General Discussions > General Media

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

<< < (213/235) > >>

Arcademan:
WWE Superstars Results: 5-17-12

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

1 - ALEX RILEY vs. HEATH SLATER

It's noticeable that Riley consistently gets a legit pop on his entrance. The match starts and neither man can get an advantage early on. Lots of back-and-forth. Slater catches Riley going to the top and they cut to commercial.

Slater has control out of the break. Scott Stanford tells us that Slater hangs out with Trace Atkins, who's name and face regularly crops up in WWE. Slater mouths off to the crowd and the ref while working Riley over. The crowd cheers Riley out of a hold, but he gets a neckbreaker for his efforts.

Riley finally gets some space with big rights, but Slater dumps him to the ringside. Riley finally back on the attack coming into the ring. Riley turns up the speed. Big spinebuster and Riley's got the crowd involved. A-Bomb in the corner for a nearfall. Out of nowhere, Slater hits a strange new move, it is like a half belly-to-back suplex followed by a reverse STO. That's good for the win.

WINNER: Heath Slater in 10:00. Slater has progressed from someone that I cringed at when he came onto my screen to a reliable, capable performer. He's had a number of longish matches in the last few months, none of which were bad. Riley has done an amazing job at maintaining his momentum despite a lack of TV time, and his matches are usually good. This was a fun match.

2 - TYSON KIDD vs. LORD TENSAI

Tensai starts to destroy Kidd out of the gate. Tensai shows much more speed than he has on Raw. Kidd uses his speed to make a small comeback. Kidd walks into one of Tensai's power bombs giving Tensai the chance to return to the attack. Tensai locks on the claw, slams Kidd to the mat, and Kidd is down.

Post-match, Tensai returns to hit Kidd with a running senton.

WINNER: Lord Tensai in 3:00. What a waste of Tyson Kidd. Tensai showed much better enthusiasm than he has in the past, but it still does not redeem him too much. I highly question the wisdom of feeding Kidd to Tensai; Kidd has been slowly building a following with his work on NXT and Superstars over the last year, and having him lose decisively not only hurts him, but makes everyone he has had hard-fought matches with lately (Yoshi Tatsu and Michael McGillicutty) look like chumps, too.

3 - THE USOS vs. JACK SWAGGER & DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Vickie Guerrero) - Tag Team Match

Jey Uso and Ziggler are starting off. Striker brings up an interesting question, which is what Vickie thinks of "AW" starting his own stable. Ziggler stalls a bit to frustrate Jey, who doesn't take it and brings in Jimmy. They double-team Ziggler, who is able to get a tag to Swagger. Swagger whiffs a double leg drop, so he gets a tag to Ziggler, who takes offense from Jimmy.

Ziggler gets relief and a chance to tag Swagger, so Swagger and Ziggler keep Jimmy in their corner. Jimmy gets to his corner and Jey gets some fast offense in. Jey with a full nelson sit-out slam and Swagger has to break up the cover.

Back from break, Swagger does push-ups to show his dominance. Ziggler and Swagger demonstrate they they can work as a team. I don't think that I have ever seen this ref before, incidentally. Jimmy counters the Fameasser, prompting a double tag. Jey with a ton of speed to take Swagger down and clear Ziggler from the ring.

Swagger takes a stinkface for a nearfall. Swagger uses a distraction from Vickie to slip out of a Samoan Drop attempt, but Jey counters a gutwrench powerbomb with a roll-up to pick up the win. There is a bit of tension post-match between Swagger and Ziggler.

WINNERS: The Usos in 13:30. Enjoyable tag match, but the booking is bizarre. Ziggler and Swagger have a Tag Title chance on Sunday; why undermine them with a loss a few days before?

Arcademan:
TNA Impact Wrestling Results: 5-17-12

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

1 -- BULLY RAY vs. ROB VAN DAM -- Open Fight Night qualifying match

As the match started, Ray beckoned for the referee to check on the banged up RVD, presumably in case of any foreign weapons being hidden under RVD’s bandages. Ray focused on RVD’s taped-up elbow, but not for long, as RVD came back with a few kicks and a Rolling Thunder for a two count.

