Henry's World

In which we witnessed Roman Reigns dying amidst rapturous applause, Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton fighting in a f***ing house, Bayley's hometown return and some really great wrestling. So yeah, it was a packed 3 hours. Also, I've been doing these reviews for a long time man. My first official recap was Night of Champions 2015, and I've covered a lot of shows since then. So for any event I'm covering that I've reviewed in the past, I'll now include the previous score, to compare. Let's get to it. Payback 2016 Score: 7/10 - If there's one thing I've learned as a fan over the past few years, it's never to let other wrestling fan's pre-judgment of an event cloud my own perception. I've learned to ignore a lot of opinions, and I was pleased to see this show deliver as well as it did.  - Count me as shocked with Chris Jericho regaining the United States Championship, but I totally didn't mind. I kind of feel he should have re...

Power, glory, fame and fortune. These are many of the causes, many of the desires of those who fight. Plenty of people fight for others, selfless in their virtue and humble in defeat. Plenty fight for themselves, hoping only for the immeasurable riches at the end of the journey. Tonight, these men and women fight for something different. You can call it revenge, vengeance, retribution. Here on Raw, we call it....Payback. And now, Raw presents.......................................Payback!!! Universe Mode Payback April 30th, 2017 Location: San Jose, CA Official Payback Theme Song- "Enemies"- Shinedown Shinsuke Nakamura vs Rusev This was a big match to start off Payback, as the King of Strong Style looked for revenge. The power of Rusev was crucial to the match, as was the presence of Lana at ringside. Multiple times, Nakamura built momentum, and the Ravishing Russian interfered to help her husband. A miss on the Kinshasa gave Rus...

Apologies for this post coming out today. It was supposed to go out yesterday, which leaves the awkward situation of three posts going out on the same day. Oh well. Also, why does everyone hate the name Payback so much? It's a fine pay-per-view name in my opinion, but it's certainly no Great Balls of Fire. Pre-Show- Gallows and Anderson vs Enzo and Big Cass My Prediction: Good Brothers win We've seen this match a million times on Raw, and we get it once more on the Kickoff show. With The Revival not in the picture for the time being, the heels need the win more. Cruiserweight Championship Match- Neville vs Austin Aries My Prediction: A Great Champion If you're going to name a show Payback, someone on this card's going to have to get revenge, and I think this is a good spot. Not sure where TJ Perkins fits into this, but I see Aries walking out with the belt. Raw Tag Team Championship Match- The Hardy Boyz vs Cesaro and Sheamus My Prediction: So...

On tonight's episode of NXT, the NXT Championship Tournament First Round comes to an end, as Andrade Almas faces Kassius Ohno. The Glorious Bobby Roode makes his NXT return, as he takes on the Golden Star Kota Ibushi. In our main event, former Intercontinental Champion Apollo Crews faces former Cruiserweight Champion TJ Perkins. Plus, the Authors of Pain debut. Universe Mode NXT April 26th, 2017 Location: Full Sail University Authors of Pain vs Hype Bros Akam and Rezar, the Authors of Pain, were accompanied to the ring by legendary manager Paul Ellering, as they made their Universe Mode debuts. They were nothing short of dominant, rarely losing control, and Ellering's presence offered them the numbers advantage as well. A volley of impressive double team moves earned them the win. Winners: Authors of Pain Andrade Almas vs Kassius Ohno- NXT Championship Tournament 1st Round Match The Knockout Artist Kassius Ohno had plenty of hype leading into this fi...

The blue brand is in turmoil. Following devastating attacks from Brock Lesnar, the past two shows have ended with the Beast Incarnate standing tall. Tonight, to open SmackDown, General Manager Daniel Bryan will open the show and address what, if any, his plans for handling Lesnar are. Very little else is advertised for this show, though we do know that the Wyatt Family will make their SmackDown debuts when they face the Prime Time Players. Universe Mode SmackDown Live April 25th, 2017 Location: Hartford, CT Daniel Bryan Promo The SmackDown GM made his way to the ring to a raucous reception. He then addressed Brock Lesnar, saying that he knew something like this would happen. Although he has every right to punish, Brock, he is impressed with Lesnar's willingness to make things happen. So next week, he will face Cesaro and Roman Reigns, with the winner facing AJ Styles at SmackDown's exclusive pay-per-view, Backlash. Also, Tyson Kidd will challenge Randy Orto...

