Hey guys, SRS here. I underwent Lasik Friday, so the "match ratings" through at least the early part of this week will be abbreviated. They will return to normal ASAP.
WWE United States Championship
Riddle (c) defeated Mustafa Ali (w/ Retribution) to retain
6.5/10
Incredible transitions and chemistry. Riddle wins with a Bro Derek off the second rope. Retribution gets sick of Ali's abuse after the match and chokeslam him. A really good match, with a cool post-match.
WWE Womens' Tag Team Titles
Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax (c) (w/ Reginald) defeated Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair to retain
4.25/10
WWE books like dog shit. The build for Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair has been them losing repeatedly. Bianca did a cool 450, but you know the drill. Distractions and roll-up. This is lazy ass shit for a slam dunk WrestleMania main event. WWE has a slam dunk WrestleMania main event in Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair, and making them look as bad as possible in the weeks leading up to the show is their idea of a good build.
WWE Intercontinental Championship
Big E (c) defeated Apollo Crews
6/10
This is short, and hard hitting. Big E is aggressive, has a mean streak and is talking trash. I'm not sure how they're going to continue this after Apollo came up short in six IC title matches. I loved the match itself, thought. The finish was a little quick, and the Crews beat him down after the match.
WWE 24/7 Title
Night Panther (Rik Bugez) defeated R-Truth (c) to become champion
R-Truth defeated Night Panther (c) to become champion
You've seen this shit a million times.
Braun Strowman defeated Elias (w/ Jaxson Ryker)
5.5/10
Shane McMahon got hurt training before the match, and has Elias replace him. Braun effectively destroys him with some big slams, but Elias did at least land a really good flying elbow drop.
Seth Rollins defeated Shinsuke Nakamura
6/10
Riddle tries to sell Nakamura on a scooter business idea. Seth Rollins and Shinsuke Nakamura are good pro wrestlers, and this is a good match. They weren't exactly on the same page for the finish, but it was still worth the watch.
No DQ
Drew McIntyre defeated Sheamus
6.75/10
This is yet another good Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus match. They shot their limited pyro in this match waaaaaaaay better than AEW did at Revolution. The brawl goes all over the place. They go into speakers, announce tables, use kendo sticks and all. Drew wins with a Claymore after a Future SHock onto a piece of the desk. This was a slower paced match than their others, and a bit long, but still very good. The result was never really in doubt, so that took me a little out of it.
Alexa Bliss defeated Randy Orton
WTF/10
Orton starts spitting up before the match. Bliss has more horror-esque makeup on than in general, and she uses a wall of fire to keep him back. The Fiend returns and he's burned. Alexa Bliss beat Randy Orton when The Fiend came back. This is a horrible costume for The Fiend.
WWE Universal Championship
Special Enforcer: Edge
Roman Reigns (c) (w/ Paul Heyman) defeated Daniel Bryan to retain
7/10
At times, Reigns and and Bryan each toy with one another, fantastic storytelling. Roman Reigns using the Boston Crab is fantastic. Reigns catches Bryan with an inadvertent powerslam off a dive that they should have just rocked with. Edge takes over for the knocked out ref after a dramatic back and forth. Jey Uso attacks Bryan and Edge, but Bryan beats the living shit out him with a chair. He accidentally hits Edge with a chair, and applies the Yes Lock to Reigns. What an incredible visual. Bryan's whole forearm was in Reigns' mouth during the Yes Lock. Reigns TAPS OUT, but Edge beats them both with a chair. A new ref comes in and Reigns pins Bryan.
Rating Guide
10- Perfect, 9- MOTY Territory, 8- Excellent, 7- Great, 6- Good, 5- Average to above average, 4- Slightly below average, 3 or below: Poor
Each match starts at a 5 and slides up and down based on entertainment, execution, time, environment, reaction and stakes. The ratings are in no way an indication of a "star rating," which is a completely different system. A standard, non-offensive "TV match" lands at a 5. The gap between 5.75-6 is generally the largest, with anything reaching 6 being recommended viewing.
These are opinions, and incredibly inconsistent ones that may change upon a second viewing, or sitting on the match for a period of time. Don't take them too seriously, and have (and share) your own!
