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

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Arcademan:
WWE Superstars Results: 6-25-09

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

1 -- JACK SWAGGER vs. EVAN BOURNE

Swagger instantly took control with a waistlock to work over the ribs. Bourne avoided a running boot and landed a kick strike, but Swagger clotheslined him hard over the top rope to the floor. Bourne was folded up like an accordion on the floor going to break.

Back from break, Bourne was crying out in pain as Swagger had him in another rear waistlock on the mat. Striker and Mathews talked up the five-way ECW Title match on Sunday with Striker providing some fuzzy math to put ECW champion Tommy Dreamer in jeopardy and increase the chances of a title change. Two tools in the toolbox to attempt to sell a PPV - champ in jeopardy and good chance of a title change. Swagger tried to charge Bourne in the corner, but Bourne moved and busted out a nice run-off-the-second-rope kick strike. He followed with a springboard double knee smash on the floor, continuing the great offensive display. Mach moved up top and Swagger tossed Bourne halfway across the ring with an overhead suplex. He tried to follow with his gutwrench powerbomb finisher, but Bourne countered mid-air with a head scissors. Bourne then tried the Shooting Star Press, but Swagger moved and clotheslined Bourne hard from behind. Swagger followed with the gutwrench powerbomb for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Swagger in 9:00. Excellent singles match. Swagger is going to make a lot of money for himself and WWE down the line when he's put in a position to main event PPVs. Bourne had plenty of offense to look credible with the taped ribs being his "out" for the loss. (**1/2)

2 -- DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. JIMMY WANG YANG

Ziggler scored with a nice overhead suplex early on for a two count. Jim Ross called him Rudely Perfect. Ziggler settled into a side headlock to ground Yang, who came back with a great dropkick. Yang started a comeback and hit a roundhouse kick before going up top for a fully-extended cross-body block. Yang tried a corner move, most likely his trademark moonsault, but Dolph crotched him. Dolph then hit his finisher, a leaping reverse DDT, for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Dolph Ziggler in 3:00. Fine match. Good action to get over Dolph's personality. Slow and steady build for the character. Eventually, he could evolve into a main eventer, but right now, he's in that Zack Ryder category of a mid-card heel with a cocky gimmick. (*)

3 -- U.S. champion KOFI KINGSTON vs. MVP vs. MATT HARDY -- United States Title match

Hardy played the heel monkey in the middle taking a right hand from Kofi, then a right hand from MVP, and repeat to the delight of the crowd. MVP and Kofi then double suplexed Hardy after spinning him around a few times. Kofi made the cover, but MVP shoved him away. Kofi and MVP had some discussion on trying to get rid of Hardy so they could battle, but Hardy shoved Kofi into MVP to knock MVP to the floor.

Hardy slingshot Kofi throat-first across the top rope and made a cover, but MVP broke it up from the outside. MVP then tried covering Hardy, but Kofi broke it up by kicking Hardy in the gut. Cut to break.

Back from break, Hardy landed an elbow drop on Kofi for a two count. Hardy then took a reverse backstabber with Kofi driving his knees into Hardy's gut. MVP broke up a pin, then MVP and Kofi had another stand-off. Kofi leap frogged MVP several times before hitting a leaping clothesline. He circled around the ring to hit the Boom Boom leg drop, but Hardy yanked him to the floor from the outside. Hardy dropped Kofi across the guardrail before returning to the ring to battle MVP.

Hardy took control and went up top for an elbow smash to the top of the head. He danced around the ring to hit the Twist of Fate, but MVP blocked and fired off a round of closed fists. MVP knocked down Hardy, then dropped the Ballin' elbow drop for a two count. Kofi then yanked MVP to the floor and gave Hardy a Boom Boom leg drop, but MVP broke up the pin from the floor. MVP and Kofi had a great nearfall/counter exchange before Hardy interjected with the Side Effect on MVP for a two count.

Kofi suddenly blasted Hardy with a pendulum kick out of the corner and hit a top rope cross-body splash for a two count. Kofi then ran into a big Chono boot out of the corner from MVP, but Hardy hit the Twist of Fate on MVP. Hardy made the cover, but MVP kicked out just in time. Kofi then blocked the ToF from Hardy and spun him around for Hardy to take the Trouble in Paradise buzzsaw kick. Kofi with the pin on Hardy for the win. After they replayed highspots of the match, Cole and Lawler gave one final plug for The Bash with Kofi celebrating to close the show.

