Superstar Sleeze

They had those in MA in the late 90s at least. I think they still do now. Im pretty sure the issue is you and your Mean Street Posse mentality, my friend.I may not be from Brockton or Lawrence but I ain't from Lexington or Concord either. Don't make me out to be some boojie mutha. Matt D, you'll get this being from Mass, it sounds like Hot Topic is like a more widespread Newbury Comics. Genius idea! I make a West Newbury Comics and devote to selling Cena merch!

The Bullet Club design is really cool. Even if I wasn't into wrestling, I'd dig the shirt. Also don't know what Spenscers Gifts is.

I didn't even know what Hot Topic was until this thread and I am 28. I feel really out of touch. Is it a big deal? Is it a popular clothing store? Is it like Abercrombie & Fitch or Aeropostale? (Tangent: Is how Michael Cole says Aeropostale the correct way to say it? Because if so there is a whole shit load of New Englanders that aint saying it right). Those were two big ones that all the "cool" teens went to when I was a kid.

I didn't think about the Loss factor. A PWO convention in Chi-Town could be a big drawing card.

This is actually kinda fun in the fantasy book how to get 10k people to watch a non-WWE event. I think if CM Punk is NOT coming don't do Chicago. No major nearby cities. It is not a destination (East Coaster speaking here, so all you Flyover States bruthas can flame me if you want). I don't think it is worth IT. This is the obvious answer, but because it is obvious is why they should do it. New York City (Largest Metro Area). Biggest city in America. Rabid fanbase one hour away in Philly (Seventh largest metro area). DC is four hours away (sixth largest metro area in US). Boston is four hours away (tenth largest metro area). I have driven to shows in NYC four times. Three out of four times AJ Styles was on the card and the other time was for Mania. So clearly the way to get me to go is to have AJ on the card. Also if they do it in UK, it totally doesn't count. Has to be in America. If it happens outside of America, did it really happen? (Now all non-Americans can flame me) One out there thought, how about Spring Break in Florida. Large gathering of young people anyways and a bunch of 20-somethings from the Northeast may say fuck the cold lets go party with the Bullet Club and college kids. Wet t-shirt contest with Brandi Rhodes would totally draw 10k. Lol

I see everyone's point. Wrestling is ultimately a carny business and the goal is to pretty much get people in the door by any means, necessary. I agree the more competition the better. However, I think I am more aligned with Matt, it just feels disingenuous (yes, I know wrestling and being genuine), but it would mean a lot more if instead of promoting as a way to stick to Meltzer or do something that has not been done since WCW, that Kenny Omega or Cody Rhodes was actually that over. ROH, wrestlemania weekend with the Hardys on top at the height of the Broken Universe, 3500. Yep, CM Punk in Chicago, get that or just give up. I feel like there is some weird Indie or maybe even a lucha promotion that has hit 10k since 2000?

Matt, I can see your point and clearly that will be what they try to draw on. Dave Meltzer says we cant do it, lets show him! But I really don't think that is a strong enough drawing card. Doing some quick research: TNA Lockdown 2013 - Alamodome (they ran the Alamodome?!?!) - 7200 TNA Slammiversary 2012 - Arlington, TX- 5500

I went to an ROH Show that had AJ Styles, Tanahashi, Okada, Nakamura and Liger on it and they sold out the Ballroom, but they weren't turning away 8k-9k. Bryan's return maybe? Maybe? I don't know. Cody vs Bryan was a mediocre match in 2010 and I have no interest in it now. CM Punk in Chicago, their best chance and I think their only chance. Well heres the logical followup question what is the largest non-WWE show in the US since the demise of WCW?

I have a similar combo Matt that would have made heads explode in 2006 may be not as much now. And like you I honestly believe in it. JkWebb, I know right, Brutha. I don't know how people have submitted ballots already. So much stuff!

As of now ahead, depends how good Big Show/Sheamus is though. I need to watch that. So much wrestling, so little time. Mark Henry has better presence, better at playing up the monster role and is better at working on top than Big Show even though Show is more mobile. I feel like Show is missing that signature run too. Show definitely makes the list but in the 50s as opposed to Henry in my 40s.

One of my firm beliefs is that it is never too late. One of the best examples of this is the pro wrestling career of Mark Henry. For 15 years he was treated like a joke and loser, but in 2011 when he was finally given an opportunity to be a superstar, he went on a tear that will go down as one of the all time great monster heel runs. Showing us that Mark Henry always had what it took to be a World Champion he just needed the opportunity and once he got it he made his dream into a reality. Work hard, prepare and be vigilant and when that opportunity comes be just like big ol 412 lb Mark Henry take it and never let it go. It is never too late to be great. http://ridingspacemountain.blogspot.com/2017/11/its-never-too-late-mark-henrys-hall-of.html?m=1 Full match reviews click the link at the top of this blog post.

