TV Review 034 Last Week in WWE

Last Week in WWE 

26-30 of September 2016
{WWE} [100116] 85%

WWE RAW

1st storyline: US Championship

~ Rusev vs Roman Reigns ~

+ the strong consistent booking of Rusev and the persistence of Roman Reigns, the fast nature of this feud with the straight away rematch, the stalemate finish that prolong this intense fight for the title

? the unknown direction for the titleless Bulgarian Brute

2nd storyline: best of 7 Series

~ Cesaro & Sheamus ~

+ the out of left field solution for their particular predicament, the impassioned and logical heartfelt speech by the legendary GM Mick Foley, the beautiful opposing chemistry between the arrogant Sheamus and confident Cesaro showcased in their first match together as a tag team 

- the downright terrifying landing on the Swiss' neck off the suicide dive, the unsatisfactory ending for the entertaining series with the lower rung championship both of them desperately deserved for especially Cesaro, the less than smooth interactions on the mics in the ring

(the beautiful opposing chemistry between them, the impassioned legend's speech)

3rd storyline: WWE RAW Tag Team Championship

~ the New Day vs Gallows & Anderson ~

+ engaging match and strong backing of both teams, finishing strong despite the unscheduled cut

- the unfortunate loss of momentum for the challengers because of going for cheesy entertainment over pure domination, the nasty cut off an improper bump of the steel ladder, the inevitable end of a viable threat for the title

(look at this picture! the power of positivity!)

4th storyline: the rise of Bayley

+ the charismatic charming time on the mic, the positivity of the ultimate babyface, the heelish intensity by Anna Fields

- the exclusion of the main title contention

 5th storyline: the entity that is Stephanie

- another act of emasculation of another male staff most importantly was a WWE legend Mick Foley, the blaming angle although the GM did the right thing ultimately, another spotlight-hogging management spot with the possible inevitable Authority 2.0 angle in the horizon, the weakening booking of Mick Foley by the weeks, to quote the King: new era same old crap

6th storyline: WWE Cruiserweight Division

~ Rich Swann & CedricAlexander vs Drew Gulak & Lince Dorado ~

+ the perfect complete representation of the Division (the mat, light, rope, LED and the type of wrestling being shown), the topsy turvy ways they moved on the ring, everyone got their moment in spotlight, the video package highlighting their personalities, the sportmanship with the announcement of the winners and handshaking

- not enough time to highlight Gulak's prowess

(the always entertaining Division)

7th storyline: WWE RAW Women's Championship

~ Charlotte vs Sasha Banks ~

+ the engaging exchange of words between the Champion and the challenger

- keeping the lid on Dana Brooke who was botch-prone on and off the ring

(that slap though)

7th segment: WWE Cruiserweight Championship

+ the slowly build of the feud between TJ Perkins and Brian Kendrick, solid match between the champion and Tony Neese

- the demeaning and improper CM Punk chants

(can't you even appreciate the performers in the ring?!)

8th segment: WWE Universal Championship

+ the now desperately chasing Seth Rollins, the ultimate marriage between Jericho and Owen with perfectly entertaining interactions between them as well as with Enzo and Cass on the mic, strong booking of the babyfaces and main eventing the show, pinpoint heel moves by the champion and his best friend

- the subduing of Seth which was understandably for medical purpose

 ("sit on your lap," throwing of the scarf, the scared scurry to the corner, mocking backward steps, smack talking)

WWE SmackDown Live

1st storyline: Randy Orton vs the Wyatt Family

+ the Viper's mic skills and overall charisma, Bray Wyatt's menacing presence, the at least interestingly creepy cat and mouse game between them, the divisive ending of the segment with Orton seemingly coming out on top

- the unavoidable injury that affected the scheduled main event between them, the increasingly weaker booking of the Eater of Worlds, the divisive ending of the segment with the weird cuts and editing at the end

(the weakening booking of Bray Wyatt, the creepy yet cheesy segments)

2nd storyline: WWE World Championship

~ AJ Styles, Dean Ambrose & John Cena ~

+ the crowd-favorite Dean with a simple but sweet promo, the always excellent on the mic John Cena promo, the most confident champion AJ Styles, the match of the night between the former and the latter with a perfect finish revolving all three with John coming out on top

(the parting touch of sweeping the tears, the excellent commentary at the side by Cena)

