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Arcademan:
Waaaaay behind so let's play catch-ups:

WWE RAW Results: 1-12-19

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report). To view condensed in-ring results, go to Neo-Geo Forum: Official WWE Thread Post #8562

1 -- REY MYSTERIO vs. World tag team champion THE MIZ

WINNER: Rey in 4:00. Way too short of a match there. Could have gone another seven or eight minutes and given Miz a chance to prove himself in a singles opportunity. (*1/4)

2 -- IC champion WILLIAM REGAL (w/Layla) vs. C.M. PUNK -- Intercontinental Title match

WINNER: Regal via DQ in 2:00. Well, there had better be a point to this because it's going to be difficult for the audience to buy into future title matches with the first two of this year ending in lame fashion. (n/a)

3 -- KANE vs. RANDY ORTON (w/Cody Rhodes)

WINNER: Orton in 9:00. Apparently they're doing a blind-as-a-bat angle for WWE refs now. Either that or Scott legit screwed up making the three count, as there was a very awkward moment after the bell. They played it up well if it was a legit match finish. (*1/2)

4 -- WWE World Hvt. champion JOHN CENA vs. SHAWN MICHAELS (w/JBL) -- non-title match

WINNER: Shawn Michaels in 24:00. One night after an early TNA MOTY contender, we have our first WWE Match of the Year contender. What an epic TV match with WWE effectively playing up so many different elements of the Cena-Michaels-JBL program. Michaels was superb. Cena had this different "heel" edge to him. JBL was great in his subtle reactions and not over-playing the heel manager card. Just another great match in the HBK vs. Cena series. They bring out the best in each other. Only a slow period around 12:00 kept this short of reaching five stars. Seriously. (****1/2)

ECW on SciFI Results: 1-13-09

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report). To view condensed version, go to Neo-Geo Forum: Official WWE Thread Post #8563

1 -- PAUL BURCHILL & KATIE LEA vs. D.J. GABRIEL & ALICIA FOX

WINNERS: Gabriel & Fox in 3:00. Short match without much to write home about. (1/2*)

2 -- THE BOOGEYMAN vs. SAMMY SABOR

WINNER: Boogeyman in 1:00. Striker saved this one. I understand the art of building up a monster via the squash, but unless Boogey has developed a magical ability in the last year to work a competitive five-minute match, I don't see him being in a position to ascend to a main event level in ECW.

3 -- ECW champion MATT HARDY vs. JACK SWAGGER -- ECW Title match

WINNER: Swagger in 16:00 to capture the ECW Title. Excellent title match. Swagger has certainly earned his spot as the champion of a WWE brand. Now, it's a matter of seeing how he fares with the belt in hand. The upside for Swagger is enormous. (***)

Arcademan:
TNA Impact! Results: 1-15-09

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

1 -- STING (w/Kurt Angle, Scott Steiner) vs. HERNANDEZ -- TNA World Hvt. Title

Hernandez opened with some chops in the corner against Sting, who was still wearing a gray t-shirt. Hernandez followed with a slingshot shoulder tackle. He followed with another shoulder tackle. Angle showed concern at ringside. Hernandez scored a two count at 1:00. Steiner interfered as Angle distracted the referee. Tenay hyperventilated as he tried to sneak in all of his talking points hyping the rest of Impact, as if you should have to reiterate the line-up in the midst of a TNA World Title match rather than just making the match in and of itself seem like the biggest deal possible. Hernandez tore off his shirt after a couple clotheslines, then set up a powerbomb. Booker T threw Hernandez's shirt in his face just as he lifted Sting. Then the MEM attacked Hernandez, prompting the ref to call for the DQ.

WINNER: Hernandez via DQ in 4:00.

-Four minutes of official in-ring action in the first hour.

2 -- ODB & ROXXI & TAYLOR WILDE vs. RAESHA SAEED & RHAKA KHAN & SOUJOURNER BOLT - Street Fight Rules

A couple minutes of back and forth action, heels on offense first, then ODB came back. They cut to a break at 3:00.

