No way out (The day after)

Last night I watched WWE’s “No way out” airing from Baltimore. My wife Stephani (who went to sleep 20 minutes into the PPV), my son Sean II (who also is a WWE shareholder), my daughter Destini (who wanted to be near Sean II), and my oldest daughter Ashlei (who admitted that she likes watching the wrestling PPV’s but doesn’t like boxing and only watches the PPV’s with us to keep from having to be around her siblings) and I enjoyed last night’s event.

Now being the true wrestling fan that I am I felt the show could have been a little more exciting than what it was but I was pleased with the event none the less. Here is my review of it: (Matches in order)

The Crusierweight 9-man Championship Match:

Gregory Helms (formerly known as Hurricane) successfully defended his title against 8 other crusierweights in the division. There was Nunzio, Kid Kash, Paul London, Psicosis, Brian Kendrick (formely known as Spanky), Scotty 2 Hotty, Super Crazy, and Funaki. There was lots of high flying moves executed and at times it was hard to keep up. It was good to see Kid Kash (formerly of ECW) back in the squared circle and he did not dissapoint the fans. Gregory Helms started out on the ouside of the ring because at the bell everyone was gunning for him. But after they wrestlers began to fan out he carefully picked his time to get in the ring. Ultimately after a few finish moves were executed by some of the other wrestlers he was able to pin Psicosis after Kid Kash performed a Dead Level on him. This match was okay.

After that match they went to do an interview and Fit Finlay showed up complaining he did not have a match for the PPV. And since he could find a fight he was going to make a fight. So he grabbed Kristal who was doing the interview and carried her to the ring. A couple minutes later Bobby Lashley ran out to defend her. A few seconds later JBL’s music began to play and the limo drove in. Out of the limo came JBL and he headed to the ring. The announcers thought JBL was going to jump in and help Lashley but that was not the case. Ding-ding and the match started.

JBL vs. Bobby Lashley:

This match was not as intersting as I expected it to be. Bobby Lashley is a big guy (lots of muscles) but is also not as quick. He is more of a power wrestler. He dominated the beginning of the match but JBL was able to retaliate to gain control of the match. JBL threw Lashley into the announcers steel chair and that helped him to keep the momentum. But ultimately Lashley begin to gain momentum and did a series of belly to belly suplexes. While attempting to go for the pin Fit Finlay came out from the crowd and grabbed an object, jumped on the ring apron and hit Lashley with it thus setting JBL up to perform the “Clothesline from hell” and securing the pin-fall. JBL winner

Dave Batista came out and talked to the crowd. He said he was happy to be back and he couldn’t wait to see the main event. He also made sure it was known that his torn biceipt was healed and he would be gunning for the Heavyweight title when he gets back into the ring.

Joey Mercury & Johnny Nitro (M&M) vs. Matt Hardy/Secret Partner (Non title match)

Next came a Tag-Team title match pitting M&M against Matt Hardy and a secret partner. Now this match was definately a surprise for the people attending but it was even a bigger surprise for me. M&M came out did their little ring entrance thing and then Matt Hardy came out. He got up on the ring apron and looked at M&M. Now the announcers made it clear no one had a clue who the secret partner was. A couple of seconds later out from the curtain comes……Tatanka!!! I woke my wife up and Ashley’s eyes lit up. It was really thrill to see him because while trying to figure out another post for Jab & Grapple my wife asked me “Where was Tatanka?” and BAM here he comes. Now as much as it was good to see him it seemed as though most of the crowd was unfamiliar with him. There were a few of the Ole schoolers who did know. This match started out with Matt Hardy having the momentum but M&M were able to regroup and dominated most of the match. Hardy was able to escape and tag Tatanka in and he was fine until Melina interfered giving M&M the advantage again.

M&M was able to keep Tatanka from tagging Hardy until he hit a clothesline on Nitro. Tatanka made it to his corner to tag Hardy and they cleaned house. Ultimately they performed a double finisher with Tatanka doing the Samoan Drop & Hardy hitting the Twist of Fate thus allowing Tatanks to secure the pin and the win. It was good seeing Tatanka in the ring again. Matt Hardy & Tatanka winners.