WINNER: Kofi in 15:00 to retain the U.S. Title. Excellent match for a three-way that doesn't follow traditional one-on-one match-ups. All three men worked hard and kept the action going with nearfalls and counters building to the finish. Kofi was in enough jeopardy throughout the match to keep viewers interested in a potential title switch. (***1/4)

Arcademan:
TNA Impact! Results: 6-25-09

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

1- BRUTUS MAGNUS vs. BROTHER RAY- NEW YORK CITY STREET FIGHT

They still have Magnus’ video on the wall during his entrance talking about him as a modern-day gladiator. Ray attacked Brutus during the Brit’s entrance and once they made it into the ring, the bell rang to start things. Ray quickly threw him back over the top and to the outside. Into the crowd went Magnus via Ray, but Brutus raked the face of the ECW legend to turn things around. Double axe-handle off the stairs. Magnus was thrown into the wall with all the TNA ads. Ray began to look under the ring and brought out a table. He set it up in the ring, but then the other members of the Invasion, as well as Kiyoshi came out. Spinebuster by Rob Terry as Sheik Abdul Bashir slowly walked to the ring. Brother Devon came out with a chair and cleared the ring. 3D on Kiyoshi. Don West said the ref has called this a no-contest.

WINNER: No-contest, at about 3:00. Made sense for 3D to want their revenge on the Invasion for their role in the title change on Sunday.

2- ABYSS vs. KEVIN NASH

Match was joined in progress out of break, with Nash pelting Abyss in the mid-section with knees. Abyss fought back, but was clotheslined down. Big splash in the corner from Abyss, but Nash got an elbow up on the second one. The battle spilled to the outside, where Nash retrieved a chair. Abyss avoided it and Abyss punched away then bounced Nash’s head off the steel guard-rail. Abyss brought the chair into the ring and set it up between the turnbuckles in the corner. Big boot by Nash before Abyss could utilize the chair. Nash got the chair and while the ref tried to get Nash to put it down, Dr. Stevie came into the ring and tased Abyss to the mat. Straps down for Big Sexy, then he made the easy pin.

WINNER: Nash, at 4:03 shown. Fine for what it was.

3- DAFFNEY vs. TAYLOR WILDE- KNOCKOUTS MATCH OF 10,000 TACKS

Daffney attacked before the bell and started slapping Wilde in the chest. Daffney went for the tacks as West said Daffney reminded him of his first wife. Taylor cut her off and tried to go after the tacks herself. Daffney slammed her to the mat and pounded away at Taylor’s face. Daffney was able to retrieve the bag of tacks on the pole, but Taylor kicked her in the gut on the way down. She tried to open the tacks, but Daffney raked her eyes. Tenay said Dr. Stevie and Abyss were banned from ringside for this match. Daffney spread the tacks in the ring and grabbed Taylor by the hair. Taylor fought out of a suplex attempt and then so did Daffney. Taylor was close to falling into the tacks, but she ended up slamming Daffney into them.

WINNER: Wilde, at 2:48. Why waste a tack stipulation in such a short match?

4- SCOTT STEINER vs. ROBERT ROODE

Steiner slugged away on Roode in the corner to start. Neck snap by Roode with Steiner seated on the mat. Steiner suckered Roode in and tossed him out of the ring. Roode’s face met the steel of the barrier and ring steps. Belly-to-belly overhead suplex by Steiner for a two-count. Clothesline and elbow-drop, then the push-ups for Steiner. More choking of Roode. Roode got caught in a bear-hug, but Robert clapped out of it. Successive clotheslines, then a flying forearm from Roode. To the second rope, Blockbuster by Roode for two. Steiner blocked a fisherman suplex with a face-buster for a near-fall. He went for a Steiner Recliner, but Roode fought it. Steiner with a backslide, and he registered the pinfall.

WINNER: Steiner, at 5:25. Your usual Steiner match, but I liked the ending.

