Tuesday 1 November 2011

Cubed Circle Newsletter Issue #6


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The Cubed Circle Newsletter

We have a gigantic issue this week, an issue over ten pages long, that includes reviews of WWE Vengeance, ROH on SBG and the ratings and lists for this month. There is no Bits and Pieces segment this week, but there will be one next week, more information in the preview section. As always you can find a full PDF above and if you haven’t downloaded it already, I urge you to do so. 

Cubed Circle Wrestling Newsletter Rating System

*- Horrendous match, bad booking, bad pacing, botches left and right, poor work rate and bad crowd reactions can all lead to this.

**- Below average match, forgettable, couldn’t have added much for the show unless there was a great angle, before after or during the match.

***- Good match, there were some really good points in the match, had fun watching it, it had some points missing, the crowd possibly wasn’t into it or it didn’t go long enough. But, the match was still good.

****- Great match, well worked, the crowd were most likely into it, this match was a highlight of the show. The match would most likely be in the top 50 matches of the year.

*****- Almost guaranteed match of the year, ticked all the boxes well worked, well booked, great crowd, had some amazing spots, very few botches or no botches that really affected the match and the match could influence the business in a major way. This is a prestigious rating and it is the highest acclaim I could possibly give for a match, this rating is only given out with extreme thought and consideration.

WWE Vengeance 2011 Review

The show opened with a pretty good promo, even though it pointed out some of the logical inconsistencies of RAW.

1. Jack Swagger & Dolf Ziggler vs. Kofi Kingston & Evan Bourne (Air Boom)

Vicky introduced Swagger and Ziggler, she drew it out, it got a considerable amount of heat. Kingston and Ziggler went back and forth, Kofi hit a huge monkey flip and Ziggler looked like he landed quite uncomfortably. The ref botched a tag and Kingston had to come back in, which was strange. The commentators went out of their way to stop bickering and point of the fact that Ziggler had to wrestle twice. The crowd was into the comeback and subsequent hot tag from Kingston. Bourne went for the shooting star press, the crowd was really into it, but he was halted by Ziggler. Bourne went for the shooting star press again, but Swagger got the knees up. The commentators continued to bicker back and forth, they continued for pretty much the entire show. Bourne began to make a comeback, the crowd got really hot, Swagger got the ankle lock in, but he was pushed to the outside. Swagger pulled Bourne back to his corner, in the ankle lock. Swagger went for the splash in the corner, he landed on the knees of Bourne, Bourne then got the hot tag. He ran wild, the crowd was pretty hot when Ziggler kicked out of the cross body. Kingston hit the Trouble in Paradise on Ziggler, Swagger broke it up, chaos ensued. Kingston hit the Trouble in Paradise on Ziggler and Bourne then hit the shooting star press fro the win. I don’t think that they should have pinned Ziggler, especially with how good he has been as of late. The crowd was surprisingly hot for the match and it was fun for what it was.
***

2. United States Championship Match
Zack Ryder vs. Dolf Ziggler

Ryder actually got in some offence in early on, and the crowd was actually pretty into it with lets go Ryder chants. Ziggler was on the outside, but he was thrown in by Air Boom, who were still on the outside, this didn’t count as interference for some reason. Air Boom, the faces, were expelled from ringside. Ziggler was back in control and Cole actually reminded us that he is technically a former World Champion, stupid move. Ryder was made to look like a complete fool, being beaten by a guy that had already wrestled a match, with the super kick. It didn’t make sense to have both men get pinned, the match went five minutes, it was a nothing match. 
** ¼

Punk and DiBiase were having a conversation backstage, Triple H came out and said that he hopes that Punk knows, that Triple H getting removed from RAW that week was not his doing. They then recited their signature speech I don’t like you, you don’t like me etc.



