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

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Arcademan:
WWE Superstars Results: 5-14-09

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

1 -- IC champion REY MYSTERIO vs. SHELTON BENJAMIN -- non-title match

Shelton and Rey locked up and Shelton tossed Rey to the outside. Morrison said Shelton could be great if he got his head on straight. Back in the ring, Shelton kicked Rey in the gut, but Rey switched a waistlock into chucking Shelton to the floor. Rey then flew off the apron with a huracanrana taking Shelton clear down to the mat. Morrison liked the athleticism. Back in the ring, Rey wanted a finish, but Shelton blocked with a gutbuster across his knee. Rey's ribcage took the worst of that.

Shelton then knocked Rey to the mat to help him some buy some time. Back in the ring, Shelton grabbed a waistlock back in the ring, then Rey fought back with elbow strikes after catching his breath. Rey then set up Shelton for a 619, but Shelton came to his feet and kicked Rey right out of the ring to the floor. Grab a break with Rey in jeopardy.

Back from break, Shelton was stretching Rey mid-ring. He then chucked Rey high in the air and covered him for a two count. Shelton then slapped on a seated ab stretch to continue working on Rey's mid-section. At 10:00, Rey kicked back with a strike to the stomach before Shelton ran him over with a knee to the gut. Shelton continued to work the mid-section as the fans tried to rally behind Rey. Rey came up holding his right knee following that previous gut to the knee, by the way, then he tried going up top, but Shelton hung him upside down.

Shelton tried to charge for a splash, but Rey back-flipped out of the way and positioned himself up top for a sentaun splash. Rey then nailed a twisting press off the second rope for a two count. He wanted the wheel barrow, but Shelton blocked with a German suplex for a close call. Rey then nailed a sweet Tornado DDT off Shelton's shoulders before setting up the 619 and connecting. Rey then sprung to his feet and nailed the springboard splash for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Rey Mysterio in 14:00. Looks like that bad knee crept up on Rey again, as he was favoring the knee at the end of the match. Excellent TV match, though. Great action and athleticism. Both men really delivered a stand-out performance and Shelton continues to look better and better when given more "multiple-segment" matches to complete stories in the ring. (***)

2 -- ECW champion CHRISTIAN vs. MARK HENRY (w/Tony Atlas) -- non-title match

Henry shoved Christian down after their initial lock-up, then Henry smiled down at Christian. Henry drove Christian into the corner before stomping him down. Henry continued to assault Christian, who finally dipped out of the ring to make Henry exert energy going in and out of the ring. Christian then dropkicked Henry through the ropes and they cut to break.

Back from break, Henry was back in control working over Christian on the mat. He then slapped on a bear hug until Christian broke free, only to have Henry squash him in the corner. Striker said Jack Swagger must love what he sees with Christian being softened up for J-Day. Henry missed with a second splash attempt, then Christian fired up with clotheslines that rocked Henry but didn't knock him off his feet. Christian went up top for a second dropkick and Henry finally fell, but Henry press-slammed Christian out of a pin attempt. Love that kick-out spot. Christian tried the Killswitch, but Henry blocked and clotheslined him inside-out.

Battle moved to the top turnbuckle where Christian attempted a Tornado DDT, but Henry pulled him down to the mat. Henry then missed with a sit-down butt splash and ate the mat. Christian followed with a turnaround splash from the second rope and covered Henry for a pin and the win.

WINNER: Christian in 10:00. Really nice match, actually. They had good chemistry and the announcers really did a nice job of selling the idea of Henry softening up Christian for the ECW Title match against Swagger. Good team work all-around. (**)

3 -- BIG SHOW vs. HORNSWOGGLE -- Exhibition Match

Bell sounded. Ref was in the ring for this Exhibition Match unlike Cena's on Raw. Show walked right up to Hornswoggle and milked the impending destruction. Show then lifted up Horny and teased press-slamming him to all four corners of the ring. He then opted just to place Horny on the top rope. Show then went down to the mat and invited Hornswoggle to nail the tadpole splash. Horny didn't know what to do, so he slowly positioned himself and went for the finish, but Show moved out of the way and stared down Hornswoggle. He then put Show on the top rope again and Show teased the big right hand strike.

