Royal Rumble Recap

Last night was the 2007 Royal Rumble, always one of the most anticipated events on the wrestling calendar. We had a record 9 people attend for the event, although mostly for the food and the betting than the actual event. There was a great atmosphere, with multiple cheers occurring throughout the night. Here's a look at the matches:

1. MNM vs. The Hardyz
This one lacked the hype of their December to Dismember matchup and both teams seemed a little sluggish. However, these guys still can deliver a solid match, even if it wasn't spectacular. Solid opener.

Rating: 3 (out of 5)

2. Test vs. Lashley for the ECW Championship
I don't think many were expecting much from this and I definitely think it was worst than expected. Why would the challenger want to get counted out? Stupid.

Rating: .25 (out of 5)

3. Batista vs. Mr. Kennedy for the World Heavyweight Championship
These guys have a pretty decent chemistry together. Mr. Kennedy has proven to be main event worthy, even if he lost cleanly tonight. A solid match.

Rating: 2.25 (out of 5)

4. Umaga vs. John Cena in a Last Man Standing Match for the WWE Championship
John Cena has officially won me over. He is great for the "sport", a class act, turns it up a notch on pay-per-views, and obviously a fan of this business. Umaga was written off as an early 90s gimmick, but has turned into a decent character who seems to be working hard. This was a great brawl that was very intense. Definitely the best match of the year, so far.

Rating: 4.25 (out of 5)

5. Royal Rumble
Betting aside, this is always a fun match. I was pulling for a Shawn Michaels win, but I understand the logic behind Undertaker winning his first Rumble and they finally let unlucky 30 win a match (which was a discussion topic on the ride to BDubs). This Rumble definitely wasn't one of the great ones, but it was definitely interesting. The final four was a great segment, and you really were on the edge of your seat when it was down to the Taker and HBK. Congrats to Justin on his victory.

Rating: 3.5 (out of 5)

Overall Rating: 3.75 (out of 5) Solid pay-per-view despite none of the titles changing hands. John Cena and Umaga definitely deserve a round of applause for their efforts tonight because most people weren't expecting much out of that feud and it turned out to be another solid story told by Mr. Cena.

New Year's Revolution Recap

Last night, WWE held their first pay-per-view of 2007, New Year's Revolution. I had low expectations going into the show, but knew that a trip to Buffalo Wild Wings is always a good time. Surprisingly the place was packed, perhaps as crowded as WrestleMania 22, which is always a good thing.

1. Jeff Hardy vs. Johnny Nitro (Cage Match)
As expected, this was the match of the night. I doubt it will be in the top 10 for the year, but both guys gave a good effort in this fun contest won by Hardy.

Rating: 3.5 (out of 5)

2. Tag Team Turmoil
I figured that they would add in a tag team match, but I was praying it wouldn't be this style. I am very disappointed with how they are handling the return of The World's Greatest Tag Team. As expected, Cryme Tyme won.

Rating: 1.25 (out of 5)

3. Kenny Dykstra vs. Ric Flair
This was a little bit better than I expected, but nothing spectacular. I still think they should have Ric Flair mentor Kenny as a result of his loss.

Rating: 2.25 (out of 5)

4. Victoria vs. Mickie James
I was looking forward to this one and was pretty disappointed. These are the two best women's wrestlers left, so hopefully they gel in their upcoming bouts. Mickie retained the title in this one.

Rating: 1 (out of 5)

5. DX vs. Rated RKO
This was a very intense brawl that will forever be known for HHH's injury. The ending was just crazy, as no one knew what to do. There wasn't even a winner announced. Still, I enjoyed it up until the injury.

Rating: 3 (out of 5)

6. Carlito vs. Chris Masters
This feud has gone on forever and people really don't care. To make it worse, they stuck it in between the two main events. Masters winning was the biggest surprise of the night.

Rating: 2 (out of 5)

7. Umaga vs. John Cena
This was a fun brawl, as Cena seems to step it up at pay-per-view events. Umaga more than held his own, and Cena made me believe Umaga belonged in the main event. I would have liked a better ending, but all in all it was better than I think most thought it would be.

Rating: 3 (out of 5)

Overall Rating: 2.75 (out of 5)

This show was nothing spectacular, but I was expecting nothing and thought it was nothing more than solid. Being in the same month as the Royal Rumble doesn't help this show out, but this was much better than some of the recent events put on by WWE.

My Top 10s For 2006

Albums
10. Josh Rouse - Subtitulo
9. Taking Back Sunday – Louder Now
8. Incubus – Light Grenades
7. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Stadium Arcadium
6. Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not
5. Tenacious D – The Pick Of Destiny
4. Brian Vander Ark – Angel, Put Your Face On
3. Pete Yorn - Nightcrawler
2. ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead – So Divided
1. Angels And Airwaves – We Don’t Need To Whisper

Movies
10. Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest/Mission: Impossible 3
9. For Your Consideration
8. Nacho Libre
7. The Prestige
6. Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby
5. Borat: Cultural Learning Of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation Of Kazakhstan
4. Cars
3. Tenacious D In: The Pick Of Destiny
2. Beerfest
1. Clerks II

Pay-Per-View
10. Backlash
9. Armageddon
8. Great American Bash
7. No Mercy
6. Judgment Day
5. Unforgiven
4. SummerSlam
3. No Way Out
2. WrestleMania 22
1. One Night Stand

Matches
10. Rob Van Dam vs. Kurt Angle (ECW)
9. Chris Benoit vs. Finlay (Judgment Day)
8. John Cena vs. Edge (Unforgiven, TLC)
7. Money In The Bank (WrestleMania 22)
6. John Cena vs. Edge (SummerSlam)
5. Rob Van Dam vs. John Cena (One Night Stand)
4. MNM vs. Hardyz vs. London/Kendrick vs. Regal/Taylor (Armageddon)
3. Kurt Angle vs. Undertaker (No Way Out)
2. Edge/Mick Foley/Lita vs. Tommy Dreamer/Terry Funk/Beulah (One Night Stand)
1. Edge vs. Mick Foley (WrestleMania 22)

Wrestlers
10. Gregory Helms
9. Johnny Nitro
8. CM Punk
7. Paul London/Brian Kendrick
6. Rey Mysterio
5. Finlay
4. John Cena
3. Rob Van Dam
2. Booker T
1. Edge