Over the weekend, it was made official that this Sunday, at Payback, Shinsuke Nakamura will go one on one with Rusev. Tonight, the Bulgarian Brute makes his return to the ring as he faces Kurt Angle in Raw's main event. Plus, the New Day and American Alpha team up, Asuka prepares for her championship defense and more! Universe Mode Monday Night Raw April 24th, 2017 Location: Minneapolis, MN Austin Aries vs R-Truth The Greatest Man That Ever Lived went in search of victory to open Monday Night Raw, facing the eccentric R-Truth. Truth gave Aries all he could handle and more, but Double A fought through adversity and locked in the Last Chancery in the middle of the ring for the submission victory. Winner: Austin Aries Champion and Challenger Went At It In a change of pace, it was Seth Rollins who would stand up to Samoa Joe, as the Universal Champion was walking backstage. After an exchange of words, the fight was on, as these two men went at it six days befo...

Tonight, the NXT Championship Tournament continues, as Eric Young faces Jack Gallagher, and Drew Gulak takes on Hideo Itami in the main event. Plus, Natalya gets her opportunity to prove herself against the Princess of Staten Island, Carmella. Universe Mode NXT April 19th, 2017 Location: Full Sail University Eric Young vs Jack Gallagher- NXT Championship Tournament 1st Round Match Eric Young, the leader of the new group called Sanity, was accompanied by stable mates Killian Dain and Nikki Cross as he faced the Extraordinary Gentleman, Jack Gallagher. From the start, the numbers game played a huge factor, as Dain and Cross got involved whenever their leader was in trouble. Gallagher did his best, but simply couldn't overcome the disadvantage, and fell prey to a vicious neckbreaker that sent EY through to the next round. Winner: Eric Young A New Force Debuts Next week on NXT, we will see the debut of the much hyped Authors of Pain, as they face Zack Ryder an...

After a match of the year candidate at WrestleMania, Cesaro has offered Roman Reigns a rematch tonight, which the Big Dog accepted. The Swiss Superman has even put his championship match on the line to prove that he is the absolute best. Tye Dillinger, the dangerous Nia Jax and more! Universe Mode SmackDown Live April 18th, 2017 Location: Newark, NJ Tye Dillinger vs Curtis Axel Tye went in search of his first win here in Universe Mode, as he faced Curtis Axel, who had the support of fellow stable mates Heath Slater and Bo Dallas. Despite this, the numbers game was always going to be in favor of the Perfect Ten, and a Tye Breaker put Axel to sleep. After the match though, things weren't quite as perfect for Tye, as he was jumped by Slater and Dallas. Tye might've won the match, but the Social Outcasts left him laying. Winner: Tye Dillinger The Miz Promo We were interrupted by The Miz, who seemed to be in a foul mood. He demanded a mic and went on a r...

It's a big night here on Monday Night Raw, with three number one contendership matches. Paige hosts an open challenge, Kevin Owens faces Dolph Ziggler and Finn Balor takes on Shinsuke Nakamura in the main event, with the winner facing Samoa Joe at Payback. Universe Mode Monday Night Raw April 17th, 2017 Location: Atlanta, GA Braun Strowman vs Sin Cara The Monster Among Men made a huge impact on his Raw debut, as he decimated poor Sin Cara. A chokeslam was followed up by a Running Powerslam, and that was all she wrote. Winner: Braun Strowman Paige vs ???- #1 Contender's Match for the Raw Women's Championship Paige issued this open challenge for any woman on the Raw roster last week, and Shane decided to make this a number one contender's match. The woman who answered the call was none other than the Irish Lass-Kicker, Becky Lynch. These two rivals went at it once more, and put on a great show. In the end, the Dis-Arm-Her submission hold was locke...

