Taso the Greek’s “Bumpin’ Heads 2008″

Cruiserweight Championship Open: Kid Kash (c) vs. Funaki vs. Gregory Helms vs. Paul London vs. Nunzio vs. Jamie Noble
Micheal Cole needs to stop saying that cruiserweight action is exclusive to SD! because there is nothing that makes it different from the rest of the “action” on WWE TV. Sure, Paul London hits a monstrous Shooting Star press off the top turnbuckle to the floor and almost dies. Sure, there are some decent moves here and there. But overall, a dissapointment that really isn’t because this is the WWE. The finish I felt should have been the old finisher after finisher routine untuil the last guy hits it to win. I like that finish. They didn’t go with that.
Mickie James vs. Ashley
One of the better feuds/storylines of the year is strong out of the ring and super weak inside the ring. What started out as a “Hell! This isn’t too bad!” match when Mickie was on offense went to shit fast when it was Ashley’s turn. The worst hair pull slams I’ve ever seen in a women’s match.
John Bradshaw Layfield w/Jillian Hall vs The Boogeyman
I just shake my head thinking about this whole thing and how meaningless it really is to the big picture. Other then that, Jillian is a hot little number.
The Royal Rumble
Underwhelming at times, with so many nobodies in the ring. Hard to actually rate an event you already know the results too, however I have seen my share of Rumbles and this one was average. But Rey Mysterio winning it of course was the big surprise, and it was great to see him win it.
John Cena vs. Edge (c) w/Lita -WWE Title
Quite interesting, how the match truly was decent when Edge was working on top. But Cena has lost all his charm to me as an underdog or as a babyface or as a wrestler. The win came out of nowhere really, and cemented my belief that the guy can’t work for shit unless he is in the ring with a top wrestler with above average ring skills.
Kurt Angle (c) vs. Mark Henry w/Melina -World Title
Another dissapointment and not even worth my time commenting upon. Actually, not dissapointing. It was what I expeted to be honest.

Just a couple of more notes here, some new categories actually that came to mind as I watch SD! tonight. Take them for what they are worth.

Most Dissapointing Match of the Year: Jay Lethal vs. Alex Shelley vs. Petey Williams vs. Matt Bentley ; TNA Against All Odds 2/12/06

Most Dissapointing Show of the Year: IWA-MS DVD Dec. 30, 2005 ‘’2005 Revolution Strong Style Tournament’’ - Streamwood, IL

* Ron Killings vs. A-1 -Pre Show
* Hoyt/Shark/Riley vs. Moore/Skipper/Young
* The Naturals vs. Austin Aries & Roderick Strong
So basically this is a tag match for the #3 tag contendership. Hard sell by the announcers on The Naturals, who TNA has treated like jobbers recently, not that they shouldn’t, or aren’t. But Team 3D kinda leveled the playing field a bit when they signed with TNA. If you are into hair bands like Poison and Winger you might like The Naturals. Solid tag match, especially when the ROH guys brought the ownage. The backstage politics going around about this match made it even more interesting but in a completely different way.
* Jay Lethal vs. Alex Shelley vs. Matt Bentley vs. Petey Williams
If there is an award for Most Dissapointing Match of the Year, this one is an early candidate. I was expecting some serious flippage and simply got a very bread and butter type of match. It never got off the ground except when Lethal was in there, but his win was tainted by the Jackie Gayda slapfest on Alex Shelley.
* The James Gang vs. LAX (Homicide & Machete)
Kip needs to lose the pig-tails for the FINAL time, and BG should stop with the pop-locking. It looks retarded. Otherwise, this match SUCKED.
* Americas Most Wanted vs. Sonjay Dutt & Chris Sabin
Sabin messed his ankle up at iMpact so they used that for the match and it worked as AMW worked it over, although I felt they could have worked it with more innovation. Sonjay Dutt is golden in the ring. After the match I didn’t get the stand-off between the two teams. If AMW is gonna face these dudes, again, fine. Otherwise it was just more senseless shit.
* Rhino vs Abyss -Falls Count Anywhere
This feud ends here which is GREAT! I like both guys but somehow they are limited in many ways. They pull out the garbage wrestling early. Not much of note except for the finish which sees Abyss go through a double stack of tables. Whoopie.
* Team 3-D vs. Bobby Roode & Eric Young
I thought they had something going here at first with the brawling and Eric Young’s selling. Then the heels took over and Devon juiced and it started to slow down a bit, and then it just sorta flattened out when Brother Ray made the hot tag. What should have gone over as exciting false finishes and moves came off dull.
* Samoa Joe vs. AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels
If I may use a Tenay expression at the end of this match, it seemed everyone sorta canceled each other out inside the ring. No doubt it was a hell of a match. The death valley bomb Daniels hit on Joe at the end of the match was quite nice, but overall, it was lacking. There wasn’t as much intencity as I would have liked to see.
* Jeff Jarrett vs. Christian Cage -World Title
Fine match, but nothing mind-blowing or even great. You could feed off the vibe of the crowd to an extent, and that made the match special. Also, Zbysko & the Hebners coming out before the math to make sure no one would interfere gave the match a feeling of importance. Gail Kim was good in her role and the two participants were capable, but that was about it except for the emotional aspect. However, a good ppv, no doubt.

