If you were wondering why it is considerably more sexy in here, it is because Dusty and Kevin are back for another rousing edition of Stunt Granny Audio. Kevin starts things off by breaking things down in the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, and Dusty retaliates by regaling us with the lowdown on the NBA playoffs. They then move on to talking about the latest episode of Monday Night Raw. Dusty is still disgusted by the overly long Gettysburg Address reading interviews that WWE seems to love. Does Paul Heyman get a pass for his work? Where does Rob Van Dam fit in to this current landscape? Is Stephanie McMahon the worst?
They then break down which promotion has the better looking women – WWE or WCW. Which TNA performer has that ass? Which ring announcer chick does Dusty prefer – Renee Young or Christy Hemme? If you have to ask, you’ll never know. Do they have any faith in Jeff Jarrett and Global Force Wrestling making a dent in TNA’s business? What kind of pizza do they prefer? Who was the better member of the Powers of Pain? All that and a whole lot more nonsense, and if you don’t listen, you’re going to get arrested for public stupidity.
Jeremy: That was an interesting game with Pittsburgh Penguins and the Columbus Bluejackets last night.
Kevin:I was so annoyed by the start. The Pens took control after the TO though. It took them a while to crack Bob still.
Jeremy: Shows the inexperience. Shouldn’t blow a two goal lead in 3rd.
Kevin:They’ve done that twice so far this series and I do think it’s partially inexperience. The other part, which is what is bothering me more, is the Pens are more talented. Granted, outworking them is helping the CBJ stay in it.
Jeremy: I started flipping between Raw and hockey so didn’t see enough to see that.
Kevin:So Wednesday should be interesting.
Jeremy: Yeah for sure. Thought of that last night. Pivotal game. No chance Cbus can go down 3-1
Kevin:Which is what I’m hoping for. As soon as I knew I only had game 4, I was hoping the Pens weren’t on the verge of a sweep because they have only swept 1 team under Dan Bylsma.
Jeremy:no one can sweep so far which is good
Kevin:Did Tampa finally win? Walked the dogs during intermissions and started watching Raw after the game.
Jeremy:Oh forgot about them. I was out by 10:30 or so. Have to watch end still but no shock Cena won even if by DQ.
Kevin:I’ll have it in a next day note but it was funny of the WWE to skew a vote against the baby face to continue the narrative.
Jeremy:Yeah I know. Like the outcome was in anyway a surprise.
Kevin:It’s so weird too since it’s basically the same mistake he made against Nexus that he claims to regret. Learn from past mistakes, John.Just read that Jim Ross thinks the fans voted for that situation. Either he’s a rube or he’s still covering for the WWE. Either way, it’s a bad look for credibility.
Jeremy: Nah I have no doubt the fans really voted that. Why would they want anything but the most in that?
Kevin:Then why would the 2nd most votes be just for Harper?
Jeremy: Harper is awesome. I am convinced the app stuff is for the hardcore stuff which is why they keep explaining hwo to do it. They think the average fan is stupid and reading the comments on pics and that, ugh, they are.
Kevin:I just need to read the comments from Twitter they post on the screen. The Tweets couldn’t try to be less mundane.
Jeremy: Oh yeah those are great. Totally useless.
Kevin:So I’m sure the comments are just as priceless. Luke Harper rulez! Thanks @TheBeztWWEFan
Jeremy:I am not doing better than that one. You nailed every aspect, down to the Z in the name.
Kevin:I’m not even sure if I could Tweet something like that. Maybe I could just to see @Stunntgranny scroll across the screen.
Jeremy:I considered it but just no
Kevin:The level of shame attached isn’t worth it.
Jeremy: Exactly.
Kevin:Ha. Anything else jump out at you during the show?
Jeremy: They got Daniel Bryan off tv fast to deal with his dad dying. thought that was a nice touch. Crazy month for that guy. Total roller coaster.
Kevin:Included that in the corrections I just posted. That is the definition of up & down.
Jeremy:yeah, when he came out I expected him to say something about it, hence the Brie Bella cameo.
Kevin:I didn’t know that was news before the show. Never much check the sites after noon.
Jeremy: I saw it on twitter or something. Not a usual destination but came across it somehow.
