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

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Arcademan:
TNA Impact! Results: 11-5-09

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

1 -- BEER MONEY (ROBERT ROODE & JAMES STORM) vs. WORLD ELITE (Global champion ERIC YOUNG & ROB TERRY)

Rob locked up with Storm to start things off, but Rob shoved him away. Tenay talked up TNA and Hulk Hogan being in the news - CNN, Jimmy Fallon, Howard Stern. Meanwhile, Terry flexed and nearly popped a pec. Tenay was handed a note: Styles vs. Daniels signed for tonight...and with special guest ref will be Samoa Joe. Back to the action where Roode launched Storm over the top rope onto Terry on the floor. Storm then rolled Terry back into the ring and Beer Money wanted the DWI, but Terry slipped out and dropped Roode face-first on the mat. Young then tried to KO Roode with the title belt, but Roode ducked and Terry ate the belt. Roode then made the cover for the win.

WINNERS: Beer Money in 5:00. Match was just there to fill TV time before the "intricate TNA booking details" were fleshed out in the post-match. (*)

2 -- DESMOND WOLFE vs. CODY DEANER

Bell rang, Nigel landed the Lariat, and Wolfe scored the pin. Angle said Wolfe damaged his larynx and he basically has a pinched nerve running down his arm. Angle said this guy "got his attention," but he doesn't have his respect yet. Angle gave a slight cough to sell the attack. (This became comical over time.) Angle said he wasn't really ready for anything like what Wolfe gave him. Wolfe took the mic as refs checked on Deaner. He told everyone to take a good look at that Muppet in the ring. Angle chimed in that he was in Deaner's position last week. He sounded as if he was on a 1960s NASA phone line communicating from the moon. Wolfe picked up his promo that Angle should be called Mr. Mangled now. "Keep talking, Desmond *cough*," Angle interjected via the phone line. Angle's commentary was interjected over Wolfe's promo. "I'm glad to have it, Desmond, *cough*," Angle said. Wolfe said he's hungry for Angle's blood, like a wolf. He took his shades off for good measure, then put them back on. "Well, he said his piece *cough*," Angle said. Tenay announced Angle vs. Wolfe at the PPV.

WINNER: Wolfe in 0:10. Good squash for Wolfe and a great promo. Unfortunately, TNA interjected an unintentionally comedic phone call from Angle. Angle didn't do anything wrong other than sounding progressively silly his cough to go with the horrible production. Sounded like one of my podcasts from 2005 using a $20 mic from Circuit City. (n/a)

3 -- TARA vs. HAMADA

Nice back-and-forth match to start with. Hamada really could be marketed as a unique women's wrestler worth building the Knockouts Division brand around. Tara, as well, with her name-brand value from WWE. At the end of the match, Hamada went for a top rope moonsault, but Tara moved out of the way. Tara then hit the Widow's Peak on Hamada for the pin and the win.

Post-match: Awesome Kong came stomping out to the ring, but the comical Security stood in her way. Tara then landed a plancha on the floor and another fight broke out ringside, this time between Tara and Kong. Looks like we have a PPV match set for Turning Point. The cameras cut back and forth between Kong and Tara to show their anger with each other to conclude the segment.

WINNER: Tara in 4:00. Good Knockouts match with a clean finish. Tara-Kong could be a show-stealing match on the undercard of the Turning Point PPV. (*1/2)

4 -- HOMICIDE vs. BOBBY LASHLEY

Tenay had something in his ear. "That's going to be tonight?" he asked the mystery man in his ear. Tenay said Styles vs. Daniels is a go for tonight. Lashley finished off Homicide with a lift-up chokeslam for the pin and the win. Post-match: Homicide jumped Lashley from behind and tried to use a boot as a weapon, but Lashley put him in the air for a press slam. Steiner then appeared on the video screen trying to corner Krystal. After sexually harassing Krystal, Steiner chased down Krystal, who was saved by Lashley. A fight broke out backstage with Lashley beating down Steiner until the Guns, Lethal (out of character), and Simon Diamond tried to separate Lashley and Steiner.