5- BOOKER T. vs. JAMES STORM

West noted this was the first one-on-one match between these two. Booker missed a side kick and Storm fought back. Storm got elbowed down by Booker after he almost ran past the elbow that Booker stuck out. Storm skinned the cat and he worked over Booker, but Book hung him out to dry stomach-first over the top rope. Booker took down Storm for a two-count. Axe kick missed and Storm punched away at the skull of Booker. Neck-breaker got him a two-count. Suplex by one-half of the TNA tag champs. Storm mounted the corner and punched to ten on Booker. Sharmell grabbed the beer bottle Storm brought to the ring, gave it too Booker, and Booker smashed Storm over the head with it. Looks like Earl Hebner may have caught some of the shattered bottle in the face.

WINNER: Storm, by DQ, at 4:04.

Arcademan:
WWE Smackdown Results: 6-26-09

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

1- R-TRUTH vs. SHELTON BENJAMIN

Truth, angry from Shelton’s comments, was quite aggressive. After whipping Shelton into the ropes, Benjamin fled the ring before Truth could do any more damage. JR and Todd Grisham questioned whether Benjamin actually graduated the top of his class. Benjamin caught Truth with a knee to the gut as Truth tried to get back into the ring. Jumping side kick from Truth. Benjamin landed a Samoan drop on Truth, who was wearing one white glove in the ring. A little eerie, considering the timing of Michael Jackson passing away yesterday. Truth got knocked to ringside as the show went to break.

When the show returned, Benjamin had Truth in a rest-hold. He choked Truth in the middle rope and continued his assault. Truth connected with a few punches, but Shelton hit a back-body drop to take the former K-Kwik to the mat. Sidewalk slam into a back-breaker by Benjamin. Rear waist-lock applied by the Gold Standard as Truth once again attempted to break out of it. I wonder when the last time was that Truth had a singles match that got this much time. Benjamin took his time to suplex Truth, allowing Truth to block the move. He went over the back and hit a side Russian leg-sweep (has anyone seen a front Russian leg sweep? Or back Russian leg-sweep?). Roll-up got two for the North Carolina native. Truth landed right on Shelton’s shoulder, but Truth was powerslammed and was on the receiving end of a two-count. German suplex into a pin for two by Benjamin. Shelton missed a kick and Truth hit his corkscrew forearm for the win.

WINNER: Truth, at 11:20. I liked that better as part of his finishing sequence where he ended things with the axe kick. Grisham said Truth calls it “The Lie Detector.” Surprising result here.

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

Fox and Melina began the match. Interesting roll-up from Melina for one. Running boot to the face of A. Fox. She tagged out to McCool. McCool kicked Melina out of the corner and Melina feigned catching it right in the face. Referee (name redacted) checked on her and held McCool back. Running knee from Michelle as she continued to try and take Melina down a notch before their PPV match. Russian leg-sweep from McCool for a near-fal as Melina screamed in pain. Fox, who is being mentored by McCool, applied a head-lock. She stretched the lower back of Melina. Melina finally fought back and made the tag to Gail Kim. Kim hit a pair of clotheslines and brought Fox out to the apron. Cross-body from the top got two. Kim nailed McCool, who was attempting to come in. McCool made a blind tag and as Kim was working on Fox, and she snuck in and hit the Faith Breaker (after awkwardly trying to position Kim into it).

WINNERS: McCool and Fox, at 5:13. Boy, Kim has really become a non-factor in the division quite quickly.

3- JOHN MORRISON vs. C.M. PUNK

Both men shook hands prior to the match. Clean break in the corner from Morrison. I wonder if the announcers will mention their feud over the ECW Championship. Head-scissors applied by Punk on the mat. Morrison got out and arm-dragged the champion down as things started slowly, indicating a longer match. JR dissected what the fans were thinking when they were booing Punk in previous weeks. After some chain wrestling, Punk missed a kick and Morrison countered with one of his own. Punk was driven hard chest-first into the buckle, but Morrison missed a spring-board and Punk slammed him to the canvas. Jumping heel kick by Punk, then a knee in the corner and a bulldog for two. He set Morrison up for a GTS, but Morrison fought out. Overhead suplex with a bridge, but Morrison kicked out at two. At this point, the show went to break.