Suddenly, Goldust's music hit. Wha? Goldust made the save and went after Show for a DQ. Oddities v.2? Show thwarted Goldust' save and nailed a chokeslam in center ring. Horny was on the floor by now. Show then put Goldust in a Camel Clutch and wrenched down on his back. Horny couldn't do anything about it before Show finally dropped the hold and left the ring. Hornswoggle then entered the ring and checked on Goldust, who sold a back injury. Show dominant going into J-Day against Cena. One last shot of Hornswoggle agonizing over Goldust to close the show.

WINNER: Big Show via DQ in 3:00. Could have used a cameo from Cena to reinforce the Show-Cena match, but an okay effort to promote J-Day. Goldust and Hornswoggle together ... Well, it is WWE. (n/a)

Arcademan:
TNA Impact! Results: 5-14-09

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

1 -- CHRIS SABIN (w/Alex Shelley) vs. CHRISTOPHER DANIELS

Lots of high-flying early on. No real build-up to the moves, though, as they were surely rushed with only a few minutes of TV time allotted to the match. Sabin in control early, and West said Daniels must be worn out doing double-duty as Daniels and Suicide. Ask.com question: "What name did A.J. Styles first wrestle as?" Two minutes in, Jay Lethal and Consequences Creed came out on stage for a closer look. West accused Daniels of fraud by trying to pick up two paychecks. Well, just check the address on Suicide's tax return.

West started complaining about Jeff Jarrett overload while Daniels made a comeback. He knee-stomped Sabin to the mat before landing an STO. West snapped to attention that they just saw the STO on Impact last week from Suicide. Daniels wanted Angel's Wings, but Shelley broke it up. Incompetent ref wasn't paying attention. Sabin then nailed a springboard clothesline for a two count. Sabin tried a Tornado DDT, but Daniels blocked. Daniels knocked Shelley off the apron, then he hit a modified Rock Bottom to set up the Best Moonsault Ever on Sabin for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Daniels in 5:00. Daniels not quite as crisp as I remember him back in the day. Perhaps it's the long pants instead of the biker shorts he used to wear. Nice build-up to the Big Reveal of Suicide as Daniels...or not. (*)

2 -- SAMOA JOE vs. ERIC YOUNG

Bell sounded and Joe smashed Young. West said Young is going to learn a valuable lesson about keeping his mouth shut. Match moved to the floor where Jiggly Joe smashed Young into the ring apron before placing a chair down ringside. Joe then smashed Young by chucking the chair into Young's face. West said he has love for Joe driving the Frontline crazy. Is there still a Frontline? Back in the ring, Joe slapped on the rear naked choke and Young fought the hold. Joe finally locked it in full and Young passed out in the hold. Shady Hebner called for the bell. Tenay got around to plugging Joe vs. Kevin Nash at Sacrifice. Post-match: Joe scooped up a lifeless Young and hoisted him on his shoulders to leave the Impact Zone.

WINNER: Joe via TKO in 2:00. Squash for Joe. He seems like just another generic mid-card thug right now. Waiting for the Taz reveal to bring him back to life... (n/a)

3 -- CUTE KIP (w/Knockouts champion Angelina Love) vs. AWESOME KONG (w/Raisha Saeed)

After an initial feeling-out process, they locked up and did battle. Kong introduced a chair and cracked the chair over Kip's head. She then put the chair on Kip's head as he was on the mat and landed consecutive big splashes that freaked Angelina. Kong then put Kip on the M*A*S*H stretcher and ref Rudy did a very fast ten count to give Kong the win. Security then hauled Kip away from the ring.

WINNER: Kong in 3:00. Continuing to re-build Kong for her title match against Angelina. Standard booking and just fine. (*)

4 -- X Division champion SUICIDE & AMAZING RED vs. BRITISH INVASION (DOUG WILLIAMS & BRUTUS MAGNUS w/Rob Terry) -- Team 3D tag team tournament semi-final match

West said tongue-in-cheek Suicide looks a bit sluggish after having to change into his outfit after wrestling in the opening match. Tenay said apparently LAX lost their Feast or Fired briefcases when BI took them out of action. Well that sucks. Speaking of sucks, West ripped Jarrett for the "Day in the Life" video feature on the show. He said it's been the longest day of his life. BI was in control of the match early on, then Red snapped off a swinging front-slam to make the tag to Suicide. Match broke down with some confusion among BI that wasn't edited well. Al four men in the ring before Red took out Magnus on the floor. Back in the ring, Williams shoved Suicide down. Guns then stormed the ring and hit Suicide with a superkick combo behind the ref's back. Williams with a double knee drop on Suicide for the win.

