PARKS'S TAKE PARKS'S BLOG: WWE Over the Limit PPV Hangout Report
May 20, 2012 - 11:08:38 PM
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By Greg Parks, PWTorch columnist
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***
Attendance for our usual group matched the excitement heading into the PPV, as it was only Kurt, Gonzo, and me, the "Gonzo & The Greg" crew, at Buffalo Wild Wings this month. None of us were too excited about this one, but the restaurant wasn't exactly empty, either. Our waiter must've been a wrestling fan, because there were times where he was standing behind our booth just watching the PPV (especially during Bryan vs. Punk). At least he has good taste.
(1) Battle Royal for a shot at the IC or U.S. Title. Kurt wasn't even sure this was the beginning of the PPV or what since it began so abruptly, yet I did see the usual piracy warning before they began, so I knew it was. I barely even recognized JTG with his new get-up. Gonzo assumed Zeke Jackson injured himself just by taking the bump to the floor. Kurt had a good thought on our show this week that Ryback would win the battle royal, but alas, he wasn't even a participant. Good, unexpected shine for Tyson Kidd toward the end. Like most battle royals, it got better near the end once the riff-raff were eliminated. (*3/4)
(2) Jack Swagger & Dolph Ziggler vs. Kofi Kingston & R-Truth. Gonzo claimed at least Vickie Guerrero doesn't screw up on the mic...I had to give him a funny look for that one. She's not the smoothest and she has had her brain farts, but she gets the job done for the most part. We talked about how they haven't given a name yet to Kofi and Truth, despite the fan voting on it. It just came to me during this match, but how have we not gotten any hilarious Johnny Ace training videos for his match? It'd be funny if Little Jimmy "interfered" in one of Truth's matches, like Swagger would run the ropes and get tripped up by this imaginary person. Kofi and Ziggler had a fantastic exchange at the end - impeccable timing. **3/4 for Gonzo, **1/2 for me.
(3) Beth Phoenix vs. Layla. Kurt let out an audible "ow!" after the leg-breaker of Layla in the corner from Beth. Somehow we got on the topic of Brooke Hogan in TNA and how a Garett-Brooke on-air wedding would be TNA's try at the McMahon-Helmsley era. Gonzo actually began to watch poker on another TV because of this match. 3/4* for Gonzo, 1/2* for me.
(4) Sheamus vs. Randy Orton vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. Chris Jericho. Gonzo and I discussed the Brett Lawrie and Charlie Manuel issues with umpires this past week in baseball. That was before the match began, anyway. A table of marks (who were older guys) were sitting over Gonzo's right shoulder. He had a few laughs at their expense on the night, overhearing their conversation and such. One guy got super-upset when Orton didn't win after his simultaneous DDT of Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez. Props to the men involved for actually making me think Jericho might win. ***1/4 from Gonzo, ***1/2 for me
(5) The Miz vs. Brodus Clay. One of the marks didn't know who Clay was. Kurt and I discussed Clay's tights as it pertained to the faces on the back; reminded Kurt of Hugh Morrus. (*)
(6) Cody Rhodes vs. Christian. Kurt and Gonzo suggested Clay turn heel by cross-body blocking a row of children in the ring dancing with him. Then of course he continues to dance. Christian winning this match after winning the battle royal is not puzzling; Cody's continued burial is. (**1/4)
(7) Daniel Bryan vs. C.M. Punk. Gonzo wondered if this turned out to be a not-so-great match, would many people would overrate it simply due to those involved. He's always obsessed about that for some reason when it comes to matches that should be really good. Luckily, we didn't have to worry about that after this match. Not a lot to not here as we were intently watching it for the most part. Big pop at Wild Wings for the figure-four. Can these two wrestle on every PPV? The finish took a way a little from the match. **** from Kurt, ****1/4 from Gonzo and me.
(8) Camacho vs. Ryback: This was worth it for Kurt's "We'll be having Camacho on Ry(e) tonight" pun. (1/2*)
(9) John Laurinaitis vs. John Cena: "Is he wrestling or skiing?" asked Kurt when Ace's outfit was revealed. Many of those in the restaurant loved the bell ringing in Ace's ear. In fact, they ate this whole match up. It seemed to be the John Cena Improv Hour. I had to pee, but strangely couldn't look away from what I was seeing. "Piss on this match," Kurt told me. Gonzo said this was nice if only to see actual facial reactions from Ace for once. (NR)
Tough PPV to grade. The two title matches were really good, everything else varied from bad to okay. Thumbs in the middle, maybe a 5.5, with a chance of moving it a half-point either way after a good night's sleep.
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