to be after his prime (he lost half of his leg in 1986). A collar and elbow to start followed by a series of wristlocks and reversals before Kerry hits a dropkick. Good wrestling follows, very spirited and tight. Tsuruta applies a headlock and it is super snug, but this is no “resthold” as Kerry works hard to try to maneuver out. Kerry sends him to the ropes, catches him with an arm drag, and then applies an arm bar, but Tsuruta brings him up in a fireman’s carry and sits him on the top rope. Tsuruta starts delivering some strikes and Kerry sells them huge and, after some struggle, gets lifted for a suplex. Kerry grabs a wristlock and wails on Tsuruta but gets caught with a crossbody for 2 by the challenger. Tsuruta applies an abdominal stretch and then rolls up the champ, but Kerry gets a shoulder up. This leads to both guys trying to apply submissions on the mat with Kerry working for a Claw but unable to lock it in. Great psychology there! Kerry isn’t able to apply to Jumbo’s head, but he applies it to his stomach and Tsuruta sells the agony. Jumbo fights him off and we’re back to a straight fight. Tsuruta grounds the champ and applies a half nelson and then a front facelock, but Kerry lifts him up and sets him on the top rope. I like the mirror show of disrespect there. Things are heating up for sure when Kerry shoves Tsuruta and then Jumbo does the same back. Von Erich goes for a single leg but can’t get it and ends up in a waistlock. Jumbo hits a flying knee and nearly sends Kerry out of the ring and then hits another that does the trick. Kerry climbs back and tries for a sunset flip but only gets 2. Jumbo hits a heel kick and then a back suplex and scores the first fall. I kinda wish he had strung together more offense to earn that pin, but 2-out-of-3 falls matches have their own logic as the champion might choose to eat a pin in order to get a “breather.” Both guys go to their corner to recover and strategize, giving this much more of a realistic, “sports feel” than most pro-wrestling matches. Jumbo comes out swinging, beating down on Kerry with big forearms and sending him into the turnbuckle. Von Erich is busted open and staggers around, dazed and woozy from Jumbo’s big right hands. Kerry hits some kicks and some punches and forearms of his own and then a snap mare and a knee drop. He applies a sleeper and Jumbo goes down to the mat as Kerry’s blood drips on his face. Jumbo gets to his feet and brings Von Erich into the corner but Kerry hits him with another explosive dropkick! Von Erich goes for a Claw, but Tsuruta catches him and beats him down in the corner. The ref finally pulls him away to let Kerry recover but Tsuruta continues to control things, landing a big vertical suplex for 2. We get a head-on collision that sends both guys to the mat and Tsuruta hits a piledriver but Kerry kicks out at 2! Big uppercuts by Jumbo, but Kerry is still fighting and we get an epic strike exchange and then the Claw! Tsuruta tries to fight his way out, but he’s brought to the mat. Jumbo manages to somehow bridge out of it, but Kerry won’t let go of the hold and he pins him the second time to even the match. Kerry won’t release the hold after the bell, but finally lets go and Jumbo needs help from his corner men, really selling the damage here by having to be revived by having water poured over his head. I’m not sure this kind of presentation would work in today’s climate, but that’s the cumulative effect of nobody’s finisher being treated as truly dangerous. Kerry comes out swinging and attempts another Claw but Jumbo blocks it and then slides out to the floor. Von Erich whips him into the corner but runs into a knee and then Jumbo goes after Von Erich’s hand, bashing it against the turnbuckle and stomping on it. Great psychology there as the champ is now without his greatest weapon. After doing some more damage to Kerry’s hand on the outside, Jumbo brings him in with a vertical suplex for 2. Von Erich eventually makes something of a comeback, hitting a back suplex and then a piledriver. He misses a falling back elbow from the top and then gets waffled by a knee strike before Jumbo applies a boston crab. They end up spilling out of the ring, each guy trying to pull the other to the floor with Kerry applying a Claw but Jumbo back-suplexing him out of it. A double-countout is our finish, which is a disappointment after an otherwise very good contest. As much as I love Von Erich’s performance in this match and how much of a competitive battle this was with moments of absolute brilliant psychology and selling from both guys, the finish is so deflating that it is hard to recommend seeking this out. (3.5/5)

Samoa Joe vs. Necro Butcher (06/11/2005, IWA-MS): This is an absolutely brutal but relatively short death match. There's a noticeable botch when Joe attempts a powerslam in the stands, but it kinda doesn't matter because there is so much stiffing and violence going on that it all comes across as crazy anyway. I like that this match doesn't rely on too many weapons - though there is ample use of chairs and the guardrail - and that the most vicious moments are really just when Necro's head is getting dropped and slammed onto concrete. I also thought the runtime was sort of perfect in the sense that it felt realistic. A match like this shouldn't last 30 minutes, but they do all the time in AEW and even back in the day when the WWE would do similar types of Last Man Standing matches (Triple H and Shawn Michaels had at least two I can recall). These sorts of matches aren't generally my cup of tea, but this was a very entertaining and violent match that also featured some fun commentary from CM Punk and Eddie Kingston. Worth checking out. (4/5)

Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Ultimo Dragon (01/04/1993, NJPW): These two guys should've and could've had an all-timer, but they don't. I am not scared of lengthy submission-based stretches of wrestling to build-up to the more high-octane stuff, but the early mat wrestling was outright boring after the first 4-5 minutes. Dragon has two noticeable botches that also hurt the match and because the match is really told in thirds - the mat wrestling stretch, Dragon's heat, and then Liger's comeback - I found myself becomingca increasingly impatient to see Liger take control and steer this match in the right direction. Liger's offense is so good that he is able to do so, but then he does something that makes no sense like a lazy cover. A very underwhelming and disappointing match because of the talent involved. (2/5)

"Speedball" Mike Bailey vs. Will Ospreay (10/21/2023, TNA): The TNA crowd is super into this from the very start, which is unsurprising considering that Bailey and Ospreay were/are considered to be among the two most entertaining wrestlers on the planet. This match was named TNA's Match of the Year in 2023. The high spots are spectacular, as one might expect, but I also dug Bailey's kicks and his reverse hurricanrana might be the best I've seen. I haven't seen a ton of Ospreay matches outside of his AEW run, but he's his usual level of terrific in this match, his offensive sequences seamless and full of signature offense. I really loved the way Ospreay hit the Hidden Blade coming out of a strike exchange, but was surprised he didn't go for the cover immediately after (which sort of made the match feel a bit too much like an "exhibition" and not like a contest between two guys both trying to actually win the match). Bailey's Ultimate Weapon finish is an unreal move that I hadn't seen before. Ospreay's second Hidden Blade to the face of Bailey was insane, but Bailey came back with a crazy moonsault-into-double knees move that was brutal. Bailey followed it up with a "fisherman buster" off the top rope (another move I'd never seen before), but Ospreay came back with a Styles Clash and then a Storm Driver 93' (Tiger Driver 91') that should've ended the match but didn't. Ospreay hit him with a third Hidden Blade and then a Storm Breaker to finish him off, but it felt a little "hat on a hat" to me. (4/5)

Akira Taue vs. Mitsaharu Misawa (4/15/95, AJPW): The crowd is electric for this match and hugely on the side of Misawa, chanting his name multiple times throughout the contest at a deafening level. Not being super versed in Japanese wrestling or the back story behind a match like this certainly hurts it in the sense that it takes a bit of post-viewing research to fully understand what you've just watched. It is critical to understand that Misawa had suffered a broken orbital bone prior to this match, which is why Taue's targeting of his eye gets such tremendous heat. It is also important to note that Taue was on a bit of a win streak coming into this tournament final, effectively building him up as a huge challenge for Misawa and maybe even something of a "favorite." Misawa is a great babyface here, super tough and resilient, but Taue was arguably even more impressive as the nasty monster heel who won't stay down either. Great physicality throughout and some cool "big moves" including Taue landing a chokeslam from the apron onto the floor to get a huge reaction. I also liked all the various suplexes (including a back suplex from Taue that also brought Misawa from the apron to the floor). My only real gripe might be that, while everything looked good and crisp, I tend to like a bit more variety in my action and, though its not necessarily the wrestlers' fault, some shoddy camera work that hurt the production and had me guessing what exactly happened (including a pretty important nearfall where Misawa getting his foot under the rope wasn't caught at all). (4/5)

Samoa Joe vs. Low Ki (10/5/2002, ROH): This is Samoa Joe's debut for Ring of Honor as he had been "hired" by Christopher Daniels' heel Prophecy stable - if I'm not mistaken - to take out Low Ki. Joe may have been making his debut for Ring of Honor here, but you see no lack of confidence at any point, which is pretty remarkable. He and Low Ki proceed to have a super hard-hitting match with both guys nailing each other with strikes from beginning to end. Joe's signature offense wasn't yet fully known or appreciated by the live crowds yet, but a bunch of it can be seen here in slightly different or not-yet-perfected form. I'v read reviews that compare this to an MMA fight and while I wouldn't necessarily go that far, it is very, very different than what the WWE was doing at the time and, in terms of mainstream US wrestling, a good decade ahead of its time (at least). The kickouts at 1 are not my favorite thing, but they do make it clear that these two guys are super tough - as if eating a bunch of open palm slaps to the face and chest wasn't enough evidence - and I'd argue that the match is maybe a touch "one dimensional" because it is, literally, just two guys slapping and kicking the crap out of eachother with a few submissions and suplexes thrown in, but overall, this is a really good, almost great match that falls just short of "must see" for me. (3.5/5)

