I must say (actually, I did say) that I did not expect much from this Pay Per View. Maybe my friends didn't either, since no one would come with me to the bar to watch it. So, I managed to convince my girlfriend (yes, I watch wrestling, have my own webpage, yet still have managed to land a girlfriend- and she's hot too) to go to a Famous Players Theatre with me to watch. Well, I'm glad I did. For one, the PPV was a damn good show. For two (hmmm... don't know if I like that phrase, it kinda sounds like a bowel movement), seeing WWE in a theatre, on the big screen, with the big speakers, was quite the experience. Even my girlfriend managed to enjoy it.

       I was encouraged by what I saw, the presentation was solid throughout, giving me hope for the new direction WWE is taking. Further encouraging was my respectable 5 for 8 score for my predictions, a score that would have been better if WWE would have announced the European Title Match and the Jericho v. Cena matches before hand (both of which, my girlfriend will attest, I correctly predicted). So unofficially, I scored 7 out of 10, my best score yet. Now, if I could only correctly predict a main event for once...

       Other than the fact that this was one of the three matches I predicted incorrectly, I quite enjoyed this match, despite the fact that I didn't think much would come from it. What I forgot, which led me to both incorrect assumptions, were the unpredictable elements a table match brings with it. The problem is that guys go through tables all the time nowadays, so it takes some of the shine off of a table match. However, a table match is more than just putting guys through tables. The tables aren't just a gimmick; they're the method of victory. So it adds a little more excitement, because, unlike a pinfall or submission, it only takes a second to eliminate your opponent. Thus, a team like Spike and Bubba Ray Dudley, although inferior in terms of ability to a team of Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit, have an equal, if not a superior (given their experience in the format), chance at victory. All in all, this match was an excellent way to kick off what would be a highly entertaining night.

Result: Bubba Ray and Spike Dudley win (Spike eliminates Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit eliminates Spike, Bubba Ray eliminates Benoit).

       Next, the seeds were sown for the storyline that would continue throughout the night when Eric Bischoff once again declared his intentions to sign Triple H to RAW. Bisch did a good job of drawing heat merely by smiling in a tight close-up, showing off his arrogance for all to see. That smile would quickly disappear when Triple H blew Bischoff off to meet with Stephanie in her Smackdown office. It's becoming quite apparent that Bischoff will be the heel in this little game of tete-a-tete, the only role he could really play, especially in front of a WWE audience.

       This cruiserweight tilt went better than the Noble/Hurricane bout at the King of the Ring, but it still wasn't spectacular. It's too bad, because I'm a fan of Cruiserweight action, I've always liked Billy Kidman, and I like the work Noble and Nidia have done in developing their characters (although I'm not sure if making fun of trailer-park trash is a wise move for those in the wresting industry). Still, this match just didn't have that certain pizzazz I've come to expect. Maybe it's because Jamie Noble isn't your typical cruiserweight, relying more on mat technique instead of the high-risk maneuvers I've come to expect. Maybe it's because there was next to no development of the match leading up to Vengeance. Overall, this match was average, at best. But it wasn't too long, so no worries. At least the champion managed to defend for a change.

Result: Jamie Noble wins via pinfall, retaining Cruiserweight Title.

       This match was thrown in at the last second, so was not on my official predictions site, but I easily deduced that Jeff Hardy would once again defeat Regal. WWE has been giving Hardy a bit of a push of late, and the fans have been responding (as they always have been for Hardy Boyz pushes), so I don't think they'd want to halt that push with a loss to William Regal in a meaningless match. This match was alright, but had too many blown spots by the Xtreme one to be considered great. However, the mix of styles between Jeff and Regal made for an interesting blend. The best part of this whole affair was Regal reprising his crying episode after failing to regain his beloved European Title. From crying, to kissing ass (literally), to drinking pee-flavoured tea, there's nothing this guy won't do to make his character look bad. After the match, Hardy was congratulated by Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan, who proceeded to cut a pretty awkward and useless promo together that gave me idea: maybe those two grumpy old men could team up to become critics of the show. I can see it now: Flair and Hogan sitting in skybox yelling out funny criticisms to those in the ring. Where have I seen that before? Oh yeah, the Muppets.

Result: Jeff Hardy wins via pinfall, retaining European Title.

       I figured that this match would take place at Vengeance, and I figured John Cena would win this matchup. All the lead-up after Jericho's match with Edge was cancelled was pointing in this direction. So imagine my surprise when no announcement for this match was made on Smackdown, even after Jericho met Stephanie in her office, even after she booked the match between he and Edge for the Smackdown following Vengeance. But low and behold, Sunday comes and this match is snuck in. And lo and behold, John Cena finally gets a singles victory. This match was as good as it was allowed to be, as has been the case for most of Jericho's matches of late, pay per view or otherwise. You know, while I've been opposed to Brock Lesnar's too-much, too-soon push, I'm not at all opposed to the action John Cena's been getting lately. The difference is that Cena has seemed to earn more of what he's gotten, going out there and wrestling and selling has ass off. Meanwhile, Lesnar, until recently, has been coddled and hasn't had to sell much at all.

Result: John Cena wins via pinfall.

       This should bring me into my regularly-scheduled Brock Lesnar-rant, huh? Well, guess what? There's not going to be one. Why not? Because this was one hell of a match. Unlike their disappointing King of the Ring final, coming off spectacular semi-final matches, the two combatants were able to give their all in this one, and they did. This match could have been the match of the night under most circumstances, but tonight would not be "most circumstances". My only complaint, from a personal perspective, was that the finish made my prediction incorrect. I knew that WWE would not want to slow Lesnar's momentum with a loss; I did not consider a DQ finale, which, I must say, was a creative solution to the problem this return-bout presented. Other than that, these two put on a hell of a show, which bodes well for the future of WWE.

Result: Rob Van Dam wins via disqualification, retaining title.

To read the rest of my Vengeance review, including the Big Show versus Booker T, the Tag Team Title Match, Triple H's decision and the Triple Threat WWE Championship Match between The Undertaker, Kurt Angle and The Rock, click HERE.

LITA- ONE MAN'S OBSESSION- I admit, I was in love with Lita. I also admit that this behaviour did become a bit of an obsession. I have since conquered this insanity, but you can still see pictures of the Team Extreme Diva, biographical info and random career facts, all presented while I was attempting to come to terms with the fact that I was in love with someone I saw on TV.

For more WWE content on this site, click on any of the following:

THE YEAR 2001- YEAR IN REVIEW- See how the superstars of the WWF stacked up using my rankings system for the entire year of 2001. Who was number 1, Stone Cold or Kurt Angle? Who were the top tag team, The Dudley Boyz or The Hardy Boyz? Along with my usual brand of commentary is new photos and stats for the year 2001, including title reigns and PPV information.

THE YEAR 2000- YEAR IN REVIEW- See how the superstars of the WWF stacked up using my rankings system for the entire year 2000. Who was number 1, The Rock or Triple H? Who were the top tag teams? Also, the title pictures for each belt from the WWF Championship all the way down to the Light Heavyweight Title, with my own commentary on each reign.

PREVIOUS RANKINGS- Ranking archives dating back to November 2000. Missed a posting? Want to track my biases? Find all past information here.

READER RESPONSES- Got an opinion? Share it with me by e-mailing me, and see your opinion posted, along with my response, here.

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