WWE Champion John Cena vs Mark Henry - Money In The Bank 2013 On the heels of what I have called the greatest pro wrestling promo of all time, we get a damn good David vs Goliath. Cena's disdain for babyface shines can be forgiven here as he eats a knee right from jump when he charges into the Human Brick Wall known as Mark Henry. Mark Henry puts on one of the best heat segments in history. Torturing Cena and treating him like a ragdoll. The Headbutts and body attacks were there and so was that insane straddle to the floor that Alberto Del Rio does but now it is 412 lbs Mark Fucking Henry doing it, but he busted out new ways to inflict pain such as the Front Suplex to the steel steps and the Giant Swing (loved the one into the barricade). I will say I would have liked more struggle from Cena, but his selling was great and the offense was good. Cena tried hope spots like dropkick and a slam (his back gave out), but Henry snuffed it out. It was only when Henry was applying a head vice that Cena started to make the big man reel with punches. First shoudlertackle didn't knock the big man down, but the second one sure did. I think he should have went for more. Cant get up the massive Mark Henry for the FU. Mark Henry squashes him like a pancake, but only gets two. Cena does hit the FU but only for two. Know that is depressing. You finally do the move you want to do and it doesn't even finish the job. He goes up top, crossbody, CAUGHT, WORLD STRONGEST SLAM, PHILLY ERUPTS, 1-2-NO! HUGE REACTION! That was great. Henry is pissed and tears off the turnbuckle pad in anger. Then a light bulb goes off. He gets some chairs to distract the ref tears off a different corner. He goes to send John in and Cena reverses and the Big Man takes straight to the chest. STFU, but Mark gets the ropes. Mark Henry pushes Cena into the ref and BOOM kicks a field goal through the uprights and Cena is down. 1-2-NO! Worlds Strongest Slam, no Cena picks the ankle and it is STFU and that leads to the tap out. Awesome David vs Goliath match. Could have used more struggle in the beginning. Great, great offense from Henry and Cena sold well, but would have liked Cena to fight and then have Henry fight through Cena. The transition to the finish run was fine, the punches were good would have liked Cena to switch up against Mark Henry, but hey what are you gonna. Finish run from the first flattened FU to the end was awesome. Great one last gasp of Mark Henry! ****

"BABY IM COMING HOME" Honestly, I think this is my pick for the greatest promo in pro wrestling history. I just watched it and the part where he talks about his daughter crying everytime when he leaves, I welled up. Jesus! I knew what was going to happen and I still welled up. I was smiling too while it happened because he got me. That's pro wrestling, baby. Hell even when I watched this in real time in 2013 I smelt the angle from a mile away it still didn't keep me from being swept up in it. From the great self-depreciating humor of "I figured if you forgot me, you would remember this jacket" and "Don't cry for me, Argentina, I am doing enough crying for myself." to talking about the respect he has for everyone that works for WWE, the pride he has in his career, though he has one regret and his family. It is really the perfect retirement speech and that's what makes it so good. He is crying and smiling. Honest to God, you think he is retiring. The promo Cena cuts before this is amazing. Talking about how terrible 2012 was with no World Championship victories, losing to The Rock, but he never gave up and his fans never gave up on him. He is earnestly thanking his fans. Then he discusses how he will be ever-vigilant for his next challenger. Here comes Big 'Ol Mark and Cena is crying & smiling along with the rest of us. "Thank You Henry" chant, damn he worked us good. Mark Henry, you did pro wrestling proud, brutha. "BABY I'M COMING HOME!" World's Strongest Slam. I STILL GOT A LOT LEFT IN THE TANK! THATS WHAT I DO! If I gave out star ratings for promos this is the six star promo. I am excited to watch the match because I aint never seen the match.

World Heavyweight Champion Edge vs Rey Mysterio - Royal Rumble 2008 Can Rey Mysterio wrestle himself to a great match? The answer is yes he can. Edge is just a lump of flesh. He does nothing. He has all the charisma of a potted plant. Rey does botch one move early, but other than that it is all Rey. I think they went for throwing out the Edgeheads too early as it did not get the reaction that spot usually gets. I liked the attempted 619 leading to a plancha to the floor and then a seated senton. I thought the beginning was a little disorganized but they settled in there. Rey then springs up to the middle rope maybe for a reverse crossbody, but we will never know because Edge kicks out his bad leg (injured by Chavo in 2006 and cost Rey one year of his career). Edge proceeds to hug Rey's leg. Michael Cole is talking about force he is using, but he was literally just hugging his leg. Rey to his credit sold the whole thing like a million bucks. Loved his hope spots enziguiri and bulldog. He needed head rocking spots to get back into this. There were times when he really shouldn't have used the leg like the double stomp from the top but then there were times when he was genius like the belly slide into a tornado DDT to the outside. Edge really has no stooging or bumping that is entertaining or interesting. Edge hits a big boot to let us know he is alive, but he goes for the Spear he ends up in position for 619. Dial it up and the splash. Vickie pulls out the ref. Oh Vickie was already in the wheelchair and I don't know why. I thought the 619 put her there, my bad. Rey is pissed. Edge goes for spear ends up on the ropes. Vickie puts herself in harms way. Takes the 619. Now that's true love! Rey is conflicted but goes for a springboard senton and Edge hits a spear outta mid-air. Strong finish like Vickie getting involved and the Spear outta mid-air. Rey sold well and built his comeback gradually and expertly. Rey rules! ***1/2

