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Elimination Chamber match (winner faces Roman Reigns)
King Corbin vs. Kevin Owens vs. Cesaro vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Sami Zayn vs Jey Uso Daniel Bryan and Cesaro started out the match, and Daniel Bryan ended up winning the match. Not much really to say about this match, knowing it's entire purpose was just to set up a different match on the card...but, shout out to Cesaro, who reminded everyone why he is known as the Swiss Superman...dude is ridiculously athletic and strong. He didn't win, but Cesaro was the best part of the match. Universal Championship Match Roman Reigns (c) vs. Smackdown Elimination Chamber match winner This Elimination Chamber match kicked off the PPV, so you'd expect that Daniel Bryan would have time to rest up a little before having his title match with Roman Reigns, right? WRONG. No sooner did the match end, then the Chamber raised, Roman Reigns comes out, and the title match begins. Well, obviously Roman Reigns is at a huge advantage, having not just wrestled 5 other dudes in a steel cage...Reigns wins in a fairly short match and....SPEAR! Edge pops out of nowhere, and just nails Reigns...thereby sealing his choice as to which of the two heavyweight titles he will be pursuing at Wrestlemania... United States Championship Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Keith Lee vs. Matt Riddle (if match even happens) This match did end up happening, with John Morrison taking the place of the absent Keith Lee. Riddle came out wearing this ridiculous Evel Knievel inspired thing, because today's younger wrestling fans ALL KNOW who Evel Knievel was, amirite??? Anyway, apparently, this was a no DQ match, despite never being announced as such, as Matt Riddle hit Bobby Lashley twice with a crutch, inside the ring, with the ref looking right at him, without a decision...I guess for a triple threat match that kind of makes sense...anyway, after getting hit twice by a crutch, Lashley rolls out the ring, Riddle gets the pin on Morrison to become the new US Champ, without Lashley ever taking the fall or being made to look weak. That will come into play in a bit... Women's Tag Team Championship Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler (c) vs. Sasha Banks &Bianca Belair This match wasn't announced until the Kickoff show, so I didn't have it in my preview thread. Not sure what the point of this match was. There was no way they were going to give Banks and Belair the straps, knowing that they are going to have Belair challenge Banks for the Smackdown Women's Title at Wrestlemania, but then, they didn't really do anything to introduce discord between the two to help set that match up, either...Without booking the start of driving the wedge between Banks and Belair, this match literally served no purpose. There are other female tag teams that could have been given this spot instead of Banks and Belair. Elimination Chamber match for WWE Championship Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Sheamus vs. Kofi Kingston Jeff Hardy and Randy Orton start out the match. Next out is the champ Drew McIntyre, and then Kofi Kingston, who gets a quick pin on Randy Orton...this led to an interesting situation: AJ Styles' bodyguard Omos rips off the BACK of the pod Styles was in (it's just plexiglass), so AJ Styles is on the outside of the chamber...as the ref opens the door to allow the eliminated Orton out, AJ Styles runs into the Chamber, well ahead of it being his official time to enter...Anyway, Drew McIntyre ends up winning and retaining his title...the Chamber raises up, and Drew is celebrating his win in the middle of the ring... Suddenly, he gets viciously attacked by Bobby Lashley, and is just laying there on the ground, helpless. In the words of Jim Ross, he just got beat like a government mule...Remember earlier, how they managed to get the US title off of Lashley, without making him look weak at all, by not having him participate in the actual fall? Well...this is why. The plan is clearly for Bobby Lashley to challenge Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at Wrestl...WAIT! OUT COMES THE MIZ! He's actually cashing in the MITB briefcase, like, for REAL this time! WWE Championship match (Money In The Bank Cash In) Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Mike "the Miz" Mizanian Miz hits a basement DDT, 1...2...Drew kicks out. Does the champ still have any fight left in him? The Miz follows up with a Skull Crushing Finale... 1...2...3! As Howard Finkel might say, "Here is your winner, and NEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW DOUBLE YOU DOUBLE YOU EEEE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, THE MIZ!!!!!!!!!" Normally, I would post my grades for each match, as I do for most PPVs...however, since it was clear from the very beginning that this PPV was largely just filler, because they had to hold two more PPVs before they get to Wrestlemania (ie, Fastlane is probably going to be more or less a throw-away PPV too), I decided not to judge the matches in the way I normally would, because this Elimination Chamber wasn't really meant to do anything other than tread water. Yeah, there were a few twists, but other than the Miz cashing in, overall, it was largely forgettable. Also, they ended up cancelling the Asuka match entirely, and I am kind of pissed about that. The PPV ended just before 9:30pm EST, it was all of 2 and a half hours. They absolutely had time to squeeze one more match on the card, and simply chose not to. Shoot, they even had time to have an impromptu women's Elimination Chamber match, let alone just a standard match, and chose to just end the show early instead. They found a replacement for Keith Lee in the US title match, but they couldn't find a replacement for Lacey Evans, despite having six full days (in storyline) to replace her? Not even with an open challenge or something simple like that? DAMMIT, WWE...