WINNER: Lashley in 2:00. Fine little enhancement match for Lashley, who still doesn't exude any wrestling personality. Steiner has plenty of personality, which is apparently why they paired them up for Lashley to get a little rub from Steiner's character. Lashley vs. Steiner at the PPV ought to be a doozy.

5 -- MADISON RAYNE vs. TAYLOR WILDE

Rayne, wearing fishnets and a revealing top, mounted Wilde early on, apparently channeling her inner Jenna Morasca. Taylor then finished her off moments later for a very short match victory. Post-match: the rest of the Beautiful People ran to the ring and jumped Taylor. Sarita made the save for Taylor, but the BPs held them down after a brief skirmish. Eventually, ODB ran to the ring and made the save for the tag champs. BPs bailed to the outside to yell at the trio they'll face at the PPV to close the segment.

WINNER: Taylor Wilde in 2:00. Match was inconsequential and was merely a vehicle to set up the post-match to promote the PPV six-Knockout tag match. (n/a)

6 -- TNA World Hvt. champion A.J. STYLES vs. DANIELS -- Samoa Joe special referee -- non-title match

TNA didn't give the audience enough time to really prepare for the match after the false start in the first hour. Too much happened before this, so the first few minutes were just there before Daniels settled into a rear chinlock. Joe, of note, is wearing purple latext gloves that were apparently found in the household items aisle at the grocery store before the show. I get that Joe is trying to be like an MMA ref wearing latex gloves, but no other ref in TNA wears them, so it seems silly like Slick Johnson wearing soccer referee socks. At 4:00, Daniels started arguing with Joe, who told Daniels to focus on the match. Styles then made a full comeback and wanted a springboard fist smash, but Daniels blocked mid-air and both men collapsed to the mat. Of note, girls in the Impact Zone screaming as if Evan Bourne is wrestling. Styles has that John Cena/Evan Bourne factor going for him. Styles then finished off Daniels with the Styles Clash and pinned him clean in the ring.

Post-match: Joe presented Styles with the title belt and sold respect for Styles. Styles wasn't sold on Joe trying to act trustworthy. Joe then handed over the belt and raised Styles's arm. He left the ring with everything seeming to be cool, but then Joe snuck back into the ring and slapped on the rear naked choke to choke the life out of Styles. Joe grabbed the title belt and stood over Styles and Daniels to close the segment.

WINNER: Styles in 6:00. Fine singles match between Styles and Daniels, but, again, the match was a vehicle to lead to the post-match. TNA is finally presenting Joe's character accurately as a strong heel assassin with him clearly a strong threat to Styles's title. Good deck-stacking against Styles, although Styles needs to look strong and not gullible at some point as the champ. (*1/2)

7 -- TEAM 3D (BROTHER RAY & BROTHER DEVON) vs. MATT MORGAN & HERNANDEZ

Bell sounded as Tenay and Taz talked up Hulk Hogan coming to TNA. Tenay said they don't know what it means for the "youth" on the roster, which they hope to clear up once Hogan's role is more defined. Tenay plugged next week: a wrestling legend will answer Lethal's challenge, Dr. Stevie vs. Abyss, and Super Dave Osborne on the show. Based on those Spike previews for Super Dave's return to TV, he appears to be on life support. Spike trying to get one last run out of the glorified stuntman. The four big men did some stuff in the ring as Taz cracked himself up with a stream of jokes and one-liners. At 3:00, Devon sold a knee injury after attempting a double axehandle on Hernandez. Hern took advantage by going to work on the knee with mat holds.

