Jeff Hardy vs. Umaga 07/22/07

Where: San Jose, CA

Backstory:

Umaga is the WWE's resident unstoppable monster, and Jeff Hardy is the little engine that could. These two have feuded on and off for most of the year, with Umaga taking Jeff Hardy's Intercontinental title in March of 2007. This is the rematch with Hardy trying to prove he can hang with the top guys. Once again the IC Title is on the line.

In Ring Analysis:

The bell sounds and Hardy starts firing away with punches. Umaga no sells them and takes Hardy down with one punch after Hardy ran the ropes. He continues pounding on Hardy knocking him to the outside. Umaga pummels him and sends him back in the ring. Hardy fights back and hits a sitdown jawbreaker, but gets hit with a Somoan drop after running the ropes. The theme so far is that Hardy gets a little bit of momentum, and runs to the ropes for a big move, but Umaga continues to take him down.

Umaga continues the beating hitting punches, a big headbutt, and a legdrop. Umaga is good at slowly stalking Hardy as if he's his prey. Umaga picks Hardy up and Hardy tries to fight back. Once again he runs the ropes to try to hit something big, but gets caught with a back elbow. Umaga then throws Hardy into the turnbuckle hard. He does it a second time, then continues to pound Hardy while he's on the ground. He then locks in a nerve hold. Hardy tries to fight out, but Umaga has too firm of a grip.

Hardy finally wiggles free, but Umaga brings him back down and reapplies the hold. Hardy battles back but is once again brought down. Restholds like this are sometimes boring, but Hardy is making sure to give the fans hope so that they don't get too bored. Hardy finally gets out of the hold, but foolishly tries to bodyslam the massive Umaga and falls down.

Umaga then uses a rope assisted butt splash on Hardy's chest twice. The third time Hardy puts his knees up and catches him in the groin. Hardy goes to the second rope and tries a big move, but Umaga catches him in a swinging sidewalk slam for a nearfall. Once again Hardy can't build any solid momentum.

Umaga goes to the second rope for a diving headbutt but Hardy dodges the move. The ref begins to count both men down as the fans can tell that Hardy is ripe for a comeback. Hardy gets up and punches Umaga and hits running foreamrs to the front and back of the head. He also hits a reverse spinning heel kick on Umaga followed by a DDT. Umaga kind of no-sells it since he's supposed to have a strong head. Umaga then charges Hardy out of anger, but Hardy pulls down the top rope sending Umaga to the outside.

Hardy then kicks Umaga down and hits a cross body over the top rope onto Umaga. Hardy gets back in the ring as Umaga is counted out. Umaga gets back in at 8. Hardy goes for a sunset flip, and Umaga tries to butt splash Hardy, but Jeff moves. Jeff hits a dropkick to Umaga's chest while he's sitting. Umaga finally comes back and pushes Hardy down into the corner. He then goes for his running buttsplash, but Hardy dodges it and runs to the top rope for a Whisper in the Wind (corkscrew moonsault) . That gets a nearfall as the fans really believed that Hardy had it won. Umaga sends Hardy into the turnbuckle and misses a Stinger splash which sends Umaga's head into the ringpost. Hardy then goes to the top and hits a Swanton which should win it. Hardy takes too long to cover and Umaga kicks out right before 3.

Hardy goes for a twist of fate, but Umaga sends Jeff into the turnbuckle and comes back with a superkick. Umaga then hits his running butt splash into the corner. He finally finishes Hardy off with a spiked thumb for the three count and the win

Winner by pinfall in 11:20: Umaga ***1/4

Very good match with Hardy getting pummelled for the first half, but then going on an amazing run where he seems to have Umaga beat several times. Umaga shows how lethal he is by taking advantage of one opening and finishing off Hardy.

Hardy's run in 2007 and 2008 is very similar to Shawn Michaels in 1996 as he shows great resilience and is able to get fans to believe that he has no chance until he shows that he has a chance. Unfortunately he loses these big matches more than he wins so he hasn't quite developed the giant-killer persona yet.