Post-match: Guns grappled Amazing Red and gave him a double-team neckbreaker combo to send a message to Suicide. Sabin said they're going to de-mask Suicide. Suddenly, Lethal and Creed stormed the ring to square off against Guns. Who is Suicide? All four men held down Suicide, who tried to escape. They tried to take the mask off, but suddenly Christopher Daniels stormed the ring and fought off the four X Division kiddos. West said he's still convinced Daniels has been in the Suicide outfit. Tenay was so mad: "You're such an idiot. You can never admit when you're wrong." Daniels gave Creed the Angel's Wings before Daniels and Suicide had a stand-off alone in the ring. West said he will spare no expense figuring out this mess with his own investigation.

WINNERS: British Invasion in 5:00. Finals are Beer Money vs. British Invasion. Match was just there and no one will remember it. Not exactly a great example of tag wrestling TNA keeps promoting the heck out of. (3/4*)

5 -- KEVIN NASH vs. NO LIMIT -- handicap match

Bell sounded and No Limit tried to double-team Nash with some wacky moves and gestures. Nash was knocked off his feet with a missile dropkick, but Nash came back with a chokeslam. Kevin "Kenny Rogers" Nash then used the elbow brace as a weapon. He then took his time taking off the Bonds gear and gave Naito a Jackknife Powerbomb. He made the cover for the easy win.

Post-match: Nash took the mic and looked deep into the camera. He said this world runs on one thing: violence. Nash said we need it. He said there's a Nation of Violence running around TNA, but at Sacrifice, there's going to be violence all right. It's name isn't going to be Samoa Joe; the name will be Kevin Nash. Oh yeah, there's a PPV to promote. Tenay and West were too busy complaining to each other to promote Joe vs. Nash at the PPV.

WINNER: Kevin Nash in 2:00. Just a squash to give Nash some work in the ring before facing Samoa Joe next Sunday. (n/a)

6 -- JETHRO HOLLIDAY vs. BOOKER T (w/Sharmell) -- I Quit match

Bell sounded and Booker fired off a round of chops that Jethro no-sold before knocking down Booker with right hand blows. West picked up the rip-on-Styles's promo sentiment by sarcastically saying Styles doesn't have to keep playing that card about being "down and out, pull myself up by the bootstraps." Booker knocked Jethro to the outside as Jethro started to sing instead of saying I Quit. Jethro refused to Quit again, then he fought back with right hand slaps to the gut, then the chest. Booker came back with a spin kick, though. He then pounded on Jethro's forehead before Jethro talked trash about Sharmell instead of saying he quits. Booker missed with an axe kick, then Jethro hit a big boot that knocked Booker down.

Jethro returned the favor by pounding away on Booker's forehead. Booker refused to give up. "Hell no!" he shouted. Booker raked the eyes, but Jethro ran him over with an inside-out clothesline. Suddenly, Sharmell slipped a chair into the ring before running interference. Booker then popped Jethro over the head with a chair shot. Another chair shot to the head tonight. Goodness. Booker followed with an axe kick before threatening to pound him with more right hands to the forehead, but Jethro said he's done. Booker wins.

WINNER: Booker in 5:00. Actually a good TV match. Jethro looked sharp and Booker showed off his "flashes of athleticism" when needed. Jethro quitting after an axe kick was lame, but there was no way out of the finish. One of the better TV main events they've had in a while. (**)

Arcademan:
WWE Smackdown Results: 5-15-09

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

1 -- C.M. PUNK & JOHN MORRISON vs. SHELTON BENJAMIN & CHARLIE HAAS

Grisham said Morrison gave tips on having abs like his: fruit the morning, protein at night, and about a thousand sit-ups in between. Back and forth action in the early minutes. Morrison and Punk fended off a double-team attempt by the heels and knocked them to the floor as they cut to a break at 5:00.