Rhino then came to ringside and started talking to Ray, who was on the apron. Morgan slipped into the ring and dropkicked Devon while Ray told Rhino to get lost. Rhino and Ray continued to argue as Rhino told Ray to take a chair. "Take tha pen! I insist, take tha pen!" Subtle Seinfeld reference there. Ray eventually ran Rhino off, but Devon continued to take a beating. The chair loomed in the corner after Rhino left it ringside, however. Morgan then came into the ring and Ray suddenly snapped when he grabbed the chair and smashed Morgan across the back to cause a DQ. Ray then landed a chair shot to Hernandez's forehead. Of course, a chair shot to the head on Hernandez delivered by Ray. Rhino entered the ring and hugged Ray, who sold disgust with Rhino taking advantage of his conflicted state of mind. Rhino then Gored Hernandez and Morgan to finish them off. Rhino then took Ray and Devon by the hands and raised their arms in Rhino's version of victory. TNA closed with a shot of Ray leaning on the top rope selling confliction. "What have we just seen here?" Tenay asked.

WINNERS: Morgan & Hernandez via DQ in 6:00 long minutes. Again, match was a vehicle to the post-match activity that was the "real story" of the interaction here. I don't even know why TNA has matches on TV because they don't mean anything. Coincidentally, TNA weekly waters down the exact wrestling product they want people to spend $30 on when they have monthly PPVs. It's just hilarious. Then again, when you have a less-than-interesting main event with four big men dragging themselves around the ring, perhaps it's best to distract the audience from the wrestling occurring in the ring. (1/2*)

Arcademan:
WWE Superstars Results: 11-5-09

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

1 -- CHAVO GUERRERO vs. SANTINO MARELLA

Santino started on the offensive with his comedy offensive as the announcers tried to establish Chavo's credibility coming from the Guerrero family despite being made sport by Hornswoggle the past several weeks...and seemingly months. Chavo then came back with a rolling suplex that nearly dropped Santino on his beck. Santino kicked out of a pin attempt, then Santino came back with a backslide for a two count, but Chavo answered with a dropkick for a two count. Santino teased a comeback, but Chavo knocked him down to the mat and began toying with him. Chavo took his team taunting Santino, who finally had enough of Chavo. Santino did his cobra hand signal into a punch for the kids. He then attempted his comedic salute-the-troops diving headbutt that Chavo moved out of the way of. Chavo then put the boots to Santino and teased going up top. Chavo sold that he changed his mind and went for a mat hold, but Santino surprised him with a small package pin for the win. Afterward, Santino did his marching band salute while Chavo sold shock he lost again.

WINNER: Santino in 6:00. Fine opening match. Focus was on the happenings inside the ring with Chavo being presented as a less-than-credible heel to create some interest in who would win between the "less-than-credible heel with a strong wrestling background" and the "likable, comedy babyface." (*1/4)

2 -- JACK SWAGGER vs. PRIMO

Primo employed a different strategy to start things off by avoiding Swagger's amateur holds and power offense early on. Swagger then took a head scissors, but blocked a corner attack by ramming Primo back-first into the corner turnbuckle. Swagger followed with right hand strikes before putting a boot in Primo's throat. Swagger followed with his running Vader Bomb, then a second one. Swagger intense and fired up. Put the man in a main event situation. Swagger then put Primo on the mat and stretched him with a neck-twist/back-wrench/abdominal-stretch hold. Swagger kept the hold locked in for a while before breaking it himself to inflict more punishment. Primo shook off Swagger's offense at 4:00, then came back with an aerial attack. Primo's comeback was short-lived, though, as Swagger caught Primo off the ropes in position for the gutwrench powerbomb and the pin for the win. Afterward, Swagger ran around the ring in victory before "popping his collar" to the crowd. Swagger remains undefeated after making his vow to run through 2009 without a loss.

WINNER: Swagger in 5:00. Good, intense display from Swagger, who apparently listened to Jim Ross's evaluation last week to "bring it" every time he's given a TV match opportunity. Primo, meanwhile, is being presented as Raw's table scraps on a regular basis. (*)

3 -- PAUL BURCHILL (w/Katie Lea) vs. TYLER REKS

Katie helped out Paul early in the match, then Burchill went to work on Reks with control of the action. Reks made his obligatory comeback, then the ref instructed Reks to back off and allow Burchill to recover if he's injured. It was an obvious trap, though, and Burchill finished off Reks with his jackhammer suplex for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Burchill in 3:00. Match was there to promote Burchill. Reks continues to receive TV time on the D show, but it's not ample enough to develop a personality for his character. Apparently patience is a virtue waiting for Reks to get enough exposure for WWE to do something with him. (1/2*)

