Opinion: Match & Show Ratings for October 31 to November 6, 2021

Welcome to TPWW’s Emperor Smeat’s Match and Show Ratings for the week of October 31st to November 6th, 2021.

Match and show star ratings (out of 5):

WWE

WWE RAW (Nov. 1)
* RAW Women’s Championship – Bianca Belair vs. Becky Lynch (c) – 3.0
* Rey Mysterio vs. Austin Theory – 2.5
* WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Contender’s match – Carmella & Queen Zelina vs. Nikki A.S.H. & Rhea Ripley – 2.0
* Finn Balor vs. Chad Gable – 3.0
* Street Profits vs. Dirty Dawgs (Robert Roode & Dolph Ziggler) – 2.5
* No Disqualification match – Damian Priest vs. T-Bar – 2.5
* Big E vs. Kevin Owens – 3.0
Overall – 2.5
Best – Finn Balor vs. Chad Gable match.
Worst – The booking of the Rey Mysterio vs. Austin Theory match and the Queen Zelina, Carmella, Nikki A.S.H., & Rhea Ripley cringey backstage segment.
Show Notes – Opening Belair & Lynch pre-match backstage interviews about their bad blood was dull. Lynch’s modified Disarm-her to Bianca was nice. Bianca’s tilt-a-whirl Gutbuster to Lynch was nice. RAW Women’s title match was a quite good action filled match despite the predictable shenanigans ending. Mysterio’s Tornado DDT to Theory on the outside via Dominik assist was cool but the ref blatantly ignoring it being a DQ by Dominik was dumb. Mysterio vs. Theory was mostly good despite the lame DQ ending shenanigans. The ref calling for the bell for an attack he didn’t see despite not doing so earlier for an attack he did see was stupid. Rollins & Big E promo about their WWE title feud & Owens interruption was all right. Vega, Carmella, Ripley, & Nikki backstage segment was corny. Big E & Gable backstage segment was okay but Big E calling Otis a “walking thumb” was funny. Balor vs. Gable was an entertaining mat-based style match. Street Profits vs. Dirty Dawgs was solid despite the lame shenanigans ending by Omos. Priest revealing he has a hidden Demon persona was goofy. Priest’s chokeslam to T-Bar onto a table that got obliterated was cool. Priest vs. T-Bar was a fine hard hitting match. Apollo Crews’ promo to Priest was dull. 24/7 title segment was nothing special. Liv Morgan being teased as Lynch’s next title challenger despite her being on a losing streak makes no sense. Owens’ Senton to Big E looked legit painful & same for Big E’s knee counter of Owens’ Swanton dive afterwards. Big E vs. Owens was a good hard hitting match despite the ringside shenanigans by Rollins. This week’s show was average overall but more enjoyable than not.

NXT (Nov. 2)
* Dakota Kai vs. Jade Cora – 2.0
* Xyon Quinn vs. Robert Stone – 1.0 (Squash)
* Legado Del Fantasmo (Joaquin Wilde& Raul Mendoza) vs. Von Wagner & Kyle O’Reilly – 3.0
* Andre Chase vs. Bron Breakker – 2.0 (Squash)
* Solo Sikoa vs. Jeet Rama – 2.0 (Squash)
* Boa vs. Grayson Waller – 2.0
* Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams vs. Johnny Gargano & Dexter Lumis – 3.0
Overall – 2.5
Best – Bron Breakker post-match promo segment and the Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams vs. Johnny Gargano & Dexter Lumis match.
Worst – The Robert Stone & Xyon Quinn pre-match promo and dance-off segment.
Show Notes – Mandy Rose opening promo about Toxic Attraction winning all of NXT Women’s gold was nothing special but Io Shirai’s response & brawl with T.A., Carter, & Catanzaro was all right. Kai’s new remix entrance theme sounds somewhat worse than her prior one. Kai vs. Cora was mostly decent despite also being a bit sloppy. Kai’s post-match attack with the table & skateboard antics was weird. MSK’s bus stop segment was goofy. Stone’s pre-match promo & dance-off with Quinn was awful. Quinn getting some really sweet air on his toss of Stone was the only good part about a very forgettable pre-match segment & match itself. Gacy promo video about Harland was decent. Elektra Lopez teasing Quinn joining Legado was interesting. Legado vs. Wagner & O’Reilly was a good back-and-forth action bout despite the botched ending by the ref. Breakker’s Steiner-like post-match promo about Ciampa was splendid. Lashing Out talk show segment with Tony D’Angelo & producer Mark was decent at best but also a bit funny. Briggs & Jensen outdoor games vignette was decent. Boa vs. Waller was mostly solid despite the ending shenanigans by LA Knight. Duke’s Poker Room segment with Grimes was a bit funny. Tian Sha creepy smokey room backstage segment with a missing Mei Ying & Boa’s acting like Mei Ying was weird. Ciampa promo about NXT’s new era and Hayes & Williams interruption & mini-brawl was all right. Gargano’s clothesline to Hayes sending him spinning to the mat was nice. Hayes & Williams vs. Gargano & Lumis was a quite good back-and-forth action filled match despite the ending shenanigans. This week’s show was mostly average overall.

