Monday 14 January 2013

CM Punk vs Ryback, RAW 1/7/13 (TLC Match)

This was a fun match without ever really being anything outstanding. Ryback's unstoppable terminator gimmick is fun, and it's easy to see why he is so over when he lets the audience decide which inanimate object he suplexes his opponent onto (whilest hoisting them up in the air). I also liked him going nuts and smashing Punk with the announce table lid. Punk attacking Ryback's leg served as a smart way for him to have some sustained offence. Ryback didn't sell it much at all, but I guess it could be argued that's part of the gimmick. Punk missing the chair stomp and tweaking his knee was a great piece of selling and a smart transition. Ryback did look somewhat limited here, as apart from the table charge, he didn't even come close to taking a bump. Punk made up for that with some disgusting bumps on the ladder and the out-of-nowhere dumping from the bulldog counter. The interference finish was what it was, but I doubt anyone is complaining about it.

Also, Heyman is still as great as ever in a managerial role. His yells of excitement and despair are hysterical.

 The Big Show vs Alberto Del Rio, Smackdown 1/11/13 (Last Man Standing Match)

 This was pretty great and the best thing of 2013 so far. All of the big spots were really simple, but really clever (why wouldn't you press slam a guy through a table 2 minutes in if you could?). I wasn't sure of Del Rio as a face, but he won me over big and made the win feel really emotional. He isn't a particularly stiff worker, but his style of brawling is so scrappy and he is always willing to throw himself around and take a boatload of punishment. Big Show was great as the unstoppable monster as he always is, the guy just GETS IT. He will take 10 shots and only stagger, but can put his opponent down with one blow. That's how you present yourself as a monster. This was particularly great for the finish where Del Rio just rammed him repeatedly with the steel steps. Lots of big spots - the table press slam, the dropkick through the table, the barricade-collapsing charge, and a really clever nearfall with Del Rio breaking the count by landing on his feet as he rolled to the floor. Just like Show's title win from Sheamus, I was ready to complain that it was the wrong move, but the match won me over. Del Rio earned the title by proxy of surviving such a colossal ass-kicking, and I'm excited to see where both guys go from here.

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