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www.yahoo.com/sports/ex-wrestling-stars-take-concussion-lawsuit-with-wwe-to-supreme-court-232105665.html
A lawyer for more than 50 former professional wrestlers suing WWE over brain damage has taken the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Attorney Konstantine Kyros filed the request on Wednesday after lower courts dismissed the suit as frivolous or beyond the statute of limitations, according to documents obtained by the Associated Press. The plaintiffs listed include star wrestlers from the 1980s and '90s, including Joseph “Animal” Laurinaitis of the Road Warriors, Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, Paul “Mr. Wonderful” Orndorff, Chris “King Kong Bundy” Pallies and Harry Masayoshi Fujiwara, known in the ring as Mr. Fuji Snuka died in 2017, and Fujiwara died in 2016. Both were diagnosed after their deaths with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the disorder commonly associated with repeated head injuries suffered in football. Pallies died in 2019, and Laurinaitis died last year of undisclosed causes. Other plaintiffs have complained of dementia and other illnesses, according to the lawsuit. The suit accuses WWE of knowing the health risks of wrestling without warning participants and argues that WWE is more liable for injuries than sports like football because the organization scripts the matches that result in brain injury. The NFL settled a lawsuit over concussions with former players in 2016 for more than $1 billion. Federal judge Vanessa Bryant ruled in 2018 that there was no evidence that WWE knew at the time that collisions suffered in the wrestling ring would result in CTE. A WWE spokesperson told AP on Thursday that the lawsuit is without merit. It's not yet clear whether or not the Supreme Court will consider the case. Here is the major problem I see with this lawsuit: All the four wrestlers specifically listed, Road Warrior Animal, Jimmy Snuka, King Kong Bundy and Mr. Fuji (and very likely every other wrestler involved too), spent lots of time wrestling outside of the WWE. How do they prove that CTE they may have, was due to their time in a WWF/E ring, and not in the AWA, NWA, USWA, Japan, or other territory? Looking at their histories: Joe Laurinaitis wrestled as Road Warrior Animal for 30 years. He was only in the WWF/E for 11, and for 5 of those 11 years, was used only sporadically, not really as a full active member of the roster. Superfly Jimmy Snuka? In the WWF/E as an active wrestler for 9 years out of a career that spanned 47. King Kong Bundy? 6 WWF/E years out of 26 years as active wrestler. Mr. Fuji? As an active wrestler, he was in the WWWF/WWF/E for 11 years out of 20. He retired from active wrestling in 1985, and did manage in the WWF until he fully retired in 1996. But as a manager, he would not have been subject to the hits he took as an active wrestler, so I am not counting his managerial career. Then, these want to hold the WWE accountable for knowing the risks and not telling them...however, NOBODY knew about CTE in the 1970s-1990s. Not the WWE, not the NFL, nobody...because those level concussion studies just hadn't been done yet. How do they prove the WWE had the knowledge about CTE/concussions, when nobody else did? I mean, for every wrestler involved, wouldn't the WWE just have to produce tape of each wrestler, working for a non-WWE wrestling promotion, taking a chair shot, falling through a table, or performing some other dangerous wrestling related spot, to provide reasonable doubt that the CTE was a result of their time in the WWE? I don't want to sound like a WWE shill here, someone just defending them because they are the WWE...but, honestly, I don't see how these wrestlers can possibly hope to prove their case. If this goes to the Supreme Court, they will absolutely grill the lawyers on both sides, and frankly, the plaintiffs have a massive task ahead, to prove the WWE, and only the WWE, was negligent in warning them about CTE, in a time when nobody understood CTE... It's Elimination Chamber week...Usually, that means we are about a month away from Wrestlemania, but because Wrestlemania won't be until April 10-11, the WWE is squeezing in their Fastlane PPV between Elimination Chamber and Mania on March 21st...BOO....But, it is what it is.