3. Diva’s Championship Match
Beth Phoenix vs. Eve Torres

Footage was shown of Phoenix, Torres, Kelly and Neidhart, fighting backstage. In the first few minutes of the match Torres tied Phoenix’s clothes to the ropes. Phoenix got the body scissors locked in on Torres, hitting her on the back of the head, shouting “cry baby cry!”. There was an MMA like spot, where Torres unloaded on Phoenix while she was mounting her. Torres locked in a wonky looking armbar, Phoenix went for the Glamslam, but Torres got the roll up for the two count. Torres missed the moonsault, Phoenix then hit the Glamslam for the win. A decent women’s match, I would say maybe even above average, I was particularly impressed with Eve’s performance.
**

Matt Striker interviewed Big Show, he said that Henry thought that he took him out forever, but he found out the hard way that he didn’t. He said he would take away what took him 15 years to gain, in 3 seconds. Pretty decent promo.

4. Christian vs. Sheamus

The commentators continued to bicker throughout the show and it only got worse in this match. Christian began to work on the neck and throat of Sheamus. The twitter talk really picked up at this point and it didn’t even let up on RAW, it is becoming way to much and just comes across as cheap. Sheamus hulked up and landed a few shoulder blocks and a throw away slam. Sheamus went for the Celtic Cross, the crowd irrupted, but Christian got out of it. Sheamus got him up again, but Christian still got out of it, Christian got the kicks in the corner and went for the cross body that seems to always fail. He was caught, Sheamus went for the Brogue Kick, but was caught with a spear for the two. Sheamus hit the frankensteiner from the top, he went for the spear, but he was caught with the Brogue kick for the three. The match was pretty short, only going about ten minutes, but it was pretty decent and both men did quite a lot. Sheamus is getting quite a steady push, but it must really suck to be Christian.
***

David Otunga and John Laurinaitis were talking backstage, Laurinaitis said that he came up with the name Vengeance. Miz and Truth then came by, they sucked up. They said they wanted to know why he reinstated them, he said they were talented and were charismatic. Then he said not really and left, a comedy segment ensued with Miz and Truth naming people who suck. They cant be taken seriously.

5. The Miz and R-Truth vs. Triple H and CM Punk

A promo was shown before the match, chronicling the events from Money in the Bank to the present. All it did pretty much was highlight all the inconsistencies in the plot. From Vince coming back to Lawler saying he know that someone was behind the scenes, but he was just going to walk out anyway.

Miz and Truth came out rapping, I know it is an original entrance, but you really cant take them seriously, with it. There were pretty loud CM Punk chants, Triple H had the figure four locked in and even though Punk and Triple H were the faces, Punk assisted Triple H with leverage. Miz and Truth were double clotheslined over the top rope, the crowd popped for that spot. Triple H was being worked on by Miz and Truth, the commentary was absolute agony to listen to at that point. Triple H began to make his comeback and executed the electric chair on Truth, from the head scissors. Miz went for the boot, but he got a lariat for his trouble. R-Truth was tagged in Triple H got the tag, the tag felt a bit out of place and it wasn’t really at the point where the people wanted it the most. Truth was thrown over the guard rail, Punk hit the Savage elbow on Miz in the ring. Triple H went after Truth and then who should interfere? Kevin Nash. Punk was double teamed by Miz and Truth for the win. Of course Punk was the one to be pinned. Nash destroyed Punk on the outside, Nash then hit a terrible looking powerbomb on Triple H, Triple H landed right on his neck. Triple H got a pretty big reaction getting carted off. But this is like the third or fourth pay-per view match, to have interference. It just starts to loose its meaning after a while.
***

Laurinaitis was on the phone backstage, Del Rio came by with Ricardo, who had a black eye. He said as WWE champion he should be his top priority, he should, but he isn’t. We had a B.E. a Star commercial, its so ridiculous on so many levels.

6. Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes

I am sure that this match would have meant more without this stale Rhodes gimmick. Rhodes was in control early on wearing down Orton, Rhodes locked in the Boston Crab, Orton escaped. Rhodes missed the moonsault, Orton began to make his comeback, striking Rhodes. Rhodes went for the crossbody, but was dropkicked in midair by Orton. Orton went for the draping DDT, Rhodes countered, but Orton hit the neckbreaker. Rhodes hit the moonsault, on a standing Orton. A bagger tried to interfere, Orton knocked him off the rope, Rhodes hit the Cross Rhodes for the two. Rhodes started to taunt for the RKO, but was drop kicked by Orton. Orton hit the draping DDT, another bagger distracted Orton, but Rhodes was pushed into him, Orton then got the RKO for the three. This is why you cant make a star, it would have been huge for Rhodes to get a win, even if it was just a fluke. A decent match, but it could have been far better.
*** ½

We had a commercial for Survivor Series with the Rock, he really shouldn’t wrestle at Survivor Series, but if it makes them more money, even if they loose some buys from WrestleMania then fine.

