wrestling / Video Reviews
Random Network Reviews: No Way Out 2007
Loading...No Way Out 2007
February 18th, 2007 | Staples Center in Los Angeles, California | Attendance: 14,000
No Way Out was always a Pay-Per-View I liked when it was in February. However, having it be Smackdown exclusive on the road to WrestleMania sometimes wasn’t the best idea. Even though the main event on this show featured both brands, this was a Smackdown event. It was also the last brand exclusive PPV. Counting No Way Out of Texas in 1998, this is the ninth No Way Out event.
The dark match on this event was Shelton Benjamin vs. Rob Van Dam. That sounds pretty good and I can almost bet there’s something on this show that won’t be better than that potential. Commentary consists of Michael Cole and JBL. For some reason, JBL is still living the gimmick from when he threw the Mexicans off the border as he gets furious that there is Spanish commentary.
Chris Benoit and the Hardy Boyz vs. MVP and MNM w/ Melina
Joey Mercury is sporting his facemask after having his face implode at Armageddon a few months earlier. JBL is just murdering Cole early on commentary. Despite the messed up face, Mercury starts things but we get quick tags that gets everyone involved. JBL is a heel on the mic, but LOVES Chris Benoit. Hilariously, MNM avoids a tag when Benoit is in there, leaving MVP to take a beating. Johnny Nitro straight up slaps Jeff Hardy before a cheap shot from Mercury puts them in the driver’s seat. Jeff is able to make a tag to his brother after taking a beating though it doesn’t seem like the major hot tag we’ve been waiting for. As expected, his run ends and MVP works him over. According to JBL, MVP looks like a fusion of a power ranger and Barney. Mercury goes right after the eye of Matt Hardy, trying to disfigure him as revenge. The real hot tag comes to Benoit, who cleans house. Chops, suplexes and slams galore. Impressively, he hits MNM with a double German. SUPLEX CITY BITCH! The Hardys hit Poetry in Motion, followed by the Twist of Fate, the Swanton Bomb AND Benoit’s diving headbutt. Mercury might be dead, but MVP breaks the pin. MVP tries to attack Benoit with the US Title, but gets caught in the Crossface until Nitro makes the save. MNM sets for the Snapshot but Matt now makes the save, allowing Benoit to wriggle free and puts the Crossface on Mercury, who taps out.
Winners: Chris Benoit and the Hardy Boyz in 14:19
Hot opener here. The crowd was hot and the action was fast paced. All six guys can absolutely go in the ring and this delivered. The false finishes were very well done as nobody kicked out of stuff they shouldn’t have, the fans bit on them and there were some seriously impressive spots. I actually really dug this match, though I had no recollection of it ever happening. ***½
Kristal Marshall, future near TV wife of Teddy Long before he had a heart attack, tries to interview Vickie Guerrero. It’s insanely awkward as she seems to mess up basic stuff a few times. Cutting away, Finlay and Hornswoggle talk about the upcoming match, as Hornswoggle is s cared of the Boogeyman. I thought Hornswoggle didn’t talk. Finlay locks him in a dumpster to protect him, but LITTLE BOOGEYMAN is in there! Hornswoggle escapes, but Little Boogeyman hilariously follows and gyrates the entire time.
WWE Cruiserweight Championship Open
Gregory Helms (c) vs. Chavo Guerrero vs. Daivari vs. Funaki vs. Jamie Noble vs. Jimmy Wang Yang vs. Scotty 2 Hotty vs. Shannon Moore
The first two men to start this are Daivari and Scotty 2 Hotty. It may sound weird but Scotty’s “WORM” has slowed. He hits it within a minute or so and eliminates Daivari. Gregory Helms is out next, currently in the midst of a 385 day reign as champion. He shows why by taking control instantly. He makes relatively quick work of Scotty, before SMACKDOWN’S NUMBA ONE ANNOUNCAH runs out. Funaki hits a cross body quickly, but Helms rolls through and pins him with a handful of tights. He even exposes Funaki’s thong. Shannon Moore is out next, which should be fun considering these guys are real life friends. They have a short fun exchange before Helms uses a knee to put him down. These eliminations are coming fast. Jimmy Wang Yang is next and he starts hot, hitting a moonsault for two. JBL does a great job putting over how dominant Helms has been as champion. Yang misses a second moonsault but then uses a hurricanrana to shockingly eliminate Helms. He can’t believe it and attacks Yang after, but Jamie Noble is unable to capitalize when he comes in. THE JUNG DRAGONS EXPLODE! Both guys get a fair amount of near falls, making this a fun battle. Yang knocks off Noble with a moonsault and is announced as the new champion until we hear “OOOOH CHAVO!” Chavo Guerrero shows up as a surprise entrant. We all know where this is going. Yang hits a nice dive outside but Chavo comes back with the Three Amigos. You know he’s doing well as a heel when they gets major heat. Yang stops the Frog Splash, but misses a splash and ends up taking it anyway as Chavo wins his sixth Cruiserweight Title.