So you see what I have been watching. My lord, there is so much left and so mouch more time. But I must admit I am having a bit of fun.

MOTYC 2006

1. KENTA vs Low Ki
2. KENTA vs Naomichi Marufuji
3. Chris Benoit vs Randy Orton
4. Nigel McGuinness vs. Claudio Castagnoli (Pure Title Match) - ROH Final Battle
6. Bryan Danielson vs. Naomichi Marufuji
7. Samoa Joe vs Jay Lethal
8. Bryan Danielson vs. Rocky Romero (ROH World Title Match)- Steel Cage Warfare
9. CM Punk vs Brent Albright 12/17/06 OVW TV Tapings
10. Kotaro Suzuki vs. Low Ki NOAH 2/17/06
11. Kenta Kobashi/Tamon Honda/ Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. Takeshi Morishima/Mohammed Yone/KENTA (NOAH - 2-17-06)

Best Gimmick: Josh Ambercrombie’s moustache.
Best Finishing Move: Marek Brave reverse rana
Best Promos: Eddie Kingston

1. Claudio Castagnoli vs. Trik Davis
2. Tank vs. Samoa Joe
Joe managed to make Tank look good. Fun little match.
3. BJ Whitmer vs. Corporal Robinson
4. Chris Hero vs. Ian Rotten
I have heard people talk about Ian Rotten’s mat abilities. I like when he works these kinds of matches as opposed to the garbage wrestling. Lots of holds and stretching and arm work and it’s what wrestling should be about to some degree. But Ian isn’t exactly GREAT at it. Unathletic, moves poorly, he can certainly lay there and be stretched. Don’t matter none cuz I like Ian Rotten anyway.
5. Bull Pain vs. Jimmy Jacobs
Jimmy Jacobs is a bastard.
6. Larry Sweeney vs. Delirious vs. Colt Cabana
Good comedy match.
7. Eddie Kingston vs. Necro Butcher
Wow! Eddie Kingston eats some nasty meat hooks from The Necro Butcher.
8. Daizee Haze vs. Mickie Knuckles ***1/2
Best women’s match of the year. Most interesting by far, IMO. And I am in love with Daizee Haze.
9. BJ Whitmer vs. Necro Butcher
Can BJ be the dullest dude in the business?
10. Josh Abercrombie, Vito & Brandon Thomaselli vs. Matt Sydal, Tyler Black & Marek Brave
A pretty good elimination match with a solid angle, and a good finish. Matt Sydal is real good, and pRon moustache Josh Ambercrombi is the sleaziest dude in wrestling today.
11. Chris Hero vs. Necro Butcher
Bad finish to a bad show obverall as far as expectations./ This match was decent, slow most of the way, insightfu;l, but with a shit finish. And Samoa Joe pulling out after his first round matxh due to a bad ankle did nothing but make this show possibly rhe worst (due to expectations) show of the year for me..

