No Way Out thoughts
Now that was a pay-per-view that packed a punch. If you don’t believe me, just ask The Big Show.
At No Way Out last night, WWE delivered two well-booked, exciting elimination chamber matches, a WWE title match with an incredibly hot crowd and an unexpected but very well-executed angle with the returning Big Show and boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather.
No Way Out is traditionally looked at as almost a throwaway pay-per-view because it is sandwiched between the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania, but I think it actually topped last month’s Rumble, which was a good show. The matches at No Way Out ranged from decent to excellent, and even the Edge-Rey Mysterio match was OK despite Mysterio being limited by working with a torn biceps.
The results last night were mostly predictable, but WWE showed that predictable is not synonymous with boring. In a couple of matches, even though I was convinced I “knew” what was going to happen, the storytelling was so good that I began to wonder before ultimately being proven right. Swerves are definitely a big part of wrestling story lines, but they should only be done occasionally so that they have maximum effect. Logical booking is what pays off at the box office.
While the wrestling world will focus on the chamber matches and the world title bouts, the Show-Mayweather angle is what those outside of wrestling will be talking about. WWE created a SportsCenter moment last night, which presumably will lead to Mayweather being involved in WrestleMania next month. That will generate a ton of mainstream publicity.
Here is a match-by-match look at last night’s show:
John Cena defeated WWE champion Randy Orton by disqualification: I know that Cena and Orton have their share of detractors, especially Cena, but I have never understood it. Cena is a superstar in every sense of the word, and Orton has made incredible strides over the past six months to also become one of the best in the business. In this match, they showed why they deserve their top-tier spots. They took the fans on a proverbial rollercoaster ride and told a great story, not only with the action but also with their facial expressions and presence. The enthusiastic crowd also helped make the match special, as Cena continues to elicit the most spirited responses whether they love him or hate him.
Before Cena suffered a torn pectoral muscle last October, Orton came close but he was never able to defeat him. Then, last week on Raw, Orton looked like he realized that his title reign would be ending at No Way Out, as Cena proved that he was 100-percent healthy. With that back story going in, Orton got to a point in the match last night in which he gave up trying to win and started looking for ways to escape with his title. After failing to get himself intentionally counted out or defeat Cena by countout, Orton slapped the referee to get himself disqualified. Orton comes out of the match with a lot of heat, and Cena comes out as the uncrowned champion. It looks like we are headed to a triple-threat main event at WrestleMania, which I think is the right call.
World heavyweight champion Edge defeated Rey Mysterio: This was understandably kept short because of Mysterio’s injury. Mysterio showed a lot of heart by going through with the match, but I’m not sure it was the wisest decision. My only problem with the match is that the finish – Edge speared Mysterio in mid-air for the pin – was too similar to their finish at the Royal Rumble.
The big news is what happened after the match. Big Show, who physically looked the best he has in years (he said that he has lost 108 pounds), got a good reaction when he made his surprise appearance. He began cutting a babyface promo, which surprised me because WWE needs more heel main-eventers, but then got annoyed because an injured Mysterio was still outside the ring, taking the attention away from him. Big Show went after Mysterio, which got a lot of heat, and then began taunting Mayweather, who was seated at ringside and had been established as Mysterio’s friend earlier in the show. This led to Mayweather hopping the rail and staring down Show in the ring. Show, who towered over Mayweather, got down on his knees to mock him, and Mayweather responded by connecting with three punches – which slow-motion replays showed were not pulled – to Show’s face. Show, bleeding profusely from the nose and mouth, became incensed and chased Mayweather, who took off through the crowd with his entourage. Show deserves a lot of credit for agreeing to take those punches from a man who is regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in boxing.
We all know this was scripted, but it came off very real, much like past angles involving Mike Tyson and Steve Austin, and Lawrence Taylor and Bam Bam Bigelow. Shane McMahon added to the realism by coming out and trying to calm down Show, while the announcers remained silent. This obviously sets up Mayweather to appear at WrestleMania, possibly in a boxing match against Show, who had been training to become a professional boxer during his absence from WWE before ultimately deciding to return to wrestling.