Winner and New WWE Cruiserweight Champion: Chavo Guerrero in 15:49
A rather fun contest. A lot of these guys didn’t have the crowd really into them, but most of the one on one battles were either kept short and sweet, or pretty fun. This was no classic, but it was an enjoyable performance by most guys and flowed really well. **¾
Kristal Marshall interviews John Cena backstage and she again stumbles through it. Cena does a good job of trying to make it seem like she stumbled because she’s concerned about him teaming with Shawn Michaels tonight, when they’re set to meet at WrestleMania.
Finlay and Little Bastard vs. Boogeyman and Little Boogeyman
Oh my, this was before he had the Hornswoggle name. I guess that’s why he spoke earlier; it was Hornswoggle who couldn’t talk. Little Bastard hides under the ring, leaving Finlay alone to start. Boogeyman and Finlay have a dull back and forth until Little Boogeyman comes in and hits some weak splashes. He stops to eat worms and Little Bastard finally wans in. He’s ready to fight but Finlay just lays out Little Boogeyman with a big boot. Finlay actually works over Little Boogeyman for far too long until Boogeyman makes the save. While Boogeyman goes after Little Bastard, Finlay lays out Little Boogeyman with the shillelagh and wins.
Winners: Finlay and Little Bastard in 6:45
Had this been way shorter, it could have been fun. Instead, it dragged on for far too long. I would go with the DUD rating, but it was at least a little, pun intended, funny at some parts. ¼*
More from the awful Kristal Marshall as she interviews Shawn Michaels. Seriously, why have I seen her more than anyone else? At least she doesn’t mess up here and HBK gets through his stuff quickly.
Kane vs. King Booker w/ Queen Sharmell
This all started because Kane eliminated Booker from the Royal Rumble. Kane is aggressive from the start, but Booker fires back with some chops that don’t have much effect. Kane just dominates for the most part, tossing Booker around. A low blow that Charles Robinson misses and a whip into the steel steps puts Booker in control. He goes old school with a missile dropkick like he’s still in WCW or something. Booker wears down Kane but it’s pretty dull stuff. Kane attempts the Chokeslam, but Booker kicks him to prevent it. Kane hits an awkward looking clotheslines I think, that Booker oversells by flipping. He goes into his FIVE MOVES OF DOOM and scores with the Chokeslam to end it.
Winner: Kane in 12:58
A rather dull affair between two guys who know how to work most of the time. It wasn’t that bad, but it was kind of just there and had little to no heat. The ending was a pretty fine sequence though the middle of this dragged. *¾
Oh my god, more from Kristal Marshall. She’s with Batista and is once again pretty poor. She sucks here again though Batista gets his point across that he isn’t intimidated by the Undertaker.
WWE Tag Team Championships
Paul London and Brian Kendrick (c) vs. Deuce and Domino w/ Cherry
Sue me, I loved Deuce and Domino. In recent weeks, Deuce and Domino have had the number of the champs. Paul London and Brian Kendrick are on absolute fire in the early goings, busting out some fast paced double teams. As expected, the challengers slow down the pace to work in their favor. Multiple shots of Cherry are seen, which I appreciate. She was cute. London takes a beating while getting a bunch of near hot tags. In rather fun fashion, he’s able to dodge some attacks and make the tag. Kendrick does some cool stuff, though it doesn’t come off crisply. Just as it seems like Deuce and Domino may win, Kendrick rolls up Domino with a sunset flip and retains.