The heels settled into offense after the break. Morrison made a comeback with elbows and then hot-tagged Punk at 12:00. Punk threw a barrage of kicks and clotheslines at Shelton. He grazed Benjamin with a kick, but Haas tagged in and overhead suplexed Punk from behind. Haas settled into a chinlock. Ross said this is the best version of Haas & Benjamin he's ever seen. When Shelton tagged in, Ross said he shouldn't go into cruise control. That may have been more than a storyline-oriented comment. Shelton stayed in control and then tagged in Haas quickly. He settled into a chinlock. Punk broke out of it by elbowing Haas, even though a ton of light was showing before he threw the elbows and he could have just backed out of it. Really lazy looking application. The pace picked up as Morrison got a hot-tag. Morrison gave Hass a knee to the head and then climbed to the top. Shelton met him at the top, but Morrison shoved him down. Punk clotheslined him to the floor and then Morrison finished Haas with a springboard corkscrew moonsault.

WINNERS: Morrison & Punk in 16:00.
STAR RATING: **1/4 -- Should have been better. Haas and Benjamin just aren't sharp or flashy relative to the more motivated, contemporary styles of Morrison and Punk. They wrestle like it's a 1992 house show.

2 -- JEFF HARDY vs. RICKY ORTIZ

During his ring intro, Ortiz said you beat half of your opponents through hard work, the other half through believing in yourself. He said to beat Hardy, he needs the crowd to "Rally Up!" for him. Ross said he sounds like a motivational speaker. Ortiz headbutted Hardy to the mat early, then went for an early pin after checking him to the mat. He got a one count. He followed with a couple flying knees and scored a two count. Ortiz settled into a chinlock. Ross said Ortiz will really be sounding his own horn if he beats Hardy tonight. Hardy caught Ortiz with an elbow as he charged at him, then hit a quick Twist of Fate and the Swanton. It was a sudden turnaround for the win.

WINNER: Hardy in 3:00.
STAR RATING: * -- Short, but good. Ortiz looked good on offense, and the sudden decisive comeback was well done.

3 -- ALICIA FOX & MICHELLE MCCOOL vs. GAIL KIM & MELINA

Has there ever been a WWE women's tag match with a Caucasian, Asian-American, African-America, and Hispanic all in the match at once. At 3:00 McCool interfered by yanking Kim off the ring apron and banging her head against the apron. The ref didn't see it. Fox broke up Melina's attempt to finish of McCool at 5:00. Kip shoved Fox into the ringside barrier. Kim powerbombed and cradled McCool center-ring for the win.

WINNER: Melina & Kim in 6:00.
STAR RATING: *1/4

4 -- JIMMY WANG YANG vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER

Ross said Wang is his favorite Asian redneck. Grisham agreed. Wang wouldn't shake Ziggler's hand, so he shoved him. Wang retaliated with a snap armdrag into an armlock. Ziggler came back with a gut-wrench slam and then a headlock. Ziggler dominated for a couple minutes, including a full nelson. He predicted Wang would tap out. He's really vocal in his matches, something Ross noted. At 4:00 Wang came back and hit a spin hook hook. He flipped off the top rope, but Ziggler moved. Wang landed on his feet, but Ziggler gave him his finisher for the win.

WINNER: Ziggler in 5:00
STAR RATING: *

5 -- R-TRUTH vs. MIKE KNOX

Ross again said Knox is a different kind of WWE athlete. He said he wears glasses and is a different person in the back and transforms in the ring. Not sure where they're going with this, if anywhere. Truth slingshot himself onto Knox on the floor at 1:00. He threw Knox back into the ring. Grisham said Truth wants championships in WWE is looking to stack up some victories. You don't hear talk of mid-carders winning matches for the purpose of earning title shots often enough. It is a little touch that gives meaning to a match like this beyond the "personal rivalry" angle. At 3:00 he scored a clean win over Knox with a spinning corkscrew elbow.

WINNER: Truth in 3:00.
STAR RATING: * -- Not a lot to the match, but what there was was solid. An interesting finish; certainly it was a vote for Truth over Knox on the totem pole of mid-carders on the rise. It's tough to push Knox as a rising killer heel if he's doing a three minute clean job to Truth. He's instead in that Snitsky category.