Mitsuharu Misawa vs. Stan Hansen (08/22/1992, AJPW): I've been enjoying watching more and more All Japan wrestling from the 1990s and have generally enjoyed everything I've seen so I expected to be blown away by this. Unfortunately, it felt like it was stuck in one gear for most of its duration. There are stray moments of brilliance and the crowd is absolutely electric for this, but every time it seems like it is going to go from "just good" to "great," it stalls out again and we get another rather boring sequence or someone selling on the mat or on the floor for too long. Hansen's work on Misawa's shoulder, for example, is terrific...but I'd argue that it is almost too much to make Misawa's comeback believable. After the beating that Misawa takes, it should take a tremendous amount of varied offense and huge moves to put down Hansen and I felt like we never really got that sustained flurry of high-impact offense. The finish felt a bit abrupt and "out of nowhere" too, though that could be because I'm not super familiar with Misawa's signature stuff. After reading so many other reviews of this match, its clear that I'm not in the minority who felt underwhelmed by this match. (3/5)

Mark Calloway (as "Punisher" Dice Morgan) and Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Shinya Hashimoto and Masa Saito (03/02/1990, NJPW): The selling point of this match is to see Calloway working pre-Undertaker, though I'm sold on basically any match involving Hashimoto. I did not remember Masa Saito being this huge, but he is seriously beefy here and I'm guessing he was equally as big a few months later at Starrcade 90' (one of the few other shows I've reviewed that he worked). Anyway...this certainly isn't "must see" but the future Phenom is arguably more impressive here than in any of his WCW matches as he shows a ton of energy, goes off the top rope twice, and hits a nice-looking jumping leg drop. It's also fun to see him get his chest chopped by Saito and to also have to withstand some of Hashimoto's always-deadly offense. Bigelow is clearly the more experienced of the two and the better worker at this point (was he ever not would be a question worth debating). No worse than average. (2.5/5)

Nick Bockwinkel vs. Wahoo McDaniel (08/28/1983, AWA): Nick Bockwinkel is one of the best bumpers/sellers I've ever seen and this is a remarkable performance. There's no commentary on the video of this match, but you don't really need it because the action is so good and the crowd is so enthralled. Even Heenan, on the outside, is terrific as a heat magnet, his facial expressions and body language incredibly expressive. Wahoo's offense isn't going to blow you away, but Bock's selling makes every chop and punch look devastating. The transitions are smart as the champion has to use a chair and part of the guardrail to bloody Wahoo and mount any sort of offense. Bock's split-legged sell is a thing of beauty and he utilizes a half-dozen times. This is a brawl and a great one and, despite its brevity, feels like a real battle and like Bockwinkel barely survived it, needing to use a chair to hold onto his title. (4/5)

Sangre Chicana vs. MS1 (09/23/1983, EMLL): This is a Hair match. MS1 starts the match on top, stomping and beating down on Sangre on the outside of the ring. Within the first minute, Chicana is bleeding. MS1 comes back out of the ring after doing some gloating and just decks him with a huge right hand. That didn't looked pulled one bit. Chicana looks like he's been legitimately hurt and can't even get into the ring because MS1 keeps blocking him with kicks and then beating him up outside the ring. MS1 hoists him up and dumps him in the ring and then sends him into the corner before they continue their brawl on the outside. Great splash from MS1 for the first fall. Chicana regroups on the outside as MS1 continues gloating in the ring. Again, MS1 attacks on the floor and dumps him back into the ring before leveling him with another huge right hand. Chicana's selling comes off a little "extra," but he's also a total bloody mess and the "big selling" adds more than it detracts. When Chicana finally gets a punch in, it is a HUGE deal and then he connects with another and then another and then hits a nasty dive to the floor! Great desperation spot there and badass babyfacery. Chicana wins the second fall by countout. Chicana comes out swinging for the final fall, blasting MS1 with a right hand and then bashing him into the apron. Both guys are now awfully bloody. They spend a fair amount of time just "selling" the blood and the exhaustion from this fight. Compared to today's wrestling, this match has a fraction of the action you'd get in even the slowest, safest WWE match. MS1 hits a suicide dive to the floor and gets a 2 count after both guys roll back into the ring. MS1 tries an interesting roll-up I'm not sure I've seen before but only gets 2. A third attempt gets another 2 count as Chicana continuously leaves himself open for pin attempts. Senton by MS1 for another nearfall. MS1 briefly applies a chinlock before hitting a beautiful double-underhook suplex for 2. MS1 goes for another dive to the floor but Chicana is able to step aside and the heel practically throws himself into the chairs at ringside. Throughout the match, Chicana is constantly slapping himself in the head. I'm not sure if that was to keep the blood flowing or to energize himself. Chicana then hits another suicide dive and this one connects big time. At this point, this match has maybe featured 6 total "moves," but one could never describe either man's efforts as "lazy." Chicana makes a cover but only gets 2. MS1 with a body slam and then a failed splash. Chicana with a pin attempt but only gets 2. MS1 attempts a somersault senton from the top but Chicana rolls away and then applies a cool-looking submission and that's it. I've seen this match ranked as people's all-time favorite and while I thought it was very good, I didn't love it as much as I thought I would. There are lengthy gaps before the big "spots" if you can even call someone leveling someone with a right hand a "spot." The dives are great, for sure, but nothing revolutionary. This match is beloved because of the undeniable drama and the viciousness of the fight and the "visuals," but this is a top 100 match for me, not top 50. (3.5/5)