After some ringside brawling, Roxxi went on a flurry of offense and scored a near fall on Bolt with a bridge at 8:00. A minute later Roxxi finished Khan with the Voo Doo Drop.

WINNERS: Roxxi & Wilde & ODB in 9:00.

STAR RATING: 3/4* -- TNA still really misses Gail Kim.

3 -- ABYSS & MATT MORGAN vs. CONSEQUENCES CREED & "BLACK MACHISMO" JAY LETHAL

At 2:00, after Creed did his silly splits routine before popping up to punch Morgan, Morgan KO'd him with a big boot to the face off the ropes. That deserved a big babyface pop. They cut to a break.

Morgan was still beating down Creed after the break. Tenay and West noted that Abyss wanted to tag out, but Morgan was reluctant because he hasn't felt he's had enough ring time in their tag matches lately. As soon as Abyss tagged in, Creed caught him with a boot and hot-tagged Lethal in. Lethal and Creed double-teamed Abyss and then hit Morgan at ringside with a stereo shoulder dive through the ropes. Creed caught Abyss with a top rope dropkick seconds later for a near fall at 7:00. Morgan entered the ring and gave Creed an overhead slam. Creed landed on his feet. Abyss caught a flying Lethal in mid-air, but slammed him inadvertently onto Morgan for the pin.

WINNERS: Lethal & Creed in 8:00 to earn a tag title shot against Beer Money at Against All Odds.

STAR RATING: *

4 -- SCOTT STEINER vs. A.J. STYLES -- Mick Foley as Special Referee

West said Styles "might be the most talented wrestler on the planet today." Steiner took Styles down amateur style and then slapped the back of his head a few times. Foley gave what appeared to be a pep talk to Styles at ringside. West said Foley is noticeably limping at ringside. Styles came back with a headlock at 2:00 followed by a signature dropkick. He played to the crowd and then flip dove onto Steiner on the floor.

Steiner was in control after the break with chops in the corner and then a suplex. Tenay said the Jarrett-Angle match was one of the greatest matches they've had the opportunity to call. West said it was the hardest to call. Steiner bear-hugged Styles and then just tossed him face-first onto the mat in a nasty looking spot. Steiner gave Styles a Steinerline, then grabbed a chair from the crowd. Foley yelled at ref Earl Hebner. Steiner wedged the chair into the corner. The ref lectured him. Styles recovered and whipped Steiner into the chair. Styles took over with a stretch of offense leading to a near fall at 12:00. Steiner raked Styles's eyes afterward. Styles came right back with a bridge suplex and then a hard flying clothesline in the corner. When he went for a Stinger splash, Steiner yanked the ref into his path. Steiner then face-planted Styles as Foley checked on Hebner. Steiner grabbed his steel pipe and hit Foley on the back with it. Steiner then hit Styles with the pipe. With Styles down, Steiner made the cover. Hebner came to long enough to count, but Styles kicked out before three. West said it must've just been an instinctive reaction. Steiner then applied the Steiner Recliner. The ref came to and checked on Styles. Foley came to and pounded on the mat to encourage a Styles comeback. Styles reached for the ropes, so Steiner released the hold and forearmed Styles. He dragged him back to center-ring and reapplied the Recliner. Foley showed off his "famous sock." Petey Williams ran out and leaped off the top rope with a dropkick to Steiner's jaw. The ref didn't see it. Styles then hit Steiner with a Pele Kick for the win. The show closed with Foley, Styles, and Petey standing together in the ring with their arms raised.

WINNER: Styles in 15:00.

STAR RATING: **1/4 -- Steiner's pretty limited, but Styles is pretty good, and Steiner stuck with what he can do - the suplexes and power moves - and they put together a solid match. The finish forwarded the seemingly forgotten Petey-Steiner conflict.

FINAL THOUGHTS: A middle of the road edition of Impact. Nothing stood out as horrible storyline-wise for them, but nothing really grabbed you, either. Just more of MEM and Front Line battling each other. The returns of Brother Ray and Petey was supposed to carry the show from a newsy standpoint. The Palin payoff was a bit of a letdown as the Palin impersonator just disappeared after it was revealed she wasn't the real deal. The Hernandez cash-in was a letdown, too. He better get that briefcase back after how cheap his title match ending was.