RVD missed an enziguri, which allowed Ray to capitalize on RVD’s injured knee. Ray missed a splash, which allowed Van Dam to come back with a series of clotheslines. He went for the side kick off the top rope, but missed which allowed Ray to capitalize with the 3D for the win.

WINNER: Bully Ray via pinfall at 3:22 to qualify for Open Fight Night. Good match that was given a storyline out for its short length. RVD should be banged up from his hard-hitting ladder match at Sacrifice, making all the bandages a nice touch. Seriously, for anyone who missed Sacrifice, seek out RVD’s ladder botch.

2 -- X Division champion AUSTIN ARIES vs. ERIC YOUNG vs. ODB vs. ROBBIE E. vs. ROBBIE T. vs. GUNNER vs. GARETT BISCHOFF vs. A.J. STYLES vs. MAGNUS vs. DEVON -- Battle Royal -- Open Fight Night qualifying match

ODB, Young, and Crimson were all eliminated in one fell swoop when the momentum of Young and ODB’s tandem clothesline led all three of them to fall out of the ring. Taz brought up Crimson’s undefeated streak, and questioned whether it was in jeopardy due to him being eliminated. Magnus was thrown to the outside, but hung onto the ropes before being kicked off and eliminated.

Madison Rayne came out to the stage twirling her hair, looking on in admiration. In the midst of trying to eliminate Bischoff, Robbie T. was blindsided and eliminated by Robbie E. Devon came up from behind and threw Robbie E. out to Robbie T. as the show went to a commercial break.

They came back to Styles, Devon, Bischoff, Gunner, and Aries left in the match. Devon elminated himself when he missed a flying shoulder tackle on Bischoff, who held the top rope down to allow Devon to fly over it. Before he could celebrate, Styles grabbed Bischoff and threw him over the top tope.

Aries and Styles met face-to-face and started to square off, which led to an exciting exchange of counters between the two. Gunner took advantage of the situation and eliminated Aries, but was shortly eliminated by Styles thereafter for the victory.

WINNER: A.J. Styles via over the top rope elimination at 11:05 to qualify for Open Fight Night. Standard battle royal match with a lot of punches with the exception being the exchange between Aries and Styles. I’m okay with Styles winning, but I was really hoping they would pull the trigger on Aries and at least give off the perception that he belongs in the heavyweight division. Tonight would have been the perfect night to follow up on a stellar platform for him to launch off that was created at Sacrifice.

3 -- MR. ANDERSON vs. JEFF HARDY -- Open Fight Night qualifying match

Anderson and Hardy started the match out with a bit of a feeling-out process. They eventually made their way to the corner and exchanged shoulder thrusts into each other’s guts. Anderson eventually got the best of Hardy with a headlock and clothesline for a two count. Anderson caught Hardy on the ring apron, but Hardy came back with a dropkick over the top rope for a two count.

Anderson hit a quick neckbreaker for another two count. Hardy hit Anderson with a chopblock that sent both men down. He hit a Russian leg sweep, but before he could capitalize was rolled up for a two count. Anderson tried to throw Hardy into the corner, but was met with a Whisper in the Wind. Hardy tried to follow up with the Twist of Fate, but Anderson countered with an attempted Pittsburgh Plunge that turned into Hardy holding on to get the fluky pinfall for the victory.

WINNER: Jeff Hardy via pinfall at 6:00. Fun back and forth match that continued the story of of there being no clean win in the current Hardy and Anderson feud.

4 -- TNA Knockouts champion GAIL KIM vs. VELVET SKY vs. BROOKE TESSMACHER -- three-way Knockouts Title match

Sky and Tessmacher both went straight for Kim as the champ tried to leave the ring several times. Before they got too chummy, Sky and Tessmacher squared off with Sky getting a quick roll-up for a two count.

Kim got back into the match by pulling Rayne to the outside and clotheslining Tessmacher. She kept Sky at bay, and continued to beat on Tessmacher with a backbreaker. Kim put Tessmacher in a Boston Crab, and Sky joined in and put Kim in a Dragon Sleeper as she held onto her respective submission hold.

