As
I sit and write this, its seven thirty pm on Friday February 7th and when I got
home today, I had two review discs waiting for me which I wasn’t even informed
were being released. Now despite my double busy schedule which I am pushing
every deadline I have set myself – even though said project may or may not go
ahead, I love working my man parts off for nothing – I got the following
reviewed in time to write this up and post it you, my minions. Despite the fact
that the little note which came with said discs stated they were released on
Monday February 10th.
If
anyone from Freemantle Media is reading this, then a little warning wouldn’t go
amiss next time. I know the release dates of every WWE release for the next two
months and I always make a point of attaining dates so I can judge approximately
judge when they’ll arrive and how much time they will take. But ones which are
just sprung on me when I have little to no time to review them only complicate
my job more than it already is.
Before
we get into the following two releases I would like to take this opportunity to
note that I haven’t been around as much as I usually am or would like to be but
that was all explained in my beginning of year blog so I hope that you all
understand why I am missing more than usual. I thank you for your patience. I
promise that once I have finished up what I am working on then I will be all
yours again. Until then, we’re all going to have to make do. This blog will be
full of Review Corners over the next few weeks as WWE release their latest
archive wealth on us, plus you’ll be seeing Elimination Chamber preview appear
as usual.
Anyway,
I took a few moments to look back on what we have missed as friends over the
last months. The little happenings which we haven’t had time or opportunity to
discuss in detail as we usually would. Things like the return of Batista and
his victory at Royal Rumble, or the passing of Mae Young or what we can expect
from WrestleMania XXX, hell we haven’t even had time go through the WWE Network
properly and tell the company what they’ll be doing wrong. But that can wait
for another day my friends, because right now, we have business to attend to.
WWE SUPERSTARS COLLECTION:
DANIEL BRYAN
A – Excellent
B – Good
C – Mediocre
D – Avoid
Release Date: February 10th 2014
Available From: www.wwedvd.co.uk / www.amazon.co.uk
Price:
DVD £5.99
(Prices from www.amazon.com: high street prices will vary)
Format Reviewed:
DVD
What It’s About:
Collecting
together four matches and video packages from Daniel Bryan’s career from 2010 –
2012, which were released an age ago in the USA.
Strengths:
The
very short video package which begins this collection is well put together,
showing fleeting photos from Daniel Bryan’s career on the independent circuit
Vince McMahon loathes so much. Featuring pictures from his visits in Japan, the
WWE should be credited for not bringing out the blur machine to wipe out other
wrestling companies names on the front of Championships.
Daniel
Bryan vs Chris Jericho (NXT, February 23rd 2010) is a thoroughly enjoyable
match which shows how much potential Daniel Bryan had when he made the jump
from Ring of Honor to the WWE. Swift and with a raft of excellent moves to
boast, this doesn’t fail to impress. Bryan gets wonderful hang time on a tope
rope Dropkick but makes a nasty mistake on a Dragon Whip Leg Throw which could
have injured Jericho. The piece de resistance though is the perfectly crafted Suicide
Dive to the outside which is countered by Jericho into a Belly to Belly Suplex
into the announcers table. It has to be seen to be believed. Chris Jericho
sells well for Daniel Bryan making believable that the NXT will go over until
the final moments when he’s forced to submit. It’s also hard to believe how
much Daniel Bryan has changed in four years, from the fresh faced indi star to
the worn in veteran who should be higher up the card than he is. The match
however is tarnished by Michael Cole’s venomous commentary on Bryan. When Josh
Matthews informs the world that Daniel Bryan is a star around the world Michael
Cole shrugs it off simply because he didn’t make his name in the WWE. He goes
as far as to say that he had never heard of him – not that Michael Cole is
fluent in any wrestling that doesn’t come from WWE – and that he doesn’t care.
Cole passes off Daniel Bryan’s worldly success, even though it was the same
route Chris Jericho took before he was signed by ECW. There is a world outside
the WWE and they need to realise it. Michael Cole then goes on to say that
Daniel Bryan thinks he’s a success because he’s wrestled in a gym in front of
50 people – he wouldn’t be saying that if he saw Bryan’s work in ROH and NJPW –
and that he has the personality which could make paint dry. It’s vile to listen
to.
