After deciding to throw down the 40 bucks not knowing what to expect, but then again knowing completely what to expect I didn't get my hopes up, because I'm tired of being dissapointed. Storylines leak, results get out and predictability is the E's calling card as of late. So while you don't know exactly what will happen, you still have a good idea of what will happen. Not that I'm complaining, I'd just like to be surprised other than a #30 entrant into the Royal Rumble. Nice touch, but as soon as that was over, it was predictable againAt $39.99 one would think that a pay-per-view would deliver much more than "Raw," "SmackDown!," or ECW. I think it delivered just enough, but the question is, do you think so.
Does anyone else get really irritated when the ECW Championship jerks the curtain? I'm beginning not to. A few years ago the IC title jerked the curtain alot, and it was intended to pull the viewer in, and it seemed to be effective as it does now. I think both Chavo and Punk are both good workers, and put on a good match, therefore it does pull in the viewer.
The two had a solid match, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't surprised to see Chavo go over clean. Maybe Chavo is in the long-term plans of the E after all. Where do the two go from here though? They didn't leave room for much else, but the E has the ability to pull rabbits from it's hat.
I will say that the finish of the "SmackDown!" elimination chamber was pretty good. Taker flipping Batista backward into a Tombstone was a nice touch, a new take on an old move. That's a good thing because a good finish can cancel out a bad match. The match itself wasn't bad, a few blown spots, but the high spots are what saved it.
Much love to MVP for taking that bump from the top of a pod. The chokeslam Finlay took to the grate was also a nice touch. What I didn't get was how the two guys pushed as monster characters were the first two out. It was a little different and refreshing, but at the same time it begs the question why.
Why did Batista need to be in there? Why have the first two be the final two? It's a way to get over in the Rumble because it shows endurance. In the Elimination Chamber it only shows that the other 4 guys weren't ready for the spot. Why not have Taker go over on V in the end to further his push and prove how unstoppable he is?
Seeing Taker go over just confirmed the fact that the E can't keep storylines under their hat, and as I mentioned to start this article, that they can't be unpredictable. Cena's return was it, but he and his character are SO predictable. Show's return wasn't predictable but I was shocked to see no build.I popped seeing Show come back, I knew it was coming, but dude has lost a Dan-e-o. If he could lose a Fronte, then he'd be in peak shape, but I digress. Having Mayweather get his bit in was nice, and it hopefully wont be a one night thing. Do I smell a Mike Tyson/Austin coming with Big Show and Pretty Boy Floyd?
Mayweather got some stiff shots in on Show, and according to some reports Show got a legit broken nose. To me the thing that will make this angle work is the fact that Shane McMahon came out through the crowd and stopped show. Who was one of the ones pulling apart Tyson and Austin? Shane McMahon. This will be the media darling if it's a story leading to Mania.
Having Ric Flair live to fight another day makes me scratch my head. I'm glad he will, but will he and Kennedy have a rematch at Mania? Will Show take on Flair? Will Batista be the guy? As far as Batista being the guy, I pray to the Lord that isn't the case. Flair hasn't lost much, and can still flat out go. I just wish he'd had one more run with the gold.
The Edge and Mysterio match wasn't too much, but I will give credit to Mysterio for getting in there and going with a torn biceps. What I will not give him credit for is that damn outfit he came to the ring in. What the hell was that? Was that a costume that didn't quite make the cut on Sesame Street? Mysterio did enough with the injury, as did Edge. Countdown to World Title and Streak vs. Streak has started.
The Cena and Orton match wasn't bad, wasn't good, but wasn't bad. I'm really, really tired of seeing Cena not sell. He sold some tonight and I was actually impressed, but as soon as he went for the leg hook head hugger, it was gone. Can somebody please teach him how to apply an STF? I watched with a 9 year old who said, "how does that hurt? Orton isn't bending anywhere." Doesn't that say enough?
The countout finish would have been nice. Apparently though the E can't have Cena look weak period. Having him spring to life and dive in the ring was uncalled for. Why not have him begin his crawl at five or six, and then roll in as Chioda threw up ten? That way Cena would conquer the odds again and have the match continue.
I did like Orton slapping Chioda to get the DQ. Cena actually sold that. Having Chioda tell Cena there was nothing he could do was also a nice change of pace. Refs change their decisions on occasion, and I'm glad this wasn't one of them. We are now officially set for a triple threat WWE title match at WrestleMania, unless Cena wins the strap tomorrow night.
The "Raw" Elimination Chamber was the main event, and I think that was the best way to do things. That was the match that people bought the PPV for no doubt about it. I'm sure a minority of people bought it for Cena/Orton, but the overwhelming majority was more interested in the "Raw" EC, I was.The order of entrants was predictable, but it wouldn't have worked any other way. The faces in the match outweighed the heels four to two. Therefore it was done the right way, things were kept even and interesting. I loved the double team submission that HBK and Jericho pulled off, much like the ones Cena and Michaels used this time last year.
The order of elimination also wasn't a problem for me. I'm sure Donnie unleashed a profanity laced promo when JBL went out first, but then again, he was pulling for JBL like most of the world was pulling for Hardy. I liked Hardy coming in last, although I think he and Triple H were the two interchangable entrants.