Tessmacher and Sky exchanged counters before being met with a double missile dropkick from Kim. Tessmacher reversed Kim’s Eat Defeat, but was caught by Sky with In Yo Face. Kim threw Sky out before she could capitalize and pinned Tessmacher for the win.

WINNER: Gail Kim via pinfall at 4:37 to retain the Knockouts Title. I feel like they should have saved this match for Victory Road, but it’s not like I’m distressed about getting it on television. I can’t think of a logical next opponent for Kim so I can see them continuing on with either Tessmacher, Sky, or both.

5 -- SAMOA JOE vs. KURT ANGLE -- Open Fight Night qualifying match

Joe quickly got Angle in the corner and took him down after a series of punches. Angle rolled out of the ring to regain his bearings. Back in the ring, Angle caught Joe with a double-leg take down, but Joe was able to get up and land a few shoulder tackles and a kneedrop for a two count. Joe ran at Angle, but was caught with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Roode came out as the show went to a commercial break.

Roode joined Tenay and Taz at announcer’s booth as the show came back from break. In the ring, Angle was stomping on Joe in the corner. He hit him with a suplex and followed up with a sleeper and an elbow strike for a weak pin attempt. Joe hit Angle with a big boot and a back body senton for a two count.

Angle came back with a trio German suplexes and signaled for the Angle Slam. Joe and Angle exchanged signature moves until Angle finally hit the Angle Slam for a close two count. Angle tried to lock in the ankle lock, but Joe eventually kicked him off. Joe went for the Musclebuster, but Angle countered with a sunset flip for the win.

WINNER: Kurt Angle via pinfall at 12:23. Good match, but it was far from the classics they have delivered in the past. That being said, it was a good television main event, and an enjoyable, small taste of the classic feud that was Joe vs. Angle.

Arcademan:
WWE Smackdown Results: 5-18-12

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

Laurinaitis said he disagreed with the decision of the Board of Directors that was announced this week. He talked about how they restricted the way he is allowed to compete with Cena. That’s a unique way of saying, “they won’t let me pay off wrestlers to interfere on my behalf.” Laurinaitis said he asked the Board to reconsider their decision…and they said no. Punk come out, makes fun of Johnny and is booked in a match with Kane, then before leaving, Johnny tells all the fans to go to hell.

1 – KOFI KINGSTON & R-TRUTH vs. DARREN YOUNG & TITUS O’NEIL

Young kneed Truth in the mid-section in the corner. Quick tag to Kingston, who landed a springboard cross-body for two. O’Neil tried to get involved but was kicked off the apron. Young used the distraction to his advantage and connected on a back suplex that sent Kingston hard onto the apron. Big running splash in the corner by the now-legal O’Neil. Second attempt was met with Kingston’s feet. Truth and Young both tagged in at 2:15 and Truth was a house afire. Lie Detector connected (although it’s no longer called by that name). Kingston and O’Neil predictably got involved, with Kingston getting the better of that exchange. Truth with his finisher for the win.

WINNERS: Truth and Kingston, at 2:59. Surprising they jobbed O’Neil and Young here, but they were really the only tag team left with credibility who could job to the champs heading into their match on Sunday.

Damien Sandow felt beneath himself to wrestle Yoshi Tatsu until Tatsu squawked like a chicken. Sandow charged the ring and beat down Tatsu.

2 – ZACK RYDER vs. DANIEL BRYAN

“Yes” chants erupted once the bell rang. Hard European uppercuts by Bryan, then a knee to the back of Ryder’s head. Ryder brought Bryan down head-first on the mat, but a knee-lift put him back down. Running dropkick in the corner by Bryan. Ryder made his comeback and nailed Bryan with a dropkick off the middle rope. He was tripped up on a Broski Boot attempt. Boot to the head followed by the Yes Lock ended the match.

WINNER: Bryan, at 2:27. A convincing win for Bryan heading into his WWE Title match on Sunday. Too bad it had to be against Ryder, but the ship seems to have sailed on WWE doing something with him.

3 – C.M. PUNK vs. KANE

Kane cornered Punk and pushed him around a little bit. Punk fired back and clotheslined Kane over the top rope and to the floor. Kane landed on his feet and regrouped as they went to break, 1:10 into the match.