Kevin:I was avoiding that being behind in the game some
Jeremy: OK, so Lana’s real name is CJ Perry on the SSV board have near nude pics of her already. Damn fine work.
Kevin:I decided to put Paige pics in the column instead of Lana.
Jeremy:Nice. She is attractive.
Kevin:I’ll have to take a look at the Lana pics though. Never been much for blondes.
Jeremy:Ha. Booooo.
Kevin:I wouldn’t kick Lana out of bed for eating crackers after watching that short video.
Jeremy:Nope
Kevin:Probably a little short on a column still. Dusty is doing the show tonight. So anything else strike you from Raw that we can discuss?
Jeremy: Ran home and watched that main event. Weak shit. The Super Cena stuff doesn’t work anymore. Everyone else has some realistic tendencies but hsi act is so bad in comparison. He did , maybe, 7 moves all match and won. The instant DQ at the end was idiotic. Really bad stuff. It should have just been a beatdown and no match.
Kevin:Whoever booked the match did pace things well in that Bray Wyatt kept letting Cena off the hook by playing to the crowd which allowed him to get those 7 moves in.
Jeremy:yes that was OK but it was a beat down for 15? min. it is just the character doesn’t meld with the new or current guys
there are too many established “legit” guys now. It isn’t like he is facing Alberto Del Rio. If it was Erik Rowan takign a AA and then a nearfall then ok, but not Wyatt who you are tryign to build up. You have to sell a cage macth for christ sake. If he can beat him with the interference what is the damn point?
Kevin:Why I skipped over that aspect of it is a mystery to even me. Rowan is getting in less and less ring time as their gimmick keeps getting used. Not a good sign for him. You are right that he should be the one nearly losing. Not the guy who already lost to Cena at Wrestlemania.
Jeremy:Right,I know that Cena is ” the standard” now but there is money in the idea that the younger guy is nto ionly getting in to his head but wearing him down physically. Having him get beat for 18 minutes only to make a comeback like nothing happened is not a smart way to further a story.I am not even hating on Cena. This would be a good week to see whot he producer of the segment was. They need to get across the importance of looking weak. Remember Nexus just crushing Cena a few years back. It was startling because it never happened. Last night was a moment to do the same. Cena cannot win against the Wyatt Family. They are too strong or they have worn him down so far between the onset of the feud and now. It makes Cenas eventual triumph that much bigger. Fuck, this is easy.
Kevin:But you don’t know the back stage politics, man! HHH would never take a spear from Roman Reigns to help build up Evolutions feud with the Shield. So why would John Cena receive a beat down?
Jeremy:Well Cena did take a beat down after the fact as well but it rings hollow. Yes I am ignoring your very accurate point about Triple H. It was just a very poorly conceived segment. It would also help if the Attitude Adjustment wasn’t a sorry looking finisher. Outside of Ryback who has a weaker looking final move?
Kevin:So glad Bad News Barrett isn’t using Wasteland any more. But trying to think of bad finishers and am coming up empty. Looked at the roster after thinking on it and still nothing.
Jeremy:I was aiming more at bigger guys with weak finishers. Anything that consists of a flat back bump isn’t too harsh looking. It also depends on the delivery. If Cena drove the body to the mat or at least kept his hand on the stomach to make it look like he was driving them then cool. He simply flips the guy on to the back. No different than a hiptoss or a back drop.
Kevin:It reminds me of the Walls of Jericho in a way. It looked good at the start but looked weaker when they started doing it a lot. Jericho turns it into a Boston Crab. Cena has gone from a DVD to as you noted, tossing someone on their back.
Jeremy:Even the STF has gotten a bit better ever since Austin tod him on his podcast to tighten it up. ll of this factors in making this angle with The Wyatts work. They are believable in their actions and moves and he has the responsibility to do the same. It falls on the producers to get it over as well.
Kevin:Ha. Didn’t listen to that one but it’s good that Austin called him out. Austin was the best at doing the little things to keep it look realistic. I remember him just punching people as he drug them back to the ring. One of the reasons I like Austin over other people.