ROH to feature a 70's style

http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/7224/

Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer is reporting that Ring of Honor has appointed Adam Pearce to be the new head booker of the company. It is also reported that there will be a drastic change in the style of wrestling they promote. Instead of high impact, hardcore action, the company will go with a more "1970's" style. They want to present more clear cut babyfaces and heels, and less high spots

While this sounds like a horrible idea on the surface it may actually be a good product. The first problem is that you cannot ever refer to your product as something resembling nearly 40 years ago. I am all for ROH using a simpler format and not having their wresters kill themselves, but it should be a gradual change. If they come out at their next show and have wrestlers work restholds for 20 minutes then they will completely kill their company. If the change slowly takes place oer a period of a year, then maybe their small but loyal fanbase will learn to grow with it.

Either way, ROH's next show is 11/07 in Montreal, and I think the wrestling community will be very interested with the new product that is presented.

Gabe Sapolsky Gone from ROH

http://rohwrestling.com/news/article.aspx?id=1999

Ring of Honor has announced that Gabe Sapolsky has left his position as head booker of the company. Sapolsky who was booking the company since the beginning in 2002 was generally regarded as one of the best bookers in wrestler. There is a feeling that his work has dropped in 2008, and that he was burned out. It is said that the average booker has a lifespan of 6 years before they are out of ideas.

While ROH could have probably used Gabe for several more year, there is a feeling that they want to grow. While competetant, Sapolsky would have never expanded ROH's fanbase more than he has already. There is something to be said for taking a step back to take a step forward. The WWE has established stars such as John Cena, Triple H, and the Undertaker, but until they have a new guy come in and prove that he is better than them, the fans will not take notice.

Gabewas a great booker but there is no doubt that this creates interest in ROH and what Sapolsky does next.

Bret Hart vs. Ricky Steamboat 03/08/86

Where: Boston, MA

Backstory:

Even though Bret Hart was a midcarder at best he was probably one of the company's best workers in 1986. He didn't have the size or personality of many of the top workers, but wrestling fans always enjoyed his matches. He was slated to wrestle Ricky Steamboat at Wrestlemania II in April, but Vince McMahon changed his mind at the last minute and matched Steamboat up with Hercules Hernandez.

Even though Bret lost a great opportunity to establish himself against a high profile worker like Steamboat, they were matched up in Boston at a house show. According to Bret's autobiography, Steamboat told Bret that they should show the company what they'll be missing at Wrestlemania.

In Ring Analysis:

While Steamboat is being checked by the referee, Hart sneak attacks him to start the action. Bret pounds Steamboat in the corner while he is trying to take off his karate jacket. Steamboat comes back by reversing an Irish whip in the corner were Bret takes his chest first turnbuckle bump. Steamboat then deliberately takes off his karate jacket as anger rages up inside of him and Bret begins to beg for mercy.

Steamboat uses his martial arts chops on Bret in the corner and pounds him down to the mat. Steamboat take Bret down, then goes after Bret's manager Jimmy Hart. This lets the fans know that Jimmy might get involved in the action later. Steamboat goes back to Bret and works an armbar after hitting some strikes.

Bret works his way up, but Steamboat twists his arm to apply more pressure and starts pounding on the arm. this is an art that I feel is lacking in opening match wear down holds today. I feel a lot of times wrestlers put a guy in a headlock or armbar, but the other guy isn't working out of it, and the offensive worker isn't using it to apply more damage.

Steamboat keeps using a series of strikes on the arm while holding the armbar, then gets a great move as he uses leverage to pick Bret up by his arm and drop him to the mat. Steamboat then applies a hammerlock and rams Bret shoulder first into the turnbuckle. Steamboat back to the arm bar but Bret breaks the hold with an Irish whip. Bret tries to attack but Steamboat keeps dodging by sliding through his legs twice and hits a deep arm drag.

Steamboat has the arm drag on by Bret breaks wit a punch to the gut and head. Steamboat reverses an Irish whip and instead of sliding through Bret's legs he leapfrogs Bret twice. He goes for the hiptoss, but this time Bret is ready and blocks it. Steamboat comes back and reverses out of it and hits the hiptoss on the second try. This is a great sequence because it shows that Bret is smart and talented enough to learn from his first mistakes, but Steamboat is quicker and more talented so he can make quick adjustments.