They returned at 4:16 with Punk kicking at the legs of Kane. DDT by Punk for a one-count. Figure-Four leg-lock by Punk, which the crowd recognized and shouted “whoo” at. Kane kicked Punk away when he tried another submission move and Punk ended up outside the ring. He brought Kane throat-first across the top rope, then a springboard into a Kane uppercut. Kane sent Punk rib-first into the ring post. “I don’t think that’s going to heal by Sunday,” laughed Bryan. Kane locked Punk in a bear-hug in the middle of the ring. Punk broke the hug but fell victim to a back-breaker for a two-count. Kane continued working the ribs by applying the scissors to the mid-section of Punk. Punk came back with a swinging neck-breaker out of nowhere. Lateral press, still for only one. Missed charge by Kane then a running knee in the corner. First bulldog attempt went nowhere, but a bulldog off the second rope worked. Punk got Kane up for the GTS, but the mid-section gave out. Kick to the head by Kane for a near-fall. Kane placed Punk on the top rope and attempted a suplex. Punk knocked Kane off his perch then hit the flying elbowdrop for two at 10:13. Anaconda Vice attempt, but Kane powered out. Another side slam for two. Clothesline off the top by Kane. Bryan was loving it. He set up for the chokeslam, but Punk kicked Kane in the skull, sending Kane to ringside. Suicide dive by Punk hit his target. Bryan grabbed a chair and almost hit Punk with it. Instead, he hit Kane in the back.

WINNER: Kane, via disqualification, at 11:42. Bryan playing mind games with Punk. Really trying to put him over big on this show.

4 – SANTINO MARELLA vs. CODY RHODES

Santino did an inset interview proclaiming his love for and to the United States Championship. Apparently, Santino and Cody have been in a Twitter war over the past few days. Single-leg take-down by Rhodes, who then slapped the back of Santino’s head. Booker admitted, when prodded by Cole, that the Intercontinental Championship is more prestigious than the US Championship. Santino reversed an Irish Whip but ate an elbow on a charge. Moonsault by Rhodes missed and Santino took out the Cobra. Instead, Cody hit a dropkick for two. Marella caught Cody coming off the ropes with the strike of the Cobra for the pinfall.

WINNER: Marella, at 1:58. The announcers really did a nice job of putting over both championships during the match.

5 – RANDY ORTON vs. SHEAMUS

Based on the booking, I don’t think this match lasts almost a half hour; I’m guessing a DQ occurs and it gets turned into a tag match or something like that. An extended collar-and-elbow tie-up led to a stalemate. Side headlock by Sheamus, then a shoulder tackle put him down. Dropkick by Orton for a one-count. They seem to be pacing themselves for a longer match anyway. Arm-bar by Orton but Sheamus forced a break by backing Orton into the corner. The referee had to break them up. A shoving match broke out and Orton put Sheamus down with a short clothesline. Orton hammered away on Sheamus in the corner, and Sheamus turned it around. The men began to brawl as the official gave them a fair amount of leeway. Sheamus was dumped to ringside and he brought Orton out to continue their assault on each other. Sheamus sent Orton shoulder-first into the ring steps. Orton worked the arm and shoulder of Sheamus, ramming it into the ring post and steel steps. He stomped on the wrist of Sheamus with Sheamus laid across the steps. They went to break at 4:50.

Back at 8:12 of the match. Orton had Sheamus tied up in the middle rope and barely broke before the ref’s count of five. He continued working on the left arm and shoulder of Sheamus. Short-arm DDT by the Viper. Only a two-count at 9:12. Sheamus fought out of a rest-hold, only for Orton to go after the arm once again. Rights and lefts by Sheamus, but again, he couldn’t sustain the momentum. Orton whipped him into the buckle and Sheamus took the bump shoulder-first. Sheamus finally created some separation and tossed Orton out of the ring. Orton climbed onto the apron and was knee-lifted by Sheamus. Sheamus then connected on his patented forearms to the chest of Orton. Sheamus then gathered a head of steam and ran through Orton, sending Orton off the apron and into the barricade. They took the final break at 12:04 of the match.