Jeremy:It is alwasy the little things that go towards making things realistic. Even if the announcers, which they didn’t, would have brought up the fact that all John had to do was get dirty to fight back it would have helped last night. Fight fire with fire.Some cliche like that.Imagine after all that with Kane and Daniel bryan he gets up and gives the running knee to kane.
Kevin:That would have been ridiculous. DB and Cena have much different characters. Cena’s needs to be more like DB. Allow a beat down to happen. As much as we’ve talked up Cena for losing key important matches, he doesn’t allow beat downs like he should.
Jeremy:Well he allows the beat down but never the culmination of the beat down. He has no issue showing one cheek but he never goes full on ass.
If you have ever been to this site, you know I put everything on hold when the Pittsburgh Penguins are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs so you are not surprised I’m starting this column late. Hockey is my favorite sport. This year, things are made interesting by the fact that they’re playing the Columbus Bluejackets, to which I have half season tickets. I thought I would be going to all home games but it turns out I’m only going to half so that at least allows me to finish this column in somewhat timely fashion. It also means I’m attending Game 4 on Wednesday so this game tonight was extra important. I feel much better about going to that game with a 2-1 game lead than being down one. I love Columbus, but that’s on hold until this series is over. Let’s Go Pens!
Brie Bella gets her in ring time with her husband Daniel Bryan, except Stephanie McMahon interrupts the fun. We get condescending Steph so it’s a good one. We’re supposed to be worried about the evil Kane being back though which needs more convincing from me. Kane from “out of nowhere” aka just where Bryan & Brie walked to. Bryan gets tombstoned by Kane as Steph shouts “No!” Kane sets up Bryan on the lower half of the stairs. Another tombstone. Is Bryan injured? (Next Day Note: No he isn’t. Unfortunately his father died. Man, that’s tough. You accomplish your dream, get married way above your looks only to have that happen. Yuck. Condolences to the Danielson family.) A third tombstone on the announce table still doesn’t sell me on Kane being able to beat Bryan. They’re trying at least.
If Bad News Barrett wins this match against Sheamus, then Cesaro loses against RVD later. These two have had some fun brawls in the past so I expect a good match. The cross body block is getting popular for the big guys to show off the agility. It never quite looks right and Sheamus is no different. Sheamus gets kicked off the apron to go to break. Sheamus takes over in this stretch. He does look much smoother doing the top rope shoulder block. Barrett turns it around with the Winds of Change side slam. Barrett misses the Bull Hammer Elbow. Sheamus turns it into White Noise. The cross body block to the floor looks rough. So much can go wrong when you do that. Bull Hammer Elbow as Sheamus goes for the suicide dive. Nice win for Barrett. I like Barrett more as an IC opponent than Cesaro, who seems destined for larger prizes. (Next Day Note: Of course I’m assuming that they won’t go baby face vs Big E who is also babyface. I don’t see RVD holding the IC Title though at this time in his career. They could use him as a stepping stone if they go that route though.)
Bray Wyatt and the Family are on the stage. We’re a nation full of sheep, lead by wolves and owned by pigs. It’s a wonderful night for change. Everyone is abandoning John Cena and coming to his side. We get a sing along. He ends by warning us to fear him. I dig his work.
I was amused by the set up for the El Torito vs Hornswoggle on Smackdown. They wrestled a real match as far as the sequence of moves went. The crowd could have cared less. El Torito is an impressive athlete considering his limitations. Jinder Mahal breaks up a pin. Drew McIntyre comes in to take on El Torito. Los Matadores hold up McIntyre for El Torito to sit on him from the top rope. El Torito then pinned him. “Evolution has always been the measuring stick” from Jerry “The King” Lawler. Is he going heel? He was just running down El Torito. I’m so confused. (Next Day Note: Lawler went back into baby face mode for the rest of the show which makes me even more confused.)
I checked Prowrestling.net after coming back from a trip to Altoona for my nephews’ and sister’s birthday which got joined in by Easter. I noticed that the biggest news of the weekend may have been Jim Ross commenting on the possibility of Renee Young going to ESPN. I too like Ross believe that the rumor seems to be coming awful fast. She has enjoyed a quick rise in the WWE, but she still seems a bit fresh to be on ESPN’s radar. I won’t watch ESPN any more if she’s on there so she’ll be missed but I’m sure the WWE can pull someone in just as hot. Too bad they won’t be as competent.