Steamboat back to the arm bar. He hits a legdrop on the arm and reapplies the hold. This time he lets a legdrop and a fist drop to the arm. Steamboat is firmly in control of the action. Bret starts punching out, and on the third try Steamboat releases the hold. Hart then tries for an atomic drop, but Steamboat flips out out of the move and hits a great superkick to the jaw. Steamboat throws Bret to the ropes, but gets caught with a neckbreaker. Bret finally gets some sustained offense in the match.

Bret follows up on the neck with a leg drop. He then gets a headbutt and an elbow to the chest. Bret then starts to focus his offense to Steamboat's abdomen hitting him off an irish whip which sent him to the outside. Steamboat back on the apron an Bret pounds on him. He then gets suplexed back in the ring for a 2 count.

Bret begins working an side headlock. Steamboat battles out but then has a bodyslam attempt blocked into a crossbody block for another nearfall. Bret sends Steamboat in the ropes again but his side backbreaker attempt is reversed and this time Steamboat hits the bodyslam. This is another great sequence that gets the audience to think that the face is down, but he then comes back to show that he is the superior wrestler.

Both men slowly get up, but Steamboat comes to first. He tries for a splash, but Bret puts his knees up and Steamboat's already injured abdomen is further punished. The Hitman sends him to the outside, and slams him on the floor. Steamboat struggles to get back in the ring, but Bret catches him with a running powerslam as soon as he gets in for a nearfall.

Bret then gets the side backbreaker that Steamboat slipped out of last time. Bret then goes for an elbow drop off the second rope, but Steamboat moves before Hart lands. Steamboat makes his big comeback and takes Hart down with a series of martial arts strikes. Steamboad then hit a belly-to back suplex for a nearfall. Steamboat continues to pound on Bret in the corner. The referee tries to get Steamboat to break twice, but The Dragon pushes him off. He tries to whip Bret into the turnbuckle, but after a double reversal, Steamboat gets whipped into the referee which knocks him out.

Bret then hits a flying clothesline, but the ref is out. Bret drags him back up. Bret then goes back on the attack. He whips Steamboat into the ropes and comes back with a crossbody, but Steamboat reverses and the revived ref counts to three giving Steamboat the win.

Winner in 15:10 Ricky Steamboat ***3/4

This was a really fun match wit Steamboat using the arm bar between moves which is very much a staple of Jim Crocket Promotions which Steamboat was a product. This is noted during my review of Brian Pillman vs. Lex Luger.

Steamboat has great timing and all of his offense was crisp. Bret got to showcase a lot of his stuff, but it was never done in a way which made him look like a better wrestler than
Steamboat. Wrestlemania 2 didn't really have any good matches, so it's a shame this match never got a chance.

Jay Briscoe vs. The Amazind Red 02/23/02

Where: Philadelphia, PA

Backstory: This is Ring of Honor's first ever show, and they get the talented, but greener, Jay Briscoe to go against the super high flyer, The Amazing Red. Red has his name because he has red hair. Briscoe normally teams with his brother Mark, but Pennsylvania state law prevents Mark from working because he's only 17. This match has no real storyline heading in, but ROH is about action much more than angles.

In Ring Analysis:

Handshakes to start which was ROH's gimmick back then. They feel eac other up before locking up. Neither man can get the advantage to start. Jay hits a running shoulderblock for the first offensive move of the match. They run the ropes and Jay out maneuvers Red and throws him over the top rope. I didn't think this was a great move since Red is undersized, so you have to focus on how much quicker he is than everyone. Also, throwing someone to the outside should have more impact, hence doing it in the beginning of the match lessens the effect.

Jay tries to hit a tope to the outside, but Red dodges and Jay hits the mat. Once again, I think this is too early to be trying these big moves. Both men head back inside with Red hitting right hands to the prone Briscoe. He sets him up for an Irish whip, but Briscoe hits a leg lariat. Jay uses the Irish whip this time, but Red counters and hits a one legged drop kick that had nice execution. Psychology aside, Red's moves look crisp and are exciting.

Both men are standing off, and Jay offers a handshake for the nice exchange. Red falls for the oldest trick in the book as Jay sucker punches him. This sets Briscoe up as the heel in the match as neither man is considered "evil" by the fans. Red reverses another Irish whip, and hits a kick to the gut followed by a flying roundhouse kick to the back of the head. Red goes for a top rope tornado DDT but Briscoe sets Red up top and hits a vicious fisherman's buster.