6 -- CHRIS JERICHO vs. EDGE

Ross said all roads on Smackdown should lead to the World Title. If that's not where you're trying to go as a wrestler, why are you even around, he said. At 3:00 Jericho tossed Edge to the floor and celebrated as if it were just a matter of time to victory.

When Jericho pursued Edge, Edge reversed him into the ringside steps. Ross said the match is a battle of egos and momentum. Edge dropped Jericho over the security wall and then rolled him into the ring and scored a two count. Jericho climbed to the top rope. Edge met him. They fought and knocked each other to the floor. They cut to a break at 5:00.

Edge scored a near fall as they returned from the break. Jericho came back and settled into a keylock into a hammerlock. Jericho slammed Edge into his arm Tully Blanchard style. Jericho shouted, "Who's show is it? Come on!" Jericho tried to score a pin with his feet on the middle rope for leverage. The ref saw it. Jericho argued with the ref for stopping his count. Edge scooped Jericho into a pin and put his lets on the middle rope, too. The ref saw that, too. Edge applied a sharpshooter. Jericho reached the bottom rope to force a break at 12:00. Jericho came back with a Boston Crab mid-ring. Ross wondered if Edge would decide to save himself for his title match on Sunday. He managed to grab the bottom rope. As Jericho argued with the ref, Edge speared him and Jericho tumbled to the floor. The ref counted to six before Jericho rolled back into the ring. Jericho grabbed a chair seconds later and brought it into the ring. Edge kicked the chair into Jericho's face. The ref called for the bell, DQing Jericho for bringing it into the ring.

WINNER: Edge via DQ in 14:00.
STAR RATING: **3/4

-Edge then picked up the chair. Jeff Hardy charged to the ring and ducked an Edge chairshot. He gave Edge a Twist of Fate onto a chair. Then he climbed to the top rope and dove onto Jericho on the floor. C.M. Punk then walked out with his briefcase and decided to cash in his briefcase. Umaga, though, went after Punk again before the bell rang. Punk knocked him out of the ring with two briefcase chots, then slingshot himself onto Umaga on the floor. Punk showed fire on the floor, but Umaga got up and gave him a chop to the throat. Hardy then went after Edge in the ring again with a spear. Edge rolled to the floor. Hardy followed and tore off his shirt as he pursued him into the crowd. Meanwhile, Jericho stood on the stage looking on. Rey attacked him from behind and pounded on his head and kicked him in the face. Grisham and Ross tried to call the chaos as they plugged that these wrestlers would all be facing each other on Sunday night. Good finish to the show, really giving a sense of intensity to the key Smackdown matches at Judgment Day.

Arcademan:
WWE Judgment Day PPV Results: 5-17-09

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's real-time report)

1 -- C.M. PUNK vs. UMAGA

Bell sounded and the crowd opened with a loud "C-M-Punk" chant. Ross said Punk is having a nice family reunion tonight, but the annoying neighbor is crashing the party. Ross so great at illustrating a point with a good ol' story. Umaga blocked a turnaround splash early on and whipped Punk down hard to the mat. Match went on for a while with Umaga in control trying to wear down Punk, who teased comebacks including a scoop slam attempt that back-fired. Ross said Punk has a tendency to be confrontational according to his peers. Confrontational Punk tried to make another comeback, but Umaga nailed him with a clean uppercut. Umaga missed a dive from the second rope, then both men recovered to their feet.

Punk landed an elbow strike, then he pulled the top rope down and Umaga flew over the top rope to the floor. Punk then landed a plancha on the floor. Back in the ring, Punk blasted him with kick and knee strikes. Umaga was not knocked down, then Punk landed a running knee in the corner, but Umaga blocked the bulldog with a corner splash. No matter, Punk came off the second rope with a bulldog for a two count. Punk up top for a lariat splash and a close nearfall. He tried to set up the G2S, but Umaga countered with a Samoan Drop for a close two count. Umaga then teased the Samoan Spike, but Punk ducked and landed kick strikes to the head. He wanted the G2S again, but Umaga slipped out and nailed a crescent kick, then running butt bomb, and Samoan Spike in a matter of seconds for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Umaga at 11:55. Decent opener. Interesting finish with Umaga picking up the win, as it shows who WWE will be placing more emphasis on going forward. Certainly seems like a Rey vs. Umaga program for the IC Title is in the works based on this clean PPV win for Umaga.  (**)

