Opinion: Match & Show Ratings for April 18 to April 24

Welcome to TPWW’s Emperor Smeat’s Match and Show Ratings for the week of April 18th to April 24th.

Match and show star ratings (out of 5):

WWE

WWE RAW (April 19)
* Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin vs. Viking Raiders – 2.5
* Riddle vs. Randy Orton – 3.0
* Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax vs. Lana & Naomi – 1.5
* Elias vs. Kofi Kingston – 2.0
* 2-on-1 Handicap match – Drew McIntyre vs. T-Bar & Mace – 2.0
* Drew McIntyre & Braun Strowman vs. T-Bar & Mace – 2.0
* The Miz vs. Damian Priest – 2.5
* Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka – 2.5
Overall – 1.5
Best – Riddle vs. Randy Orton match.
Worst – Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax vs. Lana & Naomi match and the back-to-back DQ finishes for Drew McIntyre’s matches on the show.
Show Notes – Opening McIntyre & MVP promo and Mace & T-Bar ambush segment was all right despite dragging a bit. Orton & Riddle backstage segment involving Riddle being a moron as usual was decent at best. Flair, Asuka, & Rhea Ripley promo segment was a bore outside of Asuka’s insult to Flair. Ouch at the welts on Orton’s chest from Riddle’s chops. Riddle vs. Orton was pretty good despite its slowish pacing and surprised Riddle won. Women’s tag match stunk, especially due to it grinding to a halt for a mid-match promo by Dana Brooke & Mandy Rose. Bad Bunny & Priest taped interview segment was all right. Miz TV segment with Priest was decent. Riddle & New Day backstage segment was dumb. Alexa’s Playground segment was cringey. WWE was extra lazy tonight with the booking of McIntyre’s matches, especially with both ending via DQ and the 50-50 style booking. Sheamus promo & attack on Humberto Carrillo segment was decent. Flair vs. Asuka was somewhat good despite the ending shenanigans. RAW ending with Flair beating up a ref was laughably bad. This week’s show stunk a lot.

NXT (April 20)
* LA Knight vs. Dexter Lumis – 2.0
* Breezango vs. Grizzled Young Veterans – 2.5
* Zoey Stark vs. Sarray – 3.5
* NXT Cruiserweight Open Challenge match – Oney Lorcan vs. KUSHIDA (c) – 3.0
* Ever-Rise vs. Imperium (Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel) – 2.0 (Squash)
* Kyle O’Reilly vs. Cameron Grimes – 3.5
Overall – 3.0
Best – Kyle O’Reilly vs. Cameron Grimes match and Franky Monet’s cute dog showing up again.
Worst – LA Knight vs. Dexter Lumis match.
Show Notes – O’Reilly & Grimes opening promo segment was decent at best but also a bit funny. Knight vs. Lumis was dull but Knight crotching himself on the ring pole spot was funny. Leon Ruff promo segment was decent. Io Shirai taking a break from NXT is interesting. Franky Monet’s cute dog showing up again was wonderful. The Way & Bronson Reed backstage segment was too goofy. Grimes’ reaction to being outbid in an auction by Ted DiBiaise was funny. Stark vs. Sarrary was very entertaining and a fine debut performance by Sarray. A bit odd to have Toni Storm’s post-match attack on Stark overshadow Sarray’s debut win moment. Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai interview segment was all right. KUSHIDA now wrestling in bare feet is interesting. Lorcan vs. KUSHIDA was a pretty good back-and-forth style bout. The KUSHIDA, MSK, & Legado Del Fantasma post-match brawl was good. Mercedes Martinez promo segment was all right. The Way’s backstage segment was corny. O’Reilly vs. Grimes was very good, especially the latter half. This week’s show was mostly entertaining overall but also not one of their better shows in terms of energy.

Friday Night SmackDown (April 23)
* Cesaro & Daniel Bryan vs. Seth Rollins & Jey Uso – 3.5
* Nia Jax vs. Tamina – 1.5
* Intercontinental Championship match – Kevin Owens vs. Apollo Crews (c) – 3.0
* Dominik & Rey Mysterio vs. Alpha Academy (Otis & Chad Gable) – 2.5
Overall – 3.0
Best – Aleister Black’s creepy cult leader style vignette.
Worst – Nia Jax vs. Tamina match.
Show Notes – Cesaro, Rollins, Uso, Bryan, & Roman Reigns opening promo segment was all right. Cesaro & Bryan vs. Rollins & Uso was a very entertaining bout despite the flat finish. Bryan’s post-match promo mocking Reigns while and Cesaro’s swings to Uso was funny. Jax vs. Tamina stunk and dragged down by the ringside shenanigans with Reginald. Kevin Owens & Big E backstage segment was fine. Intercontinental title match was mostly good despite the first half feeling a bit off. Sami Zayn dancing over a knocked out Owens after the match was funny. Paul Heyman interview segment was fine. Crews interview & ambush by Big E segment was okay. Aleister Black’s animated story time vignette was very cool. Dolph Ziggler, Robert Roode, Street Profits, & Bayley backstage segment was decent at best. Bayley & Bianca Belair promo segment was okay. Mysterios vs. Alpha Academy was mostly decent. Cesaro, Reigns, & Bryan Universal title challenge promo segment was superb. Bryan accepting a retirement stip if he loses next week’s Universal title match is very interesting. This week’s show was mostly enjoyable overall.

