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The Official Wrestling Thread (now with more news and stuff)

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Arcademan:
WWE RAW Results: 4-16-12

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.

1 -- WWE champion C.M. PUNK vs. MARK HENRY -- WWE Title match -- No DQ, No Count-out match

Punk tried to swipe at Henry with kicks early on, but Henry dodged Punk and went on the attack. Another loud chant for Punk, who tried using his quickness to avoid Henry, but walked into a lift-up slam. Henry knocked Punk to the outside, and the match appeared to be moving to the floor. Except, Punk scurried back into the ring, then flew through the ropes with a suicide splash. Henry was unaffected, though, as he whipped Punk into the ringpost moments later. Henry then tried choking the life out of Punk inside the ringpost and ring apron. Henry took too long following up, though, and ate boots to the face. Punk then hopped on the guardrail, ran the rail, and delivered a flying bulldog on the floor.

Punk spent the next few moments trying to drag Henry into the ring, but Henry rammed Punk back-first into the ring apron. Punk came back with kicks to the back that generated "Yes!" chants with each successful kick. Then, Punk tried following up with a seated splash, but Henry caught Punk in mid-air and absolutely smashed Punk into the guardrail like a ragdoll. They cut to break at 4:30 with Henry in control after a strong back-and-forth, see-saw start to the match.

Back from break, Henry was wearing down Punk inside the ring. Punk tried fighting back with kick strikes, but Henry ran him over with a chest block. Henry then stepped on Punk's throat before doing some trash-talking to no one in particular. Again, Punk with a comeback, then he grabbed a chair from ringside and put two shots to the stomach for a two count. Punk measured Henry for another shot, but Henry back-kicked Punk to cut off the champ again. Henry scooped up the chair, then popped Punk across the back with the weapon. Henry took his time following up, allowing for another comeback. Punk got the "Yes!" chants going, but then ran into another clothesline from Henry, cutting off Punk.

Henry selected a slow song on the dance floor by applying a standing bear hug mid-ring. Punk tried to fight out with rapid-fire elbow strikes, then he chopped down Henry at the knee. Punk followed with a leaning DDT, but Henry escaped a pin at two. Punk tried to follow with a top-rope move, but Henry caught him in mid-air. Punk escaped, then kicked Henry in the head. Punk followed with a corner knee strike, but Henry flung Punk away on a running bulldog attempt. Henry then went for a corner attack, but ate the steel chair wedged in the corner.

The chair fell to the outside and Punk scooped up the chair ringside. Punk then slowly made his way up top as Henry remained KO'ed in the corner of the ring. Punk reached the top turnbuckle with chair in-hand and the crowd reacted as Punk delivered a flying Macho Man chair elbow smash. Punk paused to sell the effects, then made the cover for a three count.

WINNER: Punk at 13:13 to retain the WWE Title. Solid TV match with a nice back-and-forth pace. The match appeared to be edited and chopped for the TV broadcast, which was one drawback to the action. (**1/2)

2 -- U.S. champion SANTINO vs. DAVID OTUNGA -- U.S. Title match

Basic action to start the action before Santino tried getting the "Yes!" chants with rapid-fire jabs, before Otunga kicked Santino in the face. Moments later, Otunga had a pin and appeared to score a three count, but the ref realized at the last second that Santino's foot was on the bottom rope. Ref Charles Robinson waved off his three count, Otunga argued, and Santino made his comeback, culminating with a Cobra shot to the jaw for the pin. Post-match, Cole complained about Otunga's loss as Santino celebrated his win in the ring.

WINNER: Santino at 2:01 to retain the U.S. Title. Basic house show match giving Otunga an "out" and setting up the follow-through.

3 -- KANE vs. ZACK RYDER

WINNER: No Match; bell never sounded. This captured Ryder's place in life enhancing upper-mid-card stars. Concerning Kane, more set-up for the inevitable Kane-Orton rubber match at Extreme Rules.

