Hello friends!
So, about the future of this column. Feels like next year it should be moving to a monthly project. That will allow for separate pieces about stand-out events to take place in between posts, and for me to feel less rushed. I expect things will stay at the WithAPassion.com domain, but could easily see me leaving Tumblr.
As always, if I’m missing anything that can be accessed without too much trouble, @ me on twitter: henrytcasey.
What I Watched
- WWE Clash of Champions 2017, 12/17
- Monday Night Raw, 12/18
- SmackDown LIVE, 12/19
- 205 Live, 12/19
- NXT, 12/20
- Progress: Live at the Dome (12/13), 12/22
Upcoming Watch List
- Monday Night Raw, 12/25
- Riptide: Black Water, 12/25
- SmackDown LIVE, 12/26
- 205 Live, 12/26
- NXT, 12/27
- NOVA Pro: Such Great Heights 12/28
Non-WWE Match of The Week:
Chris Ridgeway vs Damon Moser vs Pastor William Eaver vs Spike Trivet
Progress: Live at the Dome (12/13), 12/22
So, because I’ve been watching Riptide Wrestling well-after it went up on VOD, I haven’t had a chance to gush about it, nor its lothario Spike Trivet, here until now. If you haven’t seen him work yet, just load up Riptide Returns (a $6 rental) or non-Chapter show from Progress, if you already subscribe to Demand Progress and you don’t have the cash for more VOD Graps. Not only does this match have a ton of excellent spots from the other three stars in the match, but Trivet is just one of the best new baddies in a while.
Honorable Mentions:
- Sugar Rush (Candyfloss & Zoë Quinn Lucas) vs Laura Di Matteo & Bea Priestley, Progress: Live at the Dome (12/13), 12/22
- Mike Bird vs Danny Jones, Progress: Live at the Dome (12/13), 12/22
- Chris Brookes vs David Starr, Progress: Live at the Dome (12/13), 12/22
Non-WWE Segment of The Week
Glen Joseph Deals With Spike Trivet
Progress: Live at the Dome (12/13), 12/22
And he’s such a baddie that I’m giving an award to this segment that had me screaming “WATCH OUT, GLEN!” at my TV.
Honorable Mentions:
- “All I Want For Christmas”, Being The Elite Ep. 84, 12/19
- EVOLVE 4K Short Film: It’s Time To EVOLVE To A New Chapter, 12/22
- “My First Gig”, Being The Elite Ep. 85, 12/23
WWE Match of The Week:
Tyler Bate vs. Pete Dunne – WWE United Kingdom Championship Match
NXT, 12/20
Sometimes, hot takes are tweeted with a sense of “I don’t believe this, but have fun yelling at me.” But when I posted the message “Dunne Bate is a better wrestling trilogy than Okada Omega.” I meant it with every inch of my mind and heart.
Why are these matches so good? Because these two have amazing chemistry, facial expressions and aesthetics that do all the storytelling that NXT isn’t doing for them, and their finishing sequences have gotten better and better over the span of 2017.
I’ll write more on this, and soon.
Honorable Mentions:
- Bobby Roode vs Dolph Ziggler vs Baron Corbin© United States Championship Match, WWE Clash of Champions 2017, 12/17
- The New Day vs Rusev and Aiden English vs Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin vs The Usos © for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship, WWE Clash of Champions 2017, 12/17
- Jinder Mahal vs AJ Styles, WWE Clash of Champions 2017, 12/17
- Cedric Alexander vs. Drew Gulak – Winner earns Cruiserweight Championship Match, Monday Night Raw, 12/18
- Seth Rollins vs. Jason Jordan – Winner faces Samoa Joe, Monday Night Raw, 12/18
- The New Day vs. Rusev & Aiden English, SmackDown LIVE, 12/19
- The Usos vs. Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin, SmackDown LIVE, 12/19
- Cedric Alexander vs. Drew Gulak, 205 Live, 12/19
- Roderick Strong vs. Lars Sullivan, #1 Contenders Tournament Match, NXT, 12/20
- SAnitY vs. Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish – NXT Tag Team Championship Match, NXT, 12/20
WWE Segment of the Week:
“Woken” Matt Hardy moves his pieces into position
Monday Night Raw, 12/18
Even though this is arguably nothing new and rehashing what Hardy did in TNA, it still gets the win. Why? It’s Matt Hardy talking to a freaking goldfish that’s why. And it’s entertaining. This isn’t rocket science.
Honorable Mentions:
- Stephanie McMahon announces the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble Match, Monday Night Raw, 12/18
- Daniel Bryan explains his actions at WWE Clash of Champions, SmackDown LIVE, 12/19
- The New Day’s holiday celebration is crashed by Rusev & English, SmackDown LIVE, 12/19
- Braun Strowman is The Elf Among Men: A WWE Christmas movie parody – YouTube 12/21