Judgment Day was another show like Backlash that did not live up to the first three Pay Per Views of the year. With that said, once again WWE proved it knows how to put together a show that will satisfy its biggest fans (biggest in this case means most forgiving…not to say this PPV was bad, it was decent to good). At the same time based on the PPV buyrates the last couple of years, WWE may need to do more to influence the more discerning to buy its PPV’s. Judgment Day is the perfect example of the solid, yet unspectacular show that it is hard to get people to pay $40 for. The purpose behind this review is that there are various factors in whether or not an individual will purchase a DVD (or buy a tape or DVD from a friend or even watch it on Youtube or Dailymotion) of a wrestling event. Match quality and historical value will be the two most concentrated on. The reviews will obviously not be written for people who have to have every event ever made by WWE or TNA. This is for people with a more critical eye. We’ll go match by match starting with.
JBL vs. JOHN CENA
The match: This was a match that was not for people who want spectacular action in the ring, but the match was solid and full of psychology and smart work from two professionals.
Historical Value: John Cena was in the first match.
Watch or Skip: There are at least a few things on this show that are more worth watching if you have time constraints, but this was a good match.
JOHN MORRISON & THE MIZ vs. KANE & C.M. PUNK — WWE Tag Team Title match
The match: This was a solid match that would have been better with more time, which it would have gotten (and has gotten) on free TV.
Historical Value: This was a rare PPV title defense by Miz and Morrison despite the fact that they had been champions since November.
Watch or Skip: You may be better off finding one of their TV matches.
CHRIS JERICHO vs. SHAWN MICHAELS
The match: This was a very good match, which could be called great. This was more of a technical wrestling match then what we would get later on in the year at Unforgiven and No Mercy once the feud heated up.
Historical Value: None really
Watch or Skip: This is/was the match to watch if you are interested in this show.
MICKIE JAMES vs. “GLAMAZON” BETH PHOENIX vs. MELINA – WWE Women’s Title match
The match: This was a solid match and if the divas had matches like this more often (except longer), then they would not be written off (unfairly) as they are.
Historical Value: This match started Melina’s babyface turn.
Watch or Skip: If you want to see what divas are capable of, give this match a look.
EDGE vs. UNDERTAKER — For the Vacant World Hvt. Title
The match: This match was another very good match in the Edge-Undertaker series; these two had several PPV matches in 2008 and never failed to deliver.
Historical Value: The historical value in this match is more of a rarity, then a completely unique occurrence. That value is that this was a rare title match with no real decision on a WWE PPV.
Watch or Skip: Watch
JEFF HARDY vs. MVP
The match: This match was on the low end of what these two are capable of.
Historical Value: This was a rare Raw versus Smackdown match. It was also Hardy’s first PPV match coming off of his suspension.
Watch or Skip: Definite skip
TRIPLE H vs. RANDY ORTON — WWE Title match in a Cage
The match: This was a very solid match. Both wrestlers’ strengths are based more on storytelling then pure athletics and this match showed that the storytelling approach works.
Historical Value: None
Watch or Skip: This is a match that should be watched if you buy the DVD.