Arcademan:
WWE Smackdown Results: 1-16-09

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

1 -- JACK SWAGGER & MARK HENRY (w/Tony Atlas) vs. MATT HARDY & FINLAY (w/Hornswoggle)

This is a big moment for Swagger, his first appearance on one of the Big Two shows. For those who haven't been watching ECW, he is the real deal and the best bet to come out of nowhere to be a major player quickly. He is a natural in the ring, a natural on the mic, he's a natural with body language and facial expressions, and a natural at being a heat generator. Ross on Swagger: "Jack Swagger, a young man who has as much potential as anyone I've seen in WWE in many, many years." Meanwhile, Matt Hardy's apparently been on the diet that Hurricane Helms was on the past six months. He's hitting that age in his mid-30s where the same number of calories in doesn't necessary work itself off as easily. Henry overpowered Hardy early, but Hardy came back with an enzuigiri and then a hot-tag to Finlay. Swagger sold to Finlay for a moment, but then rammed Finlay into the ringpost and sent him to the floor where Henry beat on him a little. Swagger got sustained offense as Hardy got the crowd to clap as they cut to a break.

Even when Swagger applies a chinlock, he makes it look like he's holding someone back from pushing a nuclear bomb button that's going to destroy the world. There's nothing casual about it. Finlay avoided a swing splash by Swagger at 11:00 leading to a hot-tag to Hardy. Hardy took it to Swagger right away, looking to get retribution for losing the ECW Title to him earlier in the week. Hardy hit a Side Effect and then set up a Twist of Fate. Atlas threw Hornswoggle into the ring to distract Hardy. Atlas then surprised Hardy with a clothesline. Finlay hit Henry with the shillelagh. Swagger kicked Finlay in the face. Hardy surprised Swagger with a Twist of Fate for the win.

WINNER: Hardy & Finlay in 12:00.

STAR RATING: *1/2 -- Basic okay tag match. I'd have wanted to give Swagger a little more time to shine in his national Smackdown debut than what they gave him here, especially coming off of an ECW Title. Having the heel champ lose to the babyface former champ or challenger is a tried and true proven booking technique, but with someone as new as Swagger, it might not have been ideal.

2 -- R-TRUTH vs. BRIAN KENDRICK (w/Ezekiel Jackson)

Truth dominated early. Kendrick took over with a surprise kick as the ref was talking to Truth. He controlled the next few minutes with a leglock and then a chinlock. He went for The Kendrick, but Truth avoided it and came back with his rolling scissors kick for the win almost out of nowhere.

WINNER: Truth in 5:00.

STAR RATING: *

3 -- THE BIG SHOW vs. MVP -- Last Man Standing match

MVP jump-started the match with a chairshot from behind. As he swung the chair at him again at ringside, Show punched the chair out of his hands. MVP rolled into the ring to regroup and ready for Show's entrance. As Show tried to enter, MVP kicked him to the floor. Show eventually swatted MVP aside and entered the ring, then caught his running boot attempt and sent him tumbling to the floor at 2:00.

Show went after MVP on the floor. MVP rolled back into the ring. Ross complimented MVP's "Hit and Run" strategy. Show shoved MVP to the floor seconds later and this time caught up with him on the floor. He clubbed him across the back with his forearm. At 4:00 Show whipped MVP into the steps. Tazz wondered what Triple H's advice was for MVP. MVP moved out of the path of a charging Show, then leaped off the ring apron and dropkicked Show into the ringpost at 5:00. They cut to a break after Show again swatted away an MVP kick.