World Heavyweight Champion Edge vs Rey Mysterio - No Way Out 2008 The Edge/Vickie stuff from the video package looks glorious. I absolutely love that type of heel shit. Vickie takes the West Coast Pop in a wheelchair! She was in the wheelchair because she sacrificed herself for Edge to take the 619. I love it. The Valentine's Day proposal, man, Edge might suck in the ring but he has a knack for this. Mysterio had a legitmate torn bicep and even with that he is a better pro wrestler than Edge. He actually gets the majority of the offense. Rana early has to use the left hand to punch. Edge hits a big boot and throws him into the stairs. Edge cant even properly apply a wristlock. What a joke. Edge posts himself and Rey hits a moonsault and a tornado DDT as hope spots. He dials up 619 but cant follow it up. Edge spears him out of mid-air. Basically this shows that Rey with a torn bicep and in excoriating pain is a better wrestler than Edge.

Undertaker vs Edge - Summerslam 2008 Hell In A Cell It is interesting the video package frames the entire story through the eyes of Edge. HHH exposing Edge's infidelity leads to Vickie Guerrero reinstating the Undertaker and condemning Edge to Hell In A Cell. Edge calls upon Mick Foley to help him prepare. Mick Foley tells him to look within. So Edge beats the shit out of him and snaps in general and attacks Chavo and pushes Vickie out of the wheelchair. The match becomes more about Edge's journey about facing this Demon. The match is of course then way more Undertaker getting revenge. It is pro wrestling not Dickens. I can at least see why this match is praised and why some people may love it. Because I actually enjoyed it a good bit. It is a good car crash match and probably one of the best the weapons in a cell matches of all time. That's Hell In A Cell really is now Weapons In A Cell. This is really where Edge excels. He is pretty bland and terrible in straight wrestling matches, but in these he is pretty good. The transition to the weapons is terrible. Undertaker sets up some stairs in the corner. By pro wrestling rule #124, he who sets up the furniture but eat the furniture. Instead, Edge takes Snake Eyes on the steps and then immediately counters. So Edge no sells the steps to set up more step related offense that actually does hurt. What?!? Edge actually a really good spear up against the steps. Edge does not like the Feng Shui of the Cell so sets forth on a massive redecoration project. He rolls in every once in a while to hit Undertaker with something while he acts as his own stage hand. The match does get good, I swear once Edge spears Undertaker through the Cell Wall. This was pretty dangerous as it looked like it was just inches from hitting Jim Ross and Lilian Garcia in the head. Edge then speared Undertaker through the announce table. They had a good slugfest, back in the ring they trade finishers, but it is pretty entertaining. The best part is the finish. Undertaker does every heinous act that Edge did him back to him. I am real big sucker for this type of stuff. Undertaker chokeslams him off the top rope onto stacked tables (TLC match), camera shot (Survivor Series 2007), Conchairto (Smackdown). Awesome, awesome stuff. Tombstone finishes it. Undertaker is leaving and sees Edge moving on the big screen. So he chokeslams him off the top of the ladder through the ring into the DEPTHS OF HELL! Sue me, I enjoyed it. It was a total car crash match, but the finish takes it from something that is meaningless and shallow to being an amazing revenge match. ***3/4