4 -- KOFI KINGSTON vs. DANIEL BRYAN

Lawler said he normally likes to hear "Yes," especially if it comes from a pretty lady, but now Bryan has ruined it for him. Moving along, Bryan "yes'ed" in Kofi's face to slow down Kofi as the crowd shouted their support for Bryan. Bryan landed a knee to the gut as a graphic flashed on the screen plugging the theme-less three-hour Raw next week. The graphic stayed on the screen for a while before Kofi teased a comeback, only to have Bryan cut him off with an uppercut. Lawler defended the honor of Gene LeBell as the match moved to the floor, where Kofi cut off Bryan with a strike to the face. They cut to break with Kofi in control.

Back live, Bryan was working over Kofi in the ring. They cut to a shot of A.J. watching the action on a TV monitor, and Cole admired A.J.'s perseverance continuing to pursue Bryan. Bryan blasted away on Kofi with more kick strikes as the crowd loudly chanted, "Yes!" Kofi then made a comeback with high-flying offense before warming up the crowd, which responded with boos. Kofi then delivered the Boom Drop before warming up for Trouble in Paradise. Bryan easily avoided, though, but Kofi came back with the SOS for a two count.

The action moved up top, where the two men blocked each other's offense before Kofi missed with a big top-rope splash. Bryan then wrestled Kofi to the mat and slapped on the Yes Lock center-ring. The crowd called for Kofi to tap out and he did, giving Bryan the submission win. Backstage, A.J. looked on approvingly as Bryan celebrated in the ring with the crowd doing "Yes!" chants over and over.

WINNER: Bryan via submission at 10:34. Strong singles match. Bryan gets a clean win, then reinforces he's a heel (despite the crowd) with a post-match attack. That's the type of win Bobby Roode needs as heel champion in TNA. (**1/2)

5 -- BRODUS CLAY vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Jack Swagger and Vickie Guerrero)

Ziggler tried an early dropkick, but Clay shooed him away and delivered an overhead suplex. Swagger then found himself in the ring and the ref tossed out the match 22 seconds in. Post-match: Vickie tried to get involved, but Clay's dancers pulled her off the ring apron. Vickie shoved down Cameron, then Naomi cornered Vickie and she walked into Clay's jiggling pecs. Naomi then popped a frightened Vickie out of the ring, leading to more dancing for Clay and the dancers.

WINNER: Clay via DQ at 0:22.

6 -- WWE tag champions EPICO & PRIMO (w/Rosa Mendes) vs. IC champion BIG SHOW & GREAT KHALI -- non-title match

Abraham Washington, being called "AW," walked out on-stage to scout talent in the opening minutes of the match. It's not clear which team AW was actually scouting. Cole noted AW has not signed anyone yet as the giant babyface duo dominated the tag champs. The tag champs then decided to leave the match, but Big Show dragged them back into the ring. Khali turned this into a handicap match by dismantling the champs before the giants hit a stereo chokeslam and Punjabi Plunge for a double cover for the win. Post-match, Show and Khali danced as Cole groaned.

WINNERS: Show & Khali at 1:55. Just a showcase of WWE's big-man stars at the expense of the tag champs. WWE's mid-card titles are virtually useless at this point.

7 -- JOHN CENA vs. LORD TENSAI (w/Sakamoto) -- Extreme Rules match

As the bell sounded, Cole took things back to WM28, wondering if Cena has even recovered from his WrestleMania loss to The Rock. And, now, he has to deal with Brock Lesnar. Lawler said he bets Cena thinks about that loss to The Rock every morning he wakes up. Tensai dismantled Cena early on before splashing Cena in the corner, which sent Cena rolling to the outside.

Cena teased a comeback on the floor, but Tensai whipped Cena into the ring steps. Tensai then wanted a powerbomb, but Cena countered with a back body drop. Cena then lifted up the ring steps and cracked the steps across Tensai's body. Cena rolled Tensai back into the ring, but Sakamoto smacked around Cena ringside. Otunga then got up from his ringside seat and rolled Cena into the ring, where Tensai scored a nearfall.