After the break, Show slapped MVP across the cheat and then smiled with a sense of satisfaction. He continued the methodical beatdown of MVP, including lifting him by his head and throwing him to the mat. MVP came back with a sleeper at 12:00. MVP came back with a sleeper briefly, but when the action spilled to the floor, Show whipped MVP into the security wall. He sat on the steps at ringside as the ref began to count to ten MVP got up before ten. Show casually stood up and went back to work. Show grabbed MVP by his lapels. That infuriated Show, went aggressively went after MVP with a suplex on the ramp. MVP rolled all the way off the ramp to the floor where the ref began counting again. MVP stood up before ten. Show chopped him hard in the chest. Show pressed and threw MVP onto the stage. Show lifted MVP for a chokeslam. Triple H ran out and hit Show from behind with a sledgehammer. Both men went down. The ref began counting. Triple H yelled at MVP, encouraging him to stand up. The crowd chanted, "MVP, MVP." He did stand up with help from the WWE logo on the stage. The ref raised MVP's arm. When was the last time that happened? The camera zoomed in on Show really selling the pain from the sledgehammer shot.

WINNER: MVP in 16:00.

STAR RATING: **1/2 -- The definition of lumbering, but still well played out. I'm not sure if MVP's losing streak ending needed to be done that way under circumstances where he wasn't even the main focus of the match or angle.

4 -- VICTORIA vs. MICHELLE MCCOOL

Ross said this is Victoria's last match in WWE. "Victoria's retiring," he said. She went after McCool at ringside, and then pounded her head back in the ring. Ross said she's had an amazing career in WWE and wanted to dedicate this match to the troops. She hit a standing moonsault for a near fall at 1:00. Ross noted the referee for this match, Jack Doan, was back from shoulder surgery. She scored another near fall at 2:00 after a superplex. Ross said Victoria's decision to retire came about rather abruptly. He said a lot of tears were shed earlier in the day as she said her goodbyes to a lot of people. McCool came back and began working over Victoria's leg, ramming it over the edge of the ring apron. Victoria made a comeback at 5:00 with a backslide for a near fall. She set up her Widow's Peak finisher, but her leg buckled and McCool escaped and her Styles Clash finisher, now titled the "Faith Breaker." Victoria lay in the ring afterward soaking up the moment as McCool paced around the ring celebrating.

WINNER: McCool in 6:00.

STAR RATING: *1/2 -- Good TV women's match. Longer than usual, which was a nice show of respect giving Victoria time for a full-fledged match on TV instead one of those one minute deals.

-Edge made his full ring intro for "The Cutting Edge" segment.

-Edge said as an elite athlete, he's learned to block out distractions. He said his only focus lately has been to take back his WWE Championship from Jeff Hardy. He said lately that's been difficult because every week there seems to be a new distraction trying to shift his focus, such as very private photos of his wife being plastered all over WWE.com. He said words won't due justice this story, so instead they made a movie. He pointed to the big screen and a video aired of Jeff Hardy's WWE Title victory. Edge called Hardy's title reign "an embarrassing, irrational period" in WWE history. He laughed and said that's just a slight glimpse of the preview. He said the movie ends at the Royal Rumble when Hardy's only WWE Title reign was an accident. He doesn't just want to tell the fans, he wants to tell Hardy in person.

Jeff Hardy's ring intro aired and as he danced on the stage, the pyro show got out of hand and engulfed him. He went down in pain, grabbing at his face. Ross gasped, "What?" A trainer ran to the back for help. Jimmy Wang Yang was the first out, calling for help. Hurricane Helms was next out, followed by trainers. They went to shots of concerned fans in the crowd. A stretcher was brought out. R-Truth ran out next to help him onto the stretcher. Hardy covered his face as they rolled him onto the backbrace. Vickie stepped out to a chorus of boos and observed. It's a little weird they went the backbrace route for facial burns. They replayed the pyro engulfing him from several angles as the crowd fell silent. Hardy was rolled to the back, still covering his face, as the crowd chanted "Hardy, Hardy" and the show ended without further comments.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Good edition of Smackdown. It hardly felt like a throwaway B-show that's been to often this decade. The show-closing angle was well-done. Realistic, but tasteful. The Show-MVP build up and execution and follow-up was all sharp. The filler matches were solid, too.

Arcademan:
WWE RAW Results: 1-19-09

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

1 -- BATTLE ROYALE match

A few seconds into the match, the lights went down and out. Lawler covered that Kane was having another entrance. Lights came back on a few seconds later, then all of the heels ganged up on Kane and Kofi until Legacy decided to dump Santino out of the ring at 1:00.

