WWE Network Airs New Episode of ‘Prime Time Wrestling’, Five More Additions

In an interesting move, WWE aired a new episode of Prime Time Wrestling on the live stream early yesterday morning from December 17th, 1986. This is potentially a mislabel, as the correct date seems to be December 16th. In any event, as of the time this article published, the episode has yet to be added to the video-on-demand section and aired only on the live stream. It’s extremely likely that was just a mistake, of course, and will be added in the future. This is one of the missing episodes of the Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon period that is currently available on demand, so it’s definitely one I’m happy to see unearthed.

A lot of modern fans might not be able to appreciate action from all the way back in 1986 and I can completely understand why, but I enjoy it. I think anybody can enjoy the banter between Heenan and Monsoon and most matches are clipped so they won’t overstay their welcome. I recommend checking this episode out, and really any episode of Prime Time Wrestling that happens to be on demand as I can’t overstate the excellent chemistry between Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon. If you’re a newer fan, at the very least try giving it a chance!

– WWF Tag Team Championship: The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith & The Dynamite Kid) vs. Nikolai Volkoff & The Iron Sheik (with Slick)

– Started In Progress: Butch Reed (with Slick) vs. Steve Gatorwold

– Dick Slater vs. Jake Roberts

– Moondog Spot vs. Danny Spivey

– S.D. Jones vs. Adrian Adonis (with Jimmy Hart)

– Moondog Rex vs. Mike Rotundo

– The Islanders (Tama & Haku) vs. Don Muraco & Bob Orton Jr. (with Jimmy Hart & Mr. Fuji)

Give it a chance.

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This week’s episode of Tough Enough was a very controversial one. Naturally, I will avoid spoiling here who was eliminated but make note that the results will of course be revealed and discussed on Tough Talk. This may have been the most dramatic episode of Tough Talk yet. We’ve seen bickering between the contestants numerous times, and as expected it continues onto this episode, but we also get a relatively heated argument between judge and Total Divas star Paige with the host of Tough Talk, The Miz.

I’ve talked before about how excellent The Miz is in his role as Tough Talk host and he continues to prove it. He also challenges a contestant to a promo battle, although not much comes from it. You can tell how into the role he really is and how seriously he takes it. The trio of judges continue to be an interesting mix, with Daniel Bryan mostly being nice although he doesn’t particularly see much in one contestant, and Hulk Hogan just keeps on being Hulk Hogan. Paige continues to dial in her aggressive attitude as “the mean judge” which she does excellently. It’s hard to tell how much is for show, but since it’s WWE it’s safe to bet most of it is and she does it quite well. This was another very strong episode of perhaps the best “under the radar” show WWE produces.

Watch it.

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A new RAW episode went up on the Network, titled “Reunited and It Hurts So Good” and originally airing on June 22nd. This was the week after Brock Lesnar’s return and the big story is how will Seth Rollins stop the beast. Unfortunately, I didn’t care much for this episode. Aside from an excellent promo exchange between Kevin Owens and John Cena, there isn’t much I’d recommend. It’s not a bad show if you have the time, but for a three hour program it’s mostly skippable.

– Kane vs. Dean Ambrose

– The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) vs. The Prime Time Players (Darren Young & Titus O’Neil)

– Sheamus vs. Roman Reigns

– Kofi Kingston (with The New Day, Xavier Woods & Big E) vs. Neville

– King Barrett vs. Zack Ryder

– The Bella Twins (Nikki Bella & Brie Bella, with Alicia Fox) vs. Naomi and Tamina

– Mark Henry vs. Ryback

– Adam Rose (with Rosa Mendes) vs. Dolph Ziggler (with Lana)

Skip it.

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This week’s NXT continued the theme of episodes that simply don’t have much to them. Reminiscent of shows from the past, the shows rely heavily on enhancement matches to put over characters and NXT superstars. With that said, there were a few talking points. We had the first NXT appearance of new NXT Champion Finn Balor along with a contract signing with Kevin Owens for Takeover: Brooklyn. We also had the in-ring return for Eva Marie which has raised a lot of eyebrows, what seemed to be the end of the Emma and Bayley feud, and “Prince Pretty” Tyler Breeze confronting William Regal over his future on NXT.

I quite like the show’s format. Those expecting Takeover quality each week would be sorely disappointed, but the basic booking of the show works and it’s enjoyable. I also enjoyed Bayley and Emma quite a bit, though I still think if given the right platform they could do much better. Look out next week for Charlotte and Dana, while a week later in what could be Charlotte’s last NXT match, she’ll take on Bayley. I expect it to deliver in spades.

– Eva Marie vs. Cassie

– Baron Corbin vs. Mr. 450

– Samoa Joe vs. Mike Rallis

– Emma vs. Bayley

– The Vaudevillains (Aiden English & Simon Gotch) vs. Angelo Dawkins & Sawyer Fulton

Watch it.

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For those unaware, Culture Shock with Corey Graves is a short form series, meaning less than fifteen minute long episodes, where Corey Graves takes part in and looks at different customs, cultures, and events. In the past this has included Marvel, Star Wars, New York tattoo parlors, etc.

This time around Corey’s show is focused on the festivities of the Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. It’s a solid watch, but clocking in at only five minutes it’s absolutely nothing to sink your teeth into. If you have the time to burn or a mobile device, it’s worth giving a chance to but it’s certainly nothing must see. He does make for a quality host, however.

Give it a chance.

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Another week of The WWE List and this week it wasn’t too risqué to put on the live feed. Additionally, it was the most enjoyable episode yet in my opinion. While critics slight The WWE List for being too much like Countdown, but a shorter and less interactive version, there is a huge plus to the format of the show. Not being restrained by easy to vote on ranking systems means you can focus on more unique or less talked about items. Case in point: Coolest Swag.

I really loved this episode because merchandise is one of the biggest aspects of WWE since the explosion during the Hulkamania era and it’s rarely discussed. Of the thousands of shirts, thousands of figures, and numerous other types of merchandise, one thirty minute show could never do it justice but it was a fun look at some of the best or most wacky items from the past.

Any show with Wrestling Buddies is a good one, right? Another fun aspect of this show is the plethora of characters they have discussing topics. From current wrestlers and divas, to celebrities, to NXT talent, to legends, to even obscure characters from the past, everyone seems to be weigh in on different topics. The last few episodes have had Zeus aka Tom Lister Jr. and Ivory on. What?! The only thing I didn’t like was the jab from the Hardcore Pawn guys about nobody collecting DVDs anymore. As a fan of physical media, their comments hit me hard. Thanks a lot, Les and Seth.

Watch it.

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