So stupid. So good.
Some might be tempted to classify this under that incredibly nebulous term “cinematic wrestling” that has been floating about in the ether since the world went to hell. While elements of that do pop here and there with the healthy amount of editing movie magic in here, I’d say that this escapes all the worst tropes that the WWE’s efforts have made.
Firstly, I appreciate that for the most part this match allows itself to remain within the realm of professional wrestling. There’s no non-diegetic musical scoring and commentary runs through the whole match as though following the action live. It also mostly sticks to the cinematic language that wrestling’s always presented–that of a combat sport being documented by a crew. There’s no denial of the cameramen here and the only truly cinematic moments meant to be separate from the organic footage comes to set up Page and Hager’s encounter at the bar. While we are aware that this is a strange bit of silliness brought about by a global pandemic, it never separates itself too far from what we know to be true within pro wrestling.
Secondly, I actually found this match funny. The most out there gag comes from Matt Hardy’s hijinx in the stadium pool, reincarnating in between attempts at drowning, while mugging for the camera underwater. That point stretches kayfabe the furthest but coming from Hardy and his Broken persona, it’s forgivable enough. And besides seeing the mocked up Mattitude/Matter of Fact video graphic did a lot to win me over. Outside of that, the humor is grounded in highly exaggerated wrestling spots. Matt Jackson’s locomotion Northern Lights Suplexes across the football field or even Chris Jericho arguing a call from Aubrey Edwards. Definitely within the realms of everyone’s character.
It’s the little moments of character that make this so strong despite its length too. Page riding on a horse makes for great spectacle, sure, but it’s him casually downing a whiskey after Omega’s glass of milk slops all over it that got me roaring. Guevara is just the perfect Inner Circle stooge and him bumping and selling for sprinklers is peak stuff.
Third, the action itself is really great at points. The Bucks keep their promise of leaping off a goalpost, there’s a running springboard splash from the rafters through a table, and there’s even a pretty well choreographed bar fight between Hager and Page. All of it, of course, climaxes with a spectacular finishing spot as Omega leaps off a platform through a stage below with a One Winged Angel on Guevara.
Easily one of the dumbest matches you’ll see all year. But not in the infuriating way that WWE often falls into. This one’s got charm and a decent sense of humor to boot. Let it take you on a ride.