WWE Champion Edge vs Undertaker - WrestleMania XXIV We are currently look at 40 minutes with the video packages and entrances. So we are doing stream of consciousness. These two had five, FIVE PPV matches together in 2008. That has to be some sort of record. They did four in a row and then Summerslam. They main evented both Mania and Summerslam. 2008 is remembered rightfully for HBK vs Y2J, but this feud was big. It all starts at Survivor Series 2007 in that horrible Hell in a Cell match between Undertaker and Batista. Edge screwed over the Undertaker. I don't remember why. Edge would win the World Championship in a triple threat match at Armageddon (December) 2007 against Batista and Undertaker. Batista really got hosed. Edge is also undefeated at WrestleMania, but I thought he lost a multi-man match before this. Lots of play up around the streak in the build. Lots of 15-1 talk. There was a funeral segment at one point...love those! Undertaker tombstoned Vickie! She was a champ! Build up seemed to focus mostly around the Streak vs the Title and that Edge has a lot of cronies. Undertaker is still making his entrance, Edge lost in Money in the Bank the year previous. Never lost in a singles match. Undertaker is very tanned. It was a really good Undertaker entrance. Great presence. The Coach is on commentary! Wow! Michael Cole has seen many come and go. I have actually seen this match before when it happened. I was so interested in Ric Flair's retirement I found an illegal stream. Vickie is out in a wheelchair pushed by Teddy Long for a good luck kiss. That's very pro wrestling, love it. Edge must really feel like he made it. Main event of WrestleMania defending the title against Undertaker. Big Show vs Mayweather and HBK/Flair feel like a bigger deal, but he closed the show. Really if they had faith in their young talent, Cena vs Orton should have main evented one on one based around the legit injury Cena had at the hands of Orton. Instead they threw HHH in the mix because HHH didn't have anything else to do. Entrances are still going on. Good time to mention I wish Big Goldy would make a comeback not just for WCW nostalgia but because it is the best looking belt ever. Undertaker does the throat slit. Edge just starts punching Undertaker. Undertaker whips him into buckles and nice meaty clothesline by Taker. Edge plays a little cat and mouse. Taker drives him throat first across top rope. Good punches as usual by Undertaker. Edge gets his boots up. Undertaker gets his patented clothesline, you know the one. Doesn't look as good as usual. Undertaker is looking for Old School great early match move. Nice armdrag by Undertaker to counter Edges counter. Undertaker hip checks Edge and is a bit overzealous and tumbles over the top rope onto the floor. Edge knocks Undertaker off the apron to the barricade. Edge gets a dropkick as Undertaker is trying get back in the ring. Some good King of the Mountain by Edge. Edge follows out and not much happens. Pretty boring match thus far. Edge is really terrible at offense. Undertaker usually makes his opponent work for his offense, but Undertaker is kinda letting this happen. Undertaker gets some punches and as he goes for a bodyslam and Undertaker collapses. I really didn't feel like that was a focus. I guess Undertaker is trying in his own way. Undertaker sends Edge crashing down to the floor from the top rope. A pretty sick bump! Nasty thud! UNDERTAKER SUICIDE DIVE OVER THE TOP ROPE! I am such a mark for that spot! We got like twenty more minutes. Jeez. Undertaker hits a leg drop on the apron. What is the narrative? What is the hook? Undertaker makes you want to think it is his bad back, but Im not buying what he is selling. Undertaker cant hit Last Ride because of a bad back. Edge big boot. Edge back suplexes him on the barricade like Randy Orton would and Undertaker ends up in a couple fans' laps. I liked that spot! Edge with his dainty forearms and now with the lamest half crab ever. So terrible. Undertaker rolls over and gets a two. YES! This is what we need the SHITTEST Indian Deathlock of all time. Undertaker is doing his best to sell, but he needs to do more to save this match. He is going for a slugfest. Who believes that Edge's lamest ass punches can stand up to Undertakers? Snake eyes and Edge dropkick. It was a curveball. I will give em that. Edge comes off the middle and Chokeslam, nope countered into Edge's signature DDT. 1-2-NO! Edge goes for spear and kicks Edge and massive Chokeslam for two. Old School, but no crotches him. They are really stressing that Undertaker has never beaten Edge. I cant remember a lot of Edge vs Undertaker matches. I guess that does play into Edge being able to constantly counter Undertaker. Superplex gets two. Last Ride, countered and reverse neckbreaker. They have established a story. It is that Edge keeps finding a counter. Last Ride->1-2-No! I guess the other thing is that Edge is able to kick out. They are really pushing what does Undertaker have to do to beat Edge. Edge counters Undertaker. This story would be a lot easier to buy if Edge actually had high profile wins over Undertaker. Third time is the charm for Old School. Undertaker big boots the ref and Edge hits the Slop Drop. Undertaker defiantly goozles Edge, but Edge punts him in the balls. Yeah finally something heelish! Edge has the camera and pulverizes him. Edge is the worst heel ever. Zombie situp. Undertaker Tombstone! I know what I remember about this match! LIL NAITCH HAULING FUCKING ASS DOWN THAT LONG RUNWAY! When he only counts two, he must be pissed! The Edgeheads! Chokeslams Hawkins on Ryder. Edge spear->1-2-no Good nearfall. Take it home please. Spear into the Gogolplata. Lame. He taps out. If someone told me, hey I want you to hit your finish and then stare into my eyes and I will put you into my submission. I would be like fuck you no way. Protect your finish a little bit, brutha. Terrible first two thirds. Last third once Edge started to counter at least had a discernible story even if I didn't buy it. Really not that much in the way of memorable spots either. Honestly the most memorable thing is Charles Robinson sprinting the whole runway. Skip this.