Negro Casas vs. El Hijo Del Santo (07/18/1987, WWA): This is a Hair vs. Mask match so the stakes are high for both men. Solid mat wrestling to start this one off with an especially good head scissors by El Hijo. The first fall happens super fast and feels a little "unearned," especially as the referee takes his time even getting in position (making the pinfall feel more like 7-8 seconds and not 3). Casas shows off for the crowd before the next fall and then comes out swinging with a dropkick. Casas maintains control, delivering punches and a snap mare out of the corner. El Hijo's bumping is great as he takes an extra "bounce" at times. El Hijo finally gets a break when he comes off the ropes with a running knee and then gets a flurry going, getting Casas to submit via a surfboard after Casas takes an awesome "legs-first" bump off the ropes. Again, it doesn't feel like these falls are as "earned" as what you get in American or Japanese wrestling, but that's the genre, I guess? El Hijo keeps the heat on, but Casas cuts him off with a right hand and then runs him into the ring post. Casas with a huge dropkick and then a catches Del Santo off the ropes and Alabama Slams him back to the mat (I'm sure that's not what they called that move in Mexico). Casas tries to rip off El Hijo's mask and the referee desperately tries to stop him. El Hijo Del Santo gets a series of nearfalls but gets cut off by a brilliant cartwheel-into-a-back elbow move by Casas. Wow. Sick move. Big dive by Del Santo to the floor! Del Santo tries for a crossbody back in the ring but Casas evades him. Casas goes to the top rope but falls off and Del Santo hits a somersault for 2. He attempts a cobra clutch but has to settle for another surfboard. This time Casas is too close to the ropes. A back body drop sends Casas to the floor and Del Santo launches himself with a huge crossbody to the floor! We see crazier moves today, but that was still excellent. Back in the ring and Casas regains control with a body slam. He goes to the top rope but Del Santo is right behind him and brings him down with an Electric Chair. Del Santo applies the clutch, but Casas resists and it takes some struggle to fully apply the hold. He is wrenching on Casas back and this one is over! Great, great match that makes me want to see much more from both of these guys. (4/5)

Pegasus Kid & Negro Casas vs. El Hijo Del Santo & Villano III (01/25/1992, UWA): The match starts with Benoit and Casas beating down on the babyfaces and the referee having already lost control. Benoit with a big crossbody early on Del Santo and Casas gets the first fall with a half-crab. The editing of this match makes it come across as a bit choppy with the camera angles jumping so much that it feels like there are seconds of the match being cut off. That being said, the action is almost uniformly terrific and spell-binding, especially when Casas and Del Santo are in the ring together. Benoit is clearly a little bit "off" at times - there's an awkward exchange with Villano around minute 5 - but its not too atrocious. The babyfaces get the 2nd fall when Santo applies a surfboard and Villano hits Casas with a bunch of fists. Awesome. Into the final stretch, the heels work on the babyfaces with Benoit trying his best to de-mask Villano. Cheap heat or not, its effective. With Villano locked up in the corner, Casas hits him with some big fists. Benoit attempts an axehandle but Villano dodges it and he hits his own partner instead! On the floor, Casas and Del Santo brawl it out and Casas gets sent to the guardrail. In the ring, Villano gets 2 with a cradle. Villano with a big DDT but he only gets 2 as well. Casas breaks up an abdominal stretch and now its him and Del Santo back in the ring together. Casas attempts his cartwheel back elbow but Del Santo dodges it. Big legs-first bump from Casas and he goes to the floor only for El Hijo to launch himself with a huge crossbody! Wow, that was like a 15-second re-encapsulation of the match between them I just watched and it was excellent. Villano gets the victory moments later when Benoit misses a flying headbutt. I can't imagine that leading to a finish in 2024, but it worked well here. Fun stuff. (3.5/5)

WWE No Way Out 2000

WWE No Way Out 2000

Hartford, CT - February 2000

CHAMPIONSHIP RUNDOWN: Triple H was the WWE World Heavyweight Champion coming into this show, Crash Holly was the Hardcore Champion, Kurt Angle held the European Championship, Chris Jericho was the Intercontinental Champion, Jacqueline was the Women's Champion, Essa Rios was the Light Heavyweight Champion, and the New Age Outlaws were the WWE World Tag Team Champions. 

No Way Out 2000 kicks off with a video hyping that this night might be the last time we ever see Cactus Jack as he puts his career on the line in the main event. I remember, even back then, thinking it was awfully suspicious how they kept referring to Foley as "Cactus Jack" and not coming out and directly stating that if Foley lost, it was Foley - under any gimmick - that would be forced into retirement. Also, I remember thinking that after their hellacious match at the Royal Rumble in January, there was almost nothing that Foley and Triple H could do to top it or top Foley's Hell in a Cell match with the Undertaker and so there was almost no way this match wouldn't be underwhelming. Anyway, Jim Ross comments that tonight's show might be "the most emotional ever," which is an awfully weird thing to say not too long after Owen Hart literally died in the ring...

