After the opening segment, this show became tiresome. I know it is the holiday season, but no wrestling show should be this boring. The two big matches were reruns. We have seen Dom and Priest and Sami and Drew multiple times. In fact, Sami and Drew just faced each other a week ago with Drew winning decisively.
They had two matches with run-in finishes and placed those matches back-to-back. That is lazy. The New Day did an angle with Kofi’s mom, which was at least original. There is nothing here that you have not seen before.
Best moment:
Drew McIntyre-Sami Zayn segment
As I mentioned in the review, this was a mission statement promo, which is a hallmark of pro wrestling. One of the easiest and most important devices, that had been lost until Triple H took over creative. Now if they could do these things for their women’s division it would do wonders for the show.
Having said that, we have heard all this before. Neither man said anything new. The execution was well done though, which makes it the one decent segment on the show. However, even this is skippable.
Chronological recap:
Drew McIntyre was out to start the show. Joe Tessitore, who is usually good, oversold this. He kept saying how dark McIntyre has become. Tessitore sounded like Drew ran over someone’s dog on national tv.
McIntyre complained that no one called him while he was off tv. He said he lost a family member too and no one in the back cared. Drew pointed out that Jey, Sami, and Jimmy would turn on anyone to get what they wanted. I mean, he has a point.
Sami interrupted Drew’s mission statement promo. He talked about his losses and how lucky they all are to be WWE superstars. Zayn pointed out that the fans and everyone goes through trauma, but they do not all blame others like Drew does. Again, he has a point.
Sami challenged Drew to another match, but McIntyre said no. He pointed out that Sami has not beat him. Sami finally had enough and attacked Drew. When Drew turned the tables, Jey Uso ran out for the save. Good opening, but nothing we have not heard before.
Pure Fusion Collective asked to replace Kairi Sane in the Intercontinental Tournament. Pearce revealed that he replaced Sane with Iyo Sky.
Iyo Sky vs. Natayla vs. Alba Fyre – Intercontinental Title Tournament
Alba Fyre and Natalya have barely been on tv, and WWE expects viewers to care about them and/or think they have a chance to win this match. I would love to know how their booking team is set up, because the women’s division, outside of Liv and Rhea, is booked in a very AEW-esque way.
Sloppy and convoluted match. Iyo goes on to face Lyra, which is more bizarre booking. They are both babyfaces. At least, I think they are. This was such a waste of time.
Winners: Iyo Sky
There was more Judgement Day bickering in the back. They acted like teens. This is getting old quickly. Anyone else think Dominik is really Eddie Guerrero’s love child with Art Barr?
Sami and Jey discussed who was facing Drew tonight. Zayn talked his way into losing another match. Good for you, Sami.
Chad Gable vs. Tozawa
They have restarted this Alpha Academy vs. American Made feud. It was months ago when they just moved Gable into the Wyatt feud in the middle of this feud. Why are we suddenly back here?
Winner: Chad Gable
Afterwards, Gable refuses to let go of the submission. Otis finally breaks it up. The crowd was deadly quiet throughout this match, and I cannot blame them. They popped when Otis threw Gable across the ring, but otherwise this was dull.
In the back, The New Day looked for sympathy from Dominik. Dom blew them off and Woods called him a “broke Tom Selleck.” Okay, I know who they are talking about. But is there not a more recent reference they could come up with?
Top of the hour
Dominik Mysterio vs. Damien Priest
JD was at ringside dressed as Santa. He was just standing there, waiting for Priest to beat him up. So, we got Priest beating up Santa Claus. Great. Finn jumped Priest and this endless feud continues. The War Raiders made the save, so I am sure we will have a six-man tag at some point.
Jackie Redmond sat down with Seth Rollins and asked him to explain why he hates CM Punk. He has explained this over and over. This was more of the same. Punk needed to come back, but he was not needed. More filler.
The Miz vs. Dexter Lumis
After weeks of both factions being at ringside, neither came out at first. No explanation why they both decided not to come out. Then Takkha and Razar showed up. Karrion was not far behind. Everyone fought until the lights went out and the Wyatts cleared the ring. Yawn.
Back-to-back run-in finishes. WWE could not even bother to put a match in between these identical finishes. Another waste of time.
Winners: Lumis by DQ
The War Raiders said there has always been “honor” between them and Damien Priest. Since when? When did they interact?
The New Day showed up next to the announce desk. They talked to Wade and Joe. Specifically, they compared Wade to Big E. Woods said Wade does not have the guts to lace up his boots again. The crowd gave them the Dominik treatment by drowning them out with boos.
Kofi points out his mother in the crowd. This is the first time they mentioned his mom all night. This is Kofi’s hometown too, which they did not bother to mention until now. Predictably, Kofi’s mom chewed him out too and left. This was dumb.
Rey Mysterio stopped The New Day from entering the dressing room. Again. Yes, he did the same thing last week. Rey asked them to apologize for what they did to Big E. He did not even challenge them to a match. Just another redundant segment to fill time.
Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn
McIntyre won again and beat up Zayn. Jey ran to help. The Bloodline beat up Jey and Sami.
Winners: McIntyre