Since that news wasn’t that big. I decided to keep going with the amusement that I found in Impact Wrestling this week. The Eric Young is Daniel Bryan recreation hit another level when Dixie Carter tried to rain on his parade (Cough, Authority, cough) but she is interrupted by Bully Ray who came out to endorse EY. Impact Wrestling evidently considers it to use Bully Ray, who is off to a poor start as a baby face, to mimic John Cena endorsing Bryan. The only problem other than Bully Ray’s overness problem, is that John Cena endorsed Daniel Bryan after he beat him on PPV. EY has not beaten Bully Ray in even on of those TV “PPVs” that Impact Wrestling hosts. Even if you consider Bully Ray’s heel turn a roaring success (I do), he’s not exactly on the level of John Cena. If Bully Ray starts saying he’s the measuring stick of Impact Wrestling, I’ll scream. They continue to miss the finer points of simple logic.
They weren’t done yet. Any of us with half of a brain said, EY just lost to Abyss about two weeks ago. So how else can Impact Wrestling prove that EY is credible? Let’s have him beat Abyss in a Monster’s Ball match. Yuck, stop trying to retroactively prove how good Eric Young is. We know you’re trying to make up for a terrible decision. The other thing that doesn’t help is that it was a gimmick match. The majority of EY’s matches over his entire career have been comedy or gimmick matches. If you want to convince me that EY is a true champion, show me that he can hold a good match. Daniel Bryan wrestled two non-gimmicked matches at Wrestlemania. Another point of logic that Impact Wrestling is missing. - Kevin
Looking into the bar area thru the old windows of Brown Hall into the brewing area.
My lady decided to purchase a Groupon then toss her half to her father so that we could attend a tour of the brewery together. I have had their beers before at various locations around town but I had never been to their bar and brew house. We had to wait for the tour to start so her father grabbed a Wildcard! English Ale and I snagged a Maibock, which isn’t listed on either of their menus. It got my attention because it was a malt heavy drink. It delivered too.
The Maibock from North High Brewing
Gavin, one of the owners, was the leader of the tour although he was about as hoarse as me last week after Wrestlemania. He had done four tours the day before and he had to shout which killed his voice. It was a slow afternoon so it wasn’t too hard for him to talk to us. He first talked about the design of the bar. They re-used plenty of materials to build just about everything in the bar. Old growlers were used to create light fixtures. Old mail boxes from New Orleans are now used to house patron’s glass mugs that are made from any broken glass at the bar itself. It’s quite a deal too as you get a 20-24 ounce mug and only pay for a pint when it gets filled. They have multiple windows above the back of the bar that are from the now demolished Brown Hall, which used to be the architecture building at Ohio State. That isn’t the only re-used piece of wood from Ohio State as all of their tap handles and their blinds on the front of the building are from the old seats at Ohio Stadium. Rail road tracks are used the foot rest at the bars. I’m sure I’ve forgotten some of what was re-used but it was all very well put together for a fairly small space just south of campus.
Their tap handles from old seats in Ohio Stadium
Gavin then moved on to talk about malted barley, roasted barley, hops and water which are the main ingredients in beer. The malted barley does have a different taste than when it goes into a beverage. We were advised not to eat the hops straight so I declined. I know I don’t like IPAs that heavy in hops anyway. Gavin moved us into the brewing area, which you can see from the bar area because of the Brown Hall windows. They have two kettles that are 60 gallons to make their mash in. When brewing for themselves, they cook it for 7 hours. The cool thing about this brewery though is that you can pay them $190-240 to brew your own beer. When they brew for you, they only use the kettles for 3 hours. Your costs gets you 15 gallons of beer which is nearly a keg. My neighbors and I are debating doing this. At the present moment, they are splitting time brewing customers beers and their beers which has caused problems from time to time supplying their own beer. They will be expanding to a facility on 5th Avenue and Cleveland Ave where they will upgrade to two 600 gallon tanks to make their own beers. The location at the bar will become just for customers only. That is a very tasty way to solve the problem. Gavin then walked us through the rest brewing process and showed us their storage area, which contains quite a large amount of beer. The casks the beer is stored in used to only be on the floor and are now stacked three high. It’s only another reason to get the 10,000 square foot facility up and running.