Cole added some very strong commentary that Laurinaitis may have recruited Lesnar because he doesn't think Cena could ever recover from the loss to Rock at WrestleMania, and he needs a new top star. Lawler equated it to Tiger Woods unable to regain his Majors victory form in the past few years following his personal life collapse. Cena finally made a comeback, then hit the sit-out slam. He wanted the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Tensai reached his feet and chopped Cena across the face. Tensai followed with a running splash for a two count.

Tensai continued the attack with a leg drop across the shoulder, followed by an armbar. Tensai leaned back on Cena's back to apply more pressure, but Cena flipped over into the STF in one fluid motion. Otunga then stormed the ring, but ate an Attitude Adjustment from Cena. The distraction allowed Tensai to get his green mist and spew it in Cena's face. Tensai then hit a sit-out powerbomb on Cena and made the cover for the win.

WINNER: Tensai at 6:59. Classic stack the deck formula against Cena, with Tensai being a surrogate for Lesnar and a means for getting sympathy on Cena. Not much heat on Tensai, though, three weeks into his TV return. The character just isn't popping off the screen at a main event-level yet. Lastly, having Cena take a loss this close to Extreme Rules was questionable, but the commentary was really strong focusing on whether Cena is off his game following the loss to Rock at Mania.

Arcademan:
WWE NXT Results: 4-19-12

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to James's complete report).

1 - PERCY WATSON vs. JOHNNY CURTIS (w/Maxine)

On commentary, Maxine throws Curtis to the wolves, pointing out that he had the chloroform and was the one who did the kidnapping. Watson is dominating the match, and Maxine denies having a relationship at the moment with Curtis. Watson misses a leg drop and Curtis starts his attack. I think I hear a faint "We Want Regal" chant from the England crowd, but the audience isn't mic'ed well.

Curtis is continuing to press his attack on Watson out of the break. Josh Mathews reminds Maxine that we actually saw everything that happened, implying that people in WWE actually watch WWE programming and video packages. Watson tries a jackknife cover, but Curtis kicks out and goes back to the attack. Regal goes through a lengthy, bizarre explanation of how his suit was made and when Maxine calls him out on it, he tells her that it's less of a lie than some of the stuff coming out of her mouth lately.

The action resets in the ring and Watson lands rights and a pair of dropkicks to turn things around. Suplex places Curtis on the mat, then a Highsman gets a nearfall. Percy looks for the Percycution, but Curtis elbows out. Watson shows Curtis into the turnbuckle and catches him on the rebound with the Percycution for the win.

Winner: Percy Watson in 9:00. This was a pretty good match for NXT, but it existed solely to give Maxine and William Regal a platform to discuss the story.

Post-match, Regal gets on the house mic and congratulates Watson on the win. He then recalls Curtis from the ramp to be on commentary as Maxine goes to the ring for a match. Curtis protests; he needs a shower, he says. I guess they'll be playing "he said, she said," which should prove interesting. Katilyn versus Maxine is next.

2 - KAITLYN (w/Derrick Bateman) vs. MAXINE (w/Johnny Curtis)

I think Kaitlyn has new music. Bateman is on commentary, too. Kaitlyn tries a surprise pair of covers out of the break, but cannot get more than a one count. Maxine comes right back, but Kaitlyn comes out with a backbreaker, then a leg lock. Bateman, Curtis, and Regal all agree that Maxine is evil and at the heart of the issues going on. And, Curtis denies kidnapping Striker. Maxine with a boot to Kaitlyn's face, then she holds Kaitlyn down while chopping Kaitlyn's chest. Bateman claims he loves Regal and always plays as him in video games.

Maxine settles into a chinlock and the crowd rallies Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn fights out and hits a crossbody for two. Kaitlyn takes Maxine's face to the turnbuckle, forcing the ref to break them, and Maxine gets a drop toehold to turn the tide and send her face-first into the turnbuckle. Maxine mounts her from behind as she recovers and puts on a Dragon Sleeper hold with leg scissors. Kaitlyn foolishly stands up instead of keeping to the corner for a rope break, lasts about 10 seconds, and taps out.