WWE Champion Triple H vs Edge - GAB 2008 Chock this one up to the morbid curiosity. There are no two main eventers from the 2000s that I care about less, but this is one of the few matchups that really was not done often. I guess there was also the Rated RKO vs DX feud, but overall this is not one of the more frequent matchups of the 2000s. The year 2008 was Edge at the peak of his career as he had FIVE matches with Undertaker including main eventing both WrestleMania and Summerslam that year. This also featured the last calendar year that HHH spent a significant length of time as the world champion. HHH had been drafted to Smackdown, which was a definite shock and Edge lost the World Championship to RAW to CM Punk on a money in the bank cash in. This was a logical feud given Undertaker was on a vacation and Edge was the number one heel and HHH was the number one face on Smackdown. The feud is a result of a fact that Edge was marrying Vickie Guerrero and HHH introduced a video at their wedding showing Edge kissing ALICIA FOX!!! HOLY SHIT! Alicia Fox has been around for NINE years. What the fuck? Also crazy Zack Ryder has been around that long. We are definitely doing this stream of consciousness style: Mick Foley says this the first singles match for the World Championship with these. Edge lunges and is pissed at HHH. He swarms him and punches him. Hey good start! HHH sends Edge over the top and then knocks him off the apron. HHH whips him into barricade. HHH elbows Edge as it exposed on the apron and then on top rope. HHH as the babyface should get a shine. HHH is working the neck it seems. Kneedrop there. Good selling by Edge. Feels more like heel in peril than face shine. Edge takes the Bret Bump and HHH LEVELS Edge. Good forearm sledge from behind from HHH. Then sends him off the post. HHH is terrible at babyface shines. Edge is actually doing pretty well. Flapjack on the barricade gives Edge a breather. Edge kicks the midsection and then spear into HHH as he is up against the buckles. Edge always kind of looks dazed. Kicks midsection. HHH slugs him twice, but is selling the midsection. Good cutoff by Edge. This is actually pretty good so far. Irish Whip by Edge into the buckles. Don't get me wrong it is very basic. I work one body part, you work one body part. Some basic transitions. Selling is on point. Edge takes it outside and is very focused on the midsection of HHH. HHH is selling well. Body scissors by Edge first hold of the match. Edge is at his best when is throwing his opponent into hard stuff because his offense looks like shit. HHH punches out of the body scissors. Edge dropkick cuts HHH off. HHH is playing it smart constantly trying to roll away to create space. Edge is staying on top of him. Edge takes the first big bump of the match spearing through ropes, but missing. Not a total out of control bump as he clearly grabbed the ropes and was not going for the spear, but thought that counts. HHH does have good slugging rights I will say. Edge with such dainty kick, but at least HHH gets a clothesline. HHH is really motivated. HHH facebuster and Edge ends up outside. HHH sends him into the post, but he is still selling. Good kick by Edge to bad ribs of HHH as he is trying get back in the ring. Edge hits DDT on the outside and they are both down. That's actually pretty good leveling the playing field spot. Edge lifts HHH back into the ring. He gets a two count. First big nearfall and I think that was well-timed. Edge gets catapulted into post, kick wham, DDT for two. You can tell these two came up in the late 90s because they use kicks to midsection to setup their moves. Edge telegraphs back body drop and HHH almost gets Pedigree, but Edge gets out and grabs HHH neck and pulls down to the mat such that the back of his head hits. SPEAR attempt, but misses and HHH gets a schoolboy roll up for two. Edge big boot regains the advantage for Edge. Edge spear, but no HHH SPINEBUSTER does his big flex roar, BUT SELLS THE RIBS!!! Way to go, Trips! HHH goes for the Pedigree, but Edge drives him back into the buckles, which hurts HHH's ribs. Edge heabutts HHH on the top rope and superplex for Edge. I feel like HHH has a wrestled pretty damn good match. Strong, continuous selling and good offense. Edge just has no presence. Alicia Fox tries to give the belt to Edge, but Vickie CLOTHESLINES Alicia! CATFIGHT IN THE RING! Edge speared Vickie! Edge is in shock! HHH Pedigree wins. Lets take the ending first because it is lame and makes no sense. Why is Edge in shock he speared Vickie? Was he trying to spear Alicia? Why would he spear her? Why is he spearing women in general? I get you want Edge to spear Vickie by accident because it further their rift, but you got to put HHH in the mix to make this plausible otherwise it is stupid. Now the match, pleasantly surprised! HHH sold the ribs well and his offense was well-timed and looked impactful. Edge sold well in the beginning, he played to his strengths which is not to do much offense but just throw HHH into hard objects and kick him in the abs every once and while. There is just no heel charisma or really any charisma with Edge. The finish run was fine and was not too overwrought. There was silly stuff like Edge coming off the ropes getting caught in a catapult or Edge taking a DDT and doing the next move, but it was not egregious. I cant believe it, but these two get a thumbs up from me. ***