As always, cards are subject to change, this review is based on the card, as of Wednesday, 02/17/21. Elimination Chamber match for WWE Championship Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Sheamus vs. Kofi Kingston Honestly? This can go a few different ways. The obvious choice here, is to just have Drew McIntyre retain the belt, and set up his Wrestlemania opponent later, at Fastlane (very likely Sheamus). That would be the safe choice here. However, while they appear to be leaning to having Royal Rumble Edge challenge Roman Reigns for the Universal title at Wrestlemania, what happens if Randy Orton emerges from this match, as the WWE Champion? Does Edge's preference of opponent suddenly shift back to the Viper, to have the Wrestlemania match, for the title, to close out their feud permanently? Then, there is Kofi Kingston, who wowed everybody two years ago with his EC performance, before winning the title at Wrestlemania...would the WWE book him to have a repeat performance, but this time with the belt on the line? Prediction: While I personally would book Randy Orton to win, to set up Orton/Edge at Wrestlemania, I think the WWE plays it safe here, and Drew McIntyre retains. Elimination Chamber match (winner faces Roman Reigns) King Corbin vs. Kevin Owens vs. Cesaro vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Sami Zayn vs Jey Uso We can immediately eliminate both Corbin and Zayn from contention here, as it makes no sense to set up a heel vs. heel title match later in the night. Now, that would logically mean the winner is either going to be Kevin Owens or Daniel Bryan, right? Or, could the WWE be planning a swerve here, and have Jay Uso win? Jay Uso is Roman Reign's cousin, and allied to him. If he wins the Elimination Chamber, there are a couple of different ways the WWE could book this. They could play it straight, and have an actual match between Reigns and Uso (possible return of Jimmy Uso/Twin Magic?), or...and this is a just a thought here...what if the entire plan is akin to the "Fingerpoke of doom", where after winning the right to face his cousin for the universal title, Jay Uso just...lays down and lets Roman pin him, to ensure that Reigns keeps the belt? Prediction: While seeing Jay Uso win would provide the most compelling immediate storyline for the title match later, I have a suspicion that the winner will be Kevin Owens, just so they can end that rivalry with a clean win by Reigns before setting up Edge/Reigns for Wrestlemania. Universal Championship Match Roman Reigns (c) vs. Smackdown Elimination Chamber match winner I predicted Kevin Owens wins the actual Elimination Chamber match to be the opponent here...but it doesn't really matter, as the end result will be the same, regardless of who wins. Prediction: Roman Reigns retains. Raw Women's Championship Asuka (c) vs. ??? (If match even happens) This was scheduled to be Asuka vs. Lacey Evans, but, as we found out on RAW Monday night, Lacey Evans is pregnant. (This is very likely using a storyline to explain a real pregnancy) As such, Lacey Evans is out. If this match isn't cancelled entirely (which it very might be), look for them to have Asuka issue an open challenge to any woman in the locker room...queue Also Sprach Zarathustra, and Charlotte Flair. It's only a matter of time before Charlotte goes back to being in the title picture, her and Asuka are no longer the Women's Tag Team Champs, so...why not? My wife also brings up another very intriguing possibility, if it's an open challenge: Rhea Ripley. With her performance at the Royal Rumble, the WWE made it clear she is going back to the main roster soon...(remember, they tried bringing her to the main roster last year, and they completely botched it with horrible booking decisions that buried her). Prediction: Realistically, they will probably just cancel the match, allowing the EC matches to have more time. But, if this match does happen, I like my wife's idea...Rhea Ripley. Not only to be the opponent, but to WIN. United States Championship Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Keith Lee vs. Matt Riddle (if match even happens) Rumor has it that Keith Lee hasn't been cleared to come back yet after contracting COVID, so this could end up being Lashley vs. Riddle, 1 on 1. I gotta think that as long as the Hurt Business is ringside, there is no way in hell Bobby Lashley loses this match, even if Keith Lee participates. Prediction: Bobby Lashley Thoughts? Anyone completely undeserving getting in? Someone very much deserving still being left out?
