Royal Rumble 2012

Royal Rumble 2012 Review

This is one of my favourite PPVs of the year, always enjoyed the concept of the Royal Rumble and this being the 25^th Royal Rumble is certainly a landmark for the WWE. Unfortunately due to my looking online (stupid move) I know the result of every match aside from the Kane match when writing this.

Match #1 = Triple Threat Cage Match. Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Big Show vs. Mark Henry

I am a fan of the Big Show, a fan of Mark Henry but I just can’t get with Daniel Bryan, I’m sorry. Its a shame that Bryan isn’t going to get KILLED!! Would love to see Henry add him to the “HALL OF PAIN”, but then again I would like to see Big Show knock him out. ;-)

It’s a major shame that Henry is injured, as it was pretty obvious that he was going be the champion till Wrestlemania. The build up to this match though has been quite good with regards to Big Show and Daniel Bryan with Bryan mocking the Big Show and then Big Show knocking out Bryan’s girlfriend AJ, but then adding Mark Henry to the mix just leaves me feeling that Henry is the 3^rd wheel, which is a shame.

Daniel Bryan wins the match after escaping the cage. Was a good match, Henry didn’t get overly involved which was good for him, some good interaction between Big Show and Daniel Bryan. What makes me laugh is that Bryan is supposed to be heel, yet Cole is still talking trash about Bryan on commentary.

JOHN CENA VIDEO PACKAGE

I quite enjoyed this, liked the music in the background. I don’t quite understand why people hate on Cena, I think the guy is awesome, this guy is THE FACE of the WWE and he a dedicated man, he represents the company in a manner that no one else has ever done, he is a machine. Him facing the Rock at Wrestlemania 28 will be EPIC!!

Match # 2 = 8 Diva Tag Team matc.h Bella Twins, Beth Phoenix and Natalya Vs. Kelly Kelly, Eve, Alcia Fox and Tamina.

The Heel divas are wearing matching clothes... ahhh thats nice.... Oh and so are the Face divas. Thats really sweet. ....

I really cannot get into the womens division, none of them really interest me outside of Natalya, the others just don’t get my attention.

Heel Divas pick up the win after Beth hits Kelly Kelly with a Glam Slam.

Match # 3 = John Cena vs. Kane

Well I haven’t been convinced that Kane with a mask has been good this time around, yet they have certainly been going an interesting direction with him since his return, but has been very cartoonish to say the least and I don’t think there is any point to the weird welding mask over the actual mask.

Again Cena is brilliant; he inspires such a reaction which is truly unique, I still love it when people say he only knows 5 moves, but let’s faces it, that’s 3 more than Stone Cold ever did. The build up for this match has been very cartoonish yet has been very entertaining, at least to me. The inclusion of Zack Ryder & Eve in the angle has also been interesting as it gets them both TV time.

Seems like every time Cena starts to get some momentum Kane just stops it dead, give Cena credit he certainly sells being smacked around by Kane. I am also still trying to figure out if the iron claw is supposed to be Kane’s new trademark finisher. Both guys have taken and hit some good spots during this match, suppose they needed to make Kane look like a legitimate challenge for Cena. Both men get counted out after they brawl out of the ring, this continues into the back area ending with Kane smashing Cena about.

Kane then gets his hands on Zack Ryder, wheels him to the ring and hits him with a Tombstone, despite the pleas from Eve, HA!! But Cena hits the ring but gets himself Choke slammed. Good Times. Wondering how this will continue, I imagine ending at mania maybe?

Was an interesting match for certain and liked the fact it was Kane who was standing tall at the end. Yet it could have been the download, but I couldn’t hear of a crowd reaction to the beat down at the end, no one seemed to care about Ryder, yet they cheered a bit when Cena got slammed.

THE ROCK VIDEO PACKAGE

The man is still over with the crowd, he is looking great and if the survivor series is anything to go by then he is still in excellent ring shape. He is very similar to Cena, his dedication to everything he does is awesome, and he is another guy who works 25 hours a day at what he does regardless. Quite interesting video, but must admit I thought Cena’s was better.

Match # 4 = Drew McIntyre Vs. Brodus Clay.

Jesus Christ, talk about filler match.

