WWE DVD Live in the UK - April 2013

WWE DVD Review: Live in the UK – April 2013

The WWE only travel to our shores twice a year here in the UK/Ireland and as such these events are highly charged ones for the most part. Recent years have seen the company bring as many of their big name stars and they can and even go so far as to record episodes of their weekly Raw and Smackdown shows here too.

This two disc set features all of the events that took place at the O2 Arena in London during the WrestleMania Revenge tour (April 2013). This means you get to see complete episodes of Monday Night Raw, Smackdown and never aired in the UK instalments of Main Event, Superstars and Saturday Morning Slam.

Talent wise the WWE brought a fair number of their big hitters here. Which was not surprising considering the shows were going to be broadcast. What was special was the inclusion of Undertaker on the shows. It had been a number of years since Taker stepped into a UK ring and yet here was participating in two matches (one for Raw, one for Smackdown). That name alone will insure this set sells well with fans.

Of course any of us who attended any of the April 2013 live shows will want to possess this snapshot of the tour, to remind them of what they witnessed. After all the matches may have changed slightly, but many of the grapplers featured here were at the other houses shows too.

Highlights from Raw include Dolph Ziggler facing Chris Jericho, Undertaker & Team Hell No versus The Shield and UK hero William Regal (on his farewell tour) battling Fandango. There are of course numerous other features here and even a few other matches.

Smackdown offers up a fine No DQ scrap between Alberto Del Rio and Jack Swagger, Layla versus Aksana, Undertaker tackling Shield member Dean Ambrose and Wade Barrett taking on fellow Uk star William Regal. As with Raw there are other features here too.

Of course we also have the episodes of Superstars and Saturday Morning Slam too. Both of which have a few nice matches as well.

On the extras front we get a fine outing from the UK-based PPV Rebellion held in November 2001. Which featured an on form Chris Jericho versus an equally slick Kurt Angle.

WWE Live in the UK : April 2013 is available now from www.wwedvd.co.uk and all good retailers.

RRP £17.99

By Phil Allely

DVD Review: The Best of Raw and Smackdown 2012

The WWE produce so many of hours of TV each year that we fans cannot possibly tape or own them all. So the company very kindly produce DVD sets like this one. Here they pull together some of the best moments of the raw and Smackdown shows throughout the past year and offer them up in one nicely presented package.

This year we get to see the action unfold throughout 2012 and as all of us know this was a period in WWE's history that embraced not only the company's newest stars, but those of times gone by.

Across these three discs we get to see some superb matches and moments from 2012.

So what can you expect to see here? Well first up there are some superb verbal encounters between The Rock and John Cena. Rock and his guitar sing-along are worth the price of this release alone. You will also see Brock Lesnar make his return to the company.  There are also some nice touches as D-generation X re-form (for one night only) and some old school names turn up as well. I for one enjoyed seeing Vader back on WWE TV again. The build up to some of the biggest and most highly anticipated feuds of modern time are included here too. All of which make this a must-have purchase for fans across the board.

The Best of Raw & Smackdown 2012 is a nice look at the goings on within the company over the past 52 weeks. The best and most interesting matches and feuds are highlighted well. The quality of the bouts does range from decent to excellent and each does progress a storyline in some way. Nothing here is throwaway at all. 

One other bonus here is that the majority of the events featured here will be unique to this release and less likely to be repeated elsewhere. Which makes them all the more desirable for fans.

Whilst the matches are well chosen, it is nice to see the WWE have handpicked some choice moments from these shows too. I'll not ruin them, but any fans viewing will savour some of the events that book end the bouts here. 

Blu-ray buyer will be privy to six bonus matches and a host of back stage interviews and footage.

The Best of Raw & Smackdown 2012 is available now on DVD and Blu-ray from FreemantleMedia, via all good retailers.

RRP £24.99 (DVD), £34.99 (Blu-ray)

WWW.wwedvd.co.uk

www.wwe.com

By Phil Allely

Undertaker returns to the ring

Undertaker returns to the ring.

By Phil Allely

WWE legend Undertaker (Mark Callaway) has perhaps silenced his critics by stepping back in to a WWE ring. The 49 year old has been nursing numeorus injuries since he last graced a WWE ring.

That  match against Triple H saw Taker retain is unbeaten streak at WrestleMania. Recent months have seen many insiders specualte that Callaway was too beaten up to enter the ring this year. However there were rumours that he may indeed be returning to face the companies top bad guy CM Punk.