Jay goes to the top rope, but Red catches him with a kick to the gut and hits a brainbuster. Red tries for another Irish whip but resorts to roundhouse kicks as Jay will not let Red overpower him. After several kicks Red is taken down by a big boot from Briscoe.

He then goes for his Jay-Driller, but Red revesres for a nearfall. Jay goes for another and this time hits it after Red cannot fight out of it. Jay goes for the academic pinfall, but Red gets his foot on the ropes. Briscoe goes to the top rope, and for some reason Red goes to the opposite top rope to set up Jay hitting a flying clothesline in mid air. I don't know what the idea was that they were going for, but it seemed like a blown spot or just a horrible idea as it looked way choreographed.
Jay then hits a big German suplex, but doesn't go for a pinfall. Jay goes back up top, and misses a big cannonball senton. Red comes back with a top rope move called Red Alert, then hits his other finisher called the Red Storm press for the three count.

Winner by pinfall in 8:31: The Amazing Red **


I wasn't really feeling the match. The storyline was that Red was the superior high flyer, so Briscoe was foolish for trying to beat Red at his own game. Briscoe has become a much better worker as part of a team with his brother Mark, so at least he focused on becoming more well rounded. Unfortunately Red suffered severe knee injuries over the next few years, and cannot utilize his great offense anymore. It's too bad as he made up for his small frame with a great ring name, and great moves. Still, if he develops better in ring psychology and find a way to bulk up he can combine that with his charisma to be a good wrestler.

Lance Cade Released

The WWE has reported that Lance Cade has been given his release from the company. Cade was playing the role of Chris Jericho's lackey in his war against Shawn Michaels, and was getting a lot of television time despite not doing much.

I cannot say that I ever saw anything in him, but the WWE usually just keeps pushing their favorite guys until they get over. Given that he was with the company since 2002, I thought this was the start of a prolonged push for him. It hasn't bee reported that he had disciplinary problems, so this news is quite surprising.

It is a shame that he had so much television time in a role that could have gone to someone that had some sort of fan following. It kind of reminds me of when A-Train injured Rey Mysterio in January of 2003 to start his push despite the fans never seeing too much in him as a performer. I think another important question is, what young guys can the WWE even push right now?

Bret Hart vs. Davey Boy Smith 12/17/95

Where: Hershey, PA

Backstory:
After the emotional family feud from these two brother in laws fighting at Summer Slam 1992 for the Intercontinental Title, The British Bulldog wants lightning to strike twice as he challenges Bret for his WWF Championship in a rematch from 3 years prior. This is a technique that the WWF has used before as Ravishing Rick Rude was able to get a PPV Main Event from the Ultimate Warrior because he beat the Warrior for his IC belt a year ago, and now wanted his WWF Title. Diana Smith was torn as to who to root for in '92, but now is clearly on Bulldog's side.

In Ring Analysis:

Both men lock up, and Bulldog shoves Hart off. The lock up again with the same result. The third lockup has Bulldog take Bret down with a headlock, but Bret reverses into an armbar. Bulldog cheats and yanks the hair to take Hart down. Bulldog gets Bret in an armbar, and Bret backs him into the corner. He backs off without attacking like a true babyface.

They lock up again, and Bret takes him down with an armdrag. Bret's the company's superior worker so he'll usually win these wrestling matchups. He begins working the arm. Bulldog gets him up and uses an irish whip but Bret hits a cross body for a 2 count. Bret then gets an inverted atomic drop and a boot to the gut. One thing you notice watching a Bret Hart match is that all of these moves that he uses flow seamlessly. They all make sense within the context of a wrestling match as they look natural and non-choreographed.

Bret goes back to the armbar as Bulldog struggles to get another Irish whip. This time he gets a knee to the gut on Bret and takes him down. He then grabs Bret by the back of is hair and yanks him to the ground. He then gets him up for appears to be the running powerslam, but it turns out that Smith put Bret in the tree of woe in the corner. He pounds on him as Bret sells the beating.