Hardy came in with the momentum and basically kept it. Of course Hardy didn't let the people down and again proved he is the O Master with a Swanton off the top of a pod. It wasn't his most extreme move, but it was effective enough. The finishing sequence of this chamber was slightly better than the first Chamber finish.
I wasn't happy to see Triple H go over, but the finish was good either way. It left me with a question though. Why build someone up like Hardy has been over the past few months, but then never push them over the edge? I know that the people who text in those votes are the diehards that some call marks, but they are also the majority of the fanbase.
When they vote Jeff Hardy over in the match by 7%, and I'm guessing that there were a few thousand votes sent in, why not go with it? When it comes to popularity Jeff Hardy is the guy and has been for some time. The fans have seen H in enough WrestleMania main events. This years triple threat will be a case of same shit different day.
It's WrestleMania, a draw in and of itself. Taker and Edge will draw. Flair's retirement will draw. Show and Mayweather may draw. Why not have Hardy go over in the Chamber and make him the third man? At least make it up to me and Jeff Hardy and make it a fatal four way. Having Hardy compete in and/or win the Money in the Bank ladder match will be too anticlimactic for my taste.Who says he wont hold the briefcase for 10 months like Edge did? Sure it cemented Edge's spot as a main event guy but Hardy is white hot right now, and there isn't much more momentum he gain. With that said if they don't capitolize quick it'll be yet another dropped ball on the E.
All in all I enjoyed No Way Out it wasn't the best I've seen, but it was a good show. Without dwelling too much on the weak spots of the matches the end results were good enough, and leave the door open with the exception of Chavo/Punk and the "Raw" EC.
Tha Results in case you missed it...
*ECW Champion Chavo Guerrero def. CM Punk
*The Undertaker def. Khali, V, Finlay, MVP and Batista to advance to Mania
*Ric Flair def. Kennedy
*World Champion Edge def. Rey Mysterio
*John Cena def. WWE Champion Randy Orton by DQ
*Triple H def. Jeff Hardy, JBL, Y2J, HBK and Umaga to advance toMania
12 comments: on "No Way Out: Not Bad, Not Bad At All"
I agree the ppv was pretty good. I really enjoyed both elimination matches. I would have been happier if Hardy would have won but I really enjoyed the ending between him and Triple H.
I'm also glad Cena didn't win the belt back right away. Looks like it will be a three way for the WM main event between Triple H, Cena and Orton.
I hope that neither the Big Show or Batista end Flair's career. I would like HBK, MVP or Kennedy have the honors, especially HBK.
I have a feeling that Batista will be the one. They are still clinging hard to Batista being a good "wrestler." I agree though, I hope it isn't. I'd like for it to be Kennedy. HBK would be nice, but HBK is in the twilight as well. I'd much rather see a younger guy get the rub, and if MVP and Hardy don't go at it at Mania then MVP would be a nice choice as well.
The finish to both EC's were good, but I think the "Raw" would have been better with Hardy fighting back out of it.
I popped when the fans DIDN'T pop when Triple H won. It was clearly evident that Hardy should have been the guy to go over, its who they wanted. They'll turn Hunter heel in a way to ignore there mistake but having son-in-law in main event shows where there interests lie...
Talk about glass ceiling for Hardy or what...
I wonder if Hardy is upset or just humoured by the situation...
I watched NWO at a theatre and was amazed at the support for Jeff Hardy in the main.
There's something to be said for timing as being a major factor in success in wrestling. Was the timing right for Hardy to go over again?
Maybe. Given the reaction of the crowd, this may have been the time to pull the trigger.
Given the reaction I fully see Hardy getting a title run later this year. However, by that point, will it be too late? Will people care?
Glass ceiling my ass. Hardy is getting his push, give him too much too soon and he'll have Cena syndrome. If you think Hardy/Orton will draw for Mania you're retarded. I'm getting sick of Hardy-ons. I think he deserves a push but for fuck's sake relax with having Hardy the guy you would put over in every match. DJB, it's understandable that you fantasy book Hardy at the top being a hometown boy, but step back and look at him. He's getting over nicely, I believe Jeff Hardy and MVP are being put over slow and steady which is THE perfect way. The booking of a guy getting pushed should be the same pace as a match; the babyface gets crushed crushed crushed, then he gets a hope spot... cut off.... crushed... hope spot... cut off. This way when he does go over for the title it's more intense and it gives the big orgasm of excitement and the sigh of relief and you can say "OMG finally... he's deserved it for so long". And this also KEEPS him over. If Hardy had won at the rumble, they would have taken the belt off him for No Way Out and he would have gotten lost in the shuffle. But if he gets it after trying and trying sometime in the summer, he'll get a longer run and just be presented as an established top guy instead of an up and comer just breaking through and pulling out a fluke win.
But Jesus Christ I also can't take HHH and Cena headlining EVERY FUCKING PPV. They both destroy every opponent. You always know they're either going over clean or you're getting a schmoz finish this time but they'll be over clean next time. It kinda takes the fun out of it.