JR noted that Punk was working on Morrison’s head and neck during the commercial break. Punk applied a bit of a head-scissor, and then once again after Morrison got out and Punk put him back down. “C.M Punk” chant, which was met with a few boos. With Morrison on the apron, Punk tried to sunset flip him to the outside. Morrison kicked Punk in the throat, and Punk then tripped him, landing Morrison back-first on the apron. Morrison then came back with a moonsault. He threw Punk back into the ring and got a two-count. Dropsault by Morrison as he built momentum in the match. Punk grabbed Morrison’s leg on a running knee attempt and turned it into a half-crab. That was so smooth, a strength of both men’s in-ring work. Morrison jumped over the top rope and onto Punk, but C.M. caught him for the GTS. Morrison got out and hit the Flying Chuck for a very near-fall. Wow that was close. He set Punk up for Starship Pain, but Punk nailed him on the back. Off the top, he hit a reverse suplex for only two. He grasped Morrison for the GTS, but Morrison rolled Punk up for two. Counter and Punk got two, then Morrison turned that into another roll-up for the win.

WINNER: Morrison, at 16:09. Superb match. Good win for Morrison and a good sign that he’s in for a big push sooner rather than later. I liked the finishing sequence as well and how he won it. JR’s announcing gave it a big-match feel, too.

4- JEFF HARDY & REY MYSTERIO vs. CHRIS JERICHO & EDGE- STEEL CAGE MATCH

Punk clapped for Hardy when he came out. Jeff leaped off Rey’s back and onto Edge within the first minute. Right after, they went to break.

Edge was in there with Rey upon return and Rey head-scissored Edge into position for the 619. Instead though, Rey climbed up Edge’s back and tried to climb over the top. Edge caught him, but Rey jumped on him for a two-count. Edge took control when Hardy came in and he back-dropped him into the fence. Jericho came in and got to Hardy, but things were turned on their head when Rey came in and he got the best of Jericho. A double-team sent Edge’s head into Jericho’s crotch as Jericho sat on the top rope. Hurricanrana by Rey for two on Jericho. Jericho tossed Rey face-first into the steel cage. Both men were down as the camera focused on Punk heading to break.

Rey was getting flattened by the heels and Jericho worked to keep him away from Jeff. Head-scissors by Mysterio on Edge after Edge whipped him into the turnbuckle. He made the tag before Rey could, and Jericho cut off his attempt to tag Hardy. Mysterio and Jericho found themselves battling on the top rope. Mysterio elbowed him down but Jericho dropkicked Rey as he came off the top. Again, Edge came in to halt Mysterio’s momentum. He sent Rey’s head into the steel fencing, but Rey ended up planting Edge with a DDT. Jericho came in and shouted at Rey about taking that mask off forever. Jericho tossed Rey up onto the cage and Rey climbed to the top. Jericho realized his mistake fast enough to stop Rey. Both men made tags and Hardy worked over Edge to quicken the pace. Edge went for a spear on Hardy, but Jeff moved and the Rated R Superstar speared Punk. Whisper in the Wind on Edge, but the ref was still down. He finally came to and registered a near-fall. Jeff wasn’t happy with what he perceived as a slow count. It was, but only because Punk was injured. Edge took Rey out, but a Twist of Fate was blocked, Hardy turned his attention to Punk for a brief second and that cost him: Edge hit the spear and got the pinfall.

WINNERS: Edge & Jericho, at 19:50. A formula tag match, only inside a cage. There wasn’t a lot of climbing. I don’t know if they announced it and I missed it, but I wasn’t sure if both men or just one man needed to climb out for the win.

Punk got the mic after the match and told the fans to give a round of applause for the number one contender to his title, a man who fought his heart out tonight, Jeff Hardy. JR wasn’t sure what to make of that, other than detecting a hint of sarcasm.

Arcademan:
WWE The Bash PPV Results: 6-28-09

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

1 -- ECW champion TOMMY DREAMER vs. CHRISTIAN vs. JACK SWAGGER vs. MARK HENRY (w/Tony Atlas) vs. FINLAY -- ECW Title match -- Scramble match

Neither man took control in the opening segment of the match, then Finlay came in to join the action. Swagger scored a pinfall on Finlay at 6:00 and he became the current ECW champion. Out fourth was incumbent ECW champion Tommy Dreamer came out. He needs to score a pinfall or submission to "retain" the title. Dreamer went right after Swagger, but the match moved to the floor where Swagger sent Dreamer into the announce table. Meanwhile, Finlay was selling an eye injury from earlier in the week. Finlay took Swagger back into the ring and he dropped Swagger with the Celtic Cross. Finlay put a knee into Swagger's throat to score a pinfall to become the new ECW champion. Christian and Dreamer then battled up top before Swagger interjected with a hard clothesline on Dreamer. Swagger wanted a top rope gut wrench, but Christian blocked. They held pose as the countdown came down to Mark Henry coming out last. Henry then grappled Swagger and Christian to double suplex them off the top rope into Dreamer. Sweet spot. Henry then pinned Dreamer to become the new ECW champion.