Legacy then dumped Kofi over the top rope, leaving Kane against the Legacy. Out went Cody Rhodes very quickly. DiBiase then skinned the cat before coming back into the ring to nearly eliminate everyone, but Orton held onto the top rope and won because only one of his feet hit the ring. Afterward, Orton celebrated with his boys in the ring.

WINNER: Randy Orton at 1:50. Well, that was insanely short for a battle royale. And they went to sell a Rumble PPV on Sunday? (n/a)

2 -- Women's champion BETH PHOENIX vs. KELLY KELLY -- non-title match

Kelly sporting a Chicago Blackhawks half-jersey to get the local cheers. Beth quickly shoved Kelly down to the mat before Kelly kicked back only to take a big chest smash. Fans were hot with a "Kelly, Kelly" chant before Beth nailed her sit-out facebuster for the pin.

WINNER: Beth at 1:30. Quick squash for Beth to set up her title match against Melina at the Rumble.

3 -- IC champion WILLIAM REGAL (w/Layla) vs. C.M. PUNK -- Intercontinental Title match -- No DQ

Punk landed some stiff kicks to the chest in the ongoing, then Regal rolled to the floor to recover. Punk blocked a suplex on the floor, then rammed him into the ringpost and nailed a kick to the back. Back in the ring, Punk snapped off a suplex before landing more leg blows to the back. Let's get a break.

Back from break, Regal was in trouble with Punk locking him in a submission hold inside the ropes. Punk locked that sucker in forever with no five count in a No DQ, so Layla pulled Punk off. The distraction allowed Regal to smash Punk onto the ring apron. Back in the ring, Regal went to work on Punk with submission holds. Suddenly, they had a standing exchange with forearm blows until Punk landed a spinning backfist and a roundhouse kick to the head. Punk made a cover, but only a two count at 8:00.

Punk with the high knee in the corner, but Regal blocked the bulldog and hit a half-nelson release suplex that dropped Punk straight on his neck. Geez. Regal made a cover, but only a two count. Regal went back to work, then wanted the big knee smash, but Punk ducked and wanted the G2S (huge pop for the tease). Regal fought the hold with repeated elbow smashes, but Punk dropped him with the G2S for the pin and the win to set off a wild celebration in Chicago. Punk soaked up the moment for a few minutes while they replayed the finish and stayed in the moment for quite some time. Nice to see that.

WINNER: C.M. Punk at 9:50 to capture the IC Title. Stiff as a mother match. Excellent work by both men with plenty of intensity and a great exchange of offense. Punk nearly breaking his neck was a momentary setback, but a great 10-minute TV bout nevertheless. (***)

4 -- REY MYSTERIO vs. MIKE KNOX

Rey quickly knocked Knox to the floor, then wanted a dropkick, but Knox clotheslined him from his knees on Rey's level. Rey then slingshot Knox across the ring and wanted the 619, but Knox caught his legs and "disconnected the call" before whiplashing Rey throat-first across the middle rope. Knox then wiped the blood off his mouth and began attacking Rey with a vicious beating in the corner. Ref DQ'ed him for not breaking a five count, then Knox went back for more by nailing the Knox Out in center ring.

WINNER: Rey Mysterio via DQ at 2:50. Just fine to keep the storyline going. Did I just write that? Not right. We'll see where this goes before passing judgment this week. (*)

5 -- World tag team champions THE MIZ & JOHN MORRISON vs. CRYME TYME (SHAD GASPAR & JTG) -- non-title match

CT stole the victory in less than two minutes running referee interference to set up Shad for a front slam on Morrison for the pin. Miz was beside himself afterward.

WINNERS: Cryme Tyme at 1:30. Another too-short match tonight. Promo exchange was more intriguing than the match, which is typical for this feud. (1/2*)

6 -- MELINA vs. JILLIAN HALL

A few seconds into the action, Beth, Santino, and Rosa walked to the ringside area while Jillian yanked on Melina's hair in the corner. Jill nearly botched a move, but slammed Melina to the mat. Out of the corner, Melina rolled through on Jillian with a sunset flip pin for the win. Post-match: Rosa jumped into the ring to earn her keep by attacking Melina, which allowed Beth to sneak into the ring and gave her the chicken wing front-face slam to set up their match at the Rumble. Afterward, Beth stormed out of the ring, leaving Santino to ponder things.