2 -- ECW champion CHRISTIAN vs. JACK SWAGGER

Match moved to the floor early on and Swagger rammed Christian stomach-first into the ringpost. Swagger then stood on Christian's ribs for added effect before rolling him into the ring to begin an attack on the mid-section. Christian came back with double pendulum leg kicks out of the corner before going up top and missing a diving headbutt. Swagger tried to follow with a gutwrench powerbomb, but Christian blocked and made Swagger run into the top turnbuckle. Story of the match being Swagger a dumb oaf who runs into brick walls chasing the roadrunner. They went down at 7:30 with a double clothesline before recovering to their feet. Swagger wanted the electric chair, but Christian blocked, only to have Swagger victory roll him for a two count. Swagger then tried a small package with a handful of tights, but ref saw it and stopped his count. First time ever. Swagger teased the gutwrench, but Christian blocked and ripped down Swagger's singlet straps. Christian then rolled up Swagger and grabbed a handful of the singlet straps in between two and three to score the pin and the win.

WINNER: Christian at 9:35. Disappointing match. Just didn't have a flow and they were a bit off at times. Backlash match was better. Just an off night for both men. (*1/2)
 
3 -- SHELTON BENJAMIN (w/Charlie Haas) vs. JOHN MORRISON

Shelton aggressively went on the attack with a t-bone suplex that dropped Morrison square on his head. Morrison then dumped Shelton to the floor and teased a highspot or two. Shelton walked away, then Morrison went for a sick 450 double-flip splash, but the spot looked off because Shelton had to run into harm's way to take the blow and not let Morrison break his neck crashing to the mat. Crowd came to life for the spot, though, so it worked out well live. Shelton then regained control when Morrison was distracted by Haas ringside. Shelton grounded Morrison with mat holds before they rammed heads mid-ring. Morrison made a comeback before bringing the crowd to love with a multiple revolutions head scissors into a Russian legsweep. Beautiful move. Morrison then landed a running knee strike to the head for a two count. Morrison then tried a springboard spin kick, but Shelton caught him in mid-air and tried to chuck him across the ring into the turnbuckle. Looked awkward. Morrison then smashed Haas off the apron and avoided a corner splash. Morrison followed with the Flying Chuck springboard kick, then a corkscrew split-legged splash onto Shelton for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Morrison at 10:12. Had its moments. Some were quite brilliant. Otherwise, crowd wasn't into 90 percent of the action. Tough to gauge match quality when the story of the PPV thus far has been a typically hot Chicago crowd being un-typically quiet tonight. (**1/2)
 
4 -- Intercontinental champion REY MYSTERIO vs. CHRIS JERICHO -- IC Title match

Bell sounded and crowd with a loud "Y2J" chant. Jericho dominated early after blocking a top rope attempt and smashing Rey knee-first into the top ringpost. Rey tried to gather himself on the floor on that bad wheel. Jericho then knocked Rey to the floor and smiled for everyone to see how pleased he was with himself. Rey suddenly came back with a kick to the head to set up the 619, but Jericho popped up and tossed Rey across the ring. Rey then tried to come back with a head scissors, but Jericho had a sweet counter with a spinning backbreaker for a two count. So fluid. Jericho then hung Rey in the ropes and whipped him hard into the middle rope for another close call. Jericho teased a de-masking, but Rey fought him off and hit a seated splash. He followed with a crossbody for a two count.

At 8:30, Jericho and Rey had a great counter/re-counter exchange leading to Jericho nailing a backbreaker for a two count. Rey then set up Jericho for the 619, but Jericho moved. Rey tried to follow with a huracanrana, but Jericho caught him mid-air for the Walls of Jericho. Rey blocked, then corkscrewed Jericho to the middle rope for the 619, but Jericho grabbed his legs and slapped on the Walls of Jericho this time. Rey managed to escape and turn it into a small package for a two count. Rey tried to come back with a rana, but Jericho blocked with a powerbomb and a two count. Such great action. At 12:00, Jericho talked trash before eating the middle turnbuckle. Rey then nailed an abrupt 619 around the ringpost ala WM22 in Chicago. Rey then popped up to the top rope for the big splash for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Rey at 12:30 to retain the IC Title. Excellent PPV match. Really wish it would have gone another five minutes and been a true show-stealer. They really picked up the intensity of the show right there with some amazing action, great counters, and highspots the audience really bought into. Rey was awesome, Jericho was awesome, and they were awesome together from start to finish. (****)
 
Continued in next post...