WINNER: Maxine in 4:00. Again, another match designed to give the commentary a reason to exist.

Post-match, Bateman heads to the ring to console Kaitlyn. Regal detains Curtis at the booth and calls Maxine over, and confronts them on the kidnapping. He says that Maxine must officially be Curtis's manager or else he will fire them, and has a contract for them to sign. They both look furious. Curtis signs it and Maxine holds out. She caves in and signs it. He offers a handshake, and when she accepts, he handcuffs her to Curtis. Clever. That will make bathroom breaks and showers awkward.

3 - TYLER REKS vs. CURT HAWKINS - Loser is Fired - Matt Striker special referee

Reks out of the bell with fast, hard offense. Hawkins leaves the ring and Reks pursues. Hawkins tries to surprise Reks, but Reks doesn't fall for it. It's clear Reks is playing the fired-up babyface fighting for his career. Reks to the top rope, but Hawkins dodges a frogsplash, and takes control. That was a huge jump for a man the size of Reks, as he went more than halfway across the ring. Hawkins keeps Reks down and controls him. Mathews gives them credit for fighting hard and not trying to weasel their way out of the match. Regal sarcastically asks why Striker had a referee's shirt on under his jacket.

Reks lands a slingshot plancha to Hawkins on the outside. This hasn't been seen from Reks since his ECW debut. Reks gets the speed and power turned up. Side Russian legsweep gets Reks two. Reks eats a boot in the corner and Hawkins runs him down for two. Reks looks for a gutwrench move, but Hawkins slips out. Hawkins then tries his swinging bodyslam, but Reks slips out and rolls up Hawkins for the win.

WINNER: Tyler Reks in 5:30. Reks just did a 180 on his in-ring career. He's gone back to the style that I saw so much promise in when he debuted on ECW a long time back - a high-flying moveset in the body of a heavyweight wrestler. Some of it was not quite as deft as a smaller man would have been, but it immediately positions Reks well as having a unique, recognizable moveset in his weight class.

Post-match, Reks panders to the crowd and gets a bit of reaction. Hawkins jaws at Striker, and Striker decks him and screams, "You're fired!" Reks leads the crowd in the good-bye song, then Regal gets on the mic and fires Hawkins officially. He shakes Reks's hand and says they will put their differences aside. Reks says Regal isn't bad after all. Regal asks him to repeat that, then says Reks is fired, too. Reks blows up as referees come out to escort them out to close the show.

Arcademan:
WWE Superstars Results: 4-19-12

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to James's complete report).

1 - YOSHI TATSU vs. JINDER MAHAL

This is actually a potentially interesting match, considering that both Tatsu and Mahal have martial arts-inspired movesets. Mahal surprises Tatsu as soon as the bell rings, and Mahal repeatedly cuts off Tatsu's offense. Mahal uses the apron to tie up Tatsu and lands a running knee lift to Tatsu's covered head, which was a clever move. Mahal transitions to his typical grinding offense.

Tatsu reverses a suplex into a lateral press, then runs the ropes and swings into a hard-fought crucifix pin for two. Mahal ducks the roundhouse finisher, shoves Tatsu into the ropes, and knees him in the back of the head. Mahal straddles Tatsu's still body and lays into the Camel Clutch for a quick tap-out.

WINNER: Jinder Mahal via submission in 7:00. Good match; they meshed well. It's nice to see Mahal against someone other than Khali, and to see Tatsu doing something.

2 - KELLY KELLY vs. EVE TORRES

"Hoeski" chant from the crowd. Eve's changes her outfit to look a bit more like a chainmail bikini - where's my AD&D 2nd Edition book when I need it? You know what, the only person enhanced from the whole Cena-Kane-Ryder-Eve mess was Eve. How often does that happen?

