PARKS'S TAKE PARKS'S VIP BLOG: Fatal Four-Way Hangout report, including darkhorses, Jamie Noble, and one-hit wonders
Jun 20, 2010 - 11:08:54 PM
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By Greg Parks, PWTorch columnist
The four of us (Doug, Kurt, Dan and I) arrived at T.C. Hooligan's in Rochester just as the PPV was starting. The place was pretty empty; not just in the PPV-watching section, but even at the bar. Still, not a good sign as there were even less people than last month.
(1) Drew McIntyre vs. Kofi Kingston: This match jerked the curtain for the second PPV in a row. I predicted the limo to blow up after Vince McMahon got into it, but I guess they wised up on that. Lots of food ordering discussion during this opener, more than usual. McIntyre must've went to the Val Venis/RVD school of DDT selling for what he pulled off here. Dan asked about wrestlers losing teeth in matches, and we at least remembered Chris Jericho from a year or two ago, and Cena more recently. **1/2
- With the Harts mentioning their match backstage, we joked that it must be a Coliseum Home Video Exclusive Match.
(2) Maryse vs. Gail Kim vs. Alicia Fox vs. Eve Torres: I was the only one who had the cajones to pick Fox. It ended up helping me win our monthly prediction contest. Dan had a blond moment and asked how many Divas were competing in this Fatal Four-Way. He was also practically begging this match to be short. Eve looked like she was dressed as if she were playing an animated Disney princess. I've officially seen that Four-Way finish too many times now. 3/4*
(3) Chris Jericho vs. Evan Bourne: We overheard another table discussing the release of Daniel Bryan during this one. The food came at this point as well- I got the mushroom stuffed mushrooms. Dan sarcastically asked, "I wonder who Striker wants to win this?," only to be rewarded with Striker admitting that he was a big fan of Jericho. ***
- As we saw the Kane videos from Smackdown at this point, Kurt posited the possibility that Archer and Hawkins attacked Undertaker, in their quest to make an impact and earn contracts. I told him he was dumb. Dan suggested it could've been Jamie Noble. We had some fun imagining that scenario.
(4) Big Show vs. Rey Mysterio vs. C.M. Punk vs. Jack Swagger: I thought Punk should be known as "El CM Punk" with his mask. There was lots of Kaval/LayCool talk at this point, for some reason. Kurt was debating on whether he should get the free dessert that came with his meal, so I suggested it should be a Fatal-Four Way amongst us at the table in eating it. I tried to convince Kurt to pick Mysterio before the match, saying WWE may want to reward him from calling him back from his vacation to work. Also before the match, Doug called Mysterio a "one-hit wonder" when it came to winning World titles, which is why he didn't pick him. ***
(5) The Miz vs. R-Truth: This was rather long and uneventful. Disappointing, even. *1/2
- When they showed the "Don't Try This At Home" video, Kurt said they should include Randy Orton saying he separated his shoulder pounding on the mat.
(6) Hart Dynasty vs. The Usos & Tamina: Kurt noted that Tamina looked like a female Jimmy Snuka. "And that is not a compliment," I replied. **
(7) Sheamus vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton vs. John Cena: At one point, Kurt said he thought Michael Cole was putting his pen in the air, which of course, in pro wrestling, is the universal signal to "go home." The finish seemed out of nowhere, and Doug especially got a kick out of Sheamus proudly holding the belt, then getting chased by the NXT guys. I was unimpressed with the NXT involvement here, but was impressed with the "Daniel Bryan" chant that ended the PPV (way early, I might add).
Overall, a middle-of-the-road offering. If you were expecting big things from the NXT guys, you were probably sorely disappointed. If you expected little because of the announced lineup, you may have been pleasantly surprised.
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