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Arcademan:
ECW On SyFy Results: 12-8-09

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

Prior to the ECW taping starting, Goldust came out for the dark match to start the taping. Kaval (Low-Ki) was his opponent. Kaval cut a promo about his discipline and knowledge making him far superior than the fans. Basically, C.M. Punk's "I'm better than you" promos with a twist. And Ki's deep, unique voice.

Dark match: Goldust beat Kaval at 3:52. Crowd was into the match with Kaval flailing around to sell for Goldust. He seems to have studied some Chris Jericho tapes on "playing to the top row of the arena." Goldust avoided a top rope double foot stomp, then hit the Final Cut suplex for the win.

1 -- VANCE ARCHER vs. TOMMY DREAMER

It was interesting to see how the audience would react to Archer in his first long-form match on ECW TV. He attempted a leg drop with a big wind-up that drew a reaction when he missed Dreamer completely. It was a nice transition to Dreamer's comeback, including a slow-motion baseball slide dropkick. Dreamer then missed with a Dreamer DDT and Archer followed with the big boot and reverse DDT for the win.

WINNER: Archer at 5:06. Archer has some charisma WWE can cultivate, but he needs more time before he becomes a marketable top tier star on the ECW brand. A fine TV match for five minutes. (*1/4)

2 -- TRENT BARRETA & CAYLEN CROFT vs. MARK FRANKS & DANNY VAUGHN

Vaughn was given a payday to basically stand on the apron and take a dropkick near the finish. Good work if you can get it. Meanwhile, poor Franks took a beating from the FCW call-ups. Barreta and Croft made quick work of the enhancement talent with the crowd understanding they were the wrestlers being featured since they were actually tan compared to the pale white enhancement talents. Cue up their "Vitamin C" theme music for the win.

WINNERS: Baretta & Croft at 1:50. WWE's just continuing to build up the new tag team. We'll see where it leads since the ECW tag roster is thin (actually non-existent) minus the feuding Kozlov and Jackson. (n/a)

3 -- ECW champion CHRISTIAN & SHELTON BENJAMIN & YOSHI TATSU vs. WILLIAM REGAL & KOZLOV & EZEKIEL JACKSON

The opening with Christian and Jackson was received well, especially Christian playing cat-and-mouse with Jackson to expose Jackson's "weakness" as a slow, sluggish brute. The heels then isolated Shelton Benjamin for a good while. One man in the crowd was determined to get a "Let's go Shelton" chant started. After shouting himself hoarse, the audience finally picked up on it. Sign Guy then started a slow-clap rallying clap for Shelton, who fought to his feet from a seated position and broke free from Regal. The spot where the referee doesn't see the hot tag to the babyface initially didn't draw a reaction because the audience saw it coming, but they booed when Christian and Yoshi sold their frustration with the ref to the top row of the arena. Eventually, Yoshi took a hot tag and the action broke down. Jackson then wanted a tag to Kozlov, but Kozlov hopped off the apron and started to leave. Jackson chased him down and they brawled ringside while Regal tried to restore order. In the process, Team Regal was counted out.

Post-match: Shelton did a leap over the top rope onto Team Regal that got the flashbulbs popping. Meanwhile, Yoshi disappeared from sight really selling an injury to his jaw/mouth. Christian then grabbed the ladder from the opening segment and set it up in the ring. He scaled the ladder to retrieve the ECW Title belt hanging above the ring, but Shelton suddenly popped to his feet and springboard leapt onto the ladder. You could see how gimmicked the ladder was when it buckled slightly, but absorbed Shelton like the ladder was made of rubber. Christian and Shelton then grabbed hold of the title belt and had a face-to-face, nose-to-nose stare down standing atop the ladder to close the show.