Triple H won the Raw elimination chamber match: This was the match of the night. Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho started it and worked well together, which was no surprise. Umaga, who was the one wrestler in this match that I really wasn’t interested in, ended up standing out. In a spot that I don’t recall seeing before, he executed a Samoan Drop with Jericho and Michaels on his shoulders. It took all of the babyfaces hitting their finishers on him to eliminate Umaga. Because the show was running late, Jericho and Michaels – who was a bloody mess – were then eliminated in rapid-fire fashion, leaving Triple H and Jeff Hardy (JBL had been the first one eliminated).
Triple H and Hardy went back and forth, and at one point it actually seemed like Hardy was going to win when he kicked out after a Pedigree and delivered a low blow to Triple H. But Triple H, who also was bleeding at this point, countered Hardy’s Twist of Fate and hit another Pedigree, this time on a steel chair, for the win and the right to be in the Raw main event at WrestleMania. Hardy showed a real aggressive side in the match and once again looked strong in defeat.
The Undertaker won the Smackdown elimination chamber match: With Big Daddy V and The Great Khali among the six competitors in this match, it obviously wasn’t as star-studded as the Raw contest, but it was way better than I expected. The match started slowly, but BDV and Khali didn’t last long and it really picked up after that. MVP took a big bump off the top of the pod and was pinned by Finlay, who was eliminated shortly thereafter by The Undertaker. Undertaker and Batista were the first two in and the last two remaining. In the latest chapter of their classic rivalry, the two bloody superstars took turns kicking out of each other’s finisher before Undertaker hit a Tombstone Piledriver for the win at the 30-minute mark. For the finish, Batista, standing outside the ropes, had Undertaker upside down on his shoulders, but Undertaker shifted his weight, landed inside the ring and placed Batista in position for the Tombstone in one fluid motion.
Undertaker is set to face Edge at WrestleMania, but Batista is left without an obvious opponent. Before the Mayweather angle, I thought it might be Big Show. I suppose Kane is a possibility. On the off chance that Cena isn’t involved in the Raw main event, perhaps we could see a Cena-Batista inter-brand match.
Ric Flair defeated Mr. Kennedy: The basic story was that Kennedy had no respect for Flair and dominated the match, but ultimately might have taken “The Nature Boy” too lightly. Flair got the clean win with the figure-four in what was a decent match. Kennedy is getting better and better at doing subtle things to get heel heat.
ECW champion Chavo Guerrero defeated CM Punk: This was a solid opener, although I was surprised to see Guerrero get the clean pin. I didn’t anticipate a title change, but I did think Guerrero would at least have to cheat to win. I’m not sure what this means for Punk.
Comments
Maybe Mr Punk is headed to Raw or Smackdown? The IC and US Title have been on one champion for awhile now and Punk is pretty over in the ECW. Just a thought
Posted by: J. Dubbz | February 18, 2008 6:26 AM
If you assume Cena-Orton-HHH, Jericho-JBL and Flair-Michaels, then Jeff Hardy has no logical opponent either. How about Jeff vs. Batista? I think Batista needs to turn heel anyway, and this would be a great way, and a high-profile match for both of them.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I was guessing that Hardy would be in the Money in the bank ladder match.
Posted by: Kevin | February 18, 2008 10:25 AM
It was a good pay per view. But it was disappointing to have Triple H win the chamber with no build up on Raw for him in those previous two taped episodes. It just seemed obvious and unearned.
Posted by: mr. bronson | February 18, 2008 10:56 AM
Personally I'm a Cena detractor because all of his angry "intensity" comes across to me more like a petulant little kid who didn't get his way. Rather than the righteously-avenging babyface character, he strikes me as someone who throws whiny tantrums instead.
Also, he's a lot more boring in matches than he used to be. When he first debuted and was wrestling Angle and such, he had a lot more variety in his move set. Now it just seems to be "gotta wave my hand in front of my face and pump my shoes!!". And the fist drop thing is the most annoying thing (that gets sold as a devastating shot) in pro wrestling since the Rock's elbow drop.
All that and absolute 0 change to his character in the last few years make him pretty tired, at least to me.
On the other hand, that's not to say there's nowhere to go with him. I'd have been thrilled if he came out the night after the Rumble and instead of going "I like hearing boos because it means I'm back" said something like "Go ahead, boo me. I don't care what any of you losers think..." and went full-on heel with it. That, I would be interested to watch.