Friday Night SmackDown (Nov. 5)
* Naomi vs. Shayna Baszler – 2.5
* Los Lotharios (Humberto Carrillo & Angel Garza) vs. Cesaro & Mansoor – 2.5
* Open Challenge match – Drew McIntyre vs. Ricochet – 3.0
* Madcap Moss & Happy Corbin vs. Viking Raiders – 2.0
* King Woods vs. Jimmy Uso – 3.0
Overall – 2.5
Best – King Woods vs. Jimmy Uso match.
Worst – Happy Talk segment.
Show Notes – Opening Roman Reigns & Usos promo segment mocking Lesnar & their bad blood issues with New Day & response by New Day was mostly decent despite dragging too long. SD starting way too often these days with a really long Reigns entrance and promo segment has gotten very stale as a routine to watch. Naomi’s swinging facebuster to Baslzer onto the ropes was nice. Naomi vs. Baszler was a solid match despite the buzzkill restart decision by Deville. Xia Li “coming soon” vignette was fine. Ridge Holland backstage interview praising Sheamus was interesting. Shotzi angry backstage interview about her issues on SD & Banks was decent. Cesaro’s springboard corkscrew uppercut to Carrillo was cool. Los Lotharios vs. Cesaro & Mansoor was a solid back-and-forth action match. Ricochet’s pre-match promo to McIntyre was decent at best. McIntyre’s Claymore counter of Ricochet’s moonsault was cool. McIntyre vs. Ricochet was a good action filled match. Mustafa Ali & Ricochet backstage segment about Ricochet turning down Ali’s team offer was decent. Happy Talk segment with Viking Raiders stunk. Moss & Corbin vs. Viking Raiders was decent at best despite the lame countout ending. Sami Zayn’s leadership advice offer & WWE entrance lesson and Hit Row promo response was somewhat dull. Uso’s running knee to Woods onto the ropes was nice. Woods managed to get some nice air with his top rope Leg Drop to Uso. Uso’s Super Samoan Drop to Woods was nice. Woods vs. Uso was a quite good back-and-forth action filled match despite the ending ringside shenanigans. Post-match brawl with Reigns was all right. This week’s show was average overall.

