WWE: Bragging Rights 2009 (2009) DVD

Reported by Ernest Aguilar Zevallos

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Even though I think the WWE is merely getting away with their silly PPV concepts so far, "Bragging Rights" is a success. The WWE hasn't done much brand-vs-brand action in quite some time, so it's nice to see them bring it back in a "Less Is More" fashion. Throw in a couple of championship main events, and we've got a good one here:

1) The Miz (United States champion - RAW) v.

John Morrison (Intercontinental champion - SmackDown)

---I'm glad WWE gave this opener a video package, because I think this was somewhat of a curiosity. After all, these two were one of the most successful tag teams in the past few years, and they never got the traditional "Tag Team Breakup Rivalry". I'm glad they waited, because Miz & Morrison have grown into their new characters, and enhanced their in-ring abilities in the waiting months. The best word to describe this curtain jerker is "FAST!" These guys just keep going, and going, and going. Move after move. Counter after counter. Near fall after near fall. One scary-looking high-risk attempt gone bad after another. I suppose you could fault Miz & Morrison for not telling a story in the ring, but frankly I'm so dizzy after watching them going full speed for 13 minutes that I don't care. This is an exciting way to start "Bragging Rights 2009", which will be par for the course tonight.

"7.5 / 10"

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2) Beth Phoenix, Natalya, & Michelle McCool (Women's champion - SmackDown)

v. Kelly Kelly, Gail Kim, & Melina (Divas champion - RAW)

---Look, as much as I think ladies' matches are underappreciated, I confess that 2009 hasn't been a good year overall for this division. But I recommend this breezy contest because like the opener, it keeps a fast pace, and just doesn't slow down. This also avoids obvious botches or weak athleticism that plagues many of the WWE's Diva matches. The SmackDown crew impressed me with their dominance, while the RAW ladies were agile enough to hang in their with their opponents. Gail Kim started things off, Kelly Kelly hung in their pretty well, and Melina was the hot-tag closer. I actually wish this tag contest went longer, but "short-n-sweet" is still sweet.

"7.0 / 10"

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3) World Heavyweight Championship

Batista v. Rey Mysterio v. CM Punk v. The Undertaker (champion)

---My feelings on this Fatal Fourway are similar to the ones I had with the recent triple threat title matches at "WrestleMania". The action is fast-paced. The wrestlers are talented. The storyline is at least interesting. The match is never boring. And...it's all too short. My reaction to this particular match might not make much sense: I guessed that this one was gonna be short since CM Punk and Taker's recent encounters have barely lasted 10 minutes, and indeed this contest was the same. However, from bell to bell, all four men didn't let the action slow down. Everyone was constantly going for the quick pinfall victories, and everyone got to show their signature moves. Plus, the aftermath is a twist that I'm eager to see play out. I'm guessing most fans didn't buy this PPV to see this match anyway. Honestly, I didn't expect much, either. But I thoroughly enjoyed it, and hope that the title picture on "SmackDown" doesn't continue to diminish.

"7.0 / 10"

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4) TEAM RAW

D-Generation X, Big Show, Jack Swagger,

Mark Henry, Cody Rhodes, & Kofi Kingston

-VS-

TEAM SMACKDOWN

Chris Jericho, Kane, Matt Hardy,

Finlay, R-Truth, & The Hart Dynasty

---I think there are two aspects to explore here:

First, is the concept. Brand competition is always a fun idea, even if it's meaningless. In no way do I believe that SmackDown is going to get a huge boost of anything from their victory, even though I believe it's a far superior show at this time. I actually didn't mind ECW being absent from this match; I've accepted that it's a training ground with a third-rate status.

Secondly, there's the 14-Man Tag Team match itself. Like most brand-vs-brand showdowns, I like this all-star mashup, but don't love it. I like seeing the unusual pairings of wrestlers, like Finlay/HBK or Kofi/Jericho. It was also nice to see a few rivalries get briefly revisited, like Matt/Swagger, or even Show/Kane. Credit must also go to the three commentators for sticking to their brand loyalties without interrupting each other. However, this contest could've been much more than it was. It was only 14 minutes for starters, when I think most of us wanted an epic confrontation. I was also disappointed to see most wrestlers fall into their usual roles. HBK got beat up a lot, while HHH got the dominant hot tag. Kane, Big Show, & Mark Henry made brief appearances, and nothing more. The Hart Dynasty didn't get to show off their in-ring excellence very much (Tyson Kidd barely got any offense in, period).

Overall, this is a good match, well worth your time & money. But there's a lot of room for improvement.

"7.0 / 10"

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5) "Anything Goes" Iron Man Match - WWE Championship

Randy Orton (WWE champion) v.

John Cena (Leaves RAW If Defeated)

---I'll skip the analysis over whether Cena would actually lose this match. I give credit to WWE and to the Pittsburgh fans for making it seem like a possibility. Anyway, something very strange happened in the weeks leading up to this. You see, I used to hate Cena/Orton matches from their Eddie Guerrero Tribute throwaway, to their thankfully-interrupted 2007 program. Their 2008 follow-ups were watchable, but nothing special. In 2009, however, Cena & Orton have proven time after time that they're worth the spotlight that they're under. I somehow knew their 4th & final PPV showdown of the year would be worthwhile. In my opinion, my faith has been justified.

For 60 minutes, John Cena & Randy Orton delivered. What's best about this match is actually the storytelling. Cena gets busted open (on accident), and actually uses it to his character for a while. It makes him even tougher, Orton even viler, and the situation even more desperate. There's also an unusual but neat moment when Orton tries to set off the stage pyro on Cena!!! Even some of the early quick pinfalls & submissions make perfect sense. The very 1st fall is when Cena traps Orton in the STF, and Orton taps almost before it's even locked.

The Iron Man Match is filled with little touches like these.

The "Anything Goes" stipulation is used about as well as it can be in WWE's PG-programming. Aside from the medics cleaning up Cena's bleeding, the match lived up to its tagline.

Where the match goes awry is in the 30-45 minute mark. Orton endlessly stomps and punches away at an exhausted Cena, and it starts to feel like Deja Vu all over again. I understand Orton's Viper character is a slow, methodical sadist. I understand that Cena is a tough underdog whose never-say-die attitude is what makes him marketable and engaging. But those 15 minutes clearly became stalling time.

Don't let that last paragraph worry you. Frankly, going 60 minutes is something most wrestlers can't even do. And most of us can't even make it in the indy professional wrestling circuit, let alone WWE. These comments are just criticisms from someone who's watched too much WWE, and who puts a premium on matches that keep the pace up. The bottom line is that John Cena and Randy Orton have had a strong rivalry in 2009, and the Iron Man Match is an excellent finale.

"7.5 / 10"

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"Bragging Rights 2009" is one of the best PPVs of the year. It's a solid 3 hours from start to finish. I hope WWE expands on this concept next year, and brings ECW along with them. But for now, I'll look at this as a taste of what "Survivor Series" is going to be, and a fun way to see RAW & SmackDown mix it up, with the two brands putting on their own solid title bouts.