WINNERS: Team Christian at 12:01. The post-match was more important than the in-ring action, as the match was basically six minutes of Shelton selling for the heels. The closing image of Shelton and Christian on top of the ladder was a good sales pitch for the TLC PPV on Sunday. Not the best episode of ECW, but it was effective for advancing the PPV sales pitch and the TV storyline-driven feud between Kozlov and Jackson. (*3/4)

Arcademan:
TNA Impact! Results: 12-10-09

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

(1) THE BRITISH INVASION vs. CHRIS SABIN

Has Doug Williams always been blond? He suddenly reminds me of Bruno. We're told that Nash has banned Alex Shelley from ringside. Sabin and Williams start off with a bit of chain wrestling, culminating in a Side Headlock from Williams. Sabin shoots him off, pops Magnus off the apron, tosses Williams out, and looks to flip out onto them when he's cut off by a shoulder block from Rob Terry. Williams comes back in and chokes Sabin against the corner. Magnus tags in and they hit their Double Union Jack, followed by the Handshake of Doom. Williams tags back in and whips Williams knee first into Sabin. Williams returns the favor by whipping Sabin into a Big Boot from Magnus. He tags in Rob Terry (who the crowd says can't wrestle), who hits a Body Slam, but whiffs on an Elbow Drop. Sabin whips him into the corner. Williams and Magnus come in to help, but Sabin dodges and stacks them up in the corner. He looks for a running kick to all three, but Williams and Magnus get out of the way—Terry still eats it. Magnus and Williams try to strike back with some type of double clothesline, but Sabin dodges and they run right into Terry. While they recover, Sabin hits a quick Tornado Small Package (which I didn't even know was a move) on Terry for the pinfall.

WINNER: Chris Sabin in four minutes. Williams and Magnus are unhappy at their partner. I really hope that this is the start of a MCMG push and not a Rob Terry face turn.

(2) BOBBY & KRISTAL LASHLEY vs. SCOTT STEINER & AWESOME KONG

Nash can book matches with people who aren't TNA employees? Could he have booked me in a match? Steiner has a picture of Kristal on his crotch. Lashley starts things off with a kick to Steiner's gut, a sledge to the back and a Body Slam. Steiner rolls out of the ring and has the ref rebuke Lashley for the use of a closed fist. Lashley follows him out—shouldn't he have just let the match end by count-out? He follows Steiner back into the ring and gets caught by a couple of Knife-Edged Chops. Lashley just powers him onto his shoulders for some type of Rib Breaker. A Suplex gets two. Lashley comes off the ropes but gets tripped up by Awesome Kong. Steiner knocks him down, then floors him with a clothesline when he gets back up. Kong comes in to help out with Lashley, who ducks. Kong inadvertently clotheslines Steiner. While they argue, Lashley clubs Steiner and then takes him over with a T-Bone Suplex. Steiner rolls to the outside, and when Lashley follows him out Steiner whips him into the steel steps near Kristal. She goes to check on Lashley, and might actually have accidentally tagged in. Steiner glares at her, and she backs up into Kong. Kong crushes her and starts to go to the top rope for a big Splash, but Steiner just takes the moderately sexual cover and then does some pushups over her.

WINNERS: Scott Steiner & Awesome Kong in four and a half minutes.

(3) ERIC YOUNG vs. HAMADA
Global Championship Match

They lock up to start. Young backs Hamada into a corner, then pats her on the head. The crowd chants for TNA to fire Eric. He plays to the crowd a bit, only to eat a Spinning Heel Kick. He rolls to the outside, where she follows him with a bunch of quick strikes. EY goes to the corner, and when she charges he gets up a boot—I guess that doesn't count as hitting a woman cause she was moving? His edge doesn't last long, as Hamada gets him with a leaping kick, then takes him down with a top rope Frankensteiner. She goes for a Moonsault, but whiffs. EY makes the cover with the ropes to get the win.

WINNER: Eric Young.

(4) TARA (w/POISON) vs. ODB
Trailer Park Throwdown

In honor of the late Mr. Fatu I will be bringing back the shot-to-the head counter, and this time will keep it cumulative. ODB gives Tara, who's looking like she's going to puke, a bucket, but Tara whacks her with it. ODB rolls to the outside, where ODB whacks her a few more times with some sort of handle. Tara is poised to drop a cooler on ODB's head, but ODB takes a sip and spits some booze in her face. She wraps Tara up in caution tape, then hits her on the back with some sort of tray. She hits a plunger to Tara's butt, and they go back into the ring. There's a ladder set up in the corner, and ODB catapults Tara into it. I'm pretty sure that was protected. ODB starts to climb the ladder, but then randomly decides to bust out a step-ladder instead. A Splash gets two. ODB backs Tara into the corner and chokes her with a tiki torch. Tara flips her out. They get back to their knees. Each of them grabs a trash can, and…uh oh.

