Hello and welcome once again to my top ‘WWE Matches of the Week’. Here, as always, I check out all the bouts from the past seven days of WWE TV and cherry pick the very best for you.
A quick reminder that this only focuses on Raw, SmackDown Live, 205 Live and NXT. After all, we all know that Main Event does not exist. This week we were also graced with the second episode of the 2018 Mae Young Classic which is moving along swimmingly.
Also, apologies for my absence last week, we were at Wrestling MediaCon and somehow didn’t realize that there would be no spare time for writing. Quick shout out to the Meiko Satomura vs. Killer Kelly match from last week’s MYC episode.
Now, without further ado, let’s get cracking!
#MainEventIsAMyth.
Raw
N/A… Again.
I’m pretty sure that, 19 weeks into doing these lists, Raw is not just the only weekly show to not have an entry but the only one to do it multiple times. Stop being a soap opera.
SmackDown Live
Rusev Day vs. The Bar
HAPPY RUSEV DAY! This was brilliant. Sheamus and Cesaro continued to prove why they are two of the best tag team wrestlers in the business. Aiden English continued to take metaphorical bullets (and literal Brogue Kicks) for Rusev. And the ‘Lion of Bulgaria’ continued to simply look like a bonafide main eventer.
These two teams performed fantastically together and – unlike SAnitY’s main roster run – no one looked weak after the match. This was SmackDown Live‘s shining light this week and the upcoming Tag Team Championship match at Hell in a Cell will likely be one of the show-stealers if given time.
205 Live
Buddy Murphy vs. Gran Metalik
Buddy Murphy is incapable of having a bad match. He is a phenomenal talent and one of the few genuine star-makers within WWE. He has been working his way through Lucha House Party as of late, putting on a clinic with Kalisto recently, and this week saw off Gran Metalik in another incredible bout.
That is not to say that it was all Murphy as Metalik is no slouch. The pair simply work well together and utilize their contrasting styles perfectly to create unique sequences. I for one really hope to see Murphy capture the WWE Cruiserweight Championship at Super Show-Down.
205 Live
Cedric Alexander & Akira Tozawa vs. Drew Gulak & Jack Gallagher
Everyone on 205 Live is just so good. Drew Gulak has been one of my favorite wrestlers for a while now and he showcases why every time he is on screen. Not just in the ring but on the mic, on the apron, being a general nuisance or signing “for a better 205.” The division has simply come on leaps and bounds this year and I am so invested in literally every storyline.
This match felt like a showcase for Akira Tozawa who has been used more like enhancement talent for the likes of Hideo Itami and Lio Rush as of late. It was also, however, a way for Gulak to get one up on Cedric Alexander ahead of their title match next week without having the hampion simply lose like they do on the main roster so often.
NXT
Nikki Cross vs. Bianca Belair
This one is interesting as the match was solid – as expected from the experience of Nikki Cross and the sheer talent of Bianca Belair – but it ended in a double count out and a pull-apart brawl. Obviously, the NXT Women’s Title picture is tied up between current Champion Kairi Sane and former Champ Shayna Baszler.
One would assume that this is will be a TakeOver cycle blood-feud that will finally serve as Cross’ developmental goodbye before she heads up to join her SAnitY brothers and hopefully hit the restart button on that faction. This will likely end in Cross putting Belair over in the process, serving her up as the next challenger for the NXT Women’s Championship and whoever holds it.
Mae Young Classic
Mercedes Martinez vs. Ashley Rayne
I must admit, I wasn’t a huge fan of either of these women prior to this match but the talent showed in the ring and some surprising help from Michael Cole on commentary really won me over.
The crowd was really behind Mercedes Martinez, who reached the semi-finals of last year’s event, tapping out to Shayna Baszler. She was put over as a hero of the people, being a mother and working two jobs, only wrestling when she can. I bet Madi-I mean Ashley Rayne felt like the villain heading into this one, even though she was not portrayed as such.
The veterans put on a great main event after three simply okay matches and close the show well. It didn’t reach the heights of last week’s Meiko/Kelly match but it set up Martinez for another solid run which – this time – I’m on board for.
Comments.
Loading comments…