Bulldog then gets Bret in a reverse chinlock. The fans start to boo as they want the babyface to come back. An ECW chant breaks out as the fans are starting to rebel against the slower, yet safer, WWF product for the time. Bret fights out but gets caugt in a Samoan drop. Bulldog then hits a nice legdrop. He goes back to the reverse chinlock to slow down Bret's momentum. He releases and chokes the Hitman out with the ropes. While Bulldog releases, his manager Jim Cornette, hits Bret with his racket. Bulldog goes back to reverse chinlock, but Bret gets him into the corner and fires away with strikes. He tries to whip him into the turnbuckle, but Smith reverses and Bret takes his patented chest-first turnbuckle charge. Bulldog then its a back body drop and gets a 2-count. Bulldog again works the reverse chinlock as he's either winded or this is his technique to get the crowd against him. I would go with the later since they never keep the move on for more than 20 seconds.

Bret fights out again as Bulldog switches to a side-headlock. Bret fights out for what appears to be the academic Irish whip, but Bulldog shows off his power by holding on and grounding Bret in the headlock. Bret fights back up, but this time gets the Irish whip. He gets floors with a shoulerblock. Bulldog runs the ropes, and Bret leapfrogs him, and comes back with a reverse monkey flip. This was a great move as Bret's comebacks rely on leverage moves as his main offense.

He follows up wit another inverted atomic drop. Bret then hits the running bulldog. Bulldog then gets up and reverses an Irish whip but puts his head down for a back body drop which Bret maneuvers into a jumping piledriver. This is exactly what I mean by Bret's moveset falling in seamlessly with his match. He didn't just go for a piledriver, he found an opening for one when the opportunity presented itself. Bret then Irish whips Smith and gives him a punch to set him up for a side Russian legsweep. Bret then goes off the second rope for a forearm drop. Bret sensing victory sets Bulldog up for a superplex, but Bulldog suplexes Bret crotch first on the top rope. The momentum sends Bret outside the ring, and Bulldog follows. Bulldog then hits Bret in the back of the head with a forearm that sends Bret's head into the ringside steps. He then picks Bret up and rams him into the ringpost as Bret has bladed over his forehead.

Bulldog gets Bret in the ring and whips him into the turnbukcle hard. Bulldog then sets Bret up and repays the favor with his own piledriver. Bulldog then hits a standing vertical suplex. Bulldog uses another signature move as he hits a big press slam for a 2-count. Bulldog goes up top and hits a flying headbutt to Bret's back for another 2. Bulldog is just hitting big move after big move. He goes for the pin after every move to let the crowd know that he thinks it's any move that will finish this match.

Bulldog then continues working on Bret's back by putting him a bow-and-arrow submission move. Bret snaps out and tries for a Sharpshooter, but Bulldog escapes. Bulldog then hits a huge running shoulderblock that sends Bret to the outside. You can see that the Bulldogs tights are covered in Bret's blood. Bulldog gets Bret on the apron and tries to suplex Bret back in the ring. Bret reverses and hits a bridging German suplex for a nearfall.

Bulldog gets up, but Bret sends him into the ropes and both men crash with a double clothesline. Bulldog is up first and charges Bret, but The Hitman outmaneuvers him by back body dropping him over the top rope. Bret then hits a tope to follow up. Bret then tries a spring board cross body, but the Bulldog catches him and hits his running powerslam to the ringside floor. Bulldog opts not to try to roll Bret in the ring for a near certain victory and instead rolls up the ringside mats. He tries for a suplex there but Bret reverses and crotches Smith on the ringside barricade and hits a clothesline. Bret is a bloody mess and throws him back in the ring.

The Hitman hits a backbreaker for another two count. Bret then gets Smith in an arm ringer and snaps him towards the corner where he hits it upside down and bounces on his head. That looked great but I'm not sure that's how Smith planned on taking that spot. Bret sends Bulldog up for the superplex again, but this time he hits it. He only gets a 2-count though as the announcers are playing up that Bret can't finish of the Bulldog. Bulldog then sneaks in a rollup for 2. Bret gets Smith in the corner and has another Irish whip into the turnbuckle reversed. Bulldog charges and eats a boot though. Bret then puts the Bulldog in the La Magistral cradle for the three count and the very hard fought victory.