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AEW

AEW Dark Elevation (Nov. 1)
* Emi Sakura & Nyla Rose vs. Ryo Mizunami & Kris Statlander – 2.5
* Frankie Kazarian vs. Victor Benjamin – 2.0 (Squash)
* Riho vs. Kayla Sparks – 2.0 (Squash)
* FTR vs. Waves & Curls (Traevon Jordan & Jaylen Brandyn) – 2.5 (Squash)
* Tay Conti vs. LMK – 1.5 (Squash)
* Trios match – Best Friends (Wheeler Yuta, Chuck Taylor, & Orange Cassidy) vs. The Acclaimed & Serpentico – 3.0
Overall – 2.5
Best – Best Friends vs. The Acclaimed & Serpentico match.
Worst – The heavy amount of squash matches for the show.
Show Notes – Sakura shoving Lulu Pencil face first out of the cam shot after her running crossbody to Statlander in the corner was a bit funny. Mizunami’s Exploder Suplex to Rose was impressive. Rose’s neckbreaker to Mizuanmi & DDT assist to Statlander combo was nice. Sakura & Rose vs. Mizunami & Statlander opener was a solid back-and-forth action bout. Kazarian vs. Benjamin was a decent mostly squash style match. Riho vs. Starks was also a decent squash style brief match. Waves & Curls gear really gives off some 80s to early 90s style vibes. FTR vs. Waves & Curls was an fun squash match. Conti vs. LMK was an okay very quick squash style match. Max Caster’s pre-match rap mocking Boston, the Red Sox, & Best Friends was all right but Cassidy’s rap response mocking Caster & comedic kicks to him was funny. The Acclaimed using Serpentico as a weapon and missing hitting bodyslams with him onto Wheeler & Taylor using Serpentico as a weapon to The Acclaimed afterwards was a bit funny. Best Friends vs. Acclaimed & Serpentico was an entertaining back-and-forth style match. This week’s show was average overall but also enjoyable.

AEW Dark (Nov. 2)
* Santana & Ortiz vs. Joe Coleman & Idris Abraham – 2.0 (Squash)
* Nyla Rose vs. Viva Van – 1.5 (Squash)
* Lee Johnson & Brock Anderson vs. Eli Knight & Malik Bosede – 2.0 (Squash)
* Daniel Garcia vs. RSP – 2.5
* Dark Order (Alex Reynolds & John Silver) vs. Sean Carr & Marcus Kross – 2.5 (Squash)
* The Acclaimed vs. Ishmael Vaughn & Dontae Smiley – 2.0 (Squash)
* The Bunny vs. Santana Garrett – 2.0
* 2point0 vs. Bison XL & Toa Liona – 2.5
* Red Velvet vs. Shalonce Royal – 2.5
* Bobby Fish vs. Ryzin – 2.0 (Squash)
* Fuego Del Sol vs. Tony Nese – 3.0
* Tiger Ruas vs. PAC – 3.0
Overall – 2.5
Best – Tiger Ruas vs. PAC match.
Worst – Nyla Rose vs. Viva Van match.
Show Notes – Opening FTR promo segment about their AAA Tag titles & open challenge was all right. RSP’s bodyslam to Garcia via Irish Whip looked brutal. Garcia vs. RSP was a solid back-and-forth style match. Silver’s snapmare to Carr into the corner was nice. Dark Order’s German Suplexes into a big boot into an overhead suplex combo to Kross onto Carr in the corner was cool. Dark Order vs. Carr & Kross was an entertaining mostly squash style match. Max Caster’s pre-match rap mocking their opponents and Universal Studios was all right. Bunny vs. Garrett was a mostly decent match. Ouch at Jeff Parker’s arm after his rough landing from Liona’s Samoa Drop to him. 2point0 vs. XL & Liona was a solid back-and-forth action match. Taz’s comedic rendition of Royal’s musical notes during her moves & interactions to Velvet was funny. Velvet vs. Royal was a decent match. Post-match Bunny sneak attack to Velvet was okay. Fish’s Exploder Suplex to Ryzin onto the ropes looked extra brutal. Fish vs. Ryzin was a decent squash style match. Del Sol’s springboard hurricanrana sending Nese flying across the ring was nice. Del Sol vs Nese was a pretty good back-and-forth action fill match and a fine AEW debut performance by Nese. PAC’s one arm powerbomb counter of Ruas’ Guillotine Choke was impressive. Ruas vs. PAC was a really good back-and-forth grapple-heavy bout. This week’s show was average overall but enjoyable, especially the latter half.