WWE Champion CM Punk vs Mark Henry - RAW 4/2/12 When I decided to go to WrestleMania in 2012 with my Dad & brother for my graduation from my master's program I saw it as the ultimate gift to myself. In a lot of ways, I was actually in nadir of my wrestling watching. I didn't watch Smackdown at all. I was totally clueless to the whole Yes Movement and I was wondering why everyone was chanting Yes in the parking lot. Honestly, a lot of the storylines headed into RAW did not pique my interest. The pipebomb promo of 2011 renewed my interest in pro wrestling, but I still was not as into it. WrestleMania XVIII was an incredible experience. It was very important in rejuvenating my love for wrestling, but I would say the night after was all the more reason. I have told the story many times that it was Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania XIX that made me a lifelong fan again after I completely stopped watching in September of 2001. Well his return in 2012, spurred on a resurgence in my desire to plunge deep into pro wrestling like I never had before. It was in the summer of 2012, I discovered this message board and my life has never been the same. Thank you, Brock! The other thing I remember from that night was how fucking awesome CM Punk vs Mark Henry was. I was already back in my apartment in Michigan and my brother was back home in Boston. We were texting together just marking out about how amazing this match was. Context, the night before CM Punk defended his championship against Chris Jericho and injured his back. Mark Henry was rewarded with a title shot because CM Punk called John Lauranitis a toolbox at the top of the show. This is without a doubt in my mind the greatest in-ring verbal trash talk I have ever heard. You have your old stand-bys like "That all you got." "I own you.", but then you got some really clever ones "Oh, you wanna count? Count this" then Mark Henry counting along to each stomp. The pinnacle of this and it was burnt in my mind from this match is "Did I tell you to move? You only move when I tell you to move". It is ***** trash talk that is for sure. Incredible performances from both men, just a perfect David vs Goliath match. CM Punk is trying valiant but keeps getting manhandled and his back just isn't holding up. The number one reason he is staying in this match is that he keeps moving out of the way of things. Mark Henry is beating the tar out of him though. CM Punk is laying in his shots. I loved his elbow flurry before the bearhug could be cinched in. There is one flurry of kicks and then Kenta Kobashi like chops that is just electric. Mark Henry sold all this like a million bucks so when it was time to go down it felt like a huge deal. CM Punk's selling and fighting through the pain is some of the best I have ever seen. Mark Henry played the monster role flawlessly. He gave CM Punk openings but he also knew when to cutoff him. It really made you question how CM Punk could win this match? Guess what ultimately he loses! How about that for a curveball! It has been so long since I had seen the match I totally forgot. CM Punk hits two fabulous running knees in the corner. I got to emphasize this CM Punk's strikes looked fantastic in this match. He goes for his standard bulldog out of the corner but Mark Henry throws him over the top rope on the floor. CM Punk goes splat, but Mark has been knocked so loopy he does not capitalize so CM Punk gets counted out. To me it was a strange finish because Mark Henry was on his way down the card and they never followed up on it. God, I wish they had a program together. I think they could have put together something really special. I wouldn't bat an eye if someone said this was the best Mark Henry match ever, I like the Orton Night of Champions match better for the definitive finish, but this was a joy to watch. Definitely check it out if you haven't. ****1/4

Chris Jericho vs Evan Bourne - Fatal 4-Way 2010 A very selfless performance from Jericho, it was truly a good faith effort to make this kid look good. I liked Jericho's promo a lot before the match saying if you are under 25, he is the reason you watch and if you are over 25 he is the reason you continue to watch. He also noticed a change in his career. For the first time, he doesn't feel like the underdog or the young upstart, he is the veteran and he is at the top. It was a nice self-realization promo. He still had another WrestleMania title match in him and the stuff with Kevin Owens was incredible, you cant write Jericho off just yet as a main event act. In Jericho's mind, the way to get a kid over is to give him moments to shine. We see that with Bourne big dive to the outside, the incredible Frankensteiner while Bourne was on the mat and Jericho was on the top rope, letting him get rope breaks on the Walls of Jericho & Codebreaker and then of course the coup d'grace hitting his finish and winning the match. In my opinion, this is a very superficial way of getting someone over. Letting him get in key spots, escape your finishes and win the match are crucial and 100% agree with Jericho's call on that as a means to the accomplishing the objective. I just think there are more lasting ways to present this match. It is interesting to me that Jericho is incredible at creating an overarching narrative week-to-week outside the ring (maybe the best at in this millennium) is so poor at creating narratives within a match. This just felt like a workrate match from the 90s. Jericho didn't feel like a veteran or a heel. He was Bourne's peer. Jericho was enjoyable to watch. Seeing him hit German Suplex bridges and double underhook backbreakers was great. They were trading moves and Bourne felt his equal. It has a lot to do how Jericho was brought up. In his mind, this is how Benoit, Eddy and himself made each other. I do think he has a much weaker grasp on psychology either of those two had, but one key difference is they were coming up together. Here the story is difference and I think a lot more mileage could have been gained if it was played up as veteran vs young lion. I say this as a product of the 90s. I didn't start watching wrestling until 1997. My favorites were Benoit, Eddy and Jericho growing up, no doubt. To me they were what pro wrestling inside that squared circle ought to be. It took me a long, long time to stop viewing wrestling through the prism of 90s workrate. I enjoyed this match. I am going to rate the match they had not the match they should have had. This was a very good 90s workrate match where unlike today's workrate there weren't too many modified slams, no gymnastics floor exercise routines, nor the dreaded stagger for 2 minutes while my opponent gets in position. 90s workrate >>> Modern workrate, don't get me wrong. It just lacked that narrative I can sink my teeth into. But as a pro wrestling match where spots were both cool and made sense this was very good. ***1/2