3rd storyline: WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship

~ Rhyno & Heath Slater & American Alpha vs the Usos & the Ascension ~

+ the entertaining show and fluid storyline they put out especially centered on the American Alpha with the finish revolved around the deservedly over Heath Slater, the strong booking of the heel Usos

- the always obvious pairings of babyfaces and heels, the Ascension still in limbo but at least still on the main card

(the new opening and look of the Usos, the on point American Alpha)

4th storyline: WWE Intercontinental Championship

~ the Miz w Maryse vs Dolph Ziggler ~

+ the excellent heel move of showing the town hero and immediately followed it by covering it with a snapshot of his own biggest achievement, the deserving acknowledgement of his strong and steady career, the flawless congratulatory time at the mic with on-point heel turns every time with the passionate Dolph served as the perfect counterpoint, the raise of the stake for the already prestigious title

(the best heel currently, the unnecessarily sexy Maryse's dress, the excellent video package chronicling the Miz's journey, the title vs career stipulation)

5th storyline: WWE SmackDown Female Division

~ Carmella & Natalya vs Naomi & Nikki Bella ~

+ the time given to let the heels and babyfaces especially Carmella and Nikki to establish themselves, the heel win

- didn't go anywhere with any storyline

(the best entrance as always by Naomi, the moonwalk versus the butt slap, the now thriving heel Carmella, the still too revealing and objectifying wardrobe they wore)

6th storyline: WWE SmackDown Female's Championship

~ Becky Lynch vs Alexa Bliss ~

+ the intensity of Alexa Bliss giving the eventual matchup worth the wait even more

- it's a smart move to overcome the small time window that's only noticeable with keener eyes

(building up Alexa Bliss as a genuine threat, the opponent for Becky who wasn't )

7th segment: the Inevitable Return of Curt Hawkins

+ give the writing team props for having a go and all in into the concept 

- well ... it's too tacky and childish of a concept

WWE NXT

Main storyline: the return of Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic

+ the perfect introduction and tribute ot the last legend with the tournament, adding a little more diversity and avoid stagnant materials, possibility to add to some of the ongoing storylines and even introduced new ones

(William Regal is both regal and commanding at the same time)

~ Tye Dillinger vs Angelo Dawkins ~

+ strong booking of the Perfect 10, the perfect interaction by Bobby Roode, the inception of the Perfectly Glorious

(what a partnership this would turn out to be)

3rd: WWE NXT & Tag Team Championship

~ Ealy Brothers vs the Revival ~

~ Samoa Joe ~

+ the surprisingly effective dispersion of the Ealy Brothers by Joe, showcasing his monstrous strength and plethora of abilities and adding to his rapport with his fans but not really the management

(the nonchalant show of power by Joe, the priceless reactions by the Revival)

4th: the Rise of Ember Moon

~ Mandy Rose vs Ember Moon ~

+ confident Ember Moon versus capable Mandy Rose, with the former's athletic prowess on the forefront especially with the still extraordinary top rope turning stunner

- the trend of hair tips highlight

(pulling off the contact lenses, selling the stunner like a champ)

5th: Authors of Pain's Squashes conducted by Paul Ellering

+ essentially a squash match of nondescript opponents with dominating booking with a viable opponents surely in the horizon especially in the upcoming tournament, short but sweet promo on the mic by the established veteran

(no visible weakness yet, the surety the veteran exuded)

Interviews

~ Hideo Itami ~ & ~ Tomasso & Johnny ~

+ the building up of the feud between Itami and Aries & the duo's chemistry in laying down their plans for the future in the tournament and especially on the Tag Team Championship

- not being fluent in English could still bothers some viewers

7th: WWE NXT Women's Championship

~ Liv Morgan vs Asuka ~

+ the overreaching Liv couldn't even put up a fight against the undefeated Champion with a short interview as a reminder

- again the language problem

8th: the Return of Hideo Itami

~ Lince Dorado vs Hideo Itami ~

+ fast pace interchanges, the cheap sneak attacks by Aries and ran away right after to avoid retaliation

- Hideo showed a bit of ring-rust in his moves

-

(WWE Channel, Rating - TV-PG, Founded 02211980, Episodes >>, Founders Vince & Linda McMahon, Duration - 2 hrs 15+ mnts, Genre - Wrestling, Action, Drama, Comedy, WWE Universe, Violence)