7. World Heavyweight Championship Match
Mark Henry vs. Big Show

I never really expected this match to be all that great, it was two giant men having a match. But, I was pleasantly surprised in a way, it did turn out better than I expected. Big Show forced Henry to the outside early on, due to strikes. He then hauled Henry back into the ring, over the top rope. Henry spent a lot of time on the outside and was about to leave with his championship, which was a stupid idea, it didn’t make Henry look all that great. But, Henry then scoop slammed Big Show and began to work on his injured leg. Big Show began to lift Henry, but his leg gave out. Henry went back to the leg of Big Show, but was kicked off. There were some pretty loud Big Show chants, as Henry and Big Show collided in the middle of the ring. They began a strike battle on their knees, they then worked their way up to their feet, where Show landed quite a few headbutts on Henry, but Henry remained on his feet. Show slammed Henry and signaled for the choke slam, he hit it, but Henry powered out at two. Henry hit the World’s Strongest Slam, Big Show kicked out. Henry looked around hesitantly, where he was obviously caught with the choke slam off the top rope. Henry kicked out, this made him look good, but if you are going to make him look like such a monster, than why have him runaway in the first part of the match? Big Show then looked around like Henry and went to the top rope, where Henry caught him with a Lesner esque superplex. The ring completely imploded, exactly like Brock vs. Show. The medics came to the ring and signaled for help and a stretcher. Long and Laurinaitis also came out, Show was taken out. They attempted to put Henry on a stretcher, but he rolled to the ground, he then pushed all the refs and medics away. Long kept saying “let them help you Mark”, he wouldn’t let them and he kept falling down, which really made him look tough. Laurinaitis took the mic and introduced himself, he said that he would give the people what they wanted and that was the WWE championship match, regardless of the state of the ring. The whole segment took quite a long time, about 20 minutes.
***

8. Last Man Standing WWE Championship Match
John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio

This match was wrestled in a broken ring. Cena actually had a new shirt and was wearing military shorts, not jorts. Ricardo went after Cena, giving the opening for Del Rio to kick Cena. It was strange, since this match was a last man standing match, in a broken ring, you would expect the majority of the match to take place outside of the ring, that was not the case. Del Rio’s attempts to get Cena down in the ring continued. They were still wrestling in the broken ring at the five minute mark. Cena went for the AA, but Del Rio countered it into the back breaker. The commentators just continued to go on and on, about the ring being broken. Cena began to Hulk up, hitting shoulder blocks and going for the Five Knuckle Shuffle, there were of course no ropes, but he executed it anyway. Del Rio was back in control after both men went back and forth. Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment, both men were down. Cena got Del Rio up again, but Ricardo interfered, Del Rio locked in the sleeper and took Cena to the ground, but both men quickly made it to their feet. Cena threw Del Rio out of the ring, into the barricade. Del Rio Irish whipped Cena into the steps, Ricardo was then shoved into the ring post stomach first. Del Rio was in control, up until Cena gave him a drop toe hold into the post. Del Rio knocked Cena out with the steps to the head. Cena and Del Rio fought up the entrance ramp backstage, they broke some stuff backstage. Cena tipped a huge structure over, attempting to murder Del Rio. Del Rio obviously got out of the way and executed a body slam on the structure. Del Rio pushed one in the backstage interview area onto Cena, he continued to do the same with about four others, of course super man Cena made it up. They fought back into the arena, Del Rio threw Cena through the Vengeance V. Cena was still up, Del Rio placed him on a table and began to climb a structure near the stage, but he was thrown off by Cena through the table. Del Rio still made it up, he was tossed over the barricade, Cena was thrown over the announce table, but he still made it to his feet. He then threw Del Rio into the barricade and clotheslined Ricardo. Del Rio then attempted an enzuigiri, but Cena ducked and he landed up hitting the post. Cena reconstructed the steps next to the announce table and hit the Attitude Adjustment through the table. But, out came the Miz, he hit the Skull Crushing Finale and Truth hit his finisher on Cena, the referee started to count. Cena began to make it to his feet still, but Del Rio clocked him with the belt, Cena made it up at eleven basically and Del Rio took a very odd bump falling out of the ring just after he won. This is why you don’t have new stars, not only did Del Rio need interference, but Miz and Truth couldn’t even put him away and they just barley won, Cena made it up at eleven basically. Plus we have interference on so many matches and so many PPV mainevents, why did we need another? The match was could considering the fact that it took lace in a broken ring, but the WWE cant keep this up. 
*** ¾