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AEW

AEW Dark Elevation (April 19)
* “Hangman” Adam Page vs. Spencer Slade – 2.0 (Squash)
* Britt Baker vs. Tesha Price – 2.0 (Squash)
* Jurassic Express vs. Midas Black & Jay Lyon – 2.0 (Squash)
* The Hybrid2 vs. Andre Montoya & Vary Morales – 2.5
* Team Taz (Brian Cage & Ricky Starks) vs. Mike Magnum & Stone Rockwell – 2.0
* Abadon vs. Skye Blue – 2.0 (Squash)
* Orange Cassidy vs. Prince Kai – 1.0 (Squash)
* Private Party vs. Dark Order (Alex Reynolds & Colt Cabana) – 2.5
* Thunder Rosa vs. Shawna Reed – 2.0 (Squash)
* Best Friends vs. Kit Sackett & Hayden Backlund – 2.0 (Squash)
* Nyla Rose & Madi Wrenkowski vs. Leyla Hirsch & Ryo Mizunami – 2.5
* Austin Gunn vs. Aaron Solow – 2.0
* Scorpio Sky & Ethan Page vs. Dean Alexander & Carlie Bravo – 2.0 (Squash)
* Trios Tag Team match – Matt & Mike Sydall & Danny Limelight vs. Konosuke Takeshita, MT Nakazawa, & Kenny Omega – 3.0
Overall – 2.5
Best – Matt & Mike Sydall & Danny Limelight vs. Konosuke Takeshita, MT Nakazawa, & Kenny Omega match.
Worst – This week’s show being too heavy in squash type matches overall.
Show Notes – Page vs. Slade opener was a decent squash bout. The Acclaimed interview segment with Paul Wight was all right. First hour or so of the show was very heavy in squash and near squash type matches. Kai’s obnoxious ring intro by Justin Roberts was funny and same for Cassidy’s one-hit move to win the match. Private Party vs. Dark Order was decent but it lacked hitting that next gear needed for the match. Best Friends’ back-to-back Package Piledriver and Spiked Piledriver spot to finish their match was cool. Mizunami’s mannerisms during her matches are both funny and delightful to watch. Austin Gunn interview segment was decent and same for the face-to-face promo confrontation between Billy Gunn & QT Marshall. The headset antics by Nakazawa & Omega while Takeshita looked on bewildered was a bit funny. Trios tag match was pretty good. This week’s show was somewhat average overall but also very skippable.

AEW Dark (April 20)
* Joey Janela vs. Will Allday – 2.5
* SCU vs. Ryzin & John Skyler – 2.5
* Big Swole & KiLynn King vs. Ashley & Steff MK – 2.0
* The Butcher & The Blade vs. Brick Aldridge & Cole Karter – 2.0 (Squash)
* Sonny Kiss vs. Jake Manning – 1.5 (Squash)
* Dark Order (Evil Uno, Stu Grayson, & 10) vs. Jay Lyon, Midas Black & Ken Broadway – 2.5 (Squash)
* Billy Gunn vs. Andrew Palace – 2.0 (Squash)
* Fuego Del Sol vs. Dante Martin – 2.5
* Diamante vs. Queen Aminata – 2.0
* Varsity Blonds vs. Hayden Backlund & Kit Sackett – 2.0
* Alan “5” Angels vs. Max Caster – 3.0
* Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Baron Black – 2.0 (Squash)
* PAC vs. Dean Alexander – 2.5 (Squash)
Overall – 2.5
Best – Alan “5” Angels vs. Max Caster match.
Worst – Sonny Kiss vs. Jake Manning match.
Show Notes – Opening Darby Allin vignette hyping up his TNT title match against Jungle Boy was wonderful. Swole & King vs. MK twins was a bit dull. Ricky Starks bar room promo segment was superb. Ryan Nemeth, Cezar Bononi, & JD Drake segment was decent. Manning’s mid-air salute sell to Kiss’ Stunner spot was funny although the match itself was nothing special. Kiss’ fiery post-match promo was splendid. Dark Order vs. Lyon, Black, & Broadway was an entertaining squash match that had some comedic elements to it. Gunn’s post-match promo to QT Marshall was short but decent. Del Sol vs. Martin was a decent back-and-forth style bout. Ouch at Aminata suffering a busted lip during her mouth from a stiff dropkick by Diamante. Caster’s pre-match rap was a bit funny but not one of his better efforts. Angels vs. Caster was pretty good back-and-forth style bout. PAC going full on psycho mode on Alexander was awesome. This week’s episode was mostly average overall but also skippable.