The New Orleans mail boxes that house the recycled glass mugs.
After the brewery tour, we got shirts and then we have an “optional” tasting for legal reasons. They were out of two of their beers but we still only four of their available six beers. It just so happened that her father & I ordered the two beers not in the tasting. Gavin said that they list their beers in order of IBUs because it is a measurable taste unit and will help people judge which beers they like. They started us off with their Blonde Ale which is 16 IBUs and 4.2% alcohol. It had a nice crispness to it and complexity that was perfect for a nice warm day as it was. They moved on to their Queen Madine Chocolate Milk Stout. Gavin said that most people assume darker beers are more bitter but this one is only 20 IBUs so there was more of a bite to it but the sweetness of the milk helped to even it out. One participant bewildered Gavin when she told him she didn’t like Left Hand Brewing’s Milk Stout, which he was about to use as an example as an excellent one, and she preferred theirs. I liked this beer a lot but I think Left Hand beats them out by an udder. Queen Madine was 6.0% ABV. We moved on to their English Special Bitter or E.S.B. It comes in at 40 IBUs which is where my lady’s father tapped out. I’ve worked way beyond this point. I really enjoyed this beer as I haven’t had this style since being in Europe in 1997. There was a lot more to it than the bitterness. It had a sweetness and even a back door hint of malt which made it really complex and tasty. The E.S.B. was 5.9% ABV. The last beer of the tasting was their Indian Pale Ale, which is so named because the English sailors realized that beer lasted longer when it had more hops in it. For an IPA, I don’t think the 70 IBUs is that high since I’ve tried beers over 100. It’s certainly a heavy dose but nothing I can’t handle. Her father didn’t even try and handed me his sample. I didn’t argue. It was a good beer but the E.S.B. remained my favorite. The IPA came in at 6.3% which made it the most potent beer of the tasting.
I will definitely try and make a habit of swinging by there more often though it’s marginally harder to get to than some of the other breweries in town. Now if I can just figure out a beer to brew with my neighbors and an occasion to drink all of that beer. - Kevin
Jeremy & Kevin have recovered their voices from yelling at Wrestlemania and Raw last week in New Orleans. They talk about their experience in the Crescent City and somehow don’t cover all of the Sippy Time Beer that was consumed. They did consume a lot of drinks on Saturday night though. Who got them a grain alcohol shot? What did he promise them? How good was scene at the Chicken Shack after a night of drinking? What did their hotel neighbor add at the end of the night? Where does New Orleans rank against Detroit, Orlando and Atlanta? What made it different? Is it the reason we saw so many Superstars? Raw had a boisterous crowd but what made it different from this week’s Raw? Was the crowd as different as the stories being told? Is it good for Evolution to be back together? Will they have good matches with the Shield? When should HHH wrestle? What did Jeremy think of the Ultimate Warrior tribute? Why did Kevin plead ignorant on the situation? They end on a down note by talking about Eric Young winning the TNA Heavyweight Championship. How correct was Dusty when he wrote this article? Does ROH have more viable candidates to come to the WWE than TNA right now? Find out the answer to these questions and more when you click on the link below!
So I have completely forgotten what my introduction was going to be tonight. I had something in mind earlier today and I should have written it. Oh well. Let’s roll.
They start off with a nice Warrior Tribute. It’s tough to see. I loved him as a child. I thought he was walking funny last week while we were at Raw but in no way was I expecting that. It still hurts a little bit. Another bummer from today was the passing of Otto Petersen who was a ventriloquist comedian. I’ll post some of his stuff later. I always got a laughed at his material when he was on Opie & Anthony.
Alberto Del Rio takes on RVD is a tournament to take on Big E Langston for the IC Title. Does someone really want a shot at that title? Nothing much happening before the break. We missed Rolling Thunder but not. Del Rio counters the split legged moonsault. Del Rio only gets a two from a Backstabber. RVD nails a heel kick when Del Rio came off the top rope. Del Rio catches RVD going to the top. An enziguri only gets Del Rio a two count. Thank goodness the scissor pin didn’t work. IT’s worse than a regular roll up. Five Star Frog Splash. I’m expecting him to job to Cesaro after his win later tonight. Enough with the brackets already!