Overall Show Thoughts

This show was a B-show if ever there was one, all the matches were either average or slightly above or below. The mainevent was pretty good, but it wasn’t a blow away match or anything. The interference really hurt the show. One positive was the crowd, they were into pretty much everything and reacted well. Overall, once again a show that you can afford to miss.

ROH on SBG 2011/10/29

This was the first episode from the Kentucky tapings. The show started off with Kevin Kelly and Nigel previewing the matches for this episode. We then had an interview with T.J. Perkins, he said that Mike Mondo couldn’t chop him down, because he is not a giant. We then had Mike Mondo, he came off as a bit hokey, but enthusiastic.

1. Mike Mondo vs. T.J. Perkins

Both men followed the Code of Honor. Perkins demonstrated his strength and technical skill early on, even getting Mondo in the rocking chair. Mondo started to wear down Perkins after hitting a senton to the outside. Perkins and Mondo fought back and forth in the middle of the ring, exchanging elbows. Perkins hit a big suicide dive to the outside. Perkins locked in the figure four death lock, but Mondo made it to the ropes. Mondo tripped over the ropes getting back into the ring, Kelly covered it up well though, saying it was the result of the figure four death lock. Perkins hit some stiff kicks and got the cradle for the win. Both men really looked good and I was particularly impressed by Mondo, since I have seen quite a lot of Perkins. A fun little opener. 
** ¾

We then had a segment where Kelly interviewed Lethal, about Final Battle. They really put it over as the biggest show on the ROH calendar year, Lethal also put the TV title over as the gateway to the ROH championship. We had a video package before an interview with Cornette and the Briscoes. The package highlighted the match between the Briscoes and ANX, from a few weeks ago. They made it seem like a much bigger deal then it actually was, which is good.

The Briscoes made their entrance, they were pretty over, Cornette was already in the ring. Cornette announced that there would be another Briscoes vs. ANX match next week. Jay said that ROH officials didn’t want the Briscoes in a title match at Final Battle, they actually got a pretty big face pop when they mentioned they were six time tag champions. They headbutted each other and hit each other and went crazy over the thought of being seven time tag champs. This was great. Wrestling’s Greatest Tag Team, said they wanted the Briscoes.

We then had this weeks edition of inside ROH. Highlighting Final Battle, its great that ROH are building the show up so far in advance. Roderick Strong was interviewed once again, he played the victim, saying that Truth was being attacked and he was to busy saving him. Strong issued a challenge to anyone in the world, who claims to be the best wrestler in the world, to come to Final Battle to prove it. He said wrestling Kyle ‘O Reilly was a warm up. Richards was then interviewed, there was such contrast between the two. He said he put himself into a dark place, putting himself through hell, with kick boxing trainers and 8th degree black belts. He then said that he spent the past few months in NJPW, they showed footage, this was a really good build.

A video package of Generico vs. Lethal was shown, just to recap before the match. I believe it was the same one that was shown a couple of weeks ago, it still looked like a war.