With four minutes left on the clock, Henry was knocked to the floor. Christian then tried to roll up Finlay, but Finlay escaped. Men started flying to the outside before Henry teased a big splash off the top rope, but Swagger threw him to the mat. Swagger then pinned Henry to become new champ with 2:20 left on the clock. Finlay and Dreamer then dumped Henry into the ring steps on the floor. Back in the ring, Christian hit the Killswitch on Dreamer, but Dreamer broke up a pin and pinned Christian following a Dreamer DDT. Dreamer new champ.

One minute left. Tons of pin attempts. Tons of pinfall break ups. Henry back in the ring at 0:45. Dreamer with a DDT on Henry, then he covered Henry for no reason. Down to ten seconds. Christian tried a leap-over sunset flip, but no dice. Time expired and Dreamer wins. Crowd had no idea who won the match in the fracas, then Dreamer's music hit and the crowd popped for him still champ.

WINNER: Dreamer in 17:00. Definitely not a full 20 minutes, as they cut corners on the timing, but a decent match. Crowd seemed a bit lost near the end, so there wasn't a "flurry of emotion" in the building, but a good conclusion. Match needed more time to truly feel like a big deal for the match format, but it was fine. (**)

2 -- IC champion CHRIS JERICHO vs. REY MYSTERIO -- Intercontinental Title match -- Rey's mask on the line

Really enjoy Jericho starting the match by berating Rey. "Come on, 619!" Jericho ran into a high boot early on before taking a head scissors to the floor. Very quick pace and already feels like they're at 5:00 less than one minute into the match. Rey tried a baseball slide kick on the floor, but Jericho cut him off with a whip into the guardrail. The pace quickened with both men exchanging control in the ring, including Rey hitting an amazing Lucha spot with a double springboard into a moonsault for a two count. Haven't seen a wrestler pull that off since Chris Hero working out before a PWG show. Jericho then cut off Rey again and stomped him down in the corner to wear down Rey. Jericho then slapped on the Walls of Jericho at 10:00 and the crowd implored Rey to hit the ropes for a break. Hard cam shaking. Awesome. Rey escaped (to some boos in the crowd) before trying to hit the 619, but Jericho blocked.

Jericho and Rey went up top and Rey wanted a top-rope huracanrana, but Jericho blocked with a mid-air powerbomb. He tried to put his feet on the ropes for additional leverage on a pin, but Rey kicked out. Jericho tried to follow with a lionsault, but Rey moved and followed up with a huracanrana for a two count. I love Rey vs. Jericho. So great three PPVs in a row. Rey then dialed up the 619, but Jericho blocked with that big spinning backbreaker, only to have Rey hit a DDT for a close two count. Jericho then came back with a codebreaker, but he didn't make an immediate pin, allowing Rey time to kick out. Jericho sold disbelief with the ref.

At 15:00, Jericho and Rey battled up top again. Jericho teased ripping the mask off, but Rey shoved Jericho down. Rey checked the mask, then double-foot dropkicked Jericho off the top rope into the 619. Rey connected, then he wanted a springboard finish, but Jericho countered mid-air with the Walls of Jericho right in the center of the ring. Crowd alive and hot. Hard cam shaking again. Rey teased tapping out, but he rolled underneath Jericho and flipped over him. Jericho trapped Rey, but Rey rolled him through. Pin exchange. No pin. Jericho then ripped off the mask, but Rey had a mask underneath. Oh snap! Rey then hit the 619 with Jericho confused and Rey followed with the Springboard Splash for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Rey Mysterio in 18:00 to capture the IC Title. Oh, so so awesome. Rey wins the series 2-1 on the last three PPVs, but they need another match. Turn it into a Best-of-Seven or book a 60-minute Iron Man Match or anything to get more mileage out of this program. Rey and Jericho have such great chemistry in the ring and they involved the crowd at a very high level. Great match. (****1/2)