Winners and still WWE Tag Team Champions: Paul London and Brian Kendrick in 8:06
Pretty solid tag team match here. Both teams seemed to work hard, but some of what was done didn’t come off well as there were a few botches. An extra few minutes and less mistakes and this would have been ranked higher. **¾
ECW Championship
Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Mr. Kennedy
Here we have a match that just starts in the aisle during the entrances. JBL puts over how Mr. Kennedy has defeated seven World Champions. As they make it to the ring, Lashley just tosses Kennedy all over the place. This goes on for a while until Kennedy can finally turn the tide. Cole is losing his voice and JBL is taking over. Kennedy takes to the leg and works it with an interesting inverted figure four or something. I honestly don’t know what to call it. Shortly after, he moves to a half crab for a bit. The work he’s doing on the leg is solid but it’s not every exciting. Maybe that’s him being a good heel. Kennedy goes for the Kenton Bomb but Lashley gets his knees up. It looks pretty brutal. Lashley hits a solid suplex for two as I see this got more time than I expected. The crowd is rather pro Kennedy. He gets two on a neckbreaker and hits the official before getting a chair. Behind the official’s back, he wallops Lashley in the back. Lashley takes it from him and hits him, which the referee sees and calls for the DQ.
Winner via disqualification: Mr. Kennedy in 15:25
Better than I expected, but still not great. Mr. Kennedy’s leg work throughout made sense but it wasn’t the most exciting stuff. The finish also takes some points away. I get that they wanted to protect both guys, but it seemed like a lazy cop out. **½
Bobby Lashley continues to pound away on Mr. Kennedy with the steel chair before leaving.
The Miz now comes out to host the WWE Divas Talent Competition. It starts with Extreme Expose dancing. For those who don’t remember, it’s Kelly Kelly, Layla and Brooke Adams shaking their asses. 10/10. They finish their dance and Jillian Hall comes out to sing. It’s as bad as you’d expect. When Miz cuts her off, she goes into a rant about the other Divas, which brings them out. It’s hilarious to see Ariel come out like she’s not supposed to be completely different. They all brawl until officials come out. Ashley Massaro arrives and reveals her Playboy cover before removing her top. Her tits are only covered in Playboy bunnies. Somehow this seems to win.
John Cena and Shawn Michaels vs. Batista and the Undertaker
Batista and John Cena start, which was fresh since I believe they hadn’t faced off since the end of the 2005 Royal Rumble. It’s funny to hear Michael Cole say you’ll never see this match again, when they did it on Raw before Mania. HBK gets leveled by Batista in their first real interaction before their 2008 rivalry. Undertaker comes in and has his usual great exchange with Michaels. Cena comes in and superplexes Undertaker. The crowd I hot for these interactions that you don’t get often. That feeling is missing from the current product a lot of time. The back and forth between these guys is fun because nobody is gaining too much of an advantage. Finally, it looks like they are going to build a hot tag to Cena. That’s smart since HBK is best at being vulnerable, especially given who the other three guys are in this match. Cena gets the tag and goes into a string of offense but Undertaker breaks up his pin attempt. He tries the FU but Undertaker again stops him with a big boot. HBK takes him outside but is caught and rammed into the post. Shawn is back in to prevent the Batista Bomb. Cena surprisingly gets in a cheap shot while on the apron and it’s funny to see Undertaker kind of call him out for it. Batista gets busted open on the nose or the left eye, it’s hard to tell. Cena applies his hideous STFU and it gets broken up. HBK comes in but is taken down, allowing the big tag to the Undertaker. Taker Chokeslams Cena as Batista plants Shawn with a spinebuster. Batista turns on his partner by nailing Undertaker with a spinebuster too. Shawn hits Sweet Chin Music right into the FU and Undertaker eats a rare pin.
Winners: John Cena and Shawn Michaels in 22:09
Really enjoyable tag team match here. It had the big fight feel that a match with these four guys should have had. They all know what should be done and executed a really strong tag team contest. I liked how they built to the hot tags with nobody looking bad. The Batista turn on Taker came at just the right time too. Quality stuff. ***¾