Winner by pinfall in 21:09: Bret Hart ****1/2

That was a very anti-climatic finish, but it's not like the Bulldog should have had a ton of gas left in the tank. Chris Jericho claims he taught Bret that move just for that match, and while it's a good pin, I think it would have worked better after that turnbuckle whip where Bulldog landed on his head.

Moving past that this was a war of a wrestling match as it started off with mat wrestling but by the end, both men looked like they were fighting for their lives. Bret Hart told a great story, and Davey Boy Smith was always game to have a great match when he had an opponent that could lead him properly.

Eddie Guerrero vs. Chavo Guerrero 01/25/04

Where: Philadelphia, PA

Backstory:

Eddie and Chavo formed Los Guerreros tag team, but Chavo's displeasure with Eddie made him choose to not help his uncle as the Basham Brothers double teamed him after a match. Chavo them beat on Eddie some more after The Bashams left. Eddie was very hurt that his own nephew would betray him, and vowed revenge in this one-on-one grudge match. The match is a forgone conclusion as even though Chavo has his father, Chavo Sr., in his corner, Eddie is a far superior worker and a much bigger star. The real question of this match is how bad is Eddie going to beat his nephew.

In Ring Analysis:

Eddie, who's usually pretty jovial on his way to the ring has a stone cold look on his face. The bell rings and both men lock up. They struggle until Eddie pushes Chavo off. Chavo comes back with a hard slap to the face, but Eddie doesn't pummel him. During a pretaped interview Eddie promised that he would work on his "Latino Temper" and not snap during his match. You can really tell from Eddie's face that his mind is furious but he's trying to control himself.

Eddie charges and gets Chavo into the corner, and Eddie is about to hit Chavo with a punch to the face, but he pulls back. They break and lock up again, and Eddie takes him down and gets a rear chinlock on him. Chavo gets Eddie in the corner but is not so kind as he chops Eddie. Every time Chavo hits Eddie it seems to make him angry more than hurt him. Eddie gets Chavo in the corner again but this time hits him with a hard chop and that makes him smile in satisfaction.

They lock up again and Chavo hits a shoulder block off the ropes. Chavo lets off a weak battle cry against Eddie, and Eddie replies with a middle finger. They both trade chops until Eddie hits him with a thumb to the eye. Eddie gets Chavo in the corner again but can't bring himself to punch Chavo as he backs off right as he's about to unleash on him. The announcers keep playing up that Eddie is so close to snapping, but he's trying to control himself.

They lock up again and Eddie gets Chavo to the mat. Eddie works an armbar as he's set out to prove that he's a superior worker. Chavo comes back up and hurricanranas Eddie and himself over the top rope. They are both heading back in when Chavo Sr. trips Eddie up and he hits his head on the ringside steps. Chavo takes advantage and pounds on Eddie from a mounted position. Eddie fights off, but Chavo gets him down again. Eddie reverses into a cross arm-breaker. Chavo gets his foot on the ropes to make the ref break.

Chavo kicks Eddie to the gut and gets a back suplex for a 2-count. Chavo then starts on the Three Amigos which is Eddie's move, but Eddie reverses, and hits his own Three Amigos. He then acknowledges the crowd which draws cheers. Eddie then goes to the top and hits the frog splash for the academic 3 count


Winner by pinfall in 8:03: Eddie Guerrero ***

Eddie proved his wrestling superiority without relying on punches or non wrestling holds, but revenge was not yet satisfied as he punched Chavo Sr. as soon as he entered the ring. He then was about to leave the ring, but then he finally snapped and kicked Chavo Sr. in the groin. Then he yelled at Chavo and mounted him for punches. He then tied Chavo Sr. up to the bottom rope by his tie. He then went back into the corner and started pounding Chavo in the corner. Chavo is bloodied from Eddies punches. Chavo Sr. pleads with Eddie, but Eddie continues beating him right in front of his dad. Eddie finally is satisfied and leaves.

It was a smart move not destroying Chavo during the match as Bret Hart stated during his feud with Owen that it's important not to look like you're just bullying the little brother because then you look like a jerk.

Matt Hardy vs. Shelton Benjamin 07/20/08

Where: Uniondale, NY

Backstory: The WWE has just had their annual draft where several members of their brands move around to create fresh matchups. Shelton Benjamin went from ECW to Smackdown, and Matt Hardy, The US Champion, went from Smackdown to ECW. Shelton is always has a curiousity factor because he always is on the verge of a breakout performance. This match is for Hardy's US Title.