Eve starts the match by forcing Kelly to the corner, then slapping her. Kelly does the leg choke over the ropes as the crowd keeps up the Hoeski chants. Eve sits on the turnbuckle and puts Kelly into a headlock, lifting her off the mat and Kelly kicks like a stuck pig. The crowd goes nuts with a "Yes!" chant. Eve with a resthold, and she keeps leaning forwards to chat with Kelly, but her hair covers their faces and it looks like Eve's trying to kiss Kelly.

Kelly gets come separation and lands a snap head scissors into a roll-up for two. Eve with a reverse side Russian leg sweep for two. Kelly gets her knees up when Eve tries a running handspring splash. Kelly then goes back to the handspring splash and the Booty Call, but Eve stacks her up and pins her with boots on the ropes.

WINNER: Eve Torres in 5:45. Eve is consistently decent, and I give her a lot of credit for both changing her in-ring style to fit her heel turn, and constantly trying new moves. I question the wisdom of giving away her first match against Kelly Kelly on Superstars, but then again, they gave away a few moments of Beth Phoenix against Natalya a few weeks ago.

3 - R-TRUTH vs. JACK SWAGGER

Swagger leads with a take down and pats the back of R-Truth's head, then does his victory lap. Truth looks mad and they chain wrestle for a bit, which Swagger dominates. R-Truth tackles Swagger when he celebrates, and goes onto his Dance Dance Revolution offensive routine. Lots of back-and-forth and they head to break.

Swagger is in control, but R-Truth turns it around for a moment, until Swagger counters a wheelbarrow with an overhead throw. R-Truth dodges a leg drop and starts a period of sustained offense. Swagger's power puts him back on top. There's a "Let's Go Swagger / Swagger Sucks" chant. What, he gets a haircut and they confuse him with John Cena? R-Truth fights from the top of the turnbuckle, then a tornado DDT gets him a nearfall.

The action resets and R-Truth starts to run Swagger over. Truth with the Lie Detector for a nearfall. Truth gets the leg scissors takedown this time for a two count. Swagger then kicks his legs and landes a takedown for two. R-Truth gets his boots up on a Swagger Bomb and immediately lands the Little Jimmy for the win.

WINNER: R-Truth in 12:30. Lots of back-and-forth in this match; it was good to see Swagger get some extended ring time in a main event match-up.

Arcademan:
TNA impact Wrestling Results: 4-19-12

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report). Condensed here to in-ring results only.

1 -- MATT MORGAN & X Division champion AUSTIN ARIES vs. BULLY RAY & CRIMSON

In the ring, Morgan and Crimson battled, continuing their battle from Lockdown. Morgan delivered a wind-up sidewalk slam, then measured Crimson for a big boot, but Crimson moved and Morgan ate the top rope. Ray then yanked Morgan's injured knee across the top rope to set up the heels for a two-on-one attack on Morgan. The heels continued working over Morgan as the Impact crowd tried to start at least three slow-claps to rally Morgan.

Crimson finally lost focus, allowing Morgan to cut off Crimson and crawl over to Aries for a tag. Aries landed strikes and punches on Ray, then ducked a clothesline from Crimson and landed kick strikes into a dropkick. Aries followed with left hands & elbows in the corner on Ray before Crimson accidentally speared Ray. Morgan then clotheslined Crimson to the outside and Aries went flying through the ropes with a suicide dive on Crimson.

Back in the ring, Aries smashed Ray with more high-impact offense, but lost focus playing to the crowd too much. Ray then awkwardly rolled up Aries, awkwardly hooked his tights, and ref Earl Hebner awkwardly counted to two-and-a-half or three-and-a-half to give the heels a tainted win. Post-match, Aries sold the finish with his trunks hanging half-way off his rear end as the heels celebrated on the entrance ramp.

WINNERS: Ray & Crimson at 6:06. Aries brought plenty of energy to the situation before falling victim to the typical TNA Babyface Failure Booking of playing to the hard camera before taking the loss.