2. ROH Television Championship Match
Jay Lethal vs. “The Prodigy” Mike Bennett

There were strong you can’t wrestle chants at the start of the match. We then had a commercial with Jim Cornette, talking about Final Battle with Eddie Edwards. The crowd were really into Lethal, with lets go Lethal chants. Lethal went for a dive to the outside, but Bennett moved. There was also what looked like a plant in the crowd, with a Steen sign and yelling bring back Steen. We then had some “This is wrestling chants” even with Bennett in the ring. Lethal went for the springboard, Bennett caught in the fireman’s carry. Kelly continued to plug Final Battle. Bennett worked on Lethal, the crowd was behind Lethal and got behind Bennett. Kelly put over Nigel, commentators getting along, that’s a novel thought. Lethal began to make his comeback, but Bennett continued with the pressure in the front face lock. Lethal then got to his feet and finally made his comeback. A clock then popped up showing that there were only two minutes remaining. Lethal hit a super kick and went for the Savage elbow, but Bennett got out of the way, thirty seconds were left on the clock. Bennett continued to pound on Lethal, the match was not stopped by the referee, Lethal then turned him over and pounded away at him. Time expired, fans chanted for five more minutes, but Bennett didn’t want it. It was a strange finish, I think that they should have just had Lethal go over as champion, but that’s just me.
** ¾

Overall Show Thoughts

The show really did a good job at hyping Final Battle. The matches on the card really didn’t blow me away and the mainevent shouldn’t have gone to a draw, but they were acceptable. Now that we are in the second set of tapings, we are starting to see things fall into place. Another fun episode.

Star Ratings Given October 2011

WWE

Hell In A Cell

1. Christian vs. Sheamus
*** ¼

2. Sin Cara I (Mistico) vs. Sin Cara II (Hunico)
** ¼

3. Tag Team Championship Match
*** ½

4. World Heavyweight Championship Hell in a Cell Match
Mark Henry vs. Randy Orton
*** ¼

5. Intercontinental Championship Match
John Morrison vs. Cody Rhodes
** ¼

6. Diva’s Championship Match
Kelly Kelly vs. Beth Phoenix
**


7. WWE Championship Match Hell in a Cell Match
John Cena vs. CM Punk vs. Alberto Del Rio
****

Vengeance

1. Jack Swagger & Dolf Ziggler vs. Kofi Kingston & Evan Bourne (Air Boom)
***

2. United States Championship Match
Zack Ryder vs. Dolf Ziggler
** ¼

3. Diva’s Championship Match
Beth Phoenix vs. Eve Torres
**
4. Christian vs. Sheamus
***


5. The Miz and R-Truth vs. Triple H and CM Punk
***

6. Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes
*** ½

7. World Heavyweight Championship Match
Mark Henry vs. Big Show
***

8. Last Man Standing WWE Championship Match
John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio
*** ¾

ROH

ROH On SBG 2011/10/01

1. Jimmy Jacobs vs. Mike Bennett
** ½

2. ROH TV Title Match
El Generico vs. Jay Lethal
*** ½

ROH On SBG 2011/10/15

1. Andy “Right Leg” Ridge vs. Tommaso Ciampa
** ½

2. ROH World Championship Match
Davey Richards vs. Eddie Edwards
*** ¾

ROH On SBG 2011/10/22

1. The Briscoes vs. The All Night Express
** ¾

2. “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin vs. Eddie Edwards
*** ¼