This past weekend (at a WWE house show in Waco, Texas) saw a well looking Undertaker team up with Sheamus to battle the Rhodes Scholars combo of Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow. Taker took the win for his team with a nice nostalgic 'Tombstone Piledriver' on Sandow.

Many fellow WWE superstars were quick to tweet their response to Undertaker's re-appearance.

Randy Orton: Got to watch Undertaker perform in Waco tonight at the Smackdown live event. Very motivating to watch him do his thing.

Ricardo Rodriguez: Ca't describe the feeling we all got here tonight in Waco, Texas after having the Undertaker compete. I legit got goosebumps.

Wade Barrett: Hell of a night at #wwewaco. Expect the unexpected.

This live appearance by Undertaker must surely be a clear sign that we will see him return to TV and defend his streak. Whether that is against CM Punk is yet to be seen, but as the next few weeks play out all will become clear for the WWE's biggest event of the year.

Below are full results from the 2011 WWE Supplemental Draft:

Below are full results from the 2011 WWE Supplemental Draft:


* Daniel Bryan goes from RAW to SmackDown.



* Jack Swagger goes from SmackDown to RAW.



* The Great Khali and Ranjin Singh go from RAW to SmackDown.



* Jimmy Uso goes from RAW to SmackDown.



* Kelly Kelly goes from SmackDown to RAW.



* JTG goes from SmackDown to RAW.



* Alicia Fox goes from RAW to SmackDown.



* William Regal goes from RAW to SmackDown.



* Yoshi Tatsu goes from RAW to SmackDown.



* Drew McIntyre goes from SmackDown to RAW.



* Natalya goes from RAW to SmackDown.



* Curt Hawkins goes from SmackDown to RAW.



* Chris Masters goes from SmackDown to RAW.



* Jey Uso goes from RAW to SmackDown.



* Kofi Kingston goes from SmackDown to RAW.



* Ted DiBiase goes from RAW to SmackDown.



* Tyson Kidd goes from RAW to SmackDown.



* Tamina goes from RAW to SmackDown.



* Tyler Reks goes from SmackDown to RAW.



* Alex Riley goes from RAW to SmackDown.



* Beth Phoenix goes from SmackDown to RAW.



* Sheamus goes from RAW to SmackDown.



Major WWE Creative Changes, HHH-Vince News, New Diva Slip Pics and More...

Finlay Fired By WWE

FIT FOR THE SCRAP HEAP!,
BY PHIL ALLELY.
According to numerous sources the wwe have released the highly regarded backstage producer Dave 'Fit' Finlay. Known as simply Finlay during his ten years with the WWE, the Belfast native third generation wrestler has been a key factor in the success of the divas division, wrestled many memorable matches and been instrumental in developing new/young talent for the company. Full details of his release are sketchy, but many believe he has become a fall guy for the company over a house show incident this past weekend & may return down the line. Finlay's career streches back to 1974 and saw him headline events in Ireland, the UK, Japan and Europe, before The Belfast Bruiser hit the big time in the US and joined WCW and later the WWE. The veteran grappler semi-retired from in ring competition last year, but is still known to fans today as the storyline father of Hornswoggle and still commands respect whenever he makes appearances for the WWE. His loss will be felt my many with the locker room.

WWE DVD Review: Live in the UK November 2010

WWE DVD Review: Live in the UK November 2010


By Phil Allely

On general release from March 28th 2011 this two disc set from Silvervision gives UK fans an insight into the atmosphere and quality of matches the WWE bring to the plate when they record their live shows weekly TV shows here. This is of course the ideal DVD for anyone wishing to relive the event they attended or for those of us who were unfortunate enough to miss out this time around.

Taking place last November in Manchester (at the Evening News Arena) where the venue was packed full of rabid fans, the matches, storylines and level of enthusiasm brought the proceedings that were on offer over the two days were well up to a par with their U.S. counterparts.

First up on disc one is the RAW Live show were hometown boy Nexus’ leader Wade Barrett took centre stage and tried his best to keep things in his factions favour. On offer here are some nice segments with Nexus, John Cena, Randy Orton and a comical set-piece where Vladimir Kozlov and Santino Marella attempt to have a typically English tea party (featuring Sheamus).

Match wise there are some nice bouts including The Hart Dynasty against The Uso’s, Goldust versus Ted Dibiase and a six Diva match where the girls all compete in football strips.

The ten man main event was a belter too, featuring Randy Orton’s (RAW GM selected group) against Barrett’s Nexus.