Very very quick match, with Drew getting squashed by Brodus with the WTF. Feel really sorry for Drew, just not getting a break.... Somebody should call his momma!! ;-)

Match # 5 = WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH CM Punk vs. Dolph Ziggler with Johnny Ace as Guest Ref

Love Ziggler, really do, the guy is a bump machine, he sells everything like he has just been stabbed or shot, he is without a doubt one of the best heel wrestlers the WWE has had in some time. I am only recently became sold on CM Punk, mainly since the money in the bank 2011, he has been compared to Stone Cold, especially since his recent rivalry with Johnny Ace.

It’s a shame that the build for this match has focused on Johnny Ace and CM Punk, it has taken some of the spotlight away from Ziggler, he however got his moments to steal it back. Johnny Ace bans Vickie from ringside that is funny. Both these guys are so good in the ring and both have only shown more as of late especially Ziggler, he just seems to always be improving.

Both guys are getting in some good offence, trading momentum back and forth. Both guys have got a couple of false finishes. The ref gets bumped; CM Punk then gets 3 wins over Ziggler but Johnny Ace taking care of the bumped ref so misses all 3. CM Punk gets the 3 count for the win, wondering where this could go with Johnny Ace and CM Punk, may be the next Stone Cold vs. McMahon.

Very good match, both guys put on a good show, which was no shock at all.

Match # 6 THE ROYAL RUMBLE

This match is very much up in the air every year, there will be about 4 superstars you generally believe all have shots of winning the rumble.

The 1^st entry is the Miz and #2 is Alex Riley. The shock for me was Cody Rhodes being #4, I really thought he would be a later entry. Miz eliminates 2 guys pretty early one being Alex Riley and the other being R-Truth. First guest entrant is Mick Foley at number 7 and he quickly eliminates Primo. Looks like Del Rio was entrant 8 but it turns out to be Ricardo Rodriguez, very funny watching him to Del Rio’s entrance, fans are actually chanting for him, which makes it funnier. Instant highlight is Mr. Socko vs The Kobra, but Epico ends up taking both before being eliminated, classic. King gets up from commentary to enter the rumble but gets eliminated pretty quickly by Cody Rhodes. Great Khali is back from his injury at the hands of Mark Henry. Booker T is entrant number 17 in the match, he gets up from commentary strips to reveal his wrestling gear and gets in there. Kofi gets thrown out but handstands to the ring steps to stay in the match. Hacksaw Jim Duggan is entrant 19, our 4^th guest entrant if you also count Booker T and Jerry Lawler. Number 20 is Michael Cole, oh my god, that’s awful and then 21 is KHARMA!! I am contractually obligated to say that KHARMA kills bitches DEAD!!  Kharma eliminates Hunico and allows King and Booker T to eliminate Cole but then gets eliminated herself by Ziggler. Entrant 23 is ROAD DOGG!!! DX representing.

Jericho is number 29, probably a little pissed off that he thought he was going to win the rumble but instead they went with Sheamus. I think they should have gone a different way with his entrance, would have liked him to do what he has done up to now, nothing. Come down pandering to the crowd, and then eliminate himself.  Number 30 is the Big Show. The final 2 are Chris Jericho and Sheamus. Of course Sheamus eliminates Jericho to win the 2012 Royal Rumble match.

I actually quite enjoyed the rumble match itself, would have preferred Jericho to win, as now the whole “world will end” gimmick has just plainly died a death. Jericho is talented enough to bring it back but losing the rumble certainly loses the momentum he had built up. Will wait to see where they go with it. More importantly though, who will Sheamus challenge at Wrestlemania.

Royal Rumble predictions

This years Royal Rumble event is looking to be fairly good, we have our 2 world title matches and of course the Royal Rumble itself.

1. C.M.Punk vs. Dolph Ziggler for the WWE championship with Johnny Ace as the guest ref.
This match will be interesting as both these guys are just awesome, they both are great talents and I imagine will put on one hell of a match. However with the guest ref I am imagining this will play an important role in the match dynamic.

2. Daniel Bryan vs. Big Show vs. Mark Henry for the World Heavyweight Championship (CAGE MATCH)
This should be fun, Bryan's new heel change has been quite good, looking forward to seeing if he keeps the world title when placed inbetween these two immense powerhouses. Kinda hoping Bryan doesn't retain as I have never been a huge fan and I think the only reason he got the belt is because Henry is injured. The stipulation I think will help Bryan get the win though, he will simply run up the cage while the other two kill each other or will escape through the door while the other two kill each other..... pffft.