4 -- Unified tag champion CHRIS JERICHO vs. FINLAY

Two old-school guys started with a slapfest and Finlay shot Jericho a look like, "You're kidding, right?" Finlay then shoved Jericho's face into the corner and Jericho begged off. Finlay then smashed Jericho with an uppercut and aggressively put him on the mat before Jericho responded with an aggressive takedown. The match moved to the floor where Finlay caught Jericho inside the ring apron and ring banner in his classic move. They cut to break with Jericho holding onto the banner and Finlay in control. Great opening three minutes.

Back from break, Finlay was posing for a picture with Jericho locking him in a chinlock. Camera was zoomed in tight on the gap in Finlay's teeth, which should make for an interesting snapshot. Jericho worked over Finlay for a few minutes before Finlay came back with a kick strike. Jericho followed with a kick strike of his own before landing a Samoa Joe-style flying sentaun splash for a two count. Finlay then came back at 11:00 with a full comeback including the Rolling Hills drop as one woman in the crowd near an arena mic screamed with delight as Finlay scored a nearfall. Crowd was hot for the anticipated finish as Jericho teased the Walls of Jericho. This woman was going nuts screaming for Finlay to break the ropes, which he eventually did. Finlay then teased the Celtic Cross, but Jericho grabbed the ropes to block. Jericho then nailed the codebreaker out of nowhere. He slowly made his way over to Finlay to make the cover for the win. And the woman kept shrieking. Jericho had his hand raised in victory as they rolled a replay of the high points in the match. They closed the show with Jericho holding up the Unified tag titles with a heelish look on his face.

WINNER: Jericho in 14:00. Excellent TV match for Superstars. I'd like to see a few more rounds of Jericho and Finlay bringing back old-school WCW TV. Finlay is really under-utilized, in my estimation, especially when he's matched up with a wrestler who can take some punishment and have an aggressive match without anyone complaining about someone working stiff. Finlay brings good, old-school pro wrestling to the table that keeps viewers locked in if they want to see scripted, believable competition with one guy trying to prove he's tougher or the better wrestler than the other guy. I thoroughly enjoyed this main event. (**1/4)

Arcademan:
WWE Smackdown Results: 11-6-09

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

1- DOLPH ZIGGLER & THE HART DYNASTY vs. JOHN MORRISON & CRYME TYME

They aired clips of Morrison on “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?” Kidd and Morrison traded offense to start and Morrison came up holding his ribs, after what happened between him and Ziggler last week. As Kidd took a break in his corner, the show went to break.

Ziggler had JTG in a chin-lock out of break. D.H. Smith interfered to take JTG down as Natalya was distracting the ref. Striker called Smith, “the baby bull.” They began to isolate and work over JTG, as in every previous Cryme Tyme vs. Hart Dynasty match in the history of man. Necktie back-breaker by JTG and both men were down, but Dolph Ziggler was able to make the tag. Morrison tagged in as well and tagged Kidd with rights and a clothesline. David Hart Smith got Morrison up for a running powerslam, but Morrison got out and gave him a Flying Chuck. He had to fight off Ziggler and tagged out to Shad. It was his first entrance into the match. Smith sold an elbow weirdly, then took on in the corner from Shad. Blind tag made to Ziggler, and as Shad got ready to finish Smith, Ziggler Zig-Zagged Shad for the finish.

WINNERS: Ziggler & The Hart Dynasty, at 8:50. Just a way to continue to build Ziggler up for a re-match against Morrison, without having him get a clean victory over someone of Morrison’s stature.

2- BETH PHOENIX vs. BRITTANY CARTER

No weight (or hometown) for the jobber this week. Striker said Carter had an extensive background in dance. Beth picked Carter up and drove her back-first into the turnbuckle. Then the opposite one. One-armed pick-up and a back-breaker. Beth dragged Carter around by her hair, then gave her a back-breaker after a bit of a spin. Glam Slam finished it.