In Ring Analysis:

Both men lock up, and since Shelton has a legit amateur background he takes Hardy down. Hardy struggles back up, but Benjamin takes him down with a shoulderblock. Benjamin continues to work the headlock, but Hardy fights out to hit a hip toss and a deep armdrag. Both men then angle to hit each others finishers but to no avail. Hardy takes him down with a punch to the head. He then charges at Benjamin, but Shelton throws him over the top rope. Hardy tries to skin the cat, but he get dropkicked in the back in a nice sequence. You'll notice that the WWE midcard is a lot more creative in their sequences than the main eventers because they are clawing to get over, and don't want to have repetitive matches that the main eventers have.

Hardy is outside the ring, and Shelton tries to bring him inside. Hardy fights back so Benjamin rams him into the ringpost and back to the outside. He brings him back in and gets a 2-count. Benjamin then gets a high angle back suplex and a backbreaker as he's begun focusing on the back area. They then works on Matt Hardy's neck with a submission move. Jim Ross on commentary hints that maybe a sitting abdominal stretch would have been better since it continues to focus on the back as the dropkick, suplex, and backbreaker had done. Benjamin then puts pressure on Hardy's arm, but once again loses focus. This is one of Benjamin's problems as he a great athlete, has great moves, but can't always put them together to get the four star match he is so capable of having.

Benjamin releases the hold and shows good aggression by pummelling Hardy. He then hits a backbreaker, but then goes to an abdominal stretch. Hardy counters into a nearfall after getting a Samoan drop. Benjamin goes for another high angle back suplex but Hardy reverses this time for a crossbody showing that he learned Benjamin's moves and figured out a reversal. This only gets a two-count however. Hardy then charges Benjamin in the corner, but catches a boot. Benjamin comes back and nearly gets caught in a Side Effect before Benjamin shoves Hardy down. Benjamin finally gets a sensible submission move on and get a dragon sleeper while planting Hardy's back over his knee. Mick Foley on commentary covers and says that Benjamin has been working on the spine which is a great comment since it justifies all of the submission moves that I previously thought were faulty.

Both men try to punch each other, but Hardy comes out on top and comes back. He catches a Benjamin kick but he does a great reverse roundhouse kick that takes Hardy down. Hardy staggers to the corner and Benjamin gets a Stinger Splash on him. Hardy once again proves that he learns his lesson as he catches Benjamin on the second attempt with a boot to the face. Hardy comes back with punches, a clothesline and a bulldog. Hardy then goes to the second rope for a legdrop on Benjamin for a nearfall. Hardy goes for a hurricanrana but Benjamin catches him and powerbombs him into the top turnbuckle in a nice spot. Now Benjamin is proving that he can't be fooled twice.

Benjamin goes for a powerbomb, but Hardy reverses for a rollup, and both men take turns trying to get leverage pinfalls against each other. Hardy then catches Benjamin in the Side Effect which I personally think he should establish as a finisher. The crowd definitely bought into it as Hardy gets a nearfall with the move. Hardy then motions for is real finisher, the Twist of Fate, but Benjamin throws him into the turnbuckle. He then lifts Hardy up on the top turnbuckle, but Hardy fights him off. Hardy goes up top for a moonsault but Benjamin knees him in the face on the way down, and hits his finisher the Paydirt for the three count and title.


Winner by Pinfall in 10:36: Shelton Benjamin **3/4

I like the clean finish for the match. I also thought they had a nice recurring theme of both men relying on the same moves which get them caught because their opponents are ready for them the second time around. I still think Benjamin could be so much more than he is, and hopefully he reaches that top level.

Delays

Sorry about the lack of updates but I was super busy Wednesday-Friday, and I don't blog on weekends. I had matches in mind for today, but also a super headache. Hopefully tomorrow. Matches I had in mind:

Eddie Guerrero vs. Chavo Guerrero
Steve Austin vs. Owen Hart
Rey Mysterio vs. Matt Hardy
Christian vs. Diamond Dallas Page
Booker T vs. Boogieman

All good matches. Let me know if you care either way.