AEW Dynamite (Nov. 3)
* Kenny Omega vs. Alan “5” Angels – 3.0
* AAA World Tag Team Championship Open Challenge match – Samuray Del Sol & Aerostar vs. FTR (c) – 3.5
* TBS Championship tournament First Round match – Jamie Hayter vs. Anna Jay – 3.0
* Andrade El Idolo vs. Cody Rhodes – 3.0
* AEW World Championship Eliminator tournament Semi-Finals match – Orange Cassidy vs. Miro – 3.0
Overall – 3.5
Best – Miro’s promo segment and the MJF & Darby Allin promo & brawl segment.
Worst – Aerostar’s scary looking landing onto the guard rail from his dive to Dax Harwood on the outside.
Show Notes – Omega vs. Angels opener was a quite good back-and-forth action filled bout. Omega’s post-match promo & attack attempt to Angels & run-in save by Hangman Page was swell. CM Punk promo about his respect for Moxley & his issues with Kingston was superb. Miro backstage promo about not being ready to forgive God until he wins the AEW title was great. SuperKliq, Christian Cage, & Jurassic Express brawl was all right. Soho vs. Statlander match hype video was splendid. Yikes at Aerostar’s leg after hitting the guard rail from his sunset dive to Harwood on the outside. Del Sol & Wheeler’s counters fest into a Slice Bread by Del Sol was sweet. Harwood’s brainbuster to Aerostar on the outside was cool. AAA Tag title was a really good action filled match despite being sloppy at times. Inner Circle & American Top Team promo segment about their upcoming match & Lambert as the surprise final pick twist for Top Team was wonderful & funny. Hayter vs. Jay was pretty good despite the ending shenanigans. Post-match brawl with Conti, Baker, Rebel, & Rosa was fine. MJF & Darby Allin promo about their bad blood & brawl with Pinnacle, Sting, & fake Darby guys was fantastic. Allin’s vicious running clothesline to MJF sending both over the railing was awesome. Andrade vs. Rhodes was quite good despite the ending shenanigans by FTR. Bunny vs. Red Velvet match hype video was splendid. Miro’s catch & overhead suplex of Cassidy’s dive to the outside was brutal. Cassidy’s elbow drop to Miro onto a table on the outside was cool. Cassidy vs. Miro was an entertaining hard hitting bout. This week’s show was very enjoyable overall.

AEW Rampage (Nov. 5)
* Bryan Danielson vs. Anthony Bowens – 3.0
* TBS Championship tournament First Round match – The Bunny vs. Red Velvet – 2.5
* Adam Cole vs. John Silver – 3.5
Overall – 3.5
Best – CM Punk& Eddie Kingston face-to-face in-ring promo segment.
Worst – The Bunny vs. Red Velvet match.
Show Notes – Max Caster’s pre-match rap diss to Danielson was great, especially the dig at Danielson’s father-in-law John Laurinaitis over the spike in WWE releases since he got hired again. Bowens’ modified spinning DDT counter of Danielson’s running dropkick in the corner was cool. Danielson’s top rope splash to Acclaimed on the outside was nice. Danielson vs. Bowens opener was a quite good back-and-forth action filled match. Andrade, MJF, & FTR backstage segment about Andrade borrowing FTR to deal with the Lucha Bros & PAC was all right. CM Punk & Eddie Kingston heated promo segment about Kingston’s grievances with Punk since he showed up in AEW and their past history & bad blood in the indies, Punk’s retort about Kingston being responsible for why he fell short of his potential, & Kingston’s claim of the whole AEW locker room wants Punk gone & his dig at Punk quitting wrestling and brawl afterwards was terrific and one of AEW’s best ever segments. Christian Cage & Jurassic Express backstage interview about SuperKliq & match challenge was splendid. Bunny vs. Red Velvet was a solid match. Silver & Cole split-screen backstage pre-match interview was all right. Cole’s modified snapmare to Silver on the apron sending him tumbling to the floor was nice. Silver’s Liger Bomb counter of Cole’s leap over attempt was cool. Silver’s Release German Suplex bending Cole in half was cool. Silver’s nut shot counter & Spinning Liger Bomb to Cole for the close near fall was sweet. Cole vs. Silver was a very good back-and-forth action filled match, especially the latter half. This week’s show was very enjoyable overall.