WINNER: Phoenix, at 1:56. Crowd got into late thanks to Beth’s impressive move-set.

3- DREW MCINTYRE vs. JIMMY WANG YANG

Yang’s first appearance on the show in quite some time. As Yang went to the middle rope to salute his fans and do his lasso hand signal, Drew attacked him from behind and knocked him to the floor. McIntyre got the mic after disposing of Yang. He said this party can not even begin to get started until he gets some competition worthy of a future World Champion. Yang got in the ring as McIntyre started leaving. Yang insisted the ref ring the bell and he did. McIntyre heard it as he was walking up the ramp and came back to the ring. Yang caught him off-guard with some kicks, but McIntyre caught one and clotheslined him down. He pelted Yang with lefts and rights on the mat, then hit him with what Striker referred to as a Kobashi DDT for the win.

WINNER: McIntyre, at :47.

4- REY MYSTERIO vs. MIKE KNOX

Striker intimated that all Knox does is sit up in his cabin in the mountains in Arizona and read books on the human anatomy. This was billed by the announcers as a match to prepare Rey for his one-on-one contest with Batista. Knox got out of a 619 early and Knox gave him a cross-body on the outside. Lateral press inside the ring, but Rey kicked out at two. Knox sent Rey chest-first hard into the buckle. Bearhug by Knox- Rey got out, but Knox stayed on offense. Abdominal stretch by the mountain man. Rey fought back with some of his signature offense, including a bulldog for two. Seated senton, but he couldn’t capitalize as Knox clotheslined him for a near-fall. Shoulder in the corner missed and Rey set him up for th 619. It connected and was successfully followed up by a springboard splash for the win.

WINNER: Mysterio, at 7:15. Good enough win for Rey, but sadly, Knox hasn’t meant much the last few months.

5- C.M. PUNK vs. R-TRUTH

Scott Armstrong was the referee for the match. Shoulder tackle by Truth. Striker demanded Grisham prove there was a conspiracy. “As a teacher, I demand that you prove your work.” I think he’s my idol. Truth and Punk traded ground attacks and reversals. After a headbutt, Punk hit the ropes, only to be met with a hip-toss. Truth took him to ringside, where he flew onto Punk over the top (almost hitting his head on the floor in the process). Match went to break a little under 3:00 in.

Grisham, upon return from break, noted that this is the first time these two men have squared off in singles competition. Punk kept Truth grounded and really stretched him. Punk clapped for himself, taunting the fans. Truth began to come back, but ran right into a leg lariat for a two-count. Punk was a bit cheesed off at what he perceived was a slow count from Armstrong. He demanded Armstrong count faster. Because he was distracted, Truth rolled him up for, yes, a fast three-count from the referee.

WINNER: Truth, at 10:30. Too bad this win isn’t going to mean what it should for Truth, since the story is Punk being upset and things unraveling around him. In the end, it really helps neither man.

6- MATT HARDY vs. BATISTA

Matt fought out of the corner against Batista, but Batista nearly took his head off with a clothesline. Probably a 0.7 on the Desmond Wolfe scale of clothesline bad-assery. Batista did some choking of Hardy on the middle rope, then missed a corner charge. Hardy didn’t have the muscle to roll him up (thanks to Batista hanging on to the top rope), and the Animal was able to come out on top in that battle. Batista was having his way with Hardy, as they went to break about 3:10 into the contest.

Camel Clutch applied by Batista out of break. He was really working over the back of the elder Hardy brother. Striker called Matt “the Sensei of Mattitude.” Vince must not be on the headsets during this one, based on what Striker has gotten away with tonight. Body-scissors by Batista. Crowd was kind of sitting on their hands at this point. Matt was able to fight away, but Batista hammered him wiht a forearm to the back. Matt wiggled out and landed a version of a neck-breaker. Both men slowly got to their feet, where Batista was met with a boot from Matt. Hardy went low, then pulled out a DDT. Moonsault by Hardy but Batista moved- not far, as Hardy’s face and chest still hit Batista’s legs. Twist of Fate (Grisham proclaimed “that’s gonna do it!,” so you knew it wouldn’t) and sure enough, Batista grabbed the bottom rope. He came back with a spinebuster and choked Matt with his boot. On the outside, he threw Hardy into the barricade, then into the announce table. He took out the monitor from the announce desk, and hit Hardy in the back of the head with it. DQ time, and Striker referred to it as “a foreign object some would call it, an international object....”