3 -- DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. GREAT KHALI (w/Runjin Singh) -- No DQ match

Match moved to the floor early on where Dolph tried drop kicking Khali off his feet, but Khali came back with a frying pan-like chop to the chest. Dolph tried to introduce a chair into the ring, but Khali slapped it into Dolph's face. Khali wanted the Big Chop on Dolph, but Kane's music hit out of nowhere. Kane's back. Kane distracted Khali, which allowed Dolph to chop Khali down with chair shots. Dolph ran away, then Kane picked up a chair and cracked it over Khali's back. He then blasted Khali with repeated chair shots to the body. Crowd went from stunned to cheering Kane. "Why has Kane assaulted Great Khali?" Ross asked. Here we go with a new Big Man program on Smackdown. Ziggler then pinned Khali after Kane left the ring.

WINNER: Dolph Ziggler at 5:05. Fine. Dolph gets a win, but focus is the future Kane vs. Khali storyline with Kane returning to TV for the first time in several weeks. (*)

4 -- Unified tag team champions CARLITO & PRIMO COLON vs. TED DIBIASE, JR. & CODY RHODES vs. EDGE & CHRIS JERICHO -- Unified tag title match

Before the match could start, Teddy Long's music hit. Long said this match will now be a Triple Threat tag team match. Cody was not happy. Cue up Edge's theme music. Edge came out on stage. And his partner... Chris Jericho. Kill two birds with one stone. Jericho came out and smirked at Long as Cole said Long caved to pressure. Edge and Jericho slowly made their way to the ring looking very confident. That was quickly erased when the original teams dumped Edge and Jericho to the floor before the bell sounded.

Sounded like a light "We want Christian" chant early on as the Colons battled Legacy while Smackdown's main eventers waited on the apron. Edge finally tagged himself into the match on an oblivious DiBiase, but DiBiase quickly tagged himself back in to keep it Legacy vs. Colons. Lawler picked up the "Legacy as mirror images of Orton" talk as the fans chanted for Edge. Not quite a bizarro crowd tonight, but they're definitely into the show. Cody suddenly set up Primo for Homicide's Cop Killer finisher, but he maintained the hold for a submission. Edge had enough and pulled Primo off Cody to break up the hold. DiBiase then tagged in and went to work on Primo. Primo then dumped DiBiase to the floor and crawled across the ring to tag in Carlito. Cody also took a tag and took a springboard cannonball dive from Carlito. Cody had to wait 18 years for Carlito to set up a springboard elbow, then the action broke down. Jericho hit the codebreaker on Primo, then Carlito dumped Jericho to the floor. Edge then tagged in on Cody after Carlito hit the backstabber on Cody. Carlito didn't realize it. He tried pinning Cody, but ref said Cody's not legal. Carlito turned around and took the spear from Edge. Edge covered Carlito and scored the pin to capture the tag titles.

WINNERS: Edge & Jericho at 9:40 to capture the Unified tag titles. Edge and Jericho worked about 30 seconds in the match, but Edge being the "ultimate opportunist" won the match. New tag champs over on Smackdown, but now they can be on Raw and/or ECW to save the Raw brand from the doldrums. More than one way to skin a cat. (**)

5 -- Women's champion MELINA vs. MICHELLE McCOOL (w/Alicia Fox) -- Women's Title match

McCool dominated early on against the babyface champion. She worked the leg over for a while before wrapping Melina around the ringpost while Alicia looked on with encouragement. Melina then came back, but McCool took out the knee again. Melina blocked a top rope move, then had a pin, but Alicia put McCool's foot on the bottom rope to block a pin. Melina then dropkicked Alicia through the ropes, but it served as a distraction to allow McCool to hit the Styles Clash on Melina and roll her over for the pin and the win. New women's champ.

WINNER: Michelle McCool at 6:40 to capture the Women's Title. Fine showcase match for the Women's division, but the crowd used it as an opportunity to take a breather. McCool as champ has potential, depending on whether they line up some more opponents beside Melina. (*1/2)

Continued in next post...