They returned at 16:07. Sheamus buried several knee-drops into the face and chin of Orton. Cover got two at 16:25. This time, it was Sheamus who tried to wear Orton down with a chin-lock. Knee-lift by Sheamus for a two-count. Sheamus hoisted Orton in the air, but Orton countered with a back-breaker. Hard clotheslines by Orton, then a scoop slam. Belly-to-belly throw from Orton, who then set up for his DDT. Sheamus instead brought Orton throat-first across the top rope. Diving shoulder tackle from Sheamus. Powerslam by Sheamus for two at 19:38. Irish Curse back-breaker for two at 20:25. Sheamus ascended the top rope, but Orton tripped him up. Superplex by Orton. He took his time to crawl over and make the cover, allowing Sheamus to kick out at 21:40. Brogue Kick attempt, but Sheamus missed and got caught on the top rope. Vintage Orton DDT at 22:54. Both men’s finishers were countered, and upon countering Orton’s RKO, Sheamus rolled up his foe for the pinfall.

WINNER: Sheamus, at 23:26.

Orton told Sheamus, “you got me” after the match. Then he stuck out his hand for a shake, but Sheamus wasn’t having it. They carried on a conversation without a mic and Orton again offered his hand. Sheamus shook it and of course, Orton RKO’d him. Wrestlers really need to learn to stop shaking Orton's hand. Orton stood over Sheamus as the show drew to a close.

Arcademan:
WWE Over The Limit PPV Results: 5-20-12 (next 3 posts)

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

1 -- PEOPLE'S POWER BATTLE ROYAL

As the PPV started with the copyright warning, sounds of a battle royal were heard in the background. The video feed picked up with men fighting in the ring. Heath Slater was dumped out, then Booker T showed off his ability to read the roster by announcing Michael McGillicutty's elimination. JTG then took a flat-back bump off the ring apron for another elimination. Yoshi was suplexed over the top rope by McIntyre and he sold an ankle injury landing on the floor.

Yoshi limped away in the background as Big Zeke was tossed out. Jey Uso was out next. Meanwhile, Lawler discussed buzz in the locker room about this potentially being John Laurinaitis's final night as authority figure. Suddenly, Mac, Reks, and Hawkins were tossed out. Of course, Mac threw a fit ringside. Titus and D-Young then doubled up on Great Khali to eliminate the big man, creating a sigh of relief for Santino and Rhodes ringside. William Regal, a late entry, was still around, along with Christian. Jimmy Uso then eliminated Titus. D-Young got revenge a few moments later by eliminating Uso.

Down to seven men. Make it six with Regal eliminated by Christian, drawing boos. Cole called this a look at the future of WWE. Alex Riley then eliminated D-Young after Young helped himself over the top rope. Meanwhile, Booker called Miz a one-hit wonder. Cole said they'll talk about that later in the show. Miz then eliminated Riley, so it's a Final Four of Miz, Tyson Kidd, Christian, and David Otunga.

Kidd delivered a springboard double dropkick on Miz and Otunga, then skinned the cat when Miz tried to toss him out. But, Otunga eliminated Kidd from behind. Miz and Otunga came to an agreement and decided to go after Christian, who was heel before he left TV. Christian tried to fight off the two heels, but they cornered him and landed kicks as Cole ranted on Booker. Christian then dumped Otunga over the top rope out of nowhere.

Miz tried to sneak-attack Christian, but he held onto the top rope to avoid elimination. Christian then avoided elimination again. More close shaves before both men found themselves on the ring apron. Christian then head-butted Miz to the gut, sending Miz off the apron to the floor. Christian wins the battle royal. Post-match, Christian pointed to Santino, making his selection to face Santino later in the PPV.

WINNER: Christian at 12:13 to earn a U.S. Title shot later in the show.

2 -- WWE tag champions KOFI KINGSTON & R-TRUTH vs. JACK SWAGGER & DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Vickie Guerrero) -- WWE Tag Title match

The heels isolated Kofi throughout the first five minutes before R-Truth tagged in and Vickie provided a distraction to allow the heels to cheat to regain the advantage on Truth. Booker then predicted a title change, giving away there won't be a title change. Meanwhile, Lawler was wrapped up in Vickie's wardrobe selection tonight. Truth scored with a nearfall on Ziggler, but Ziggler came back with a high dropkick for a two count to give the heels control again.