Headshot Counter: 7

Tara Body Slams ODB, sets a trashcan lid on top of her, and Moonsaults onto it. She starts to climb for another, but stumbles and falls off the turnbuckles. ODB chokes her out with a steel chain, and uses it to nail a Face Buster onto the chair.

Headshot Counter: 8

WINNER: ODB in six minutes.

(5) HERNANDEZ, MATT MORGAN, & HERNANDEZ vs. TEAM 3D, RHINO, & JESSE NEAL.

Rhino starts things off with a kick to Morgan, but gets backed into the corner for Morgan's back elbows. Devon tags in, but bounces off Morgan. Suicide and Ray tag in as well. Suicide this a few Arm Drags, but Ray powers him down and tags in Jesse Neal. Neal hits a series of clubs in the corner, then tags in Rhino. Rhino keeps working over Suicide, hitting a Spear in the corner. Devon tags back in and beats Suicide to the mat. Devon charges, but Suicide gets a boot up. He takes advantage of the distance to hit a thrusting dropkick. Hernandez and Neal tag in. Hernandez takes down Neal with his Slingshot Shoulder Block, takes down an interfering Rhino and Devon, then pops Ray off the apron. He lifts Neal over with a Back Body Drop, then flies to the outside to take out the other three men. Hernandez comes back in and floors Neal with a Dominator for 1, 2…no! Ray comes in and hits a Bubba Bomb, Morgan takes him out with a Carbon Footprint, and everyone starts hitting finishers in rapid succession. Eventually Hernandez ends up with Devon, whom he nails with the Border Toss, only to turn into a Spear from the legal Neal for the three count.

WINNERS: Team 3D, Rhino, & Jesse Neal? What just happened? Hernandez was kept down by a Spear from JESSE NEAL? B.S.

(6) AJ STYLES vs. DESMOND WOLFE
World Heavyweight Championship Match

Kurt comes down to commentary for the match. Wolfe gets an immediate Full Nelson, then a wrist lock. AJ tries to flip out, but Wolfe blocks him. AJ then does flip through, but Wolfe maintains the hold and gets AJ back down. AJ gets up and hits a Body Slam, but Wolfe still hangs onto the hold. Finally AJ reverses the hold, they trade wrist locks, and eventually AJ shoots him off and gets him with a high dropkick. AJ gets a quick hammerlock, but Wolfe elbows his face. Wolfe tries to run AJ into the turnbuckle, but AJ blocks it. AJ whiffs though on a strike in the corner, and Wolfe connects with his Hammerlock Slam, then the Suplex. He pounds AJ's left arm against the mat, then twists it against the ropes. AJ uses his free hand to fight back, but Wolfe headbutts him back into the corner. He charges right into a Big Boot, and AJ connects with a series of clotheslines and then some sort of Back Breaker to his own knee. Wolfe lifts him up with a Back Body Drop, but AJ lands on the apron and comes back with the Flying Forearm. AJ knocks him down, and as Wolfe falls he kicks AJ in the groin. The ref treats it as an accident, but Wolfe points to his head to let us know that it wasn't. He signals for his lariat, but Daniels comes down and grabs him from the outside. When Wolfe looks at him, AJ sneaks up and gets him with a roll-up into a bridge for three.

WINNER: AJ Styles in five minutes. I like the plot twist, but I would have preferred seeing these two ramp up more quickly if the match was going to be this short. (I realize that wouldn't actually make sense—how would they know in advance it would be a short match?—so I guess this works too).

Arcademan:
WWE Superstars Results: 12-10-09

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

1 -- DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. FINLAY

Having already seen this match at the Smackdown taping on Tuesday, I'm interested to hear the added commentary and catch any possible audio sweetening. Early on, the announcers used Finlay's presence in the ring to talk up Sheamus going into the TLC PPV. After a feeling-out process, Finlay engaged the crowd by trapping Ziggler in the ring apron for his signature move. Back in the ring, Ziggler rammed Finlay in the gut before ramming him head-first into the ringspot. Odd and sad to hear Striker being produced to almost glorify the effects of being hit in the head with a chair to sell Batista vs. Undertaker at the PPV. On cue, the match cut to a break with both men down on the mat after knocking heads in the ring.