Chris Jericho defended his Intercontinental Championship against Kurt Angle in the opening contest. This wasn't "must see," but it was very good for its time and was an excellent showcase for both Jericho and Angle (who also got to cut a promo before the match). This was a "transition" period for the WWE as, in 98', one could argue that the number of actual decent in-ring performers was rather low with guys like X-Pac, Jarrett, and Owen really doing a ton of heavy-lifting against lesser and less experienced workers like Val Venis, D'Lo Brown, and Steve Blackman. In 99', though, the roster really improved with Jericho's arrival, the debut of Angle, and both the Hardys and Edge & Christian showing what they could do without restraints. Jericho and Angle cut a very brisk pace though there are still some restholds thrown in to slow things down and tell the story. Chyna is pretty useless on the outside until the finishing stretch. This is the kind of match that explains why Angle was considered a "prodigy" because, considering how few matches he had under his belt, he was already very smooth, very exciting to watch, and knew how to balance being an unlikeable heel with also being a dangerous competitor. (3/5)

Unfortunately, the show goes on a bit of a downturn from here as The Dudley Boys challenge The New Age Outlaws for their WWE World Tag Team Championships. If I'm not mistaken, the Outlaws were heels at this point and part of the McMahon-Helmsley Era or whatever. Their shtick felt so dated by this point and it hasn't aged any better, but is undeniable that they were still over the live crowds.. There's really not much to this match as the Dudleys cheat to win. I read later that this led to the split of the Outlaws, a storyline I don't remember much from. (1.5/5)

Mark Henry vs. Viscera is the next match. This was bad and the lead-up to it was embarrassing and unfunny as Mark Henry had supposedly impregnated Mae Young and Viscera had almost caused a miscarriage by splashing her. Anyway, again, not much to say this aside from noting that JR makes a remark about this match likely not earning "many stars" because it is nothing more than two monstrous men fighting it out. I don't personally care too much about Meltzer's ratings, but I will say this - if a match is going to be objectively bad, maybe don't put it on PPV? Anyway, at least this didn't last long and Viscera does deliver a nice spinning heel kick, so it's not completely devoid of any positives. (1/5)

Christian and Edge, still being promoted as actual brothers, took on a team of actual brothers - The Hardys (with Terri Runnels) - in a match to decide who would be challenging for the World Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania. On Sunday Night Heat, Terri had hired the APA to make sure nobody else got involved. Anyway...these two teams had put on a barnburner at No Mercy a few months before this, but they had the advantage of being able to use ladders to keep the crowd popping. Here, they have a harder task of needing to keep the crowd engaged without those extra bells-and-whistles and they deserve credit for doing so over a lengthy 15+ minute match. Jeff Hardy busts out all sorts of high-flying stuff that looks terrific. Edge and Christian aren't quite in full-on heel mode, but their double-teams are good and their control segment is fine. There are some small gaps in the action when they seem to lose the crowd, but, to be fair, audiences at the time weren't quite conditioned for lengthy tag matches like the ones the WWE routinely put on PPVs in the 80s and early 90s. The final few minutes are really good and its kinda sweet to see these guys deliver a bunch of signature moves that JR doesn't know how to call because they weren't true signature moves yet. Terri Runnels turn on the Hardys at the end and I actually like the clever booking there as that explains why Terri would've hired the APA (to make sure her plan went off without a hitch and to guarantee that the Hardys wouldn't try to exact revenge after the bout is over, which they attempt to do). Above-average match, for sure. (3/5)

Tazz vs. Big Bossman is next. Big Bossman is accompanied to the ring by Prince Albert. Tazz and Bossman brawl outside of the ring and then the match falls apart once they get inside it as Albert interferes and it becomes a 2-on-1 beatdown. The objective here was to get Tazz's toughness over as he refuses to stay down despite the attack from the heels, but I'm not sure it works. I feel like Tazz would've gained much more just getting to beat Bossman in a somewhat competitive match, but Vince didn't want to give him that "rub" yet because he was an ECW guy and I think Vince always had an issue with Tazz's height. Anyway, this is barely a match so its hard to rate it, but I know its not good whatever it is. (1/5)