3. Kane vs. John Cena
This is going to be simple..... Kane is going to beat the stuffing out of John Cena for the bulk of the match, Cena will then recover hit his 5 moves of doom and then go for the pin.... BUT I think that would kill any momentum Kane has got going, I think this will be a DQ finish, with Cena being left laying. Only way it will work I think. But this is WWE booking so we will have to see.

4. THE ROYAL RUMBLE
30 Men this time round, instead of the 40 man cluster-fuck that was the 2011 rumble. Don't get me wrong, I liked the fact my choice won and that in a sweep I pulled his number which lead to me winning some cash. This year is very much in the air for me I must be honest, so many guys could be in the running for the win.
My top 5 picks are:

5. Cody Rhodes
4. Wade Barrett
3. Sheamus
2. Randy Orton
1. Chris Jericho

I think it will be one of these guys, all 5 are immense performers and are all credible winner picks. I do think Jericho is the one to win it if I am honest, his return has been great so far, very cryptic and myserious, his motives and intentions have been kept very quiet. He has also never won a rumble match, making him in my mind the biggest name to have never won a rumble match.

Well thats my take on the 2012 Royal Rumble match.

TLC Review 2011

Was really looking forward to this PPV and I think it was certainly one of the better PPVs this year.

Match #1 = Dolph Ziggler (c) Vs. Zack Ryder (US TITLE MATCH)
Got a lot of faith in this match, both guys have been great and I am probably the biggest mark I know for the #HEEL Dolph Ziggler. I will say I HATE Ziggler’s remixed music. The crowd is hot for Ryder, with some “let’s go Ryder” chants along with some “WOO WOO WOO” chants. Brilliant back and forth between the two to start with, Ryder hitting a brilliant senton diver over the top rope to the outside. These guys are what it’s all about, a heel that is getting booed to hell and a face that is getting solid crowd support. Ziggler is still the love child of Mr.Ass and Mr. Perfect, hitting some awesome elbow drops, taunts and then drops another big elbow.

Also would like to note I think Ziggler looks better in shorts then in the trunks. Everyone wears trunks, just gets dull if everyone in them. I don’t think Ryder is going to win this, he is doing great in the chase and helps both characters if Ziggler wins this match. Ryder really coming back, sets up Ziggler for the bro-ski kick, hits it but Ziggler has his foot put on the rope by Vickie, this gets her ejected. This is ridiculous; Vickie was just checking Dolph’s shoelaces. Fame-asser from Ziggler, but only gets a two count, see told you.... MR. ASS!! Dolph goes for the sleeper but Ryder reverses it buts gets dropkicked for his trouble.

Ryder goes for the Rough Ryder, but Dolph gets the reversal, but runs into a huge double knee and then the Rough Ryder, goes for the cover and gets the 3 counts. NEW UNITED STATES CHAMPION Zack Ryder. What can I say, that was an awesome match, told a great story and both guys looked great. Kind of sad that Dolph lost though, would have been good for Zack to chase for a bit longer.

Backstage
We got BOOKER T and Alicia Fox talking, but Cody gets the sneak attack and busts up Booker. HA!!!

Match #2 = Air Boom(c)  Vs. Primo & Epico (TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH)
The heels are accompanied by Rosa Mendes, she not too bad looking but she isn’t no pin-up strong.

I’m going to be honest I hate the tag belts, they are ugly. I do not like anyone involved in this match, just don’t do anything for me. Bourne isn’t too bad as a high flyer and Kofi is pretty cool at times, but the heels, I really don’t care about them. Nice double team though from Air-Boom, on Primo, with Kofi throwing Bourne at Primo leading to a head scissors.

Back and forth between the teams, so frequent tagging until Bourne gets singled out in the corner, but eventually get the hot tag to Kofi, who clears house. Kofi hits the boom drop on Primo, calls for the trouble in paradise, but Primo avoids it. Epico gets in the ring to stop Epico, Kofi hits the trouble on Primo for the 3 count. Really sorry, just didn’t care.

Backstage
Josh Matthews tells us that the Booker / Cody match may be off.... Better freaking not be!!