Next up: Chris Benoit vs. Booker T for the US Championship

Booker T and Sharmell was trying to convence GM Teddy Long to reconsider this match and not let it happen. They got on their knees begging him to stop the match because Booker T claimed he was not 100%. GM Long plainly stated if Booker T did not have this match he would automatically forfeit his title.

After the wrestlers came out Booker T grabbed the mic to say he was going to forfeit his title. He called out GM Long and told him he was not in condition to wrestle and he was going to forfeit. After leaving the ring Benoit grabbed the mic and began a chant of “COWARD” and the crowd joined in. At this point it appeared to me as though they were kind of clueless as to what the next move was. Sharmell grabbed the mic and began to blame Benoit for Booker’s forfeitung. She slapped him 3 times and as Benoit began to go for her Booker ran in and hit Benoit from behind.

This was a back and forth match the whole time. Benoit performe the “Three Amigos” as homage to “Eddie Guerrero“. Booker regained control and hit a “Houston Hangover” which put both guys down. Benoit (after getting back to his feet) the hit a series of “German Suplexes and Sharmell jumped up on the ring apron as he was tring to get the sharpshooter on Booker. Book managed to get out of it and pushed Benoit into the ropes knocking Sharmell to the floor. Booker tried a “Scissors Kick and missed thus allowing Benoit to put the Sharpshooter on. Booker held on until Benoit changed the “Sharpshooter” into a “Crippler-Crossface” and Booker Tapped out. Winner and NEW US Champion Chris Benoit.

Next: Rey Mysterio vs. Randy Orton (for the #1 contenders Heavyweight title spot in Wrestlemania 22)

This match started with Mysterio congradulating Benoit on his win. Benoit in return told Mysterio he would be doing the same thing once his match was over. He reminded Mysterio this match was not just for himself, Benoit, Chavo (Eddie’s nephew), and Vicky (Eddie’s widow) but also for Eddie. Rey promised he would not let them down and proceeded to the ring. Mysterio came out looking very focused and to be honest did very well in the match. But with the height advantage going to Orton at times it was hard for Mysterio. Orton focused primarily on Mysterio’s left hand & arm after Mysterio missed a “West Coast Pop”. But Mysterio was able to hit a “Powerbomb” off the second rope on Orton and then hit the ”West Coast Pop”. Mysterio got caught by Orton while trying to climb on the top rope and attempted a drop-kick but Orton caught him with his own. Mysterio was able to execute a drop-kick sending Orton on the second rope. Mysterio went to perform a 619 and Orton ducked thus rolling Mysterio up for the pin with help by holding the rope. Winner Orton who gets the #1 spot at WrestleMainia 22. 

Final Match: Kurt Angle vs. The Undertaker (Heavyweight Title match)

Now this match was supposed to by the most interesting match of the night according to Tazz & Michael Cole (Smackdown announcers). Kurt Angle one of the most technically sound wrestlers against The Undertaker one of the most skilled strikers. The Undertaker started out dominating the match by concentrating his attack on Angle’s left arm and shoulder. The Undertaker was able to execute a “Snake Eyes” & Ole School (walking the top rope and jumping off) but Angle came back with a release “German Suplex”. Angle threw the Undertaker outside the ring but The Undertaker regained momentum by throwing Angle into the ringpost and hitting a leg-drop on Angle.

He attempted a chokeslam but and got out of it and then focused on the Undertaker’s leg. Angle got on quite a few “Ankle locks” but the Undertaker countered with “Triangle Cross Holds”. During one of the Ankle locks the Undertaker mamange to counter by forcing Angle outside the ring. The Undertaker went to remove the monitors from the announcer table and ultimately got Angle slammed through the table. The referee attempted to count him out but Angle stopped him and said he wanted to beat him in the ring.

Once back in the ring it bacme a back and forth match with the Ankle Lock & Triangle Cross holds being applied time after time. The Undertaker put Angle in another Triangle Cross hold and appeared to be fading. The ref began to do that count and at 2 /12 Angle rolled over pinning the Undertaker’s shoulders. The Undertaker did not release the hold and Angle got the pin and retained his title. Winner Kurt Angle 

My view:

Overall this was a fairly good PPV. This was a Smackdown PPV so there were no Raw superstars in it. Most of the PPV’s do have bleeders and that makes some of the matches a lot more interesting. JBL bled a little but not like he normally would. I will give this PPV a 5 out 10. I can’t wait to see what the follow-up will be.