For the first time in over six months, NXT is back! It returns with a bang, as sixteen of the top competitors in the world will compete in a grueling, single-elimination tournament to crown the new NXT Champion. The first round starts tonight, featuring new debutants Aleister Black and Roderick Strong, as well as exciting cruiserweights like Cedric Alexander, Rich Swann and Ricochet. The future starts now! Universe Mode NXT April 12th, 2017 Location: Winter Park, FL(Full Sail University) Natalya Promo The Queen of Harts opened the return episode of NXT, to a less than favorable reaction. She said that she had been wasted on SmackDown, pushed aside for less talented women like Becky Lynch, Paige, Charlotte and Alexa Bliss. Natalya is wrestling royalty, and she demands to be treated like it. So, if William Regal wants to keep his best talent happy, he better be ready to treat Natalya like the champion she is. Cedric Alexander vs Aleister Black- NXT Championship Tour...

It's Champion vs Champion tonight on SmackDown, as Intercontinental Champion Randy Orton faces WWE Champion AJ Styles. Plus, five men make their blue brand debuts, including Enzo and Big Cass and Sami Zayn, and Nia Jax faces Alexa Bliss. Universe Mode SmackDown Live April 11th, 2017 Location: Cohasset, MA Enzo and Big Cass vs The Club The Realest Guys made their SmackDown debut in a big way, as they faced Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. Before the match could begin, the SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Wyatt Family made their way to ringside to observe this match. Motivated by their presence, Enzo and Cass put on a great performance, and it was enough to pick up the win with a Rocket Launcher to Anderson, as The Club's struggles continued. Winners: Enzo and Big Cass Jack Swagger vs ??? The All-American American made his SmackDown debut against another new member of the blue brand.......John Cena! The Face That Runs The Place, accompanied by fiance Nikk...

Welcome to Season 3 of Henry's Universe Mode! We start off with a bang, as we have two big championship matches. Chris Jericho puts the United States Championship on the line in another open challenge, and in the main event Samoa Joe will look to defend the Universal Championship for the first time as he faces Mark Henry. Shinsuke Nakamura makes his Raw debut and more! Universe Mode Monday Night Raw April 10th, 2017 Location: Brooklyn, NY Alberto Del Rio vs Finn Balor Finn Balor made his return to singles action to open up Raw, facing tough opposition in the Mexican Aristocrat Alberto Del Rio. Although Del Rio kept pace for a little while, Balor unleashed with his volley of offense, nailing a corner dropkick before delivering a Coup de Grace. Winner: Finn Balor The Revival vs The New Day- #1 Contender's Match for the Raw Tag Team Championships Shane McMahon lifted the ban on The Revival, allowing them to compete for the titles here on Raw. However, the...

We are here today to conduct the first ever WWE Draft, where Raw and SmackDown competitors will learn the fates heading into Season 3 of Henry's Universe Mode. In this post, I will give an explanation of the rules, before unveiling each draft pick and giving you my thoughts. Enjoy! Rules -Each brand will have five draft picks, ten picks total. -Champions are not eligible to be drafted. -Tag teams/stables can be drafted as a unit or individuals, depending on what the GM wants and what the wrestler wants. -Thanks to winning Brand Warfare, SmackDown will get the first pick, while Raw will get the last pick. The 2017 WWE Draft begins..........right now! Pick #1- SmackDown selects Brock Lesnar What a way to start of the draft, as the Beast Incarnate in heading to Tuesday Nights. Since losing to Samoa Joe a few weeks ago on Raw, we haven't seen anything from Brock Lesnar. This move will certainly have most of the SmackDown roster looking over their shoulder. ...

Last night at WrestleMania, we witnessed an incredible show. On this episode of Behind the Universe, I will make some big announcements about my Universe Mode, done out of kayfabe. This is a big post, so I hope you're ready. First up, WrestleMania marked the end of Season 2 of Henry's Universe Mode. With some huge changes in store, it was time to start anew, and that begins next Monday on Raw, for the start of Season 3. What are those changes? Let's run them down. Season 3 Changes -First of all, all "titles" in Henry's Universe Mode have been officially re-branded to "championships". I think this just sounds a lot better, and gives a more official feel to the belts themselves. However, all matches for said belts will still be referred to as "title matches". -I've copied a lot of real-life WWE into Universe Mode for Season 3. All shows now feature the real-life sets, and the pay-per-view schedule has also been mirrored (Sm...

