The Best of Raw and Smackdown 2012 Blu Ray Review

The Best of Raw and Smackdown 2012 Review


After watching the excellent 2011 version of this set, I've been waiting patiently for this one. Lets see how good this one is.

As is usual, I will only review the matches and list the other moments. The overall rating will be for everything featured on the set.



Disc 1 Matches :



Kane vs Zack Ryder : Falls Count Anywhere
This angle killed all of Ryder's momentum. In fact I don't think it did anything for anyone except maybe Cena. I think it was just to give Cena something to do before facing the Rock at Mania. This was just an extended squash with Kane destroying Ryder. The match ends as Kane chokeslams Zack through the stage. *1/2


Not the best opener for the DVD, especially after the other great opening matches we've had for these DVD sets.



CM Punk vs Daniel Bryan
This was the first time that these two would have a one-on-one match in the WWE, so there was a lot of anticipation for this bout. Both guys were World Champions at the time which made it even more interesting. It did kind of guarantee a wonky finish, but that didn't stop it from being a great match. Chris Jericho runs in to cause the DQ, but before that it was a great back and forth contest. ***3/4



Wade Barrett vs Randy Orton : No DQ
Orton wanted revenge after being thrown down a flight of stairs by Barrett. These two would go on to have quite a few matches during 2012. Orton going through the table was pretty cool, kinda like Barrett's revenge for their tables match at the TLC PPV. Overall it was a very entertaining match as Orton wins with an RKO on a steel chair. ***



Sheamus / Big Show / Randy Orton vs The Miz / Cody Rhodes / Daniel Bryan
Strange to think that the face team will be teaming again at Wrestlemania. Although this match could build this team better than 3MB ever could. Really entertaining match and everyone got a chance to show off during it. Good stuff as Orton hits the RKO to win. ***1/4



Santino Marella vs Jack Swagger vs Dolph Ziggler
At the time, I was begging for either Swagger or Ziggler (preferably Ziggler) to take the title away from Santino. My wish didn't come true. At least not for another five months anyway. The crowd was heavily behind Ziggler. The match didn't last long, but it was a lot of fun which it should have been. Santino retains with the cobra. **



Kane vs Randy Orton : No DQ
A rematch from Wrestlemania here, and this ended up being better than the actual Mania match. Funny how sometimes the rematches are better. The two also had a great No DQ match in 2011. Orton being DDT'd on the stage looked painful. Good match as Orton hits the RKO to win. ***



CM Punk vs Mark Henry : No DQ
These two had an awesome non-title match on the Raw after Mania, mostly thanks to the crowd. This time the title was on the line and there were no rules. This was a great choice for the opener of the show. The fans were really into it. All in all a fun match for the title. Punk retains with a flying chair shot. ***



Kofi Kingston & R-Truth vs Primo & Epico
Tag titles are on the line. This was at a time when it seemed that the WWE were putting their tag team division back together. Obviously that never happened, except for Team Hell No. I'm surprised they didn't edit out the commentary about AW. Match was short but fun with new tag champs crowned. **



Randy Orton vs Sheamus
I was sure that at some point in the year, these two would have a World title match. Hell I thought they would have one at Mania 29. It's a shame they didn't because they had good chemistry, as this match showed. Great back and forth match, as both guys were trying to prove who was better. Sheamus got the win with a roll up. Very entertaining match. ***3/4



Dolph Ziggler vs Christian vs Jack Swagger vs The Great Khali
Elimination rules apply for this match and it's to decide a No.1 Contender for the World Title. Only Christian and Ziggler seemed like they had a chance of winning. I don't think anyone wanted to see Khali win. Khali eliminated pretty quickly with a frog splash. Killswitch takes out Swagger. It really became exciting when it was down to just Christian and Ziggler. Dolph hits the zig zag to win. ***1/4



Heath Slater vs Vader
The first of many of Slater's matches with past legends. Vader was an awesome choice. Strangely these really put Slater over to the audience. Just a lot of fun as Vader gets the win. *



Sheamus vs Dolph Ziggler
These two had a few great matches in 2012, such as their PPV Heavyweight Title match or the match they had on Raw at some point. They certainly have great chemistry and they showed it again in this match as they had an awesome back and forth encounter. Ziggler looked great too. Sheamus hits a brogue kick out of nowhere to win. ***1/2



Daniel Bryan vs Alberto Del Rio vs Rey Mysterio vs Kane
At the time, I wanted anyone to win except from Del Rio. Unfortunately he went on to win it. He had already faced Sheamus and so I wanted someone new, especially Mysterio. Could have been a great match. This was to decide a No.1 Contender for the World Title. Great fatal four way though with each guy getting to show off his moves. ***3/4



Ryback vs Tyler Reks & Curt Hawkins
Nice to have one of the many classic Ryback squashes on this set. Short match but pretty entertaining. Ryback hits the shell shock to win. *


Other moments on Disc 1 include :


Chris Jericho "Speaks"

John Cena has some Choice Words for The Rock

The Rock Concert

Brock Lesnar Returns

Daniel Bryan Tells off AJ

John Cena & Brock Lesnar Confrontation

Big Show goes on a Rampage

Santino Marella hosts "Sign of the Night"

D-Generation X Reunites



So far the set has been really enjoyable, lets hope Disc 2 can keep this up.



