WEEKLY THUMBS
By Joel C Croyle on 1/19/2008 5:23 PM
New Page 1 Introduction
Well, lets get right to it shall we? Smackdown was a solid show that did a lot to move current storylines and give us some fair matches in the process. ECW was extremely weak but did set up Chavo as a #1 contender and worked as a cross-branded angle with Edge. Raw was pretty weak this time as well but the last 4 minutes of television were must-see TV. TNA not only brought us Impact and had some really good matches but also Global Impact that was very well produced and marketing brilliance. On to the matches and the thumbs list for this past week in oh so cold January, 2008.
***
William Regal vs. Ric Flair (Raw)
This was a very solid match from start to finish. I think the retirement angle that WWE is doing with Flair is special and so far being done well. Regal again lost but again held his own and looked strong. I’d like to see these two hook it up again.
Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy (IC championship) (Raw)
Okay, so the match was over before it began but what occurred afterwards has a place in wrestling history. Randy’s outside the ring and ramp work was absolutely top notch. The back drop was angled just right and done well. And last but not least Hardy’s swanton was a moment of pure magic. The only thing I could think to compare it to was Foley’s Hell in the Cell leap. It was dangerous though, and that worries me sometimes. It looked phenomenal.
Yang/Moore vs. Deuce and Domino (Smackdown)
This match started out extremely slow but then started to get jacked up near the end. Yang and Moore I hope will be our next champions but instead of continuing a feud with Miz and Morrison I wouldn’t mind seeing D and D take them on. Cherry is always fun to watch at ringside – she seems to really enjoy what she is doing. Yang at the end was just spot on and in my opinion if marketed correctly could be the next Rey Mysterio.
Sonjay Dutt vs. Robert Roode (TNA Impact)
This was another really well booked bout. Both Roode and Dutt looked completely strong. It seems there is no green left on either of these guys. It was a well paced match with a lot of story telling involved. Matt Morgan, Ms. Brooks and Peyton Banks did some great stuff near the end to really keep this angle over.
Yuji Nagata vs. Kurt Angle (Global Impact)
Simply put, this was one of the best matches of the entire year. I am so glad TNA and New Japan found a link together and that someone was smart enough to bring it to the states for us to enjoy. The match itself was very well thought out. Angle and Nagata never seemed to be up on one another until the very last time the ref counted three. The back and fourth submission holds and high spots were well placed and timed perfectly. Nagata’s suplex off the top to Kurt Angle was one of the best I’ve ever scene. They should be applauded for years to come.
Match of the week – Yuji Nagata vs. Kurt Angle
Superstar of the week – Kurt Angle
Promo of the Week – “Old School†Undertaker
The Thumbs Up List
1 – Kurt Angle – He really had a great match and his promo stuff on Impact was solid
2 – Undertaker – His promo was the best I’ve seen him give in five years.
3 – MVP – I cannot wait to see him and Flair at the Rumble
4 – Samoa Joe – He lost and he got cheated but he has become so great at his character!
5 – Ms Brooks – She had a great Spear on Banks and told a story
6 – Ric Flair – Great match on Raw, good promo on Smackdown
7 – ODB – She had a fantastic bout on Impact and an even better promo
8 – Yang and Moore – They are the premiere tag team of 2008
9 – Christian Cage – big win for his peeps and a really solid match
10 – AJ Styles – He has finally learned how to tell a story just in the ring alone.
