Torch Feedback WWE No Mercy Reax #1: "I came in with such low expectations that the show couldn't help but exceed them."
Oct 7, 2007 - 11:06:58 PM
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C.M. Punk [photo by Wade Keller (c) PWTorch]
Steven Shreve of Franklin, Tenn. (7.5): Best Match: Orton vs. Triple H II. Worst Match: C.M. Punk vs. Big Daddy V. This main event was the best PPV main event in months. The Last Man Standing match was the best match of its type this year. I thought at the beginning of the show that handing the title to Orton, then having Triple H win it just minutes later devalued it just a bit, but both Orton and Hunter made up for it in the LMS match. Most of the rest of the show was inconsequential. It's nice to see Beth Phoenix get a chance as the Women's Champ, as she seems to be the most skilled. The six-man tag was entertaining and a nice surprise. I could have done without Big Daddy V and the "Most Valuable Puke," but by the time the show was over I had just about forgotten those segments anyway. I would give the show a higher score had the mid-card not been so poorly thought out. Why didn't we have an IC Title match or a resolution to the Cruiserweight Title picture instead of a throw away segment for MVP and Matt Hardy? There was nothing in the pizza eating segment that furthered the feud at all. Let's give the remaining championships some of their prestige back. Most of all, let's build up the mid-card in Cena's absence so that future PPVs can achieve more and be more entertaining.
Tim Romines of Kingston, Tenn. (7.0): Best Match: Last Man Standing Worst: Punk/BDV. I really had no intention of ordering this show, but my son was so sure his favorite wrestler, Randy Orton, would finally win the WWE Title that he begged us to buy it and I was just intrigued enough to give in. Yes, it was a mixed bag, ranging from very good to pretty bad but I have to give Vince & Co. credit for pulling out a fairly compelling show in the wake of a real disaster. I know every online smark groaned when Hunter won the title and dominated the show, but, outside of giving the title to Jericho with no build up, thus confusing the average fan, who else was ready to step in? Remember, although he's over with fans, Kennedy did just lose his last TV match so that doesn't exactly scream instant contender. Triple H vs. Umaga was a nice way of establishing the ongoing theme of Hunter's mounting fatigue and injury. The main event was intense and both men played their parts perfectly. The finish was dramatic and realistic as Hunter had to beat the count after the RKO and a fall from the table. The rest of the show was a little more cloudy. Although the match itself was the pits, there may be hope for ECW if this whole BDV thing is revealed to be a conspiracy by Estrada and the returning John Morrison to weaken C.M. Punk and loosen his grip on the belt. The bonus match was what it was and had its moments. It's just a shame that London or Kendrick can't get even a hint of a pop without trying to kill themselves. At least it involved the IC and tag champs on PPV. Same for the Pizza Eating contest, although the premise was pretty lame. The Rey-Finlay match would've been better with a definitive finish. Phoenix-Michelle was almost awkward at times and, due to the dead crowd, fell flat. The Prison match was slow and lumbering at times, but much better than I expected and my whole family popped when Batista jumped to the outer cage, as it created an instantly classic image and fairly memorable finish. There will many out there who crap all over No Mercy, but I came in with such low expectations that the show couldn't help but exceed them.
Rick Munden, Sierra Vista, Ariz. (0.5): Best Match: Last Man Standing. Worst Match: Everything else. What. The. F---. I've walked out of movies more entertaining than this. The only reason I bought this worthless piece of crap PPV were the hints that Chris Jericho would be coming back tonight, and whoa was I disappointed. Not just with a non-appearance by Jericho, but a complete lack of anything worth watching. This was like a really long, really bad episode of Raw. And the fact that NO ONE showed up to tell us who those promos were about... well, let's just say that I'm demanding my money back. Other than the passable Last Man Standing match, this was a wretched, awful waste of time.
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