ROH On SBG 2011/10/29

1. Mike Mondo vs. T.J. Perkins
** ¾

2. ROH Television Title Match
Jay Lethal vs. “The Prodigy” Mike Bennett
***

NJPW

2011/10/10
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tetsuya Naito

Pro Wrestling NOAH

KENTA vs. Takashi Sugiura 2011/10/10 **** ¼

Top 50 Matches of 2011

1. John Cena  vs. CM Punk  WWE Money in the Bank *****
2. Davey Richards vs. Eddie Edwards ROH Best in the World **** ¾
3. Undertaker vs. Triple H WWE Wrestlemania 27 **** ½
      4. Christian vs. Randy Orton WWE Over The Limit **** ½
5. Roderick Strong vs. Eddie Edwards Ring Master Challenge ROH Death Before Dishonor IX **** ½ 
      6. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tetsuya Naito 2011/10/10 **** ½
7. Kotaro Suzuki vs. Eddie Edwards NOAH 2011/01/29 ****  ½
      8. Jay Briscoe vs. Roderick Strong ROH 2011/01/15 **** ½
      9. Roderick Strong vs. Eddie Edwards ROH Manhattan Mayhem IV **** ½
      10. Randy Orton vs. Christian No Holds Barred SummerSlam **** ¼
      11. Eddie Kingston vs. Claudio Castagnoli  Chikara CFTTS **** ¼
      12. Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Kota Ibushi NJPW BOSJ Final 2011/06/10  **** ¼
      13. 1-2-3 Kid vs. El Generico Chikara King of Trios Night 3 **** ¼
14. Kotaro Suzuki vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima NOAH 2011/03/05 **** ¼
15. KENTA vs. Yoshihiro Takayama 2011/01/15 **** ¼ 
16. The Kings of Wrestling vs. Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team ROH 2011/01/28 **** ¼
      17. SD Elimination chamber WWE Elimination Chamber **** ¼
                     18. YAMATO  vs. Austin Aries DGUSA  Mercury Rising II **** ¼
19. KENTA vs. Takashi Sugiura NOAH 2011/10/10 **** ¼
20. Kyle ‘O Reilly & Adam Cole vs. The American Wolves **** ¼
                     21. Colony vs. F.I.S.T Chikara King of Trios King of Trios Night 3 **** ¼
                     22. SmackDown MITB WWE Money in the Bank **** ¼
      23. The Kings of Wrestling vs. WGTT vs. ANX vs. The Briscoe’s ROH Best in the  World **** ¼
      24. Chris Hero vs. Eddy Edwards ROH 2011/05/07 **** ¼
                     25. Mike Quackenbush & Jigsaw vs. the Colony CHIKARA CFTTS ****   
                     26. The King’s of Wrestling vs. The All Night Express ROH 2011/02/26****
      27. Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio WWE Extreme Rules 2011 ****
28. The Briscoes vs. The All Night Express Ladder War Death Before Dishonor IX ****
29. Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose 30 minute Iron Man Match FCW 2011/09/18 ****
      30. John Cena vs. CM Punk WWE  Summer Slam ****       
      31. F.I.S.T. vs. Osaka Pro Chikara King of Trios Night 2 ****
      32. Christopher Daniels vs. Eddie Edwards ROH 2011/02/26 ****
      33. Kenny King vs. Eddy Edwards ROH 2011/02/25 ****
34. Kotaro Suzaki vs. Ricky Marvin NOAH 2011/05/08 ****
35. RAW Elimination Chamber WWE Elimination Chamber ****
36. Ronin vs. Blood Warriors DGUSA Mercury Rising II ****
      37. Kings of Wrestling vs. The American Wolves ROH 2011/05/06
38. Richards & WGTT vs. Roderick Strong & The Kings of Wrestling ROH 2011/02/25 ***
      39. PAC vs. Akira Tozawa DGUSA Mercury Rising II ****
      40. Christopher Daniels vs. El Generico ROH Best in the World ****
41. TJ Perkins vs. Davey Richards ROH 2011/01/28 ****
   42. Mike Quackenbush vs. Ophidian Chikara Demon in his Pocket ****
   43. The American Wolves vs. Roderick Strong & Michael Elgin ROH 2011/07/08
44. Roderick Strong vs. El Generico ROH 2011/05/06 ****
45. Roderick Strong vs. El Generico ROH 2011/01/28 ****
46. Chris Hero vs. Davey Richards ROH  2011/01/15 ****
      47. Mercedes Martinez vs. Angel Orsini WSU Final Chapter ****
      48. Roderick Strong vs. El Generico vs. Homicide vs. Jay Briscoe ROH  Defy or Deny *** ¾
49. Champions vs. All Stars  Match ROH 2011/01/14 *** ¾
50. Eddy Kingston vs. El Generico Chikara 2011/01/23 *** ¾

Next Weeks Issue

Next week’s issue will feature a review of ROH on SBG as always and the return of Bits and Pieces, which will highlight Chikara High Noon, Super Dragon and more!

Contact
Any Questions or Queries: Rubyclouding@gmail.com
Twitter: @Rubyclouding
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