| 1 | 01.01.2020 | Paul Allain | 5.0 | The opener was pure nonsense, with rookies and unknown going true ludicrous spots to get to the next round. It may be completely mindless, but it was a fascinating trainwreck, and was also important for the tournament arc. The second match was bloody, but too slow to capture my interest. Rickey/Parker is a decent conventional deathmatch, establishing RSP as a major threat. The fourth match was short due to weird happenings, making it an improvised mess with little residual value. Jimmy/Mance lacked originality, and the stipulation felt tamer than expected, but it puts an interesting newcomer into the Finals. Rickey/Brandon had no drama to it despite being so long, RSP's road as been laughably easy. Jimmy/Rickey was quite productive, the only true duel of the night that built the violence to a satisfying climax and severely elevated the victor, as it should be. The tournament lacked variety, starpower and consistency, but Jimmy Lloyd's ascension is compelling and makes the show all-around fairly entertaining. |
#