Next up - X-Pac vs. Kane in a No Holds Barred match. One cannot comment on this match without discussing the storyline that led up to it. In 1999 - if I'm not mistaken - X-Pac and Kane were a hugely successful tag team, winning the WWE Tag Team Championships on two occasions. The partnership also led to the "humanizing" of Kane as he became a full-fledged babyface during that run and even had an on-screen girlfriend named Tori. Then, towards the end of 99', with the creation of the Helmsley-McMahon Regime and the reunification of DX officially as heels, X-Pac turned on Kane and then revealed that he'd been hooking up with Tori too. X-Pac's betrayal was a gut punch and got legitimate heat from the audience so this match was set and most fans agreed that it was time for X-Pac to get his comeuppance, especially considering they'd already faced each other at December's Armageddon show. For the majority of the match, Kane is in full control and nothing X-Pac (or Tori) can do has much effect on the Big Red Machine. I'm pretty staunch in my opinion that Kane is a mediocre-at-best worker, but this match was solid and featured just enough movement and bells-and-whistles to keep me entertained. Overall, it's a good match and doesn't overstay its welcome and X-Pac does everything he can to make Kane look like a monster...but the finish, designed to extend the program, was highly controversial at the time and only looks worse in hindsight as the two would go on to compete in a meaningless tag match at WrestleMania 2000 and then, based on Cagematch, not have a true blow-off match. Kane ended up okay because the nature of his character allowed him to be "heated up" whenever needed. X-Pac didn't have much of a run after this match and, if I'm not mistaken, it is around this point where the term "X-Pac Heat" began to be used to describe guys that the audience was sick of seeing in any capacity. Seeing Kane tombstone a woman has also not aged well, but hey, what should one expect from WWE in the late 90s/early 00s? (3/5)

Rikishi and Too Cool took on The Radicals (Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko, and Perry Saturn) in the next match. Eddie Guerrero was at ringside, but he'd injured his arm while delivering a frog splash on Raw before this show. Rikishi and Too Cool were arguably at their peak of popularity at this time, which probably is why Vince thought they'd have a monster heel in Rikishi once they revealed he was the guy who ran over Steve Austin. Of course, that angle flopped pretty hard, not least of which was because Rikishi's reasoning ("I did it for The Rock") made little sense and they also were dumb enough not to have him change his look at all and keep wearing the sumo outfit (which only served to make Rikishi look like a somewhat comedic character all along). Anyway...If you're looking for a great Benoit or Malenko match, this is not the one to watch, though it is interesting to see them clearly wrestling a more "WWE style" that is heavy on chicanery, stooging, and keeping their own offense simple so as not to get any potential cheers from the crowd. Rewatching Too Cool matches, it is clear that Scotty 2 Hotty was the superior worker, though I still find The Worm to be corny. The crowd was super into this and they told a good story, but this wouldn't be a match I'd try too hard to see. (3/5)

The Big Show took on The Rock in a Number One Contender's Match for the WWE Championship. The story coming into this was that The Rock's feet had touched the ground at January's Royal Rumble before he eliminated The Big Show. The video clearly shows that Big Show was correct, but few cared because The Rock was so immensely over as a babyface. This isn't the worst match ever, but Big Show had clearly lost most of his aura - or whatever remained of it - since his initial push in WCW in 96', when guys like Sting, Flair, Luger, and Savage had really made him look like a true top-tier talent. The action is good and fast-paced and because The Rock is so over, the crowd is definitely engaged in every minute. The Big Show bringing a chair into the match makes no real sense unless you really, really overthink things and pretend that everything that happens in the last two minutes was planned and accounted for by Shane McMahon, which is hard to find reasonable. Shane McMahon's heel turn - I don't even recall him being a real babyface, but he certainly gets a massive ovation when he arrives - was what this match was all about and it was an effective one. Not great, but not terrible. (2.5/5)

Main event time - Cactus Jack vs. Triple H for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in a Hell in a Cell match where Foley's career is also on the line. I don't think I had seen this match since I first watched it some 20+ years ago on the couch at my buddy Zak's parents' house. I remember, even then, thinking that the hype around this match was going to be impossible to overcome. For starters, the commentators had really played up the idea that if "Cactus Jack" lost, he'd be forced to retire...which wasn't necessarily the same thing as saying Mick Foley would retire. (During the match itself, Lawler clarifies that it did mean that all of Foley's personas would be forced to retire too). Then you have Foley really overselling what he was planning to do to Triple H, stating that his plan was to toss Triple H off the cage and then come crashing down on him, a spot that nobody expected to happen but was still teased. Of course, the biggest issue was that Foley had taken the two craziest bumps in WWE history - I don't think they've ever really been topped in terms of risk factor either - in the previous Hell in a Cell match and so the expectations were super high as to how he might top himself. With such unfair expectations - not that the WWE did anything at all to lower them - Foley and Triple H set up to disappoint and, at the time, this match was a disappointment. Decades later, on re-watch, though, this match is excellent and arguably the 3rd, 4th, or 5th best Hell in a Cell match ever. Foley's bumping is great. The use of weapons is terrific. Both of Foley's big falls, while obviously lesser than what he did against The Undertaker, were still tremendous. I wasn't a huge fan of some of the psychology; Why did Triple H climb atop the cell again? To escape Foley? From that height, he had no way to win the match and once Foley began climbing up - after inexplicably trying to toss a chair up that would've ended up in the hands of the Game, who already had a barbwire 2x4 - he didn't even try to climb down. I did really like how part of the match revolved around the shoddy construction of the cell as it added a real sense of danger to what has become, 20 years later, something of a staid affair (though I'm not sure every gaffe was planned [if it was, kudos to the WWE production for fooling me when Triple H's foot nearly fell through part of the ceiling]). Loved the repeated the use of the steel steps, but was less impressed at the use of fire, which seemed a touch "forced" as a way to make up for a match that both competitors knew couldn't and wouldn't live up to the impossible-to-reach hype. Foley's final bump is an unreal visual and the production team deserves some serious credit for pulling it off as, despite a little bit of internet sleuthing, I'm still not 100% sure how they were able to pull it off (most assume that while Triple H and Foley were brawling on top of the cage, someone underneath the ring was removing boards and placing the crash pad). After the match, Foley's farewell didn't quite seem "big enough," potentially because, to the WWE audience, Foley's most beloved character was always Mankind and not Cactus Jack. I wouldn't call this match a "hidden gem" because it has always been out in plain sight, remembered by just about anyone who was a fan of the WWE at the time, but not nearly as praised as the Foley/HHH streetfight from January's Rumble or Mick's infinitely more famous Cell match against Taker in 98'. It's unfortunate that those two matches cast such a huge shadow over this one that this match, and Foley's performance in it, are rarely mentioned. (4/5)

