Another full week of internet-based grappling is behind us, and as it goes every week, this is where the good shit is. What makes the internet my favorite source for wrasslin'? Well, besides the fact that it can be watched any time and just about anywhere, as we'll see this week it's always full of surprises. Let's get to the run-down starting with the big E.
I made my problems with NXT known last week, and while I still could not care less about the competition aspect of this show, this week's episode does a smart thing and leans heavier on quality wrestling!
WHAT'S HOT?
The "rookie challenge" this week is actually simply cutting a promo, and whilst it wasn't anything spectacular, the rookies at least showed promise. Derrick Bateman in-particular was hilarious on the mic. Other than that, we've got YET ANOTHER amazing match between Tyson Kidd and Yoshi Tatsu. I could genuinely watch a thousand matches between these two. Oh, and Daniel Bryan is in action in a tag match. That's enough to make me a fan of any wrestling program.
WHAT'S NOT?
I still find it hilarious that the main NXT story thread involves Hornswoggle. I don't inherently dislike him, but I still find the character utterly pointless. Also, as seems to be a big problem with WWE online shows this week, they used NXT to show highlights from this week's TV shows. The show is already short enough without having large chunks taken up with things we've already seen.
VERDICT?
WATCH IT! NXT brings a couple of great matches to the table, and although the show attached still isn't my favorite, who am I to argue with good wrestling?
Sadly, when one WWE internet show does well, the other seems to fail. This week, Superstars is the show that falls short.
WHAT'S HOT?
ZACK RYDER! The Long Island Iced Z is typically a Superstars staple, and he makes a triumphant return this week. It helps he's working a match with Drew McIntyre, and I think he's the perfect guy to get Ryder over. This isn't a technically exciting match, but it's thoroughly entertaining.
WHAT'S NOT?
The other featured matches on Superstars just aren't up to snuff. Natalya wrestles a match against Alicia Fox, and it's just painfully obvious how much more talented Natalya is. Worst of all, she JOBS to Fox, which is ridiculous! It doesn't help that it's commentated by Matt Stryker and Jack Korpela. Korpela is solid, but Stryker's lack of any sense in the booth makes Booker T look like Gorilla Monsoon in comparison. The main event is a squash match featuring Wade Barrett... so yeah I don't think I need to explain why that's disappointing. Lastly, as bad as NXT was with utilizing the show to simply play clips from the past week's TV shows, Superstars doubles that up with two complete segments dedicated to it! If I wanted to see what happened on RAW... I would watch RAW!
VERDICT?
SKIP IT! As much as it pains me to recommend skipping a Zack Ryder appearance, just don't bother with this week's Superstars.
It's the best wrestling show you've never heard of! This week's NWA Hollywood episode had it's problems, but it was still a thoroughly enjoyable hour of old-school wrestling goodness.
WHAT'S HOT?
NWA doesn't screw around with overlong story segments, but what is there is always nostalgic fun. Colt Cabana makes an appearance to introduce the return of Adam Pearce, and although many people may have never heard of these two dudes, I marked out for Pearce saving Cabana as if it was Savage saving Hogan. The main event between Peter Avalon and Scorpio Sky was fun as all get out.
WHAT'S NOT?
The other matches on the program had their problems. The women's match-up between Buggy and Kitana had a few significant botches, and never came together even at the end, only being saved by the interference by Candice Larae spraying Buggy in the face. Also, Natural Selection was in action against the Tribe, and whilst both teams are great in their own right, this one ended before it really got started (and was hampered by a pretty significant botch in the middle).
VERDICT?
CONSIDER IT! In the end, the good and bad of this week's NWA Hollywood was a wash. It's certainly not the best the company's put out, but if you're at all interested in the promotion, you should put aside an hour to check it out.
The funnest wrestling promotion on the planet puts its best foot forward this week in a match that highlights its zany storylines and its over the top characters.
WHAT'S HOT?
Fan favorites UltraMantis Black and Delirious go head to head here. Through the commentary and wrestler interactions, you can pick up the semblance of a storyline in progress. That storyline is goofy as all hell, and when Ares blows a dog whistle to send Delirious into a frenzy, you know you're watching something not concerned with realism. What follows is a brawl that goes into the audience, and that highlights both wrestlers' strengths in portraying their given personas.
WHAT'S NOT?
As fun as this match is, it's fun because of the wrestlers involved rather than anything that actually happens. Aside from a savage exploder suplex by UltraMantis, there are really not noteworthy moves executed in this match. If you can't get behind the characters, you may find this match a bit on the basic side.
VERDICT?
WATCH IT! Chikara is all about the personas, and these are two of Chikara's best.
Next week will bring another brace of internet wrestling shows, and with it another installment of The Internet is for Wrestling! Stay tuned! Until then, check out the following links for more from the Rotunda...
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