Pads & Panels

Title: WWE Superstar Collection: Sheamus

Format: DVD

Studio: WWE Home Video

Rating:

Review by: Matt Peters

Limiting the number of matches to only six, the WWE Superstars series of releases are more akin to a “best of” rather than the time capsule the usual multi-disc sets usually are. For instance, the 2011 John Cena 3-disc set did a great job of catching fans up on his recent activities while completely ignoring the Superstar’s Basic Thuganomics and Chain Gang eras. Sheamus makes a fantastic heel, and this release serves as a great reminder of those qualities before diving into his current run as a good guy. Besides, what better way to begin than by showing Sheamus beat the living hell out of the current WWE poster child, John Cena? (more…)

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Title: SummerSlam 2011

Format: DVD

Studio: WWE Home Video

Review by: Bill Jones

SummerSlam 2011 was a practice in killing momentum, plain and simple. World Wrestling Entertainment came off of its most buzz-worthy pay per view in a decade with Money in the Bank. But then rather than letting the true WWE Champion CM Punk sit off television for awhile, they brought him back just more than one week later, after sloppily returning the title to John Cena to set up a title-vs-title match at SummerSlam, with Triple H as the special guest referee. SummerSlam essentially amounted to a one-match show in terms of buzz, and WWE really dropped the ball on that match. Again, CM Punk and John Cena put on a good wrestling show, but the ending essentially negates that all, and furthermore began a spiral of directionless storytelling in WWE, effectively killing a good portion of CM Punk’s buzz in the process. Meanwhile, Christian and Randy Orton have yet another solid bout, but again that ends in a dead end when Orton simply wins back the belt he lost just last PPV. (more…)

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Title: Money in the Bank 2011

Format: DVD

Studio: WWE Home Video

Review by: Bill Jones

Money in the Bank was a second-tier World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-view, potentially on its way out, after diluting the awesomeness of the titular match with a yearly pay-per-view treatment, which had proved underwhelming in recent years. But then along came CM Punk, on the end of his contract with the company and the show taking place in his hometown, and with that as the setup, the WWE put on its best PPV in years.

Less than three weeks before the event, after proclaiming he was leaving the company and taking the title with him, CM Punk cut a promo at the top of the ramp on Monday Night Raw, a promo that shook up the wrestling world with an edgy delivery the company has been lacking in recent years. CM Punk reiterated his intent to leave the company with the belt, but proceeded to bash his employer, talking about Vince McMahon’s yes-men — along with comments directed toward McMahon’s daughter and son-in-law — suggesting the business would be better off after the wrestling promoter is dead. (more…)

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Title: TLC 2010

Format: DVD

Studio: WWE home Video

Review by: Bill Jones

TLC — Tables, Ladders, Chairs — yet another specialty match turned pay-per-view event for World Wrestling Entertainment. But only one match on the card is a true TLC Match, while the rest break down the concept, pitting The Miz and Randy Orton in a Tables Match, John Cena and Wade Barrett in a Chairs Match, and John Morrison and Sheamus in a Ladder Match. It’s a Triple Threat Ladder Match between Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston and Jack Swagger that takes the cake at this show though, with the four-way main event having its moments, but ultimately disappointing. That speaks to most of the matches on the card — some fantastic big moments under the catalyst of the special stipulations, but the matches overall aren’t memorable. (more…)

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Title: RAW: The Best of 2010

Format: Three-Disc DVD Set

Studio: WWE Home Video

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

The first third of 2010 for Monday Night Raw, or what is covered on the first-disc of the new three-disc Best of 2010 DVD from WWE Home Video, proves that 2010 was an extremely front-loaded year for WWE. In the opening months, we see Bret “The Hit Man” Hart make his return to the squared circle, some great DX tag team bouts, and Shawn Michaels bidding the WWE Universe farewell after his Mania loss to The Undertaker. The rest of the set highlights The Nexus invasion and feud with John Cena, the “rise” of Randy Orton, The Miz launching his championship reign, and more than 20 matches. The best moments though may be CM Punk’s look back at 900 episodes of Raw, and Santino’s tea party with Sheamus. (more…)

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Title: Hell in a Cell 2010

Format: DVD

Studio: WWE Home Video

Review by: Bill Jones

The Devil’s Playground. Satan’s Structure. Whatever you want to call it, Hell in a Cell matches have a storied history in World Wrestling Entertaining, with a slew of classic moments. But those days are long gone, and nowadays Hell in a Cell has been relegated to a pay-per-view event, devoid of blood and (most of the time) even any big risks or moments. Here we see two of WWE’s most famous demons, Kane and The Undertaker, do old-man battle inside the structure, with a finish that is poorly planned and executed. Meanwhile, John Cena becomes a member of The Nexus, and Randy Orton and Sheamus slug it out in another 4-star match (Note: On a 5-star scale. Note 2: By today’s standards. Note 3: Considering the competitors). Daniel Brian vs. John Morrison vs. The Miz is by far the best match on the card, and even that leaves this reviewer without any fond memories. (more…)

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