WINNER: Melina at 1:20. Just a quick set-up for the Rumble. (1/2*)

Last part of the show was Vince McMahon's return, Chris Jericho groveling for his job and finished with Randy Orton kicking in Vince's head. Show went 18 minutes over...about the length of the combined matches in the show.

Arcademan:
ECW on SciFi Results: 1-20-09

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

1 -- RICKY ORTIZ vs. ADAM EVANS

Ortiz needs to turn heel or just go away. Crowd quiet as Ortiz easily worked over Evans, who over-did the selling of a weak-looking backbreaker. Grisham said Ortiz is still trying to "find his way here in ECW." In other words, he isn't that good in the ring. Ortiz attempted a side belly-to-back suplex and managed not to break the dude's neck before landing a football shoulder tackle. Ortiz then pulled out the rally towel, which drew boos. Ortiz then landed the Big O splash for the pin and the win. Post-match: Swagger took the mic and looked for the cheap pop asking Chi-Town for their support. He told them to "Rally Up." Ortiz then walked over to a fan on the front row and gave him a towel. Fan really didn't want the towel, but he accepted to be nice.

WINNER: Ortiz in 2:00. Let the crowd response indicate the direction of the character. Either turn him heel or send him away. (n/a)

2 -- THE BOOGEYMAN vs. PAUL BURCHILL (w/Katie Lea)

Striker said Burchill has an "interesting workout regiment." Couldn't see the match, as Boogeyman's ring entrance smoke hovered over the ring for the length of the match. So much for McMahon taking wrestling out of smoke-filled arenas. Fans chanted Boogeyman's name, then Katie snuck into the ring and kicked Boogey in the back to cause a DQ. Boogey clotheslined Burchill to the floor and chased after Katie. He tossed her into the ring and teased the worms down the throat, but Burchill pulled his sis out of the ring. They took off running to avoid Boogey.

WINNER: Boogeyman via DQ in 2:00. Eh. Would have liked to have seen this given a chance to test the limits of both wrestlers with at least five minutes. Yes, as torturous as that could be, but they need to find out whether either one can do anything of substance on this show. (n/a)

3 -- FINLAY (w/Hornswoggle) vs. MARK HENRY (w/Tony Atlas) vs. World tag champion THE MIZ vs. World tag champion JOHN MORRISON

One pin or submission ends the match tonight. They did some Rumble spots early on, including Finlay dumping Morrison over the top rope to the floor. Cut to break.

Miz and Morrison tried to double up on Henry, but Henry fought them off easily with a round of clotheslines. Finlay then snuck in behind Henry and wanted a second rope splash, but Henry caught him, dropped him to his feet, and kicked him to the mat. Finlay then came back with a DDT on Henry before Miz and Morrison dropkicked Henry underneath the bottom rope to the floor. Tag champs then stomped on Finlay before giving him a double gut-buster. Things slowed down considerably as Finlay fought the champs in an odd fashion.

Henry decided he was done with things, despite Tony's pleadings, so he walked off. Meanwhile, Horny with a tadpole splash on Morrison. Finlay then dropped Miz with the Celtic Cross, but Morrison prevented a pin with a stiff knee smash to the face. Morrison then covered Miz ? for the pin and the win. Morrison declared himself victorious while Miz was shocked that his partner pinned him. A little Shelley-Sabin deal here. Grisham said it's every man for himself at the Rumble on Sunday. Morrison posed once more while Miz remained annoyed to close the show.

WINNER: John Morrison in 10:00. Had some rough patches, but a nice finish to (a) build-up the Rumble and (b) preview the future and inevitable splitting-up of Miz and Morrison for singles pushes down the line. Not the epic hard-sell for Sunday to close the show, which I thought should have been the Swagger-Hardy pull-apart. (*1/2)

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