Arcademan:
6 -- World Hvt. champion C.M. PUNK vs. JEFF HARDY -- World Title match

Punk wanted the Go 2 Sleep early in the match, but Hardy countered with a back slide for a two count. Hardy then dumped Punk to the floor and came over the top with a slingshot plancha. Hardy then tried a running leg splash off the ring steps, but Punk moved and Hardy ate the guardrail. Hardy could have been counted out, but Punk re-started the ten count with a smirk, then grabbed some more rest as Hardy made it back in the ring at nine. Punk started a deliberate offensive attack, but missed with a leg drop from the second rope. Hardy followed right up with the Whisper in the Wind, but Punk kicked out. Hardy then started an offensive flurry and hit a double foot dropkick to the chest for a two count. Hardy tried to follow with a top rope finish, but Punk rolled to the outside. Punk then turned around and took a dive off the apron from Hardy, who adjusted his attack.

At 10:00, the action returned to the ring where Punk blocked Hardy's lift-up kick in the corner into a G2S attempt, but Hardy blocked, only to have Punk hit a high knee and bulldog combo for a two count. Punk landed a series of jabs, but Hardy ducked and nailed an RKO. He ripped off his shirt and went for the Swanton up top, but Punk casually did a sit-up to move out of harm's way. Hardy then blocked Punk's offense and hit the Twist of Fate. He then went up top and nailed the Swanton Bomb in the corner. Punk was out, Hardy made the cover, and he scored the pin. Ref counted a three, but he suddenly waved it off as Punk's foot appeared to "break the plane" of the bottom rope to get a rope break. Hardy's music stopped and the ref said the match must continue.

Crowd with heavy boos before going with a "Hardy, Hardy" chant. Hardy quickly tried a Twist of Fate, but Punk countered with a G2S attempt. Hardy elbowed out, then Punk sold an eye injury. Ref held Hardy back as he checked on Punk. Hardy wanted a piece of Punk, but Punk continued to sell the eye. He then reared back and kicked the ref right in the back while still selling "impairment." Punk continued to act like he didn't know what he did as the ref called for a DQ. Hardy, stunned, simply held his head in disbelief. Ref confirmed the finish to a big "bulls---" chant from the crowd, which really bought into the angle as Punk continued to sell the eye injury.

WINNER: Hardy via DQ in 14:00, Punk retains World Title. Perfect booking, just like I wrote about with Punk retaining the title by the skin of his teeth and with questionable motives. Great way to continue the Punk tweener program. Crowd was very involved in the storyline, which was a good sign. Punk was great. Hardy was great. All-around solid booking to continue building frustration for Hardy and building Punk as an illegitimate tweener champion. (***1/2)

7 -- JOHN CENA vs. THE MIZ

Both men went to neutral corners ala a boxing/MMA fight before the bell sounded. Cena then opened up with a leg trip and he adjusted his knee pads. Another leg trip and Miz was flustered. Miz finally get the best of Cena in a cat & mouse game in and out of the ring, then he started an attack on Cena back in the ring. Lawler lamented that if Miz wins, he'll brag forever and "Twitter" everyone about his win. Cena then made a comeback at 5:00 and set up the Five Knuckle Shuffle combo of moves. Cena connected with the 5NS, then wanted the FU and he connected. Cena stared down at Miz instead of making a cover, then he slapped on the STFU in center ring. Miz tapped out after a one second struggle. Cena kinda looked down at Miz like no big deal. Announcers tried to sell that Miz was "game for most of the match-up," but Cena won. Afterward, Cena did the Victoria spot of kicking imaginary dirt onto Miz.

WINNER: Cena at 5:40. Decisive win for Cena despite a few minutes of offense for Miz. Good news is Miz was in a semi-main event PPV slot. Bad news was Miz didn't put up a fight at the end. Key for Miz will be getting his heat back on TV tomorrow night. (*1/2)

8 -- WWE champion RANDY ORTON vs. TRIPLE H -- WWE Title match -- Three Stages of Hell match

