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Wrestling’s 4Rs 12.13.13: WWE Raw & ROH TV, FIP & NJPW on iPPV Reviewed
How the 4Rs of wRestling Work!
Here is a quick explanation of the 4R’s. The column will run TWO times a week. We will group our feelings on the shows in various categories: The Right, the wRong and the Ridiculous. The Right is stuff that worked very well: a great promo, a great match and so on. PuRgatoRy is a section between the right and wrong. It shows equal traits from both sides that cannot be ignored and need discussed. It is not a bad place per say, as things can get remedied or go the wrong way the very next week. The wRong is what it sounds like: bad matches, bad or boring promos and so on. The Ridiculous is stuff that had no right on TV: Stupid angles and so on. And there is always a possibility of a 5th R, which is as bad as they come. This column is supposed to be analytical, and at the right time very critical of the shows, it was the whole reason it was created. This is not a “mark” column, nor a “smark” column, our goal is to analyze the show from many different fronts, reward the good and call out the bad. We will not apologize for our opinions, they are as they are, whether positive or negative.
Let’s rock…
FIP: In Full Force 2013 iPPV (12.06.13)
By: Larry Csonka
Final Thoughts: Overall this was a solid effort from FIP, and not a bad show for $10. They are trying to get an identity (IE not DGUSA Lite) and feel for the shows, but it is still a work in progress. Getting talent like Strong, Swann, Baretta, Bravados and more are giving a good incentive to look into the shows. The team of Caleb Konley & Andrew Everett is developing into a good team, with Los Ben Dejos continuing to improve as well. Final Score: 6.0 As a reminder, I will be going by the 411 scale… 0 – 0.9: Torture As a reminder, this is not a basic “how good was the show” number like a TV show, as I have always felt that a PPV is very different from a regular show. I have always judged PPV on how they built to a match, the match quality, crowd reactions to matches and angles, the overall booking, how the PPV leads into the future, PPV price and so on and so forth. I have added this in here for an explanation since so many have asked, and I have previously discussed it on podcasts. I understand that this may seem different, but that is how I grade. Obviously your criteria may be different. |
FIP: Violence is the Answer 2013 iPPV (12.07.13)
By: Larry Csonka
Trent Baretta was missed. Final Thoughts: Skip it. Final Score: 3.5 As a reminder, I will be going by the 411 scale… 0 – 0.9: Torture As a reminder, this is not a basic “how good was the show” number like a TV show, as I have always felt that a PPV is very different from a regular show. I have always judged PPV on how they built to a match, the match quality, crowd reactions to matches and angles, the overall booking, how the PPV leads into the future, PPV price and so on and so forth. I have added this in here for an explanation since so many have asked, and I have previously discussed it on podcasts. I understand that this may seem different, but that is how I grade. Obviously your criteria may be different. |
NJPW World Tag League Finals iPPV (12.07.13)
By: Larry Csonka
Prince Devitt & Bad Luck Fale defeating Kota Ibushi & Captain New Japan was another fun outing, and the three tags in a row helped the show out of the shitter it was in. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tetsuya Naito, La Sombra, Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask defeated Kazuchika Okada, Shinsuke Nakamura, Masato Tanaka, Yujiro Takahashi & Gedo in a good, but in a way disappointing match from an in ring standpoint. There was so much talent involved, and while far from bad, I guess I let expectations get the best of me. It was certainly a good match, with very good teases between Tanahashi/Nakamura and Okada/Naito. Reports of La Sombra bulking up too much are unfortunately true, as he has slowed down and is not nearly as crisp as he was during his summer run. This honestly could have used a few more minutes (it would have allowed them to cut some of the early bullshit) and it would have been even better. Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows defeated Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan to win the 2013 New Japan Tag League. This will give them a tag title shot on the January 4th show against the champions, Lance Archer & Davey Boy Smith Jr. Karl Anderson continues to have a great 2013, and is looking more like a star with every show. Gallows had an overall good debut tour with the company, and will likely be kept around as long as he keeps up the good work. Not a great show from a wrestling standpoint, but they did more to set up January 4th, and it was a bit better than the opening night of the Tag League Tournament iPPV. Final Score: 6.15 As a reminder, I will be going by the 411 scale… 0 – 0.9: Torture As a reminder, this is not a basic “how good was the show” number like a TV show, as I have always felt that a PPV is very different from a regular show. I have always judged PPV on how they built to a match, the match quality, crowd reactions to matches and angles, the overall booking, how the PPV leads into the future, PPV price and so on and so forth. I have added this in here for an explanation since so many have asked, and I have previously discussed it on podcasts. I understand that this may seem different, but that is how I grade. Obviously your criteria may be different. |
By: Shawn S. Lealos
ROH Television 12.07.13:
QUICK MATCH RESULTS:
the Right:
Outlaw Inc vs. American Wolves – If this was Davey Richards’ last appearance on Ring of Honor television, it was a good one. He sold well, looked better than he has in a while and put over Outlaw Inc. All four men actually looked really good in this match and this was Eddie Kingston’s best match since returning with Homicide. The sight of reDRagon coming down during the match and stealing Outlaw Inc’s clown masks as well as Homicide’s final promo after the match also sets up this weekend’s tag title bout nicely. Also, can anyone tell me if that point early in the match where everyone was pointing to the ceiling was a tribute to Larry Sweeney or was it something else? The announcers ignored it.
The Four Corners Match – This was a fun match, although as you will see in the Ridiculous, Jay Lethal was really stupid in it. I was also disappointed that the announcers did not talk more about the fact that Elgin and Strong were managed by Truth Martini before. But, as a match it was really solid and Strong really looked like he was going to win it. Honestly, the wrestling on ROH TV has really taken off in recent weeks.
More Steve Corino Goodness – Ok, what did we have this week from Corino? He is still deftly afraid of chest chops. When Homicide and Eddie Kingston came out, he said he really admired Kingston and then was quiet, calling back his long running blood feud with Homicide. When Matt Tavon was being kissed by each of the 5 Hoopla Hotties before his match, Steve Corino counted down the STD’s that Tavon was getting at that moment and then said he hoped Tavon had “Magic Johnson money.”
puRgatoRy:
World Title Confrontation – This was a good segment with Steve Corino interviewing Jay Briscoe and Briscoe showing that he is a little insane right now. Briscoe has those wide eyes down pat. Silas Young attacking was out of left field, but that was a good way to bring in Mark Briscoe to remind people of their upcoming strap match. Finally, Adam Cole and Jay Briscoe fighting was good as was Michael Elgin running in. However, the end is where I had a problem that sent it to Purgatory. Cole superkicked Elgin in the back of the head and smashed Briscoe with the title belt. It was the exact same ending that took place when Cole won the title and turned bad. They should have shaken things up a little here to make it more unique and interesting.
the wRong:
Jay Briscoe Has New Music – And it sucks. Bring back “Reach for the Sky Boys!”
the Ridiculous:
Jay Lethal Hates Winning – Jay Lethal had Roderick Strong down after the Lethal Injection and then went up top to hit the “Hail to the King” when he changed his mind. Instead of trying to win the match, and maybe getting a rare title shot down the line on someone, he turned and hit the move on Matt Tavon to put him through the table. That took Lethal out of the match for the rest of the night. Jay Lethal just seems stupid in his in-match decisions lately. He is spinning his wheels and doesn’t deserve to win.
We Are 18 – There was a backstage interview with Roderick Strong where he answered a couple of fan questions. The girl who was asking him questions had brilliant responses such as “yummy.” I was like WTF? until I saw that the sponsor for the segment was a new porn website called We Are 18. Seriously? Ring of Honor should be trying to get more television coverage and selling out to a phone sex and internet set is not the way to do it.