Though its 2.44-out-of-5 Kwang Score would lead you to believe this show is too uneven to recommend, No Way Out 2000 was a good show as a whole and a considerable step-up from some of the real low points of 1999 (specifically December's Armageddon show). The main event is very strong, Jericho/Angle and the Hardys/Edge & Christian matches are considerably better than almost anything the WWE's midcard had seen in a few years at least, and the X-Pac/Kane match, despite its awful booking, might be one of Kane's best matches (thanks to X-Pac pinballing himself all over the place to keep things moving). It also doesn't hurt that the crowd was very much into things and the weaker bouts - the Tag Titles match, Viscera vs. Mark Henry - were kept short.

TNA Sacrifice 2009

TNA Sacrifice 2009

Orlando, FL - May 2009

CHAMPIONSHIP RUNDOWN: Coming into this show, Mick Foley was (somehow) the TNA World Heavyweight Champion, the Legends Championship was held by AJ Styles, the TNA World Tag Team Champions were Team 3D, Angelina Love was the Knockouts Champion, and Suicide was the X-Division Champion. 

The show kicks off with an X-Division six-man, The Motor City Machine Guns teaming with Abdul Bashir (Shawn Daivari) to take on Eric Young, Consequences Creed (Xavier Woods), and Jay Lethal (in his "Black Machismo" gear). Creed is the star of the early going, his offense looking excellent. When the heels take over, Shelley hits an awesome running knee off the apron and they work to cut the ring in half but end up arguing with each other a bit and nearly costing themselves the match. Lethal gets the hot tag and takes out everyone before nearly finishing off Bashir with a dropkick. The Guns trip him up, which leads to a big double-dive from Young and Creed and then another nearfall for the babyfaces. Lethal attempts his big elbow drop but is cut off by Shelley, who then delivers a devastating brainbuster. Shelley goes to the top but Creed stops him and then, moments later, bulldogs him from the top into Lethal's finisher. We get another nearfall and the match basically falls apart as everyone starts hitting big moves, flying all over the place, double-teams galore, its all good stuff (though I wouldn't necessarily consider it worthy of the "This is Awesome" chant that erupts). As good as some of the sequences are, there's also some noticeable moments of overt cooperation and the match goes at least 2-3 minutes too long. The finish doesn't make much sense either as the referee costs Bashir the match for no real reason (if Bashir had been messing with the ref at various points in the match, it would've really helped). (3/5)

Abyss and Dr. Stevie Richards join Daffney as she makes her way down the aisle to take on Taylor Wilde in what I believe was the first ever Women's Monsters' Ball match. The "wrestling" in this match isn't great as Daffney and Wilde aren't necessarily the smoothest workers, but the real problem here is that this match is super short and, though there are a few good weapon shots and the finish itself is a nasty bump, they could've and should've been given more time to build towards it. After the match, Daffney and Richards attempt to beat down Wilde and have Abyss toss her into some thumbtacks, but Abyss hesitates as Wilde's best friend Lauren comes in to try to stop him. She gets shoved down by Richards, which leads Abyss to chokeslamming Richards into the tacks. As a segment, the crowd was into it and Abyss and Richards were good in their roles, but the match itself was not long enough. (1.5/5)