Ziggler & Swagger combined on a wheelbarrow and X-Factor that drove Truth's face into the mat, but it resulted in a two count only. Vickie screamed at Ziggler to finish off Truth, but Truth came back with a small package for a two count. Ziggler then cut off Truth from making a tag to Kofi. Truth suddenly countered a corner move with a Tornado DDT, allowing him to make the tag to Kofi.

Kofi entered hot on Dolph with a springboard flying clothesline. More high-flying offense from Kofi. A Boom Drop got Kofi fired up. He wanted the finisher, but Dolph ducked. Kofi suddenly flew off the top with a twisting lateral press, but Swagger broke up a pin attempt. Kofi then dumped Swagger to the floor, but walked into the Zig-Zag. Dolph made a cover, but Truth broke up a pin attempt. Truth then flew over the top rope onto Swagger ringside. Back in the ring, Kofi nailed Dolph in mid-air with Trouble in Paradise. It was good for the pin, prompting Vickie to flip out ringside.

WINNERS: Kofi & Truth at 12:17 to retain the Tag Titles. Good, high-energy "start" to the PPV (not counting the pre-show-style battle royal). The announcers giving away the finish was the chief drawback to an otherwise fine tag match. (**1/2)

3 -- Divas champion LAYLA vs. BETH PHOENIX -- Divas Title match

Back in the arena, Beth Phoenix came out first before WWE rolled footage of Layla capturing the Divas Title from former Diva Nikki Bella at Extreme Rules last month. Layla scored with early offense before Beth targeted the surgically-repaired knee to begin wearing down the champ. Layla fought back before Beth offered an impressive display of strength with a standing military press, but Layla countered into a single-arm DDT. After a series of close nearfalls each way, Beth kicked Layla's knee, but Layla came right back with the Lay-Out for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Layla at 7:10 to retain the Divas Title. Solid women's match following the Gail Kim vs. Awesome Kong script from TNA several years ago.

4 -- World Hvt. champion SHEAMUS vs. RANDY ORTON vs. CHRIS JERICHO vs. ALBERTO DEL RIO -- World Title match -- Fatal Four-way

Sheamus quickly cleared Del Rio to the outside and Orton quickly cleared Jericho to the outside, then Sheamus and Orton teased coming together, but the heels cut them off. Meanwhile, Cole referenced Jericho and Orton's history back when Orton punted Jericho out of WWE a few years ago. Sheamus and Orton cleared the heels again, then went at it in the ring, resuming their Smackdown battle. The heels then cleared Sheamus before double-teaming Orton. Del Rio and Jericho took a quick trip to the outside to attack Sheamus's shoulder, targeting the his injury to further stack the deck against the champ.

Back in the ring, Orton met the heels with rapid-fire offense before the heels cut him off. Jericho and Del Rio then started arguing, which allowed Orton to knock Del Rio to the outside. As the men battled, Cole announced to WWE's TV audience that Raw is moving to three hours starting July 23, with more to be announced on Raw tomorrow night. Sheamus re-entered the ring and cleared everyone except for Del Rio. The two men battled in the ring before Sheamus landed a rolling sentaun. Ricardo provided a distraction, though, allowing Del Rio to nail Sheamus with a step-up enziguiri for a close two count.

At 8:30, Del Rio slowed things down with a mat-based submission on Sheamus. Sheamus fought back with strikes, a knee lift, and bodyslam for a two count. Del Rio cut off Sheamus again, but Sheamus came back with rapid-fire forearm strikes before Jericho dropkicked both men to the outside. The crowd came to life for Orton-Jericho in the ring, which included Orton dropping Jericho with a snap powerslam. Orton then brought Sheamus back into the ring, but Del Rio cut off Orton before Orton could hit the RKO on Sheamus.