2 -- KURT ANGLE vs. A.J. STYLES

The match started with the two men dancing around the ring before locking up center-ring. Meanwhile, Tenay said Roode's World Title opponent James Storm has yet to arrive at the building tonight. Angle and Styles continued to feel each other out before TNA abruptly cut to break.

Back from break, Styles ran over Angle with a clothesline, then splashed Angle in the corner. Angle came back with a reverse whip into the corner that rocked Styles. But, Styles came back with a springboard forearm smash to the head. Suddenly, Daniels and Kaz were ringside. Styles then took his eye off the ball when Daniels hopped on the ring apron. Styles yanked the document out of Daniels's hand, then Angle suddenly rolled up Styles from behind for the win.

Post-match: Angle sold the effects of the match as Daniels and Kaz cockily smiled on the way up the ramp. Meanwhile, Styles put the document inside his pants as Angle sold frustration that the match ended that way. Styles continued to sell concern over the contents of the document as Angle tried to call out to Styles that he had nothing to do with the finish.

WINNER: Angle at 6:33. The exact same finish to the opening match. And, it looks like Styles is situated in another oddball storyline that probably won't end well for him.

3 -- TARA & MISS TESSMACHER & MICKIE JAMES & VELVET SKY vs. KO champion GAIL KIM & SARITA & ROSITA & MADISON RAYNE -- eight-KO tag match

The announcers focused on a returning Tessmacher throughout the match. The action broke down before the finish, which led to the ring clearing out. In the chaos, Tessmacher scored a roll-up pin on Gail for the win. It looks like Tessmacher is next in line for a title shot against Gail after Velvet didn't get the job done at Lockdown. Post-match: The victorious babyface Divas mocked Gail, who stood frustrated in the ring.

WINNERS: Team Tessmacher at 5:38. Three out of three matches with the same roll-up finish.

4 -- TV champion DEVON vs. GUNNER -- TNA TV Title match

Gunner jumped Devon before the bell, so, of course, with this being TNA, the ref called for the bell despite an unfair advantage to the challenger. Gunner continued the attack, landing forearms to the back of the neck before landing strikes to the chest. The crowd was quick to respond with a slow-clap trying to rally behind Devon. This was followed by a "Deee-von" chant and another slow-clap. And, a third slow-clap all within the first 2:20 of the match.

This was followed by a "Let's Go Devon" chant as Gunner continued to work over Devon, who suddenly came back with a spear. Devon then led the fourth slow-clap of the match to fire himself up and made his comeback. Devon shoulder-blocked Gunner before delivering a Thesz Press into a flying headbutt. Devon orchestrated a fifth slow-clap before delivering another flying shoulder block. Devon then hit a spinebuster for the pin and the win. Devon should have just rolled up Gunner to keep the streak alive.

WINNER: Devon at 4:06 to retain the TV Title. A bit rushed and the crowd was a burden. The TV Title series is fine, but the title needs a lot of maintenance; I'm not sure having it defended every week will accomplish that objective.

5 -- MR. ANDERSON vs. JEFF HARDY vs. ROB VAN DAM -- #1 contender match to the TNA World Title

Once the bell sounded, the three men came face-to-face-to-face for a confrontation. Anderson then teed off on both men, but RVD knocked him down with a clothesline before back-kicking Anderson. RVD then monkey-flipped Hardy clear across the ring before back-kicking Anderson from the second rope. But, Anderson cut off RVD and went to work on both men. Hardy then came back with a Whisper in the Wind splash on Anderson.

At 4:00, the men traded finishing moves on each other, but no one could score a fall. Hardy then went to the top turnbuckle and landed a Swanton Bomb on Anderson. But, RVD popped Hardy with a standing kick to cut off Hardy. RVD then went up top for the Five-Star Frogsplash and he connected on Anderson. Hardy grappled RVD, though, only for RVD to turn a Twist of Fate attempt into a backslide. RVD maintained Hardy's shoulders to the mat, did a leg-split to add leverage, and scored a pin for the win. RVD gets the title shot.