We then can see the entire episode of NXT as well, which featured Goldust, an arm wrestling challenge, Vickie Guerrero and much more.

On the extras front there is a very enjoyable brawl between an in their prime Undertaker and Kane, this was recorded during the April 1998 UK tour also held in Manchester.

Disc two is chock full of matches and loads more as well. Kicking off with an episode of Superstars featuring three matches that helped build up the crowds anticipation for Smackdown, all of which happened a mere two days after the previous Raw/NXT recording.

Smackdown itself was strong episode, offering up some nice scraps between Alberto Del Rio and Kofi Kingston, Natalya versus Layla, Edge battling Dave Otunga and Dolph Ziggler tackling the underrated MVP. There were like the previous discs Raw show all of the usual links, interviews and backstage segments that make WWE TV so watchable.

The main event saw the big men takeover as Kane took on the mighty Big Show, which sent everyone home happy and ensured the same sell-out crowds will be on hand for this year’s tours too.

This set really is a must have for anyone who has ever wondered what a live WWE event is like and especially how much effort the company put into these things and the respect they have for fans here in the UK.

WWE Live in the UK November 2010 is available from www.silvervision.co.uk and all good retailers.

Chris Jericho New WWE Interview Highlights

After teasing last week that he'd be returning to WWE television on Friday's SmackDown, former WWE star Chris Jericho was featured in a video package hyping his appearance on the upcoming season of ABC's Dancing With The Stars.


The WWE website has published a new interview with Jericho, which you can read on their website in its entirety. During the piece, Jericho said he plans to make a full-time return to WWE when he can be 100% committed to the company.



"One of the reasons I’m not in WWE now is DWTS," Jericho said. "You have to be 100 percent physically and mentally devoted to one or the other. You can’t do both. I’m sure I’ll be back. I have to return to WWE to take my persona back."



Jericho clarified what he meant by "taking his persona back" - and took a few shots at WWE champion The Miz.



"I watched Raw on Monday and felt like I was having an out of body experience. I was watching myself on live TV! Then I realized I hadn’t gotten that ugly and become that bad of a wrestler and realized I was actually watching the current WWE Champion, The Miz."



The video package that aired on SmackDown featured footage of Jericho and his DWTS partner Cheryl Burke practicing for the upcoming season, which premieres on Monday night

Booker T Update

Booker T's talks with WWE about a return go back to the Tables, Ladders and Chairs pay-per-view in Houston, Texas in December. Booker was backstage visiting and expressed interest in returning. No contract was signed then and while he kept talking with TNA, a deal was in place with WWE for him to be a Royal Rumble surprise.


As noted previously, Booker T will now be an announcer on Friday Night SmackDown. Booker is expected to do the occasional storyline and match, similar to Jerry Lawler.

Kelly Kelly: Some Racy Pics

By Phil Allely

She has just been a part of the Smackdown European Tour and is a very popular in-ring personality. But in the flesh is the best way to see the lovely Kelly Kelly (Barbara Blank), here are a few pics to show you why.

WWE Smackdown Live Review: Belfast Nov 4 2010

WWE Smackdown Live Review: Belfast November 4th 2010
By Phil Allely

Every year we fans in the UK and Ireland get the chance to see our favourite Wwe supertsra live in the flesh and what a treat it is to be there at ringside for all of the action.

This November it was the turn of the Smackdown roster to head to Belfast and showcase their talents. Of course recent injuries to many of the companies top name shave had a knock on effect to the roster and the live product. However with almost a full house on hand in the Odyssey arena it was up to those fit, ready and willing backstage to offer forth some top class entertainment.

Phil Allely was on hand (alongside a fellow grapple fan and former wrestler) to witness just how the WWE were going to fill the void left by such stars as Undertaker and CM Punk.

Things kicked off well with hometown hero Finlay stepping out of self imposed retirement to live up to his tough guy image. His opponent Tyler Reks is a highly tipped big man and Finlay made him look like a star. Finlay’s comedy sidekick Hornswoggle was on hand to give his comrade an assist, much tot eh fans delight. Finlay pulled off the win and had the Belfast crowd in the palm of his hand as he and little Hornswoggle celebrated in the centre of the ring. Hornswoggle’s top rope frog (spawn!) splash was hilarious to witness.

Jack Swagger and Chris Masters had a believable and spirited match next. Trading holds, moves and near falls before Swagger made Masters tap out.

