WrestleRant
  • Home
  • Columnist Corner
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Audio
  • Videos
  • Store
  • About
  • Contact
Picture

WWE NXT Review - February 22, 2017

2/22/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Peyton Royce def. Liv Morgan and Ember Moon in an NXT Women's Championship Triple Threat Match

In theory, the Triple Threat stipulation definitely would have worked to their advantage so the three competitors could cycle out, but this was a glorified singles match with Moon out at ringside for a majority of the match. Morgan just isn't sympathetic as a babyface, so it's not as if the crowd rallied behind her here, but at least Royce looked dominant by being on offense throughout. Royce winning actually surprised me, but then again, the title match with Asuka will happen on next week's show, so I assume Moon will earn her shot at the strap sometime soon to set up that match.

Pete Dunne def. Mandrews

This was one of my favorite matches from the WWE United Championship Kingdom Tournament last month, so I'm glad this was their introduction to the NXT fans. Mandrews is an amazing high-flyer while I'm a big fan of Dunne's intensity and hard-hitting style, so this was a truly terrific match. They told a solid story with Mandrews having to work from underneath, so the second half was excellent and the finishing sequence was fantastic. Here's hoping both men will be staples of NXT going forward.

Read More
0 Comments

#AskGSM Edition #169: Enzo Amore Criticisms, SmackDown Battle Royal, Naomi's Injury, More

2/22/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
By Graham "GSM" Matthews
​#AskGSM is a weekly Q&A video where I, Graham "GSM" Matthews answer fan questions from Facebook, Twitter and YouTube in regards to the world of wrestling. Nothing is off limits, and this week’s edition touches upon a variety of topics including:
​
  • Is skits being more of a draw than wrestling a misconception?
  • What is the most underrated WrestleMania match of all-time?
  • What's the difference between the Mankind vs. The Rock feud and Charlotte Flair vs. Sasha Banks?
  • Should Luke Harper win Money in the Bank this year?
  • How can WWE increase viewership for 205 Live?
  • Is Naomi's injury a work or is it real?
  • Has Enzo Amore's character grown stale as of late?
  • Does WWE need more characters right now than wrestlers?
  • Thoughts on the finish to the Battle Royal on SmackDown Live?
  • What will happen to Chris Jericho's United States Championship reign?
  • And MUCH more!

Read More
0 Comments

Ring of Honor Review - February 22, 2017

2/22/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
​By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Silas Young def. Bull James

I believe this was James' in-ring debut on ROH TV, and although he had a decent match with Young here, he didn't have as impressive of an outing as he probably should have. He isn't a bad wrestler by any means, especially for someone of his size, but in all honesty, the only thing about him that stood out as special was his "Bullfit" gimmick. When that's stripped away from him, it's pretty bland, and this match was just kind of there for me. Eating a loss in his first ROH match doesn't do him many favors, either.

Colt Cabana def. The Boys in a 2-on-1 Handicap Match

As I've said before, I'm glad they're moving forward with this feud between Cabana and Dalton Castle after their Final Battle bout two months ago. Despite turning heel, Cabana is still the same comedy character he was as a babyface, but at least he's entertaining, and he'll definitely elicit heat in attacking The Boys. He needed this win to build some credibility for himself, so I enjoyed this all around.

Read More
0 Comments

WWE 205 Live Review - February 21, 2017

2/21/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
By Graham "GSM" Matthews

The Brian Kendrick def. Akira Tozawa by Count-out

Far too often does it feel like Cruiserweights are limited in terms of what they can do in the ring, but it seemed Tozawa and Kendrick were able to let loose a bit and contest a pretty entertaining opener. As I've noted before, Tozawa is quickly winning over the audience with his charisma and exciting in-ring arsenal. In addition to the action being enjoyable, the psychology was solid as well and Kendrick tying up Tozawa's leg under the ring isn't something we see too often from heels. Thus, it was in line with what his character would do and kept the program alive.

Noam Dar def. Mustafa Ali

These two seem to be in a bit of a holding pattern at the moment, but at the very least, both of them are excellent athletes and this was a fun match. The biggest issue with having these guys trade victories back and forth is that they don't build any real momentum. And officials wonder why the crowds don't care about them for the most part. On a side note, the commentators acknowledged Alicia Fox's absence from ringside and Corey Graves said she was out sick.

Read More
0 Comments

WWE SmackDown Live Review - February 21, 2017

2/21/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Naomi Vacated the SmackDown Women's Championship

I hoped the injury Naomi discussed last week was a work, but apparently it's legitimate after all, which is a massive shame. She finally won the belt and then had it taken away from her because she got hurt. Bummer. She also must be out for a while if they're taking the title off her now and not waiting until WrestleMania. The emotion she showed here was real and was easily the best promo she has cut in her career. Alexa Bliss attempting to convince Daniel Bryan to simply hand her the belt back only for Bryan to put her in a match with Becky Lynch was well done.

Alexa Bliss def. Becky Lynch to Win the SmackDown Women's Championship

These two work well together, so although this was a good match, I don't understand why this wasn't a Triple Threat match also involving Mickie James. Didn't James beat Lynch on last week's SmackDown Live, anyway? It's a bout we've seen countless times before, so while it was nothing new from them, their latest in-ring encounter was solid for what it was. Bliss regaining the gold was the right call since she's the strongest character in the division at the moment.

Read More
0 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>

    Categories

    All
    #AskGSM
    Battle Of The Belts
    Cruiserweight Classic
    Halftime Heat
    Hidden Gems
    Interviews
    Lists/Rankings
    Mae Young Classic
    Mixed Match Challenge
    News
    NJPW
    NWA Shockwave
    NXT PLEs
    Opinion
    Previews
    Retro Reviews
    Reviews
    RJ's Two Cents
    Satire
    Slammy Awards
    SNME
    SummerSlam Recall
    The Deadly Draw
    The World Is A Vampire
    Tribute To The Troops
    Women's Eliminator
    Worlds Collide
    WrestleMania Recall
    WWE Draft
    WWE Network Specials
    WWE PLEs
    WWE Starrcade


    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010

    RSS Feed

©2025 WrestleRant. All Rights Reserved.
  • Home
  • Columnist Corner
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Audio
  • Videos
  • Store
  • About
  • Contact