WINNER: Hardy, via DQ, at 13:39. Batista as a heel does not make for a great match. Most of it was keeping Matt on the mat.

After the bell sounded, Batista took Hardy into the ring, took his elbowpads off, and set up for a Batista Bomb. Instead, he just shoved him off. After a replay, the camera stayed on Batista as he went up the ramp and did one final yell to close things out.

Arcademan:
WWE RAW Results: 11-9-09

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

1 -- KELLY KELLY (w/Gail Kim) vs. ALICIA FOX (w/Jillian Hall)

Some early trash-talking led to Kelly taking it to Fox. Melina was shown backstage taking a good look at the #1 contender to her title. At the end, Kelly wanted her Fameasser finisher, but Alicia kinda sorta kicked out. Awkward spot that could have used some help in post-production, if possible. Alicia then scored the win moments later and celebrated with Jillian.

WINNER: Alicia Fox in 3:00. Basic divas match. Another example Kelly and Fox aren't exactly the two best workers on the Raw divas roster. (1/2*)

2 -- SHEAMUS vs. ENGLISHMAN

Sheamus quickly rag-dolled the enhancement talent, who tried to fire off a kick in the corner, but Sheamus ran him over with a sledgehammer blow. Sheamus landed repeated fist smashes to the chest before finishing him off with his uranage backbreaker. Sheamus wasn't done, though, as he landed a bicycle kick. Sheamus then peered around the arena with his sinister eyes before taking the man to the corner for a running Outsider's Edge. Sheamus made the pin - with a forearm to the face for added pain - for the win to put an end to the match. "Domination by Sheamus," Lawler said. Sounds like a cologne product.

WINNER: Sheamus in 2:00. Quick, effective squash to continue enhancing Sheamus in Week 3 on Raw. Good work. (n/a)

3 -- EVAN BOURNE vs. JACK SWAGGER

Swagger was aggressive early on blasting Bourne around the ring. Bourne plays a good ragdoll babyface ala Rey Mysterio. Swagger followed with a running Vader Bomb out of the corner before doing some Scott Steiner-style push-ups to mock Bourne. Swagger then stretched Bourne on the mat with a knee to the back before tossing Bourne into the corner to wear him down. Swagger tried a running shoulder tackle, but Bourne blocked and landed a splash to the back from the second rope for his first offense of the match. Bourne then kicked Swagger in the knee, but Swagger came back with right hand strikes to the head. Swagger tried to throw Bourne into the air, but Bourne landed knees-first on Swagger's shoulders to take him to the mat. Nice spot.

Suddenly, Miz's music hit and U.S. champ Miz walked out to ringside to take a closer look at the action. Swagger showed off his work to Miz, then Bourne blocked a suplex, landed a kick strike, and went up top. Bourne connected with the Shooting Star Press and yes, Bourne scored the pin on Swagger to end the 2009 winning streak. Of course, announcers talked up Bourne scoring a "huge upset" win. Miz smirked on the outside, then took a mic and bragged to Swagger that's why he's the Team Captain.

WINNER: Bourne in 5:00. Good five-minute match. Swagger had plenty of offense early on to look strong before taking the loss thanks to Miz's outside distraction. WWE really plays up that underdog status for Bourne to the point of annoyance, as if he's not capable of winning a match without help. On the other side of the coin, Miz and Swagger have the start of a decent program, but it's difficult to buy into this turning into anything of substance since WWE doesn't have a track record of establishing important mid-card programs. (*1/2)

4 -- MARK HENRY (w/Kofi Kingston and MVP) vs. RANDY ORTON (w/Legacy)

Match started in progress with Henry squeezing Orton with a bear hug. Orton then blocked a corner attack and put Henry on the mat to begin the Orton Stomp attack. Henry got a second wind and sent Orton to the corner where he landed successive headbutts that wobbled Orton. MVP told Henry to finish him off, but Orton suddenly struck with the RKO out of nowhere for the pin and the win.