Disc 2 Matches :



Rey Mysterio vs Cody Rhodes
Wrestlemania rematch here. These two usually have good matches and this one should be no exception. I think Cody was pissed off at masked wrestlers here. Was there any explanation for that? And yes another good match between the two with some nice back and forth action. Mysterio hits the sunset flip to pin Cody. ***



John Cena vs Alberto Del Rio : Falls Count Anywhere
The two No.1 contenders for their respective World Titles going at it, and with no rules! Unfortunately we miss the start of the match due to those damned commercials. Cena countering Del Rio's top rope manoeuvre with a dropkick was a rare sight. The crowd was hot for this one, and it was a good match that used the stipulation well. Del Rio gets the win thanks to interference from Punk. Great little match. ***1/2



Damien Sandow vs Randy Orton
Good god Damien is amazing. Luckily this isn't the last match that will feature him on this set. As an added treat, we have Dolph Ziggler on commentary. The match was going well until the finish, when Sandow decided to run out of the arena, resulting in a count-out. **1/4



Dolph Ziggler vs Kofi Kingston 
I think these two have had enough matches together, but they're always so good, so I'm not arguing! This did start off pretty slowly, although it did get faster and soon they had the crowd in the palm of their hand. Some great counters, nearfalls, and back and forth action. Ziggler hits the zig zag to win. ***1/2



Beth Phoenix vs Natalya
This is the only divas match on the DVD, and boy they picked the two best divas in the WWE. I'm really surprised that these two didn't have more matches against each other. It's the only divas match that looks good on paper and is actually good. Nice match and Natalya even got to kick out of a glam slam. Beth rolls up Natalya to win. **1/2



Ryback vs Tensai
Ryback was working towards his big push at this time. He did get to show off his strength in this match. Tensai was pretty game as well. This was amazingly short. Enjoyable while it lasted though, just like Ryback's push. 1/2*



Sheamus vs Damien Sandow
Sheamus was capable of putting on great matches with guys that were smaller than him. Daniel Bryan for example. Team Rhodes Scholars had just been formed at this time. Very good match with some great heel work from Sandow. This might be Sandow's best match in the WWE so far. Brogue kick finishes the match. ***1/4


Daniel Bryan & Kane vs David Otunga & Alberto Del Rio
The only Team Hell No match on the set (unless you count the match from the Blu Ray Exclusives, but I don't). I was gonna say it's a star filled match, but then I realised that Otunga's in there too. Not as fun a match as I thought it might be, but it wasn't bad. Hell No gets the win. **



CM Punk vs Dolph Ziggler
Quite a strange contest since these guys were both heels, but they usually have kick ass matches together so it's fine by me. The crowd didn't seem to care about what was happening. Short match, but it was a lot of fun with some great wrestling. Punk hits the GTS to win. ***



CM Punk vs Vince McMahon
This was pretty damn awesome at the time. Kind of a dream match too. This was Vince's first match since Wrestlemania 26. Punk mimicking Vince's commentary was great. The stuff with the kendo sticks was great too. When Ryback attacked Punk, the ovation was huge. It's hard to rate but I'll give it  **3/4. Unfortunately they don't show Punk backhanding a fan.



Daniel Bryan vs Dolph Ziggler
These guys had a fantastic match at the 2010 Bragging Rights PPV. Lets hope they can give us another. Bryan managed to lock in a figure four which was quite cool. As usual there was great wrestling and Ziggler sold like a trooper. Really fun match overall. Ziggler hit the zig zag from the second rope to win. ***1/4



John Cena & Ryback vs CM Punk & Dolph Ziggler
Ryback was really over with the crowd at this point. This one took place in the UK. It was usually good when Cena was in the ring, since he has great chemistry with both Punk and Ziggler. The heat segment was pretty boring though, since we all knew Cena wouldn't be beaten by it. It was fun when Ryback was in though. Ryback pins Punk to win. **



Randy Orton vs Alberto Del Rio : Falls Count Anywhere
I honestly can't remember why these two were feuding at the time. All I remember is a very sloppy match at the Hell in a Cell PPV. They did use the FCA stipulation well though. This is probably the best match these two have had together. Very entertaining match. Orton hits the RKO onto steel steps for the win. ***1/2



Blu Ray Exclusives :



Santino Marella vs Jack Swagger
I know the US title isn't considered an important title, but I think it hit a low point when it was being held by Santino. At the time, the title win was exciting, but he only defended it a couple of times within five months, making it pointless. The match was very short, but the ending was a lot of fun. 3/4*



CM Punk & Sheamus vs Daniel Bryan & Kane
This took place before the whole anger management, hugging it out, and Team Hell No stuff. Really entertaining tag match, and all four guys seemed to be on their A-game. Punk and Bryan were especially good. Punk & Sheamus win with a GTS and brogue kick combo. ***1/4



The Miz vs Christian 
I can't believe that this is Christian's second match on the whole set. Surely he had more great matches? Anyway, Miz had won the IC Title from Christian at the previous Raw (1000). The original match was fun but this one was a lot better in my opinion. Great little gem between these two with some nice nearfalls. Miz rolls up Christian to retain. ***1/2



Sheamus vs Daniel Bryan : Street Fight
These two had a match of the year contender with their 2/3 falls match at Extreme Rules. This wasn't as good as that, but it was still a lot of fun. The other choices to vote for were Falls Count Anywhere, or No Holds Barred. They're all basically the same thing anyway.



Next up we have the Smackdown debut of Miz TV. I really couldn't be arsed watching this.




Randy Orton vs Wade Barrett
What a better way to end the set that by the two guys that seemed to have the most matches against each other in 2012. I forgot that Orton had a full head of hair at this point. Looks like 2007 again. If you've seen one of these matches, you've seen them all. Pretty entertaining but you wouldn't want to watch it again. **1/2



8/10. I've always found these kinds of DVD sets to be underrated and this was another great one. You get some nice non-wrestling moments, and a ton of great wrestling to go along with it. There are a couple of stinkers, but matches like Punk/Bryan and Sheamus/Ziggler make up for it. I'd recommend it.