Taso the Greek’s “Bumpin’ Heads 2008″

My first chance to get this one in the books as I try and start to pile on the wrestling. If my memory serves me right there is no killer match on this card except for some insane highspots out of AJ Styles. Let’s take a look, wrestling geeks and Greeks.

Team Japan (Minoru Tanaka & Hirooki Goto & Black Tiger) vs. Team USA/TNA (Sonjay Dutt & Alex Shelley & Jay Lethal)
One day the idea of “world” titles or “cups” or “tournaments” will hold some merit and prestige. Gotta give it to TNA for trying. This was a GOOD match all the way through until right at the nd when I saw one too many enziguiris and some confusion. No doubt, they put on a solid juniors match. Why they didn’t use the cage more, I dunno. That just hit me a little. In a cage, why not smash someone’s face into it? ***
Senshi vs. Christopher Daniels
Wow, what an intense strike-fest to open the match. I don’t like Senshi’s attire. Thank you Senshi for kicking out of an early pin attempt at one instead of two. Extra kudos for Senshi cheating at the end? Daniels has been everybodies bitch so the past few months. I don’t agree that he should pop right into another title scene. He should beat someone in the X-Division, like maybe Elix Skipper, or even feud with Raven. I don’t like the booking decisions so far this year with Daniels in TNA. Senshi vs. Samoa Joe, if that is where they are heading to next, should be great. **3/4
Bob Armstrong vs. Konnan -Arm Wrestling in a Cage
Bullet Bob means nothing to most new wrestling fans. I dunno if this gets the fans down in Alabama all heated. Even demographically, where you say wrestling fans are older, who cares? They are animals of habit. Half of them still won’t know Bullet Bob. On the flip side, LAX looked like a bunch of punks. TNA needs to be edgier and this just seems like filler. I enjoy it, but I’m easy to please. *1/2
Sabin vs. Elix Skipper vs. Petey Williams vs. Shark Boy vs. Chase Stevens vs. Puma -Escape Elimination-
This match will be remembered for Chase Stevens playing the role of a lawn dart. Chris Sabin is certainly becoming one of my favorite TNA X-Division guys. Throw away match, IMO. **
Samoa Joe beat Sabu -X Division Title Cage Match-
Too short, looked like it had tons of potental. But if you didn’t know, Sabu was working with a broken arm. **1/2
Team 3-D beat Team Canada -Anthem Steel Cage Match-
I liked how Runt and Young were gaurding the flags in the beginning of the match, the double clothesline by Eric and the double dropkick by Runt, I liked alot of things about htis match. I even liked the ref bump, which gave 3D the win seemingly, then teased us with a screwjob finish. I don’t like A1, and I don’t know why but I don’t like Bobby Roode. And Scott D’Amore seems to like being in the picture way too often. **3/4
Christian Cage b Abyss -NWA World title Cage Match-
Good match, surprising, typical at times, fine. I don’t care for this match-up. I like the angle… I don’t like Abyss vs. Christian. Abyss has been buried to an extent and now he’s fighting for the world title? And he’s not a guy Christian can work off of what he’s good at, his mic skills. Jim Mitchell is too carny and again, he doesn’t click with Christian Cage. The seemingly slightly botched Unprettier at the end also sucked as did the post-match beatdown. I would have prefered one and done on this feud. But nonetheless, Cage took a beating, he bumped like a coke freak, he was all over the ring, and did a great job working with Abyss. ***
Sting’s Team b Jarrett’s Army -Lethal Lockdown Match-
Ron Killings, please zip it. Oy vey. Same with you to, AJ. The one guy who I want to see cut more promos is Rhino. This one sucked before the match, but I think with more work and with less of the “GORE! GORE!” stuff he can be a believable guy. He just needs to give up the whole “GORE! GORE!” shit. That’s not even his line, that’s Heyman’s shitty phrase. AJ was pumped and got the crowd going early. Starts off with Chris ‘Wildcat’ Harris. One by one they run in and slowly my enthusiasm erodes. The match sucks. It’s meaningless. The teams are a bit of a jumble. There are trash can bins and guitars hanging from a cage. Aside from Steiner’s first set of suplexes, I was underwhelmed to say the least. *3/4

John Cena vs. RVD vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Chris Masters vs. HHH (Both titles on the line)
Quite the match for an opener of RAW. I’m afraid what’s coming next cuz it can only get worse, especially Kane and his movie. I can’t believe HHH gets to hit three pedigrees. Good finish to the match. Steals a little of RVD’s heat but he hit a sweet frogsplash and really helped carry this match and make it exciting. And Cena seems to shine when he’s in these three or four or five way matches. Shelton’s newest IC Title reign may get interesting. I wonder who they have for him to work with? Haas would be fine but I’d like to see Trevor Murdoch in that role. Shelton can call him a redneck and get some easy humor to work his mic skills.
The Spirit Squad vs. Goldust & Snitsky
I was angling for a title switch but that was dumb. That trampoline springboard bulldog was AWESOME! And so is Goldust, one of the most underutilized guys on the roster. And when did Snitsky become decent? I didn’t like him playing to the fans, very generaic face stuff that is uncharacteristic for the Gene Snitsky who used to kick babies. **1/4
Eugene vs. Matt Striker
Matt Striker’s music is fucking hilarious. But someone is living in the 80’s cuz I’m getting flashes of Twisted Sister, hair bands, and 3 o’clock High. Matt Striker’s finisher needs work. *1/2
Sean Michaels vs. Kenny-*special referee Shane McMahon
Storylines are being drawn here, nice and slow. A good RAW altogether with a nice look at a future star versus a legend. I’d rather watch them go straight up without the heel referee bits. Expecting an explosive ending with HHH at ringside only for WWE to tease just a little bit more of their next big storyline. Definitely HHH-centric in Texas tonight. Foley, Funk, and Edge helped even it all out. Michaels did his thing but again Shane’s refereeing turned this into more of a spectacle then a contest. **1/2