1. CJ Otis vs. Jaysin Strife
People should start chanting “Mr. Perfect” at CJ Otis. He should end his matches with a fisherman’s suplex and spit then slap his gum into the stands.
2. Vito & Brandon Thomaselli (c) vs. Midwest Mafia (Tony Scarpone & Robert Anthony)Referee blows the finish when he counts a pinfall during a surfboard. Vito decides that since they are the IWA-MS Tag Champs, they can ask for 5 more minutes and win AGAIN. Overall a forgettable match in what should be an important match IMO, for Midwest Mafia. They are pretty decent sized and have a good look. This is for the IWA-MS Championship titles. Midwest Mafia are playing faces here. In IWA they had some heat with Team Underground.
3. Trik Davis vs. Bryce Benjamin
I’ve seen Trik in the ring this year with some pretty decent talent. I have yet to see a match where I thought he was really decent. He has the nice arm work and the flippy stuff but nothing to separate him from everyone else.
4. Marek Brave vs. Josh Ambercrombie
Beginning to appreciate Ambercrombie’s moustache and his sleaxzy look. But that’s about all. Granted though, I think that sleazt mmoustache can even garner some gimmick of the year awards. And Marek Brave’s reverse rana is looking like a move of the year cnadidate to me as well.
5. Team Underground vs. Larry Sweeney and Mississippi Madman
I think I have seen Larry Sweeney’s ass on every show so far in 2006.
6. Jimmy Jacobs vs. Tyler Black
There were about three or four bright spots in this match but overall I felt it dragged and Jacobs continues to look pretty mediocre in his IWA matches. He’s getting over like a prick, but to me at this stage it is that ‘end this now’ kind of heat. Another Dusty finish to a Jimmy Jacobs match in IWA.
7. Ian Rotten vs Corporal Robinson
Christ, how can you watch a match like this and at least not comment on it. I like innovative garbage wrestling. These was pretty by the book stuff, and it isn’t as fun unless it is a cocky smack-talking black dude like New Jack doing it. And New Jack isn’t New Jack anymore. A nice tombstone on a glass tube crucifix was the best and last spot in this trashfest.

1. Eddie Kingston vs. Marek Brave
2. Colt Cabana vs. Darin Corbin vs. Larry Sweeney
Great comedy match, again.
3. Claudio Castagnoli vs. Ian Rotten
Ian Rotten again working with a “high workrate” individual. Lots of mat work and Ian is OK with it but again a little too rotund to be athletic enough. Not crisp. Still, you have to give him credit for going out there and working this way. Good match over-all.
4. Tyler Black vs. Josh Abercrombie
These two cats have supposedly been putting on good matche over the past few months, this one solid as well.
5. The Iron Saints vs. Team Underground
6. Trik Davis vs. Chris Hero
Either Hero isn’t giving Trik anything, or Trik doesn’t have anything. And from what I have seen so far I believe it is the latter. A good match nonetheless, but all Hero.
7. Jimmy Jacobs vs. Arik Cannon
Good match, good finish, some good comedy. Jimmy jacobs, gotta love to hate him in IWA-MS.
8. Necro Butcher vs. Samoa Joe
What a tough match to try and evaulate. It was much better then their first match in many ways, less psychotic as well which could be a drawback. But it was memorable except for the interference which I thought cost it some points. But stiff as hell and what you would expect from these two guys.