Teddy with Hornswoggle, Teddy gives him a present, ROSETTA STONE EBONICS!!! What a freakin brainchild. He kicks Teddy in the leg and runs off. Awesome.


Match #3 = Randy Orton Vs. Wade Barrett (TABLES MATCH)
Love Barrett, have since Nexus, this is going to be awesome. This is the 1st of our stipulation matches tonight. Orton clobbers Barrett in the early going and goes for a table pretty early, Barrett sees that and dropkicks the table into Orton, then  goes to work on Orton. You have to give credit to Randy, at this stage in his career it doesn’t matter if he loses or wins, he is mega over with the fans, and his stock doesn’t go down with any loss to his name. Wade goes to pump-handle Randy through at table, Orton reverses and Barrett throws the table away from himself, good psychology there.

Orton tries to suplex Wade into a table but he reverses and hits a giant boot to the face. My god this has gone back and forth so much in such a short space of time. Barrett gets Orton onto a table, goes for a big elbow drop from the top but Orton escapes , but Wade goes right back on the attack! Eventually dropping the elbow, but not through a table, sad times. A few “let’s go Barrett” chants there, Barrett hits another huge boot on Orton nearly launching him through a table, but Orton blocks the table. Orton comes back after a failed power slam attempt by Barrett, going for his 5 moves of doom, but Barrett hinders that and both men end up on the apron, Wade goes for wasteland, gets reversed into the hangman ddt.

This is fast paced and awesome, Orton goes for the RKO, reverses towards table Orton spins round into a sidewalk slam from Barrett. Barrett flies from the tope rope into an RKO through the table for the win, ending the Barrett Barrage which is kind of sad, but was awesome to see.

Good match, Barrett got some brilliant offence, but now Wade does look a bit weaker, but am sure they can bring it back.

Backstage
Teddy long with the Bellas.... I would be all over them like a tramp on chips.
He tells them that they have been bad, gives them both his phone number.... GOD I LOVE YOU TEDDY!! Oh and here is Swagger. Complains about being killed by Mark Henry, but Sheamus enters, Swagger calls Sheamus a goof. HA!! OOOOH Swagger Vs. Sheamus. AWESOME!

Match #4 = Beth Phoenix (c) Vs. Kelly Kelly (AGAIN!!! DIVAS TITLE MATCH)
OMG this again, I would rather have seen Alicia Fox, Eve, My mother or your (reader) mother fighting this, why do I have to watch this. Some bitching before the match starts; Kelly slaps the taste out of Beth’s mouth.

Kelly gets the upper hand and starts to go to town on Beth. Some nice offence from Kelly but Beth quickly comes back, thank god. Oh there was something shiny in the corner. Beth wins....... pfft.

Backstage
Miz and Del Rio go back and forth saying they both better than the other.

Match #5 = Booker T vs. Cody Rhodes (c) (INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE)
On his way to the ring Cody attacks Booker again. This match isn’t happening. They may hold off till the Royal Rumble for this match, hell they could even wait for Mania!!!!

Match #6 = Triple H Vs. Kevin Nash (LADDER <sledgehammer> MATCH)</sledgehammer>
I am not sure about this, this match in 2003 wasn’t amazing, I can’t imagine it being much better now to be blunt.

Trips is looking a tad tubby at glances but his shoulders are looking huge, Nash is looking great though. Have been all over so far, with Nash launching the ladder at HHH. Nash has dominated HHH for a fair bit now, he is a tad sluggish but what do you expect at his age, now Nash using the ladder and slamming HHH onto it. Nash then tries to power bomb HHH through the announcer’s table but HHH manages to reverse out of it, heads to the ring to set up a ladder, goes for the hammer, but Nash soon halts that.  Nash hits a choke-slam and heads out to grab a table, straps are down, the shit is on!! HHH runs Nash into the ladder stopping the power-bomb attempt. HHH sets the ladder back up to go get the sledgehammer, Nash climbs the other side, but HHH swings the hammer and Nash crashes through the table below and now HHH gets the hammer.

Figured that was the win, but not and now HHH goes to town on Nash with the hammer, HHH hits the pedigree on Nash. “One more time” chants echo through the arena, Nash throws up the wolf pack sign, HHH tells him to suck it and smashes his head off with the hammer for the 3 count.

