David Hayter of London England (7.0): Best Match: Edge vs Undertaker. Worst Match: Khali vs. Big Show. Though this was a good, satisfying PPV without really doing anything amazing. The only low point was the Khali-Big Show snoozefest that went way too long, I really did expect this to be an extended squash for Show. But they did suprise me with the Crippler Crossface. If you'd told me I'd see that three times tonight, in three different matches I'd have guessed it was the new move Maria had learned before I'd have guessed at Khali. I liked Batista-Michaels. I would liked to have seen the arm play a part in the finish, though, after watching Shawn work it over for so long. Edge-Taker was good, also; I prefered it just to there Mania match, but wasn't much in it. The main event was again good. I liked Randy's Ronny Garvin-style work with the stomps, knees, and clubs, although it felt a bit too much like a mid-2000s Triple H plodder at times. Everything else was solid and competantly executed. This show managed to feel important without delivering anything amazing, but with three good main events, it was worth a watch. I don't think any of them alone would have been strong enough to carry the show.
Michael C. Grimaldi of Glen Mills, Pa. (7.5): Best Match: Orton vs. Triple H vs. Cena vs. JBL. Worst Match: Big Show vs. Khali. First off, while I will stop short of saying Foley was a natural on commentary, he was a great step up from Coachman and I'll even say JBL for this reason: Foley spent the majority of his time putting over the guys in the match. Obviously, he and Cole will need time to gel, but I really think his passion for the buisness comes through in his willingness to not remind people over and over what he's done in his career, but rather use that experience to lend credibility to wrestlers he's announcing. Cole needs a former wrestler to ask questions to, because his wrestling knowlage is so limited. Michaels vs. Batista: This wasn't a great match, but it was more crisp than I expected thanks to Michaels carrying the brunt of the match working a heel style even though he was the clear-cut crowd favorite. I can see people saying it was too methodical, but I found it a more realistic tactic for someone Michael's size to try to beat Batista by breaking him down and I have been really impressed with Michaels's mat work. His submissions are smooth and really executed well. Michaels may not be as spectacular as he was 15 years ago, but I think he's better. If he knew how to work like he does now at WM XII, the match with Bret Hart might have actually been as good as people think they remember it. Taker-Edge was really good. Not up to their WM 24 match, but again, I really loved the feel Foley gave to it. Taker is on a roll and it will be interesting to see who his next challenger will be. The four-way was really good. As most thought, JBL was a weak link, but his action was kept limited enough that he didn't detract and Cena has been on pretty light detail with the whole movie filming, so keeping those two in the match the shortest made sense. Even though the crowd was hot to boo Cena, once it was down to Triple H and Orton they really picked up. Triple H is in his element when he works a more physical style. There were some real good exchanges. Why this really worked, especially at the end, is because they have done such a good job with Orton pulling out matches at the very last second.
Jeremy Quist of Lynchburg, Va. (10.0): Best Match: Fatal Four-Way. Worst Match: ECW TitlHBKatch. Thank you, Vince McMahon. It was 5:30 when I made my final decision to purchase this PPV because I felt it would be predictable. I thank Vince for bringing a PPV to Baltimore. It has been too long. I tried to go home to see it live, but my WWE friends had prior engagements. What a show. Take away HBK-Flair and this PPV murdered WM. Orton was interviwed in a column this weekend by the Baltimore Sun. He actually showed he can be a nice guy. I wish him the best with the upcoming birth of his little girl. Some will say that tonight's show was too slow-paced. I loved the pace. It was great to see Matt Hardy get the strap. Fans are too hard on Khali. He just needs to do more moves where he picks guys up and he'll be okay. I do not think Show was acting. He fell on his arm outside. HBK vs. Batista was puzzling. When Jericho threw HBK away from Batista, I think Shawn felt it was a little more than the storyline called for. Shawn's knee was a tough call. He landed fine, but then he twisted it. It looked like acting, but why that finish if he was acting? Regardless, I loved HBK's over the top rope spots with big Dave. I loved how when Lawler mentioned that Natalie was Bret Hart's neice that J.R. came back with, "Yeah, she's also Stu and Helen Hart's Grandaughter," and the King responded with, "okay." Those two are the best. I hope they're around for a long time. Mick Foley is great, but with all the announcer bashing, how come nobody reminds people of how horrible Cole is? Tony Schavoine was much better than Cole. Undertaker was on his game tonight, but I can see his copying of HBK becoming a habbit. You will never beat "I'm sorry. I love you." I loved when Edge slidekicked Taker into the barrier in front of the front row. The camera caught a great shot of a woman screaming. She thought Taker might go though the barrier and hit her. Both performers were fantastic with their ring psychology. The highlight of the night and the last few years was Triple H beating Orton clean for the strap. They made Triple H look super weak to Cena, and Randy, but it was all for good when he nailed the Pedigree for the WWE Championship, and he did it for the 12th time in Baltimore. Vince, I promise you that the next PPV that you bring to Baltimore, I will be there. Randy Orton did great. John Cena was awesome. JBL, well... There was no C.M. Punk on the card. I cannot remember the last time I enjoyed watching a PPV more than this one. Thanks again Vince. I know we do not say that enough.
We welcome your 1-10 score and comments on this event for a "WWE Backlash Reax" feature in the Torch Feedback section of PWTorch.com. Just to add a twist to this feature, include not just your hometown, but also your occupation (mechanic, lawyer, stay-at-home-dad, college student, etc.) so readers get a flavor for what everyone does as "day jobs." To contribute your thoughts on the PPV, click here.
LATEST PRO WRESTLING TORCH NEWSLETTER #1037 (16 PAGES)
This issue begins with a cover story on the annoucement on Raw that Mike Adamle is the new Raw G.M... Wade Keller's BBL features a number of other shocking G.M. possibilities for WWE to consider... Page 2 Buzz with Jason Powell features his exclusive insider news galore... Pat McNeill continues his series of articles reviewing the history of Summerslam... Bruce Mitchell continues his series of Ric Flair DVD Liner Notes with a focus on "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers htis week... Part four of the "Torch Talk" with Doug Basham... Sean Radican reviews in detail the ROH PPV before it's offered nationally on PPV... Plus the Torch Newswire, Top Five Stories, reports on Raw, Smackdown, and Impact, and more......