After a nice little video package, Stephanie, HHH, Randy Orton & Batista are talking. I just can’t take JBL seriously. It’s okay for the boss to assault the wrestler but it’s not okay for the wrestler to assault the boss. I remember watching the Ultimate Warrior beating Honky Man. Man, would I bitch about how short that match is now after a nice long build up. Then, I was happy as a clam. Funny what time will do to you.
HHH is coming out of his talk about the World Title situation. Stephanie knows who can stop the Shield. Nobody can stop Evolution if we stay on the same page. Batista & RandyOrton sell HHH down the river. It smells of set up to me. (Next Day Note: I was wrong. Stupid Shield. Granted Evolution did resolve their difference so same end result that I was expecting.) Rybaxel is taking on Goldust & Cody Rhodes. Goldust starts against Curtis Axel. Goldust gets the upper hand and tags in Cody Rhodes. Goldust comes back in to work over Axel. Curtis creates an opening and tags in Ryback. They tag in and out to work over Goldust. Cody gets in and goes to work on Ryback. I love when Mitchell Cool has to say “He just barely got him.” Is that worse than going “Wow, he really blew that spot?” Cody nailed Axel with the Disaster Kick. He went to do it to Ryback who caught him with the Meathook Clothesline for the win.
They did a good job of informing us who don’t watch NXT what Paige is all about. I was thinking it was Sara Del Ray who came out. I could do without the Goth White Face. She is taking on Alicia Fox. I can’t believe she’s only 21. I didn’t think she was old but wow. I was asking if anyone extra young could make it in the WWE these days. Alicia Fox is whooping on Paige for the beginning of the match. A thrust kick to the stomach stops Fox. Paige does a triple clothesline. Paige locks in a modified Scorpion Cross Lock, at least according to Cool. She seems to be getting a lot from Ms Chif’s character.
The Usos are taking on Batista & Randy Orton for some revenge. They get off to a quick start with the double over the rope splash. The new chest tattoo has thrown me and the announce team for a loop on which Uso is which. I don’t remember Cool saying anything on Smackdown either. I know one is larger than the other but I still have a hard time telling them apart. Batista & Orton are beating one of them down. It looks like Batista is wearing soccer shin pads. Orton goes on the attack against the other one. The Shield takes out Ortonfor the DQ. They surround Batista. Superman punch sends Batista outside where Orton drags him away. I’m not sure why the Shield would do that. Let Batista & Orton stay off of Hunter’s agenda as long as possible. I was so pumped up watching Wrestlemania VI.
HHH greets Batista & Randy Orton then walks away. I think that was well done. It’s officially even more awesome that Paul Heyman gets to gloat about Brock Lesnar breaking the Streak than the Streak continuing. I was a little skeptical of Lesnar being the one but the reason I didn’t want it to happen, mostly he had the credentials already, are also a perfect argument for why he should have won too. Heyman then introduces Cesaro. He is taking on Mark Henry. Cesaro is just going straight at Henry which is having moderate success. Flying Uppercut knocks down Henry finally. Neutralizer for the win. Do they give him the IC Title? They haven’t done much with Big E recently.
HHH is talking to Brad Maddox. He is to relay a message to the Shield about their match in the main event. I’m disappointed that Maddox is reduced to this little air time. I think he’s a good character. Lana introduces Alexander Rusev. I asked last week on the Facebook & Twitter why Rusev wasn’t over like some of the other NXT call ups. The one response I got said it’s because he’s not as quick as the others. I can see that angle. I think the whole from another country gimmick isn’t working like it once used to. (Next Day Note: Alberto Del Rio hasn’t exactly gotten over being Mr. Mexico. The Great Khali & Jinder Mahal haven’t gotten heat at different times for being from India. Sheamus isn’t over because he’s from Ireland. Sure, the fighting thing factors into his popularity which has “stemmed” from being Irish but I think people like brawlers in general.) People aren’t viewing him as Commie scum from Bulgaria. Rusev taps out Xavier Woods with a camel clutch.