AEW Dynamite (April 21)
* Ricky Starks vs. Hangman Adam Page – 3.0
* Penta el Zero M vs. Trent – 3.0
* AEW Women’s World Championship – Tay Conti vs. Hikaru Shida (c) – 3.5
* Billy Gunn vs. QT Marshall – 2.5
* Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Christian Cage – 3.0
* TNT Championship – Jungle Boy vs. Darby Allin (c) – 3.5
Overall – 3.5
Best – AEW Women’s World Championship match.
Worst – Billy Gunn vs. QT Marshall match.
Show Notes – Starks vs. Page opening match was quite good despite being slower paced than usual for AEW openers. Impact finally getting an ad on AEW’s show was interesting. Penta vs. Trent was pretty good despite the shenanigans at the end. The Pinnacle interview segment was superb, especially MJF’s promo part. Conti vs. Shida pre-match hype video was excellent. Shida’s Witch’s Shot spot to Conti was both cool and brutal looking. AEW Women’s title match was very good and Conti’s best match in AEW so far. Britt Baker’s AEW Rankings update reveal of her being ranked #1 was a nice taunt to Shida. Miro promo segment was marvelous. Inner Circle promo segment was very good, especially Santana’s promo part. The Elite promo and Jon Moxley & Eddie Kingston trashing the attack segment was fine. Kingston wanting to steal the Young Bucks expensive Jordan sneakers was funny. Hobbs vs. Cage was a good competitive bout and Hobbs best match in AEW. Jade Cargill vignette was fine. Sting’s terrible looking clothesline to Luchasaurus was hilarious. TNT title match was very good. This week’s show was very entertaining overall.

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NJPW, Impact, & Other Wrestling

Impact Wrestling Impact! (April 22)
* Decay (Crazzy Steve & Black Taurus) vs. Good Brothers (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) – 3.0
* Susan vs. Tenille Dashwood – 2.0
* Shera vs. Jake Something – 2.5
* Kiera Hogan vs. Jordynne Grace – 1.5
* Eric Young vs. Eddie Edwards – 3.0
Overall – 2.5
Best – Rich Swann, Don Callis, & Kenny Omega promo segment and Moose’s surprise return.
Worst – Kiera Hogan vs. Jordynne Grace match.
Show Notes – Opening Decay vs. Good Brothers match was pretty good. Post-match Good Brothers promo on their tag title match for Rebellion was fine. VBD vs. Storm, Sabin, Mack, & Edwards match hype video was terrific. Susan vs. Dashwood was decent at best and same for Dashwood’s post-match promo. Brian Myers backstage promo segment was decent. Sami Callihan promo vignette was decent. Trey Miguel & Impact trainer promo and training segment was quite good. Rich Swann, Don Callis, & Kenny Omega promo segment was superb. Moose’s surprise return and promo to Swann was great. The multiple Impact locker room predictions video segments for Swann vs. Omega match were good. Taylor Wilde vignette was fine. Hogan vs. Grace was mostly a dud, especially with the lame DQ finish. Bit surprised Impact didn’t wait until Rebellion to revealed Rachael Ellering as Grace’s mystery partner. FinJuice promo segment was decent. Young vs. Edwards was pretty good despite the abrupt finish. Post-match brawl between VDB and Storm, Sabin, Mack, & Edwards was cool. This week’s Rebellion go-home show was mostly average but enjoyable overall.

NJPW Strong New Japan Cup USA 2021 Finals (April 23)
* Team Filthy (JR Kratos & Chris Dickinson) vs. Clark Connors & TJP – 3.5
* Wheeler Yuta vs. Rocky Romero – 3.0
* New Japan Cup USA 2021 tournament Finals match – “Filthy” Tom Lawlor vs. Brody King – 4.0
Overall – 3.5
Best – New Japan Cup USA 2021 tournament Finals match.
Worst – Wheeler Yuta vs. Rocky Romero match being a bit too sluggish or slow paced in action.
Show Notes – Team Filthy vs. Connors & TJP opener was a very good action packed bout. Yuta vs. Romero was a pretty good back-and-forth style bout despite dragging a bit too long and its slowish pacing. The pre-match hype video for Lawlor vs. King was excellent. New Japan Cup USA 2021 Finals was an amazing hard hitting war of a bout and among the best matches in NJPW Strong history. Lawlor’s post-match promo was all-right. Dickinson challenging for Lawlor’s title despite him being in Team Filthy was interesting. This week’s show was very entertaining overall.

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Weekly Awards:

• Best match of the week – New Japan Cup USA 2021 tournament Finals match – “Filthy” Tom Lawlor vs. Brody King (NJPW Strong)
• Worst match of the week – Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax vs. Lana & Naomi (WWE RAW)
• Best show of the week – AEW Dynamite
• Worst show of the week – WWE RAW