[Crossface]

Yeah I had it at **** but then lowered it to ***3/4 on the basis that it wasn't on the same level as the other **** matches Edge had that year (vs Foley and the triple threat) and if the flaws I pointed out weren't there it could be ****1/4 or even higher.

On your second point: yes...and no.

I've yet to watch a TV match this year (can't get into the weekly shows at all) but I've watched RR, NWO, WM and the top 2 matches from the last 3 PPV's. I started downloading every PPV match for the first 3 PPV's but then couldn't be bothered so now I just watch every top 2 or so matches from each PPV (as reccommended on here). It's fair to say the PPV's have been delivering based on what I've watched although I haven't thought any have been outstanding (besides WM), but still decent-good.

[Ownage™]

What matches did you watch from the last 3 PPVs and what are your ratings for them? And I agree that the weekly shows have been sub-par for the most part but every now and then you get an awesome match.

[Chiller88]

I watched Michaels/Diesel from IYH: GFBE earlier today for the first time in a while and it's a great match. It's the type of brawl you'd see in the Attitude era, which was cool. Diesel's attempt at using Mad Dog Vachon's prosthetic leg as a weapon boosts the rating up for me. I can't decide whether to give ****1/2 or ****3/4. What does everyone think of this match?

[INVINCIBLE]

That's the best encounter b/w the two imo. Awesome big man/smaller man match. Very well booked and recoursefull match ****1/4

[Crossface]

BL 2008-HBK vs Batista

Everybody had high expectations coming into this match. “****+ potential” and “this match should be fantastic”. I didn’t buy the hype then and I wasn’t buying the hype after I saw the match either. Sure, it’s a good match – very solid indeed. But is it great? Is it something special? For me personally, the answer is no. Not one of Shawn’s best carry jobs as he slows the pace right down, which I guess is fine but we all know HBK’s strength is his high flying ability and it would’ve been a much more exciting match up if the first half of the match didn’t consist of picking apart Batista’s arm and trying to wear him down with submission moves, while Batista is made to look like an incompetent and sloppy wrestler.

The second half of the match thankfully picked up though, the intensity was actually there and Batista got some great reversals in. I would’ve thought that since HBK dominated the match so much the desperate tactics storyline wasn’t needed – he never needed to resort to them tactics before in matches where he was in much more trouble, so why now? Still, it gives a nice storyline to play off and was a very fresh and different way to go about things. Overall, a solid match that could’ve been so much better though.

***

BL 2008-Edge vs Taker

As far as matches go, the Edge/Taker series has been the freshest thing to happen to Taker in a while. Apparently on SD their feud has been abysmal but I can’t comment on that. However, having the heel look like a really credible, smart and worthy opponent against Taker instead of most of his feuds is so good to see. Counter after counter, the actual intelligence and subtle psychology of these matches has been top notch. Small things like seeing a game plan tick over in Edge’s mind to dissect the Dead man and his facial expressions throughout add a nice touch.

I’ve also enjoyed the series because their matches have felt epic and main event worthy. Edge has easily been the top heel over the last 2 and a half years and Taker is the most loved/credible/respected babyface in the company for my money. So these matches are just a treat to watch, the chemistry is most certainly there and the way the pace slowly builds up to a climax is just brilliant. I thought the finishing sequence was tremendous and the interference in matches with Taker actually adds something to the match since his gimmick sort of requires stacking the odds against him to make the match balanced. A terrific effort from both men and a worthy rematch to their WM classic.

***1/2 - ***3/4 (either on the higher end of ***1/2 or the lower end of ***3/4 – too close to call)

BL 2008-Fatal Four Way

My god JBL’s offence is uninspired and boring…as a result the first few minutes of this match are pretty damn dull. I’m thinking a triple threat re-match or even triple threat elimination would’ve been much better because there is obviously chemistry between Cena/HHH/Orton – but JBL doesn’t fit in at all. The latter half of the fatal fourway part is excellent but the match would’ve been much better if only JBL was eliminated at that point and we got to see a triple threat part (ala WM rematch) but instead WWE decides to go the clusterfuck route again and do consecutive eliminations.

The showdown between Orton and Triple H that ensues is brilliant in my book and the match was noticeably lifting to a greater intensity. Triple H sells like his heart out, Orton’s offence is sadistic and clever and we get to see the fairytale finish with the once dominant force of the WWE back on his throne after more than 3 years of “coming so close” (I don’t count No Mercy by the way – 2 hour reign haha). All of this forces me to raise the rating slightly and the last 10-15 minutes were just really fun to watch.

***1/2

I’ll review JD and ONS two top matches in just a sec after I watch both of them again.

[Edgehead9812]

Good ratings Invincible. Chiller, I give it ****1/4, Good brawl, Lowest rated match on disc 2 of HBK from the vault, And thats saying something.

Got The legacy of Stone Cold today, Should have a review soon.

[TheSoulTaker]

Nice review cripper corssface i have to agree with all the matches rating.

BTW i thinking to do my first ever long review of a ppv, i thinking as it's the most recent ppv it will be ONS 2008.

[INVINCIBLE]

Crippler, I have the fourway match greater than Edge/Taker. Batista/Shawn Michaels was a different style of match. I don't remember it very well but I think I gave it **3/4+. Will watch it again to make sure

[BrownieDude]

Great review of NWO Austin I thought the opener was a bit better (length was a problem though) and I really thought the SD chamber was significantly better than ***, borderline **** in my opinion. Khali and BDV... you can bitch about them all day long (and rightfully so!) but in my opinion these 2 hardly ruined the match and the booking was PERFECT. 2 guys who are the most over with a storied rivalry going at it, the monsters come in and dominate for a while before being eliminated, then Finlay comes in and lasts a while and MVP looks ok before taking that nice reverse chokeslam spot and the reversal at the end between the desrving final two was awesome. Entertaining throughout with acceptable spots, good booking and great entertainment warrants higher than *** in my ratings.

Watching WM22 at the moment. Really good PPV... up to the triple threat and I really need to watch more Angle. Shame he went to TNA

[Edgehead9812]

TSS, In long review do you mean move by move as you remember it or just giving greater detail.