Kenta Kobashi/Tamon Honda/ Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. Takeshi Morishima/Mohammed Yone/KENTA (NOAH - 2-17-06)I don’t like NOAH three way tags, never did. This one was exceptional in many regards. Morishima brings the nastiness. KENTA vs. Kenta Kobashi was good and they seem to be pushing that feud as they went at it all through out the match. And shame on anyone who doesn’t like Honda.
2006-2-17 NOAH: Takeshi Rikio/Naomichi Marufuji vs Doug Williams/Ricky Marvin 2006-02-17 NOAHMarufuji comes off as lazy sometimes, is that just me? They teased Rikio vs. Marvin with a little comedy, but pretty straight forward tag match. Marufuji working Marvin had all the highlights. Good match overall.
2006-02-17 NOAH: Mitsuharu Misawa/Yoshinari Ogawa/Takashi Sugiura vs Bison Smith/Nigel McGuinness/Dakota
2006-02-17 NOAH: Low Ki vs. Kotaro SuzukiThis match has to rate strongly in the MOTY department on some level. Other then a small screw-up in the first 5 minutes these guys were on their game. Low Ki is a guy I believe 100%. He is a great character and has a great offeense that is both flashy and stiff enough. Suzuki worked great with him here. This requires re-watching.

2006/01/08 AJPW: Kensuke Sasaki/Katsuhiko Nakajima vs Arashi/Kaz Hayashi Felt like a paint by numbers match 12 minutes in. I like the visual of Kensuke Family as a tag team. Most impressed with Nakajima is his age. Otherwise he is not so distinguishable, maybe in size, to the better wrestlers in Japan. By 15 minutes they start working it, Kaz flying and hitting nice moves, then Kensuke starts bringing the stiffness. Solid match.
2006-02-10 HUSTLE: Taichi Ishikari/Shinjiro Ohtani vs Toshiaki Kawada/Kohei SatoKawada kicks Ishikari’s ass around the outside for a bit of fun. If you threw a wrestler into the crowd at a WWE show you are looking at a law suit. In Japan, people laugh and try not to die. Konei over Ishikari with the german.

Start this post off with a little remark. I watch this crap but the last thing I do is enjoy it. WWE has emasculated itself in so many ways. But they have signed the best wrestlers in the world. Do I have a choice if Benoit wants to whip up a MOTY on some random SD!, or Finlay wants to make a run at Comeback Wrestler of the Year?

RAW 2/13/06 Cena vs Edge IV

1. Triple H defeated The Big Show
Great match by these two guys who seem to be on the same page every time out.
2. Shelton Benjamin w/Shelton Benjamin’s Mama defeated Eugene Dinsmore
3. Ashley Massaro defeated Torrie Wilson w/Candice Michelle
4. Rob Van Dam defeated Chris Masters
RVD needs more time, another sloppy performance and Masters isn’t gonna help.
5. John Cena vs Edge w/Lita (Mick Foley as special guest referee)

The best part was the set up to the upcoming Edge vs Foley Wrestlemania match, but even then I thought they could have pushed it farther. Looking forward to seeing what Foley has up his sleeve as far as storyline.

SD! 2/14/06

1. Rey Mysterio defeats Sylvain
Sylvain can’t hit one decent big man move? What a bland as fuck match. If you can’t allow someone to go a little balls out with Mysterio in there, then you’re not thinking clearly.
2. Boogey Man defeats Orlando Jordan
3. Gregory Helms defeats Scotty 2 Hotty
4. Chris Benoit / Bobby Lashley vs JBL / Finlay

I took three things away from the Benoit/Lashley vs. JBL/Finlay match:
#1 Finlay/JBL working the hand of Benoit, awesome.
#2 Finlay made everything (almost) that Lashley did look freaking real. Damn, the man can sell like nobodies business.
#3 Lashley needs more training. He looks fucking clueless in there. Send him down for another year, 6 months minimum.

5. Matt Hardy defeats Simon Dean
6. Kurt Angle / Undertaker vs. Mark Henry & MNM - 2 on 3 Handicap Match
Great match with good psychology, pitting the tag partners as foes looking toward the next PPV this Sunday, BUT… no one cares. Good match anyway, impressed with UT bringing it tonight in different ways.