I have no idea how many of you are watching WandaVision on Disney+. But if you do watch it, and haven't watched the latest episode (Ep5), and don't want to be spoiled, TURN AROUND. GO AWAY. . . . . . . Still here? Ok. Holy shit. Can we talk about that ending for a second, and the implications it represents? Now, things might not be what they seem, and what we see, is all a trick...However, if we take the ending at face value, the MCU just got MASSIVELY bigger, with the utterance of a single question... She recast Pietro? The answer to that question, just changed the entire MCU. Pietro, as you may recall, is Wanda's brother, Pietro Maximoff. You may also remember that as Quicksilver, Pietro was killed in Avengers: Age of Ultron. You may also remember that over at 20th Century Fox, the X-Men franchise had their own Pietro Maximoff/Quicksilver. Because of licensing rights at the time, Marvel could use the character as long as they never mentioned he was a mutant, and Fox could use the character as long as they specifically never mentioned his alignment with the Avengers. Then that licensing problem went away, when Disney purchased Fox Studios, giving Disney and the MCU the movie rights to all of Fox's Marvel characters. The question was though, how would Disney do it? Could Disney even do it? Was there a way to somehow incorporate the X-Men, the Fantastic Four and the other properties owned by Fox into the MCU, and have it make sense? And then we got a clue as to how they might do it, when Spider-Man:Into the Spider-Verse was released, when they introduced the concept of the multiverse. While the main alter-ego of Spider-Man was the Miles Morales version, it also featured Peter Parker and other Spider-Man variations...This is important, as it establishes that the MCU exists as one of a series of alternate universes. That is, if we were to follow that theme and apply to the live action Marvel Universe, it means that Disney's MCU, Fox's X-Men and Fantastic Four franchises, and Sony's version of Spider-Man all exist in alternate universes from each other, but that they are CONNECTED. Tom Holland's Spider-Man connected Disney's MCU with Sony's universe, even on an "loaned character" basis...but with Disney now owning Fox, they can do so much more than that. And they did. Going back to the character of Quicksilver/Pietro Maximoff...who should show up at Wanda's doorstep, than her dear brother? Only it wasn't THAT one. It was this one: It was the Pietro Maximoff...from the X-Men franchise. The one we all liked way better...