WrestleMania is always a hard show to grade as a fan. There's all the pageantry, the theater, the spectacle of it all. WrestleMania is more than just one match, or even the entire card. WrestleMania is an experience, and when done right, leaves you exhilarated, exhausted and satisfied. Now, don't get me wrong, WrestleMania 33 was not a perfect show. There were plenty of gaps, plenty of matches that failed to live up to expectation. This was not a perfect WrestleMania- but it was pretty damn close. -Huge shout-out to the booking crew on this night. They take a lot of slack from fans, but this show was booked near to perfection, the obvious results followed through along with plenty of surprises to keep the fans guessing. Pretty much every match on the card got the desired reaction from the crowd, which is difficult to do in this day and age. -I'll add some quick notes on the pre-show first. Neville-Aries was great, Mojo Rawley winning the Andre was a cool surprise ...

Welcome to the third and final part of WrestleMania. We will see the Intercontinental Title defended, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens' Last Man Standing Match, and two massive world title matches. Randy Orton(c) vs Braun Strowman vs Tyson Kidd- Intercontinental Title Match Right after the bell rung, the Intercontinental Champion rolled out of the ring, and dutifully, Braun Strowman went to work on Tyson Kidd. Even when Tyson got anything going against the monstrous Braun, Orton re-entered the ring to stop any comeback attempt. Strowman decimated Tyson with a Running Powerslam, and Orton then entered the ring, looking for the pin. But Braun was having none of it, and belted Randy with a vicious right hand, much to the delight of the crowd. Strowman beat the hell out of the Viper, who was ironically saved by the return of Tyson Kidd. He and Tyson went after Braun as a team, and took the big man out with a double superplex. The Viper then struck, catching Tyson with a RKO at the mo...

At one point over the past few weeks, I was seriously considering not bothering to cover this event. I barely watch or follow NXT these days, a far cry from when I used to watch the show religiously. I do enjoy watching Takeovers though, and I enjoy writing these recaps, so they stick around for now. -The opening eight-person mixed tag was pretty fun. Sanity is a great stable, and Tye is really over, so this was never going to go terribly. I do feel like including Ruby and Nikki into this match held it back a little bit, as their spots seemed to drag down the overall flow. Still, it was a fun little opener. -Aleister Black has a big future here in NXT(not Ring of Honor, Nigel), and an awesome entrance, so you knew he was getting a strong push. I think we've seen better from both men in the past, and this match did fall a little bit flat. -Tag team wrestling has been the high point of NXT for the past year and a half, and surprise, surprise, these guys stole the show ag...

We now begin Part 2 of this extravaganza, which will see American Alpha, Chris Jericho and Alexa Bliss all defend their respective championships. In the main event, Dean Ambrose will enter Hell in a Cell to do battle with The Undertaker. American Alpha(c) vs The Revival- WWE Tag Team Title Match This was certainly a high-stakes match, as the losers would be banned from competing for the WWE Tag Team Titles for an entire year. As expected, it was a really back and forth, evenly-matched contest. Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder took the champions to their limits, putting on an exhibition of tag team wrestling. A pivotal point in the match came when the Shatter Machine connected on Chad Gable, however Jason Jordan distracted the official long enough for Gable to kick out. Gable and Jordan rallied like only they can, and it was Jordan who struck the final blow, taking out Wilder with an Olympic Slam to continue their championship reign. Winners and still WWE Tag Team Champions: Amer...

A lot can happen in a year. Champions can rise, kings can be crowned, best friends become enemies and rivals become partners. Competitors push themselves to unbelievable limits, all in the hopes of victory. Tonight in the night where that endless drive, the un-quenching hunger to be the best can finally pay off. All the struggle, the heartbreak, and the emotion can all pay off. It is an opportunity that may only come once in a lifetime. It is a chance to put your name in the history books, a chance to bask in the glow in the biggest stage possible. A singular, fleeting moment that only comes once a year. This is the place where dreams come true. This is the apex, the climax, the conclusion. This is the Show of Shows, the Showcase of the Immortals, the Grandest Stage in all of Sports Entertainment. This is WrestleMania. And now, Raw and SmackDown present..........................WrestleMania!!! Universe Mode WrestleMania April 2nd, 2017 Location: Arlington, TX Official ...