I loved that blue cage. It took me a while to get used to the cage that I feel hasn’t changed much since I started watching again in 1997. Jack Swagger is taking on Sheamus in the IC Title Tournament. Swagger gets dumped to the outside. Sheamus is ready to club Swagger when Zeb Colter distracts him. Swagger would make sense as an opponent for Big E. I’m not sure Sheamus loses to Swagger. He could lose to Bad News Barrett. Swagger misses a charge in the corner. Sheamus takes advantage. Sheamus with a new running knee in the corner. (Next Day Note: I mentioned that move because I don’t think I’ve seen that from Sheamus before.) Sheamus gets in the clubbing now. Sheamus sling shots himself into a Patriot Lock. Sheamus powers out of it. Swagger attacks Sheamus’s knee. Brogue Kick out of nowhere for the win. As soon as I saw the brackets, I knew my boy was losing so this result confirmed it.
Damien Sandow is mad because Big Show made his entrance during his speech. It helps make his point. Well played WWE. Big Show ends up KOing him when he gets in his face later. (Next Day Note: Good promo but it goes for naught when Show goes over. It was funny but I’m not sure I want Sandow to be a comedy act.) The Wyatts are next.
Birmingham, we’re here. Bray Wyatt is different. He has never lied to the crowd. John Cena is lying to us all. He is beast. Wyatt calls out Cena. The Wyatts can’t take on the Shield now too, right? This is too long of a segment. John Cena answers the call. He makes his usual jokes about their outfits. He’s getting a mixed reaction to the Roll Tide comment. Oh Jiminy Cricket. It’s Photoshop class. John Cena ends up challenging him to a steel cage match because those always keep people out. (Eyes rolling.)
Fandango gets an inset promo where Layla El gets to fawn him. It’s one way to repackage him. He won on Smackdown so I assume the momentum will continue. Layla tags in to save Fandango from the Cobra. Emma locks in “the Dilemma”. Santino takes out Fandango but it distracts Emma. Layla takes advantage, yanks Emma off the middle rope and pins her. Stephanie gets to berate Kane. He’s quibbled with people lower than him. Stephanie talks up his mean streak. Kane stares at the mask and then uncovers it. Kane is going to send Daniel Bryan to the depths of hell. I’m frightened! (Next Day Note: It does give Bryan something to do while Batista & Orton deal with The Shield and Lesnar enjoys his time off.)
Bad News Barrett is going to beat my boy Dolph Ziggler. Barrett got in the offense early. Ziggler made a brief come back. Ziggler got tossed against a ring post. Commercial. Barrett rams his own shoulder into the ring post. Ziggler cross body blocks him then punches a lot. Waste Land but Ziggler kicks out. Barrett goes for a pump handle slam but Ziggler reverses out and nails a Fame Asser. These people have a low threshold for awesome. Barrett takes too long on the top rope. Facebuster off the top ropes on a second attempt. Ziggler only gets a two count. Even Mitchell Cool isn’t buying what the crowd is selling. Ziggler kicks out of the Winds of Change. Ziggler reverses out of some stuff but ends up catching the Bull Hammer Elbow for the Barrett win. (Next Day Note: It was almost like an ROH match with Ziggler kicking out of 2 old finishers except it’s been made obvious that the Elbow is his finisher. Waste Land was pretty lame as a finisher so I’m good with it.)
The Shield are facing Alberto Del Rio, Jack Swagger, Fandango, 3MB, Titus O’Neil, Rybaxel, Alexander Rusev and Wade Barrett. If the team with more men doesn’t use it to their advantage, the Shield can win. Seth Rollins gets to take the beating for the Shield. Reigns takes out Ryback but the rest of the team assaults him. Rollins dives over the rope onto everyone. I know Bryan can’t help but shouldn’t some other people help? Someone else doesn’t like the Authority, right? Evolution comes down and lays waste to the Shield after they’re beaten. You know, this may not have been the WWE’s plan when Batista came back. But I love it a hell of a lot more than any conceivable Batista baby face run. - Kevin