Back from break, Striker was still being produced to glorify chair shots to the head. Hurry, order TLC to see wrestlers inflict more punishment to their heads. Ziggler was on the offensive working Finlay's arm and shoulder. Finlay then tried to attack Ziggler in the corner, but Ziggler moved and Finlay hit the turnbuckles. Dazed, Finlay stumbled back into the Zig-Zag finisher from Ziggler for the win.

WINNER: Ziggler in 12:00. Basic, okay singles match. Striker being produced to show enthusiasm for chair shots to the head and the effects of blows to the head was just wrong. Ten years from now with more and more research, people are going to watch this tape and their jaws will be on the floor. (*)

2 -- HART DYNASTY (TYSON KIDD & D.H. SMITH w/Natalya) vs. JIMMY WANG YANG & SLAM MASTER J

Wang and SMJ scored some early high-flying offense, then Yang found himself on the floor. Natalya landed a bodyslam on the floor that generated one of the legit biggest pops of the Smackdown taping during any match on the show. Back in the ring, Smith went to work on Yang as they replayed Natalya's slam on Yang. SMJ took a hot tag at 3:00 and went to work on Kidd with fast-paced offense. Smith then broke up a pin and Yang cleared him to the outside. Back in the ring, though, Kidd blocked a suplex and hit a back kick into a flip-over neckbreaker for the pin and the win. Sweet finish.

WINNER: HD in 4:00. This was better on TV than live at the taping. Nice pace with the camera and production enhancing the high-flying, fast-paced offense throughout the match. Yang and SMJ had enough impressive-looking offense to look strong in defeat. (*1/2)

3 -- JACK SWAGGER vs. MVP

The match started with an early exchange to feel each other out. Lawler after the opening bell: "Did you know MVP's high school newspaper had an obituary column?" Now that Lawler isn't running for mayor in Memphis, he can crack jokes again. MVP had a flurry of offense at 2:00, so Swagger slipped to the outside to recover. MVP told him he was ballin', so Swagger stomped up the ring steps back into the ring to answer. MVP went back on the offensive and teased dropping the Ballin' elbow, but Swagger rolled to the outside. Cole said Swags needed a time-out, but MVP interrupted with a plancha to the floor. MVP in control going to break.

Back from break, MVP was still in control. Lawler suggested MVP "gets up" for Swagger and does his best work in the ring opposite Swagger thanks to the trash talk over the past few months. Swagger then took control working over MVP's left shoulder while MVP's nose was in the canvas. MVP then fired off a round of right hand blows and back-dropped Swagger to the mat before landing a series of clotheslines. MVP then set up the Ballin' elbow drop when he could have made a pin when Swagger was motionless for over three seconds. MVP then wanted the Playmaker, but Swagger held the ropes to block. MVP tried a small package, but Swagger kicked out. Swagger then landed a knee to the gut and MVP just kinda fell down in the corner for Swagger to hit a running Vader bomb for a two count.

Time to go home nearing the top of the hour. MVP blocked a neckbreaker, then he charged Swagger and nailed a big boot right to the head, but Swagger kicked out and MVP sold shock. MVP tried to capitalize, but Swagger dropped MVP face-first on the top turnbuckle and followed right up with the gutwrench powerbomb. Swagger with the pin for the win.

WINNER: Swagger in 12:00. Nice TV main event. Good counters and reversals throughout. The finish was telegraphed early and often, as MVP had tons of offense compared to Swagger to protect MVP before he took the eventual fall. Good conclusion to the show. (**)

Arcademan:
WWE Smackdown Results: 12-11-09

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

1 – LUKE GALLOWS & C.M. PUNK vs. R-TRUTH & MATT HARDY

At one point, when Truth was yelling, “what’s up?” as part of his intro, Punk replied “Straight Edge!” Matt followed Truth and was handing the Hardy DVD to fans. Punk’s indignation and desperate attempts to convince fans not to accept them while Truth was still rapping was funny. Truth gave a cheap-shot to Punk before the match as Punk was yelling at Hardy in the ring.

