The SlickMaster's Files: This is Awesome (The Notable Matches on WWE PPV Events of 2014 Part 1)

Friday, January 02, 2015

This is Awesome (The Notable Matches on WWE PPV Events of 2014 Part 1)

12/30/2014 11:39:47 AM

Let me reiterate: this is sole my opinion alone, and not a reflection of views from any wrestling affiliations I belonged with. Yes, after all, I don’t consider myself a total smark, but an avid follower.

The arrangement of the matches listed in this article were chronologically, and not on a countdown-like basis. All matches were held on their Pay Per View (PPV) events.

For every WWE pay-per-view event, there were at least one, two, or few more cards which deserved this type of chant.

Yes, and I intend to start this post with that “This Is Awesome” clip from the 2014 Slammy Awards. Not because of the nominees, but the hype the music brought on it. How I wish I could play that one minus the commentary as the background while you guys read this post.

Royal Rumble Match (Royal Rumble)

As much as I don’t want to mention any of the cards for the Royal; Rumble, I’m afraid I’ll put the Royal Rumble match as the memorable one for me during hat evening at the Consol Energy Center in Philadelphia. Why? All because of four reasons: Batista, CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns.

WWE.com

As much as people voted Daniel Bryan versus Bray Wyatt as the match of the evening; and that John Cena versus Randy Orton match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship gave us switching trademark finishers on each other (only to get ruined by the Wyatt Family’s assault on Cena); I’ll say the Royal Rumble match was the most awesome thing for me during the evening. All the love, all the hatred were there, and yes I’m talking about emotion games here.

CM Punk almost had it, only for his run to get ruined by Kane, and his entire WWE career as well. Since then, he just walked the shit out of the pro wrestling world. Perhaps it’s due to extremely personal reasons.

Another awesome yet hatred moment was the non-inclusion of DB. Undeniably the “Yes!” movement pioneer was supposed to be there after his match Bray Wyatt (which he lost, by the way). A lot of people expected him to be the last entrant for the RR match, only for the universe to realize it was Rey Mysterio. And there goes the “boo” chants. Poor luchador.

Another one: Batista’s return. He entered #28 for the Royal Rumble and became the winner after clashing with that Shield juggernaut named Roman Reigns. And after winning, here’s the most (err, worst) awesome thing: pulling a middle finger on a fan off the air. Fuck, I liked it!

But that Royal Rumble would definitely be awesome if Roman Reigns won the battle. Look, he may be a newbie for that classical scuffle, but hey, look on those numbers: he eliminated 14 men, or merely 40 percent of all the competitors, including his then co-hounds. Talk about earning another huge crack, huh?

The verdict: 7.4

The SHIELD vs. The Wyatt Family (Elimination Chamber)

Six-man Armageddon, as they call it. Triple H was right when he said the clash between the Shield and the Wyatt family was best described in one word: Armageddon. Yes, sounds like that WWE PPV event years ago.

Photo credits: VEOOZ; SBNation

I know: there are some flaws in the match, like questioning where Bray Wyatt disposed Dean Ambrose following their collision way out the universe.

But everyone had their own time to shine, specifically Luke Harper and Roman Reigns.

Harper has been showing much promise as an individual performer next to Wyatt himself. He’s been such a stunner as a heel competitor who can wreak havoc on everyone standing on his way.

On the other hand, Reigns has been a juggernaut since 2013 Survivor Series match. He was also a major standout on the 2014 Royal Rumble.

Despite the loss, he got the push by the WWE. Unfortunately, though, we only saw them colliding on each other for few times, especially during the era where the Shield has been on the verge of taking a face turn during the first quarter of 2014.

The Verdict: 9.7

Brock Lesnar vs. Undertaker (WrestleMania XXX)

For WrestleMania, there are three notable bigwigs, but I’ll give my nod to the match which led to a worldwide shocker in April. Yes, Brock Lesnar versus the Undertaker.

Photo credits: WhatCulture; WWE.com

I may be rooting for Undertaker then, but the fact that Lesnar dominated him in the past – even if his pre-UFC era – is already considered a huge difference on dictating the possible outcome.

And true enough, since his return to the WWE in 2012, Lesnar denied Taker a chance to become the only third person to beat him during this recent time; much to the surprise of 75,167 people inside the Superdome, and millions (and even billions) watching all over the world.

The Verdict: 8.6

Shield vs. Evolution (Extreme Rules)

This should headline the Extreme Rules event itself. No offense, but that Extreme Rules match between Daniel Bryan and Kane seemed like an extreme jobber as shit.

craveonline.com

Still, the classic three-on-three battle was well-deserved. The SHIELD suddenly got the best of the Evolution. Plus it was indeed Seth Rollins' time to evolve before turning back on his brothers a month later.

No wonder, aside from SHIELD vs Wyatts at the EC, this faction-versus-faction scuffle was the best of the year!

The Verdict: 8.9

Last Man Standing Match: John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt (Payback)

After their singles match at WrestleMania XXX, and their steel cage match at Extreme Rules, comes a better fitting end on their rivalry, and three words seemed enough to fit the game: last man standing.

wrestlingnewsreport.com

It was not just Cena and Wyatt in attendance though. They also got Luke Harper and Erick Rowan from the Wyatt Family, and the Usos to back Cena. And those four men stunned the shit out on each other, perhaps a prelude to their series of battles on the next WWE PPV offerings.

But the main match itself? Hell yeah! You’ve got to give it on these two for pulling off array of moves. And that loss, actually, gives Wyatt a much needed push as the current heel in the WWE.

The finish, though, was a better timing to put that U Can’t C Me sign.

The Verdict: 8.4

Usos vs. Wyatt Family for the WWE Tag Team Championship (Money in the Bank)

As much as I want to also include the main event for the MITB evening, I’ll say Jimmy and Jey versus Luke and Erick the notable match. Why? These two tag team squads delivered more than expected. Talk about Samoan drops, crazy-flying jumps, those moves which shown resemblances of their father Rikishi, as well as those spinning clotheslines, powerbombs, sideslams, all that stuff. Man, what more can they lose? Perfect way to kickstart a WWE PPV event!