Another week means more WWE Network additions are here! Like every week, we had several items added to the video on demand library, while we also had some original content. Thanks to Wrestlemania Week, the amount of content we had was much larger than usual, so as a result, this will be a longer post than usual.
There were plenty of other uploads besides what is listed below including the latest episodes for NXT and Superstars. However, thanks to such a big weekend we also have reviews for NXT Takeover: Dallas and Wrestlemania 22. This is all in addition to the respective kick off shows and more episodes of 2002 and 2003 RAW episodes. Now let’s take a look:
RAW Pre-Show
This week’s episode of the RAW Pre-Show wasn’t from the studio, but instead it came live from Dallas at RAW. As a result, Scott Stanford wasn’t here. Replacing him was Renee Young, and she was joined by the usual team in Booker T, Corey Graves, and David Otunga.
I don’t enjoy these RAW Pre-Show episodes as much as I do the regular ones. They simply aren’t as good. You have Superstars being spoiled, people don’t seem to go as indepth in their analysis, and something just seems missing. Of course, Renee is charming and great to have around, but Scott Stanford and his Booker T feud being absent is disappointing as well! Decent enough, but not as good as the usual episodes.
Ride Along
This episode of Ride Along was much anticipated as it featured “Ambreigns”, Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose. On our site alone, some of our biggest traffic has been from people actively searching out information on this episode!
And truth be told, I was let down by it. Paige and Alicia Fox, the other car, annoyed me personally although their game was fun. Poor Erick Rowan! But overall, I’d definitely call this the worst of the WWE Ride Along episodes thus far. Still fine, but I wouldn’t say go out of your way to see this one.
Ride Along
This week’s second episode of Ride Along was a good one. While WWE Ride Along won’t appeal to everyone, I enjoy the show quite a bit. In some ways, it definitely is a light version of Table For 3, but I think it can still stand out and have value.
This episode had The Bellas, Nikki and Brie Bella in one car. The twins discussed numerous topics, but in general it felt like their usual interactions on Total Divas. That isn’t a bad thing if you enjoy it, though. The other car also features some Total Divas regulars from the past with The Usos, Naomi, and Tamina. This was fun, especially as both cars interacted at one stage. Good episode.
Legends with JBL
This was an absolute delight to watch. Legends with JBL always delivers and honestly, this might be my favorite episode yet. Michael Hayes is a person who has a very mixed reputation, specifically among fans and journalists. Of course, his mic work is undeniable and he drew big money, but to some he’s just the guy who wears wacky suits and was in that Mark Henry incident.
This sheds light on that among, discusses Gino Hernandez’s death, and covers a number of other topics. JBL is hard hitting in some of these interviews, but of course, the guests may be less topical and as a result it gets less attention. But this was just fantastic. I urge everybody to watch this.
Stone Cold Podcast
The Stone Cold Podcast is what it is. Sometimes it is great and compelling when Austin interrogates his guests, and other times its just a fun conversation. While I stick by my previous statement in that both Chris Jericho and JBL are better interviewers, the Stone Cold Podcast is still fun for what it is.
This time we had Mick Foley, and later on his daughter Noelle Foley. Foley tells a lot of stories along with hyping up both Dean Ambrose and his future WWE Network series, Holy Foley. Holy Foley certainly sounds interesting. This wasn’t a groundbreaking interviewer, and it taking place in front of a crowd certainly gave it a different kind of feeling, but Mick Foley talking is always entertaining. Check it out.
WWE Hall of Fame Red Carpet Show
The 2016 Hall of Fame Red Carpet show was added to the service and it was fun for what it is. Maria Menounos and Byron Saxton host it with Cathy Kelley interviewing others, and to her credit, she did a solid job even though there were some notable errors. A show like this isn’t must see, but it is definitely fun. I say check it out if you have the time.
WWE Hall of Fame 2016
This year’s Hall of Fame was a fun one to watch, but it wasn’t spectacular. A lot of the inductors were more interesting than the inductees, as the APA, The Dudleys, John Cena, etc. all did quite well. In the same vein, Snoop Dogg sort of stole the show with his speech, but Michael Hayes did fantastic as well. Good fun to watch, but of course, it isn’t about being entertaining.
This Week in WWE
This past week’s edition of This Week in WWE covered the final shows before Wrestlemania. If you’ve seen the big event, this will likely be outdated to you and as a result, not very interesting. However if you haven’t yet, this will catch you up on most of the things you need to know.
Main Event
This episode of Main Event aired on March 15, 2016. It was the 181st edition of the series. This one is notable as it has a match with Sami Zayn. I personally consider Sami to be one of the best workers in the company, so as a result if he’s on a show, I find it worth watching. It is a solid show all around, but of course, it is outdated. Hopefully that is one day fixed.
Match List
The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) vs. The Lucha Dragons (Kalisto and Sin Cara)
Paige vs. Summer Rae
Sami Zayn vs Stardust
RAW
RAW 1188 was aired on February 29th of this year. This was on the road to Roadblock, which was on the road to Wrestlemania. As a result, Dean Ambrose was focused on Triple H. In general, I thought this was a pretty weak show. I definitely wouldn’t recommend rewatching this one, but if you haven’t seen it already it may be worth checking out.
Match List
Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch
Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz
The Lucha Dragons (Kalisto and Sin Cara) vs. The League of Nations (Sheamus and Rusev with Alberto Del Rio and King Barrett)
Adam Rose (with The Social Outcasts, Heath Slater, Curtis Axel, and Bo Dallas) vs. Ryback
Chris Jericho and AJ Styles vs. The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Big E, with Xavier Woods)
Bubba Ray Dudley (with D-Von Dudley) vs. Jey Uso (with Jimmy Uso)
Kevin Owens vs Big Show
Brie Bella (with Alicia Fox) vs. Naomi (with Tamina)
Dean Ambrose vs. Alberto Del Rio
Smackdown
On March 3rd of this year, the WWE aired Smackdown. This was the 863rd episode of the series and the main focus of the show was Dean Ambrose and Kevin Owens who have had issues for some time now.
Match List
The Usos (Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso) vs. The League of Nations (Sheamus and Rusev with King Barrett and Alberto Del Rio)
The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler
Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch
Kofi Kingston (with New Day, Big E and Xavier Woods) vs. AJ Styles
Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens
Closing Thoughts
Wow. Talk about an impressive amount of content right? All of these months of issues with the rate of original content and here we are, with an almost overwhelming amount! Honestly, excluding the weekend show, this is pretty much where they should be every week. A Network should, in theory, have fresh original content several nights a week.
And it certainly delivered this week. Looking ahead, it will obviously slow down but hopefully not completely. Especially with Camp WWE coming in less than a month and more Edge and Christian Show episodes still to come.
Stick to WWE Network News for more WWE Network news, reviews, and previews! Also be sure to follow me on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/AWWENetworkGuy and to join in on the discussion with your opinions, predictions, and desires about the WWE Network!