Wasn’t too bad actually, probably the best match these two have had with each other. Nash actually looked quite good in this, looking really good.

Backstage
CM Punk, talks about the match, then Johnny Ace hits the stage and just looks like a dick, Punk walks off and Johnny hits the old phone

Match #7 = Jack Swagger Vs. Sheamus
Sheamus gets in and just works on Swagger. Swagger tries to get some offence in but Sheamus kills that pretty quick and starts hitting the forearms to the chest, distraction from Vickie gets Swagger the chance to start taking the offensive. Starts slapping Sheamus round the head, just pisses the man off, Sheamus comes back and clobbers Swagger.

Sheamus goes to the top and hits the diving shoulder block, I am feeling really sorry for Swagger at this point, can’t remember the last time the guy won a match. Sheamus misses the brogue kick and Swagger hits the leg and begins focusing on it, till he hits the ankle lock, he reverses it and Swagger gets hit with the brogue kick and Sheamus picks up the win.  Was a nice filler match, but really am feeling for Swagger.

Backstage
Big Show is with Josh Matthews, says he is gonna beat Henry for the world title.

Match # 8 = Big Show Vs. Mark Henry (c) (WORLD TITLE MATCH <chairs match="">)</chairs>
Love Mark Henry as the world champion, but unfortunately I have seen RAW and know what happens here, which is quite depressing because Henry is money!!!!

Big Show goes straight for the chairs. It’s on here I think. Henry gets out of the ring and goes to leave, Big Show gives chase and ends up clobbering Henry with a chair, Henry comes back and gives Big Show the same treatment, looks like Henry has hurt Big Shows hand. “Welcome to the HALL OF PAIN!” Screams Henry, Show goes for the choke-slam but Henry reverses again and keeps up the offence with the chair. Personally if I was either of these guys I would bite the bullet and hit the other in the face with the chair and then pay the fine, Henry goes for the chair shot but Big Show hits the WMD and goes for the pin and gets the 3 count....... I now know what happens, sad times.

Henry attacks Big Show with a chair, stacks them up and drops Show with a DDT onto the chairs. Crowd chant for Bryan and out here comes the little idiot and cashes in his MITB contract and pins the Big Show for the World title. GUTTING!!! Do not understand this at all.

1. Why have they taken the belt from Henry?
2. Why did they then have Big Show lose it within 4 seconds of having it?

Big Show needs to KILL this guy, what’s really funny about this is that I actually like Daniel Bryan.

Backstage
Booker T tells Josh Matthews he will compete for the title tonight.

Match #9 = Cody Rhodes (c) Vs. Booker T (INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE MATCH)
Let’s try this again shall we.  Cody gets right in Booker’s face but Booker comes back and slaps Cody about. Booker is looking great, and is beating round Cody like he owes him money. Cody comes back though and beats on Booker on the outside. Both men end up down after a double clothesline, both men back to their feet and they both exchange shots.

Booker coming out on top but Cody quickly comes back only to get hit with the clothesline and sidewalk slam and Booker is now on top again. Booker hits the spinnerooni, goes for the scissors kick but Cody reverses into the beautiful disaster but only gets the 2 count. Cody hits it again on a dazed Booker and gets the 3 count over Booker T.

Could have been better, hoping they give us a proper match between these two.

Match #10 = Alberto Del Rio Vs. The Miz Vs. CM Punk (WWE TITLE MATCH <tlc match="">)</tlc>
I only have one major problem here, I only really like Del Rio, not much of a fan of the other two, am ok with Punk but prefer Del Rio. Have I ever mentioned that his finisher in Mexico was a military press into a German suplex; he didn’t even need to do the press, just did it because he could.

Punk goes straight for the Miz but quickly Del Rio and Miz get the best of Punk and begin the two on one beat down, Punk comes back for a minute but again the double team is too much for Punk. Del Rio goes for a ladder and gets caught by the dive from Punk, who now grabs himself a chair and goes after Miz. Miz catches him on the way back in and gets the chair for himself, goes for the splash and misses but ending though with Punk getting dropped by Miz onto a chair.