Post-match: Hardy sold dejection as RVD celebrated the win. RVD then checked on Hardy before they replayed the finish, focusing on how RVD used his flexibility to secure the pin on Hardy. Back in the ring, Hardy and RVD embraced before RVD got his shine in the ring. (Anderson completely disappeared, putting the focus on Hardy and RVD.) Tenay plugged Roode vs. RVD at Sacrifice to close the show.

WINNER: RVD at 5:24 to become new #1 contender. Three-ways are a tired match formula, but this was fine for a main event trying to get a lot of star power in one match. Hardy had his "out" selling the effects of Lockdown against Angle, so he didn't lose much from the loss, and gained sympathy based on the post-match. Roode vs. RVD in a PPV main event has no juice behind it, so TNA has a few weeks to try to sell people on a match-up similar to Roode-Styles. (**)

Arcademan:
WWE Smackdown Results: 4-20-12

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report). Condensed here to mostly in-ring results.

- Daniel Bryan came to the ring under big 'YES' chants, told everyone he'll beat Sheamus like a real man best 2 of 3 in Chicago. AJ interrupts and takes a verbal beatdown from Bryan. Poor AJ... :(

1 -- A.J. vs. NATALYA

The referee called for the bell as A.J. continued to stare toward the entrance ramp. Natalya then walked up to A.J. to console her, and A.J. responded by slapping her across the face before pounding Natalya into the corner. A.J. went nuts on Natalya with slaps and kicks and punches before the ref had enough and DQ'ed her. Post-match: A.J. tried to catch her breath before slipping out of the ring. Cole said she needs to get counseling. A.J. became emotional again as she reached the top of the ramp, then turned and ran to the back.

WINNER: Natalya via DQ at 0:48.

2 -- BRODUS CLAY (w/Hornswoggle) vs. HUNICO (w/Camacho)

The bell sounded and Clay stomped toward Hunico before jiggling and shaking. Swoggle then randomly entered the ring and stood up to Hunico to do his own shake. Hunico wanted nothing to do with Swoggle, so he tossed him to the mat, prompting Clay to destroy Hunico. Clay executed a t-bone suplex, then bounced off the ropes for a flying splash to secure the win.

Post-match, Cole noted Clay has been rolling, then Swoggle climbed up top to deliver a Tadpole Splash to Hunico for the exclamation point. Booker said this is what this business is all about. What? They went to a replay of Swoggle's splash before returning to the ring for some final dancing that included Swoggle going too far on the splits.

WINNER: Clay at 1:13.

3 -- THE USOS vs. DARREN YOUNG & TITUS O'NEIL

Mathews framed this match-up as the Usos trying to hold their ground having been part of the Smackdown tag division for a while. Cole added that Laurinaitis is trying to improve SD's tag division. As the action went back and forth, Cole noted Young took O'Neil under his wing to help improve his mic work after subjecting himself to mockery from the fans. The action broke down at 3:00 before Titus sent Jey flying to the outside. Titus then tagged into the match and set up Jimmy Uso for a double-team combination. Titus made the cover for the win, surprising the announcers. Cole said the wins might not going to be pretty, but the style will be rough and tough from Titus & Young.

WINNERS: Titus & D-Young at 3:34. Fine main roster debut for Titus & Young. Meanwhile, the Usos continue to be slotted at the bottom of the tag roster.

4 -- IC champion BIG SHOW vs. ALBERTO DEL RIO -- non-title match

Show dominated early on, rendering Del Rio ineffective. Del Rio then ducked a clothesline and went for the standard attack going after the knee to chop down Show. Del Rio turned his attention toward Show's left shoulder to potentially set up for the cross arm-breaker. Del Rio went for his finisher moments later, but Show tossed him aside. The two men were slow to their feet, then Show ran over Del Rio with multiple strikes into a spear.

Show made his way back to his feet, then called for the Chokeslam, but Ricardo hopped on the ring apron to provide a distraction that led to Cody Rhodes sneaking in the ring for a Disaster Kick. Rhodes ran out of the ring just as quickly as he entered, then Del Rio fell on top of Show for the win. Post-match, Rhodes knocked Show out of the ring, then bailed from the ring to avoid Show's wrath. Show, with hands on hips, stormed away from ringside.

