• Intercontinental Championship [Ric Flair vs. Edge] - There's going to be something wrong with the PPV you're watching if Ric Flair is the first match. As i've stated in past reviews, he's a legend in the industry that can still put on a great show. While I realize it's a part of the script, Lita's interference stopped this from being a better match than it could've been. However, Ric pulled off one of the greatest figure fours that I have ever seen. Watch it and see. All of the Flair classics are here: the Flair flop, the Flair chop and the Crimson Mask. Oh yeah, Edge is wrestling too.
  
  
• Todd Grisham Interviews Kurt Angle And Daivari - This is the interlude where Vince finally acknowledges that, unfortunately for the WWE writers, no matter how many derogatory things they make Kurt say or do in their effort to put Cena over, nothing short of decapitating small puppies and drinking their blood on live television will make the fans stop cheering for Kurt Angle.
  
  
• Women's Championship [Trish Stratus vs. Mickie James] - Mickie is a fairly recent acquisition to the WWE. On the one hand, this is a good thing - since the mass firing after the last "Diva Search", Trish really hasn't had an opponent that possessed any wrestling skills (other than the woefully underutilized Victoria). On the other hand, they've saddled Mickie with a recycled storyline where she's an overzealous admirer of Trish's and taking on all of the same divas that can't wrestle. Now that they're finally facing each other, this match starts out good, but towards the end there are some botched spots that had me wondering when it would be over. I've read that Mickie was a pretty good wrestler when she was known as Alexis Laree, lets hope that this storyline soon comes to an end and we could see Trish and Mickie (with Victoria thrown in for good measure) square off more often.
  
  
• Maria Attempts To Interview Herself/Shelton Benjamin Arrives With His Mama
  
  
• Jerry "the King" Lawler vs. Gregory Helms - This was the first "filler" match of the evening. After ditching his partner Rosey (and his "Hurricane" gimmick), Gregory Helms, takes on "the King" in this boring match.
Greg's not a bad wrestler, but in light of what was to happen at the Royal Rumble, the outcome of this match makes absolutely no sense. Not that wrestling is supposed to make sense, right?


• Shelton Benjamin's Mama In Catering - When I first read spoilers on the internet talking about Shelton getting a "mama", I admit that my eyes rolled pretty far back in my head. However, Thea Vidale has changed my mind about the character and she's not as annoying as I assumed she'd be. It's a shame Vince didn't have Thea wrestle Viscera.
  
  
• Big Show vs. Triple H - Show attempts some payback after HHH injured his "showstopper" hand with a sledgehammer on a previous edition of Raw. Unfortunately, HHH didn't realize that he'd be responsible for giving Show a weapon that could be the difference maker. Both wrestlers seemed as if they were just going through the paces during this match and it really didn't hold my interest.
  
  
• Carlito Strategizes With Chris Masters
  
  
• Shelton Benjamin vs. Viscera - Well, at least Shelton isn't jobbing anymore. Then again, the cost of winning this match was to let Viscera dry hump him. Was it worth it Shelton?
  
  
• Mr. McMahon Wishes Shawn Michaels Luck In the Elimination Chamber
  
  
• First-Ever Bra & Panties Gauntlet Match [Ashley vs. Maria vs. Candice Michelle vs. Torrie Wilson vs. Victoria] - After watching this match, I have come to the conclusion that Victoria has pissed off SOMEONE in the front office. Since my expectations for this match weren't that great, it didn't disappoint. In fact, it was slightly better than I thought. The "rules" of the match state that once a "wrestler" is stripped down to her bra and panties, she's out and the next participant heads down to the ring. Maria and Candice start the match, followed by Torrie, Victoria and Ashley. Maria comes close to pulling off a Shawn Michaels-esque upset and I almost found myself rooting for her (I know she can't wrestle, but I DO like looking at her). While Torrie didn't bother me as much as she usually does and Victoria looked as great as always, Candice's "wrestling" is as annoying as her voice. I won't spoil the entire match for you, but I will tell you that Mae Young and the Fabulous Moohlah make a ...memorable... appearance.
  
  
• Elimination Chamber Match For the WWE Championship [John Cena vs. Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Masters vs. Carlito vs. Kane] - Having seen all of the "Elimination Chamber" matches thus far, I have to say that this one was the least impressive. Not that I found the concept to be tired, it's not, I just don't think that Masters, Carlito or Cena should've been anywhere near the Chamber - let alone inside of it. Also, with both Kane and Angle wrestling with injuries (both known and/or speculated), they most definitely didn't bring their "A" games. That left Shawn Michaels to carry this match. As usual, he did his best effort to put on one hell of a show. The crowd in Albany were definitely anti-Cena and it was pretty damn funny listening to as they cheered ANYONE that slammed, punched, kicked or inflicted any sort of pain to him - which made the ending all the more satisfying, i'm sure.
  
  
• WWE Championship [John Cena vs. Edge] - Edge finally turns in that damn briefcase he's been using to smack everyone around. I have to admit that I don't care for either wrestler that much, but damn if I wasn't satisfied with the outcome of this match.

In addition to the card above, we're treated to four brief "bonuses":

• Mickie James Approaches Trish Stratus Leaving the Arena
  
  
• Kurt Angle And Daivari React To the Finish Of the Elimination Chamber Match
  
  
• Carlito Reacts To the Finish Of the Elimination Chamber Match
  
  
• Todd Grisham Interviews Edge And Lita - Edge discusses his post-show party plans. I'm surprised the following night's Raw wasn't included as an extra. Then again, Vince has become QUITE cheap when it comes to extras.
  
  

Video: New Year's Revolution's picture was colorful and vibrant. Unlike some of the recent DVD releases, this one had hardly any compression issues. Perhaps it's due to the fact that there wasn't too many pyro or graphic elements used. It's presented in the WWE's standard full frame 1.33:1 ratio.

Audio: The Dolby Digital 5.1 sound was crystal clear and enveloped my living room while I was watching it. Viewers are also given the option of watching the disc in Spanish.

Conclusion: Compared to last year's event, New Year's Revolution 2006 was a letdown. I'm an easy mark for the Elimination Chamber, but the participants (sans Michaels) really didn't deliver as much as they could. While I expect that much from Kane, Carlito and Masters, I was shocked (and disappointed) at Angle's performance. As for the rest of the card, there were ridiculous outcomes for some matches (Helms/Lawler), painful things on display (Bra & Panties Gauntlet) and one truly shocking moment (the post-Elimination Chamber outcome). All-in-all, it was a typical WWE Smackdown! PPV. Oh wait, this was a Raw presentation? 'Nuff Said. Rent It.