At least SmackDown is watchable.
House you're right, I want Hardy to succeed because I've met him several times(the mark inside will NEVER die) and yeah, he's pretty much the hometown guy. You also seem to be sick of H and Cena there again, so what do you propose? Michaels limping through another WrestleMania main with Orton and Cena? Umaga no-selling until it's time for Cena to put him under making us hate Cena more and Umaga need to be rebuilt? JBL jelly-rolling his way to Mania only to put over Cena or Orton killing his steam? Y2J maybe? Yeah I'd take that, but with the way Triple H buried him backstage upon his return it isn't going to happen. You also said that Hardy/Orton wouldn't draw. It drew at the Rumble and he didn't win, so wouldn't the rematch be that much sweeter? Wouldn't it be that hope spot to make the "ograsm" down the road that much bigger and better? Nobody is going to get a long run with it not named Cena, Orton or HHH, I think we've all come to terms with that.
The thing about Hardy is, like Fronte said, HE'S SO OVER IT'S AMAZING. The people popped like crazy at EVERY move he hit, the roof nearly came off when he kicked out of the pedigree, when H won there was a delayed pop, and it wasn't that big. You check the decibal level of the pops guys get right now and Jeff Hardy will be in the top 4.
Fronte the thing is, I think Hardy is SO over because he's not a roided up freak. He may have taken a few acid trips a while back, but whatever. He looks like us(not you Fatty, us) a normal avergae guy, but can pull out the high-spots and work a regular match too. He's the babyface people relate to that seems to never die.
Sweet . . . 5/6 on predictions
even predicted the Big Show return (although it wasn't in a Chamber match)
I didn't see the PPV, but if triple h's win was responded with silence, that's all I need to know
house - wrestlemania would draw with hardy-orton; it's going to draw regardless of who's challenging for the wwe championship, there's going to be other "main event" caliber matches
wrestlemania draws every year, just because it's wrestlemania
ya house
u wouldnt want Hardy to become an overnight sucess ................................................ AFTER 10 FUCKIN YEARS! TOO MUCH TOO SOON?? U KIDDING ME?
the highlights for me were the RAW chamber and then when Orton bitch slapped the referee, that was priceless, I agree that he should have at least started to climb back in the ring during the 10 count around 4-6 and not at 8-9 and then hop in like he was never hurt all I have to say about that is WTF!, now I hope since that moron cena used his WM spot early they keep him out of the title shot at WM to teach him a lesson for thinking that he can cash in his rumble win early(which is complete bullshit to begin with)but we know he'll cry his way into the title picture somehow, Cheers!
a nice little heel turn by HBK or FLair going into WM would be VERY nice. both play very good heels, and they could go great promos on the road to WM and have the match, HBK wins, and the 2 shake and hug after the match, Flair is retired, and everyone is happy.
HHH is just GREEDY!!! I mean i like the guy, good wrestler and everything, but He is ALL about him self, if he REALLY REALLY cared about the future of the business, Hardy goes over in the Chamber match at No Way Out. but get use to it, its HHH's way or the highway. and that wont change for a LONG time...
DJB I agree WM would draw but I personally don't think Hardy is at WM main event status YET. Now that's not to say he's not over. He's so close to that level that it's scary. But in my personal opinion WM main events should be(notice I said should) reserved for the most over and most 'unstoppable' guys. Now like Cena, HHH, Orton, Edge and Taker or not those guys have that feel. Hardy needs another month mabe two of strong booking and he'll be there. What I believe is the best thing for Hardy is to be drafted to SmackDown. It keeps him from being buried by Cena and HHH and it also gives him a reason to drop that peice of garbage IC title. Swing Matt Hardy over to the Raw midcard or both of them lose steam and let Jeff climb through Smackdown's top guys and he's set. And as far as who should have won the Raw EC, I dunno they pretty much booked their main event picture into an ugly corner. I guess Triple H was the best choice, Hardy a close second but I just feel that since Cena's return they've completely botched Raw as a whole.
And for Annymus: when I said too much too soon I'm not saying he hasn't been in the business long enough, he's a vet no doubt and he deserves a main event spot no doubt. Just that his push started 2 months ago. Face it, Hardy will be around for years to come and he's always gonna have a huge following there's no need to rush this push. Generally, the longer the push takes the longer the push lasts.
House I'll agree that your too much too soon isn't far off. He has only recently been pushed as a "main eventer," other than his Undisputed Championship ladder match over the summer of 2002 against Taker he hasn't been in that picture.
The E HAS booked itself into an ugly ass corner, but only because they've forgotten what it means to put over new people, different people, and people that DESERVE it. Cena=overexposed, HHH=too much for too long. Orton is the fresher face, and I love what Orton has done lately, the thing is though, once that title comes off of him, he's going to be without it for a long long time. I hope not, but I figure that much. Expect Cena and H to trade that fucker off long enough for H to get to 13 or 14, and it'll probably take up a calendar year and next years Mania MAIN will probably be Helmsley-Cena 45.
Andrew...greatness on the predictions bro...just greatness.
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