Punk goes to town on the Miz with a chair and clobbers him into the crowd with a high knee, Punk begins to focus on grabbing the belt, but in comes Ricardo Rodriguez and hand cuffs Punk to the ladder leaving him for Del Rio to begin the attack on Punk. Punk kicks out the ladder to uncuff himself and stops Del Rio from getting the belt. Miz is back in with a ladder, attacks Punk wearing him down, sets up the ladder but Punk stops him from getting the belt. Punk and Miz battle in the corner but Del Rio comes and hits a flying kick to throw Miz to the floor and Punk out through a table, fucking awesome.

Now Del Rio is on the attack, puts Miz in the cross arm-breaker using a ladder on the outside, ha ha ha. Now begins attacking CM Punk, hitting the arm-breaker using a chair on the outside to Punk. Punk and Miz stop Del Rio from getting the belt, straddling the ropes on the way down, sad times. Ricardo tries going for the belt but Punk and Miz throw him out and through a table! Punk and Miz left to battle it out, both go for their finishers but both reverse, the Miz hand cuffs Punk to the ring apron, Miz taunts but Punk catches him with a kick to the head knocking him out. Del Rio takes advantage and brings in a new ladder and begins to try to climb up, so does Miz after coming out from the kick.

Punk breaks the middle rope off to get free and climbs the ladder and stops Miz and then kicks Del Rio off the ladder, gets pulled off by Miz but Miz eats a GTS and Punk quickly goes up the ladder and gets his belt.

PUNK WINS, nice one, was a good match, not the best TLC match ever but its PG so what do you expect? Quite a good PPV, especially since this is one of the “Lesser” PPV events. Some good twists and turns throughout the whole event and even got 9 matches, (8 technically) but thats still a high amount for a WWE PPV as of late. Was a good show I enjoyed it.

The beginning

This idea of blogging has been an interest of mine for a while, but trying to decide on a topic of discussion has been a huge factor in the slow process. However I had a epiphany when I realised I could talk about whatever I wanted in my blog, I could discuss my liking of wrestling, TCG card games and Batman comics, but I don't want to stick to one topic, I think I will just vent my thoughts and feelings here. If you read this then I hope you can relate to the things discussed here.

For this blog I want to get a load of stuff off my chest, stuff that has been bugging me about my work place, I work for a well known British supermarket owned by an American company, they love to talk about how they are one big family and how everyone there is treated as an equal etc. etc. etc. Well let me shine some revealing light on this, its all B.S.

I have been there for just over a year at this point, I have seen people come and people go, a good bulk of them treated like crap by this "family" of people, how some of these people got jobs is beyond me! Some of them are so stupid, snotty or just simply complete ass kissers. The later of these is what I really want to talk about, I hate boot lickers, they bug me, they are the kind of people who barely do anything while on shift yet somehow get the credit that YOU actually deserve. I could rant for ages about the big speech they give you on your initiation into the company about how promotion prospects are plentiful and are available to people who wish to progress within the company, which I do by the way.

This is yet another lie, a joke to make you think that the management are your friend, until you come to apply for the higher tier jobs, when all of a sudden you are looked at like you just killed someone. Then who do they give these jobs to, the "YES" men who follow management around like the little pets that they are, whats funny about these idiots is that they all smile to your face but are quick to run to management with any little thing that will get you into trouble. I get to see them all in the staff cafeteria, sitting together all giving each other a pat on the back for their "hard" work.

What really bugs me is that I have tried applying for a "section leader" position 3 times now since being with the company, the 1st time I was denied because I hadn't been with the company 6 months yet, which is funny as a fat useless woman was promoted to section leader of nights a few weeks earlier and she had been in the company less time then I had, the guy they hired as the section leader for my department turned out to be completely useless and ended up handing in his notice. The 2nd time I applied I got told by the section manager at the time that I wouldn't be interviewed if I applied for the job as I wasn't "on his radar". I wondered for ages what that meant, until I realised it meant that I didn't kiss his ass, so basically he wasn't going to let me move forward. Now I have applied again, my 3rd attempt, this time for a job that had its entry date set at 3rd of December, so my application was in with plenty of time and yet I have not heard anything about the job and the position is still on the internal jobs board in the staff area.

The worst thing is that I know that I can do the job, probably better then most of the current section leaders if given a chance to but obviously they don't want anyone who has a independent thought to be running round in control of anything. Its a shame too, but they fail to understand that I cannot be deterred and that I will keep coming until they finally give me that chance.