Arcademan:
5 -- WWE champion RANDY ORTON vs. BATISTA -- WWE Title match

Bell sounded and the announcers said Batista was involved in an altercation earlier this weekend. Lawler said he had eight stitches in his eye as a result. Also, Orton dipped to the floor when the bell sounded to make Batista wait a bit longer for initial contact. Orton took a rest on the floor again, then Batista ran out of the corner with a clothesline. He kicked Orton in the back before sitting down on his lower back. Orton gained control at 4:00, then stood over Batista and did the old-school arms-extended pose from 2005. Crowd booed that heavily. Orton grabbed a basic chinlock and Batista escaped with elbow strikes before Orton nailed the fallaway backbreaker for a two count. Orton went back to the chinlock, then Batista escaped, and Orton re-applied. Batista escaped and Orton snapped off a nice dropkick. He then picked up the crowd intensity with that trademark horizontal DDT from the second rope.

At 8:30, Orton stalked cough-and-wheeze Batista for the RKO like a snake, but Batista remained on the ground. Orton then re-thought his plan to nail The Punt, but Batista was playing opossum and nailed a spear as Orton charged. Both men then came to their feet and they traded punches with crowd doing yeah/boo. Batista then scooped up Orton for a standing powerslam and a two count only at 10:00. Orton then rolled to the floor told the ref to start his ten count. Batista was not going to stand for Orton trying to get counted out, so he chased Orton around the ring. Orton tried to hug the ringpost, but Batista broke him off and tossed him into the ring for a clothesline and a two count.

Tree-hugging Orton then tried to grab a steel chair ringside, but Batista blocked. Batista then went up top (wha?) and nailed a nice-looking flying shoulder tackle for a two count. Batista teased the Batistabomb, but Orton blocked and rolled to the floor once again. He then grabbed his WWE Title belt and tried to run away clutching the belt, but Batista pursued him and tossed him back into the ring. Batista ducked a belt shot and nailed a spinebuster. Orton freaked as Batista grappled him for the Batistabomb, but Orton punched out. Batista blocked the RKO, then Orton moved out of the way of a spear in the corner. Orton, enraged, wanted the RKO, but Batista shoved him away into the ref. Orton and ref had a stop-and-collect-themselves moment, then Orton reared back and slapped ref Chioda. Ref called for the bell for a DQ and Batista put his hands on his head in disgust that he won, but Orton kept the belt. Classic Orton storyline.

Post-match: Legacy stormed the ring to help Orton with a three-on-one beating on Batista. Suddenly, Ric Flair's music hit. Oh snap. Flair stormed the ring in dress clothes as the announcers freaked about Flair being here. Flair looked to be in great shape as he fought off Legacy. Batista then dropped Orton with the Batistabomb before Flair ripped off a round of chops on folks. Flair then helped Batista up and they had a stare down with Legacy with Batista smiling. Six-man tag with Triple H next month?

WINNER: Batista via DQ at 14:45. Really nice storyline-driven match. Not the most aesthetically-pleasing at times, but both men put in a really nice effort and Orton played the snake heel role very well. Flashes of great wrestling storytelling at times in this one. Flair's surprise return was a memorable moment, but not as memorable since he was just on WWE TV a month ago. (***)
 
6 -- JOHN CENA vs. BIG SHOW -- Don't call it an Exhibition match

They danced around the ring without locking up as Show simply maintained that smile. Crowd with a dueling "Let's Go Cena / Cena Sucks" chant. "Cena Sucks" part could have passed for "C-M-Punk." In any event, Show finally got his paws on Cena and punched him in the stomach to work on the injured ribs. Show then went into a methodical wear-down on the ribs as the fans picked up another dueling chant. Show went from smiley to scowling as he continued to beat down Cena. Cole said he lost his smile. Anyways, Cena lost an armband in the corner and Show tossed it away before missing with a big splash. Cena wasn't going to stand for wasted merch, so he fired up with a running chopblock at 10:00. Cena then dropped the Five Knuckle Shuffle and Show came to his feet. Cena clutched his ribs and approached Show for the FU, but Show blocked with a chokeslam attempt, only to have Cena counter into a DDT. He then tried to slap on the STFU, but he couldn't wrap it on.