This was actually a nice go-home show for Ring of Honor heading into Final Battle (although technically there is a show the same day as Final Battle, so there is that. However, the action on this show was solid with two great matches and they also tried to push the world title match, although it was a repetitive angle. Overall, there was little here to complain about. Show Rating: 7.5 As a reminder, I will be going by the 411 scale… 0 – 0.9: Torture |
By: Jack Stevenson
Raw 12.13.13:
QUICK MATCH RESULTS:
THE RIGHT:
Daniel Bryan vs. Fandango: It’s been a strange old 2013 for Daniel Bryan (well, Fandango as well actually, but that’s besides the point) so it was heartening to see him come into his home state, win comfortably, and get an unbelievable ovation. The gleeful grin on his face was touchingly genuine. Fandango put up a decent fight, but this was Bryan’s show, and the match was an entertaining and cathartic way to begin it.
Rey Mysterio, The Big Show & The Rhodes Brothers vs. Rybaxel & The Real Americans: Has there been a six/eight/ten/whatever person tag in WWE this year that hasn’t been jolly good fun? Everyone did what you’d hope in this; Mysterio flew around the ring, the Big Show used his size to maim people, Antonio Cesaro was Antonio Cesaro, and the other guys bought the solid meat and potatoes grappling to build the match on. There aren’t many better ways to spend ten minutes!
Xavier Woods vs. Brodus Clay: Ah heck, I quite like this. It’s a harmless bit of fun. Xavier Woods is charismatic and likeable, and Brodus Clay is as convincing as you can be as an intimidating big man when your motivation for being so angry is “a man can dance better than me.” The match wasn’t up to much and I won’t remember it in a year’s time, but it works for now.
CM Punk vs. Dean Ambrose: This was a good little match, tough and intense. Perhaps a little too slow in the beginning, but things picked up nicely down the stretch, and the dissension in the Shield was played well. A good outing for both, though I fear it might turn out to be better than their PPV handicap match.
Some Belts Were Hung Above a Ring And It Was Surprisingly Great: The title says it all. From the moment it was announced I was dreading the ascension ceremony; it would be nice to see all the different champions in the ring together, but once the novelty value of that had worn off, it was just going to be a rehash of last week’s contract signing, except with two title belts slowly easing their way into the sky while it happened. But instead it was great! The crowd were hot, John Cena cut a fucking incredible promo, and that moment when you realized CM Punk was going to go after Triple H was the sort of thing that makes wrestling pretty much the best thing ever sometimes. I’m also interested to see where Randy Orton goes from here; the image of him lying on the mat post Pedigree, the Authority having seemingly abandoned him, was quite a powerful one. A great way to close the show.
puRgatoRy:
Santino Marella vs. Damian Sandow: A match that occurred! Langston and Sandow are both good but nobody is particularly excited for their match on Sunday, which is a shame but understandable. Maybe with the titles unified the IC belt will get a bit of a boost? Maybe.
Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz: The Miz is a great rule-breaker and this new attitude of his could potentially go someway to rehabilitating him. I’m not entirely convinced having him get beaten all around the ring by Kofi Kingston and then win off a flash roll up is going to help him much though. Come to think of it, it doesn’t do much for Kingston either.
The Usos vs. The Wyatt Family: The Wyatts won. It was short and OK. Part of me thinks we won’t get a regular 3 on 1 handicap match between Bryan and those gigantic bearded scamps, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed for maybe The Usos joining in the fun? It’s a long shot though.
THE WRONG:
Sin Cara vs. Alberto Del Rio: I didn’t like this very much; it felt like a more dull version of last week’s match, longer and slower and with less purpose. It’s good to have some kind of Sin Cara back though, I do enjoy his/their lucha stylings. Alberto Del Rio’s a good hand in the ring but has no direction whatsoever, and perhaps needs a break.
Natalya vs. Tamina: Natalya and AJ are both good but the booking is as tedious as ever. I still want AJ to come out with the Divas Title though so hey, maybe they’re doing something right!
THE RIDICULOUS:
NOTHING
This was one of the best episodes of Raw in a while, with a fast pace, some fun cameos, and a tremendous, wild closing angle. The wrestling wasn’t as great as it sometimes is but in the eight-man tag and Punk-Ambrose there was still plenty to enjoy. This is worth catching up with Show Rating: 7.0 As a reminder, I will be going by the 411 scale… 0 – 0.9: Torture |
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