WINNER: Del Rio at 5:16. And, Show-Rhodes continues. Meanwhile, Del Rio does not look like the same guy who was main-eventing Raw last year before he was injured. The gimmick feels dated and the character is missing a spark.

5 -- RYBACK vs. DANNY LERMAN

The bell sounded and Lerman went for weak kick strikes, but Ryback shoved him aside, then tossed him into the air for an overhead slam. Lerman sold as Slater & McIntyre placed bets backstage. Ryback then measured Lerman for a big clothesline before calling for the end. Ryback ran across the ring before delivering a running fallaway slam for the pin and the win. Post-match, Ryback yelled and screamed fragmented sentences before they replayed the action. Backstage, Slater and McIntyre debated whether Ryback is an idiot.

WINNER: Ryback at 1:13.

6 -- World Hvt. champion SHEAMUS & IC champion BIG SHOW & RANDY ORTON vs. DANIEL BRYAN & MARK HENRY & CODY RHODES

The match started during the break and the show resumed with Orton working over Rhodes as Cole continued to complain about Show joining the face team. Mathews explained that the heels took out Khali before the match, so Show was allowed to replace Khali. The match settled into the heels working over Sheamus as Cole endorsed D-Bryan, saying they've learned that he can be a pitbull in the ring. Rhodes then lost control of the match, bringing in Orton to tee off on Rhodes. Orton wanted his second-rope DDT and connected. Orton then went to That Place and stalked Rhodes for the RKO, but D-Bryan ran into the ring, only to take a powerslam. Henry cut off Orton, though, and the heels resumed control leading to break.

Back from break, Orton was trying to rip Orton's head off in a neck vice. Orton tried fighting back, but Henry shoved him to the mat, trash-talked, and tagged in Bryan, who delivered strikes as the somewhat-muted crowd chanted, "Yes!" in the background. Bryan then clobbered Orton in the corner with a leg whip before climbing up top for a diving headbutt that did not connect. Both men sold on the mat before Orton made his way to the corner to tag in Big Show. Henry also tagged in and the two big men collided center-ring. Show got the better of Henry early on before butt-splashing Henry. Rhodes attacked Show from behind, though, allowing Henry to clothesline Show to the mat. Henry had enough and tagged in Rhodes, who went to work on Show.

The heels tried to pick up where Del Rio left off in the top-of-the-second-hour match by focusing on Show's lower body, including Rhodes applying a figure-four leglock center-ring. Rhodes then reached up and tagged Henry, who entered the ring with a big splash on Show. But, it was only good for a two count. Henry had enough, so he tagged in D-Bryan, who tried a pin, but Show press-slammed D-Bryan clear out of the ring. Bryan was late re-entering, allowing Show to tag in Sheamus, who went to town on Bryan.

At 16:00, Rhodes found himself on the outside, where Show KO'ed him with the WMD. After that emphatic end to Rhodes's night, Sheamus and Henry battled inside the ring. Sheamus then dropped Henry with the Brogue Kick, and reached over to Orton for a tag. Meanwhile, Show KO punched Henry, who fell backward into Orton, who dropped Henry with the RKO. Orton with the cover on Henry for the win.

Post-match: The faces celebrated in the ring before WWE replayed the final 60 seconds of the match with the faces hitting their finishers leading to Orton's pin on Henry. Back in the ring, the face trio posed in the ring as Mathews plugged Extreme Rules coming up in nine days. Cole gave a final plug for the three-hour Raw on Monday for Cena and Lesnar in the same ring at the same time.

WINNERS: Team Orton at 16:56. Solid six-man tag match with the heels working well during their time to shine before the faces got the final word. Typical Smackdown main event for a "feel-good Friday night moment" since Smackdown didn't have a sense of urgency tonight with the PPV not until next week.

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