Next up - Christopher Daniels vs. Suicide. The story coming into this match is that everyone believed it was Daniels under the Suicide mask because he needed a loophole to return to TNA after being "fired" in December 2007 (he would compete throughout 2008 under the Curry Man gimmick and was then "fired" again 2008). By the way, the fact that Daniels "won" the pink slip in the first two Feast or Fired matches is great. But then Daniels and Suicide started appearing together. Unsatisfied and believing all of this to be a big conspiracy, Don West is insufferable on commentary during this match. Speaking of West, compared to his work in the previous few shows I've reviewed, he has gone full heel mode at this point and it does not make for better announcing. I can understand TNA Creative wanting to have a heel commentator as this was a tried-and-true formula, but Don West isn't a good enough performer - because being a heel commentator means putting on a performance - to pull it off. In this match he is particularly awful as he repeatedly refers to the action as a "performance" and argues that Daniels and Suicide are just putting on a convincing "fake" match...which is a path one really shouldn't go down when discussing any wrestling match. Anyway, this match is meh. At times it is really slow and, surprisingly, Daniels and Suicide (Kaz) botch what seemed like an attempt at a piledriver spot at one point. The majority of the match is heatless because neither guy has a clear alignment and, while his in-ring work is routinely crisp, Daniels had zero gimmick here to help him connect to the crowd in any way. I also really disliked the closing stretch as Suicide got taken out by a pretty weak Alex Shelley move and oversold it and then we got an extra 5 minutes tagged onto the match - which led to a time-limit draw and Suicide retaining the championship because Daniels didn't want to win the title "the wrong way." This was a real disappointment because one would've thought Daniels and Kaz capable of something much better. (1.5/5)

Angelina Love defended her Knockouts Championship against Awesome Kong in the next match. I wasn't expecting much out of this contest, but it exceeded my expectations. As good as Kong is, she's not a miracle worker and really needs a very dynamic, athletic opponent to clash with her as the monster regardless of face/heel alignment. Love was not known as a strong in-ring performer but she brought really good energy and character work in this match and I liked the "little things" she did to try to capitalize on every possible advantage. Seeing her take a back drop onto the ramp was a bit rough considering that she clearly got concussed at Lockdown the month before. The screwy finish was fine, but Awesome Kong continuing to destroy Love during the post-match seemed a bit heavy-handed and arguably made Love too sympathetic. (2.5/5)

Samoa Joe took on Kevin Nash in the next bout. The Samoa Joe "Nation of Violence" gimmick is one of the weakest re-packagings in TNA history, though I do wonder how much of it was Joe's vision. What's weird is that Joe didn't necessarily need a refresh because there was nothing necessarily wrong about his presentation in 2008 aside from him no longer really being the focus of the World Championship scene and not having enough direction beyond wanting to get revenge on Kevin Nash, which was a bit of a creative dead-end because Nash was so clearly past his prime. Here, Joe does his thing and puts in effort and Nash tries his best to really make Joe come across as a killer (including getting some "color"), but it still feels like a flat match and not like the huge personal victory for Joe that it probably should've been. It also, oddly, ends with Joe attacking Nash during the post-match in a way that a heel might. (2/5)

Beer Money took on The British Invasion (Doug Williams and Brutus Magnus) in the next contest. Magnus hadn't debuted too long before this and was pushed like a big deal, but was too vanilla to stand out. Beer Money hadn't done much to turn babyface, but were definitely treated as such and even had Team 3D singing their praises on commentary. This was maybe slightly above average, but nothing revelatory. This didn't overstay its welcome but did seem a bit longer than its 11-minute runtime (most likely due to the pre-match video and promos and Team 3D getting an entrance to do commentary). (2.5/5)

The TNA Legends Championship was on the line next as Booker T challenged AJ Styles in an "I Quit" match. This was a bit underwhelming because "I Quit" matches, especially the ones we typically got in WWE at the time and to this day, usually start off as more technical and submission-based and then ramp up to become more like a "death match" or, in the WWE's case, involve lots of set pieces. This was much more straightforward and was more about two guys putting forth a ton of effort and energy to try to defeat the other. It was a battle of stamina and endurance and not necessarily about violence and, as it wore on, I did find myself wondering when it was going to escalate. The finish was very unfortunate as Kevin Nash's girlfriend Jenna threw in the towel to make it clear that Booker - nor Sharmell - were willing to quit. After 16 minutes of a respectable, honorable battle, this probably would be better remembered if Booker had been willing to just go ahead and give Styles the clean W. (2.5/5)

Main event time - Mick Foley vs. Sting vs. Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett in a fourway match with each man "sacrificing" something if they lose as Foley puts up his TNA World Championship, Sting puts up his career, Angle puts up his role as the Godfather of the Main Event Mafia, and Jeff Jarrett puts up his remaining stake in the company. Not a great match by any means, but not too terrible either. Foley takes a lengthy breather during the match by joining the commentary team. It's a good way to get heel heat but, as I wrote about in my Lockdown review, I feel like the heel character didn't work 100% in 2009 because Foley was always such a sympathetic guy and had been treated as such for a decade by this point. Angle is the best performer in this match, but its a bit too muddled at times for me. Sting practically disappears from the match at one point. I was surprised to read such positive reviews for this match over on Cagematch as I thought it was just so-so. (2.5/5)

Overall, Sacrifice 2009 isn't the worst TNA show I've watched. It might actually be one of their more consistent shows, only it is consistently just "okay." With an unremarkable Kwang Score of 2.25-out-of-5, it'd be impossible to recommend this match as a whole. In fact, you wouldn't be missing anything great if you turned it off after the opener.