Daniel
Bryan vs The Miz (Night of Champions 2010, September 19th 2010) is a slow
burner but worth the watch, even though it begins with one of Michael Cole’s tirades
against Bryan calling him a ‘paper opponent’ and then goes on record of bizarrely
saying that The Miz helped train Daniel Bryan. That was the point in the
evening, though it was the first match on the card, which WWE should have
switched off Michael Cole’s microphone for his own good. Featuring decent
submission moves by both men it does tend to drag for a while until Bryan gains
control of the bout, but Miz puts in a good showing with a divine
Shoulderbreaker and a very good Surfboard Backbreaker which he should be
commended for. On this showing, The Miz should have been pushed by the WWE
machine more than he was when he was WWE Champion. He had the drive and the
determination to go all the way with a little work. Daniel Bryan’s suicide dive
is perfect though Michael Cole shows his inadequacy once again by calling it a
plancha, whilst his standing inzaguri is sweet and crisp. The Miz’s clothesline
from the middle rope as Bryan is perched on the top rope is beautiful. With
excellent near falls and a final few minutes packed with action it’s a great
example of what can be done when you remove the limitations from two talented
grapplers.
Daniel
Bryan vs Kane vs Sin Cara vs Sheamus vs Wade Barrett vs Cody Rhodes vs Justin
Gabriel vs Heath Slater (Money in the Bank 2011, July 17th 2011) is a terrific
showcase for young talent. Bryan and Gabriel set the tone of the match early on
with almost symmetrical dives to the outside, followed up by a corkscrew
moonsault by Heath Slater and a normal plancha by Sin Cara. After an
unimpressive debut by Sin Cara in 2011 he manages to restore some credit –
before losing it again – with an absolutely super head over heels slam off of
the top rope on Bryan as is his interaction with the rest of the competitors
before the move. Sin Cara is taken out of the match by a Sheamus apron
Powerbomb through a bridged ladder which deals the Mexican an injury – Sheamus
looks mighty concerned for a while. The foiled ladder attempts are done well
and Heath Slater hanging off of the end of a ladder being wielded by others
looks awesome. Justin Gabriel shows how much more he has to give with a 450
Splash from the ladder and Daniel Bryan’s victory is vindication of the
changing times in WWE.
Daniel
Bryan vs Mark Henry vs Big Show (Royal Rumble 2012, January 29th 2012) is a better
than expected steel cage match which at the time was a very nice surprise from
what your Wrestling God thought it was going to be. Though the bout isn’t much
to look at wrestling wise, the booking team use each man to the match’s
strengths and ring psychology is at its best here as Bryan fights against two
goliaths. Bryan uses Show and Henry’s brawling to try and escape the cage
whilst his dropkick to Big Show’s knee forced the giant to take an excellent
bump. Mark Henry is competent for a man who was working with a torn groin at
the time though Michael Cole strikes again saying Big Show’s 45 second TLC
World Heavyweight Championship reign is a record. He’s wrong, there have
shorter reigns and the company know it. Daniel Bryan’s Tornado DDT on Big Show
is excellent whilst his hanging from the Big Show’s wrists before the victory
is impressive.
Weaknesses:
‘The
History of Daniel Bryan vs The Miz’ video package is a basic verbal burial of
Bryan by none other than Michael Cole who in one of the most baffling moments,
says that Bryan needs to learn to wrestle at WWE’s level without realising that
the level he was wrestling at before was much, much higher and had the company
allowed him to utilise that in his WWE matches instead of sending him to
development for a year then they would have found he produced much better than
he does now – which is still impressive.
Daniel
Bryan vs Mark Henry (Smackdown, November 4th 2011) is uplifting when Daniel
Bryan makes his comebacks but never really gets going when Mark Henry is
control. Using slow and plodding rest holds, Mark Henry can’t capitalise on the
skill of Daniel Bryan and allow him to lead the obese goliath. Had he done so,
then maybe this would have been worth a watch.
Rating: B
WWE SUPERSTARS
COLLECTION: SHEAMUS
A – Excellent
B – Good
C – Mediocre
D – Avoid
Release Date: February 10th 2014
Available From: www.wwedvd.co.uk / www.amazon.co.uk
Price:
DVD £5.99
(Prices from www.amazon.com: high street prices will vary)
Format Reviewed:
DVD
What It’s About:
Bringing
together five matches from Sheamus’ career spanning 2009 – 2012, which as a
transitional period for the WWE Championship, swapping from Cena to Sheamus
several times before the middle of 2010.
Strengths:
Sheamus
vs John Cena vs Randy Orton vs Edge (Fatal 4 Way, June 20th 2010) is a lively
Fatal Four Way match if it isn’t as fast as some of the others from wrestling
lore, but still doesn’t get boring which matches of these nature rarely do.