Post-match: Cody and Ted gleefully clapped it up while Kofi paced the sidelines with his hands on his hips. Kofi checked on Henry in the ring, then Orton snuck back into the ring. Orton slapped Kofi, but Kofi punched him right back and Orton rolled to the outside. Legacy held Orton back as Orton went IED wanting another piece of Kofi. Camera with heavy focus on Orton and Kofi, who told Orton to come get a piece of him. Orton just huffed and puffed on the outside.

WINNER: Orton in 5:00. Right finish with Orton winning. Orton has consistently been in PPV main events for five years, so it wouldn't make sense to knock him down a peg if they're going to elevate Kofi in this program. Good focus in the post-match with Kofi and Orton on the back-and-forth camera shots. (*)

5 -- RICKY HATTON vs. CHAVO GUERRERO

Chavo ducked out of the ring early on to avoid Hatton's punches. Hatton started jabbing Chavo with left hands, but Chavo ducked to the corner. Chavo bailed again to keep stalling in order to drag this out. Chavo went to the legs for a takedown for the "MMA" portion of the match. Chavo declared himself the victor and the announcers said Chavo celebrated pre-maturely. Chavo suddenly busted out a kick strike that gave Chavo a brief upperhand, which shocked the crowd. Chavo went for a waistlock takedown, but Hatton spun out and blasted Chavo across the right temple. Chavo staggered to his feet and sold pain, but collapsed to the mat for a ten count to take the loss. Hatton then celebrated with the fans ringside on the way out.

WINNER: Hatton in 3:00. Chavo played a good heel here. I was shocked Chavo got any offense in here. The crowd was equally shocked. Hatton's punch looked good and sounded good with some post-production sound enhancement. Still, I'm shocked Hatton gave Chavo any offense with WWE having control over how this went down. (n/a)

6 -- Unified tag champion CHRIS JERICHO & BIG SHOW vs. DX (SHAWN MICHAELS & TRIPLE H)

Cena was obviously put on commentary here to do damage control on the three-way title match hype. DX took control in the early going and Hunter knocked Jericho to the outside as they cut to break.

Back from break, Shawn Michaels was taking a beating at the hands of Big Show. Jericho and Show started tagging in working over Michaels as Cole and Cena mixed commentary on his triple threat and the Jericho-Show-Taker triple threat at Survivor Series. Hunter eventually took a tag at 7:00 and worked over Show, but Show back-dropped out of a Pedigree and speared Hunter clear across the ring. Show then went to work on Hunter's mid-section with body blows. Jericho then came in and targeted the stomach as well. Cole and Cena filled time asking if DX will implode at Survivor Series. Cena said there will be an issue where DX has to decide whether to work together or against each other in the name of the WWE Title.

Hunter came back with a spinebuster at 12:00 and Michaels began shouting for a hot tag. Camera kept cutting to a shot of Cena hyping the Survivor Series match and whether DX will focus on Cena to eliminate him. Michaels got his hot tag and cleaned house on Jericho before going up top. Michaels executed the "vintage" elbow drop to the heart on Jericho before starting to tune up the band. Jericho ducked, then teased the Walls of Jericho, but Jericho flipped him away. Show then sandwiched Michaels and Jericho. Michaels stumbled out of the corner and Show went for a Big Punch, but HBK ducked and Jericho ate the punch. Jericho collapsed to the mat like a tree in the woods. Tease of whether Michaels or Hunter will accidentally KO the other to give Cena the win. Also, tease of more dissension between Jericho and Show leading to the PPV. Anyways, Hunter cleared Show out of the ring, then Michaels covered Jericho's lifeless body for the pin and the win.