Mason Ryan pulled off an upset win next as crowd favourite Chavo Guerrero fell to him with ease, it’s easy to see why WWE legend Dusty Rhodes is high on Ryan.

The Intercontinental Title match saw champion Dolph Ziggler face off against Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre and MVP. Scottish native McIntyre proved himself well in this one, controlling much of the match and almost netting himself the belt on a few occasions. After many near falls, high spots and trademark moves the action fell apart as Nexus made their first appearance of the night to end the match, Ziggler retaining.

The hot blooded males in attendance took notice next as diva Kelly Kelly made an unscheduled appearance to pose, strut and throw out some tee shirts to the crowd.

Up next everyone’s favourite little man Rey Mysterio showed just how in need he is of time off to recuperate his collected injuries. Rey was knockout out of action early in his bout with Alberto Del Rio and replaced with Kofi Kingston. Kingston fared well against his unexpected foe, but did require a returning Mysterio’s help to nail the match winning ‘boom drop’ for the pin.

After the interval Hart Dynasty members DH Smith and Tyson Kidd tackled Nexus for the Tag team Championships. The match itself was very good, Kidd especially impressing with his high-flying and risk taking moves. Nexus though proved to be slightly superior on this occasion and retained their gold.


The match of the night in your reviewers opinion was the Divas brawl between Natalya and Layla. Both women had their work boots on and assembled a near perfect bout, trading near falls, hitting decent moves and whipping the crowd into a nice frenzy as near falls came and went. The more experienced Natalya deservedly gained the win with a ‘Sharpshooter’.

The main event had a lot to live up to and since the as-billed Kane/Undertaker match had been scrapped due to Takers injuries his replacement Big Show had awful big shoes to fill. The seven foot monster did try his best and he and Kane did assemble a fair match-up for Kane’s World Title.

Perhaps knowing that fans were feeling short-changed by the lack of star talent on hand the finale to the match saw Nexus and the Smackdown roster have a full scale brawl.

Smackdown may have disappointed some, but whoever did put the show together did their best with what they had. The Nexus collective did their jobs perfectly, Kane proved to a very articulate speaker (something you never see on TV) and equally the often underrated Divas division proved to be the best on the night live.

Roll on the Raw tour next year for more of the same for the WWE.

WWE Money in the Bank DVD Review

WWE Money in the Bank DVD Review

By Phil Allely

WWE’s inaugural Money in the Bank Pay-Per-View was a monumental success for the company and will more than likely lead to the event becoming a part of the already busy schedule of annual event the WWE hold.

Growing out of the annual Wrestlemania match that see’s WWE superstars battle it out on ladders to grab a briefcase (containing a title match contract) from high above the ring, the PPV seemed like a natural way for the concept to go. The previous MITB bouts have all proved to be hugely entraining and highlight filled matches.

As we’ve already reviewed the PPV itself we’ll concentrate on the DVD release here. Apart form the matches there are a few extras on offer here too, Josh Matthews interviewing Kane and Nexus addressing the WWE Universe. Both do add to the events feel and are welcome additions.

Match wise there are some belters, John Cena’s rematch with Sheamus in a steel cage has a lot of drama and tension, the Unified Tag team match with The Hart Dynasty and the Uso’s has a great level of intensity and Rey Mysterio versus Jack Swagger has not only some energetic and innovative moments, but a finish we never saw coming.

However the Divas Championship between Alicia Fox and Eve, and the WWE Women’s Championship bout between Layla and Kelly Kelly are not only poorly accepted, but also poorly worked, the girls may look good and have their game plan drawn out, but the work ethic of the majority of male roster seems to be lacking unfortunately.

Luckily the Raw and Smackdown brand Money IN The Bank matches are superb bookends for the event, each proving to be not only memorable, but taking the match itself to a new level. Watch out for Big Show’s strengthened ladder (which helps that match greatly), some great moves by Kofi Kingston, Evan Bourne and old Hand Matt Hardy. Look out for the as expected suicidal and career shortening moments from John Morrison and Christian amongst others too. The set-pieces are superb, the impact of each move is well dramatised and you really do have edge of the seat moment in each. Yes there are periods where the car crash resembling ladder based offence and multiple participants can appear messy, but they really are few and far between.

MITB 2010 was a very enjoyable event and now raises the bar for future ones, the DVD release will certainly whet your appetite for the next one.

WWE Money in the Bank 2010 is available from www.silvervision.co.uk and all good stockists from October 25th 2010.