Orton, Sheamus and Edge cover John Cena’s flaws and Edge’s crossbody block fro
the top rope is perfectly timed, missing Randy Orton and hitting Sheamus. Randy
Orton times his comeback well and enhances the match flow whilst Edge is sadly
here only to help John Cena through and sell his weak offence. Nexus’
involvement is welcomed by the fans though Sheamus’ victory is met with less
enthusiasm as the Nexus beat down of John Cena.
Sheamus
vs John Morrison (Raw – King of the Ring Final, November 29th 2010) isn’t the
best match the pair ever had but it’s still capable largely thanks to John
Morrison who takes bumps which makes Sheamus look a million dollars, including
a flight from the ring apron at the beginning of the match, avoiding the Brogue
Kick in style and taking a wicked deflection from a clothesline. There are odd
near falls and the Starship Pain counter barely connects but the Brogue Kick as
Morrison comes off the top rope is a thing of beauty. It’s just a shame the
company didn’t fully capitalise on the King of the Ring victory.
2012
Royal Rumble Match (Royal Rumble 2012, January 29th 2012) isn’t the full Royal
Rumble match, only the final 24 minutes from when Sheamus enters at number 22.
It’s a hit and miss final stretch but good enough to keep you watching. Sheamus
hits a great roll over slam from a Zig Zag attempt but its nothing compared to
Road Dogg’s welcome when he enters the match and the chants of ‘You’ve still
got it’. Jack Swagger looks like he’s smacked off his face on cocaine and for
once Michael Cole is slick on commentary. Randy Orton gets a great homecoming and
livens up the bout with slick RKO’s though Wade Barrett should have lasted
longer. The final four don’t exude the usual lightening quick offence which we
have seen in the past and from the moment the four clash its plodding stuff but
not as long as it takes Sheamus to eliminate Chris Jericho which takes forever.
Sheamus’ victory isn’t met with as much enthusiasm as the company were
expecting.
Weaknesses:
Sheamus
vs John Cena (TLC 2009, December 13th 2009) is a mere routine tables match
which goes nowhere. Michael Cole says that Sheamus doesn’t respect what John
Cena has done for the industry for the last 7 years, yet he’s wrong. 7 years is
too much of an over exaggeration. For it be true, John Cena would have had to
made a difference from his debut. He didn’t. John Cena didn’t make an impact
until late 2004 and didn’t begin to do anything for the business for a year and
a half afterwards, which means his actual meaningful contribution has been – up
this point in history which is 2009 – is three and half to four years, not
seven. No one can say John Cena has been a star who affected the business from
his debut, which would be rubbish and the people who said it would clearly not
know what they were talking about. The bout doesn’t really get going as the pair
walk through it, there’s zero tension as they try to put each other through
tables and we finally get to the bottom of the planned / unplanned finish where
no one was sure whether Cena fell by accident or it was planned. I can tell you
now, it was planned. Weighing up the commentators pushing the fact that if you
slip then you’ve lost just before falls and the swiftness of Sheamus’ music, it’s
pretty much there for you to see.
Sheamus
vs Daniel Bryan (Raw, March 14th 2011) is a disappointment which should have been
a thrill ride. It’s far from the excellent bout the pair would contest at
Extreme Rules the following year. The match is standard and boasts only a few
moves to shout about including a great reversal from a Celtic Cross into a roll
up from Bryan and the Brogue Kick as Bryan comes of the top rope are both
excellent but the match fails on ever other level.
Rating: C
Overall Conclusion:
Like
the last two releases of this series which combined Randy Orton and John Cena,
these releases are more aimed at children than adults. Still, despite the time
it’s taken the company to release them in the United Kingdom, they remind your
Wrestling God of specialised releases one used to get brought as a child when
programmes like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers were released on VHS with just two
or three episodes on each release. Something to put on for children before they
go to bed or whilst they’re getting ready for bed, should they want to watch
some wrestling before settling down for the night.
If
the right audience finds them then they’re a good idea. There’s nothing too
heavy here that necessitates research and there’s nothing here children can’t
watch. Sadly though, that’s all they’re good for. Most adults will own 95% of
the pay-per view matches on the these releases and whilst the Daniel Bryan one
is much better than the Sheamus release, the minimum Raw or Smackdown bouts
included aren’t worth the price if you already own the pay-per view matches.
A
great present for children, you’ll want to see if there’s anything else that
more to your liking if you’re an adult.