World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan vs Mark Henry vs Big Show - Royal Rumble 2012 Steel Cage Match Three months of excellent booking all culminates here. If a triple threat is actually booked in such a way that warrants a triple threat match I will watch it. How can Daniel Bryan survive with these two gargantuan humans in there? Well one way to solve that is not be in there with them. He tries to make a run for it and Mark Henry yanks him down into a BIG SHOW SPEAR! Big Show then unloads with red hot strikes and splashes Mark Henry up against the cage three times. At this point, Bryan is back up and trying to escape again. Having finished off Mark Henry, Big Show can turn his attention in kicking that little pipsqueek's ass. Big overhand chops and cage shots. I love when an annoying jerk gets his ass handed to him. Big Show's KO punch meets nothing, but steel. Ow! Bryan dropkicks Big Show's knee when he charges. Bryan hits a nasty dropkick to Mark Henry's head. Then hits another dropkick on Big Show. Bryan wants out via door now it is Mark Henry's turn to whup this boy. Mark Henry gets his licks in including the great slingshot spot until Big Show hits him with a superkick. Bryan smacks the hell out of Big Show. Dumb move. Big Show with big sledgehammer blows to Daniel Bryan. Great selling and feeding by Bryan. Big Show hurls Bryan into the cage. Some really great bumps into the cage by Bryan. Colossal bodyslam by Big Show on Bryan. Looked fucking great. Mark Henry is back up and takes Big Show off his feet with a clothesline. Now he can turn his attention to Daniel Bryan then stands on the little man. They working the triple threat formula instead the cage well and it is giving the giants time to rest. Mark Henry goes for the splash into the cage, but eats cage. SPEAR BY BIG SHOW! Daniel Bryan covers! Mark Henry kicks out. Big Show back to chucking Daniel Bryan all around the cage. Bryan gets a tornado DDT and then the LeBell Lock. Henry breaks it up. Henry goes for the Worlds Strongest Slam. KO PUNCH! Big Show covers and Daniel Bryan shoves him off. Daniel Bryan races up the cage and Big Show has him with one hand but Daniel Bryan falls to floor to win. It is pretty telling that Mark Henry didn't get one major nearfall in this match. After this match, Mark Henry would be shunted down the card with one brief bright spot in 2013 when he faked his retirement against Cena. Another great angle was Mark Henry showing off his American and Olympic Pride against Rusev in 2014. This pretty much is the end of the road for the Hall of Pain. It was an amazing run that caught me off guard while it was happening when I was reading about it (didn't have time for Smackdown in college on Friday nights), but finally getting to see it was a true treat. Mark Henry was in the zone. As for this match, I thought it was a brisk fun beat the shit out of Bryan match where Bryan was great bumping for these giants and Big Show was really motivated. Very fun match. ***3/4

World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan vs Mark Henry - Smackdown 1/20/12 Lumberjack Match I hate heel vs heel matches. Face vs face matches are implicitly intriguing. You can get really good technical wrestling out of it. Or the tempers flare halfway through the match narrative. Or the subtle heel narrative. Heel vs heel matches inevitably are heat vacuums because you don't want to see either of these assholes make a comeback. In the monster heel vs the annoying prick heel matchup, I think most people enjoy watching the annoying prick get his ass handed to him, which for the most part is what they go for here. Daniel Bryan is manhandled throughout the match. Being tossed around like a ragdoll. I don't know how I didn't see it coming, but I too like Josh Matthews was wondering why Bryan was going out of his way to antagonize the lumberjacks. Eventually Bryan does make a comeback and see this is what I am talking about. I no longer want to see this and Bryan is still making a babyface comeback. It would be more tolerable if he was heelish about it. It is the usual chop the tree down, dropkicks and Yes kicks (not yet Yes kicks, also he has not been Yesing as much since the first Yesing). Mark obliterates him with a clothesline only gets two. Press slams him over the top onto the lumberjacks. Mark Henry ends up on the outside and it is bedlam. The Lumberjacks attack Bryan and Henry. Henry tries to restore order by picking the lumberjacks off of Bryan but they swarm him. Again, Bryan escapes with the championship in a No Contest. Teddy Long makes Daniel Bryan vs Big Show vs Mark Henry in a Steel Cage for the Rumble! Now that's gonna be awesome!