They reset at 12:00 with all four men in the ring. Sheamus scored a close nearfall on Orton, then Orton sent Sheamus flying into the ringpost and out to the floor. Orton then grappled Del Rio and Ricardo for a simultaneous DDT from the second rope. Orton covered Del Rio, but he kicked out in time. Jericho then dropped Orton with the Codebreaker and Orton rolled to the outside. Del Rio caught Jericho from behind with the cross arm-breaker, but Jericho countered into the Walls of Jericho. Sheamus broke it up, but Jericho nailed Sheamus with the Codebreaker. Jericho was slow to cover, allowing Sheamus to kick out in time.

At 14:30, Jericho started kicking and taunting Sheamus. The two men traded control before Jericho applied the Walls of Jericho center-ring. Sheamus tried to reach the ropes, but Jericho dragged him back to center-ring and sat down on the Walls. Suddenly, Orton dropped Jericho with the RKO. Del Rio broke up a pin, then Orton dropped Del Rio with the RKO. Sheamus suddenly nailed Orton with the Brogue Kick, then Jericho rolled up Sheamus for a close two count. Big back-and-forth sequence. Everything came to a standstill as Sheamus grappled Jericho and nailed White Noise for the pin and the win. The crowd wanted Orton to win, but they were okay with Sheamus.

WINNER: Sheamus at 15:54 to retain the World Title. Nice nearfall sequences at the end to make this a standout PPV match. Orton was clearly the top star here. WWE has two more PPVs before Summerslam, but you have to think Sheamus-Orton for the World Title at Summerslam, with Orton winning after Sheamus has a nice four-month run. (***1/4)

Arcademan:
5 -- BRODUS CLAY vs. THE MIZ

Brodus delivered an early headbutt that cleared Miz to the outside. Miz tried to sneak-attack Brodus, but Clay cut him off before knocking Miz to the floor. On the outside, Clay lit up Miz with a chop before Miz ran Clay into the ringpost. Back in the ring, Miz wore down Clay before Clay built some momentum and landed The Headbutt. Clay ran into a corner boot, but crotched Miz and climbed up top. Clay delivered an overhead slam before landing The Splash for the pin and the win. Suddenly, a kid hit the ring. WWE went to a replay of Miz dancing, which Lawler tried to narrate, before showing the finish. Back in the ring, several kids assembled in the ring to dance.

WINNER: Clay at 4:12. A basic come-down match after the Fatal Four-way.

6 -- IC champion CODY RHODES vs. CHRISTIAN -- Intercontinental Title match
 
The announcers did a pre-match bit about Booker not having a "vested interest" in the match, so he was going to sit this one out. Booker then jumped in on commentary 20 seconds in. In the ring, Rhodes assaulted Christian early on before Christian knocked Rhodes to the outside. On the floor, Rhodes rammed Christian into the ring steps before rolling him back into the ring. Back in the ring, Rhodes went after Christian's upper body to target Christian's pre-existing injuries.
 
Four minutes in, Rhodes and Christian spilled over the top rope to the floor and both men sold the effects. Rhodes then popped Christian with an enziguiri before scoring a two count in the ring. The announcers said it appears the lay-off is affecting Christian, who then came back with a kick to the face and missile dropkick from the second rope for a two count. Christian airballed a flying splash, then Rhodes came off the second rope with a moonsault for a two count.
 
Rhodes, upset about the nearfall, said he's tired of being jerked around and he's better than everyone. The announcers said Rhodes is losing his focus. Christian then countered a corner toss and dropped Rhodes with the Killswitch. Christian rolled over Rhodes and scored the pin to capture the IC Title. Afterward, Christian sold emotion as Rhodes rolled out of the ring.
 
WINNER: Christian at 7:25 to capture the IC Title. The match didn't get to that next level, coming across like a basic TV singles match. Damage has been done to Rhodes this year and Christian was a heel prior to his absence, so the crowd wasn't into this until there was a prospect of a title change at the end.
 
7 -- WWE champion C.M. PUNK vs. DANIEL BRYAN -- WWE Title match
 
The crowd was split for Bryan and Punk with dueling chants as Punk targeted Bryan's left knee. Bryan came back with Yes! kicks, but Punk came back with more offense targeting the knee. Punk then applied a standing submission into a Curb Stomp for a two count. He followed by tossing Bryan over the top rope to the floor. Bryan sold the effects, then rammed Punk into the guardrail when Punk tried to follow up.
 