Posted by: Pat | February 18, 2008 12:43 PM
I agress with Pat. I cannot stand Cena's personality - he whines, he over-acts, and his improv is incredibly unfunny (i.e. jokes about poop and naked pictures of Umaga).
His 5-knuckle shuffle is the worst finisher in the business, followed by Umaga sticking his thumb in your throat.
Further, his gimic is passe. His look is straight out of Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch's "Good Vibrations" video - from 1991!! Yeah, the whole white rapper thing may have been cool 6 or 7 years ago, but it's not anymore.
I would definitely like Cena better as a heel, but would love to see him as a jobber.
Posted by: Jeremy | February 18, 2008 3:33 PM
Another lame pay per view that everyone hated but McMahon Jr?? What a shock! A DDQ in the Main Event? Sounds like money well spent to me! Kevin's step brother, Mr Stephanie err HHH putting himself back over? Stunning! Making a guy wrestle with a torn pecs? Hard to believe so many drop dead under such a caring eye! Just shoot up some roids and rub salt on it Rey Rey! Hey at least he doesn't have you falling from the ceiling right? It's a shame TNA hired Russo because they clearly have the talent to do better than the garbage that WWE is putting out. Not that McMahon Jr will ever point that out.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Everyone hated the show? Not from what I've read. But like I always say, everyone is entitled to their opinion. But if you really hated this show (and I'm assuming you watched it), then you probably shouldn't be a fan. It's clear that some "fans" watch just so they can complain. I criticize TNA because the booking is horrible. When WWE does something that I think doesn't work, I criticize them as well. For the record, I agree that TNA has a lot of talent and I have written that in several occasions. If TNA got its act together and WWE went on the skids, I would write that and then be accused of favoring TNA. Guess I'd be Kevin Angle then, huh?
Posted by: steve | February 18, 2008 3:35 PM
wrestlemania:
hhh will win a triple threat vs cena and orton
taker will win against edge
shawn michaels will beat flair
big show and de la hoya lose to mayweather and partner (poss mysterio)
money in the bank: jbl
Posted by: j | February 18, 2008 3:44 PM
It amazes me how much complaining people do, if you don't like it, don't watch. Example: I hate ROH, and like every other wrestling fan with a PPV service, do not order it. If you don't like John Cena and the great qualities he brings to the WWE, don't watch. It's that simple
Posted by: Fred Ortiz | February 18, 2008 4:26 PM
is it even possible for money in the bank match this year ? because the ppv this year is held outdoors?
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Other people have raised that question as well. I have to think WWE would figure out a way to do it. It's become a staple of WrestleMania.
Posted by: stan ritz | February 18, 2008 5:27 PM
A triple threat match at Wrestlemania does seem the most plausable as Cena doesn't really have anywhere to go unless he has a number one contender with Jeff Hardy though I'd rather Hardy in the money in the bank match and then for him to win that. They've really pushed him lately and I hope it pays off soon.
Undertaker to win obviously, Micheals to defeat Flair, Big Show was looking good and I hope that angle is played well. As for Batista I'm not sure about him.
Posted by: Dale | February 18, 2008 6:34 PM
I thought NWO was decent, but by no means better than Royal Rumble.
While I agree about their in-ring deficiences, having Khali and Big daddy V go out so easily really takes away from their credibility. Why not have Kane in the chamber, who is a much better worker?
HHH winning the chamber was obvious, despite JR's fawning over Jeff Hardy of late. I wish Hardy could've made it to the main event, as he will never be more over with the fans. I do hope he wins MITB and then is given a future title run later this year.
Lastly, having Orton slap the ref to get DQ'd really makes him look weak and takes away a lot of his heat in my eyes. But I guess they had to have a disputed finish to validate a triple threat at Mania.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I don't think the slap took away from his heat. It got him heat. It was very much in line with his character.
Posted by: glen watkinson | February 18, 2008 7:25 PM
Fred, I should stop watching WWE because I dislike one wrestler out of the dozens on the roster? Wrestling is a fantasy business where wrestlers move up and down the ladder based on how we the fans react to them and how much merch and PPVs they can sell. Smarks hate Cena, while little kids like him only because he's a babyface champ. Thus, when we anti-Cenaites let our feelings be known, Vince will hopefully pull him down the ladder in favor of more deserving athletes that can sell PPVs even better, like Hardy, Orton, Kennedy, etc. Now THAT is what's simple.