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NJPW, Impact, & Other Wrestling

Impact Wrestling Impact! (Nov. 4)
* #1 Contender for Impact X-Division Championship Four-Way match – Steve Maclin vs. Rohit Raju vs. Laredo Kid vs. Black Taurus – 3.0
* Eric Young vs. Jai Vidal – 2.0 (Squash)
* The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson) vs. FinJuice (David Finlay & Juice Robinson) – 2.5
* Impact Knockouts Championship – Madison Rayne vs. Mickie James (c) – 3.0
* Madman Fulton vs. Chris Sabin – 3.0
* Six-Man Tag Team match – Moose, W. Morrissey, & Minoru Suzuki vs. Eddie Edwards, Matt Cardona, & Josh Alexander – 3.0
Overall – 3.0
Best – Six-Man Tag Team match.
Worst – The DQ shenanigans ending to the Good Brothers vs. FinJuice match.
Show Notes – Kid’s tope rope moonsault to Maclin, Raju, & Taurus on the outside was cool. Taurus’ top rope corkscrew splash to Maclin & Raju was nice. Kid’s dive into a hurricanrana to Taurus on the outside was sweet. X-Division Contender’s opener was an entertaining action filled bout. Young’s pre-match promo about Rhino making the wrong decision, his “mountain of sacrifices” Impact plans, & banter with Vidal was splendid. Young’s vicious piledriver finisher to Vidal & the big bounce sell by Vidal was cool. IInspiration’s Locker Room Talk segment with Deacy’s spooky antics was okay. IInspiration’s backstage interview about Decay & Undead Bridesmaids being spooky was a bit funny. Good Bros vs. FinJuice was a solid back-and-forth style match despite the lame DQ ending by Bullet Club. Johnny Swinger backstage sale of Swinger’s Palace items & Hernandez offer to help Swinger’s Demon problems was decent. Rayne’s ripcord Cutter to James was nice. Knockouts title was a quite good back-and-forth action match. Post-match Mercedes Martinez surprise appearance & Knockouts title match setup promo segment was splendid. IInspiration & Undead Bridesmaids backstage segment was a bit funny. Fulton’s catch & chokeslam on the apron counter of Sabin’s dive to the outside was nice. Fulton’s Torture Rack & front facebuster combo to Sabin was cool. Fulton vs. Sabin was a surprisingly good match. Alexander & Edwards’ back-to-back suicide dives to Morrissey & Moose on the outside were nice. Cardona’s KO ragdoll sell of Suzuki’s forearm strike was funny. 6-Man Tag was a good back-and-forth hard hitting action match. This week’s show was enjoyable overall.

NJPW Power Struggle 2021 (Nov. 6)
* Kosei Fujita & Ryohei Oiwa vs. DOUKI & Yoshinobu Kanemaru – 2.5
* Jado, Gedo, & Tanga Loa vs. Tiger Mask, Tomoaki Honma, & Togi Makabe – 2.5
* BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, & SANADA vs. Master Wato, Ryusuke Taguchi, & Yuji Nagata – 3.0
* NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship – SHO, Yujiro Takahashi, & EVIL vs. YOSHI-HASHI, Tomohiro Ishii, & Hirooki Goto (c) – 3.0
* Provisional King of Pro Wrestling 2021 Championship Amateur Rules – Great-O-Khan vs. Toru Yano (c) – 3.0
* IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship – El Desperado vs. Robbie Eagles (c) – 3.5
* IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship – KENTA vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) – 4.0
* IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Right to Challenge Contract match – Tama Tonga vs. Kazuchika Okada (rights holder) –
* IWGP World Heavyweight Championship – Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Shingo Takagi (c) – 4.5
Overall – 4.0
Best – IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match.
Worst – The Bullet Club style filled shenanigans and flat finish to the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship match.
Show Notes – Young Lions vs. DOUKI & Kanemaru was a solid opening match. Bullet Club vs. Tiger Mask, Honma, & Makabi was also a solid bout. LIJ vs. Wato, Taguchi, & Nagata was a pretty good match. NEVER 6-Man Tag titles was a mostly pretty good match despite the Bullet Club style shenanigans & dragging a bit too long. Yano & Khan dressed in full amateur wrestling gear for their match was funny. KoPW title Amateur Wrestling Rules match was surprisingly really good. Despy’s Sunset flip through the ropes to Eagles on the outside was cool & same for the vice versa some time afterwards. Ouch at Despy’s head after getting spiked by Eagles’ Poison Rana. Despy’s brutal looking Numero Dos finisher to Eagles was cool. IWGP Jr. title was a very good back-and-forth action packed match. KENTA’s running big boot to Tanahashi sending him flying over the rail was nice. Tanahashi’s High Fly Flow to KENTA through a table on the outside was cool. Tanahashi’s Slingblade counter of KENTA’s GTS was nice. IWGP US title was a great hard fought action filled match, especially the latter half. Tonga’s Alabama Slam, Rolling DVD, and Splash combo to Okada was nice. Tonga vs. Okada was a very good action filled match. Tagaki’s shoulder tackle to Sabre Jr. bending him in half was nice. Sabre Jr’s neck twist counter of Takagi’s Dragon Screw was sweet. Sabre Jr’s Release German into a Saito Suplex by Tagaki into a strikes & kicks combo sequence by both was awesome. Takagi’s Pumping Bomber to Sabre Jr bending him in half was cool. Takagi & Sabre Jr’s slugfest exchange was sweet. IWGP World title was an amazing hard hitting action & grapple-heavy bout. Power Struggle 2021 was a mostly great show overall.

