From Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Adamle screwed up right off the bat, calling his partner the Tazz. Unless he was being sarcastic, that’s just inexcusable.
The Miz & John Morrison began with an interview. Miz and then Morrison got some cheap heat by referring to Hurricane Katrina, which is fairly tasteless. They talked about how great they were in the ring and with the ladies. They also put over “The Dirt Sheet” which does a better job of getting them other than this generic scripted promo does. Finlay interrupted and said that the people don’t want to hear them talk. Morrison retorted by knocking Hornswoggle who snuck up from behind and attacked with a water pistol. The heels had to actually sell that and Morrison walked into a shillelagh shot to conclude the segment.
Finlay v. The Miz
Incredibly, they began this match during the commercial break. Finlay took the advantage as the match began. Finlay worked over Miz on the outside using the ring as a weapon. Finlay went to a chin lock in the ring. He landed an inverted atomic drop, snap mare and elbow for a near fall. They went to the spot where Finlay catches his opponent in the apron. A distraction by Morrison led to Miz getting the edge. Miz worked the arm on Dave Finlay (as Adamle called him, cannot remember anyone else referring to him as such) for the next two or three minutes. Finally, Finlay hit a jawbreaker out of a hammer lock followed up by a back drop, two lariats and an atomic drop for two. Miz snuck in a roll up for two and then hit a charging clothesline. Hornswoggle then snuck in for a disqualification which led to Finlay landing the Celtic cross for the win. The match was pretty solid for the show’s opener.
Finlay d. Miz, Pin, 8:15 (JIP), **½.
Backstage, Armando Estrada asked for his job back. I must have dreamt that horrible match between him and Atlas Ortiz last week then. Long gave Estrada another chance to get an ECW contract if he defeated Braden Walker. Walker’s first promo on WWE television came in the form of a knock-knock joke. You may know Walker better as TNA’s Chris Harris
They replayed the “Is he alive or dead?” angle that concluded last night’s Raw.
Braden Walker v. Armando Estrada
I do not watch TNA because of the horrible reviews their product gets, so this is my first chance to ever see Storm/Walker wrestle. He’s reputed to be pretty good in spite of whatever absurd booking obstacles he had to overcome in TNA. Speaking of that, WWE has his debuting cold on television against a terrible worker incapable of making him look good. The two exchanged right hands to start until Estrada hit a lariat out of the corner to gain the edge. Walker tried a sunset but Estrada came back with another clothesline. Estrada then went into a lengthy rest hold. Walker literally had no offense for the first three and a half minutes of his debut until connecting with a suplex. He followed up with two clotheslines and an atomic drop. Estrada then kicked out of a full nelson slam. The finish was real ugly as Walker went for a high crossbody from the top and Estrada took it horribly. Thanks to Walker, this was not as bad as last week (faint praise) but it still failed dismally in getting the new talent over. Estrada badly needs to return to managing or be released outright as he’s a terrible in-ring performer.
Walker d. Estrada, Pin, 4:45, ¼*.
Backstage, Tony Atlas, last a major national star in 1986, was visiting backstage. He received no reaction whatsoever. Anyway, Long offered him a spot as the guest ring announcer. Mark Henry walked up and talked some trash with the former Mr. USA. That was his gimmick; as far as I know, Atlas was never a professional competitive bodybuilder. Though he was ripped to shreds during his best years even by the very high standards of the time.
Atlas Ortiz is now named Ricky Ortiz. He cut a lame promo with Lena Yada who is to broadcasting what Estrada is to wrestling.
They featured a fine video package on Matt Hardy who again was not on the live show.
Tommy Dreamer introduced Colin Delaney to Tony Atlas. Dreamer put over Atlas as somewhat of a mentor to him when he started in the business.
Evan Bourne v. Nunzio
Adamle called Nunzio a former two-time ECW champion prompting Tazz to jump all over him for that one (former ECW tag champ). Bourne hit a huracanrana and a great spinning back kick. Nunzio took the edge in the corner and landed a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a two count. Bourne then showed off show great kicks and knees followed by another nice rana. A rolling cradle scored a two count. Bourne then countered a side slam attempt into a DDT and won with a beautiful shooting star press. Bourne is really, really good. Not only was his acrobatics excellent, but his strikes really stood out as well. This match also shows the importance of having the right person to put over someone as Nunzio, a capable worker, did a fair job in keeping up. It’s hard to believe that he jobbed to Knox two weeks ago; come to think of it, actually it’s not.
Bourne d. Nunzio, Pin, 3:51, **½.
Henry offered Atlas the chance to carry his bags later on for another payday. Atlas politely refused.
Non-title Match: Mark Henry v. Tommy Dreamer
Atlas came out to a cheap knock off of the Cosby Show theme song. It’s a good thing that he had entrance music because he received absolutely no reaction from the crowd. It’s not as if he was a star at all in Louisiana and even if he were, what kind of reaction would someone like Mr. Wrestling II get today? The Dream machine (you know who again) came out slugging which Henry no sold. Henry hit a lariat and worked over Tommy on the mat. Colin grabbed the ankle from the outside and Henry chased him outside. Atlas attacked Delaney and threw into the table. Dreamer came out to try and save but Henry caught him with the world’s strongest slam onto the floor. The match presumably ended in a double countout. Atlas announced Henry as the winner.
Henry draws Dreamer, DCO, 3:03, squash.
Final Analysis: Aside from the obligatory bad Estrada match, there was absolutely nothing wrong with this program. Even though, it wasn’t any of their best showing between Miz, Morrison and Finlay, they always do a reasonable job of entertaining. Along with Matt Hardy, who presumably will wrestle sooner or later, they are the best this show has to offer. The Evan Bourne match did an effective job of showing off Bourne and his unique offense. Ironically, WWE’s refusal to highlight the cruiserweights could help Bourne in that much of the audience is not at all accustomed to seeing someone wrestle like that. Of course, the key is that WWE permits him to continue to wrestle this style and to offer him some kind of a push. I cannot say I am optimistic on either account particularly the former. WWE seems to believe that because their top guys get over using a certain kind of working style, that everyone should use that style. Of course, the key to getting over is not to imitate but to come up with something unique. Considering his limitations, WWE continues to do a good job booking Mark Henry though I remain skeptical of Tony Atlas’ utility as a manager.
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