After Punk recovered, the match began. Punk got in Truth’s face and taunted him. Not Punk’s most sagacious moment, as Truth came back with a clothesline and sent Punk to the outside as they went to break under a minute into the match.

They returned to action about 3:30 into the match. The faces were double-teaming Punk, but Punk came back to hang Truth waist-first on the top rope. Gallows tagged in and registered a gut-buster on Truth. Striker lauded the team of Punk and Gallows, while Grisham reminded him it was their first match together. Scoop slam by Punk for two. The heels isolated Truth and worked him over. Gallows cinched in a bearhug. Belly-to-back suplex by Punk, then some taunts of the fans to draw some more heat. He went for a springboard clothesline, but Truth dropkicked him in the chest as he came down. Matt tagged in and went to work on Punk. Powerbomb-like move out of the corner, then a legdrop off the second rope. Gallows broke up the pin, but Truth took care of him. Punk tossed Truth. Couple of reversals by the legal men. Twist of Fate, but Punk made a blind tag prior to that and Gallows gave him a big boot and his finisher (which Striker called “The 12th Step” and “The Gallows’ Pole”) for the win.

WINNERS: Punk and Gallows, at 8:51. Good tag match to put over the Punk/Gallows relationship.

2 – ERIC ESCOBAR vs. CHRIS JERICHO

Jericho slapped Escobar after a brief face-off, but Escobar came back with some rights. Jumping leg lariat by Escobar, then he walloped Jericho some more in the corner. Sky High by Escobar for only two. He clotheslined Jericho over the top and to the outside. At this point, Vickie came out to make it a two-on-one handicap match with Big Show and Jericho taking on Escobar. You could see that one coming as soon as Jericho was thrown over the top rope.

2 – ERIC ESCOBAR vs. CHRIS JERICHO & THE BIG SHOW – HANDICAP MATCH

Escobar tried for a quick pin before Show got to the ring, but it was unsuccessful. Jericho took over on offense and immediately tagged Show. After about a minute of beating down Escobar, Jericho tagged back in and locked in the Walls of Jericho to pick up the submission victory.

WINNERS: Show and Jericho, at 2:59. I wouldn’t say this makes the champs look especially strong heading into TLC.

3 – KANE vs. MIKE KNOX

During Knox’s entrance, they replayed the finish of last week’s match between these two. Kane got a big boot early on, then a snap-mare, but Knox fled the ring before Kane could hit him with the low dropkick. As he came back in, Kane grabbed him by the throat. Knox elbowed out, then hit a pump kick. Knox kept Kane grounded with elbows and punches. Short-arm clothesline from Knox. Kane got his knees up on a splash, then came the low dropkick. That got a two-count. One-armed sidewalk slam by Kane, an impressive sight. The Big Red Monster missed a clothesline off the top and Knox responded with a cross-body for two. He went for a Knox Out, but Kane countered with a chokeslam for the win.

WINNER: Kane, at 2:55. Knox’s gimmick doesn’t really work when the guy never wins.

4 – MICKIE JAMES & MARIA vs. MICHELLE MCCOOL & LAYLA

They officially announced Mickie James vs. Michelle McCool for the Women’s Title at TLC. Maria opened the match with a couple arm-drags on McCool. Michelle recovered and came back with a back-breaker. McCool knocked James off the apron and as the ref tried to restrain James from coming into the ring, the heels took advantage with some double-teaming. Maria fought back with a head-scissor take-down and tagged James. McCool tagged out to Layla, who ate Mickie’s offense. Hair pull took Mickie down, but Layla got nailed with a Thesz Press. Mickie shoved her into McCool, who was on the apron, then rolled Layla up for the win.

WINNERS: Mickie and Maria, at 1:56. The match served its purpose, nothing more.

5- REY MYSTERIO vs. BATISTA – STREET FIGHT

Batista started the match on offense, whipping Rey hard into the buckle. Hard elbow to the chest put Mysterio down again, and got a two-count. Batista really worked over Mysterio, bodyslamming him and paint-brushing the back of Rey’s head. Mysterio finally fought out of a powerslam and took out Dave’s knee. Batista got set up for the 619, but escaped. Rey used some tomfoolery to get into Batista head, stepping over him to get out of the ring, then coming back in when Batista went out after him. Baseball slide and Batista landed hard against the barricade as the show went to break a little under three minutes into the match.