Orton quickly went for the left knee and wanted to wrap it around the ringpost, but Hunter slipped out and sent Orton's momentum into the ringpost with Orton eating the post. Hunter teased the Pedigree, but Orton dropped down to one knee and punched the injured knee. Orton then began his focused attack on the knee. Orton teased the RKO, but Hunter shoved off and hit a spinebuster. Match moved to the floor. Poor Matt Striker in the background has been a spectator by himself for two hours with Josh Mathews backstage. Suddenly, Triple H pulled out a chair and blasted Orton with a chair shot to cause a DQ. *** Orton 1, Hunter 0 at 4:55*** Hunter, down one fall, started blasting away on Orton with the chair. Now it's a Falls Count Anywhere in Fall Two. Lawler followed the logic of Hunter sacrificing one fall in order to beat the crap out of Orton to get the second fall. On cue, Hunter hit the Pedigree on the floor and pinned Orton to earn the second fall. *** Orton 1, Hunter 1 at 6:20***

A stretcher was brought down to ringside. Hunter easily placed Orton's limp body on the stretcher and he wheeled Orton up the entrance ramp. He came close to the yellow line, but Orton came to life and jumped off the stretcher to blast Hunter in the knee. Orton then took out the left knee as Hunter gingerly walked down the entrance ramp. Match moved to the ringside area where Orton crotched Hunter across the guardrail. Security held back front row fans from interfering. Would have helped at the Astros game today where a fan cost the Astros a run and the game. Got that off my chest... match turned into a TNA-style brawl through the crowd. Hunter then clotheslined Orton over the guardrail to the ringside area. Hunter landed a straight right hand and Orton fell hard to the ground, but he pulled back the guardrail while on the floor and whipped Hunter into the exposed railing. A non-PG-friendly "Holy S---" whisper from a fan on the front row made air as Orton beat on Hunter. Orton put Hunter on the stretcher, but Hunter came to life. Orton cut him off, though, with a whip into the ring steps.

At 13:00, the match returned to the ring with Orton introducing ring steps into the ring. Classic "Roadrunner circumvents the Coyote" spot with Hunter turned a ring step smash into a drop toe hold sending Orton face-first into the steps. Hunter then bashed (get it?) the steps into Orton's face. He tried to drag Orton onto the stretcher and succeeded. Hunter tried to wheel Orton up the ramp to the yellow line, but Orton kicked Hunter in the head. Hunter then hopped on the stretcher and punched him several times as they wheeled backward down the ramp together. Eventually, the stretcher fell off the ramp and they both fell to the ground in an unintentional comedy spot. Pretty cool ride. Orton sold mass pain to the back, but he got up and gave Hunter the classic Orton horizontal DDT off the stretcher into the ground. That was just not right.

Orton wanted The Punt, but Hunter moved and Orton airballed Hunter's head. Hunter then wanted the Pedigree on the floor, but Orton back body dropped Hunter onto the stretcher. Orton slowly tried to wheel Hunter up the ramp, but Hunter got up about ten feet before the line. Orton then stalked Hunter for the RKO, but Hunter shoved Orton into the HD video scoreboard. Hunter followed with a Pedigree onto the stage. Yellow line marks the spot. Hunter crawled over the stretcher, which was just a few feet from the line. He put Orton's dead weight on the stretcher, then tried to push it across, but Cody Rhodes showed up at the last second to block Hunter. Cody then attacked Hunter, but Hunter chucked him into the HD lights. Orton was still on the stretcher, but DiBiase suddenly made the save one foot away from the yellow line.

Cody and Ted then jumped Hunter and stomped away on him. They picked up Hunter and put him on the stretcher with a ton of effort while Orton was KO'ed, but Hunter fought back. The pack of wild dogs tried to subdue Hunter, who kept putting up a fight. Suddenly, Hunter had a sledgehammer. He stared blasting folks left and right, but he didn't see a Punt to the gut from Orton. Orton then smashed Hunter with a piece from the stage. He flung Hunter onto the stretcher, then spun Hunter across the yellow line to win the match and retain the WWE Title.

WINNER: Orton at 21:30 to retain the WWE Title. First two falls were quick to get to the final fall, which wasn't a traditional title match, but featured some good drama, action, and body blows to give fans their money's worth. Felt just like the match they had on free TV six days ago, so you didn't miss anything if you watched the free show on Raw. WWE booking the red herrings during the show with Cody and Ted worked well to create more drama on whether they would eventually help Orton retain the title. Sure hope this is the end of Orton vs. Hunter, but I highly doubt it since Hunter didn't lose clean and he stood tall post-match. Solid gimmick match overall. (***1/2)

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