The entire plot of WandaVision is based on Scarlet Witch's ability to reshape reality...and Wanda did reshape reality. Not only did she necessarily resurrect Vision (who died in End Game) complete with Infinity Stone on his head, but she just subconsciously brought her brother back...only it was the Pietro from the Fox alternate/multiverse. The X-Men have officially joined Disney's MCU. The next Doctor Strange film is titled Doctor Strange:The Multiverse of Madness. The multiverse. Again. WandaVision was the start, but how much do you want to bet that by the end of Doctor Strange II, the 20th Century Fox Marvel universe will be fully blended in with the Disney MCU? It wouldn't even be hard to explain: When Thanos destroyed the Infinity Gauntlet and the Infinity Stones in End Game, he unknowingly opened up a rift in the space-time continuum that allowed the Fox Marvel universe and the Disney MCU to spill together...Could that be the central plot to the Doctor Strange sequel? That Doctor Strange was able to sense the changes as the MCU and Fox Marvel universe become one? Long story short: Now that Stan Lee is dead, don't be surprised to see his cameos in every Marvel movie replaced by Deadpool... WWE Women's Tag Team Championship (On Kickoff show)
Asuka & Charlotte Flair (c) vs Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler My Prediction: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler What actually happened: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler I was right, but for the wrong reasons. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler did regain the Women's Tag Team Championships, but not because of a Charlotte Flair turn on Asuka. Instead, we saw the Nature Boy, Ric Flair, aka Charlotte's dad, who has been feuding a bit with Charlotte through his um...interest in Lacey Evans, came out with Evans, who was wearing a Ric Flair style robe. Charlotte is distracted! The roll-up! ONE, TWO, KICKOUT. Nah. match wouldn't be over quite yet...It didn't end until the Nature Boy gave Lacey a foreign object (probably brass knuckles, but camera didn't show clearly), who then hit Charlotte on the head with it, knocking her out cold. We are either gonna get Charlotte Flair vs Lacey Evans at Elimination Chamber or Wrestlemania, guaranteed. It also helps to set up the Nia/Shayna vs. Mandy Rose/Dana Brooke feud I alluded to in the Preview thread. Grade: B for the match itself, dropped down to a B- for predictability. WWE Championship Drew McIntyre (c) vs Goldberg My Prediction: Drew McIntyre What actually happened: Drew McIntyre Yeah, this was a total waste of time. Goldberg was sweating already after making his entrance, he was gassed very early on, thank goodness this was a short match. The WWE really needs to stop bringing Goldberg back for these once-offs, the man is WAY past his expiration date. Grade: D Smackdown Women's Championship Sasha Banks (c) vs. Carmella My Prediction: No Prediction What actually happened: Sasha Banks This match wasn't officially announced. It was rumored to be on the card, but was never made official, so I didn't include it in my predictions thread. I gotta be honest here...I have a weird opinion when it comes to Carmella. Objectively, she is a decent enough wrestler, and can handle herself quite well in a wrestling ring. She is probably better than she really gets credit for. But on the other hand, subjectively, I hate her. I can't stand her. I never, ever want to see her on TV, because she annoys the hell out of me. Decent enough match though. Grade: B Women's Royal Rumble Match My Prediction: Bianca Belair What actually happened: Bianca Belair Decent Rumble match, but not spectacular. Bayley and Naomi entered first and second, with Bianca entering 3rd. I could go into the nitty gritty of the order, the eliminations, etc, but other than Bianca Belair getting pushed into the main event level status with the win, the real story of this Royal Rumble was Billie Kay. Since the last draft, when she was separated from her tag team partner Peyton Royce, Billie Kay really hasn't had much to do. She's kind of floundered around, not really having any direction. I think last night, she found her direction. Billie Kay is never going to be a main event singles wrestler. She is, however, going to be on TV a lot, as she was downright FUNNY. Like, Santino Marella kind of funny. Best moment of the Rumble was when Peyton Royce entered, and her and Billie had a moment...The sheer look of glee on both of their faces as they got to reunite for a few moments was adorable. Outside of Billie Kay, VERY impressive performance as well for Rhea Ripley, who may get her second shot at the main roster after that performance. She got elevated from NXT last year, and then the WWE completely botched her push to the point she got sent down to NXT again...Hopefully they get it right this time, because Ripley is going to be a future WWE Women's champion. She is too damn good not to be. Grade: B+ for the match, potential