WWE Armageddon

And so ends the five weeks of five consecutive wrestling pay per views. They've varied from good (TNA Genesis and Turning Point) to OK (Survivor Series) to the downright awful (December to Dismember) so it can hardly be a surprise that expectations were low for Armageddon. Holding a show so close to Chrsitmas was always going to be a problem, however adding to that the lacklustre state of WWE creative that won't allow a brand to plan any further ahead than the next pay-per-view (even if that show is for another brand) and you can't help but be sceptical. The line-up ahead of the show was also far from fantastic and showed just how the Smackdown brand is aching for star power that they had to draft in John Cena to help boost the buyrate. However in the end, it was an unanounced surprise match that most people will remember this show for and one that, if they had anounced it ahead of the show would more likely have generated some actual interest in the show, but I guess that isn't WWE's way in 2006.

The 4 team ladder match that the fans were given as a 'reward' for battling through all these shows was such a refreshing breath of fresh air that it could well be set to gate crash many peoples match of the year lists. The tag title match between London/Kendrick and Regal/Taylor looked to be match of the night on paper, however the addition of a ladder and the Hardy Boyz and MNM made this a real throwback to the year 2000 when Edge, Christian, the Hardyz and the Dudleyz were having innovative match after innovative match. If anything, this match really reminded you just what is missing from WWE in 2006 - excitement, danger and all out insane action!! This fact could not be emphasised more than by Joey Matthews mangled face after the botched ladder spot, that reminds fans that this is still dangerous and although unfortunate, gave this match an element of reallism that has been missing from so many other contrived gimmick matches where people are supposed to believe implausible injuries.

The abundance of gimmick matches in the Monday Night Wars has certainly devalued the significance of many match stipulations, however the lacklustre quality of many of those matches also helped. This 8-way ladder match though, reminded fans that, if done right, these kind of matches can be just as exhilrating and exciting as they used to be and, at the end of the day, most hardcore wrestling fans want to see high-paced athletic action, not bad comedy skits and tasteless angles.. This match was built fantastically around getting over all the participants in it and did a great job and no-one came out of this match any worse off for losing and that is what great wrestling is all about. London and Kendrick got the deserved win and proved that they are capable of hanging with more established teams. The MNM and Hardyz reunions, which were supposed to last for only a few shows, have given WWE a breath of fresh air and really proved that tag teams can be relevant in 2006. But let's not forget Regal and Taylor, who's roles were perfect as the whiley veterans who attempted to thwart the high-flying youngsters. In many ways, these two should have been the weak link that showed up the ludicrous nature of these kind of matches, but instead they were the glue that held the match together as the youngsters went from spot to spot. The bit where they threw the ladders out of the ring because they didn;t want to get involved in that kind of match was a really nice touch, while the moment when they were apprehensive about finally having to climb the ladder really gave the match some personality, and dare is say it, some depth.

Quite simply put, in this one match you had more emotion and drama than WWE have managed in 6 months of TV and pay per views. After this, the rest of the card was of secondary importance, but fortunately it was far from poor. Although nothing was as spectacular as the ladder match there were some fun wrestling matches (Helms vs. Wang and Benoit vs. Guerrero) and a very good Undertaker vs. Ken Kennedy match that will have definitely sent the fans home happy. The main event of Booker and Finlay vs. Cena and Batista was a filer match at best with none of the participants really clicking, but when you have had a phenomenal match on the undercard you can forgive a lot, even this average main event, as you have more than got your money's worth from the show. Let's just hope WWE acknowledge the fans response to these 4 teams and we don't see them return to mid-card purgatory when the new year begins.

Overall verdict: C+ for th show, A+ for the ladder match
"An above average show that seemed doomed to failure before it started, however it was rescued by 6 young athletes giving 150% and 2 whiley veterans knowing how to put a great match together. Worth getting hold of for the ladder match, but the rest of the card is far from poor and this is probably one of the better top-to-bottom shows WWE has put on this year."