Posted by: Barney | February 18, 2008 7:29 PM
I thought that it was very good show last night. I just have a couple thoughts.
1. when taker fell out of the cage was that supposed to happen?
2. When JBL brought the chair in Umaga was the only one that didn't protect himself from the blow.
3. I think that cm punk was getting some heel heat when he did the 3 amigos
4. I think that cena should have fu'ed the ref after he called the match and then lay our orton.
Overall it was a great show and worth the money.
Posted by: Brock | February 18, 2008 7:41 PM
I loved the pay-per-view and can't wait for Raw tonight! This is definitely the best time of the year to be a wrestling fan.
I've read lately that CM Punk has been in hot water because he is not following the way a match is supposed to go.
During last night's match, he did suplex after suplex after suplex and Style said, "perhaps he's trying to pay tribute to..."
Before Taz cut him off and pointed out that the fans were booing.
The W.W.E. has done everything to erase Benoit from our memory. With that being the case, I can't believe that this was part of the script. I would imagine Punk might really be in some hot water now.
What say you? Did I see this right?
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I believe he was doing Eddie Guerrero's "Three Amigos."
Posted by: Sean Kilkelly | February 18, 2008 7:56 PM
Barney, John Cena should not get de-pushed. He is easily WWE's biggest draw since the Attitude era. WWE has been making more money each year since 2005, when Cena became the face of the company, and Cena's merchandise, at times, has outsold the rest of the roster's merchandise combined. It's no different than what WWE did with Hogan or Austin, and WWE would be insane to not have either with the title or in the title picture because he makes WWE so much money.
Posted by: chris | February 18, 2008 8:06 PM
I thought it was a great ppv for what it was.
Remember NWO is supposed to be a minor throw in before Mania and after the Rumble. WWE did a great job of making it mean something.
It was a tad bit predictable, but I love the results none the less.
Edge-Taker will be great. HHH, Orton, and Cena are the 3 best stars Raw has to offer. Mayweather/Big Show was brilliant.
So much better then TNA will ever do.
Posted by: John | February 18, 2008 8:12 PM
Kevin Angle....that sounds pretty good .
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Better than Kevin Russo.
Posted by: jack in hebron | February 19, 2008 10:50 AM
So does Taker pull seniority once again and demand to beat Edge keeping his WM undefeated streak alive?
Posted by: Eric | February 19, 2008 12:13 PM
In response to Kevin Angle ,er,..Kevin Russo .I mean Kevin Eck. ...OUCH.
Posted by: jack in hebron | February 19, 2008 2:21 PM
Good PPV for a "filler" one, and far better than I would have expected six months ago. The Big Show-Mayweather angle was incredibly well-done, and it really highlights the differences between WWE and TNA that when each promotion brings in athletes from other disciplines within four days, WWE makes it look really professional, almost like it was a shoot, and TNA makes it horrible. I'm not even going to think about how horrible that NASCAR segment was.
Mania predictions:
Taker over Edge in a classic (TLC?)
Hunter over Cena & Orton
Michaels over Flair
Jeff Hardy to win Money in the Bank
Matt Hardy over MVP
The Matt-MVP match seems just too natural not to capitalize on. Biggest stage, the best angle on Smackdown in the latter half of 07, eight weeks to build it back up... this could be the final resolution that we've been waiting for. I'm still holding out hope that Jeff Hardy will be in the WWE title match, but if he's not, there's no way he loses MITB.
Posted by: James | February 19, 2008 10:42 PM
About Wrestlemania: It's going to be the that happened at No Way Out. A story we already know, but needs to be told. And for sure, is going to be told as good as No way out.
Something came to my mind whe CM Punk tried the Three Amigos on Chavito. It was "What the heck??". For one second, I strongly stick up to the idea that Punk was making live a heel turn.
I know he was mocking Chavo doing his taunt but Eddie has become in something that still in the business even after death. That's why when somebody mocks that taunt, he's not mocking the wrestler in the ring. He is mocking Eddie.
What do you think about this, Big Kev? ( it is told that if somebody calls you "big kev" about 5 times in a row, you go mad and then talk thrash about Kevin Nash in the next blog.-no, just kidding. sorry about the stupid joke.
Posted by: Gaston | February 20, 2008 10:24 AM