World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho vs Goldust - WWE Superstars 3/4/10 Goldust is awesome and is criminally underutilized. His punch drunk selling followed by how he sells his throat against the ropes with the choking and falling out the ring was great. Jericho also looked really damn good on top. Goldust shows good fire in his comeback. Great clothesline and powerslam. Nice dropkick by Jericho as Goldust is coming off the top. Goldust goes for the Curtain Call...Jericho counters into Walls of Jericho. Goldust crushed it in this match. ***1/4

World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan vs The Big Show - Smackdown 1/13/13 No DQ As a result of Daniel Bryan intentionally drawing a DQ last week, this match is no DQ. Daniel Bryan is disgusted that a world championship match would end that way and thinks Mark Henry should be suspended for tarnishing such a prestigious match. Mark Henry informs Daniel Bryan he aint suspended and he is facing the World Champion next week on Smackdown. In other news, AJ tells Daniel Bryan, she loves him. Then she tries to reason with the Big Show this gives Daniel Bryan a chance to puff out his chest that he wont let Big Show take his title and his girl. I forgot how much I enjoyed this Daniel Bryan. Daniel Bryan asks AJ how much she loves him. Does he have a plan? Well it seems the plan is to simply to have her come out with him. Awesome match. Big Show is a joy to watch. Such mobile big man and everything he does looks impressive. Daniel Bryan wants a handshake and Big Show obliges by sending Bryan up into a Gorilla Press and then just dropping him. Big Show manhandles Bryan and big chops. Bryan tries coming off the top rope and SPEAR! DAMN BRYAN LOOKED HE WAS BROKEN IN HALF! Great spot. Bryan is too close to the ropes. Bryan does about the only thing he can: get an equalizer. He starts wailing on Big Show with the chair. Big Show is able to knock it out of his hands a couple times, but Bryan keeps coming back to it. DDT on the chair that's how he won the title but it was Mark Henry that did DDT that time, this time it is just a two count. Big Show KO Punches the chair. Always love that spot. Big Show wants to put Daniel Bryan through the table. Bryan keeps with the chair strategy. He tries a running knee off the apron which has proven effective in the past but gets chopped out in mid-air. Bryan runs away and Big Show steamrolls AJ. This stops the match because everyone tends to AJ and Big Show is completely broken up about it. I can keep waiting for Bryan to tear into Big Show. It finally happens. All of it is gold: pointing out the weight discrepancy, how could he be so reckless, you want the title so bad you have it and then to top it all off he calls him a BASTARD! Love it. Big Show looks so pathetic trying to cry but Daniel Bryan rules. This whole angle is money. Loved the match Bryan gets his ass kicked resorts to a steel chair and it becomes Big Show vs the steel chair wielding Daniel Bryan. Great stuff all around. What trick does Bryan have up his sleeve against the World's Strongest Man next week??? ***3/4

World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan vs Big Show - Smackdown 1/6/12 The Yes Movement Begins! There was a hilarious backstage segment the previous week where Daniel Bryan was just so proud of saving the Big Show from Mark Henry twice and Big Show was getting annoyed. Daniel Bryan says "You are annoyed. You have not even thanked me once." The way he said it and his facial expression made me laugh out loud. Big Show is nearly giddy at prospect of this World Championship match with Daniel Bryan. Daniel Bryan mocks him for losing the title in 45 seconds and then tells Big Show to get his hand off his shoulder. Big Show gets all pissy. Sorry brutha but if you are gonna dish it, you gotta be prepared to take it. Got no sympathy for Big Show. Awesome match. Bryan is very cocky on his way down to the ring. Oh yeah I would be remiss not to mention Mark Henry standing up to Michael Cole is the best thing ever. Michael Cole says something about who would win Bryan vs Hornswoggle. Mark Henry just rips into him. Definitely check out. Show uses his size early throwing Bryan around at will and hitting those massive chops. Bryan gets some hope spots like the dropkick to the outside, but that's what they are just hope spots. Some great Big Show presses when Daniel Bryan tries to cover. Mark Henry cheering for both to lose is great. Bryan tries some aerial stuff from the top and Big Show swats him out of the sky with that massive chop. Bryan tries to build momentum using the ropes and Big Show hits a massive spear. I like how Bryan trying everything but has no answer for the size of the Big Show. Big Show is just crushing it. That is until Bryan gets a guillotine choke and transitions into a LeBell Lock. When Big Show winds up for the KO Punch, Bryan realizes he is fucked and retreats fearfully to the outside. He realizes those submissions were his best chance and so he has to get out of this match a different way. Bryan gets up in Mark Henry's face and Mark gives him a wicked shove. The ref reluctantly calls for a DQ. Bryan celebrates like he won the World Championship at the Main Event of WrestleMania complete with YES CHANTS! That is their birth. Well-structured match with Bryan trying everything he can think of until he gets himself disqualified to retain the championship. Big Show was great on offense for this. Really using his size well. ***1/2