Batista was twisting Rey’s body around the ring post as the show returned. They showed a replay during the break of Batista taking over on offense with a boot to the face and a whip of Rey into the ring steps. He began to whip Mysterio with camera cables at ringside. Batista dropped Rey jaw-first onto the announce table. Hey, I just noticed sign guy in the front row. The Animal worked over the back of Mysterio in the ring. Striker wondered aloud if, because Batista’s milk intake is more than the normal man, and milk strengthens bones, whether it makes Batista’s head harder and requires more chair shots to daze him. I wonder what goes through his mind sometimes. Batista brought a chair into the ring, but Rey came back and prevented him from using it. Mysterio got the 619 and the springboard splash, but only for two. Mysterio whacked Batista in the back with a chair, then went after him with it raised above his head, resulting in him getting speared by Batista. Spinebuster by the big man. Chairshot to the head by Batista, followed by a pin for the win.

WINNER: Batista, at 11:11. Well, Batista has the match at the PPV, so he had to go over here.

Batista went back for seconds, but the lights went out and Taker’s gong sounded. The lights came back on, and Taker was in the ring. He pummeled Batista and grabbed the chair, but Batista escaped before Taker could wield it successfully. Batista crawled up the ramp, trying to catch his breath, as Taker did the throat-slash gesture in Batista’s direction.

Arcademan:
WWE RAW Results: 12-14-09

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

1 -- ECW champion CHRISTIAN & GREAT KHALI & KANE vs. WILLIAM REGAL & KOZLOV & EZEKIEL JACKSON

Khali started things off and looked horrible trying to move around. Christian then tagged in and the heels isolated Christian to begin working him over after he took a beating in the ladder match last night. Kane then tagged in and battled with Regal. Jackson then tagged in and clotheslined Kane. He yelled and screamed, but the audience was sitting on their hands. Kozlov then blind-tagged in to upset Jackson. Kane then ran over Kozlov and Khali suddenly tagged in and delivered a big right hand chop to Kozlov for the pin and the win. Regal was frustrated with his bad luck post-match. Khali did a little dance post-match while Kane stared at him.

WINNERS: Team Christian at 2:30. Why the torment? A slow, plodding, brutal match. (1/4*)

2 -- KOFI KINGSTON vs. CODY RHODES

The bell sounded and there was a "Kofi, Kofi" chant that sounded close to a "Cody, Cody" chant. The announcers talked about the breakthrough performances by the young stars on TLC last night. Kofi hit a Boom Drop less than a minute into the ring, then Ted DiBiase stormed the ring and attacked Kofi for a DQ.

WINNER: Kofi via DQ at 1:01. (n/a)

Post-match: Evan Bourne made the save for Kofi. After things were settled down, Dennis Miller was back on-stage and he awarded himself a Slammy for Best Announcement by a Guest Host when he ordered the match restarted. "Al Sharpton, Jeremy Piven, Suck it! Ring the bell," he said. That got a crowd reaction. Miller's best moment (read: not super-awkward moment) of the show.

3 -- KOFI KINGSTON & EVAN BOURNE vs. TED DIBIASE & CODY RHODES

After the "Suck It" declaration, the bell sounded and Kofi and Bourne hit double planchas on Legacy on the outside. They cut to break and plugged Tribute to the Troops airing on NBC this Saturday night.

Back from break, DiBiase had Kofi in a headlock on the mat. Striker inserted a product placement plug, saying DiBiase was almost "Marine-like" taking apart Kofi. Cody and Ted continued to tag in and out working over Kingston as the audience tried to rally him. Bourne then took a tag at 6:30 and cleared the heels from the ring. Bourne then hit a double knee drop on Cody in mid-air for a two count. DiBiase and Kofi ended up on the outside, then Rhodes caught Bourne and turned his neck inside-out with an emphatic Cross Rhodes spinning neckbreaker for the pin and the win. Post-match: Kofi checked on Bourne while Legacy left the ring with a victory.