Back in the ring, Bryan worked over Punk's shoulder/upper back area to return the favor after Punk's submission attack earlier in the match. After Punk tried to fight back, Bryan applied a surfboard stretch into a neck submission bending Punk's body backwards. Punk escaped with elbow strikes before landing forearm strikes to the face. Punk followed with a suplex for a two count. Booker said they may be here for another hour since neither man wants to relent. The crowd picked up a loud dueling chant as the two men traded control.
 
At 12:00, Bryan climbed up top and flew clear across the ring to deliver a headbutt for a two count. Bryan followed up with a submission targeting the upper back before they came to their feet and collided mid-ring after bouncing off the ropes. Punk was the aggressor once the two men came to their feet, but ran into a corner boot, only to drop Bryan with a snap powerslam when Bryan charged at him. Moments later, Punk sent Bryan flying over the top rope to the floor and Bryan sold the knee injury. Punk followed right up with a suicide dive that put both men on the floor.
 
Back in the ring, Bryan caught Punk with a dropkick to the ribs and scored a close two count. Bryan, fired up, assaulted Punk with rapid-fire kicks to the gut, but Punk blocked and scored with a Dragonscrew legwhip. He followed with the figure-four leglock in Flair Country. Punk and Bryan suddenly traded slaps while still in the figure-four as the crowd whoo'ed loudly. Bryan then reached the bottom rope to break the hold.
 
Punk and Bryan reset with a rapid-fire exchange of holds before Bryan popped Punk in the head with a kick strike. Cole said Bryan is going to win his first WWE Title, which meant Punk was going to kick out, which of course happened. Bryan then lowered a kneepad and landed bare knee strikes to the mid-section. Punk hung up Bryan on the top rope, landed a flying clothesline, and covered Bryan for a two count. The crowd, not invested in Bryan as a heel, chanted, "This is awesome," evaluating the performance during the performance.
 
Champ and Challenger came to their feet at 20:00, and traded offense. Punk teased the GTS, but Bryan escaped. Bryan suddenly teased the Yes! Lock, but Punk countered with a roundhouse kick to the head. Punk made a cover, but Bryan got his foot on the bottom rope, then kicked out of a second pin attempt. "Aaaaahhhh!" Punk shouted, selling frustration not being able to put away Bryan. For his next move, Punk went up-top and set up the Macho Man elbow on the anniversary of Randy Savage's death. Punk then came off the top and connected, but he sold the injured ribs after landing the elbow. As the vocal males chanted, "Randy Savage," Punk slowly made a pin attempt, which Bryan kicked out of.
 
At 22:30, Bryan suddenly went nuts on Punk with successive knees and strikes. Bryan chanted, "Yes!" several times before charging Punk and missing with a flying dropkick. Punk then nailed the high knee and tried the bulldog, but Bryan wrestled Punk to the ground and slapped on the Yes! Lock center-ring. Punk teased tapping out, then Bryan rolled Punk over onto his shoulders. The ref counted a three and called for the bell. The announcers said Punk was tapping out. Punk took his title belt and left the ring as Bryan sold shock over what happened. They went to a replay of Bryan's shoulders on the mat with the submission locked in; Punk tapped out one second after the pin was counted.
 
WINNER: Punk at 23:55 to retain the WWE Title. An expectedly very good PPV match between two of the best. It wasn't a blow-away match, but still very good. The finish was interesting - it could lead to a title re-match, or just give Bryan an "out" complain about on TV to advance his heel character. (****)
 
8 -- HUNICO (w/Camacho) vs. RYBACK
 
"Goldberg" chants once the bell sounded for the buffer match before the main event. Early on, Hunico knocked Ryback off his feet, which the announcers drew attention to, then Ryback came back with power offense, including a lift-up powerbomb. Ryback then finished off Hunico with his fireman's carry finisher. Ryback demanded more competition after they replayed the high points from the match before destroying Hunico's bike on the way out.
 
WINNER: Ryback at 1:54.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page