NJPW Strong New Japan Showdown Night 1 (Nov. 6)
* Team Filthy (JR Kratos, Royce Isaacs, & Jorel Nelson) vs. David Finlay, Yuya Uemura, & Alex Coughlin – 3.5
* El Phantasmo vs. Juice Robinson – 3.0
* Clark Connors & Ren Narita vs. United Empire (Will Ospreay & TJP) – 3.5
Overall – 3.5
Best – Buddy Matthews’ NJPW debut vignette and Clark Connors & Ren Narita vs. United Empire match.
Worst – N/A
Show Notes – Coughlin’s stiff chop to Kratos in the corner and Kratos shrugging it off was cool. Kratos’ deadlift delayed vertical suplex to Coughlin was nice. Uemura’s elbows fest to Isaacs was nice. Coughlin’s bodyslam to Kratos was impressive. Isaacs & Nelson’s springboard Cutter finisher to Uemura was sweet. Team Filthy vs. Finlay, Uemura, & Coughlin was a very entertaining hard hitting opener. Post-match brawl between Coughlin & Kratos was splendid. Robinson’s atomic drop to Phantasmo sending him flying out of the ring was a bit funny. Robinson & Phantasmo’s purple nurples to each other & Phantasmo’s KO sell of Robinson’s punch afterwards was funny. Phantasmo’s Frankensteiner & top rope splash combo to Robinson was nice. Phantasmo busting out the Styles Clash to Robinson was cool. Robinson’s Fisherman Driver finisher to Phantasmo was cool. Phantasmo vs. Robinson was a quite good back-and-forth action match. Robinson’s post-match promo mocking Impact’s Moose was all right. Buddy Matthews (former Buddy Murphy in WWE) debut vignette was awesome. Narita’s dodge & leg lock counter of TJP’s kick was nice. Connors’ pounce to Ospreay flying across the ring was nice. Ouch at Narita’s face after Ospreay’s stiff kick to breakup Narita’s leg lock attempt. TJP & Ospreay’s superkick & underhook Codebreaker assisted combo to Connors was cool. United Empire vs. LA Dojo was a very good back-and-forth action filled match. This week’s show was very enjoyable overall.

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Weekly Awards:

• Best match of the week – IWGP World Heavyweight Championship – Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Shingo Takagi (c) (NJPW Power Struggle 2021)
• Best match of the week runner-up – IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship – KENTA vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) (NJPW Power Struggle 2021)
• Worst match of the week – Xyon Quinn vs. Robert Stone (WWE NXT)
• Worst match of the week runner-up – Nyla Rose vs. Viva Van (AEW Dark)
• Best show of the week – NJPW Power Struggle 2021
• Worst show of the week – WWE NXT