WINNERS: Legacy at 7:20. It was quite obvious how this going down once Bourne entered the match to be the man to take the fall. Meanwhile, Kofi is back to floating around aimlessly in the mid-card. (3/4*)

4 -- JOHN CENA vs. C.M. PUNK -- Superstar of the Year tournament match

Cena ran over Punk with a shoulderblock, but Punk answered with a leg whip. He then mocked Cena's You Can't See Me and followed with a high knee in the corner followed by a running bulldog. Punk then settled into a mat hold as the audience chanted for Cena. Punk then tried the G2S, but Cena countered center-ring with the STF. The audience popped, then Cena re-applied the STF and locked it in center ring. Punk had nowhere to go and he tapped out. Cena briefly celebrated before selling frustration with his current circumstances.

WINNER: Cena at 1:43. Short match to get Cena his heat back and set up the post-match. Punk had a promo to help cover for the inevitable short loss, but this wasn't a good showcase for Punk. (n/a)

5 -- RANDY ORTON vs. THE UNDERTAKER -- Superstar of the Year tournament match

The bell sounded and the announcers picked up the debate on Batista not winning the World Title thanks to Teddy Long. Cole and Lawler defended Long's decision-making. Have to go with Shane McKinley's point on the inconsistency with Long's character since Long didn't call for a restart in Morrison-McIntyre after McIntyre won the IC Tile thanks to an illegal eye-gouge. As for the match, Taker teased his signature moves early on, but Orton countered everything. Taker then delivered a "vintage" leg drop across the ring apron from the outside. Striker asked Cole if he does "vintage" twice in one match. Cole said he tries not to. Legacy then walked down the ramp and Taker scared them back up the ramp. After scaring away Legacy, Taker walked back to Orton, who surprised Taker with an RKO on the floor as the ref was at a six count. Orton slid into the ring at nine and Taker made a last-second dive back in the ring, but he fell on the ground. Taker was counted out, giving Orton the win.

Post-match: Legacy tried to jump Taker, but Taker sat up and flung them to the outside. Taker then delivered a chokeslam on Orton and ref Robinson scurried out of the ring. After clearing the ring, Taker simply paced around the ring before his music played. So, now we have Cena vs. Orton once again.

WINNER: Orton via count-out at 3:20. It became obvious how this was going down once Cena won earlier. No way they were going to give away Cena vs. Taker on free TV with no hype. Of course, they had to protect Taker, so they went the cheap route to give Orton his ticket to the tournament finals. Not enough time to develop anything in the match itself. (*)

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

The bell sounded and after a brief stare-down period, Hunter shoved down the ref. The ref stood up and surveyed the scene before shouting for a DQ. The audience figured out what was going on as Jericho stood stunned. Michaels sarcastically told Hunter he just cost them the match. Fortunately, the titles don't change hands on a DQ, but he did cost them the match. Hunter sarcastically said he just cost them the match and the winner's prize money. Michaels said there goes Christmas. Hunter said that also was the re-match and Jericho is done with re-matches. Michaels: "Oh man, this has to be horrible to be you." He then told Jericho technically he's not even supposed to be in a Raw ring. Michaels told Hunter that Jericho is trespassing. Hunter said if only there were a group of superstars who hate Jericho as much as they do.

Cue up the DX music to bring out Hurricane, R-Truth, Shelton, Cryme Tyme, Finlay, and Christian in DX Army gear. Best look was Christian sporting a Cowboy hat and DX beanie and pulling it off with style. There was even a DX Snuggie, thanks to Cole referencing it. Jericho yelled at the DX Army, but Michaels blasted him with a superkick to shut up Jericho. The makeshift DX Army then helped escort Jericho up the rampway. Of note, Big Show disappeared after the DQ. Jericho finally left and Michaels and Hunter were left in the ring to declare Jericho is outta here. They cut backstage where Jericho turned over a catering table while the DX Army pushed him down the walkway to the exit door. They pushed him out the door and closed the back door. Jericho pounded on the door, but Christian crotch-chopped the door.

WINNERS: Jericho & Show via DQ at 0:22; DX retains tag titles. Well, there goes Jericho back to Smackdown only it appears. Unless Jericho shows up as the Winnipeg Kid next week and wins a contract over a recently re-hired Wellness Policy violator. Or, he just badgers each week's guest host to get another chance on Raw. Meanwhile, Big Show can disappear for knee recovery ... or feud with Mark Henry.

Continued in next post...

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