to go up to an A- or an A, depending on how they follow up with Belair, Ripley and Billie Kay's performances. WWE Universal Championship - Last Man Standing Match Roman Reigns (c) vs. Kevin Owens My Prediction: Roman Reigns What actually happened: Roman Reigns The outcome of this match was never in doubt to me, while it was a pretty good match in and of itself, I never felt while watching it, that any outcome other than Reigns keeping his title was possible. I don't think the WWE will even think about switching that title off of Roman Reigns' waist until Wrestlemania, so any title matches before that are really just for show. This match will probably be remembered for the botch at the end. Kevin Owens handcuffed Reigns low enough that he couldn't really stand...which, in a LMS match, would mean Owens wins. however, as the ref hit the 9 count, he got too close to Reigns, who then grabbed him, and pushed him into a prop to knock him out, so the countdown would stop. Paul Heyman would come out with keys to the handcuffs (they were the ones who originally brought the handcuffs out, Owens handcuffed Reigns only because he managed to beat Reigns to the punch)...Reigns was gonna do the exact same thing to Owens...Eventually a 2nd ref comes out, and starts the countdown again. However, Heyman was having some trouble getting the handcuffs open, so the ref got to 6 or 7, and had to "stop" to check on Kevin Owens...buying Heyman at least another 15-20 seconds to undo the handcuffs. The match, because it was a LMS match, also meant they were free to go anywhere in Tropicana Field...and part of the match took place around the 2nd ring. Lemme explain: The WWE already has a 2nd ring set up, on a different part of the field, with LOTS of space for chairs surrounding it, to be used whenever the state of Florida allows fans to return to sporting events in numbers. So, whenever that order comes in, they are already prepared to switch locations to the more open area, and have a more...traditional wrestling show. Grade: B+ for the match itself, dropped down to a B for predictability. Men's Royal Rumble Match My Prediction: Seth Rollins What actually happened: Edge Well, what can I say? I was close, dammit, LOL. I was correct about Rollins making his return, and he DID make it until close to the end...he was one of the final four left...Anyway...#1 and #2 happened to be Randy Orton and Edge, to allow them to continue their feud, just the two of them, for at least a little bit. More people come in, Randy Orton "injures" his knee, leaves without being eliminated to go see WWE medical staff. One of the surprise entrants was the returning Carlito Colon. That was cool. Honestly, Carlito, who hasn't been seen in a WWE ring for about a decade now, looked fantastic. He was in great shape, maybe the best physical shape of his career. If the WWE signed him to a short term, or even long term deal, and this wasn't just a one-time nostalgia act, I am fine with that. I mean, they brought back both Shelton Benjamin and MVP...and Carlito looks like he is still able to go... Another HUGE pop was when Christian made his return, and as soon as he entered the ring, he and Edge embraced. For those of you unaware, not only were Edge and Christian a long time WWE tag team together, but best friends in real life. Adam Copeland (Edge) and Jay Reso (Christian) have known each other since they were little kids, growing up together in the same Orangeville, Ontario neighborhood. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Christian will be sticking around, at least for a while, to provide support for Edge. Like Carlito, Christian had a very good showing in the match. Generally, one-off nostalgia acts get their pop, and get eliminated within a few minutes, but both Carlito and Christian got plenty of match time. Anyway, we get close to the end, and wouldn't you know it...the "injured" Randy Orton jumps into the ring, tries to eliminate Edge, only for Edge to reverse it and eliminate Orton... Grade: A- Ok. I should point out a few things. The WWE changed the rules to the Rumble matches this year. The time between entrants was shortened to 90 seconds, rather than the full two minutes. They likely felt that with a few of the other matches, the PPV would be too long if they went with the two minute timing. Not the first time they have done that, probably won't be the last time either. It does put a small asterisk on both Edge and Bianca's wins, meaning while they were early entrants who lasted, their matches were shorter than other Rumbles have been. Also, with Edge winning the title match at Wrestlemania, if Elimination Chamber sees Drew McIntyre defending his title in a rematch against Randy Orton, you can damn well be sure that I will be predicting an Orton win....Edge/Orton for the title is a LOT more interesting than Edge/Reigns or Edge/McIntyre is. |
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February 2021
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