“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.

(Aired 2/26/15)

Delusional Showcase

– Daniel Bryan’s promo was good in that it provided a “reality shot in the arm” for him headed to WrestleMania and before the thought of him having no plans could come about, he more or less got inserted into the Intercontinental Championship picture once Bad News Barrett came out. This isn’t bad though. You can’t say it is a demotion by any means, because look at John Cena. He’s not in the main event of WrestleMania either and has been in the United States Championship picture. The brawl with Barrett and Dean Ambrose was also decent.

– The Ambrose-Miz match was solid. The dynamic of Ambrose having the IC Title to get at Barrett and Barrett’s numerous failed attempts to get it back are entertaining, but it’s the fact that Ambrose isn’t Champion and shouldn’t argue for “honor and prestige,” exactly what Byron Saxton said on commentary. Byron Saxton should never be the voice of reason. Barrett got the Title back but you had the feeling Ambrose would get it again. Ambrose also got the win not surprisingly, as he keeps his momentum going.

– Barrett’s backstage promo had him call out Bryan and Ambrose and put himself over as Champion more or less. Decent.

– The Naomi (w/The Usos)-Natalya (w/Tyson Kidd/Cesaro) match was better than expected, but still way too short to be anything special. The two did have good in-ring chemistry and the two tag teams got their hands on each other and Natalya played possum to outsmart Naomi. Good progress.

– The Rusev/Lana promo was more insulting America and John Cena. We Google translated Vladimir Putin’s “letter” and the translation was correct more or less (look slightly right). Jack Swagger coming out was different but this wasn’t a new feud. He was over in this segment though before he got clobbered. If anything, this is probably a minor feud before Rusev turns back to Cena. Hopefully, they allow Swagger to get some revenge again.

– The Barrett-Bryan match was made more entertaining with R-Truth on commentary. Him mistaking Saxton for Jonathan Coachman was funny. Truth stealing the belt was also entertaining. Now with Barrett’s loss to Bryan adding to his “defeated by” list, he has to be the worst IC Champion ever. It’s hard to make a belt look good when its own Champion seemingly can’t beat anybody or hold on to said Title.

– The Roman Reigns sit-down interview with Saxton had Reigns excel in his best promo environment. They were smart to play up this side of him. His demeanor was great here. Strong point of the show.

– The backstage interaction between Ambrose and Truth was funny because of Truth, but for someone who went to the trouble of also stealing the belt to give it back so easily made Truth look weak, somewhat stumping his momentum.

– The Fandango (w/Rosa Mendes)-Curtis Axel match had more of the same complaining by Axel – albeit the #AxelMania stuff is funny with the added clock and the new wrestling tights. Fandango picked up a useless win. Can Axel look any more like a joke headed into the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royale?

– The Damien Mizdow-Miz commercial segment was quite humorous and allowed Miz to continue his egomaniacal actor routine and him obviously ripping Mizdow’s opportunity away from him was more good stuff.

– The announcement of Barrett defending his IC Title in a ladder match against multiple opponents sounded like the road they were going down considering who has beaten him so far.

– Adam Rose’s boxed promo didn’t add anything to his act despite letting us know he’d also be in the Andre The Giant Battle Royale match. Can we take him seriously?

– The Rose (w/The Exotic Express)-Goldust match was quite short as Goldust finished Rose off quickly. How memorable. Stardust attacking Goldust disguised as a Rosebud was a decent way to progress their feud, but disguising as a Rosebud has been done before.

– The Bray Wyatt promo was more of the usual, but Wyatt is at his best when he is focused on someone in his promos and obviously, the Undertaker is a big name. When will the two finally interact? This whole feud can’t be one-sided.

– The Dolph Ziggler/Erick Rowan/Ryback-Seth Rollins (w/J & J Security)/The Big Show/Kane six-man tag main event was good for what it was; fast-paced power moves that gave the trio their big moment.

Quick Results

– Dean Ambrose def. The Miz via pinfall

– Natalya (w/Cesaro, Tyson Kidd) def. Naomi (w/The Usos) via pinfall

– Daniel Bryan def. Bad News Barrett via pinfall

– Fandango (w/Rosa Mendes) def. Curtis Axel via pinfall

– Goldust def. Adam Rose (w/The Exotic Express) via pinfall

– Six-Man Tag – Dolph Ziggler/Erick Rowan/Ryback def. Kane/The Big Show/Seth Rollins (w/J & J Security) via pinfall