Show pounded Cena back to the mat before going to the corner for a Vader Bomb ... and connecting. Ref made the count, but Cena kicked out. On the opposite end of the ring, Show wanted another VB, but Cena moved. Show kicked Cena away trying to follow with another STFU, then Cena came back with a running boot on the apron and top rope guillotine drop. Cena tried the STFU a third time, but Show shooed him away like a fly. Show then kicked Cena in the gut and wanted a powerbomb, but he then dumped Cena back over his head with a front-stomach drop. Innovative. Show called for a Five Dollar Footlong before clutching his right fist for the Big Turkey & Cheese Blow. Cena wanted an Italian BMT, though, as ducked The Punch to transfer right into the FU. Announcers came out of their seats as Cena followed through with the FU for the pin and the win. After the match, Cena went over to Alfonso Soriano ringside and hugged it up with him. They then did the "You Can't See Me" for the camera and hugged it up again. Nice moment.

WINNER: Cena at 14:59. Really nice finish. Something Pat Patterson would have booked to put the babyface in jeopardy of taking the heel's decisive finisher before the babyface avoids it and nails the super-human finish for the win. Classic Cena booking. Strong conclusion to an otherwise slow match for about 10-12 minutes. (**1/2)

7 -- World Hvt. champion EDGE vs. JEFF HARDY -- World Hvt. Title match

Jeff took initial control with a series of arm drags before Edge landed a knee to the gut in the corner. He then knocked Edge to the floor and landed a splash on the outside. Back in the ring, Jeff wanted the Whisper in the Wind a little too early in the match and Edge moved out of the way. Edge then shoved Jeff to the apron and knocked him to the floor with a running smash to the back. Back in the ring, Edge went to work on Jeff's lower back. Jeff fired back with a series of clotheslines at 9:00, but missed with a dropkick when Edge grabbed the ropes.

Suddenly, Jeff came back with a Sharpshooter in center ring. He had a unique overhand grip to maintain the hold as Edge fought the hold to reach the bottom rope for a break. The action moved to the top turnbuckle where Jeff nailed a nice sunset flip powerbomb for a two count. Jeff knocked Edge off the apron to the floor before clearing the Smackdown announce table and part of the guardrail padding. Jeff sent Edge into the exposed guardrail before ramming him head-first into a TV monitor. Jeff wanted to run off the guardrail onto Edge, but Edge speared him in mid-air right into the ground. Ouch.

Jeff recovered and crawled over to the ring before jumping into the ring at nine. Edge, frustrated, picked up his attack on the lower back. Jeff blocked a spear off the apron, though, and gave Edge a Twist of Fate across the middle rope. Jeff had a pin, but Edge got his foot on the rope. Jeff followed with a Whisper in the Wind that connected, but Edge kicked out. Action moved to the floor and Jeff re-positioned the ring steps to run off the steps with a big splash on Edge right into the lap of a family of five ringside. Jeff tossed Edge back to ringside, then Matt Hardy suddenly ran down the arena steps and blasted Jeff from behind with the cast. Ref didn't see the action on the floor, then Edge took Jeff back into the ring for a cover, but Jeff kicked out.

Edge wanted the spear, but Jeff moved and sent him head-first into the middle turnbuckle. Jeff slowly collected himself for a Swanton Bomb attempt, but he couldn't get in position soon enough, allowing Edge to grapple Jeff up top. Edge then nailed a superplex/edguctioner combo from the top rope for a big gasp from the crowd. Edge made the cover for the win. Afterward, Edge took his title belt and celebrated the victory while catching his breath. They replayed the finish, then closed with a shot of medics tending to Jeff Hardy in the ring. Selling the effects or he was legit KO'ed on that top rope finish.

WINNER: Edge at 19:55 to retain the World Hvt. Title. Would have been a show-stealer and more memorable in the fifth or sixth slot. In the main event slot, it was just a pretty good, but not great PPV title match. Had some high moments and they changed the pace of the match to keep throwing new things at the viewers to hold their interest, but not at the level of Edge-Cena from Backlash. (***1/4)

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