WINNERS: DX in 13:00. The match came across like a standard house show match. At the end, the heels have egg on their faces and the crowd goes home happy with the babyface team in the winner's circle. Considering these guys are on a two-week tour, there was no incentive to "go all out" for a TV taping in the middle of the tour. Cena did a fine job on commentary doing damage control for the PPV hype. He didn't convince anyone to buy the PPV because no one is buying dissension in DX, but at least he gave viewers something to think about, which is more than WWE has done these three weeks leading to the PPV. (*1/2)

Arcademan:
ECW on SyFy Results: 11-10-09

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

1 -- GOLDUST vs. PAUL BURCHILL (w/Katie Lea)

Burchill worked heel despite being in his home country. Crowd didn't appreciate Burchill's heel work on the popular Goldust. Announcers talked up Burchill vs. Helms on next week's ECW as Goldust fired up with a comeback including the drop-down uppercut and a series of clothesline. At 4:00, Hurricane Helms's music hit and he started running around the ring to distract Burchill. Burchill then walked into the Final Cut suplex from Goldust to give Goldy the win. On the outside, Helms smiled and mocked Burchill in the Bart Simpson era of babyfaces acting like heels. "Next week!" Burchill shouted.

WINNER: Goldust in 5:00. Slow, plodding, methodical match. Announcers did a fine job of building up Helms vs. Burchill on next week's show. (1/2*)

2 -- VANCE ARCHER vs. JASON BLACKWELL

Vance is intense. That's the marketing. Vance opened with a round of hard clothesline, then Jason fired off a right hand that drew a quick cheer from the crowd. Archer looked around the crowd mockingly looking for approval, then he smirked and finished off JB with his finisher for the win. Post-match: Vance stared a hole into the hard camera with a sideways "intense" look. No reaction for Vance from the crowd, though, as WWE is slowly establishing who Vance is.

WINNER: Vance in 2:00. Squash to keep building up young Archer. Just fine. (n/a)

3 -- ECW champion CHRISTIAN vs. WILLIAM REGAL -- ECW Title match

I liked Saxton's early commentary suggesting Christian was given a rough time in England going through customs at the airport and checking into his hotel, suggesting a stacked deck against Christian in Regal's home country. After an early feeling out process, the show faded to commercial with the wrestlers standing off across the ring from each other.

Back from break, Christian was the aggressor with a flurry of offense before going up top and being crotched up top by Regal. Both men battled up top for a few moments before Regal executed a double underhook suplex from the top that took the life out of both men. And back to another commercial break. Enter sarcasm - should have just stuck a commercial break in the middle of Archer's match.

Back from break, Regal tried stretching out Christian on the mat to make him tap out, but Christian fought back after avoiding several pin and submission attempts. Christian then went up top, but Regal shoved him off the top rope to the floor. Ref began a ten count, but Christian re-entered the ring and punched Regal on the apron before landing a missile dropkick.

Christian made his full comeback at the top of the hour and scored a close nearfall following another missile dropkick. Christian warmed up the Killswitch, but Regal avoided and tried the Knee Trembler, only to have Christian avoid it. Regal then hit a lighter knee strike and Christian kicked out. Christian tried to come back with the Killswitch, but Regal countered with the Regal Stretch. Christian teased reaching for the bottom rope while also teasing tapping out, then Christian elbowed out of Regal's hold. Christian then came back with a running dropkick and went to the second rope sucking air to land a leaping European Uppercut. Christian wanted the Killswitch again, but Regal countered with a rolling t-bone suplex. Regal then measured Christian for the Knee Trembler, but Christian moved, kicked Regal in the chest, and nailed the Killswitch in center ring for the pin and the win. After the announcers recapped how it all went down, Christian celebrated with the belt to close the show.

WINNER: Christian in 24:00 to retain the ECW Title. Good TV match. Match didn't move out of second gear and wasn't as exciting as Christian vs. Yoshi two weeks ago, but this was still a good, fundamentally sound wrestling match with two real pros in the ring. Christian is being built up as a very strong ECW champ after running through all of the potential contenders.

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